I feel for you and your gloom, Stella. Many of us in the UK had a similar sense of foreboding with Brexit in 2016. I didn’t know two Supreme Court judge appointments were imminent. That makes the situation in the US even more desperate. Carry on creating - I hope there’s still some comfort in that?
Thanks, Andrew! I think so. Creating has been the anchor that has kept me sane during times of difficulty such as this one. It's a way of channeling my energies to something more beneficial. In the process, I continue to learn and grow.
Stella, I resonate with every word and the imagery that formed around them. I hope you hold on to what keeps pushing you to create your art. It matters.
Sending so many hugs and best wishes. There are many who feel as you do, worldwide. I am so thankful to be here in Australia, but I know that we all will feel the effects of whatever comes next. Hope is essential. Together we will find a way through. Take care dear Stella. Hugs my dear.
Thank you for all of this. I am also committed to resistance through art and humor. We need to talk and process every step of the way. It is telling how quickly those who supported this regime change want us to shut up, get over it, quit whining/crying etc. Why can't they sit with our pain? Why can't they acknowledge the human cost to their decision? To me this says that they do know and want to insulate so they don't have to feel it. And that is maybe more of a tragedy than the way they cast their vote. A mantra I developed that is helping me: stay soft, stay open, stay strong. And thanks for the book rec--I am ordering that right now. X!
Hear, hear, Sheila! Thanks for chiming in. I'm with you on your mantra: stay soft, open, stay strong. Let me know what you think of Maria's book. I think it's more relevant than ever.
Thank you, Stella 💕 "we have no shared reality." This is a feeling I have been aware of as a sort of background dread in the lead-up to the election. It's weird, because I went through this on a personal level with a couple of family members years ago, slowly coming to realize that we couldn't find a path forward to a healthy relationship because - we had no shared reality. And now, I'm experiencing the same thing all over again on a national level. So bizarre, even when I've been watching the signs mounting for years...
Thanks for your thoughts, Sydney! No shared reality truly sunk in after this election. It's a tragedy and I don't know if it's even possible to bridge the gap when half of the electorate is fed with lies through an infrastructure of mass and social media outlets feeding it to them 24/7. They will continue their dominance in the airwaves and our mobile phones for years to come. I don't know what the D's can do moving forward. I think that's largely what were up against.
I agree, Stella. So sad. And honestly, I find that people who identify as MAGA or proudly Republican just seem to be getting more aggressive in attacking any suggestion that their views are harmful. Times like this have happened here and in other nations across history, but man, nothing I read or study about it ever seems less than grim 😢
Awesome work, as always. I particularly like the Disinformation Bubble.
I'd been following the election from afar here in UK, and had been convinced that the result would have been way, way closer - and different. Sending strength. x
I feel you, as does half the country in differing degrees. The only thing we can do now is find solace in creativity and be as awake at the wheel as possible. Thank you for sharing the collages. They are wonderful!
Thank you so much, Stella, and loads of love and hugs to you! My wife and I moved from the Seattle area to Sicily/Scotland this year (we're based in Sicily, but have mostly been in Scotland). I mention that because in talking to the locals I realized something: American politics is quite literally Reality TV for the world. They, largely, simultaneously think we're bonkers for electing Trump, and are addicted to the drama of it all. I'm painting a broad brush here I know, that's the general impression I've gotten though. More importantly, the notion that we're the world's soap opera, shed light for me on what's going on in our country. Does that makes sense? Thank you for sharing, and for being you. I love your art!
Thanks for chiming in, Dr. Lang. Welcome to Sundays with Stella! I’m glad to know you enjoyed the collages. If there’s one thing this president elect has mastered is to create reality TV and for the next four years, has the attention of a worldwide audience. Sigh… I don’t even know what to say. Stay dry over there in Scotland. I think they call it “dreich” to describe winter. Thank you for joining this creative journey with me!
You're very welcome, Stella (and please feel free to call me "Lang" :) I hear you on not knowing what to say! :( It's been amazingly dry the last few weeks here, which we're quite enjoying. Then next week we head back to Sicily. Blessings. 🫶🏽
I feel for you and your gloom, Stella. Many of us in the UK had a similar sense of foreboding with Brexit in 2016. I didn’t know two Supreme Court judge appointments were imminent. That makes the situation in the US even more desperate. Carry on creating - I hope there’s still some comfort in that?
Thanks, Andrew! I think so. Creating has been the anchor that has kept me sane during times of difficulty such as this one. It's a way of channeling my energies to something more beneficial. In the process, I continue to learn and grow.
Stella, I resonate with every word and the imagery that formed around them. I hope you hold on to what keeps pushing you to create your art. It matters.
