A selection of writing samples from the last 1-2 years
Sample 1
Should you go to art school or self-learn?
By Amanda Sandlin, published on amandasandlin.com
A curious aspiring artist recently asked, “What is your biggest piece of advice for someone torn between getting a degree or teaching themselves art?”
What a big, beautiful question—one I've been asking since the beginning, as well. Although I certainly have an opinion, I turned to a group of mega-talented, successful artists, some self-taught, some traditionally educated, some both, for advice.
My answer: I am extremely self-motivated and do well in the freedom (and sometimes chaos) that comes with self-teaching, and have been that way since childhood. But I know others who thrive in structured environments. Although I did go to college, and looking back wish I would've majored in something visual, there was no way for me to know I'd end up an artist. Years later when I found art, I could've gone back to school and taken out more student loans, but I weighed my options, got really honest with myself, and knew that learning through practice and work would be a better fit for me.
But enough about me. Take a look at what each of these talented artists has to say. Be sure to give their website a visit and follow them on Instagram to show some love and get inspired.
David Esquivel, Painter
Education: Self-taught
Website: davidmesquivel.com
Instagram: @david.m.esquivel
Even though David is self-taught, he sees some similarities in the process of getting a formal education vs. doing it yourself.
"I had to first realize what it was I wanted to say with my artwork. And that really came down to who I wanted to be as a person. The challenge of finding yourself by yourself is something I think all artists must go through at some point, if you went to school or not."
David says finding his voice as an artist was isolating, a circumstance he views in both a positive and negative light.
"I still know very little about artists and art history -- things I could have accessed to help me when I completely lost creatively. I think that has also helped me. I'm confident in my style and I know it isn't a derivative of someone else's work."
Bec Kilpatrick, Illustrator & Photographer
Education: Formal graphic design education, self-taught artist
Website: beckil.co
Instagram: @beckil
Bec always knew she wanted to be an artist, and going to school for graphic design helped her gain knowledge and expand her skill set in a way that worked for her—in a structured, disciplined environment.
"[Having an education in Graphic Design] has allowed me to question my practice, experiment and apply my work in different contexts. Having said this, this isn't for everyone, and there are many ways to expand your knowledge as an artist. Going to galleries, collaborating and experimenting in your own time and space can be more beneficial for some people who don't thrive in a more structured setting."
Her advice to new and aspiring artists: "Experiment. Don't be scared to make things you don't like; you might discover a new technique along the way that you love. You're never going to know what you love until you try something."
Liz Flores, Painter & Illustrator
Education: Self-taught with a few high school art classes
Website: lizfloresart.com
Instagram: @lizitto
Liz says not having a formal art education has been a challenge to her self-confidence.
"I felt and sometimes still feel like an unrefined artist who doesn’t know the ropes. When people talk about certain painting techniques they learned at school or lessons in art history, I can’t relate and it feels challenging."
But as she's grown as a self-taught artist, she's found her lack of formal education to have quite a bright silver lining.
"I’ve started to realize the hidden blessing that is not going to art school, which is simply not having any preconceived rules in my mind of how to create art, sell art or be an artist. Formalities like needing gallery representation to succeed simply don’t exist in my mind, and have helped me carve my own path."
Her advice to new or aspiring artists: "Going to art school or not is your choice and neither is right or wrong. You need to make the right decision for you and your work and remember you are an entrepreneur too – Artrepreneur - so business skills matter. No matter how you acquire your skills and create your art, in the end what matters is the work and getting it out into the world."
Lindsay Hollinger, Artist & Designer
Education: Bachelor of Fine Arts in Illustration
Website: lindsayhollinger.com
Instagram: @casajoshuatree
Lindsay values and views her art education positively, although if she could go back, she would change a few things.
"I was distracted by being 20 and did not take advantage of the resources offered to me. I didn’t understand their true value or comprehend the amount of money we (my family and I) were spending on my education... If I won the lottery, I would go back in an instant and do it all again. I would take every class, go to every event, and do as much as I could."
She also explains that she hardly learned a lick of business skills in art school, a side of art that is extremely important for aspiring working artists.
"Artists are entrepreneurs," she says.
