I love your friend and I’m glad you took his advice.
My daughter just started taking a drawing class and I wish I could go and be her aid. When I get back from my little vacation, which is quite unusual, I’m gonna start drawing.
Beth, I also broke my news diet, and have been sneaking a little of and on most days by way of the NYT and the WaPo. I find reading the news to much easier on the body, mind and soul, and that has been my long standing practice since I was a liberal new blogger and journalist. That said, you must take care of you and we must all do this for the foreseeable future.
No matter what is happening around us in this country and the world, self care is tantamount to our ability to cope and be there for each other in these unprecedented times.
Thank you so much for this informative and helpful post laying out how creativity to help get us through all of this.
Thank you for your comment. Like you, I prefer to read the news. I can then just see headlines and opt not to read the article, for example.
Being a news blogger and journalist must have been rewarding but challenging.
I think creativity is the thing we all need during these hard times. If we tap into it, we will be pleasantly surprised. You do this with your writing and gorgeous photographs.
Hi Beth, I loved being a new blogger until I didn’t anymore. It was high stress at times. These days I try to keep as much extraneous stress out of my life as possible.
Creativity is the balm right now. Thankfully we have so much of it here on our corner of Substack!
Your words are so relatable--I too binged on news last week like cotton candy (what a great analogy), and it's been a challenge climbing myself out of that hole. Thank you for your vulnerability in this post, AND it was so nice of you to tag my post in yours!!! You're the best Beth!!! <3 <3 <3
Awww, thank you Sara for the kind words, and I was glad to mention your post in my post. You offer such great self-care advice in your Substack. Keep on writing!
Beth, this is an essential essay, and one that deserves to be read widely. Your message is clear and you are a role model for all
of us—we have to stay reilient and creative during these challenging times. It is so important that all of us discover what it takes to stay informed and an active citizen, but not inundated with information that derails us and leaves us feeling hopeless and overwhelmed. It’s worth remembering, as you stated so beautifully in your post, all of us must engage with a project that makes us feel purposeful—something that speaks to our creative vision and our intrinsic value as human beings. I’m glad you felt jumpstarted and regained your artistic alignment! I believe it’s our responsibility to reach out to a friend whenever there’s a risk that their creativity might be capsizing That’s what a true friend does—as well as a good member of a meaningful community—and with your blog, you’re growing a vibrant and supportive one!Thank you Beth for this healing
Thank you so much, Gerry. I love the way you put it: that I regained my "artistic alignment." That's what the process truly was -- an alignment that felt healing and restorative. I'm back on track now, with no plans of going backwards. However, should I, I will reach out to someone who can help me recalibrate and realign.
I love the Substack community, and I've known for awhile now, that no one writes in a vacuum, and that we are all part of a community. And for that -- and for you -- I'm grateful.
Oh yes, the news... It's a struggle isn't it? I get it. I want to stay informed, but I refuse to listen to or watch too much because so much of it is poorly covered, covered way too much, or both. The answer for me continues to be watching local TV news coverage. There are also folks right here on Substack who are really good at keeping us informed.
I'm grateful you have your writing and art, too. I have been neglecting my writing of late due to a lot of reasons. I know writing helps keep me grounded and fills me with purpose, but it's been harder these days to get and stay focused.
I love waterfalls. There's nothing like that sound they create. I look forward to seeing the progress of this painting, too. You are off to a great start.
I'm sorry you had a difficult time recently. Take care of yourself, my friend. I will try to do the same.
It's a tightrope we're on between being informed and staying sane. I read Heather Cox Richardson's posts for a summary of information, but I delete some if I think they will trigger me too much.
I don't know when MAGA people will finally wake up and see how Trump is destroying this country. But I need to recalibrate my calm meter and keep my sanity.
I'm not sure if you are finding it difficult to focus on your writing partly because of Titus' death. I'm so sorry your family suffered such a terrible loss.
I painted one waterfall years ago, and I should share it on my Substack sometime, as well as how this one is progressing. I totally agree with you on that magnificent sound that they make. I'm not sure exactly how this painting will turn out, but I will see how it evolves.
