We talked about ART

Yellow tungsten lights, squishy pillows, a dash of mint lemonade, the comfort of warm cocoa - does it sound a little okay yet? Okay. Now, let's add in a bunch of people - some you are meeting for the first time, some for the first time in a long time. Is this a little different now? Okay. Now, let's add something to talk about - something that you love doing, something you want to practice and evolve in in the long run, something that you make time for as you lose countless hours of sleep. What does that sound like now?

This was Art Pulse Volume 1, today November 27th for me.

I put up a story on Instagram weeks back asking people if they wanted to come in and talk about art. A bunch of people reached out to me saying they wanted to come in. A week or two in, more people wanted to join in and I started getting more and more anxious about it. A week before the meetup, I wrote an email to the possible attendees with a little postscript note that I quote -

"Also, I thought I should mention this as a disclaimer that Art Pulse is basically a random, awkward, asocial kid trying to make a social gathering she envisioned to actually come alive. So, yeah."

I made it through today fumbling around with things at work, tried a complicated lesson with the kids in my class, miscalculated my entire travel timing and also, unblinkingly, skipped breakfast and lunch. Reached the venue and wondered how I'd find everyone - people I hadn't even seen a picture of but we did it. We huddled up in a cozy little corner, stared and giggled as we drew our faces in pairs. We passed around a rolled up bread like some people pass joints. We stuttered, misspelled and dramatized so many words we spoke. The entire two hours that we were together, we all talked about our art, how we started and what keeps us going. I think it was beautiful.

We walked in all awkward and unsure about what to expect from today but at the end we agreed to take a group photo together. No, we are still awkward and shy and everything. But, there's one thing I feel certain of - now, I have a greater sense of belongingness than before and I kinda really feel good about it.

Thank you so much for bearing with my awkwardness this evening (also, for laughing at all the right moments!) And an even bigger thank you for just being there tonight and sharing and keeping the conversations flowing.

I would love another cozy afternoon with you!