November Community Art Share

Why it's important to make shitty art + an open call for artists

Hello. If you’re new here, our community art shares support artists of all backgrounds and skill levels. It’s a place to be celebrated and encouraged wherever you are on your art-making journey.

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Hello.

Welcome to our community art share, a space to share your art in all its versions.

Messy art, in-progress art, never finished art, old art, new art, everything is art!

IG post from InspiredtoWrite

I’m a firm believer in lifting the curtain behind our creative process and overcoming the fear of being in process. We can learn so much from each other’s journey. Every step along the way matters. You don’t have to be a visual artist to submit your work here- your art can be a song, a dance, a poem, an essay, a photo, or an idea.

Art share community guidelines/manifesto

1. EVERYONE is welcome. Whether you are a dancer, vocalist, calligrapher, sketchbook artist, potter, etc. You are an artist and your life is your art. 

2. We are here to celebrate the entire process of art-making. Works in progress deserve just as much love and affirmation as completed masterpieces. 

3. This is a space to share projects you’re proud of, unsure about, need help with, can’t stand, unfinished rejects from years past, or published prose you adore. Share your kids’ crayon drawings (or your own!).  Share a vision you have that’s still in the making or take a picture of your summer garden, if you want. 

4. There’s no such thing as bad art. We all have to start somewhere and comparing our beginning to someone else’s does nobody any good. 

5. Be kind. Encourage each other in the comments! Ask questions and seek connection and collaboration. This is a place to celebrate each other. What we’re NOT looking for is criticism, (even if you believe it’s constructive). 

6. Support each other! If you like something you see, let the artist know and find a way to reciprocate their offering. 

7. Last but not least, have fun!

Before sharing this month’s community art, I have an exciting opportunity for you to promote and share your art/business/offerings, just in time for the holidays!

Holiday Gift Guide for creatives, by creatives

We’ve officially entered the holiday season, a stressful but important time for entrepreneurs and creatives. For small businesses and artists, the sales during this time can make or break their success for the year.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. I believe we thrive together.

If you are an artist, writer, small business owner, entrepreneur, etc., and would like to share your work with our community, I’m creating a holiday gift guide for you, by you.

Let’s support each other and spend our dollars with care and intention.

The deadline to participate in the gift guide is November 27th.

Fill out the form above with your service, product, artwork, offering, etc. and I’ll post a letter with the guide on the first Sunday in December. I plan to make a PDF version with extra goodies for paying members of Heartbeats only and will continue to share the guide throughout December on other social media channels.

I hope this will boost visibility for creatives and be a fun way for us to give loved ones gifts with purpose.

If you know someone who should participate, share this newsletter and tag them!

Now, on to our community art share!

Serena Reynell

“A Poem about imposter syndrome that I think predominantly affects women, but I feel is only due to programming by the patriarchy. The poem’s purpose is to challenge 'imposter syndrome' and help women to reframe it.”

The Unwelcome Imposter

The patriarchy moulds your brain
Capitalism at its best
Will say
‘You do not belong’
‘Whatever you do or say
Is wrong’

But its aim is to keep you down
Because you are a threat
They’re simply not
Ready yet 

But time is ticking 
It’s not fair 
So now is the time 
To really shine

So shine 
In all your galore 
More than 
Ever before 

This imposter thinking
Is not you
It’s the systems created
That try to ‘train’ you

So put those feelings aside
And stride ahead with pride 
Remember there are always
People on your side 

Artist Bio:

Serena discovered her passion for writing in her twenties. Like a personal diary, there was no structure or plan, just a journal of thoughts and feelings. She put pen to paper and poems for your twenties was born, available here.

Follow her on Instagram: @poemsforyour20s

Mariah Friend

“I wrote this poem as a challenge to myself to look for the good news, which may be more subtle and quiet than the news we hear on TV or through social media. My beloved grandmother is a worrier and seeing her react with fear to the world is a reminder to see with different eyes.”

News Reports From my Grandmother

The Taliban have entered Kabul!
Canada is on fire!
The virus is mutating!
Invisible to our naked eye
we breathe in smoke, 
disease, disaster.

My grandmother waits patiently 
for the world to end.
A final apocalypse,
she turns gaze heavenward
sure a Savior is coming.

The herald of bad news, 
a curator of tragedy,
“We are in a state 
of hopelessness,
redemption a feat
beyond our capability,”
she cries.

The news anchors 
seem to agree, reporting
the worst of humanity-
floods, famines, war.
We are scarce and scared,
better off dying and dead.

I say I don’t watch the news
but this isn’t true.
I watch the daily turning
of leaves from green to red,
listen to the birds
report each day’s dawn.

I hear my friends celebrate
their firstborn,
eyes mirroring their joy,
my body’s own story like braille, 
hunger and grief, 
raised bumps on skin.

These headlines are subtle,
do not shout or coerce,
require a deep, slow unfolding, 
absent fear and adrenaline.

Yet the visuals are no less stunning-
a broken blue egg
speaks of first flight,
wings unfurled in spite 
of a burning sky.

The first time
holding a paintbrush
dipped in brilliant hues,
or the thousandth time
hands touch piano keys,
nimble notes a hymn 
or prayer of praise.

We are more than despair,
disappointment and greed.
Breaking news 
can also mend, 
today’s headline reminds:
The Stars Still Shine
in the Darkest of Night
(and so must we). 

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That’s it for this month’s edition. Many thanks to Serena who was courageous enough to share! You can check out previous community art shares here.

Sign up below to promote your art, service, product, newsletter, etc. for our Holiday Gift Guide for Creatives. The deadline to participate is November 27th.

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