Her advice for any new or aspiring artist going to art school: I would seek out and create more meaningful relationships with my professors and graduate students. I would go to more events, join more clubs. I would take the classes that are hard to come by in “real life” without huge investment: metalsmithing, sculpture, ceramics, printmaking, weaving, glassblowing, oil painting, film photography. I would work harder and value my time in the studio as the beginning of a very long journey. Savor the moment and be present.
Nikki Frumkin, Mountain Artist, Painter, Illustrator, Climber
Education: Studied oil painting and art education in the Hudson Valley
Website: drawntohighplaces.com
Instagram: @drawntohighplaces
Even though Nikki no longer oil paints, she says her art education gave her a foundation and the skills to evolve as an artist.
"In some ways, it is a nice balance. I am a self-taught watercolorist which means I am bound to make mistakes, take risks and try new things (because it is all new). But my oil painting background means I have a framework for doing that."
Nikki also sees great value in focusing on the business side of art while learning.
Her advice to new or aspiring artists: "Teach yourself by practicing as much as you can. Try new things and make lots of mistakes. Take risks. Find a mentor who has been doing what you want to be doing. Develop a relationship with them. Don't give up, you've got this!"
Emily Kelly, Designer & Artist
Education: Formal
Website: Land & She
Instagram: @landandshestudio
Emily stands by her decision to get a formal art education, although she had no idea that she would one day open her own illustration and print-making shop.
"I was so focused on graphic design that it was hard to see a bigger picture of what might have been possible for me."
Still, art school helped expand her vision and opened her to a range of art forms that she might not have been able to experience without it.
"It challenged me in so many ways, but mostly on how to take criticism and always revise until I can create my best work. It also made me very humbled in the process of making art."
Jamie Smith, Painter
Education: BFA from University of Victoria
Website: jamiesmithstudio.com & thriveartstudio.com
Instagram: @jamiesmithstudio
Jamie says getting her art degree immersed her in the art world conceptually—she learned how to think and talk about art, as well as experience critiques. Where it lacked, she explains, is on the technical side.
"I should have been forced to draw and paint all the time. We were left on our own to figure it out. It was very much a conceptual education, which is important to know, but not super useful out in the world."
Her advice to new or aspiring artists: "Take business classes if you want your art practice to feed you... Another important aspect is making a lot of work, practice, practice, practice, and finding your voice as an artist. Then worry about the education or business bit."
Sample 2
How to Live and Create with Conviction
By Amanda Sandlin, published on Medium
In these early years of coming into myself as an artist, I’ve done a lot of observing other artists’ practices. I’m constantly inspired by the stories of people who’ve carved their own space in the art world, and not just what they make but how and why.
What sets them apart, what gives them that thing — the thing that differentiates, magnetizes, and sets them apart in their industry? I’m fascinated by people’s habits, beliefs, and desires surrounding their work. (Which is probably why I’m obsessed with the Daily Rituals books by Mason Currey)
Last week I visited the Clyfford Still Museum in Denver and found myself once again totally buzzing. Clyfford Still was an American painter and one of the leading figures in the first generation of Abstract Expressionists. In the middle of his career in the 1950s he essentially bowed out of the commercial art world (ie: public galleries, selling his work publicly, etc.) and became super private and particular about who could buy his work.
When a friend or potential buyer would come into his home or studio, he wouldn’t even show all of his work to them. He would actually turn everything backward so no one could see it! After getting to know the person he would present them with the one piece that they would then have the option to buy.
When a friend or potential buyer would come into his home or studio, he wouldn’t even show all of his work to them. He would actually turn everything backward so no one could see it! After getting to know the person he would present them with the one piece that they would then have the option to buy.
Maybe I’m just a nerd, but I think that is FASCINATING. Stories like this about artists and their unique decisions and paths are endless and varied and full of inspiration. I think it’s natural to hear these stories and want to mimic them, but often I find this ‘inspiration’ can devolve into ‘shoulds’ quite quickly.
I should be more serious and intellectual!
I should quit modern society and move into a tiny house in the desert alone!
I should be more eccentric and dress wildly and be louder!
