I wanna start by saying I’m so so sorry about your degree program!
I loved your blogpost, the title is so SO good! just wrote about something very similar (it was more about inspiration). I don’t know when it happened but there was a time when I used to be sooo precious about my materials like they were too valuable to waste for anything other than brilliance (absolutely ridiculous). I was judging every thing before I even put anything down on paper. Which led to not making anything at all or not a lot.
After that phase I saw it more as the only way materials are wasted is when I don’t use them.
I started drawing and painting on and in everything. Have a page in my planner that is unused? Let‘s do a little drawing. Have receipt I don’t need? Test some colours. Do a little sketch. Stick it in my notebook.
Basically I went back to what I was doing when I was a kid. And instead of judgement started asking questions. What happens if I do this? What does this material do on this paper? I think what really helped is shift my mindset to come from a place of curiosity and like childlike wonder. And suddenly my brain was like…ooooohhh what if we do this, what if we do that because no matter the outcome you always get an answer and it shifts the focus from the whole „good/bad“ thing to discovery and that helps my judgemental brain immensely because suddenly the focus is on exploration and gathering information.
I am so sorry for the possibly longest comment in existence and the wall of text. I LOVE this topic so much, I could talk about it for hours (clearly).
Thanks for sharing this piece! So glad I stumbled on this.
Elisabeth, I LOVE the way you have described this shift!! How useful and what a way to get through a mindset that can be so self-defeating. I really appreciate you writing this out because I will be returning to it as a reminder for myself too! “What happens if…” is such a simple, brilliant tool.
That makes me so happy!!! Thank you Erika! But all credit goes to Sarah, whose post sparked these thoughts in the first place!
I’m loving Substack so much. I’ve connected more with people the past week here than years on other apps that shall not be named. I’m probably being dramatic but thank you all for being such lovely humans 🫶🏼
I love Laguna art supply!! Thank you for the reminder that I need to take my kids there this summer. Do you live in LB? I’m always looking for other southern ca artists to connect with.
I love my local art supply store (wet paint - st. paul, mn). I love a nook and cranny shop that doesn't look corporate and white and stale.
As always I think it's important to call out what led us to this point. We have to educate our friends, family and neighbors to lament and repent for their voting for exactly this to happen. For them to not perpetuate this insanity, by voting out the chaos party in mid term elections and a sane president (who will appoint an emotionally and intellectually intelligent cabinet) in 2028. For us all to rise up and protest the insane cabinet of today, every day.
You are right, having things handy-sized and easy to transport is the KEY! There have been many times have I been waiting somewhere and I wished I had them with me.
Totally! I have been in that place so many times. Something I didn't talk about in this post but which has been equally problematic for me, is bringing TOO much stuff... this can be just as defeating, in my experience.
Good to see you here. In April I started meeting monthly with a group of women to create art. Mostly collage. Started the day of the April 5 rallies. We call ourselves Rage Crafters. Congrats on phd exams!
the art supplies are for using, not for admiring. I never had enough art supplies to keep the nicer one in a drawer hahaha but I see a lot of colleagues that have that problem I'm going to send this post to them.
I grew up in Laguna Beach, we used to have several art supply stores. Laguna Art Supplies has incredible and amazing supplies. This post made me feel so good, so thank you!
Sad to think about the stores that were—all the more reason to support our indies while we have them and help them stay afloat 💛 I’m so glad you enjoyed the post.
Seriously though, the amount of unused stationery I have is ridiculous. And now that I’ve inherited my late brother’s art supplies, I’m drowning in sacred precious art supplies that I need to start using!
Oh yeah, that’s so tough. When there’s an emotional link. I had a similar situation and began writing a dear friend of mine a paper letter every month. It’s not much paper to use, but it’s a good use. 💛
I love all of this. 💗 I struggled with the not wanting to mess up my supplies for a long time. So glad I got over it—having kids helps with letting it go. 😂
Sarah, thanks for this relatable, inspiring, well crafted post. Sending you best wishes for staying the course with the spirit behind your intentions during shifting waters! You seem to “got this.” 🙋🏻♀️🙏💕
I wanna start by saying I’m so so sorry about your degree program!
I loved your blogpost, the title is so SO good! just wrote about something very similar (it was more about inspiration). I don’t know when it happened but there was a time when I used to be sooo precious about my materials like they were too valuable to waste for anything other than brilliance (absolutely ridiculous). I was judging every thing before I even put anything down on paper. Which led to not making anything at all or not a lot.
After that phase I saw it more as the only way materials are wasted is when I don’t use them.
I started drawing and painting on and in everything. Have a page in my planner that is unused? Let‘s do a little drawing. Have receipt I don’t need? Test some colours. Do a little sketch. Stick it in my notebook.
Basically I went back to what I was doing when I was a kid. And instead of judgement started asking questions. What happens if I do this? What does this material do on this paper? I think what really helped is shift my mindset to come from a place of curiosity and like childlike wonder. And suddenly my brain was like…ooooohhh what if we do this, what if we do that because no matter the outcome you always get an answer and it shifts the focus from the whole „good/bad“ thing to discovery and that helps my judgemental brain immensely because suddenly the focus is on exploration and gathering information.
