My aim is to be true

..to myself

Welcome to Artist Jetpack ! I have been thinking about ways we can create community and solidarity online for the Ageless Artist who is working continuously to grow and make art .

We are situated worldwide and our commonality is our love and creation of art. My intention always has been to encourage the artist of my vintage-a little younger or older perhaps - to share their stories and challenges as an artist in this place in time. How we navigate these times as an artist is personal -but often requires a shift and perhaps exposure to new opportunities . Lifelong growth is possible and imminent. I will share my stories and welcome yours!

I am having a sweet day where I appreciate the gentle breezes outside and the way the corn stalks and sunflowers sway in those puffs of air. I have had so much time to myself today to ponder and think, and to wander . I’m alone here with the dogs, the cats and outdoors -the rooster and pig. I did not scroll this morning on Instagram or Facebook or the News first thing with my coffee as per usual.. I read a few Substack newsletters by writers I enjoy and it was a much calmer start to the day.

I feel like there have been a lot of changes in my worldview this past year -both in my reception to troubling world events and in my art practice .

Like many of us the world news has had me spinning -and my commitment to posting about the occupation and Genocide in Palestine /Gaza has eclipsed many of my ventures. So I continue to look and post in the hope of spreading recognition and some form of extreme empathy . I attend local peace rallies and sign petitions and make art to raise money for Gaza.

The scrolling and exposure to heartbreaking examples of man’s inhumanity to man stings deeply without personal recourse. I take heart in the writings of people I follow who also express their outrage and remind me that there are those who are like minded out there!

This also can be a huge distraction that leads me down a slippery slope of following the trail of photos and posts which do nothing to enhance my emotional and mental health .

So I have decided that I prefer to concentrate on following writers here on Substack that I admire for their integrity and journalistic grit. I can keep informed in a longform way that feels ultimately more engaging and satisfying. I also follow artists and illustrators whose work and process I admire who take time to write and share their perspective and “gifts”.

What I noticed about myself (as I snuck a few potato chips just minutes ago that I purchased when I was hungry and which was not on my shopping list) is that I am easily swayed into old habits even when commiting to myself otherwise.

My phone beckons me to take a look and I do. Over and over. I do not look at it while in the company of others yet.. I believe there absolutely is an addictive quality to having a “smartphone in one’s possession. It is a communication tool but promises so much more and is seductive. (I have been known to preach about the soul sucking nature of constant or excessive phone use-hmmmph hypocrite!)

This is not the only reason I am pulling away from Social media.

I wish to sit less and do screen less. So my decision is to take Facebook off of my phone and deactivate Instagram for the time being . It means I will miss all those updates from others -Yet if I am being honest my good friends actually phone me, write letters, email or see me in person . The people and patrons who respond to my art always find me it seems.

As for marketing -I believe a few years ago I could count on my followers seeing my art posts -and that those who were loyal customers would be alerted to my announcements and special offers . Knowing now that only a small margin of these people have access to my posts also indicates that our numbers of followers are truly inaccurate. I have always known that numbers of followers , or likes or friends do not reflect actual potential patrons or sales in art .

I have noticed the lack of access to others for the last year or so and how alot of sneaky weird posts, dumb ads and ridiculous reels keep cropping up . Oh those Algorithms!

I return to the value of an email list as these are people who have been interested enough to subscribe. Similarly people like yourself who subscribe to my newsletters on Substack also remind me that there is potential for less fleeting connections with each other.

How are you managing your phone and internet /social media time? I know I am not alone in having been pulled in to the social media scrolling vortex!

How do you separate yourself from news , and the seductive phone /internet to get on with your precious life (and art making)?

Have you cancelled any aspect of your social media postings or readings of late ?

I will retain my website at Big Cartel Heathermurray.net as well as my Youtube channel for now . I also manage and send announcements out through my website email list -so please subscribe if interested .

I am hoping this will clear my head a little and not suck minutes away from me where I could be reading, making art , walking in nature ,spending time with friends or our animal companions-or writing here.

I am continuing to offer original sketches from my website shop as a fundraiser to support the Palestinian Children’s relief fund . Shipping is free in North America -and all funds collected will go directly to the organization.

Seeking Ageless Artists

On another note..I am still seeking volunteers for Artist interviews! Take a look at this past artist interview and you will get an idea of what this entails :-) (if you also have someone you would like to recommend that’s ok too ! )

Ideally you are an creative person who makes art, considers art a lifelong pursuit..or even someone is dipping into art for the first time! I am seeking artists who are fifty years and over ..or Ageless Artists ;-)

Your contribution makes this whole experience richer ! You can contact me though here or maudstarr@gmail.com

online opportunities

Sketchbook revival is a free week long offering of workshops designed to spark your creative side if you are in a place of being stuck ! There is a variety of dynamic facilitators and as sessions are recorded you can participate on your own timeline after registering ..Registration is open now!

I enjoyed reading

It's Good to Be Here

artist Amy Stewart’s post about making your own artist residency An artist residency can be a time capsule

Also -I continue to mull what make this newsletter (Artist jetpack) a little more lively and relevant for you ..

Ideas, thoughts…? I am planning another live drawing or making session sometime later in October ! Stay tuned !

Thanks so much for reading Artist Jetpack

Heather