art for these times
where to even begin….
over the last few weeks we have seen unprecedented political polarization, crucial programs and research being dismissed and dismantled, and the demoralizing of human beings - just to name a few. we CANNOT get distracted by these extreme actions and must continue to do what we can to make this world a better place. start with local activism. what can you do in your own community to make things better for those who need support and help? one of my dear friends is tutoring hispanic children to read and speak english. another friend has been going to the warming shelter and volunteering. (a local shelter in wilmington for the un-housed population). another friend hosted a gathering on MLK day to build community at her local bookstore. (pomegranate books in wilmington). whatever we can do locally makes a difference collectively and globally. we have to keep going and keep doing the good work. one friend said ‘stay with the breath’ and continue to shine your light. i say make art.
why am i here? i love sharing art and words and supporting other artists and friends. i believe that art heals and that we need art to get us through these times. something to lean on, to get lost in, a way to express ourselves and our feelings, thoughts and emotions.
want to start an art journal together? i will be sharing prompts and ideas here in the coming days.
why boycott/ delete social media? this is a post a friend shared with me and it really resonated. i had already gotten off instagram when i saw this, but it pushed me the extra nudge and i PERMANENTLY deleted both instagram and facebook which were already ‘deactivated’… now they are both gone for good and i will no longer be affiliated with mark z.
this is a post i shared recently on the subject as well.
many of my artist friends depend on social media to sell art and promote classes and exhibitions. many of them are finding new ways to connect to their following and build new platforms.
here are some artist i love following and subscribing to on substack.
https://substack.com/@mistymawn
https://substack.com/@drawtogether
and when we speak up for everyone, we make a difference. when we share art we make a difference.
‘1000 cranes for peace at OM therapeutics’
coming soon, 1000 peace cranes
in 2016 i started the ‘peace project’ folding 1000 peace cranes in my community, then sharing the cranes with different businesses to promote peace, equality, unity.
it seems fitting that i facilitate this again. more details coming soon!
may your days be filled with hope and may you be safe, well and loved.
xo
kim