The pages we don't show define the story we tell.
Why I'm shifting Rebel Strokes from art curation to personal creation. Expect more of my own work, thoughts, and a book-in-progress.
Hello everyone,
I've been reflecting more deeply on my last post, considering what type of writing I want to put forward but, most importantly, why I want to do it.
Since I published my last post, many of you have reached out with words of encouragement. I can't thank you enough, as sometimes I felt I was writing in a vacuum. The overall sentiment from your messages was that I should persevere but find what makes this half-wonderful, half-excruciating process of writing something meaningful and tangible.
The Crossroads
As I've reflected on this journey, I've come to realize that Rebel Strokes has evolved beyond its original scope. This evolution has led me to an important crossroads, one that will shape the future of this publication.
Over this year, I have published more than 40 posts here at Rebel Strokes. I have explored almost every medium of art and shared with you part of the background of who I am and what brought this publication to life. As you know, recently, I felt this wasn't going anywhere.
Looking back, I see that the publication has developed two distinct paths—each with its own unique voice. I believe it’s time to choose a single direction that truly reflects my passions and aspirations.
A New Direction for Rebel Strokes
What's Changing
No More Art Curation: I’ve decided to step away from curating art themes and movements. With technology making it easier to access such content, I believe my time is better spent creating original work. There are many excellent resources for art curation - an art in itself - and I encourage you to explore them, many of which have a home here in Substack.
What's Coming
More of what I create: Be it photography, paintings, and of course, poetry and writing. The intention is to publish the pages I don't show, the things you haven't seen, from documenting my own creative process to the final output, from idea generation to the research rabbit hole that made that output possible.
More mediums: In March, I wrote a long list of things I wanted to try. I'm still committed to abiding by that list. I have played with a few mediums this year: writing, audio, and photography. I want to be able to explore more and connect them to one another; writing will be the vehicle through which all of them will be documented.
More of my general thought processes: I will be moving beyond the boundaries of art to talk about Culture and Societal issues, things that inspire or worry me, things that get my attention.
Last, but not least: Committing to writing a book and sharing the process here, at Rebel Strokes. It will be autobiographical and fictional, it will be narrative and poetry, and it will be published regularly and publicly. I started some time ago and shared a small story as an Easter Egg of what this could be here. I'm incredibly scared to make it public, and yet, I know deep inside that that is precisely why I should do it.
This means change, and change is not always what we want. However, our reluctance to change is the doorkeeper to missed opportunities.
For those who enjoyed the art curation pieces, I invite you to stay and explore this new phase with me. I’d love to hear your thoughts on these changes and what you’re most interested in seeing next. Your feedback - as always - will be invaluable as I navigate this new path.
Thank you all, and today, more than ever, see you next time.
By any art necessary.