I've been wanting to apply to a certain MFA program for a while. Instead of applying, I've been working on another projects, doing my full time job, and also considering journalism programs. Today, after reading this newsletter entry and also journaling a lot, I've decided to apply. So just wanted to say thank you!
Omg thanks so much for sharing this! I'm so excited for you. You never know what's on the other side of applying but even applying in it of itself is a HUGE success! So congrats on even hitting apply. I hope you get in and that you're able to do things that bring you joy!
I'm working on my third creative business, my first starting in 2011 as a freelance makeup artist. I had just moved to Michigan shortly after discharging from the Air Force. I knew I wanted to have a business and be an artist but even with my severe anxiety I still wanted to try. I did what I could as a makeup artist and even though it only lasted a few short years, I was so proud of myself that I took the leap of faith. In 2020, I started my fashion reselling/upcycling business. I was still very nervous but also excited. I became more confident and wanted to see it grow, but a shift happened. I developed a new love of painting. So I took another leap of closing the reselling part of my business and pivoted with the upcycle idea because I painted on second hand clothes and accessories. Alex B Artistry was born in 2022. I believe that with each one of these milestones happened the way they were supposed to and I learned something new each time, but most importantly I learned more about myself. I regret nothing. Now, I feel like I'm exactly where I need to be for now. I'm grateful for the growth and for the people that have helped me along the way. 2023 has been the year of learning a new me and excited to see what 2024 brings. Thanks for sharing your story! This was a great read.
Alex, thanks so much for reading. Wow this seems like quite a journey but it looks like you've enjoyed the journey and it's taken you to different places which is amazing! I always tell people the journey is the reward and yours is a testament to that. I love how one passion led to another passion! You pivoted when you wanted to and brought the experiences from the past into what you're doing now and I love that all of this felt natural and not forced! Wishing you the best in 2024, Alex! Keep up the amazing work and keep enjoying this journey of self discover. It's the best!
I really appreciate this message. It sounds ridiculous, but I’ve been battling the fear of success & accomplishment for some time now. Right now I’m working towards elevating my skill level & launching my career as a designer.
Being so close to a breakthrough has me worried about what will happen after I step over that line. I’m confident in my skills, work ethic & ability to overcome whatever comes my way, but I always have that feeling of “what if this doesn’t work?” in the back of my head. I’m going to keep pushing now matter what though because I’ve been wanting this for so long.
Don't dwell to much about the destination. The Journey is more important. Its in the journey that you find your style, your voice, your vision.. you can have all those things prior, but things will become clearer in the journey. I never thought i'd be this type of artist.. I started with music, then picked up a camera, fell in love with design and photography and it turned into this.
I started off in culinary and ended up shifting into graphic design after being introduced to Illustrator, so I know that feeling for sure. The journey has been a wild one so far, but I'm grateful for it.
I definitely will! Recently I've gone back to basics to hone all my foundational skills. I used to have a clothing brand, but I put that behind me because it wasn't fulfilling and to focus on design as a whole.
Would you be interested in a 2-way interview Q & A discussion that is recorded via Zoom?
The Zoom has the breakout room feature so we can prime the pump of inspiration & give people opportunities to help them make action steps towards getting to clear action steps on their dreams.
Thank you for this! Your message is yet another confirmation from the cosmos that I need to never stop. I did an Oracle card reading yesterday around my anxieties and insecurity that has bubbled back up surrounding my writing. The cards I drew were Connection, Creativity, and Love. The message was clear, I need to connect to my Creativity from the source of love I have for writing. Where love exists, fear cannot.
I am not on Substack but do have my own personal blog musesofamommytherapist.com and have been attempting to put myself out there more on social media. I have so many books in me and yet continue to get frozen in fear. The only things I have managed to bring to full frutition is poetry/spoken word and my other blog posts.
Even when I was a child I was always making up stories and a few times put them into written form. I never finished them though... Kind of sad to think of all the stories that never got told. I really want this to change.
So thank you for your words. Thank you for being a model of courage and change.
I bet you could finish those incomplete childhood writings by telling those stories to your children...or collaborating with other children.
I am curious what interrupted you from finishing them back then?
Writing, drawing, dancing, bringing any art to life...including the art of communicating & organization is so therapeutic & energizing.
