Reflections on my first time back on the #live

When I first started interacting with the world as an artist, I would often go live while I painted so I wouldn't get distracted. The people watching on my phone were there to keep me accountable. If anyone were to tune in, I wanted them to see me painting, not scrolling on my phone.

Fast forward a couple years, and I found that “the live” had become the event. The thing I looked forward to on top of, and sometimes even more than, the painting.

I found myself having some of the most insightful conversations I'd ever had in my life. Friends from all around the country would tune in, drop a comment, give some feedback, joke around with other people in the live. Some of my favorite memories of living in the Lower East Side took place in my room, yelling at my phone screen like a crazy lady.

Occasionally friends would come over, or my roommate would pop in and say hi, and it became this weird digital-to-real-life crossover.

Just as I initially resisted the idea of identifying as an “artist,” I also rejected the idea of pursuing “the live” as anything more than a casual little thing I did for fun—for myself.

Eventually, I started getting frustrated with the lack of quality and flexibility Instagram offered. Once Instagram started shutting down the stream at the faintest sound of “copyrighted music,” it was kind of a wrap.

And because I never really considered the stream a serious part of my practice, I didn't do much to find a solution. To be honest, I also entered a very strange time in my life where I more or less just forgot about painting altogether.

Every now and then, someone will remind me of my live sessions.

I honestly never really thought anyone was fully watching, which is part of the reason I wasn't afraid to let go and be myself. So it warms my heart that they made enough of an impression that people would associate me with “the live.”

The idea behind this “show” follows a similar vein.

Although it started with a different intention, the idea remained the same: learning, chatting, and exploring ideas.

The live was always there when I was in a weird place mentally and emotionally.

And this time was no different.

After a long time of keeping to myself, it was so nice to tune in and find the same community, the same vibes, and the same interesting conversations.

I have a lot on my plate. I tend to stretch myself thin, but I hope I can count on the live to keep me at least a little bit accountable. She hasn't failed me yet.

For now, I hope to hop on at least once a week. This blog will go in conjunction with the conversation and touch on talking points, ideas for next time, and everything in between.

I want to keep the flow going, so as not to keep my ideas stagnant.

Until next time!

God Bless, Goodbye.