I should move to New York City and sleep less and start smoking! (Never seriously considered the latter.)
These are all identities and paths of significant artists I’ve been inspired by, and none of these has stuck, because they weren’t my own! And no shame in that game, either, because when you’re young and just starting out I think it’s difficult to know what you want and who you are as an artist.
I realize now it’s never really been about WHAT these artists have been doing. I would argue the shiny thing that captures our attention is the energy of a person who is living a life true to themselves. You know it when you see it. There’s nothing quite as captivating as someone who is living and creating with conviction.
conviction nouncon·vic·tion | \ kən-ˈvik-shən \: the feeling of being sure that what you believe or say is trueShe spoke with conviction.
I just turned 32 and think this might be my word for the year. I think it’s time. I think I’m ready. Conviction. Being fully aligned and boldly creating my own path as a working artist. It requires introspection and bravery to say no to what doesn’t feel right. And to say yes to what does! And to dream beyond what already is.
Here are some questions I am asking as I contemplate what conviction means and looks like to me. Feel free to use them for your own inquiry as well!
What regular habits and practices facilitate connection to my intuition?
What habits pull me away from my intuition or make the connection murky?
How am I living a life of service? How can I serve better?
What is the bigger vision that pulls me through the nitty-gritty times of slog?
Are any areas in my work out of alignment with my values? If so, how can I begin to shift those areas into alignment?
No big deal, huh? These are big, lifelong questions to return to time and time again. The answers will evolve as we do. Currently some of my answers involve the topics of sobriety, going back to school to one day be able to teach, contemplating the role of social media in my business, and what financial responsibilities I want to put on my work.
As tempting as it is to consider selling my possessions and living a monastic life in the forest, just as alluring as it may sound to move to LA and brush elbows with big players in the art world, if the decisions I make are not led from within, it really doesn’t matter where I am or what I do. External “success” is meaningless if I am not happy, aligned, and living inspired by my own convictions.
Sample 3
Brunch in Boulder
By Amanda Sandlin, published on bouldercoloradousa.com
As if it needs to be said, brunch is always a good idea. Brunch in Boulder, with buckets of sunshine, sweeping mountain views and fresh farm-to-table cuisine? It might be your best idea yet. Boulder has options for every kind of brunching style: leisurely and sun-soaked, classic hangover diner food, a lively round of Bloodys with the crew and more.CLASSIC BRUNCH
The Buff
This mom n’ pop eatery is one of the top places to brunch in Boulder. With that in mind, be prepared for a wait… and for it to be well worth it! Friendly staff, a warm atmosphere and all the brunch classics deliciously prepared (with many gluten-free and vegan options) make The Buff a staple in Boulder’s brunch scene.
Try: The homemade buttermilk biscuits and gravy served with two eggs.
Walnut Cafe
A brunch favorite in Boulder, Walnut Cafe and sister restaurant Southside Walnut Cafe offer a family- and pet-friendly vibe (dogs are welcome on the sunny outdoor patio area) with unique coffee concoctions and all the brunch staples done right.
Try: The giant, fresh-baked sweet roll served with gooey icing.
Village Coffee Shop
If you’re looking for no-frills, classic (and tasty as heck) diner food that will fill your belly without emptying your wallet, Village Coffee Shop is your place. Psst: NY Daily News named this spot one of America’s best hole-in-the-wall diners.
Try: The breakfast burrito and a bottomless cup o’ joe. And the hash browns...definitely the hash browns.
BRUNCH WITH A VIEW
Chautauqua Dining Hall
Sitting pretty at the foot of the Flatirons, the historic Chautauqua Dining Hall opens its large, scenic veranda on warm days, and the menu is supplied by the chef’s own farm. A casual stroll through Chautauqua’s gardens and trails before or after your meal might be in order.
Try: The Bistro Benedict with maple braised pork belly.
Rye Society at Avanti F&BGrab a New-York-style bagel (made from scratch) and head onto Avanti F&B’s rooftop deck. Rye Society uses old family recipes to craft Jewish delicatessen staples on their affordable, pared-down menu, complemented by stunning views of the Flatirons. A great place to hang and taste all the food and drink Avanti offers in their “food hall” featuring various vendors.