Thank you, Ann! I certainly will. Creating art has always been the anchor to help me stay steady and to carry on.
Sending so many hugs and best wishes. There are many who feel as you do, worldwide. I am so thankful to be here in Australia, but I know that we all will feel the effects of whatever comes next. Hope is essential. Together we will find a way through. Take care dear Stella. Hugs my dear.
Thank you for encouragement, Beth. It means a lot. I feel your hug from across the seas.
Thank you for all of this. I am also committed to resistance through art and humor. We need to talk and process every step of the way. It is telling how quickly those who supported this regime change want us to shut up, get over it, quit whining/crying etc. Why can't they sit with our pain? Why can't they acknowledge the human cost to their decision? To me this says that they do know and want to insulate so they don't have to feel it. And that is maybe more of a tragedy than the way they cast their vote. A mantra I developed that is helping me: stay soft, stay open, stay strong. And thanks for the book rec--I am ordering that right now. X!
Hear, hear, Sheila! Thanks for chiming in. I'm with you on your mantra: stay soft, open, stay strong. Let me know what you think of Maria's book. I think it's more relevant than ever.
Thanks Stella! I will-it looks game changing. I am scared, but also very clear eyed and ready to lock in. ✌🏼💗💥
Beautiful Stel!
Thanks, A!
Thank you, Stella 💕 "we have no shared reality." This is a feeling I have been aware of as a sort of background dread in the lead-up to the election. It's weird, because I went through this on a personal level with a couple of family members years ago, slowly coming to realize that we couldn't find a path forward to a healthy relationship because - we had no shared reality. And now, I'm experiencing the same thing all over again on a national level. So bizarre, even when I've been watching the signs mounting for years...
As ever, your work is beautiful :)
Thanks for your thoughts, Sydney! No shared reality truly sunk in after this election. It's a tragedy and I don't know if it's even possible to bridge the gap when half of the electorate is fed with lies through an infrastructure of mass and social media outlets feeding it to them 24/7. They will continue their dominance in the airwaves and our mobile phones for years to come. I don't know what the D's can do moving forward. I think that's largely what were up against.
I agree, Stella. So sad. And honestly, I find that people who identify as MAGA or proudly Republican just seem to be getting more aggressive in attacking any suggestion that their views are harmful. Times like this have happened here and in other nations across history, but man, nothing I read or study about it ever seems less than grim 😢
Awesome work, as always. I particularly like the Disinformation Bubble.
I'd been following the election from afar here in UK, and had been convinced that the result would have been way, way closer - and different. Sending strength. x
Thanks, Rebecca. I so appreciate the support.
I feel you, as does half the country in differing degrees. The only thing we can do now is find solace in creativity and be as awake at the wheel as possible. Thank you for sharing the collages. They are wonderful!
Thank you, Juliette. I appreciate your words of support. Let’s all lean on our creativity to help get us through the next 4 years.
I am with you, Stella. It seems like we had similar experiences. I went to be early as well and went on a walk in the morning.
I love your creations, especially the collages. They are so good!
Honestly, I have nothing more to say, except carry on creating and we have to stick together, if only on Substack. Sending love!
Thanks, Manuela! I appreciate it. Yes, the communities we’re building here on Substack are a bright spot. Let’s keep on creating— keep on inspiring!
I appreciate how you expressed your feelings through photographs and collages. Fascinating. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you for letting me know, Geoffrey! Much appreciated.
Thank you so much, Stella, and loads of love and hugs to you! My wife and I moved from the Seattle area to Sicily/Scotland this year (we're based in Sicily, but have mostly been in Scotland). I mention that because in talking to the locals I realized something: American politics is quite literally Reality TV for the world. They, largely, simultaneously think we're bonkers for electing Trump, and are addicted to the drama of it all. I'm painting a broad brush here I know, that's the general impression I've gotten though. More importantly, the notion that we're the world's soap opera, shed light for me on what's going on in our country. Does that makes sense? Thank you for sharing, and for being you. I love your art!
Thanks for chiming in, Dr. Lang. Welcome to Sundays with Stella! I’m glad to know you enjoyed the collages. If there’s one thing this president elect has mastered is to create reality TV and for the next four years, has the attention of a worldwide audience. Sigh… I don’t even know what to say. Stay dry over there in Scotland. I think they call it “dreich” to describe winter. Thank you for joining this creative journey with me!
You're very welcome, Stella (and please feel free to call me "Lang" :) I hear you on not knowing what to say! :( It's been amazingly dry the last few weeks here, which we're quite enjoying. Then next week we head back to Sicily. Blessings. 🫶🏽