one of us wrote the words “too late” across the calendar. From that point on, only essentials could take place.
“I find great solace in the rhythm of making stitches” Featured Artist: Kristen Ashbaugh
“Throughout my life, my ability to throw myself into a creative outlet has been so important to me. I learned this from my mother who taught me to sew, knit, and crochet”
Garbage Work, Not Garbage Person
With some regularity, a wounded writer appears, whether in my office or in these online spaces. Although the contexts vary, the type of wounding is remarkably similar: some gatekeeper has taken it upon him or herself to judge the writer unfit. This judgment often takes the form of unsolicited advice about a change in career.
“I do have a joke about how soon it will take for my son to need therapy. I mean, I’m a comedian. Poor Kid.” Featured Artist: Lia Berman
“At the time I did not feel like anything was easy and I wanted to know if anybody else was struggling.”
Lowered Expectations
My new mantra comes from MadTV
“Producing knowledge and producing little lives at the same time was the ultimate creative practice.” Featured Artist: Ai Mizuta
“I also play the violin to get in touch with something that is beyond my own existence across time and space: the music created by great composers and the music played by many, many people before us”
Making at the End of the World
A world that is hostile—because it is too hot, or too racist, or too authoritarian, too misogynist, or too neglectful of your community’s health crisis—is a world that is at least indifferent if not antagonistic to your making.
“stigma can also be internalized, such as when I doubt my own impulses to integrate my experiences as a mother in my work” Featured Artist: Susana Ruiz
What’s been the best surprise about having a creative life in motherhood?
The media landscape expands! As a media artist, my world has become so much bigger and infinitely more interesting since motherhood. I go through my children’s cultural preoccupations and eccentricities with them and I, too, grow. My Little Pony this month? Okay. Red Dead Redemption non-stop for the entire weekend? Okay. Kendrick Lamar last week and Public Enemy this week? Okay. Unboxing Toys videos on YouTube? Fine.
The Water of Attention
Without attention, the projects behave badly, turning a little weird. Job application, I think, why did you get so ponderous and stale? You, book proposal, what are these funny little sentences? And, as they curdle, I start to resent them: uggh, why are you still kicking around? Isn’t it time for you to graduate or get a job or something?
“The best surprise about having a creative life in motherhood is when your children start creating and you get to be part of their creations.” Featured Artist: Tracey Ellert
“I recently started working more with my children. I wrote a story and I have asked my son to illustrate it, and I also asked both children if they had any edits or ideas. ”