Beth, your article was so timely and apt for me . I had been feeling exactly the same the same thing about our nation and what’s going on. I try to change fast or turn the channel right way. I understand I have no control over it - only how to handle it. Art heals and in the answer for me too. Looking forward to to seeing what you do finally with your piece. Take care.
Thank you, Dita. I'm glad the article resonated with you. It's difficult to change the channel fast enough so you don't see/hear the news. Yes, we have no control, but at least we can choose how to handle it.
This new art piece will be a challenge, but I'm up for it. I love waterfalls. And you're right: art heals.
So glad you are out of your funk. Kudos to your friend for pulling you out of it. The horrible news can certainly take joy out of one's life. I love to see the progression of your art and can't wait to see this particular painting unfold.
Thank you, Nancy, for all your support. I think too much news is detrimental to our health. I'm also curious as to how this art piece will progress. I never really know; it evolves. I appreciate your comment!
The news continues to be dark -- We all need to take care of ourselves in a manner that's true to our heart's convictions. Honestly Beth, if something really big that you need to know about happens, you'll hear about it. In the meantime, paint. Making art in times of unbearable crisis is in fact a point of resistance and resilience.
I'm eager to see how the new landscape unfolds. I remember the leaning castle from a few months back -- I really loved that one. Waterfalls are a rare kind of beauty in that they move and sing to us as they do. Who is not stilled into awe when seeing and hearing a waterfall, or feeling the spraying mist on one's face?
You are a kindred spirit. It's true that if something important happens, I'll find out. I am avoiding the constant barrage of news items, each of which is unsettling. You are right about art -- and writing, which is also art -- is a way to resist and be resilient. Keep writing your truths: the world needs to hear them.
Yes, the leaning castle! Thank you; I enjoyed creating that one. I was fortunate enough to hike and see waterfalls in the Great Smoky Mountains, and was awestruck every time. This waterfall I'm working on will certainly have mist.
For landscapes, I work primarily from original photos, but I take creative license and add my own touches based on my imagination. I can only paint very few things like rocks from memory. I tried to paint landscape plein air, or outdoors, but I had difficulty because the sunlight often changed and bugs kept hitting the canvas! Once the wind blew away the canvas, and left me wiping dirt off it. One day I ought to try it again, but I have to learn to paint more quickly.
For my Breast Cancer, Female and Young series, I drew each nude model on a large sketch pad during a figure drawing class and then redrew them on canvas years later. This is a feat because during class I oftentimes ran out of time before I could do hands, for example, and I can't draw those from memory.
I remember reading somewhere that Monet's fast brush strokes are because he was trying to capture the light. I hadn't thought of the elements like wind, changing light, and bugs interfering with the canvas. Thanks for answering my question. I think if I were a painter I'd want to use a photo as well as my "own creative license," too. Looking forward to seeing how the waterfall comes into being. Paint on . . .
I envy his fast brush strokes. My oil painting teacher used to get annoyed at my slow, methodical painting. I've been watching YouTube videos on how to speed it up.
It's kind of a mixed message with all art. I hear this sometimes: "rushing is the enemy of art." And I think there must be that sweet spot where we don't think about what we're doing; we get into kind of a groove of trusting the forward motion. Easier said than done . . .
Thank you for writing and sharing this very important and helpful post! I have been doing the exact same thing, I backslid this week with all the hearings and horrible news and I need to get myself back on track. Your friend who talked with you is a gem. We all need to support each other in these times. Sending you love and strength to stay strong and focused. There are so many positives and we cannot allow them to be taken away from us. Thank you for the reminder! 💖
Alene, I think I was backsliding along with you this week. It was rough, as you know. Central to our focus must be art and enjoying our quality of life. I refuse to get sick over this damn administration. Art is the key to getting out of this rut.
My friend is a gem, indeed. I agree that if we support each other, no one can take that away from us.
I love your friend and I’m glad you took his advice.
My daughter just started taking a drawing class and I wish I could go and be her aid. When I get back from my little vacation, which is quite unusual, I’m gonna start drawing.
One of my inspirations
Thank you
Prajna, thank you so much for your comment. Yes, my friend is so many shades of awesome.
