I’m a musician and writer, but so much more than just those things. I play with photography, I engage in kettlebell sport, I work with teenagers at a county library.
I tried to describe what this blog was about years ago here: The Stifled Artist Defines Her Point.
It’s evolved since then. This is a place where I talk about music and writing and modern society, how these things mesh (and don’t). Usually, my posts are pep talks for artists.
It tends not to be settled artists I write for. It’s the disenfranchised, the put-upon, the beaten down. Those that continue in spite of the hardships involved trying to eke out enough money to pay the bills in our current landscape, those who believe in their music or writing or art above most everything else, like I do. Those who would cease to feel alive without it.
I’m currently working on an album, you can hear rough mixes here: http://soundcloud.com/kyrsten-bean/sets
My poems have been published in Gutter Eloquence, PoV Magazine, Amphibi.us, The Delinquent, The Railroad Poetry Project, Breadcrumb Scabs, The Camel Saloon, and quite a few others.
I often showcase work from other creative peeps.
I think only you yourself can decide if you are or you aren’t an artist and whether or not you want to share what you do with others. My own journey has been one of struggle–I’m a sober person and all the time I spent pursuing alcohol and other substances now goes into my art (and working enough to pay the bills).
I’m hoping by sharing my journey, I’ll help you share or discover your own profundity.
Until then, cheers. Stay tuned.
You’ve taken the words right out of my head!
I don’t see a place to follow your blog….
please read mine at rockcitypoet@blogspot.com
Hi there,
I’ve added a link on the front page (scroll to the bottom, on the right) to sign up for email subscription, thanks for your comment and I’ll check out your blog!
I can’t seem to post to your latest blog entry for some reason, it’s driving me nuts!
I’ve often had to struggle with this concept with other writers – the whole work getting in the way of creativity. The whole Finances vs. Time to create struggle – and while one writing buddy of mine pointed out I had not even followed through with National Novel Writing Month whatsoever, I had to point out that unlike them I work a full time job, a part time job, and rely on no one but myself to pay the bills.
It would be glorious to live at home and have my bills paid for while I wrote, like my aforementioned writing friend, I used to think.
But I think writers especially need to experience the struggle, and not just halfway.
Kerouac, while completely lauded – had abandoned his daughter and wife to bum around and create Beat wonders. (His daughter’s bio is pretty sad, and I almost cringe whenever I read it.) Steve Jobs was able to backpack overseas in his youth – I don’t think he did that on his own money, just as Kerouac frequently relied on other folks generosity. I think both either relied on money from others, or possible an upbringing that afforded parents to front the money in Job’s case. I think there’s a delicate line here – a good portion of the people who broke the rules and knew which ones to abide by had a heft leg up on the whole situation. I don’t think I’d be able to afford to backpack across India trippin’ on LSD for seven months like Job’s did, or would shamble around dirty, drunk, and ‘creating’ while my daughter knew I didn’t want her. There has to be a happy medium – something! – and I think your post brushes on that. Some people got it, some people don’t. The rest of us are stumbling blindly though limbo.
Your post is thought provoking, and I’d love to write more, but I’m off to work
I read Jan Kerouac’s autobiography too, and it made me feel disgusted with Jack Kerouac…for the exact same reasons.
It’s funny, I’m glad you mention those things, because I was trying to think of more interesting examples to use and I felt like I couldn’t.
I also don’t know how I feel about Steve Jobs!
I could, and possibly will, write pages in response to your various posts. First of all, I’m glad that you somehow found my blog. Not because I care how many ‘followers’ I have. I’d rather have 10 people who actually ‘get it’ and for some reason care what I’m doing than a 1000 who follow for whatever reasons they have. I’M NOT FOLLOWING YOU BECAUSE YOU’RE FOLLOWING ME!! I only follow about 5 blogs, and yours is the only one that is primarily ‘just someone’s thoughts and feelings’. I’ve read just a few of your posts, and couldn’t ‘skim’ them, and couldn’t stop till I finished them. I’ll be back. Mike
Thanks Mike! I found out about your blog because you “liked” one of my posts. Good way to discover people!
I like your art work.
Thanks, and I consider your writing ‘art’, whatever else you do. What is your name, or don’t you give that out?
M
Glad we found each other! Great blog.
Thank you! There are so many blogs out there, it’s nice to find some genuine articles.
What a nice thing for you to say!
I went searching for interesting blogs the other day and only a handful stuck out, the rest were like personal diaries and apologies for not updating…:)
You have been nominated for the Sunshine Award:
http://patheticwithpotential.wordpress.com/2012/04/13/you-are-my-sunshine-you-make-me-happy-when-skies-are-grey-23/