pure little moments of peace in the studio

and gathering for regional conversation

Hello there! It's Jocelyn Mathewes from my studio in Appalachia. And I'm recovering from a nasty upper respiratory thing right now.

"Maycember" hit hard with sports wrapping up, big things at my job, end of year celebrations at school, disruptive thunderstorms, and preparing for family vacation.

In the middle of all there was a milestone event for my community practice and collaboration with Create Appalachia —

A crowd of 30+ people came together for a regionally focused conversation.

Listening, Learning, Leveraging: Shaping Our Region’s Creative Ecosystem, met at Fischman Gallery last Thursday, and was richly attended.

I wish we had had more time during this session to allow for the audience to participate and share more fully. We had so many great questions that need addressing. As with many of these gatherings, I always wish for more time.

If there's anything I've learned in my arts advocacy work, it's that you can't solve problems in a single conversation. The first conversation only opens up more things you've missed or didn't plan for.

While conversation is the starting point, it's easy to get stuck in perpetual ideation. Our brains can mistake talking about things as taking action, but that's a recipe for frustration and stuckness.

It's clear that there is momentum, real work happening, and the desire for more for action in our little corner of Appalachia. I'm excited for it.

in the studio

In the thick of "Maycember" my studio practice and garden have been an anchor of peacefulness. This is especially important, since lately fighting the void is a bit of a theme for me of late.*

Cyanotype gets me outside and dirty during the spring season. When it's sunny I'm outside printing, walking the neighborhood, and lounging in the yard to soak in the beauty. My latest vlog are pure little moments of peace I wanted share with you —