I hope your daughter is enjoying her class. Yes, start drawing! That makes me happy to hear.
Beth, I also broke my news diet, and have been sneaking a little of and on most days by way of the NYT and the WaPo. I find reading the news to much easier on the body, mind and soul, and that has been my long standing practice since I was a liberal new blogger and journalist. That said, you must take care of you and we must all do this for the foreseeable future.
No matter what is happening around us in this country and the world, self care is tantamount to our ability to cope and be there for each other in these unprecedented times.
Thank you so much for this informative and helpful post laying out how creativity to help get us through all of this.
Hi Pamela,
Thank you for your comment. Like you, I prefer to read the news. I can then just see headlines and opt not to read the article, for example.
Being a news blogger and journalist must have been rewarding but challenging.
I think creativity is the thing we all need during these hard times. If we tap into it, we will be pleasantly surprised. You do this with your writing and gorgeous photographs.
Hi Beth, I loved being a new blogger until I didn’t anymore. It was high stress at times. These days I try to keep as much extraneous stress out of my life as possible.
Creativity is the balm right now. Thankfully we have so much of it here on our corner of Substack!
Your words are so relatable--I too binged on news last week like cotton candy (what a great analogy), and it's been a challenge climbing myself out of that hole. Thank you for your vulnerability in this post, AND it was so nice of you to tag my post in yours!!! You're the best Beth!!! <3 <3 <3
Awww, thank you Sara for the kind words, and I was glad to mention your post in my post. You offer such great self-care advice in your Substack. Keep on writing!
thank you sweet friend!
Beth, this is an essential essay, and one that deserves to be read widely. Your message is clear and you are a role model for all
of us—we have to stay reilient and creative during these challenging times. It is so important that all of us discover what it takes to stay informed and an active citizen, but not inundated with information that derails us and leaves us feeling hopeless and overwhelmed. It’s worth remembering, as you stated so beautifully in your post, all of us must engage with a project that makes us feel purposeful—something that speaks to our creative vision and our intrinsic value as human beings. I’m glad you felt jumpstarted and regained your artistic alignment! I believe it’s our responsibility to reach out to a friend whenever there’s a risk that their creativity might be capsizing That’s what a true friend does—as well as a good member of a meaningful community—and with your blog, you’re growing a vibrant and supportive one!Thank you Beth for this healing
post and exquisite art!
Thank you so much, Gerry. I love the way you put it: that I regained my "artistic alignment." That's what the process truly was -- an alignment that felt healing and restorative. I'm back on track now, with no plans of going backwards. However, should I, I will reach out to someone who can help me recalibrate and realign.
I love the Substack community, and I've known for awhile now, that no one writes in a vacuum, and that we are all part of a community. And for that -- and for you -- I'm grateful.
Hi Beth,
Oh yes, the news... It's a struggle isn't it? I get it. I want to stay informed, but I refuse to listen to or watch too much because so much of it is poorly covered, covered way too much, or both. The answer for me continues to be watching local TV news coverage. There are also folks right here on Substack who are really good at keeping us informed.
I'm grateful you have your writing and art, too. I have been neglecting my writing of late due to a lot of reasons. I know writing helps keep me grounded and fills me with purpose, but it's been harder these days to get and stay focused.
I love waterfalls. There's nothing like that sound they create. I look forward to seeing the progress of this painting, too. You are off to a great start.
I'm sorry you had a difficult time recently. Take care of yourself, my friend. I will try to do the same.
Hi Nancy,
It's a tightrope we're on between being informed and staying sane. I read Heather Cox Richardson's posts for a summary of information, but I delete some if I think they will trigger me too much.
I don't know when MAGA people will finally wake up and see how Trump is destroying this country. But I need to recalibrate my calm meter and keep my sanity.
I'm not sure if you are finding it difficult to focus on your writing partly because of Titus' death. I'm so sorry your family suffered such a terrible loss.
I painted one waterfall years ago, and I should share it on my Substack sometime, as well as how this one is progressing. I totally agree with you on that magnificent sound that they make. I'm not sure exactly how this painting will turn out, but I will see how it evolves.
Take care of yourself, too. Hang in there.