Try: The Rye Egg bagel or brioche with pastrami and swiss.
Greenbriar Inn
The quaint Greenbriar Inn off of Highway 93 in north Boulder offers fine dining in a country-like setting where you can get up close with those gorgeous rolling foothills. Sunday Brunch is served in their dining room, patios (seasonal) or you can even take it to go and have a picnic on the serene grounds.
Try: The Orange Mascarpone Pancakes.
INTERNATIONAL EATS
Centro Mexican Kitchen
Think huevos rancheros, breakfast enchiladas and brunch margaritas on an enviable patio ringed with fluttering aspen trees. Tasty Latin-meets-Baja fare combined with a view of the action on Pearl Street makes Centro a favorite weekend spot.
Try: The tres leches cake French toast with a Mexican coffee.
Cafe Aion
This cozy gem is famous for its locally sourced and delicately spiced Spanish- and Morrocan-inspired cuisine. Cafe Aion is open for Sunday brunch in its tucked-away location on The Hill.
Try: The Croque Madame, grilled ham and gruyere cheese topped with béchamel sauce & a fried egg, and maybe some donuts for the table.
Lucile's Creole Cafe
Located in a charming historic house near downtown, Lucile’s has been pleasing palates with Creole specialties for nearly 40 years.
Try: Start with beignets, then move on to Eggs Sardou, which involves creamed spinach, Gulf shrimp, poached eggs and hollandaise. And DO NOT forget the biscuit on the side.
BOOZY BRUNCH
The Roadhouse Boulder Depot
This east-Boulder establishment is one of the only places to get bottomless mimosas (plus bottomless coffee!) in Boulder; they’re served up with brunch here until 3pm. And don’t miss Roadhouse's dog-friendly, sunny outdoor patio.
Try: The pesto vegetarian Benedict with soft poached eggs, charred asparagus and wild mushrooms. (And the bottomless mimosa, of course.)
Tangerine
At the cozy, colorful Tangerine cafe you’ll find creative brunch foods with plenty of gluten-free and vegetarian options, plus all the boozy favorites like bellinis, mimosas and Bloody Marys with options to order by the bottle and save.
Try: One of their unique “beermosas” — a combination of wit beer and fresh orange juice with the option to add fruit puree.
Foolish Craig’s
A popular brunch spot on Pearl Street, you’ll find all the classic brunch drinks on Foolish Craig's lengthy drink menu, including several variations of Bloody Marys and mimosas. As for food, they also offer all the brunch staples as well as a wide selection of savory and sweet crepes.
Try: The “Breakfast Shot” — a shot of Jameson Irish whiskey and butterscotch schnapps with a shot of orange juice and a slice of bacon.
BRUNCH WITH AMBIANCE
Snooze, an A.M. Eatery
In Snooze's cheery and retro interior you’ll find all the brunch staples with a creative spin: Pineapple Upside Down Pancakes; brioche French toast stuffed with mascarpone; Breakfast Pot Pie with homemade rosemary sausage gravy.
Try: A flight of pancakes! Mix and match any of their signature flavors, like blueberry Danish and pumpkin pecan pie.
Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse
If you can tear your eyes from the Teahouse's spectacular carvings, painting, sculptures and fountains that decorate this Persian teahouse (gifted to Boulder by its sister city in Tajikistan), you’ll find a feast for the belly as well as the eyes.
Try: Lapsang Souchong Benedict, where poached eggs are joined by Lapsang Souchong tea-flavored sausage over an English muffin, with hollandaise and potatoes.
River and Woods
This quaint gem on east Pearl has stayed true to its roots as a century-old miner's cabin. You can sit inside, where you’ll find plenty of wood paneling and edison bulbs artistically hung from the ceiling, or outside in River and Woods' backyard at a picnic table or globe tent. But back to the food – you’ll find all the comfort-food classics with an emphasis on local and organic produce.
Try: The brunch poutine with redskin wedges, green chile queso, cheese curds, duck gravy and a sunny local egg.
