Dear Somebody: Preserving the humanity in our work.
Five things from this week that I'd like to remember
A year from now, here are five things from this week that I'd like to remember:
MONDAY
Last week, Dan Blank asked me why I decided to make elegy/a crow/Ba into an accordion book. He wanted to know why I would spend precious time gluing and assembling 50 accordion books when I’m: 9 months pregnant; in the middle of writing my Master’s thesis; finishing my Master’s thesis project—my first picture book pitch; promoting my upcoming book of illustrated essays; preparing for baby’s arrival in 4 weeks; and, you know, keeping atop of my regular work load, toddler, and home life.
So why am I gluing and assembling and folding and mailing? The answer is that I've been trying to figure out how to get back to myself for a long time now. I want to pay attention to the artist and the creativity in me, which has taken a back seat to the business of being a brand and artist. As I told Dan: This accordion book brings a lot of humanity back to the art I'm interested in making. This book isn’t about making money or sales or generating publicity — it’s simply about writing a story from the heart and putting it out into the world to connect with others.
For our full conversation and more of Dan’s thoughts on the power of handcrafted, read the latest edition of his newsletter here.
TUESDAY
A song: One of my favorite covers is M. Ward’s take on David Bowie’s Let’s Dance — on repeat in my studio these days as I draw, draw, draw.
A picture: I recently bought this print for N’s room from Anna Cunha’s shop. Her work is poignant and pure, often capturing the simplicity of childhood and living with the land. I was surprised to learn that her gorgeously textured work is mostly illustrated digitally.
A book: I’m almost finished with María Hesse’s illustrated biography of Frida Kahlo, which is devastating, mournful, and, of course, beautiful.
WEDNESDAY
An excerpt from Before and After the Book Deal that really hit home this week, as I do what feels like even less for my family and home, while juggling a million other things and preparing to give birth:
“I feel badly that my daughter feels bad about me missing today’s performance, but I don’t feel guilty. It took me decades to be able to live off my own creative writing, and in those decades I learned that I have to fight tooth and nail to defend not just my writing time, but my identity as a writer, because most people will want/need me to do something other than my art. From the minute I was presented with my long-legged, super sucker newborn, I realized that I now had the world’s most precious time suck in my arms. There would be no end to this baby’s needs, no end to the things she would want from me, expect from me, forget at school and need. Nina gives me a hard time about it, but I refuse to hide how important my career is to me. In the domestic framework I’ve set up and continue to fight for, my writing and my daughter are both tied for first.
But getting my daughter to understand that this framework is built from love and respect is a long, long game indeed. I believe if I model the example of a working creative who defends her time, sets boundaries, and is honest about what she wants and doesn’t want, then long-term, my daughter won’t be trampled by people who want to take and take from her, ask for favors that turn into unpaid labor, see her negotiating like a lamb when she should be negotiating like a lion. This will probably take two decades, or maybe it will take my own daughter one day having children to realize the values I’m trying to impart. Or maybe it won’t work.”
—from Can You Be a Good Mom and a Great Writer? by Courtney Maum
THURSDAY
The world has graced us with the most excellent weather this week—warm breezes and open windows, too early yet for mosquitos or sweat. We’ve gone on many walks, watched the grackles bathe in the alleyway puddles, filled the hummingbird feeder with simple syrup, and did lots of laundry.
N wore her yellow dress with flowers for the first time this spring and looked like a doll from somebody else’s drawing. I didn’t take a picture but I’m writing it here, now, to remember.
FRIDAY
in the dream of foxes
there is a field
and a procession of women
clean as good children
no hollow in the world
surrounded by dogs
no fur clumped bloody
on the ground
only a lovely time
of honest women stepping
without fear or guilt or shame
safe through the generous fields.
—A Dream of Foxes by Lucille Clifton
Guns are now the #1 killers of American children and teenagers. We will continue to demand action; please donate to Everytown to support those trying to keep our children safe.
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If you'd like to support me, you can pre-order my upcoming book of illustrated essays, How it Feels to Find Yourself, for yourself, a loved one, or both! To receive a free archival art print from the book, please pre-order through BuyOlympia. My art prints, stationery, and books are also available through BuyOlympia.
See you next week!
xx,
M
Once again, your writing and comments in Dear Somebody are completely resonating with me and my current life events. I commend you on creating something from the heart (and with your hands!) purely for the art of creating and connecting. So difficult to do when it seems almost everything this day and age is commoditized and a person is encouraged to make money off of anything and everything they do. Your accordian book is absolutely beautiful! I find projects created from the heart often receive the best reception in the long run. People can (and do) see and feel the heart and soul that is put into a project. Your reference of "Can You Be a Good Mom and a Great Writer" and juggling a million things - yes, one can be both - and I whole heartedly agree with modeling the behavior of being a parent and a working creative. I continue to come across these questions and similar themes in parenting/creating/working. I've discovered, after putting my own career and creative endeavors mostly on hold for 6ish years, that I'm a better parent when I do some creating and working from my heart. It pairs well with getting back to oneself. I feel more replenished, more motivation and more patient in all areas of life including parenting. And, my children (while a bit older than yours) are learning more responsibility at home and trying to do things for themselves more often (as long as it's safe - which we discuss together). I wish I could see your final thesis show in person. Your illustrations are looking fantastic!
Meera, wow. Bravo again. Paste those pages, ye artist! Put yourself together and show us how it's done!
Thank you for spotlighting what Everytown to help parents and citizens concerned, frightened, or even despairing over gun safety! Be Smart For Kids (https://besmartforkids.org/) is the grassroots lobbying version. On their website, you (yes you, reader!) can get materials and training to present to classrooms, civic groups or even your seatmate on an airplane to help remind people how to be SAFE because guns are no good when they're bad for kids. From them, I learned how to Be Smart For Kids.