compassion

liberation already exists

| Sheree
i ain’t smiling

“The stories begin from the premise that liberation is an already existing and unfinished and unmet possibility, laced with creative labor, that emerges from the ongoing collaborative expression of black humanity and black livingness.”

Excerpt From
Dear Science and Other Stories
Katherine McKittrick

I’m not smiling. I’m not making eye contact. I’m going about my business.

I’m taking up space. My space. Nobody else’s. Mine.

There’s something that’s been happening. I’ve been noticing a shift in the way I’ve been operating.

I’d say it’s since I went on the Black Women’s Creative Retreat at the end of August. probably it’s been rumbling in the background. But this experience crystallised it for me.

It was me with 3 other black women camping in a field in Hamsterley Forest. I need to write further about this experience. But for now, I’d say that for a short time we existed in our own timespace. For a short time, we built our own world. A world in which we were centred and celebrated. Seen and heard. And loved unconditionally.

And then we had to return to ‘civilisation’. What a shock to the system! People are rude. Period.

And I’m no longer giving them the time. My time. My attention. Because they do not see me. They look right through me or they be ignorant towards me.

The image above is part of a new series I’m playing with.

i ain’t smiling.

More to follow.

TGIF

| Sheree

We’ve been trying to get into some kind of routine again after the summer and into the school days. It’s been a bit hit and miss really. As the energy levels are not there and it’s still early days.

Maybe I’ve been expecting too much of myself too soon. We’re still in the temperatures and light of summer, as autumn is creeping around the corner. But still.

I think I’ll offer myself more grace and space. Take my cues from nature and cool down slowly. There’s still a heap of things to do but if I’m trusting myself, I know they’ll get done all in good time.

Friday is here – the end of the first week back at school and we’ve made it here. Job done. Doesn’t matter in what state we got here. We’re here and I’m taking a moment to rest and dream through my visual journaling.

I’ll be back over the weekend and share some of my favourite spreads at the moment. I’m just loving the space and colour and vibes my visual journaling is giving me right now. Thank you.

Creative Play with Cartoneras

| Sheree

I’ve been tired of late.

I’ve been holding space for others during August, visual journaling and out in nature. And as we go back to school, I’m ready for slowing down and enjoying my favourite time of year.

Staying close to home, and being kind and gentle with myself, I pulled out the brown paper I’ve been collecting/recycling and just put some paint on them.

And before I know it, I’ve created a new journal. With a painted cardboard cover it reminds me of Cartonera, the cardboard publishers that started in Argentina, where books and journals are created from recycled cardboard.

I used to do this years ago and didn’t realise that it’s a political and artistic practice that came about because of economic hardships. It’s a movement that democratises literacy and publishing and opens up access to anyone and everyone. Thanks to Dal for bringing the origins of this practice to my attention.

So I’ve got a new journal to play with. I love making books, journals and cartoneras because it’s an easy way to satisfy a creative itch without getting all complicated.