Sample 4
E-Biking in Boulder
By Amanda Sandlin, published on bouldercoloradousa.com
See that big hill ahead with the coffee shop you want to try on the other side? Instead of being drenched in sweat and gasping for air when you arrive, rent an electric bike and you’ll be zipping around town with glee.
E-bikes are exploding in popularity in Boulder, and it's no wonder why. This is one of America's top bike cities to begin with. Add in a little electric boost, and you'll find you can pedal farther across Boulder's vast bike path and bike lane networks to scenic spots with less effort — and have a ton of fun while doing it. Not to mention, it's one of the greenest ways to get around swiftly. You'll find plenty of options for renting and touring on e-bikes here in Boulder.
E-BIKE TOURS IN BOULDER
Join a two-hour e-bike tour of Boulder’s most well-known and historic spots, like Boulder Creek Path and Chautauqua Park.
Sign the family up for a two-hour electric cruiser bike tour to visit Boulder’s gems, like the historic downtown and NCAR.
Beyond Boulder Bike Adventures
Zip up steep hills and cruise down mellow streets on this two-hour e-bike tour of the best of Boulder.
Have your selection of unique e-bike tours, including a city highlights tour, adventurous mountain biking, exploring the University on two wheels and more.
Challenge yourself with the High Climber 180° tour of Boulder’s steep hills, appeal to your creative side on a tour of Boulder’s street art with the Wall to Wall Boulder Mural Ride, or opt for a more mellow loop of town.
WHERE TO RENT
Offering rentals of e-bikes only, Pedego gives you a choice between premium (one of their standard, most popular models), specialty (with extra cargo or space for a child), and tandem (for two). Rent online or in-store.
Best for shorter trips around town, B-Cycle has 100 pedal-assist e-bikes along with their fleet of regular bicycles. Find a B-Station and you can rent a bike right then and there, or purchase a pass online or via the B-Cycle app before you go. A credit card is needed, and you can find available stations online or on the app.
Full Cycle Bikes & Colorado Multisport
Have your choice of an electric townie or commuter bike from this shop of experts that was named Best Bike Shop of Boulder County in 2019 and 2020. Rent in-store or online (select Cruise Around Town and then Electric Bikes).
After buying an e-bike in 2019 and getting rid of his car, Joel Davis started JD’s Joyrides and now offers a selection of Rad Power Bike rentals, including commuters and fat bikes. Call 303-818-5280 to inquire.
WHERE TO RIDE
There are plenty of routes to cruise around Boulder, but since these punchy bikes are electric-powered, there are some restrictions.
Around Town
E-bikes can be used on all streets, in bike lanes, on some city multi-use paths and on sidewalks outside of dismount zones. Hop off and walk it when you see the yellow and green dismount sign.
Boulder Creek PathE-bikes are allowed on the Boulder Creek Path, a paved and shady creekside path that goes right through the heart of Boulder and continues east and west for a few miles. This popular biking, walking and running path is often highly trafficked, but if you head east from downtown, you may find it less congested. Heading west on the Boulder Creek Path, e-bikes are prohibited upon entering Boulder Canyon, just at Canon Park Drive.
NCAR RoadThis gently winding road has some of the best northerly views to the Flatirons and climbs high up to one of the world's foremost centers for climate science, the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR). The vistas from up here are gorgeous, and there's an exploratory weather trail you can travel by foot.
For a great e-bike ride that ends at a roadside summit with fantastic views, travel the US 36 Bikeway, alongside the Boulder Turnpike, from Table Mesa Drive in Boulder to the scenic overlook. There you will find a sweeping panorama overlooking all of Boulder Valley, including the red rooftops of the university, the Flatirons, foothills, farmland and the Rocky Mountains beyond. Interpretative signage will help you identify landmarks and peaks and viewfinder lets you get a closer look. You can pick up some visitor brochures here if you'd like, too. This ride would be a steep and intense climb on a regular bike, but on an e-bike, it's a perfect cruise with views.
Boulder to GunbarrelPlug Avery Brewing Company into your Google map, select the directions for bikes and head north on paths to the Gunbarrel neighborhood. You'll ride past some hobby farms and gain a new perspective on the mountains along the way. And the fresh food and inventive brews at Avery will be your reward.
