that "what's next" feeling
and an upcoming market you can find me at!
are you like me? do you ever catch yourself in a recurring state of what's-next-ism?
sometimes I think it’s a simple matter of struggling to live in the moment, of having big goals and dreams. of dissatisfaction in a weird world. of wanting. except I caught myself this time, what’s-next-ing about things I do not want, what’s-next-ing about what threats or bad times might be around the corner, what’s-next'-ing about what I might have to deal with, solve, find the strength to get through.
it’s no secret the last 3 or so years have sucked. not just for me, worse for some, much worse for many, but sucky nonetheless for me and my sweet little household. and now that we have landed in these last 6 months and are rebuilding our peace, protecting it, I find myself what’s-next'-ing about what might be around the corner, waiting to disturb our newfound peace. coping mechanism? vigilance? suddenly the what’s-next-ism feels more nefarious than it used to, feels like something to work through, feels like a symptom of a string of bad luck, shall we say.
the good side of what’s-next-ism is a drive to make, to share, to expand on ideas. I’ve been excited about my All My Strangers series and how they’ve begun to evolve. I like where they’re going. I like where I hope to go with it. so, that’s ok.
above is “Zo’opaz”, a stranger who, I didn’t realize until now, comes with a message quite aligned with this idea - a character who urges us look at our “vigilance” and encourages us to “let our senses off duty”, to use our senses to enjoy and feel pleasure, rather than to analyze and observe. I really enjoy the colours in this piece - the red gloves against the oxidized-coppery tones. mmmmmm. I do love how art helps us enjoy with our senses. art brings me back into the moment. making art is my mindful meditation, in the truest sense of the idea.
this month, I am doing a market again after a year of doing none! I will be tabling at the Evergreen Brickworks Sunday market on November 6th. It is outdoors, so bundle up! I’d love to see you there and will be bringing original collages, prints of the All My Strangers characters, and more!
more news: commissions are officially OPEN!!
if you want a custom collage or illustrated doggy portrait for gifts for the holidays, NOW IS THE TIME! send me an email at katia.engell@gmail.com or send a dm on instagram to get started. see some examples of recent commissions below!
thank you for reading my newsletter - I’m excited to write more, share more, get back into my groove of doing so.
wishing you all a little less what’s-next-ism in the season to come.
hugs, Katia