On the journey to reaching our wellbeing potential individually and collectively as humankind, we now have ADA-compliant technologies to connect us from phone & home. Pretty amazing when we use our time & technology wisely.
That is a great question. I have tried to explore the memories where that answer lies and I can't access them. I think it's something within myself that just turns off and the creative machine goes silent. I know there were stories I did finish as a kid but I lost them long ago. I think had my parents or someone tuned into this part of me and encouraged and supported it I probably could have finished them.
Funny thing is I am actually really good at communicating and organizing my thoughts verbally in conversation. There is something in the translation into longer, complete stories that I have feared or doubted in myself of being able to do. Working on changing that though...
Would you be willing to let me interview you? As a retired RN, it gives me quality of life to help others get their stories & art out.
Since you are organized in your conversational thoughts, you could just tell the stories to me, your phone, or blind people who have voice2text technology.
Smartphones also have voice memos. I have a Zoom Enterprise but I find so many errors in their voice2text transcripts that it is difficult to trust their transcripts.
However, I also have the free Clubhouse App & the Global GreenBiz WOMAN, the Wellbeing Oriented Mutual Aid Network. So which ever way you feel comfortable, you can begin telling your stories...and someone may want to exchange Time Credits for the voice2text conversion if you want both an audio book & a printed word one.
I love to let people do illustrations because the arts are what bring the sciences to life.
People who were passionate about something yet it was discouraged or ignored may actually have some blocks due to some form of PTSD. Disrespect, rejection, marginalization, teasing, bullying from people we expected love, appreciation, acknowledgment, encouragement, help with problem-solving solutions for ways to pursue our interests & develop our talents are blockages & triggers in our lives.
Writing, drawing, doodling, music making-singing, movement, dance, recreation, cooking, bread making, hand crafting, woodworking, counseling, mediation, coaching, massage, improv, drama ...and engaging in Community Service-Learning Projects are just some of the ways to release from blocks.
It is also the art of mothering, parenting, nursing.
Oddly, nursing is the only career path that earns a living wage yet is often not very family or self-care friendly due to the hours, staffing shortages, compassion fatigue in the presence of system bias against the free & low-cost ways to reduce stress, anxiety, anger, apathy...
Since the systems of healthcare-education-longterm care & employee health are pressured to follow the profit-making insurance plans, it gets very tricky being a patient advocate.
We are ALL some form of patients-caregivers, teachers & students.
My arts & the sciences they bring to life must now be offered peer2peer.
There is an explanation as to why professional associations, Human Resource Directors, health care providers & research professors seem to be prevented from offering or using the Wellness Weavers Live Well Cooperative personally or extending it to their networks of family & friends.
To find the diverse people who see & hear the wisdom of the equitable, scalable way to save money, stretch tax dollars, scholarships, grants, I have a screening info-survey tool. It does take 5 minutes to read & respond, if you are interested. You can find the Bee Attitudes link in my IG bio...
I’m also glad you started this newsletter! It’s been rewarding to read and I love being able to keep up with your work without having to wade into the dumpster fire of social media.
Congrats on all the success this year. Wishing you even more in the future!
It is easy to see that you are very creative & high energy for all the ideas that you have brought to fruition.
I enjoyed my 40-year nursing career so much for all the ways individuals & families shared their stories & dreams.
It gives me quality of life to be around diverse creative, innovative, people who do persist to bring good ideas to life.
My art of nursing was being able to connect people to ways to save money while empowering teamwork & projects that strengthen our individual & collective knowledge, skills, & helpful attitudes.
Would you like to collaborate with me & others who appreciate you & your arts?
My wellbeing, sense of humor, & passion for helping people use & development their talents is part of why I pay for a Zoom Enterprise platform.
Would you & your wife like to join me to explore business & quality of life issues using the Zoom “Green STAR Ship Enterprise” for the fine art of living with our multigenerational global networks of family-friends-volunteers-employees...and customers that appreciate us and our goods & services?
I'm proud to be able to see you pushing past your fears to pursue your goals. Keep going bro!
thanks so much!
I've been wanting to apply to a certain MFA program for a while. Instead of applying, I've been working on another projects, doing my full time job, and also considering journalism programs. Today, after reading this newsletter entry and also journaling a lot, I've decided to apply. So just wanted to say thank you!
