My Newsletter Debut

Hello friends

Welcome to my first ever newsletter. Wow I am so glad you are here.

I’m not a writer. I’ve always found that making pictures was the best, more natural way for me to communicate. However, my captions on Instagram are getting lengthier, and wouldn’t it be sweet to dedicate a space to share my creative ideas and struggles more, like, at length?

I apologize for my tone – I’m reading Elizabeth Gilbert’s Big Magic right now – and if you’ve read Eat, Pray, Love (or any of her other books) you know she has a very casual voice. I’m borrowing that for now as I try to figure out my own voice. I hope you don’t mind.

Actually, a tiny chapter in Big Magic inspired me to finally publish  this newsletter. The book is about creative living beyond fear and I have to say, for me personally, I didn’t get much out of the first section on courage. Which is GREAT. Because it means I’ve already been leading my life with courage (since 2020 – I made a conceited effort to do this). I don’t mean to toot my own horn. Reading this section was like having my thoughts and feelings totally affirmed in a familiar sort of way.

The chapter that inspired me was in section three: Permission. (the chapter is called Motives). Gilbert gives us permission to make work that is unimportant. She writes, “Whenever anybody tells me they want to write a book in order to help other people, I always think, oh please don’t. Please don’t try and help me.”

So this is me not helping you. This is me helping myself.  If my sole intention of making art or sharing my thoughts were to help other people, then you would “feel the weight of my heavy intention, and it would put a strain upon your souls” (according to Gilbert).

That being said, my art and this newsletter is purely for my own, frivolous enjoyment and a way for me to make sense of myself ­– but you can watch (if you want).

Now that that’s out of the way, here’s some art:

I made this tiny little 2” x 3” painting and I think it’s sooo cute. I want to make two more and I plan to show them this month at Forager Vintage in Beaverton.

I’m not sure how I’m going to price this yet (and frame it sheesh). It took about as much time as a medium-sized painting – I’m including composition and color palette development. I’m thinking $40 framed?

Thanks for reading! I’ll try and post something monthly :)

- Your pal, Allie

Currently reading:

• Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert

• Creative Visualization by Shakti Gawain

• Miyazakiworld by Susan Napier

Currently watching:

• The Sopranos

• Steven Universe

Currently listening to:

• Bo Burnham –  Inside (The Songs)

Upcoming events:

• Big Pride, Little Art at Radius on SE Belmont June 3 | 5-8pm (I have a piece in the show!)

• I’m showing some new work at Forager Vintage in Beaverton starting June 17th

I’m not gonna lie, my first newsletter was off to a grim start….

It’s finally hitting me today.

The misery and suffering of the world. The United States’ obsession with guns. The greed. The fear. A government that wants to force birth and arm elementary school teachers.

Here I am in my little city of Portland, OR, in my little one bedroom apartment, at my little desk by my little window making a little painting. It seems way too luxurious.  

That was three days ago and I’m feeling much better. If you’re a creative person – and you probably are because it’s human nature, baby – then I’m here to remind me and you that it’s what we are supposed to do. Especially during the hard times. Brené Brown once said something like joy is the most vulnerable emotion because we fear it going away or someone/something taking it from us. I hope you feel your joy.