I loved how your piece implicitly champions vulnerability in creation. Lynne's "honestly kateri, it’s about all i can muster these days" is so relatable, and it’s in that raw honesty that the real beauty lies. We often feel this immense pressure to be "on," to be constantly producing, but sometimes the most authentic thing we can offer is a small, honest whisper of what we’re capable of in that moment. There's a humble humor in acknowledging our limitations, and ironically, that often makes our work more accessible and powerful to others.
It’s a bit like life, isn't it? The moments we try to force perfection often feel stiff and unnatural, but when we lean into the messiness, the humor of our imperfections, that's where true connection happens
Yes! All so true, Alex. And I think, just surrendering to process in general. And also checking our expectations and our "agenda," for lack of a better word. I've been through the spectrum with my visual art practice from exhibiting in solo shows, having work in a museum, and now...pure process for the moment without any desire to profit from it. I know it's not for everyone, but it is where I've wanted to be and what feels right for me. and it has brought such freedom and peace...and beauty. xo
I smiled when I read this post. Yesterday while sitting on a porch with freshly baled hay on the horizon, a friend actually asked this question. Did we hear your words being written on a whispering timeline wafted over from your side of the planet? She spoke of a philosopher from the early 1900s who pondered the creation of everything from a drop of "something from nothing". Yup, everything is something from nothing. Although there is no nothing, it is everything.
Wow, I love this! It's so fascinating to think about this, and I love that you were on the same wave. I wish I was there talking with you both! Thank you, Mary.
what Abigail said, the quote, “I do not need to make anything profound for it to be holy.” I started weeping as I read your beautiful substack piece. Thank you dear Kateri.
there's something deeply mysterious and magical about lynne's watercolours. i think i sense her love for her materials when i see her work, it's something very special. (i love her self-made sketchbooks. they feel so organic, like she actually grew them. which, in a way, she did, of course.)
haven't touched my watercolours myself for months, it seems we've lost contact. i sometimes long for them and try to pick out some new watercolour paper because there's nothing left; and then i get overwhelmed and lost and quickly close all tabs.
i've been thinking about getting some new colours as well, maybe the kuretake art nouveau set (?) or schmincke horadam natural paints, but there's a rabbit hole to fall into when it comes to watercolours as well, and the same thing happens—closed tabs once again. i seem to have lost, if i ever had any, my capacity for play. everything feels so serious and deep nowadays, like the tiniest decision, if wrong, can bring the whole place down.
i've been reading a lot of mary oliver, the last few days. have you ever watched her conversation with coleman barks? it's proven to be a real balm, to me anyway: https://lannan.org/media/mary-oliver-with-coleman-barks. (there are two videos: the first one is mary oliver reading her poems, the second the conversatation. i recommend both.)
anyway! thank you for sharing this, and to lynne for allowing you to share her picture; both a real pleasure. X
I'm with you in every way, about Lynne. She has been one of my very artists for a very long time now. So so special and present. The work I have seen from you is right there with hers. Truly. Different though... you work is like breathing and whispers of light and shadow. I hope you will be inspired to pick up the brush again, Kim. Send me a tiny painting... we can do a mail exchange :) Thank you for the reminder about Mary and Coleman... I have not listened in a while and it will get me through my work day xo
Kateri, what you have so beautifully written here and the single swatch of Lynne's, your lovely soft swatches and the beautiful the swatch painted by your granddaughter are all such an inspiration to me. You're right being able to make art is definitely "Staggering Privilege"!! Thank you for this article and all the inspiration you bring here and on Patreon!
My soul feels nourished from reading your words here. I love the way you have honoured the ordinary and the moment, I sensed a sacredness about your sitting, thinking, writing, nibbling ( yes, even the popcorn and coffee) and of course your gratitude.
‘We are never creating from nothing. We are part of an infinite unfolding.’ When I saw Lynne’s beautiful notebook and the nuanced green swatches it made me think of the two of you and your friendship are also part of that unfolding.
Loved every word you have written Kateri. It is such a privilege to be able to create. And those creations are not only our own. They contain pieces of many lives. How eloquently you have offered these thoughts. Thank you!
It is soooo comforting to know we are always in co-creation with all that came before us. It's never all on our shoulders, right? And it is so much more beautiful when we consider this as we begin and go along our work. Thank you, Alegria. I am so grateful for your presence here.
I too have read and reread this piece many times. It speaks to my heart so clearly. I have shared it with several of my creative people, who all have been touched by it too.
"I do not need to make anything profound for it to be holy." I loved the whole piece, but tht sentence I really love. Won't forget it. Thank you.
Thank you, Abby. Means a lot to me. And it's just so true. It took me a long while to feel like that.
I loved how your piece implicitly champions vulnerability in creation. Lynne's "honestly kateri, it’s about all i can muster these days" is so relatable, and it’s in that raw honesty that the real beauty lies. We often feel this immense pressure to be "on," to be constantly producing, but sometimes the most authentic thing we can offer is a small, honest whisper of what we’re capable of in that moment. There's a humble humor in acknowledging our limitations, and ironically, that often makes our work more accessible and powerful to others.
It’s a bit like life, isn't it? The moments we try to force perfection often feel stiff and unnatural, but when we lean into the messiness, the humor of our imperfections, that's where true connection happens
Yes! All so true, Alex. And I think, just surrendering to process in general. And also checking our expectations and our "agenda," for lack of a better word. I've been through the spectrum with my visual art practice from exhibiting in solo shows, having work in a museum, and now...pure process for the moment without any desire to profit from it. I know it's not for everyone, but it is where I've wanted to be and what feels right for me. and it has brought such freedom and peace...and beauty. xo
Soul sustaining. A staggering privilege to live as I do. The gratitude woven throughout this piece is nourishing. Thank you for this essay.
