WORLD ON FIRE, STILL MAKING ART ANYWAY

ahem! 

Pardon the dust. I know it’s been real quiet on this side since getting back from Puerto Rico. But I’m finally coming up for air after wrapping my last studio event of the month, meeting all my deadlines, texting everybody back (miracles do happen), and even calling my parents. It finally feels like I can slip back into a “normal” groove — so let’s catch up!

Since being back from Puerto Rico, I’ve:

1. Hosted an intimate convo at my studio with independent art curator + PROCESSA founder, Kiara Cristina Ventura, and Karen Vidangos, Senior Social Media Director at The Met.

2. Went to a MUSE dinner with Foot Locker and Nike.

3. Took my mom to a museum for the first time in 30 years (!!).

4. Painted a mural (more on that later).

5. Hosted a live Bad Bunny watch party in the studio.

6. Ate my body weight at Pot Luck NYC with Kids of Immigrants

   (holy sh*t, 10/10 recommend).

7. Co-hosted LIGHT IN THE MAKING with my girl Josie the Artist.
   

Now… let’s address the obvious: the world is absolutely on fire.

No cute way to say it. If you’re new here, hi! I don’t sugarcoat. Yet every screen and every corner feels like another dumpster fire, and yet, somehow, I still have to decide what’s for dinner.

I’ll be honest because of it all, my creative output this Summer took a nosedive. If it wasn’t for brand projects, I sometimes wouldn’t even bother creating just for me. Joyful, release-type creating started to feel tedious. And that’s when I knew I had to take a half-step back. Not to quit, but to give space to the parts of me that needed tending.

so what now?

My second solo art show is happening this December (!!) as part of my residency with Industry City and I’ve officially entered full art show mode.

I’ve realized the only way to push through after this Summer is to reset my own rules: realistic, flexible parameters that get me back into the studio at least 5 days a week. Because, ya know… I have to whip up 10–12 pieces by the end of November.

So here I am, typing this on day 2 of 5 from the studio; eager, slightly panicked, but very ready. To keep myself accountable (and maybe to entertain you), I’ve started a daily TikTok series where I’m documenting the whole messy, exciting process up until show day.

If you want to ride this wave with me, I’d love to have you along for the ride.

Now before we kick off this week, I want to leave you with what I’ve realized over the past few months: stepping away from certain obligations, whether it's social, life or career, doesn’t mean you’ve failed nor does it erase your progress.

Life will throw its chaos at you, deadlines will pile up, and the world will feel heavy but your creativity is still yours and how you show up to it matters. The key isn’t forcing yourself to produce; consistency isn't always about quantity but action.

It’s proving to yourself, even in small ways, and letting your practice be a refuge. So friend, dust off the hiatus, revisit your goals, and create in a way that nourishes you. Your creative comeback doesn’t have to be loud or immediate it just has to start with the choice to begin again.