Omg thanks so much for sharing this! I'm so excited for you. You never know what's on the other side of applying but even applying in it of itself is a HUGE success! So congrats on even hitting apply. I hope you get in and that you're able to do things that bring you joy!
I'm working on my third creative business, my first starting in 2011 as a freelance makeup artist. I had just moved to Michigan shortly after discharging from the Air Force. I knew I wanted to have a business and be an artist but even with my severe anxiety I still wanted to try. I did what I could as a makeup artist and even though it only lasted a few short years, I was so proud of myself that I took the leap of faith. In 2020, I started my fashion reselling/upcycling business. I was still very nervous but also excited. I became more confident and wanted to see it grow, but a shift happened. I developed a new love of painting. So I took another leap of closing the reselling part of my business and pivoted with the upcycle idea because I painted on second hand clothes and accessories. Alex B Artistry was born in 2022. I believe that with each one of these milestones happened the way they were supposed to and I learned something new each time, but most importantly I learned more about myself. I regret nothing. Now, I feel like I'm exactly where I need to be for now. I'm grateful for the growth and for the people that have helped me along the way. 2023 has been the year of learning a new me and excited to see what 2024 brings. Thanks for sharing your story! This was a great read.
Alex, thanks so much for reading. Wow this seems like quite a journey but it looks like you've enjoyed the journey and it's taken you to different places which is amazing! I always tell people the journey is the reward and yours is a testament to that. I love how one passion led to another passion! You pivoted when you wanted to and brought the experiences from the past into what you're doing now and I love that all of this felt natural and not forced! Wishing you the best in 2024, Alex! Keep up the amazing work and keep enjoying this journey of self discover. It's the best!
Thank you so much. By the way, your basketball design is dope.🖤🔥
I needed to read this today. 🤍
So glad this resonated with you!
Thanks for all the encouragement and inspiration in your newsletters. I'm glad you decided to do these!
Thanks for reading, Aaron! I really appreciate it!
I really appreciate this message. It sounds ridiculous, but I’ve been battling the fear of success & accomplishment for some time now. Right now I’m working towards elevating my skill level & launching my career as a designer.
Being so close to a breakthrough has me worried about what will happen after I step over that line. I’m confident in my skills, work ethic & ability to overcome whatever comes my way, but I always have that feeling of “what if this doesn’t work?” in the back of my head. I’m going to keep pushing now matter what though because I’ve been wanting this for so long.
Don't dwell to much about the destination. The Journey is more important. Its in the journey that you find your style, your voice, your vision.. you can have all those things prior, but things will become clearer in the journey. I never thought i'd be this type of artist.. I started with music, then picked up a camera, fell in love with design and photography and it turned into this.
I started off in culinary and ended up shifting into graphic design after being introduced to Illustrator, so I know that feeling for sure. The journey has been a wild one so far, but I'm grateful for it.
Yes because cooking knowledge, skills, attitudes makes any profession better! 🤗🙏☮️
Keep going!!! Attitude is everything. What kind of things do you like to design? Do you produce your designs?
I definitely will! Recently I've gone back to basics to hone all my foundational skills. I used to have a clothing brand, but I put that behind me because it wasn't fulfilling and to focus on design as a whole.
Would you be interested in a 2-way interview Q & A discussion that is recorded via Zoom?
The Zoom has the breakout room feature so we can prime the pump of inspiration & give people opportunities to help them make action steps towards getting to clear action steps on their dreams.
Thank you for this! Your message is yet another confirmation from the cosmos that I need to never stop. I did an Oracle card reading yesterday around my anxieties and insecurity that has bubbled back up surrounding my writing. The cards I drew were Connection, Creativity, and Love. The message was clear, I need to connect to my Creativity from the source of love I have for writing. Where love exists, fear cannot.
I am not on Substack but do have my own personal blog musesofamommytherapist.com and have been attempting to put myself out there more on social media. I have so many books in me and yet continue to get frozen in fear. The only things I have managed to bring to full frutition is poetry/spoken word and my other blog posts.
Even when I was a child I was always making up stories and a few times put them into written form. I never finished them though... Kind of sad to think of all the stories that never got told. I really want this to change.
So thank you for your words. Thank you for being a model of courage and change.
Your basketball is dope by the way! 😍
I bet you could finish those incomplete childhood writings by telling those stories to your children...or collaborating with other children.
I am curious what interrupted you from finishing them back then?
