(originally published september 16, 2022 via my Buy Me A Coffee page)

In the last week I got the chance to check out the annual art fair that is Art On Paper, stroll around Williamsburg in Brooklyn as they held the weekly Smorgasburg. The Brooklyn Flea Record Fair was finally back since the start of the pandemic and a friend and I got the chance to dig through the thousands of vinyls local (and a few non-local) shops had to share. I'm excited to bring back a few musical mementos that will remind me of my time out here.

There also happened to be a fiber art show opening happening right outside my studio last weekend, which I enjoyed. It was sweet to see the usually quiet space bustling with people and artists proud to show off their hard work.

Additionally, I had the opportunity to host a NYC curator in my studio (!). I was a bit (very) nervous considering studio visits are still very new to me and I didn't have my larger pieces fully finished. The potential of this connection could be so helpful, and it was encouraging to hear his thoughts and take-aways on my works in progress and even some of the smaller finished pieces. Being emboldened by a Black man in the arts who can empathize with the very rare nature of a Black woman painting in Abstraction was something I really needed to hear as well. The process of creating can become so isolating that to finally open my door to a pair of fresh eyes and new perspective was the confidence boost I needed to finish off these next weeks.

*a show of fiber artists from New York and Iceland right outside my studio door*

*Toyin Loye, "The Port" at Art On Paper*

the last big piece I decided to start last week. I've really liked being able to paint large enough to immerse my whole body in the process and get lost in every corner and edge. beneath the layers the title, "It Still Stands" sits.

Another short recap below~

One more week of painting!

-A