A Week's Worth - Exploration
June 2 - 8 (+ June 9)
Hello!
Apologies for the delay that absolutely no one but myself noticed. (I usually post on Saturdays.) I roadtripped to Portland, OR, this weekend to visit a long-time friend and was away from the computer.
Intangiable
Before I headed out the door to Portland, I did a little mental check in and reflection on the art I created this week. A lot of it was intangible but still very fulfilling. We got a piano recently and I’ve been teaching myself to read music with the help of Duolingo (yes, it teaches music!) and working daily on trying to read a song and figure out how to play it has been really fun. It doesn’t create a product and I’m not going to end up becoming so skilled I become a pianist, so it’s a real practice in doing something because it feels good. It’s a little puzzle I enjoy figuring out, I’m getting better at recognizing the notes and playing things more cohesively, and it’s really fun when Steve comes up and can guess what song I’ve been playing.
I’ve also thrifted a lot of clothes this week and I want to acknowledge: I think cultivating a personal style is an art! It’s hard because I can’t say I’ve made the clothes or have any artistic stake in that, but cultivating a closet that feels really personal and fitting is cool. It’s made me feel good when I’ve gotten a compliment on each outfit this week. It’s also made me feel great that it’s all been thrifted!
Portland
Once I got to Portland, I was very inspired by My Good Friend Tiff’s 30 day photography challenge to use my camera more when I was out and about. The weather was gorgeous and we went to some of my favorite restaurants, grabbed some classic Voodoo Donuts, and checked out the Oregon State RenFaire before heading home. I edited all the photos on the car ride home and I’ll admit, they’re a little darker than I usually do (because of the car window light) but I’m gonna leave them and see if they grow on me.
It was the Rose Festival in Portland this weekend and we did not do one activity related to it, but we saw some very beautiful roses so we feel pretty good on that.
We stayed with my friend and old college roommate (who Steve and I have figured out we’ve been friends with for half our lives. 😱) She had a beautiful cat, Ubi, who Fran was very enamored with (and Ubi did not quite return the obsessive affections.)
One of my favorite things to do when traveling is wake up super early and go to the places that are open while it’s still cool and no one is around. We grabbed Voodoo Donuts and delicious coffee from Never this morning and it was so relaxing and pleasant! Highly recommend for the morning people.
I really like aspects of these two photos (above). Obviously the sign is my favorite part, and I’m torn between which photo does a better job with it. I like the colorful rectangles of the building behind me. I really don’t like the merchandise. (The sentiment with consumerism feels like a bummer.) So I dunno… Glad I gave myself a second to snap this/wondering if I should have given myself more time.
The OR RenFaire was soo soo fun! I’m glad we were able to go. We ate turkey legs, drank mead and cider, I had my tarot read, and we bought a lot of very cool handmade things!
Overall, it was a satisfying and busy week. I’m happy with the art that happened and now I’m ready to *go* the *eff* to *sleep.*
Reflections
My main question for you this week is what is an intangible art you like to do? Interpret the word intangible however you want to! Share in the comments!
Much love and endeavoring,
Brig
PS. Steve made a point to say “let’s endeavor to have a good time!” this weekend, instead of my penchant for using the word endure, which absolutely implies a sense of suffering when you use it. So let’s endeavor to have a good time and do some art this next week, okay!?
"I think cultivating a personal style is an art!" 10000% agree! It also makes it difficult as it is no longer 'what am i going to get to cover my body since nakedness is frowned upon' and becomes 'what does this outfit say about who i am as a person and does this represent me to the world correctly?'
stressful!!
I also like the first sign photo. its *chefs kiss*
I have thoughts!
I also LOVE wearing fully thrifted outfits (ok except shoes bc I have wide feet and have to be a little picky). It is such an art to cultivate a wardrobe you enjoy. And to do it with some sustainability.
Learning to read music is a feat! I played instruments all through school (mainly violin) and I plink away at piano but it's so hard for me to read treble clef for the left hand. That's badass that you are learning! Last weekend I picked up a mandolin I was given a few years ago. It has the same fingering as a violin but it's much more different than I thought it would be. Learning an instrument is so meditative for me-- once I get past frustration of sucking pretty bad for a bit.
Your newsletters are so interesting and relevant! Thank you 😊