If I am drawing with pencils or ink, this is a sign that I am taking time to slow down and briefly get away from the ongoing responsibilities in my life. A blank page is an interior room I fill with beloved objects, memories, and desires.
If I am outside in my garden, it means I am engaging with a world outside of myself that does not require human approval and is not demeaned by human greed. My garden is a place where humans and nature can peacefully coexist and thrive.
If I am playing on my piano, I am centered within myself. My voice comes out of hiding, and I am revealed. I give myself permission to be seen.
If you receive WPR in your email inbox every Friday, this means all is well unless I write otherwise.
These are the signal fires in my life. In the absence of these lights, something is not okay.
As I mentioned last week, I am adding a section to these weekly issues, a new signal fire, if you will. It is called “Project Updates,” and it is a way to encourage me to keep moving forward with my larger (and more daunting) creative projects. By sharing the incremental progress I make each week, I am holding myself accountable to you—all my dear WPR readers and friends. You can read the first installment at the bottom of this issue. (Unlike my occasional artist dates, progress updates will happen every week.)
The windows are open. The blinds are up.
Have a look inside.
COLOR NOTEBOOK
I am still enamored of sunscapes. I thought of windy days and cascading canyons . . .
This was a doodle—a partnership of straight lines and curves.
ABSTRACT FLOWERS
I love how the darker parts enhance the lighter sections.
This is a partnership of sharp angles and curves.
MY GARDEN
There are some new additions in my garden. I created a new path along the back fence of my garden that borders a swampy marsh. The path leads to a small pond, and an outdoor storage box for my garden tools and supplies sits along the way.
I have ceramic bird planters that hang from my lovely Dogwood tree.
I firmly believe that we say far more about ourselves through our actions. My creativity sends signal fires to the world about what I believe in and who I am.
I hope they keep burning strong in the years to come.
UPCOMING SHOWS
Garden Party Fundraiser
DRKMTTR in Nashville, TN
Friday, September 12
Queer Asian and Pacific Islander Songwriter Showcase (Solo in the Round)
Chinkapin Craftstead in Woodbury, TN
Saturday, September 27
BoroPride
Murfreesboro, TN
Saturday, October 4
The French House
Nashville, TN
Sunday, December 6
Project Updates
New Music:
I arranged a meeting with an audio engineer to look at recording software.
A collaborator and I are figuring out dates to record music at his studio in October.
I will discuss plans for recording with the band this weekend.
New Film Project:I am creating materials to announce my next film project on WPR and social media next Friday.
I met with my coproducer yesterday about plans for filming.
I have started contacting cast members and designers about the project.