I saw the podcast come through on my podcast subscriptions! I was “saving” it for a quiet moment, and wasn’t sure if it was the same read over audio on substack. It’s exciting Amy, whatever routes you choose to take, and if those routes change for a period! I don’t think your substack has to be uniform! It just has to be what you want it to be in that moment! I am here for you, not for any expectations on content or sections or format!
Quietly, I began to Illustrate My Week 15 weeks ago. It has been a creative outlet during a challenging time. I mostly write, but there are illustrations of some kind on each page. Thank you for inspiring me to begin this project.
I discovered Substack through your CMP podcast. I was thrilled to see a new podcast pop into my up next list. You are also a beautiful voice artist, a third notch on your belt. I see no need to choose, life is a better with variety. I find your thoughts and art both inspiring. Thank you for the listens!
I want to believe that none of us is just one thing, and that those who seem to be are just better at marketing and/or compartmentalizing. I have a sibling in his 70s who spent a lifetime as a corporate attorney. But somewhere along the line he wondered, out loud, why he didn't pursue a desire to be an architect. He also happens to be a very talented pianist, though he would likely say otherwise. The world needs curiosity. The world needs people who refuse to be put in boxes. I string words together to make essays. That makes me a writer. If photography is an art, then I'm an artist. I know a lot about farming, and I used to be a farmer. I'm not anymore, though my heart is still attached to those days. What was I before I needed to call myself something? What am I now? I'm all of it, and none of it at the same time. Our culture tends to attach meaning to professions, so we all go around saying "I'm this or that" based on what we do to earn money. I wonder what would happen if answered differently? "I'm an explorer." "I'm a time traveler." "I am multitudes."
I’m a writer who (re)turned to art whenever words failed me. Labeling is fraught. Or at least complex: What we call ourselves. What we value. What we love. What we’re good at. What we’re paid to do. What we’re trained to do. What credentials we hold. How others see us. How we spend our time. How we present. What’s true? What’s legitimate? I’ve always wrestled with these questions — sometimes in the abstract, as a political or category question, sometimes in very personal terms, as a question of purpose or authenticity. Right now I’m plodding through my days, wondering if I asked too many questions or too few (across the decades). I love that you have the wit and the clarity and the patience to sort through this in print. I was sad to see the dropped letter, but restored by the delightful writing about writer-ness. Thanks for the weekly inspiration to stop and chew on such things.
Writer . . . artist . . . I'm a creator. I cook, knit, quilt, write, draw, take photos and live.
As for writers who are artists, Dorothy Dunnett comes up again! When I move home, I'm going to find some of her descriptions. They are so visual. The best writers notice the world in granular detail, and when they write about it, we believe.
Besides writing some of the best fiction of the 20th century, Lady Dunnett was an acclaimed portrait artist. Her portraits are full of color and life.
These questions come at a time when I am wondering the same. Well, not “am I a writer” exactly, but “can I be?” I checked the “artist” box without hesitation, but I am drawn to visual art that tells stories. I think of story first from a visual perspective, and the words come much harder. I used to write when I was younger, but after so many years of focusing on visual art, I feel like that is just how I think at this point. (There are so many times I could draw a picture of something faster than I can manage to think of the right word!) But I do think they go hand in hand, writing and visual art, both forms of making something you can share with the world. You communicate so beautifully and effectively with both, I certainly think of you as a writer and a visual artist. I enjoyed the podcast, hearing your words in your voice is always a treat.
I saw the podcast come through on my podcast subscriptions! I was “saving” it for a quiet moment, and wasn’t sure if it was the same read over audio on substack. It’s exciting Amy, whatever routes you choose to take, and if those routes change for a period! I don’t think your substack has to be uniform! It just has to be what you want it to be in that moment! I am here for you, not for any expectations on content or sections or format!
Quietly, I began to Illustrate My Week 15 weeks ago. It has been a creative outlet during a challenging time. I mostly write, but there are illustrations of some kind on each page. Thank you for inspiring me to begin this project.
I discovered Substack through your CMP podcast. I was thrilled to see a new podcast pop into my up next list. You are also a beautiful voice artist, a third notch on your belt. I see no need to choose, life is a better with variety. I find your thoughts and art both inspiring. Thank you for the listens!
I want to believe that none of us is just one thing, and that those who seem to be are just better at marketing and/or compartmentalizing. I have a sibling in his 70s who spent a lifetime as a corporate attorney. But somewhere along the line he wondered, out loud, why he didn't pursue a desire to be an architect. He also happens to be a very talented pianist, though he would likely say otherwise. The world needs curiosity. The world needs people who refuse to be put in boxes. I string words together to make essays. That makes me a writer. If photography is an art, then I'm an artist. I know a lot about farming, and I used to be a farmer. I'm not anymore, though my heart is still attached to those days. What was I before I needed to call myself something? What am I now? I'm all of it, and none of it at the same time. Our culture tends to attach meaning to professions, so we all go around saying "I'm this or that" based on what we do to earn money. I wonder what would happen if answered differently? "I'm an explorer." "I'm a time traveler." "I am multitudes."
This might be of interest. I watched some time back when I was having some internal doubt about what to be when I grow up. LOL! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jfrl62sD9YY
Keep moving, Amy. The birds might be showing you the way.
I’m a writer who (re)turned to art whenever words failed me. Labeling is fraught. Or at least complex: What we call ourselves. What we value. What we love. What we’re good at. What we’re paid to do. What we’re trained to do. What credentials we hold. How others see us. How we spend our time. How we present. What’s true? What’s legitimate? I’ve always wrestled with these questions — sometimes in the abstract, as a political or category question, sometimes in very personal terms, as a question of purpose or authenticity. Right now I’m plodding through my days, wondering if I asked too many questions or too few (across the decades). I love that you have the wit and the clarity and the patience to sort through this in print. I was sad to see the dropped letter, but restored by the delightful writing about writer-ness. Thanks for the weekly inspiration to stop and chew on such things.
Writer . . . artist . . . I'm a creator. I cook, knit, quilt, write, draw, take photos and live.
As for writers who are artists, Dorothy Dunnett comes up again! When I move home, I'm going to find some of her descriptions. They are so visual. The best writers notice the world in granular detail, and when they write about it, we believe.
Besides writing some of the best fiction of the 20th century, Lady Dunnett was an acclaimed portrait artist. Her portraits are full of color and life.
These questions come at a time when I am wondering the same. Well, not “am I a writer” exactly, but “can I be?” I checked the “artist” box without hesitation, but I am drawn to visual art that tells stories. I think of story first from a visual perspective, and the words come much harder. I used to write when I was younger, but after so many years of focusing on visual art, I feel like that is just how I think at this point. (There are so many times I could draw a picture of something faster than I can manage to think of the right word!) But I do think they go hand in hand, writing and visual art, both forms of making something you can share with the world. You communicate so beautifully and effectively with both, I certainly think of you as a writer and a visual artist. I enjoyed the podcast, hearing your words in your voice is always a treat.
I also saw the podcast come through the app! I listened this morning while painting. It’s nice to hear your voice too 😊