a slow studio day

It’s no secret that I’m feeling burnt out by the need to constantly produce for social media, all to maintain and gather people’s attention for a split second..

I’ve been struggling with it for a while, and remain open and honest about how I’m working through fostering a new relationship with social media….in real-time. I’m still in the learning curve phase. The testing and trial and error. I still haven’t found the perfect recipe.

The truth is, my work is not fast-paced. My work suffers when I need to be on a screen for long periods of time. My work requires focus and less noise. I’m torn between the need to sell my work on social media (in order to stay afloat), and the need to run the other direction from social media and only create work. I am not a media marketing department. I left that role years ago in an agency, and feel immense pressure needing to be that for my own artwork now. I am a painter and writer, first. Being pulled between the two is not working for my studio practice. Not to mention, it is no longer inspiring for me. I want the love of my work and process to seep through the screen and stop you in your tracks. I don’t want to play a game of hooks or coaching to create a false sense of connection. I need that connection to be real in order to sleep at night. Period.

Substack has felt different. I don’t open this app with dread. I see new artists, writers and thinkers on this app every day, and it is refreshing. I don’t feel pressured to create in a way I don’t want to, and I am also not being punished by an algorithm for sharing in my own way. It’s how Instagram used to feel. It’s why I used to love sharing my work and process so damn much.

One thing is for certain, I love the communal element that social media cultivates. It’s why I’ve worked so hard to maintain communication with the community I’ve built on other social platforms. I am a big believer in needing one another. In having conversation. In adding to that conversation. I’m hopeful that I can continue to do this here, in a new way.

From here on out, I’ll be sharing more real-time videos, chats, video diaries, and more, for paid subscribers. You all keep the lights on for me, and I’m so thankful you’re here, believing in my work and my dedication to it.

Below you will find a recent studio video, alongside the process behind it, writings, notes, and sketches.

If you’d like to upgrade and support the sharing of my work for only 6 dollars a month, you can upgrade below x

All my love,

S