To be completely transparent, honest - I struggle to connect with people that almost always present the following - things are running smooth; there are no trials or tribulations (only shining opportunities); dark days rarely touch them. You see I know few want negative thoughts but if 95% of the substacks I read are devoid of struggles and they have all the right words spun positively… I can’t easily relate. We all have things we deal with - being open, honest, and yes vulnerable means we see REAL, feel their humanity. Possibly if more shared what is really going on… we could hold each other up. I do better in my head as I see how others overcome whatever they are going through and I connect. Message me anytime!
Thank you so much Tammy, I do really appreciate your comments. I agree, I’d rather be honest and real than show up pretending life is all good, all the time. I also don’t need fixing, but it is so welcome to know others struggle too.
That may be why I woke up this morning thinking about Shirley Temple and how she carried the weight of the world during the Great Depression of the 30s with her movies. A child…
Oh my goodness, did you know about about 10 years ago, there was a gathering of the Steeves here and they tried to break the world record for the largest gathering of descendants of the name?
If you don’t mind me asking, where are you from? Are you Canadian?
My dad was born in Blacks Harbour NB moved to Maine young. It was my mom’s side and learned a loyalist married into the Steeves family, had my great grandmother then moved to Maine. Just learned this a couple years ago. I’m in Northern Maine.
No when I did the geneology work for that side, I found my German roots - had no idea. Maybe I should create a separate Substack with those stories I uncovered..
That would be fascinating! I'm not from the east coast originally, I'm a west coast gal, but my mom's roots are German and she was from Ontario. I love that I come from a country that has so many cultures!
This painting is absolutely breathtaking, the restraint you showed with that limited palette paid off so beautifully, and the way those leaves seem to just materialize in the sky feels incredibly magical and light.
To answer your question: please, please do not listen to that AI bot! The fact that you are so beautifully forthcoming about your struggles is exactly why your art and your words touch people so deeply.
It doesn't make you look uncommitted at all; it shows how deeply you care about your craft. True creative momentum isn't about pretending the dark tunnel doesn't exist; it’s about sharing the journey until you find the light again, just like you did here.
Seeing you step into this next chapter with so much determination and grace makes me so incredibly happy. Attraversiamo, my beautiful friend! I am cheering you on every single step of the way. 💕🎨
I thought for sure that I had left a comment somewhere. But I don’t see it anymore so at the risk of being repetitive here it is again. This is a fabulous article and I’m delighted to see you do all of the emotional and physical work needed to bring your artistic vision to life, and to renew your confidence in your abilities. The artwork is stunning. ❤️❤️🙌🙌
Thank you so much Carolyn... that mystery of the missing post is unsolvable at this point for me.
I appreciate your kind words and yes, I am nothing, if not determined as a Taurus can be. And I was determined to break through all my self-doubt, because, if I did it once, I can do it again! I can't wait until they branches I harvested dry so I can try my vision again.
Stunning artwork that I love and so interesting to see your process. Personally, I welcome artists of all kinds being vulnerable, it is after all what makes us human and forges connections across the miles! Best wishes, Helen.
Hi Kathy, firstly, it's nice to connect here, I'm not sure how I haven't yet wandered to your page, but I'm so glad I now have. This is gorgeous work, and I imagine so gratifying to be right there in the 3D mess of it with leaves and branches. I LOVE that. Also, just the two cents of someone who you don't (yet) know: it always pulls us in, to feel the human on the other side of the art. If we don't know or can't sense the struggle, how can we join in the celebration? Yes, balance, and that is something each of us need to find, I think. And perhaps it shifts over time, ebbs and flows like all processes. And so it is. Beautiful work, and I'm sold anytime someone includes Italian or Dan Ackroyd. Both?? Sign me up! 💫🤣🪷🌼🍁
To be completely transparent, honest - I struggle to connect with people that almost always present the following - things are running smooth; there are no trials or tribulations (only shining opportunities); dark days rarely touch them. You see I know few want negative thoughts but if 95% of the substacks I read are devoid of struggles and they have all the right words spun positively… I can’t easily relate. We all have things we deal with - being open, honest, and yes vulnerable means we see REAL, feel their humanity. Possibly if more shared what is really going on… we could hold each other up. I do better in my head as I see how others overcome whatever they are going through and I connect. Message me anytime!
