Hi! My sister came to visit and I loaned her your book before I read it. She loved it and immediately contacted her independent bookstore in Woodstock, VT to suggest they carry it. So if you hear about it in little Woodstock that is why. My sister is a mega reader and couldn't stop talking about your book... now my turn. Love your substack. Janice Baker, Tieton, WA
This is cool. What I really dig is your non-prescriptive message in partnership with the visual immediacy of your style. It goes straight to the heart of what you want to say with clarity and warmth.
This was a very cheering piece to read this morning. Thanks!
Thanks so much, Nicolas. I'm not much of a "5 Rules" prescriptive person (I don't think any of the other contributors are either), so it felt more natural just to invite folks to listen to their own hearts and cheer them on.
Kelcey, I have loved all of your stories, since finding you on Substack. I
wait each week to see what creative, quirky insights you will bring us. But this week was something special.
When I read the words: “all I could think about was the importance of identifying our deepest desires and giving ourselves permission to pursue them” my heart just broke free and soared. Of course I know this and often believe this and just as often fall asleep and forget. Thank you for jiggling me awake once again!
I'm so, so glad to hear that, Debra! It's truly one of my biggest passions. I just took a screenshot of a Substack Note quoting Mary Oliver: "The most regretful people on earth are those who felt the call to creative work, who felt their own creative power restive and uprising, and gave to it neither power nor time."
WHOA.
Like you, I know and believe it, but I don't always FEEL it. It's good to be reminded--and great to be in community. ❤️
Wow, I love it and just read it three times. "The spirit world is larger than you think... Characters and stories direct you to the themes of your life... Go into culture and histories asking to be haunted... Reverberate." A poem and a prayer. 🖤
It's just so funny to have 5 rules for dreaming. I am sure that before we became "civilized" we spent a significant amount of each day dreaming, playing, wandering and making art. Capitalism and puritanical thinking has slowly stolen these things from us. It has made us feel guilty when we spend time doing them and you, Kelcey, are sending such a sweet clear message; ignore all that bullshit and follow these simple steps. I don't know you and yet I am so fond of you. ps. how do you incorporate your own handwriting in you posts?
Thanks, Wes. Yes, I think I'm averse to coming up with "rules" for anything, which is why my list is not really rules at all! But we do often ignore our dreams, and it's important to stay in touch with them. xo
love this, and such perfect timing for me (as I battled with myself all day if I had enough time, experience, and whatever else is needed to apply to an artist residency - I think I will!)
OMG DO IT!!!!!! (My friends and I were recently talking about how clarifying it is to put together an application for a grant or residency. Even if we don't end up getting it, it sets our priorities and prepares us for the next one.)
Yes! I think that was the conclusion I came to, and even if I still don't have time this week to get all the components in for this one, I'm that much further ahead for the next.
Thank you for this. I'm only a couple weeks into my "65 and still alive" pledge to make some kind of art every day. I appreciate the inspiration. Also your work is lovely and whimsical.
Love this! I just started with Substack. Your posts are great. Thank you!
Thanks so much, Melissa! ❤️
Hi! My sister came to visit and I loaned her your book before I read it. She loved it and immediately contacted her independent bookstore in Woodstock, VT to suggest they carry it. So if you hear about it in little Woodstock that is why. My sister is a mega reader and couldn't stop talking about your book... now my turn. Love your substack. Janice Baker, Tieton, WA
These are my favorite kinds of stories! Thank you to you and your sister! ❤️🥰
I absolutely love the way you create with your art and your Substack! It inspires me to learn a new art too!
Thank you so much!!! ❤️ You should do it!
I just love this newsletter.
Thank you so much, Kelton. Means a lot ❤️❤️❤️
hey Kelcey
This is cool. What I really dig is your non-prescriptive message in partnership with the visual immediacy of your style. It goes straight to the heart of what you want to say with clarity and warmth.
This was a very cheering piece to read this morning. Thanks!