Nature Trails
While trails maintained by the City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks program are closed to e-bikes, several Boulder County-maintained trails, located on the outskirts of Boulder, DO allow e-bikes. A selection of trails is below, and here's a full list of e-bike-friendly county trails.
Legion ParkThe hilltop Legion Park in east Boulder offers a 0.9-mile loop and spectacular views of prairie lands to the east and Flatirons to the west. Bring a picnic and watch the sunset (or rise) with 360-degree views.
Walden Ponds Wildlife HabitatWhat used to be industrial gravel pits has been transformed into a serene wetland wildlife habitat at Walden Ponds Wildlife Habitat. An easy 2.9-mile trail loops around the grounds.
Twin LakesEach of the lakes at Twin Lakes offers a mellow 0.7-mile loop. A haven for wetland wildlife, these well-shaded trails make for an enjoyable cruise.
TIPS BEFORE YOU GO
Learn (and follow) local rules and regulations. We will help you with some of the most important ones here:
E-bikes are not allowed on designated City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks trails. This is protected, preserved land that’s home to native and endangered species. E-bikes are allowed on some city multi-use paths.
On several Boulder County trails, e-bikes are permitted. See Boulder County's page for a comprehensive list of approved trails. Class 3 e-bikes, which means the bike is pedal-assisted up to 28 mph (most rentals in town are not), are prohibited.
More information can be found on the City of Boulder's Which Wheels Go Where chart and their biking page.
Be mindful of others. Since e-bikes are faster than their non-motorized counterparts on paths and sidewalks, let people know when you’re approaching or passing.
Ride single file when passing. Be aware when others are coming down the path and don’t take up the full width riding side-by-side with your friends.
Slow down. When you’re passing or there are people or dogs nearby, reduce your speed and be courteous to others. A smile and acknowledgment of their presence go a long way.
Have FUN! E-bikes are a blast to effortlessly dash around on, especially in one of the most bike-friendly cities in the country. You won't need this reminder when you're magically flying up hills without breaking a sweat, but plan to have a blast.
Sample 5
To Descend from the Air and Come to Rest
By Amanda Sandlin, published on Medium
You might remember back in January I wrote to you from a chilly little island on the Puget Sound in Washington, where I went in search of answers to some big questions. Mainly, What happens next?
After the end of a relationship and coming to a crossroads in my art career, it was the first time in years I found myself untethered and able to do almost anything I wanted. I could start all over. I could live near the sea. I could try a stint in Montreal for as long as a visa would allow. I could buy a shiny silver trailer and put it on a piece of desert in New Mexico.
“Just wait until Washington,” echoed in my mind. I knew the place held answers. And the answers did come, but not how I expected.
A little backstory: I’ve lived in Colorado for just over five years now, and basically that whole time I’ve dreamt of leaving, but various situations kept me close. It felt unnatural and even dull at times to stay in one place.
My whole life has been fairly rootless. When people ask where I’m from I don’t know what to say. I’ve loved people and cities and landscapes in different time zones and altitudes, climates and languages, and they’ve all felt like home in some way.
This upbringing has led to a simultaneous longing for belonging while also resistance to staying, to putting myself down somewhere for a while, to sinking roots into a place and community. In my 20s the idea of “settling” became synonymous with defeat. And while the glitter of being in motion and the regular churn of new sights and sounds still ignited joy, the yearning for something deeper began to grow.
The truth is, the constant drive for newness kept me from experiencing the richness of truly knowing a place. And place is more than a landscape. It’s the people, the dark days, the flaws, the way it can mirror your own self back to you. It’s the winter, the love, the boredom, the heartbreak, the commitments. It’s the every day.
Boulder is an imperfect place filled with imperfect people, just like anywhere. But sometime in these last two years of many ups and downs of living here, this place chose me and cared for me, and in turn, I am now choosing it.
When it was time to make a decision about where to go next, I finally proposed a question.
“What if I stay?”
And suddenly it felt like the whole world opened up. Within weeks I found a tiny, rare freestanding studio cottage in a sweet neighborhood. An affordable art studio opened up just when I needed it. I started climbing again and joined the gym and it felt so good. All the pieces fell into place like a line of dominos.
