Quarantine Check In

Hi everyone,

Just wanted to send some love your way. Cheers to all you artists out there feeling all the things hard, and working through it. Whether you’re producing or not, you are certainly downloading. Have patience and take care of yourself.

We are all artists, creating our way out of the positions we don’t like, and into the ones we aspire to have. I just want to remind you how much power there is in that, and that, though treading new waters is difficult, it can be exciting to dream up your new world. Expect to have to change tools sometimes. The game of life is never over; it’s full of ups and downs, and though the balance seems out of whack right now, remember to keep your perspective in your favor. You are building this life from how you respond to what you have. You may not have control, but you are a creator. You can find, borrow, create a new tool. I know you can. Don’t let fear stop you from trying.

A good friend once told me,

“ Fear is like a back seat driver that’s a kid. Listen to what it has to say. But, don’t ever let it have the keys.”

I wanted to share some pictures of my pop up studios and altars I’ve been working out of since we’ve been in lock down. I was in the process of getting my mobile art cart on the road when the pandemic reached New Orleans, and my plans changed a lot. I can’t afford to live in the city for the near future, and my cart is on hold as well. I have worked for that moment for a long time, so it’s frustrating, but, I’m used to change. My inner voice just told me to create and the rest would come. Though it’s been hard, that’s what I do, and I’m happy for it. I’m proud of the little world I continue to build.

xo Kylie

Community Art Relief

Hello all!

In light of this pandemic, I am loving seeing the community stepping up and helping to provide these resources. I know too many that are experiencing a deficit in basic necessities. After much research, I have picked Solidarity for the Unhoused and Beloved Nola as the resources I will aid with a portion of all sales made through the next two months. Their information is below if you would like to find out more about the awesome projects to bring food, hygiene, clothing, and even healthcare to those forgotten and at risk. Though I have had to temporarily leave New Orleans, my heart is with my friends who were able to stay and do this work. We are all in this together.

This selection of prints are available in 11x14” for $40, and 60% of the proceeds from these prints and all other original art made during this time will be distributed to some amazing people who are assisting in relief efforts in New Orleans. Cheers to learning what we can do with what we have- A Community Art Relief Program!

If you know someone in need please DM or share this message with them so we can get this money to people quickly. Platforms like Venmo, Paypal, and Zelle allow for immediate transfers but we’ll figure it out either way.

We are here as creators serving a community, and a family; never forget! I love you!

#art #prints #paintings #communityartreleifprogram #CARP #community #relief #togetherness

https://www.gofundme.com/f/vwss5-united-for-familias-unidas?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=m_pd+share-sheet&fbclid=IwAR3XRo0YZJ_mMGESTI0PWaEJcpX5cLth2TsHG4eotnz1p3DF_q_j7y8iCLc

https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-feed-new-orleans039-homeless?utm_source=facebook&fbclid=IwAR23bMBjtLIwppDrS27xw7LHRTTbiuu-m94OsJeyc5cHavdS08-AbiQfFq4

http://belovednola.org/?fbclid=IwAR2YWYz-BYnXShj-5aaXV-xsQ1_5dEaDDiKK8TfXVVHFltVcDsiZ-GhObjY

We are warriors: Introduction

So, I've been working on my manifesting powers these hot days in Nola, as the money shrinks back, the moon is bloody and new, and hurricane season is among us. Our woes down here in the dirty south come to an all time high during this season; people are just too damn hot and broke to think straight- at least that's how I see it.

The feral chickens on my street don't know what time it is; the guy that has the car jams is playing the Spanish News, loud, and the bus stop, slash my front door step, offers refuge for hot men that demand water with awful use of profanity- really it's just poor use of it (I'm all for profanity. Shit, it's hotter than hell out there!). But, it makes me miss the good ole seasons every year.

I remember the times the summer smelt like sunscreen, and I got to eat ham sammies, and play with friends. But, we ain't riding bikes these days (not for fun), I don't eat pork anymore, and I pay upwards of $35 for skincare so I don't get cancer or look like a piece of leather. So, I'm finding new ways to use my time inside. I hope I can relate to some folks out there and reflect some of these prisms that rise within me when I'm out rising above by the fear based sociopolitical state of living that exists right now.

I'm going to speak to you from my heart, and offer you some of the things that make me smile through out the day, the things that give me hope in trying times. The things that inspire me to create when I just want to cry, and pray. I'll start by telling you a little about myself. 

I'm a 26 year old artist that moved to New Orleans, LA in 2010. After my kicking and screaming bout in and out of 17 schools, I had finally made it to the cultural hub I so longed to sink my feet into, and to go to a highly ranked local University at that! I was hot shit, ready to fuck shit up. That lasted for 2 years, and life saw me in a different direction. Then, another. And, this particular direction is what onset years of painful creative awakenings. They were spiritual in context, but I later learned they were all so that I would find myself here as an artist, married to a life of painful, yet helpful, awakenings. "Art is [however] an act of faith, and we practice practicing it," Julia Cameron says. So, I find comfort in that I feel I might be doing the hard work of a modern day shaman, if you will- can't remember who led me to that thought.

So, you may get the impression that I am a believer, and you'd be wrong. I don't believe in spiritual magic, I am magic. And, I know that every one that has touched my life is too. There, however pleasant or unpleasant, mark has left an insufferable notch in my life that inspires me to create. Like little prisms, they've burned images, sounds, and smells into my memory that literally birth creation, and effectively move people to emote and reflect on new creations. I love it, and I think it's important to collaborate, share, and progress with these notions. 

To that degree, I'll be sharing some of the things that inspire me. I hope you'll join in and share some of your stories. I'm going to leave you with a little story told by Stan Walker. His very powerful video and words can be found in the link below.

"Anyone reading this. You are loved. You were fearfully & wonderfully made perfect with purpose. You are more than what you think you are. You are more than this season. You are more than your circumstances. You are more than pain, disappointment, rejection, fear, hate. You are more than this. If no one is telling you this, I'm telling you. Don't EVER give up, as hard as it maybe. Don't you EVER give up. If you haven't heard this yet or you just need to hear it now. You are loved. You are more. Hold on to hope always. Im praying the best days are ahead for you all. God bless you all ". -Stan Walker.

Love ya'll,

KP