Viewfinder

Gather is defined as coming together; assemble or accumulating. To bring together, draw together, or toward oneself. Last year, around this time, I traveled to Cape Cod to retreat with the women from the mastermind group I shared about two weeks ago . It’s a bit weird for me to refer to them as a mastermind group because after gathering with them last year, I know we are so much more than that. An...

A conversation is defined as a talk, especially an informal one, between two or more people, in which news and ideas are exchanged. Conversations have been on my mind recently because they are truly a tool in helping me move through my process. And I’ve been thinking about it a lot as I reflect on my break from my email newsletter, podcast, and mentoring — because I truly believe my time away coul...

Resistance is the refusal to accept or comply with something; the attempt to prevent something by action or argument. An opposition. Within the first couple of days of my two-month break , I immediately felt myself resisting wanting to make any art, which felt funny to me. I felt this creative energy inside me, I intentionally made the space for it, then nothing. Like I suddenly was disinterested....

An interlude is an intervening period of time. A short period when a situation or activity is different from what comes before and after it. A pause between two things. A few weeks ago, I recorded an episode on buoyancy , and in a lot of ways, I think the year is buoyant in itself. There are ups and downs. It follows its own cadence. I think this is experienced through holidays, seasons, nature, a...

Source is defined as a place, person, or thing from which something comes or can be obtained. The technical definition is a body or process by which energy or a particular component enters a system. The electronics definition is a part of a field-effect  transistor  from which carriers flow into the inter-electrode channel Source is many different things. And I think this is because source is ever...

Buoyancy is defined as the ability or tendency to float in water, or air, or some other fluid. It’s also an  optimistic  and  cheerful   disposition . Buoyancy is the ability to float. to move or hover slowly and lightly. I picture my body in water. And the ability to stay on the surface while my body moves as it needs over the water motions. In my creative practice, it’s almost like the act of st...

Seasons are defined as divisions in the year marked by particular weather patterns and daylight hours, resulting from the earth's changing position with regard to the sun. It’s also added salt, herbs, pepper, or other spices to (food) - more on this later… For me, a season is defined as period of time that offers the chance to lean into current circumstances, intentions, feelings, and needs. It’s...

Knowing is defined as being done in full awareness or consciousness. The state of being aware or informed. Intentional. Sureness. When I think about knowing, I think of my gut first. A knowing in my body, in my chest, in my mind - it’s a feeling. An internal instinct. A self-trust. I view my knowing as a place to make decisions - as I am thinking about this it’s almost like a mentor, something gui...

A foundation is defined as an underlying basis or principle. It can also mean a justification or reason. And my favorite definition is the lowest load-bearing part of a building, typically below ground level. When I first graduated with my BFA becoming an artist seemed so flashy. Work for myself, make what I wanted, and sell it. Yet, the truth is, all of that requires so much more—and I forgot to...

Threshold by definition is a point of departure and transition. A place or point of entering a beginning. The outset. It can also mean your limit or boundary. Two weeks ago, I released a new class called Process Class. Process class was an idea I had in December of last year. I gathered my notes and continued to collect new research as I filled out this creative form. I’m always quick to act on ne...

The word process means a series of actions or steps taken to achieve a particular end. A natural and intentional series of changes. Process is one of my favorite words to talk about. Because I feel like when I cracked mine—when I realized and accepted what worked for me, I felt like I achieved a superpower. A level up. A way of working that I completely trusted and had unwavering confidence in. vi...

The word mentor means a trusted guide. They typically give influence, guidance, or direction to someone with less experience in a particular topic. I find mentorship in a lot of different places. Back in 2023, I wrote about how I don’t think we are meant to hold creativity alone. And I still think about this notion. Creativity encompasses a lot—it’s both internal and external and I find it incredi...

The word collect means to bring together things, typically scattered or widespread things. To Gather, accumulate, assemble, stockpile, store. For a long time, I have considered myself an avid collector. And I realize that’s sort of a different word to use inside of creative practice. In this episode, I want to talk about the act of collecting—what it means for me to be in process. Because I think...

Language defined is the principal method of human communication. It consists of words used in a structured and conventional way and conveyed by speech, writing, or gesture. It’s a system of communication used by a particular community. Language is communicating with others and also how I communicate with myself. The language I choose to use is a large part of how my reality is shaped - and it’s wi...

Attention defined is the behavior a person uses to focus the senses. Focus being the keyword. It’s the action of taking special care of something. I believe that once I bring something into my realm of attention, I begin studying it—and that’s where my creative practice really begins. It’s where the “work” starts. It’s where my dialogues and narratives take shape. Where concepts, ideas, themes, an...

Awareness is defined as the state or ability to perceive, to feel, or to be conscious of events, objects, or sensory patterns. In this level of consciousness, sense data can be confirmed by an observer without necessarily implying understanding. There’s no immediate need to comprehend the stimulus but instead be cognizant of it. To me, awareness is like turning a small light on near the source. A...

Honesty is defined as a means to tell the truth—being truthful to oneself. Finding fairness. Sincerity. Self-respect. It is one of the first things that comes to mind when I think about my creative practice. I think about the importance of being honest in my practice and my artwork. viewfinder is a listener-supported podcast. To receive new episodes and support my work, consider becoming a free or...

This podcast is a body of work—a collection of words distilled from looking through my viewfinder. Each episode explores the meaning of different concepts, themes, ideas, and subjects floating around in the liminal spaces of my creative practice. A place to collectively explore the themes that enter the creative realm. Episode Introduction I’ve catered to the idea of doing a podcast for a long tim...