I'm Ann and I currently live in Chapel Hill, North Carolina-- a wonderful college town a lot like Madison, Wisconsin! In fact, I grew up near Rockford, Illinois, so I'm definitely from your part of the country-- howdy neighbor!
I'm a former ICU nurse, who now works in the field of dentistry. I love to create space for patients to feel safe, and respected, and valued for their own unique way of being in the world. Nursing is an honor and a calling for me. It's also so much fun! My patients are such humorous and honest folks :)
On my days off, I hike on local forest trails and observe the 72 microseasons of the natural year by taking photos on-the-go with my phone.This has become such a reliable practice for my creative expression— yet still contains so much serendipity and surprise!
I really love the feeling of a fresh start— and I get to enjoy this all the time now, because a new microseason starts every 5 days.
I feel profound gratitude to all the generations who’ve come before me in creating and refining this ancient, natural, beautiful way of thinking about time and our planet Earth. And I started this Substack to spread the word and encourage others to tap into their own natural curiosity and creativity by spending a little time outside.
In getting to circle around again and again to each microseason, we can all inhabit a beautiful spiral of time wherever we live! And we can use this creative energy to live more happily together.
I am not a photographer or artist but art of any kind enriches my life at a soul level.
My art form is writing. I agree that it's vital to reflect on the meaning, or the why, behind our creation. When I hold my focus on why I am writing I don't get caught in the web of wanting to be further along the path than I am, I can enjoy the work for the work's sake and the reader's sake.
Thanks for this Andy, I am a new subscriber and look forward to joining your community from a non-photographers perspective!
As a musician, photographer, and writer here on Substack I identify as an artist to the degree I believe in myself and my own work (that means somedays yes and others' no lol).
Artist, photographer, writer over here! Pretty much everything I do is influenced by my love of fantasy and fairytales. I’ve come to realize that my whole “purpose” as a artist is just wanting to make the imaginary feel real for a moment. In so many ways, I’m a kid who never outgrew playing makebelieve.
I find it hard to call myself an artist... probably because I’m not ‘trained’ and/or because a lot of my (non-written) creative work is embroidery-based, so more of a ‘craft’. I used to do a lot more photography, but over the past handful of years have really slowed on that front. However, seeing more photography shared on Substack (including your newsletter!) has inspired me to pick up my camera again. And I’ve recently decided to start putting my visual work out into the world (I stopped sharing on Instagram about a year or so ago) and have created a new section to my newsletter (called Vernacular/Nostalgia) to share my photography, art/craft, and selected archive finds I come across. Feeling excited (and also a bit nervous).
I'm an artist. I think it's a core part of my identity. That doesn't mean I earn a living from art or even that I'm constantly creating; some seasons look different from others. But artwork is the way I respond to and process the world around me.
Definitely consider myself an artist and that manifests in various ways (including photography.) Thanks for sharing the Ethan Hawke vid. I’ve seen it a few times before and it’s always worth the reshape. Love what he says and absolutely agree. ❤️🙌🏻 (If anyone wants to check out some of my art: visit nancyforde.com ☺️)
Love your post Andy. I identify as an Eclectic Old Bird, living in Cavan, Ireland. I would describe myself as an artist with a eclectic mix of creative projects. I love generating and being part of communities of creative people. If you have time do pop into my Substack and say hello. I’m only just beginning this particular journey and so far I’ve found a lot of people who’s notes and posts really resonate with me, including yours. Thank you for sharing your thoughts it is much appreciated.
In my early 20s, the shadowy realm of the more illicit side of society drew me in. I think it's because artists and criminals are two sides of the same coin, but one subverts and the other destroys.
When it comes to photography or many visual arts, I'm not as talented as you and many of the artists you showcase here, but pictures give me stories. I love the Bill Hicks quote, "We are all one consciousness experiencing life subjectively." 1. Well, psychedelics. And 2. I feel it with art. Pictures bring that steam of consciousness to life for me. It helps bring stories to life.
With the stories and essays I write, I hope to "break down borders." I get outside my comfort zone and hope to make people see the world beyond the street they grew up on.
Hi hello I am an artist, I make a lot of comics and art with talking animals and space frogs and what have you, all for friendship and thinking and sharing
To me the problem is not to be creative. I need to be creative. I need to take photos. To me the problem is to be realistic. I am an artist that makes photo montage or digital collage, And I am still stuck building my portfolio. I learn that you need more marketing than creativity, And unfortunately I am not good at all in that. So now that I even have 2 kids is more difficult to understand what to do. A lot of artwork, a lot of creativity but no way to "spread my voice". It's frustrating because when I was living in Australia and i joined some group exhibition I even sold my pieces. And got nice feedback. So I really feel stuck just for my poor marketing skill. I think with just creativity you can't do much. Unfortunately.
I’m an artist! I’m a pen and paper artist, i Phone photographer (mostly cats, graffiti and New Orleans church yards these days) and a writer. I’ll drop my instagram.
A little late to the party I realize, but whatever! Here on Substack I write about visual art mostly, but I'm a musician as well; currently I'm working with sample-based musical forms. I released an album on YouTube called STRANGE DEVELOPMENTS; it's sort of a commentary on "these interesting times." You might like it! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Q2zztuqTQw&t=0s
Are you an artist?
Hi Andy!
I'm Ann and I currently live in Chapel Hill, North Carolina-- a wonderful college town a lot like Madison, Wisconsin! In fact, I grew up near Rockford, Illinois, so I'm definitely from your part of the country-- howdy neighbor!
