My first lesson in How to Unblock Creativity is about Space. If life’s feeling cramped, the first place to look is at our environment.
I’m coming to you after a few weeks of respite from the rapid pace of work-life— having spent the past few weeks in staycation mode.
These days are HOT HOT HOT ☀️ and a mid-summer muralist break is so needed. I was reminded that my creativity doesn’t wane when I let myself rest - my creativity has space to wander and expand.
This is a reminder that “time-off” for an artist might look different than it looks like for other people - I went museum-ing, cleaned my studio and home, planned a party, and had a yard sale, and for me, that was rejuvenating. Respite is powerful medicine.
HOME (OUTSIDE)
May-October in Western Mass is something else.
I have so been enjoying tending to new and existing gardens. With the help of my bestie and garden mentor, Nina - we have planted so many fabulous sunflowers, zinnias, marigolds, herbs, kale, tomatoes, watermelons and more.
These roses remind me of my Uncle Ben, who always kept them pruned and happy.
I Marie-Kondo’d my at-home creativity space, which wasn’t being used for art, and found so many spiritual items that were tired of sitting in drawers. I created outdoor altars all around the yard with these pavers I dug up from gardens past.
HOME (INSIDE)
Oh god! You’re not supposed to show people that!
I went through all of my things — every single thing. It took a really long time and I ended it with a yard sale where I made $5. Friends came by and I got to tell stories about my collection of scarves from my trips around the world. Full circle. 🔵
Here is the vision board I made that inspired my room design:
The other side! I made it!
I painted my bedroom gorgeous lilac, hung shelves, artwork, and shined my light (literally). These two gold pieces are from my grandmother’s house - I love giving old things new life. This snake textile is by Jeffrey Gibson, whose work I visited at Mass MOCA.
INSPIRATION (OUT IN THE WORLD)
Oh! How I was slain by this work! Jeffrey Gibson’s POWER FULL BECAUSE WE’RE DIFFERENT is so fabulous! The work explores the Native American two-spirit identity — going beyond the gender binary and into ecstatic creativity. Go see it.
I took the trip with collaborator and friend, Ryan Murray. We had a beautiful time getting to know each other’s artistic stories better, and seeing large scale immersive environments. We are cooking up fully collaborative art and a show for 2026 😊
I took a second trip to Mass MOCA for the Arrival Art Fair, two days later, and got to hear a talk by Carly Glovinski about her work Almanac. These life-like pressed flower designed flowers are created using super-abstract techniques — with similar materials that I use (and learned to use from my friend and fellow artist, Kim Carlino). An ever-interconnecting web of people and art.
REAL FLOWERS!
My CSA at Mountainview Farm is…. wow. Every week I go and pick my own flowers I’m not sure if this captures it… but holy hell check out these artistic arrangements!
Local Murals for the win
Got a peek at this stunning mural by Aine Cole Art in Cape Cod. What I loved about it is how the artist broke up her black line work to make it softer. Not every line needs to be solid and opaque.
On my way to pick up some furniture in nearby Connecticut I happened upon the American Mural Project - the life’s work of Ellen Griesedieck and alongside thousands of school children over the course of 25 years! (!!!) It was 3D and epic. I learned that the artist had photographed large-scale steel works by Frank Stella, which inspired this masterpiece.
WHICH LEADS TO NEW ART
For better or worse, I’m obsessed with spray paint now. Of course I had to buy… every color. I got so excited that I did a mini-mural in my bedroom right away without wearing a mask and ended up with a massive headache. Gotta learn the hard way I guess.
Last night I painted these lunch bags with characters for an intricate treasure hunt I’m working on. I gave each character a name too! Hehe. After a fine art fair, museum work, etc etc etc — it feels so damn good to make silly art on temporary materials.
That’s all for now. Thank you for joining on this artistic journey with me and stay cool friends 🌀🧊.
(I said it was the end, but it’s not — quick pic from Green River Fest — which featured a fabulous art parade and public art experience by The Art Garden, incredible artist booths by artists like Casey Williams Art, and soul thumping sweaty performances by illuminati hotties, Reyna Tropical, Danielle Ponder, Leyla McCalla, La Lom, and Courtney Barnett. If you’re looking for some new tunes, click this linkie.