I’m not saying it will be forever, but for now, for as long as I can see, what if I actually chose to be here? What if I nurtured friendships, joined a real-life art community, developed rituals and traditions? What if I chose to love and let myself be loved by this place, these people? Maybe it isn’t so much about the external as it is a mindset. What if I let myself settle?
Being the word nerd I am, I had to look up the etymology of ‘settle.’
The Old English setlan meant "cause to sit, place, put.”
But I especially love this meaning:
From c. 1300 of birds, "to alight."
alight (verb): to descend from or as if from the air and come to rest : LAND, SETTLE
The bird alighted on a branch.
snow alighting on a roof
To alight. To descend from the air and come to rest.
Maybe it's because we're two years into a pandemic. Maybe it's because we're getting older. Maybe it's because of late-stage capitalism, but my whole nervous system says yes.
This reminds me of something I wrote in 2017, just after landing in Denver post-van life:
I want piles of canvas and papers around my apartment, all works in progress. I want inside jokes and a local coffee shop. I want my house to feel like home. I want a collection of books and red wine with the windows open after a long day. I want a favorite crag, a backroad, the long way, becoming so familiar I can anticipate every turn and twist.
Sounds a lot like alighting.
She alighted in a little cottage at the base of the foothills.
It isn’t permanent, because nothing ever is, but I am here. Finally.
Sample 6
To the Creatives Who Lead, Let Us Go Vote
By Amanda Sandlin, published on MoveOn.org
Earlier this year, like many of us, I attended a protest. It wasn’t my first or last, but one moment stands out in my memory. As thousands gathered in downtown Denver and began walking around the Capitol, a small group stood in the middle of the path shouting “Vote! If you are here, you MUST vote! If you don’t vote, nothing you do today matters!”
I felt emboldened by this message, although it also seemed a bit simplistic. Did that imply marching around the city center in solidarity meant nothing on its own? Since that day, I’ve seen a similar dualistic mentality on the news, social media, and in conversations with friends and family. Voting is sometimes talked about as everything or nothing. Likewise, protests can be seen as either what ultimately moves the needle or a waste of time.
I have to admit, even while writing this I am fatigued by celebrities and just about everyone on Instagram screaming it from the rooftops: “V-O-T-E!” It’s a message being preached by the masses, as it should be, and because of that, sometimes I worry we’ve become numb to it. At the same time, I also wonder if we put so much emphasis on this single democratic act that by the time Election Day passes, some of us are exhausted and just want to get back to “regular life.”
My “regular life” is that I am an artist. I am not a political scientist, philosopher, or journalist. There have been plenty of times I’ve considered quitting my craft to pursue a career in the political or non-profit world, assuming it is in those sectors I could be more effective. But thankfully, I’ve had some great mentors who reminded me that (a) essentially everything we do is political and (b) all types of people are needed to make the world a better place.
As Beth Pickens says in her book, Your Art Will Save Your Life: “…historically, during oppressive regimes and fascist governments, it is the brave and creative ones who lead, who solve problems, incite, inspire, organize, comfort, satirize, and reflect.”
I am an artist, a communicator, a writer, and forever a student. Everyone has different important parts to play in the weaving that makes up humanity, this country, and our democracy. We all have unique ways to serve, but there is one common thread everyone has a role in carrying — voting. Our purpose doesn’t begin or end on Election Day, but voting plays an essential role in being an engaged citizen.
What if we approached Election Day this way? Knowing it isn’t the final answer, but being aware the right to vote is, as the late Representative John Lewis said, “precious, almost sacred.” What if we viewed voting as an initiation to another term of actively participating in our democracy in whichever way that shows up for us given our skills, interests, and passions? What if voting wasn’t the ultimate democratic act, but a collective ritual to take us deeper in community?
Your vote is power. And so is your voice, your dollar, your hard conversations, your art, your faith, your empathy, your self-care, your presence. You are power. We are power. It is together, through our votes, our voices, our collective energy, that we will change this world for the better.
And, one more time, just for good measure… VOTE!