feb (part ii)
a quick little update <3
hello. i hope you are well.
it has been such a curious few days for me… everything feels like it’s swirling; sometimes chaotically sometimes beautifully and sometimes both.
are you new here? welcome. i am an artist (primarily) and my practice has many strands, many tendrils… most recently, the stuff i have made public has been predominantly “lyrical”… a poetry chapbook and a music video.1
i make art because it makes sense to me to make it, and when i don’t create things i feel crappy. i live and breathe art; but, living off it entirely still eludes me. yet, i find that the work i make has immense personal value and i’m witnessing more recently the value it has for others too.
read on for some updates.
(I used this photo recently for self-promo, and also shared it fairly recently over Notes. I love the whimsy and the personality that doodles can create/ inspire. Taken last summer.)
It’s the start of a new week.
I cannot believe that February has whizzed by so fast. I suddenly have loads of things to do!!
I have ticked some tasks off my list, though. While I have delayed finishing my sculpture, I finally created the zine display (plus extra info display) for six poems and as of today it’s available (for sale) in one of my local cafés!2 They’ve shared a post on their Instagram which is definitely testing my capacity to be seen (they have a “gazillion” followers) — although I’d say so far I’m doing pretty well with it.
Thank you for your support r.e. this news over on Notes <3
The audio reading of six poems is still pending. I’m trying to give myself grace in this trying emotional time. A hellscape. But also - in the horror - some blessings to be found, surely. The sanctifying of female rage. The final gasp of surreal and contemptible beauty standards rooted in “youth” (euphemism). But also grief, sadness, disgust. I’m focussing on one aspect of the horror, I suppose; but, it’s all connected.
I have learnt for some time how to create my own worlds within worlds that felt like they didn’t care about me (often, this is an understatement). Artists know innately how to world build, I think. Or maybe some artists only. I would like to think I’m in the group that know. Or at least can learn. Part of me thinks I do this already.3
Recently I’ve come to think of building community as a creative practice. I think this is somewhat adjacent to thoughts around worlding.
I’m trying to hold myself accountable to things I said I’d complete while also slowing down and honouring my own rhythms. I think this is my current creative challenge.
I hope that life is being kind to you, wherever you are, reading this.
If you’re on Instagram, I am using it solely for “musical” updates as my music moniker shimmerer. Follow me :)
And with that, I’m signing off.
I hope to speak with you next time with more completed work under my belt, or at least some wisdom from continuing to learn how to map my own creative path.
All the best,
Angelica xxx
These works are conceptually connected and I wonder if this is visible to others, or just me. The sculpture is the third piece of the puzzle!
I love showing up on Substack and also locally, in real life.
I’ve been interested in installations and theatre as a “pinnacle” of my work (or simply in general) for some time. Also - artists homes and studios as worlds within worlds.
Congratulations on getting set up at the coffee shop and having a public space for your work that’s super dope! This is inspiring 🙏🏽
Giving yourself grace while trying to keep promises to your work is one of the hardest creative practices; I struggle with this quite a bit. honoring your rhythms feels like slowing down, but I’ve learned that resting is what helps us get back out there again.
I love your idea of worlding and of treating community as a creative practice, two sides of the same craft, at least how I see it as a song writer and poet. Building a world in a poem and building a world with readers both rely on small details that tie both reader and writer. A shared language. And then, for me it’s how do we take that shared language and make it you remix it play with it. Excited to hear more about your world building perspective as a creative.
Take the time you need. Your work and the way you’re thinking about process and care already matters. I’m looking forward to hearing whatever you share from your audio poem sharing.
We have so many worlds inside us. Worlds within worlds. You're worlds are important, so keep taking the time to self-regulate. This is hard for artists, I know. We always want to be creative lest we wither away. Stepping back and taking the long view is really healthy, I think. You will get there! Or maybe you are already there. I find your sentiments around art and community refreshing. The social media hustle culture can be draining, but at least you seem to have an awareness of its pitfalls. Keep building your worlds slowly and with self-compassion.
All the best :)