Writing, drawing, dancing, bringing any art to life...including the art of communicating & organization is so therapeutic & energizing.
On the journey to reaching our wellbeing potential individually and collectively as humankind, we now have ADA-compliant technologies to connect us from phone & home. Pretty amazing when we use our time & technology wisely.
That is a great question. I have tried to explore the memories where that answer lies and I can't access them. I think it's something within myself that just turns off and the creative machine goes silent. I know there were stories I did finish as a kid but I lost them long ago. I think had my parents or someone tuned into this part of me and encouraged and supported it I probably could have finished them.
Funny thing is I am actually really good at communicating and organizing my thoughts verbally in conversation. There is something in the translation into longer, complete stories that I have feared or doubted in myself of being able to do. Working on changing that though...
Would you be willing to let me interview you? As a retired RN, it gives me quality of life to help others get their stories & art out.
Since you are organized in your conversational thoughts, you could just tell the stories to me, your phone, or blind people who have voice2text technology.
Smartphones also have voice memos. I have a Zoom Enterprise but I find so many errors in their voice2text transcripts that it is difficult to trust their transcripts.
However, I also have the free Clubhouse App & the Global GreenBiz WOMAN, the Wellbeing Oriented Mutual Aid Network. So which ever way you feel comfortable, you can begin telling your stories...and someone may want to exchange Time Credits for the voice2text conversion if you want both an audio book & a printed word one.
I love to let people do illustrations because the arts are what bring the sciences to life.
People who were passionate about something yet it was discouraged or ignored may actually have some blocks due to some form of PTSD. Disrespect, rejection, marginalization, teasing, bullying from people we expected love, appreciation, acknowledgment, encouragement, help with problem-solving solutions for ways to pursue our interests & develop our talents are blockages & triggers in our lives.
Writing, drawing, doodling, music making-singing, movement, dance, recreation, cooking, bread making, hand crafting, woodworking, counseling, mediation, coaching, massage, improv, drama ...and engaging in Community Service-Learning Projects are just some of the ways to release from blocks.
It is also the art of mothering, parenting, nursing.
Oddly, nursing is the only career path that earns a living wage yet is often not very family or self-care friendly due to the hours, staffing shortages, compassion fatigue in the presence of system bias against the free & low-cost ways to reduce stress, anxiety, anger, apathy...
Since the systems of healthcare-education-longterm care & employee health are pressured to follow the profit-making insurance plans, it gets very tricky being a patient advocate.
We are ALL some form of patients-caregivers, teachers & students.
My arts & the sciences they bring to life must now be offered peer2peer.
There is an explanation as to why professional associations, Human Resource Directors, health care providers & research professors seem to be prevented from offering or using the Wellness Weavers Live Well Cooperative personally or extending it to their networks of family & friends.
To find the diverse people who see & hear the wisdom of the equitable, scalable way to save money, stretch tax dollars, scholarships, grants, I have a screening info-survey tool. It does take 5 minutes to read & respond, if you are interested. You can find the Bee Attitudes link in my IG bio...
Let me know if you need the link in another way.
I am just learning SubStack.
I’m also glad you started this newsletter! It’s been rewarding to read and I love being able to keep up with your work without having to wade into the dumpster fire of social media.
Congrats on all the success this year. Wishing you even more in the future!
Jim! Thank you man. Really appreciate your contribution to the artist I am today. I definitely feel you on the social media dumpster fire lol
That jacket is tough. ⚡️
Thank you Jerrald!!
It is easy to see that you are very creative & high energy for all the ideas that you have brought to fruition.
I enjoyed my 40-year nursing career so much for all the ways individuals & families shared their stories & dreams.
It gives me quality of life to be around diverse creative, innovative, people who do persist to bring good ideas to life.
My art of nursing was being able to connect people to ways to save money while empowering teamwork & projects that strengthen our individual & collective knowledge, skills, & helpful attitudes.
Would you like to collaborate with me & others who appreciate you & your arts?
My wellbeing, sense of humor, & passion for helping people use & development their talents is part of why I pay for a Zoom Enterprise platform.
Would you & your wife like to join me to explore business & quality of life issues using the Zoom “Green STAR Ship Enterprise” for the fine art of living with our multigenerational global networks of family-friends-volunteers-employees...and customers that appreciate us and our goods & services?