Hi there,
I’m sending through a bonus Substack today for two reasons:
I have a laptop absolutely crammed with snippets, prompts, bookmarks, etc. and I thought I’d send a few extra tasty morsels your way.
I also want to let you know about a few of events I am facilitating online that you might like to attend. Two of them are free to subscribers to this Substack. Scroll down for more details.
So, the content in today’s missive is very random but, I hope, very interesting. Read on!
Some art
I recently came across this untitled painting, made in 1970, by Luchita Hurtado.
I liked it for itself, but the perspective in the painting also reminded me of something I’d read somewhere - that the Venus of Willendorf was created by a woman whose sculpture was influenced by what she saw when she looked down at her own body.
Who knows who made the Venus? But it’s an interesting theory and a reminder that, so often, it’s the perspective you employ that makes something creative, even if that something is as everyday a sight to you as your own body.
(By the way, if you are against body-shaming or policing women’s bodies do NOT do a Google search on ‘Venus of Willendorf’. There is a multitude of apparently serious article writers out there that seem to be boggling at the fact that the Venus is so [whispers in blood-curdling horror] fat!).
Some craft
Speaking of looking at things from different angles, I’d also like to share with you this beautiful short film of a Japanese artisan creating a Noh mask. I found it on the Open Culture website. It’s quite lovely.
“The best masks will suggest different attitudes from different angles.”
Some music
Check out this playlist curated by Manifest EU, who offer “New artistic perspectives on memories of the transatlantic trade of enslaved people” through arts residencies and knowledge sharing.
“’The Blueprint: a story of Jazz&Rap evolutions in the post-slavery world’ is available on our YouTube channel and includes songs from Nina Simone, Wu Tang Clan, Saïan Supa Crew, Boss AC, Little Simz and many more... From Jazz to Rap, Perspectives and Musical Evolutions in the Post-Slavery World, from the United States to Europe, inspired us to create a playlist with songs and artists whose music has roots in the history of the trade of enslaved people.”
A lovely opportunity.
Sometimes the different angle or perspective we need comes from the encouragement we receive from someone else.
“It became clear that some of the people behind those voices… needed some encouragement to do their *thing*.”
Fellow Substackers Feasts and Fables have put together an Encouragement Manifesto, underpinned by their tried and true values and lived experience. They offer “Hour-long Zoom calls with an enthusiastic, optimistic, and experienced strategic thinker” which, at this moment, are free. I think that it sounds awesome, so why don’t you nip over to their Substack, read, and book in.
“To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
What’s happening in Chat
I have been curating a beautiful thread of animal pictures in the Chat. I’ll be starting a new one soon with a new theme. But, for now, I’d love it if you could add your own animal pictures, either photos of your pets or your favourite animal-art or…? You can find the thread here.
Come and talk to me!
Come along to the following facilitated conversations – free for subscribers to this Substack.
Relate: How do you relate to the creative side of your nature? Join me for a one-hour workshop to develop a narrative about your creative identity. 6pm, 28 June 2023 Melbourne-time | AEST. Book here.
The Bewilderment Game: Join me for The Bewilderment Game, a narrative-building workshop designed for reflection on the pandemic years. 7 July, 8am-9am OR 6pm-7pm Melbourne-time | AEST. Book here.
And I am also presenting The Bewilderment Game at the Transformations Conference at 1pm, 12 July Melbourne-time | AEST, but you’ll have to pay to attend the conference for that one. It’s going to be a great conference though, both live and online, so read more about it here.
Housekeeping:
Just a note as to when the next Substacks will be:
The next Substack for paid subscribers will be this Friday 30 June.
The next Substack for all subscribers will be this Saturday 1 July.
Enjoy! And let me know what you think in Substack notes or
What an encouragement to read your gorgeous list of randomness and to find our little undertaking there, so beautifully framed. Wow, it truly feels like a 'something' when someone who writing and thinking you respect describes it. Really touched. Thank you so much. Even encouragers need encouragement.