Thanks so much, Nicolas. I'm not much of a "5 Rules" prescriptive person (I don't think any of the other contributors are either), so it felt more natural just to invite folks to listen to their own hearts and cheer them on.
Kelcey, I have loved all of your stories, since finding you on Substack. I
wait each week to see what creative, quirky insights you will bring us. But this week was something special.
When I read the words: “all I could think about was the importance of identifying our deepest desires and giving ourselves permission to pursue them” my heart just broke free and soared. Of course I know this and often believe this and just as often fall asleep and forget. Thank you for jiggling me awake once again!
I'm so, so glad to hear that, Debra! It's truly one of my biggest passions. I just took a screenshot of a Substack Note quoting Mary Oliver: "The most regretful people on earth are those who felt the call to creative work, who felt their own creative power restive and uprising, and gave to it neither power nor time."
WHOA.
Like you, I know and believe it, but I don't always FEEL it. It's good to be reminded--and great to be in community. ❤️
Thanks for the Mary Oliver quote, Kelcey. That in and of itself is enough to wake us up:) It is good to be in creative community.
Always inspired 🌷🙂
Thank you, Connie ❤️🥰😊
Cannot wait to get this zine. And thrilled to see you in it!
I'm glad you're getting it, Tina! So much creative insight and inspiration! And it's just a beautiful object to hold and behold.
The birds and moon are whispering about joy love is enough in itself. Yes. Thanks.
Yes. They know what's what. ❤️❤️❤️
dear kelcey,
beautiful piece!
i love "our dreams are inside us and also far bigger than us"
thank you for sharing all of this!
love
myq
Thank you, myq! xo
(email coming soon 😊)
Kelcey this is LOVELY.
Our manifestos aren't that different! Here's mine, from 2011!
https://hutchowen.blogspot.com/2017/10/toms-manifesto-2011-2017.html
Thank you!
Wow, I love it and just read it three times. "The spirit world is larger than you think... Characters and stories direct you to the themes of your life... Go into culture and histories asking to be haunted... Reverberate." A poem and a prayer. 🖤
It's just so funny to have 5 rules for dreaming. I am sure that before we became "civilized" we spent a significant amount of each day dreaming, playing, wandering and making art. Capitalism and puritanical thinking has slowly stolen these things from us. It has made us feel guilty when we spend time doing them and you, Kelcey, are sending such a sweet clear message; ignore all that bullshit and follow these simple steps. I don't know you and yet I am so fond of you. ps. how do you incorporate your own handwriting in you posts?
Thanks, Wes. Yes, I think I'm averse to coming up with "rules" for anything, which is why my list is not really rules at all! But we do often ignore our dreams, and it's important to stay in touch with them. xo
As to the handwriting, I use the Procreate app on my iPad with an Apple Pencil. I created a post a while back with all the deets! https://kelceyervick.substack.com/p/how-i-create-my-illustrated-stories
Thank you Kelcey
For some reason, I never want to delete your emails after I read them.
#Inspiration
#KeepInspiring
Awww, that's a big compliment. 🥰
This was beautiful Kelcey! 🥹🫶🏽
Thank you so much, Jamal! ❤️
love this, and such perfect timing for me (as I battled with myself all day if I had enough time, experience, and whatever else is needed to apply to an artist residency - I think I will!)
OMG DO IT!!!!!! (My friends and I were recently talking about how clarifying it is to put together an application for a grant or residency. Even if we don't end up getting it, it sets our priorities and prepares us for the next one.)
Yes! I think that was the conclusion I came to, and even if I still don't have time this week to get all the components in for this one, I'm that much further ahead for the next.
Thank you for this. I'm only a couple weeks into my "65 and still alive" pledge to make some kind of art every day. I appreciate the inspiration. Also your work is lovely and whimsical.
That is an excellent refrain ("65 and still alive"). I'm cheering you on in your art journey!