I'm a former ICU nurse, who now works in the field of dentistry. I love to create space for patients to feel safe, and respected, and valued for their own unique way of being in the world. Nursing is an honor and a calling for me. It's also so much fun! My patients are such humorous and honest folks :)
On my days off, I hike on local forest trails and observe the 72 microseasons of the natural year by taking photos on-the-go with my phone.This has become such a reliable practice for my creative expression— yet still contains so much serendipity and surprise!
I really love the feeling of a fresh start— and I get to enjoy this all the time now, because a new microseason starts every 5 days.
I feel profound gratitude to all the generations who’ve come before me in creating and refining this ancient, natural, beautiful way of thinking about time and our planet Earth. And I started this Substack to spread the word and encourage others to tap into their own natural curiosity and creativity by spending a little time outside.
In getting to circle around again and again to each microseason, we can all inhabit a beautiful spiral of time wherever we live! And we can use this creative energy to live more happily together.
Come visit me over at "Microseasons" 72seasons.substack.com
I am not a photographer or artist but art of any kind enriches my life at a soul level.
My art form is writing. I agree that it's vital to reflect on the meaning, or the why, behind our creation. When I hold my focus on why I am writing I don't get caught in the web of wanting to be further along the path than I am, I can enjoy the work for the work's sake and the reader's sake.
Thanks for this Andy, I am a new subscriber and look forward to joining your community from a non-photographers perspective!
I have always been allergic to calling myself an "artist." Wrote a whole newsletter about that
https://dinalitovsky.substack.com/p/photographys-phallic-stage-or-why-22-04-08
As a musician, photographer, and writer here on Substack I identify as an artist to the degree I believe in myself and my own work (that means somedays yes and others' no lol).
Artist, photographer, writer over here! Pretty much everything I do is influenced by my love of fantasy and fairytales. I’ve come to realize that my whole “purpose” as a artist is just wanting to make the imaginary feel real for a moment. In so many ways, I’m a kid who never outgrew playing makebelieve.
Oh yes, I am an artist. I create because I have to. Creativity is life.
I find it hard to call myself an artist... probably because I’m not ‘trained’ and/or because a lot of my (non-written) creative work is embroidery-based, so more of a ‘craft’. I used to do a lot more photography, but over the past handful of years have really slowed on that front. However, seeing more photography shared on Substack (including your newsletter!) has inspired me to pick up my camera again. And I’ve recently decided to start putting my visual work out into the world (I stopped sharing on Instagram about a year or so ago) and have created a new section to my newsletter (called Vernacular/Nostalgia) to share my photography, art/craft, and selected archive finds I come across. Feeling excited (and also a bit nervous).
I'm an artist. I think it's a core part of my identity. That doesn't mean I earn a living from art or even that I'm constantly creating; some seasons look different from others. But artwork is the way I respond to and process the world around me.
What an amazing video! I'm such a Hawke fan. He has a lot to teach us.
Definitely consider myself an artist and that manifests in various ways (including photography.) Thanks for sharing the Ethan Hawke vid. I’ve seen it a few times before and it’s always worth the reshape. Love what he says and absolutely agree. ❤️🙌🏻 (If anyone wants to check out some of my art: visit nancyforde.com ☺️)
Love your post Andy. I identify as an Eclectic Old Bird, living in Cavan, Ireland. I would describe myself as an artist with a eclectic mix of creative projects. I love generating and being part of communities of creative people. If you have time do pop into my Substack and say hello. I’m only just beginning this particular journey and so far I’ve found a lot of people who’s notes and posts really resonate with me, including yours. Thank you for sharing your thoughts it is much appreciated.
In my early 20s, the shadowy realm of the more illicit side of society drew me in. I think it's because artists and criminals are two sides of the same coin, but one subverts and the other destroys.
When it comes to photography or many visual arts, I'm not as talented as you and many of the artists you showcase here, but pictures give me stories. I love the Bill Hicks quote, "We are all one consciousness experiencing life subjectively." 1. Well, psychedelics. And 2. I feel it with art. Pictures bring that steam of consciousness to life for me. It helps bring stories to life.
With the stories and essays I write, I hope to "break down borders." I get outside my comfort zone and hope to make people see the world beyond the street they grew up on.
Hi hello I am an artist, I make a lot of comics and art with talking animals and space frogs and what have you, all for friendship and thinking and sharing
To me the problem is not to be creative. I need to be creative. I need to take photos. To me the problem is to be realistic. I am an artist that makes photo montage or digital collage, And I am still stuck building my portfolio. I learn that you need more marketing than creativity, And unfortunately I am not good at all in that. So now that I even have 2 kids is more difficult to understand what to do. A lot of artwork, a lot of creativity but no way to "spread my voice". It's frustrating because when I was living in Australia and i joined some group exhibition I even sold my pieces. And got nice feedback. So I really feel stuck just for my poor marketing skill. I think with just creativity you can't do much. Unfortunately.
I’m an artist! I’m a pen and paper artist, i Phone photographer (mostly cats, graffiti and New Orleans church yards these days) and a writer. I’ll drop my instagram.
https://instagram.com/sarah504ann?igshid=MmIzYWVlNDQ5Yg==
A little late to the party I realize, but whatever! Here on Substack I write about visual art mostly, but I'm a musician as well; currently I'm working with sample-based musical forms. I released an album on YouTube called STRANGE DEVELOPMENTS; it's sort of a commentary on "these interesting times." You might like it! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Q2zztuqTQw&t=0s