I am so sorry for the possibly longest comment in existence and the wall of text. I LOVE this topic so much, I could talk about it for hours (clearly).
Thanks for sharing this piece! So glad I stumbled on this.
Elisabeth, I LOVE the way you have described this shift!! How useful and what a way to get through a mindset that can be so self-defeating. I really appreciate you writing this out because I will be returning to it as a reminder for myself too! “What happens if…” is such a simple, brilliant tool.
Thank you so much for your kind response Sarah!! I’m so happy it resonated, that simple question saved me from overthinking so many times 🙈
Of course! I’m here for all the conversations about figuring out what we need to make and how we’ll do it.
Wow, this is a wonderful, productive reframe! So well described! I am taking screenshots to remind me. 🤩🙏
That makes me so happy!!! Thank you Erika! But all credit goes to Sarah, whose post sparked these thoughts in the first place!
I’m loving Substack so much. I’ve connected more with people the past week here than years on other apps that shall not be named. I’m probably being dramatic but thank you all for being such lovely humans 🫶🏼
Welcome to Substack, Elisabeth! Honestly, I’ve had a similarly encouraging, connective experience here.
I love Laguna art supply!! Thank you for the reminder that I need to take my kids there this summer. Do you live in LB? I’m always looking for other southern ca artists to connect with.
Hey Alex! Message me and let’s see if we can do an art meetup this summer!
I love my local art supply store (wet paint - st. paul, mn). I love a nook and cranny shop that doesn't look corporate and white and stale.
As always I think it's important to call out what led us to this point. We have to educate our friends, family and neighbors to lament and repent for their voting for exactly this to happen. For them to not perpetuate this insanity, by voting out the chaos party in mid term elections and a sane president (who will appoint an emotionally and intellectually intelligent cabinet) in 2028. For us all to rise up and protest the insane cabinet of today, every day.
You are right, having things handy-sized and easy to transport is the KEY! There have been many times have I been waiting somewhere and I wished I had them with me.
Totally! I have been in that place so many times. Something I didn't talk about in this post but which has been equally problematic for me, is bringing TOO much stuff... this can be just as defeating, in my experience.
I‘m also a Sandi Hester addict and so happy to read what you do with this inspo😊
Good to see you here. In April I started meeting monthly with a group of women to create art. Mostly collage. Started the day of the April 5 rallies. We call ourselves Rage Crafters. Congrats on phd exams!
I love that! I’d love to see some of what you’ve made if you’re up for sharing.
Rage Crafters is an excellent name for a great-sounding group! I wish I could join you all! 🤩
the art supplies are for using, not for admiring. I never had enough art supplies to keep the nicer one in a drawer hahaha but I see a lot of colleagues that have that problem I'm going to send this post to them.
Absolutely! That should be all of our mantra, shouldn't it? Use it! Use is not waste.
Fascinating! I’m Harrison, an ex fine dining line cook. My stack "The Secret Ingredient" adapts hit restaurant recipes for easy home cooking.
check us out:
https://thesecretingredient.substack.com
Love the idea of by messing things up. I did that with a tablecloth. Now my friends don’t worry if they spill something.
I grew up in Laguna Beach, we used to have several art supply stores. Laguna Art Supplies has incredible and amazing supplies. This post made me feel so good, so thank you!
Sad to think about the stores that were—all the more reason to support our indies while we have them and help them stay afloat 💛 I’m so glad you enjoyed the post.
Don’t just come straight for me like that @sarah hoenicke flores ! 😳
🥲 I promise it was meant in the gentlest way!
Seriously though, the amount of unused stationery I have is ridiculous. And now that I’ve inherited my late brother’s art supplies, I’m drowning in sacred precious art supplies that I need to start using!
Oh yeah, that’s so tough. When there’s an emotional link. I had a similar situation and began writing a dear friend of mine a paper letter every month. It’s not much paper to use, but it’s a good use. 💛
This is so great. Photographers and musicians talk about their gear all the time and it’s crazy that we artists don’t do it more often. Thank you !
I love all of this. 💗 I struggled with the not wanting to mess up my supplies for a long time. So glad I got over it—having kids helps with letting it go. 😂
Having kids absolutely helps!! 😅
Sarah, thanks for this relatable, inspiring, well crafted post. Sending you best wishes for staying the course with the spirit behind your intentions during shifting waters! You seem to “got this.” 🙋🏻♀️🙏💕
Thanks so much for reading it, Erika! I’m definitely trying hard to find my way.
That right there is the work of a lifetime! ⭐️🙌
I hope so!
Good article supply ideas.
Don’t give up on the PhD! You might be interested in my research blog, When the Field is Online. I show ways to use your creativity in research.
Thanks, Janet! I definitely don’t plan to give up.
Love everything about this!