Ups and Downs, Art and Classes- February 16th (Patreon)

Hey Artnerds!

I have been making a lot of art lately.  

On one hand, I know part of it has to do with getting an iPad for Christmas from Joseph, and the portability and flexability makes sketching and planning very easy and accessible, even when I'm on the road a lot. On the other hand, I think it's because because I'm anxious and depressed, and painting helps me self regulate, and making art allows me to feel, for a bit, that I have agency.

Online sales have been very slow since I developed Sjogren's (with the exception of the Lilliputian Living Les Petits Plaisirs de la Vie launch), so in a way, making all this art feels counterproductive sometimes, as there isn't a particular market for it. But making things and sharing them allows me to feel Good and like I'm Doing Something, and I think that has value too.

I share this because I think many of yall can relate. Sometimes it can look like you're swimming very fast, but really you're swimming against a strong current and are just trying to stay afloat.

I'm not anxious because of art or sales. Just. well, yall know /me gestures vaguely. And Louisiana being particularly extra in a particularly horrific way. I know many of yall can relate- my trans friends and neurodivergent friends and disabled friends and POC friends, I think we're all considering our options and how to protect ourselves and those we love.

I dont plan on talking about politics here on Patreon much, because I know how much I value my own escapes, and I hope I can provide yall with a little escape when I share art. However, if you do wanna hear me yap about politics, Threads is where I try to keep it. Sometimes Facebook, but that's really hyper local politics involving heavy industry.

Something I have been doing is trying to make my five calls a day to my state reps, and trying to stay involved with local politics. I really like the 5Calls app for national things, although it isn't particularly helpful if one of your senators has said to 'call someone who cares' in regards to all the calls he's been getting. Their prompts are geared more for politicians who might care and might listen, so sometimes I have to retool things a bit for Louisiana.

I've been focusing on Louisiana foods- something I love- as a way to push back against what's happening in my Parish and in my State. As though my art might help some of the people in charge realize what terrible things they're doing, and help them reprioritize. A charming thought that probably doesn't hold any water, but a woman can try. Perhaps more likely though, it can inspire those in my home state to keep fighting to protect the good and the beautiful, and maybe inspire them to work harder to support their own.I hope you guys have a wonderful week, and I look forward to chatting more soon!