Beth, your article was so timely and apt for me . I had been feeling exactly the same the same thing about our nation and what’s going on. I try to change fast or turn the channel right way. I understand I have no control over it - only how to handle it. Art heals and in the answer for me too. Looking forward to to seeing what you do finally with your piece. Take care.
Thank you, Dita. I'm glad the article resonated with you. It's difficult to change the channel fast enough so you don't see/hear the news. Yes, we have no control, but at least we can choose how to handle it.
This new art piece will be a challenge, but I'm up for it. I love waterfalls. And you're right: art heals.
I appreciate your comment.
So glad you are out of your funk. Kudos to your friend for pulling you out of it. The horrible news can certainly take joy out of one's life. I love to see the progression of your art and can't wait to see this particular painting unfold.
Thank you, Nancy, for all your support. I think too much news is detrimental to our health. I'm also curious as to how this art piece will progress. I never really know; it evolves. I appreciate your comment!
The news continues to be dark -- We all need to take care of ourselves in a manner that's true to our heart's convictions. Honestly Beth, if something really big that you need to know about happens, you'll hear about it. In the meantime, paint. Making art in times of unbearable crisis is in fact a point of resistance and resilience.
I'm eager to see how the new landscape unfolds. I remember the leaning castle from a few months back -- I really loved that one. Waterfalls are a rare kind of beauty in that they move and sing to us as they do. Who is not stilled into awe when seeing and hearing a waterfall, or feeling the spraying mist on one's face?
Sending love, hugs and goodwill my friend.
Hi Stephanie,
You are a kindred spirit. It's true that if something important happens, I'll find out. I am avoiding the constant barrage of news items, each of which is unsettling. You are right about art -- and writing, which is also art -- is a way to resist and be resilient. Keep writing your truths: the world needs to hear them.
Yes, the leaning castle! Thank you; I enjoyed creating that one. I was fortunate enough to hike and see waterfalls in the Great Smoky Mountains, and was awestruck every time. This waterfall I'm working on will certainly have mist.
Sending love and hugs back.
Do you work from memory or from a photograph, or both? I’m curious about the process of creating a landscape from scratch.
Hi Stephanie,
For landscapes, I work primarily from original photos, but I take creative license and add my own touches based on my imagination. I can only paint very few things like rocks from memory. I tried to paint landscape plein air, or outdoors, but I had difficulty because the sunlight often changed and bugs kept hitting the canvas! Once the wind blew away the canvas, and left me wiping dirt off it. One day I ought to try it again, but I have to learn to paint more quickly.
For my Breast Cancer, Female and Young series, I drew each nude model on a large sketch pad during a figure drawing class and then redrew them on canvas years later. This is a feat because during class I oftentimes ran out of time before I could do hands, for example, and I can't draw those from memory.
I remember reading somewhere that Monet's fast brush strokes are because he was trying to capture the light. I hadn't thought of the elements like wind, changing light, and bugs interfering with the canvas. Thanks for answering my question. I think if I were a painter I'd want to use a photo as well as my "own creative license," too. Looking forward to seeing how the waterfall comes into being. Paint on . . .
Thank you so much for being so supportive.
I envy his fast brush strokes. My oil painting teacher used to get annoyed at my slow, methodical painting. I've been watching YouTube videos on how to speed it up.
It's kind of a mixed message with all art. I hear this sometimes: "rushing is the enemy of art." And I think there must be that sweet spot where we don't think about what we're doing; we get into kind of a groove of trusting the forward motion. Easier said than done . . .
Thank you for writing and sharing this very important and helpful post! I have been doing the exact same thing, I backslid this week with all the hearings and horrible news and I need to get myself back on track. Your friend who talked with you is a gem. We all need to support each other in these times. Sending you love and strength to stay strong and focused. There are so many positives and we cannot allow them to be taken away from us. Thank you for the reminder! 💖
Alene, I think I was backsliding along with you this week. It was rough, as you know. Central to our focus must be art and enjoying our quality of life. I refuse to get sick over this damn administration. Art is the key to getting out of this rut.
My friend is a gem, indeed. I agree that if we support each other, no one can take that away from us.