Patreon Newsletter July 11th: (Patreon)

This week was...hooo a whole lot.  A lot of good, a lot of rough.  As someone who really struggles with depression, when I'm having a week like that, I try my best to really just focus as much as I can on the good, or on the things that I can actively change within myself or my immediate environment.  It might be a bit Pollyanna (and I think most of yall would agree that that does not really describe me), but after years of beating myself up and trying to force myself to LOOK AT THE MUCK, I've learned that sometimes it's better to just focus on the irises, the cypress, and the way forward outta the swamp.

One of the good things that happened this week is that I met someone interesting.  I don't want to give too many details, because I promised to keep their identity secret, but I met someone from St Charles Parish who went on to do really great things, and has now moved back for retirement.  Talking to them, I felt like we had a lot of similar struggles and frustrations about our childhoods here despite decades of separation, but it really just cemented my belief that Louisiana CAN change and that in many ways, it HAS to change.  I don't know if we'll ever meet again, but I really hope we do, because I enjoyed the conversation we shared by the bayou. Our conversation really got me fired up to do the best I can to help young artists here in LA, to encourage artists my own age, and to try to connect with older artists with open minds.  Leaving should be a choice, not a matter of survival for those with sensitive natures and creative endeavors.

I think my friends from St Charles P will agree that growing up, we aren't really introduced to the artists, the musicians, the writers who hail from our area.  Our history shifts focus drastically, but what is presented isn't necessarily something many of us feel proud of, are inspired by, or even want to claim.  I hope someday to inspire this Parish to honor its creatives the same way it honors the chemical plants and plantations, to value the creative spirit that I think many denizens of this area are born with but find crushed throughout the years.

One of the bad things is that I dropped my phone, cracking my screen.  Not so bad- easily (if expensively) fixed.  I use my phone for EVERYTHING, but particularly for videos- I record, edit, voice-over, and upload- all from my phone.  This pocket marvel allows me to create and share from almost anywhere, and I think many of us who had rural upbringings find good technology can be a great equalizer.

My plan is to bring my phone in tomorrow to get the screen repaired (the edges are shattered and there's bits of rock in the screen protector now, so I worry that putting it off will kill the LCD and result in a more pricy repair), and I'm trying to finish out my ongoing WIP videos.  Most of my footage is saved on a micro SD card, but I use VN editor, and if they do a phone wipe (which I hope not, but best to be prepared), a reinstall would be I'd have to reedit a lot of footage.  Today I recorded the voiceovers for three videos, and I hope to have them edited and uploading by this evening.  While technology might be a great equalizer (when accessible and available), you definitely feel the sting when it's out of commission!

Backer Exclusive:

Early Access- Glowing Bright- Watercolor Tutorial: https://www.patreon.com/posts/early-access-53511477

Backer Exclusive- July Zenpop Stationery Box: https://www.patreon.com/posts/backer-exclusive-53456224

New to the Public:

Tuesday, July 6th: I Tried It! Everything Instagram Said They Wanted- Monthlong Challenge: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WeGvaIMg1_Y (artist life, art challenge, social media)

Friday, July 9th: World Watercolor Month- My Favorite Watercolor Supplies: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b4waFMHb6r8 (livestream, watercolor, walkthrough)

Saturday, July 10th: Beam Paints Unbox and Swatch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPYOyeGOsJE

(handmade watercolor, watercolor review, watercolor swatches)

7" Kara: 

Chapter 8, Page 12 http://7inchkara.com/comic/213