dispatch #7 | February 2022
Five years ago I was sitting on my therapist's couch in the Bay Area. Among other things, I was struggling with a lack of creative/artistic community. And I felt helpless to change it.
The Bay is where I grew up, but in so many ways it was no longer my home. I felt like I was swimming upstream all the time. Maybe you know the feeling.
My therapist had encouraged me to make a list of what I wanted in a place to live. At the time this seemed absurd. We weren't planning to move. Shouldn't I just be trying to make the best of things in the Bay?
I made the list anyway.
I had forgotten — there is something wildly powerful about putting things to paper. I've kept a journal long enough to look back and see things I'd written down come to pass. I'd forgotten about this special kind of magic.
A year after making that list (and quite unexpectedly) life would drop us into a little town called Ojai. My friends here are musicians, artists, filmmakers, shoemakers, bakers, writers, potters, and the list goes on. How did this happen? Looking back, it's almost laughable. Spirit conspired for me. All I did was make a list.
If we do our part, maybe the Universe does so, too?
Some news! I am super happy (and honestly floored) to share I was accepted to be a part of the Ojai Studio Artists. This is the longest running art tour in the state? Something like that. The community is made up some incredible artists like Jules Weissman and Christopher Noxon. Check out their work. Can't wait to share more soon <3
A book I'm reading
Something fascinating for people who like animals
A good place to buy music and support musicians
A colorful tool for identifying & understanding
the full spectrum of human emotions
More art I made this week
Do your part. Make the list.
Love,
Joce
