the Slow Down Art Life
Plant seeds. Make art. Trust Spirit.
The Slow Down Art Life is both an experiment in my own holistic creative practices,
as well as the name of my new substack newsletter.
Why subscribe?
Join to receive a free note, 1-2 times per month - with inspiration from my creative living practices and encouragement for yours.
You will become part of a community of curious creatives who love nature and gardening, art-making practices, and cultivating holistic consciousness + nourishing habits for how we live and relate.
A bit more about this offering…
I’m Hali Karla - a multi-passionate artist who keeps coming back to exploring and experimenting with what it means to be on a creative path beyond the more conventional notions of being an Artist. Even though finding our way as artists in this world is definitely part of my small family’s livelihood, my “art” is not {just about} the things I make, but a nuanced way of engaging with life itself.
I find again and again that creative process and practice are integral tools for a more holistic, embodied experience - and they help me listen closer to my heart, act on my truths, and navigate the never-ending shifts and changes of life.
My art-making practice often includes art journaling, painting, drawing and more. After taking a 6+ month break from making art, courses and other online offerings (which I’ve been doing for over ten years now), I’m returning to my art practice with a shifted mindset and different set of questions about what it means to be an artist in these times - and re-evaluating what I use and make, and how I go about this. I’ll be sharing some of that through my newsletter as part of slowing down into the depths of a more aligned + meaningful experience with my art-making, relationships and expressions.
While my art process has been a steady guiding force in my life, the larger sphere of my intentional creative-life practices have evolved to include many things I engage with on a rhythmic basis - such as gardening, making medicines and foods, spending time with loved ones and four-leggeds, communing with nature, reading, prayer, learning new things that have caught the heart of my creative energy - and seeing where that leads….
Lately, I find myself exploring this:
“What does it really mean to be living an artist/creative life true to my creative energy/spirit, the seasons and cycles of nature, AND my big picture values in these times? How does this show up in how I make art and offerings, cultivate relationships, in my ordinary daily life choices, and so much more?”
This inquiry has been catalyzing changes in my creative practices and life-ways that have reminded me of the infinite possibilities our truest creative expressions can take - and how important it is that each of us listen for, trust, and act upon this mindfully in our changing world.
Let’s not be artists, but let’s not fear being artists. Let’s be ourselves.
Let’s imagine a medium for our creations and achieve it without self-censorship….
We are free to make whatever it is we want to say.
— Marie-Jeanne Lorenté
As a subscriber to the Slow Down Art Life, you will receive a mixture of peeks + musings and insights + inquiries from my creative process efforts (in art-making and holistic living-ways), as well as inspiration and tips to consider for yours. You will also have the chance to connect with each other through my substack space as well.
The formats will vary - sometimes I will write, record audio, or share via imagery or video. As I experiment, we’ll see what sticks and stands out - what you like (do let me know) and what works for my rhythms, as well.
Subscribe to get full access to my FREE Slow Down Art Life notes, 1-2 times per month. Never miss an update or invitation to explore more together.
This newsletter is part of my own creative practice, and as a reader supported effort, I also plan to share intentional ways for paid subscribers to connect and create together at my substack space as well - such as short workshops, book clubs and meet-ups.
Every new note goes directly to your inbox - and you can return anytime to visit the free posts, or join us as a paid subscriber for exclusive opportunities to connect, learn and create. Either way, I look forward to connecting with you there.
Happy Growing, Making, Resting, Creating!
With Joy+Gratitude,
Hali Karla