Thank you so much Tammy, I do really appreciate your comments. I agree, I’d rather be honest and real than show up pretending life is all good, all the time. I also don’t need fixing, but it is so welcome to know others struggle too.
That may be why I woke up this morning thinking about Shirley Temple and how she carried the weight of the world during the Great Depression of the 30s with her movies. A child…
By the way part of my family tree founded Moncton - the Steeves.
Oh my goodness, did you know about about 10 years ago, there was a gathering of the Steeves here and they tried to break the world record for the largest gathering of descendants of the name?
If you don’t mind me asking, where are you from? Are you Canadian?
My dad was born in Blacks Harbour NB moved to Maine young. It was my mom’s side and learned a loyalist married into the Steeves family, had my great grandmother then moved to Maine. Just learned this a couple years ago. I’m in Northern Maine.
Oooo we’re neighbours then! Did your family participate in the homecoming all?
No when I did the geneology work for that side, I found my German roots - had no idea. Maybe I should create a separate Substack with those stories I uncovered..
That would be fascinating! I'm not from the east coast originally, I'm a west coast gal, but my mom's roots are German and she was from Ontario. I love that I come from a country that has so many cultures!
This painting is absolutely breathtaking, the restraint you showed with that limited palette paid off so beautifully, and the way those leaves seem to just materialize in the sky feels incredibly magical and light.
To answer your question: please, please do not listen to that AI bot! The fact that you are so beautifully forthcoming about your struggles is exactly why your art and your words touch people so deeply.
It doesn't make you look uncommitted at all; it shows how deeply you care about your craft. True creative momentum isn't about pretending the dark tunnel doesn't exist; it’s about sharing the journey until you find the light again, just like you did here.
Seeing you step into this next chapter with so much determination and grace makes me so incredibly happy. Attraversiamo, my beautiful friend! I am cheering you on every single step of the way. 💕🎨
Awww, thank you, you made my tear up a little there. I appreciate that you want the real and the raw.
Thank you for all your kindnesses. I love you my friend ♥️
I thought for sure that I had left a comment somewhere. But I don’t see it anymore so at the risk of being repetitive here it is again. This is a fabulous article and I’m delighted to see you do all of the emotional and physical work needed to bring your artistic vision to life, and to renew your confidence in your abilities. The artwork is stunning. ❤️❤️🙌🙌
Thank you so much Carolyn... that mystery of the missing post is unsolvable at this point for me.
I appreciate your kind words and yes, I am nothing, if not determined as a Taurus can be. And I was determined to break through all my self-doubt, because, if I did it once, I can do it again! I can't wait until they branches I harvested dry so I can try my vision again.
Stunning artwork that I love and so interesting to see your process. Personally, I welcome artists of all kinds being vulnerable, it is after all what makes us human and forges connections across the miles! Best wishes, Helen.
Awww, thank you Helen. I appreciate that do much. I am hopefully on my way past the self-doubt!
💜
Hi Kathy, firstly, it's nice to connect here, I'm not sure how I haven't yet wandered to your page, but I'm so glad I now have. This is gorgeous work, and I imagine so gratifying to be right there in the 3D mess of it with leaves and branches. I LOVE that. Also, just the two cents of someone who you don't (yet) know: it always pulls us in, to feel the human on the other side of the art. If we don't know or can't sense the struggle, how can we join in the celebration? Yes, balance, and that is something each of us need to find, I think. And perhaps it shifts over time, ebbs and flows like all processes. And so it is. Beautiful work, and I'm sold anytime someone includes Italian or Dan Ackroyd. Both?? Sign me up! 💫🤣🪷🌼🍁