Better late than never

Where have I been? Where am I going?

I’m writing my first-ever Substack post in a different time zone, far from my usual NYC bubble, with its familiar cacophony and the oppressive warmth of my beloved brownstone apartment. Instead, I’m in snowcapped Snowmass, Colorado, nestled in my family’s condo, relieved to breathe in crisp mountain air and unwind for the week. There’s not much to do here besides ski, eat, sleep, and read (currently Octavia Butler’s Parable of the Talents), but being away helps me zoom out and see my life more clearly.

Both my mind and my skis are racing down those slopes.

Back in New York, I work full-time at an art gallery, which has left me increasingly drained. The years fly by, and I’m stuck with the same struggle: I want to make art, but my overworked, city-girl lifestyle has left little room for the time or headspace to devote to it. If only I’d managed my time better or poured more energy into my own projects instead of everyone else’s — surely I’d have published children’s books, zines, comics, and animations by now.

The constant inner nudge to get back to myself brings me here. This newsletter is my attempt to rediscover my creative voice by sharing new work: I’ll write short stories, illustrate them, and post comics and works in progress, not unlike the daily drawing practice I posted on Instagram years ago. This format feels more intimate in the inbox, more personal than battling algorithms or sending out promotional Mailchimps; I just want to have fun, be less hard on myself, and keep moving toward my larger goals. Better late than never, right?

This is a late bloomer’s desk, my commitment to my artistic goals, where I hope to rediscover my creative voice through storytelling and illustration. If you follow along, I hope you’ll laugh, resonate, and feel inspired with me.