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Mar 18, 2024Edited
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Kelcey Ervick's avatar

Haha, that's a hilariously true comparison! And thanks for the congrats--Forbes is the LAST place I expected to see my work!

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Mar 18, 2024
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Kelcey Ervick's avatar

It's a good reminder when it *doesn't* land where you hope!

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Deborah Fries's avatar

And then, there's the screenplay logline: "A multi-talented Midwest author-artist-professor, who struggles with her creative identity, is challenged by her father to define her work. She realizes that her central subject has been badass women who are treated badly, and deepens her bond with her dad.

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Kelcey Ervick's avatar

Oh that's GOOD! ❤️

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Alex Overton Overdone's avatar

Thank you for this, Kelcey! Very helpful and inspiring.

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Kelcey Ervick's avatar

Glad to hear it, Alex! Thank you!

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Deborah Fries's avatar

I want to keep editing it to get Hollywood's attention. And added more internal conflict, lol.

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Kelcey Ervick's avatar

Yes, a very nice touch! We should be getting calls anytime now. 😂

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Christa Clark's avatar

Badass statement for a badass woman...that checks out ✔️ 💪 Thanks for this, Kelcey!

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Kelcey Ervick's avatar

Aww thanks, Christa! 🥰👊

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Eric's avatar

I'll second Christa with this tweak: "A badass woman who tells stories of badass women who have been treated badly." Thanks!

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Kelcey Ervick's avatar

Ha! Well that is lovely! I'll take it!

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Dan Blank's avatar

Thank you for the kind mention!

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Kelcey Ervick's avatar

This is part of why I was re-reading Be the Gateway this week! :)

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Jay Bremyer's avatar

Very clever and interesting. Congratulations on all you're accomplishing, while still grinning.

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Kelcey Ervick's avatar

Thank you, Jay! ❤️

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Paolo Peralta's avatar

I make people feel defeated through words, drawings, food, and music. Https://www.makepurethyheart.com

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Kelcey Ervick's avatar

This cracked me up! But your posts actually look really affirming and motivating, not defeating! Also, those recipes look amazing.

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Oneita's avatar

Thanks so much for this. I often have no idea what to say because I do so many different things as an artist!

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Kelcey Ervick's avatar

That's exactly how I felt! Maybe doing a couple of the prompts I quoted would help? Make a list of similarities and differences in your work?

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Oneita's avatar

I’m going to explore that…there’s something to that for sure. The other day I realized that there’s a similarity in creating a sequential piece of art and sewing a garment together. They both can be constructed of separate pieces that are created apart and then put together to complete a whole piece, and there are creative steps to take along the way to come to a great end result. Knowing what “parts” are needed to complete both successfully-there are parallels.

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Kelcey Ervick's avatar

I'd never thought of that parallel! How cool to think of garment pieces akin to comics panels, and vice versa! I love it!

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Jacqueline's avatar

Hi Kelcey, fellow academic just waiving hello to say how much I enjoy your posts and your approach.

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Kelcey Ervick's avatar

Hi Jacqueline! Thanks so much for saying hello! Tell me more about your academic life if you're up to it!

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Myq Kaplan's avatar

dear kelcey,

this is great! love your artist statement! love that bruce springsteen line! love it all!

here's my artist statement for substack comments at least:

i love commenting loving comments on what i love!

love,

myq

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B.A. Lampman's avatar

I really like the Dan Blank idea of thinking ahead to months *after* someone has encountered our work, and then asking how you hoped it shifted the way they think. I did that right away! The tagline/one-sentence artist statement is harder for me. I mean, how many times have I changed my Substack one-liner? I do/have done so many different things. I'll get there one of these days!

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Kelcey Ervick's avatar

I totally agree that thinking to *after* is genius. We obsess so much on getting something in people's hands or inboxes but even more important is whether it lingers with them, gets them thinking and doing a little differently. And yes I drafted a million Substack taglines before I picked mine, and I've drafted a million since. What I appreciate with Dan Blank is that he also emphasizes that these statements are moving targets, that they'll be different as we grow and explore new projects and angles. Which is affirming!

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B.A. Lampman's avatar

Yes, it's definitely iterative. I've just recently altered my About page and all my one-liners/descriptions, and I'm sure it'll happen again. I'm now subscribed to Dan Blank's newsletter, and it looks like I'll have to get his book, too!

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Kelcey Ervick's avatar

We contain multitudes! It's good to keep evolving. Sometimes other people are better at seeing our through lines than we are. I think you'll enjoy Dan's newsletter and book!

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B.A. Lampman's avatar

Oh yes, other people are *always* better at seeing us... 👀

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Margreet de Heer's avatar

That's so interesting! I can relate to the Marketing Allergy, but it's good to think about terms that define me and my art. My statement would be "draws about personal fascinations in a funny, relatable style".

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Kelcey Ervick's avatar

Yes, it can be clarifying for us--and for Supportive Dads--to know what we're up to. I like your statement and I adore your comics! (I thought I'd already subscribed?)

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Rachael's avatar

This is great! I have my students write both an artist statement and a mission statement. I'm eager to incorporate some of these prompts into those assignments!

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Kelcey Ervick's avatar

Ooh, maybe we can talk about this more via email! I already had my students working on an Artist Statement assignment when Adam Ming's post came through, and I brought his prompts in to help with brainstorming. I'd love to see what you do!

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Rachael's avatar

Yes, I would love that! Let's chat.

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Tom Hart's avatar

OMG YES

and *I* (turns it on himself) feel so validated because of the links I've been sending. I know see they have been the right links.. Hurray for algebra. :)

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Kelcey Ervick's avatar

Haha, yes! I always love learning about new badass women!

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Gary Ervick's avatar

I love it! Thanks! And you are one badass woman of whom I am extremely proud! Love ❤️ you!

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Kelcey Ervick's avatar

Thanks, Supportive Dad! 🥰 Love you back! ❤️

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