Stepping into Substack
a sort of monthly newsletter with the latest news…..
Once upon a time I began a blog to document my journey as a late-blooming artist. A record of progress in practice and in mindset, a way to keep myself on course, to remember the long view and spot my own thematic interests and patterns to keep watch on. Since then, the online landscape has become more varied, in both positive and not so positive ways. For some, the world of blogging led to book deals and a larger limelight while for others, relative obscurity was maintained. None of this is down to quality of content necessarily , it’s merely a big pool to swim in. Sometimes the sharks find us. Sometimes we find lagoons in which to spawn more work and more ideas. There is no wrong way to work.
Eventually, social media, the monetization of all things online, the cursed algorithms, the specter of AI. All of this was on our doorstep. A changing landscape, here to stay, and I for one have been trying to figure out how to navigate all of it. In the last couple of years, my website has been reconfigured, I’m reconsidering my now decades of online artistic legacy. I want the writing to be there for posterity. My own timid beginnings, losses and gains along the way. There in perpetuity (is there even perpetuity to be had in the online world?) for those interested. Patreon has enabled me to make a few bob off of my blog writing in the last few years and I am deeply grateful for this as it enables me to pay my tech fee, managing all of the old content. Making room for more…….
The only problem, for me at least, is the “pay wall”. On the one hand, I do feel writers and artists should be “paid” for their work. I have been told countless times how my writing, drawings, paintings, etc have brightened a dark day, or put a hard time into words in a way that makes someone feel understood. (Aren’t artists - writers, poets, painters - the ones we lean on where there is a memorial to put on?).
On the other hand, I miss the early days of my “free” blog when a random reader might find my words, my art, etc - somehow - in this crazy Universe and reach out for connection and maybe even to take a class from me once we had a conversation and learned a bit about one another. This, to me, is a pure definition of magic.
For a brief moment I do believe Social Media provided us with this form of magic, but those days have passed. Now, artists like myself must balance the notion of deeper connections with those who connect to the work, and the concept of merely reaching out with the latest announcements. Classes, workshops, blog posts available etc. It’s tricky.
Those of you reading my writing work for a bit now know that my part-time work at a little shop crafting world-class musical instruments has come to an end. I find myself busily re-organizing and streamlining for the months and years ahead. So. I’ve made a bit of a plan, after months on months of over-thinking…..
The old blog at my wordpress website will now be merely a holding-place for the old writing, a portfolio, a landing space. The website itself will remain a place-holder of my online personality. I’ve no idea what’s in store for Social Media. Anything I ever posted on what was formerly “twitter” is now gone. This is a small lesson. I’ll continue to share here and there on the socials. I’ve met folks on FB and IG whom I truly consider “real friends”. Fellow artists, most of them, on this same crazy journey together. I’m glad for it.
On Patreon (link below in the footer) will continue to be more deeply thought-out posts, writing, photography, - that kind of thing. It will have the flavor of the old blog, but newer for this new age. I work hard on those posts. And those subscribing folks pay me. ( as little as a dollar a month but it does add up! so they get first dibs.) Here on this substack page will be “announcements” as well as a bit of writing on occasion (such as today). This will be the “free” content so those interested in the work but also unable or uninterested in paying (no judgement here, seriously!! the world is a LOT!!) and who also want to know when the next workshop is, what is the latest news etc. This newsletter is for you.
I am hoping it will happen early in each month, depending on my travel schedule and life in general. I’ll stack up little bits and bobs to share and some months, that might be what there is to share.
There will also be a little list of things I’ve found interesting, beautiful, etc and want to share at any given time. I hope you enjoy.
Please give this newsletter a follow, especially if you have ever followed the blog over at amybogard.com over the years. I promise there will be no spam, no sharing etc. Just information about what’s happening in the world of one artist.
Hear Ye, Hear Ye!!!!
Dates for the 2025 Antigua, Guatemala based travel-journal workshop have been set!!
Week 1 - Arrive Feb 1….. Make/learn art….. Depart Feb 7.
Week 2 - Arrive Feb 11…. Make/learn art….. Depart Feb 17.
If you want to do both weeks, a discount can be arranged between weeks. workshops limited to 6 participants per week. More info at amybogard.com (prices are same as 2024) Hit me up for more details!
Dates for the 2025 Taos, NM based travel- journal workshop have been set!!
Arrive and check in at mabel’s for orientation June 8, 2025. Check out after final breakfast at mabel’s Saturday June 14, 2025. This is my flagship class, gathering at the Historic Mabel Dodge Luhan House in Taos, NM.
THINGS ON OFFER FOR SALE!!!!!
Cards and stickers will be available for sale at the Swannanoa Gathering Celtic week later this month!
“Last Night’s Fun” approx 5x7” with envelope $4 each plus shipping
First two in the “wayfinder” series of paintings. approx 5x7” each with envelope 2 for $8 plus shipping
Holiday mice. 7 cards in a set - $25 plus shipping
John Joe Badger themed set of blank note cards, set of 6, $22
and back by popular demand…. the Resistance is Flutile sticker. Now in petite form. $2 each. See y’all at camp!
If you won’t be at camp this year, message me and I’ll send you the cards/stickers you’d like. There will just be a bit of postage to make that happen.
Things of Beauty - July 2024
“Let me tell you a story about a man, my man, Billy, and how he was lost for awhile, until beauty found him.”
There were at least 6 bats I spotted on an evening walk with Phil this week. Summer is a marvel.
Music with my friends. There is no greater balm for the soul than this.
A gorgeous post by writer Connie Schultz, sent to me in response to one of my recent Patreon posts by a long time friend and reader. Thank you Penny.
Did you know there is a parade in the Netherlands completely devoted to the wacky work of Hieronymous Bosch?
And finally….
Liz Knowles is an amazing artist/fiddler and all around beautiful human who writes not just about music but about seeing the world from an open-eyed, artistic vantage point. It is her beautiful newsletter that spawned my effort to make this one. Thanks Liz!!