You are so welcome, Margi. I am so grateful for you.
I smiled when I read this post. Yesterday while sitting on a porch with freshly baled hay on the horizon, a friend actually asked this question. Did we hear your words being written on a whispering timeline wafted over from your side of the planet? She spoke of a philosopher from the early 1900s who pondered the creation of everything from a drop of "something from nothing". Yup, everything is something from nothing. Although there is no nothing, it is everything.
Wow, I love this! It's so fascinating to think about this, and I love that you were on the same wave. I wish I was there talking with you both! Thank you, Mary.
what Abigail said, the quote, “I do not need to make anything profound for it to be holy.” I started weeping as I read your beautiful substack piece. Thank you dear Kateri.
Love to you, dear Margaret. I know you feel this, too!
nothing = everything so beautiful
🥰
there's something deeply mysterious and magical about lynne's watercolours. i think i sense her love for her materials when i see her work, it's something very special. (i love her self-made sketchbooks. they feel so organic, like she actually grew them. which, in a way, she did, of course.)
haven't touched my watercolours myself for months, it seems we've lost contact. i sometimes long for them and try to pick out some new watercolour paper because there's nothing left; and then i get overwhelmed and lost and quickly close all tabs.
i've been thinking about getting some new colours as well, maybe the kuretake art nouveau set (?) or schmincke horadam natural paints, but there's a rabbit hole to fall into when it comes to watercolours as well, and the same thing happens—closed tabs once again. i seem to have lost, if i ever had any, my capacity for play. everything feels so serious and deep nowadays, like the tiniest decision, if wrong, can bring the whole place down.
i've been reading a lot of mary oliver, the last few days. have you ever watched her conversation with coleman barks? it's proven to be a real balm, to me anyway: https://lannan.org/media/mary-oliver-with-coleman-barks. (there are two videos: the first one is mary oliver reading her poems, the second the conversatation. i recommend both.)
anyway! thank you for sharing this, and to lynne for allowing you to share her picture; both a real pleasure. X
I'm with you in every way, about Lynne. She has been one of my very artists for a very long time now. So so special and present. The work I have seen from you is right there with hers. Truly. Different though... you work is like breathing and whispers of light and shadow. I hope you will be inspired to pick up the brush again, Kim. Send me a tiny painting... we can do a mail exchange :) Thank you for the reminder about Mary and Coleman... I have not listened in a while and it will get me through my work day xo
Kateri, what you have so beautifully written here and the single swatch of Lynne's, your lovely soft swatches and the beautiful the swatch painted by your granddaughter are all such an inspiration to me. You're right being able to make art is definitely "Staggering Privilege"!! Thank you for this article and all the inspiration you bring here and on Patreon!
You are so welcome, but mostly thank YOU for being here and for your beautiful work in the world, You inspire me all the time!
oh gosh, i love this... all of it. thank you kateri... ♥️
‘I looked at that swatch and saw an entire world.’
It is truly beyond seeing…how your imagination takes off in this amazing essay!
I have now reread it several times and I feel the reverence and the stillness unfolding ….
Congratulations dear Kateri for sharing your artistic gifts which are many! 🥰
There is no excuse not to begin from nothing!
I love you. Thank you for being here, for reading, and thank you always for your gentle and deep wisdom my friend. xoxo
My soul feels nourished from reading your words here. I love the way you have honoured the ordinary and the moment, I sensed a sacredness about your sitting, thinking, writing, nibbling ( yes, even the popcorn and coffee) and of course your gratitude.
‘We are never creating from nothing. We are part of an infinite unfolding.’ When I saw Lynne’s beautiful notebook and the nuanced green swatches it made me think of the two of you and your friendship are also part of that unfolding.
I love how you saw Lynne's swatch. Thank you so much, Sian. I am so grateful for your presence here. xo
Loved every word you have written Kateri. It is such a privilege to be able to create. And those creations are not only our own. They contain pieces of many lives. How eloquently you have offered these thoughts. Thank you!
It is soooo comforting to know we are always in co-creation with all that came before us. It's never all on our shoulders, right? And it is so much more beautiful when we consider this as we begin and go along our work. Thank you, Alegria. I am so grateful for your presence here.
💕
Oh I LOVED this!! All of it.
Thank you, Francesca. I’m so glad. Thank you 🙏🏼✨
What a lovely little joy that was to absorb!! I am encouraged by your words “what part of that is nothing ?”
I speak those words to my daughter every day ! Encouraging her writing and creative thinking…her fear of being “perceived” holds her down .
I will share this lovely piece with her.
Thank you so much for reading and for your thoughtful comment! I hope your daughter enjoyed it too ❤️
Loved the swatches, the poetic voice and the tender love of life expressed here. And these lines:
"Can you imagine if people started making art just to honour this moment? To say, I am here. We are here."
These thoughts, things… ways (?) have become touchstones for me. Thank you for reading and for seeing them in this way 🙏🏼✨
I too have read and reread this piece many times. It speaks to my heart so clearly. I have shared it with several of my creative people, who all have been touched by it too.
Thank you!
Grateful. Thank you Linda ✨🙏🏼❤️