As I finish dinner on the stove - Hoppin' John (which I make only this night of the year) served over rice with slow-braised mustard greens and vegan quesadillas on corn tortillas - I offer up this vision for the future of this space.
I wrote today (on my new blog for my business) my top 2021 accomplishments as a Creative entrepreneur. I am proud of the vision I have, the goals I set - and my follow through on every damn thing. I have proven without a doubt that it's possible for an artist to create a living wage artpreneurship while:
1. balancing life (not overworking);
2. retaining full artistic control of my content;
3. eschewing ads and affiliateships/corporate sponsorship; and
4. paying it forward meaningfully through powerful mutual aid programs, donations, and gifts
This particular BMC space - where you are reading, right now - is much less about my business and much more my personal writings, social commentary, and - well, trying to have a little fun now and then. And yes since my spring launch I've written some fun stuff ("Midnight Mass" was a bust, we said goodbye to my favorite Bond, "Montero" still slaps, as does my red beans and rice recipe) - but this year's content was a bit subsumed by a wretchedly poor social response to my coming out. Things weren't all roses, there.
But even during these painful experiences - in my classic form - I wrote some fantastic pieces that have helped others ("Take Special Care WIth Names And Pronouns This Holiday Season" and "We Must Do Better By Our Trans Children And Teens") as well as a few heartbreaking, personal expository essays ( "People Talk Shit About Me For Being Nonbinary", "I Ended A Relationship Yesterday").
And who can forget my surprise medical trauma this fall, which spawned one of my best pieces this year: ("How To Help Your Friend Living Through Trauma").
I'm enjoying writing with intention and commitment, and I hope you are finding my works helpful.
It has always been my design to:
1. write honestly and without artifice;
2. write something that might emotionally move you - or better yet, encourage and help you; and
3. write something joyous now and then because life still has a lot to be enjoyed!
I want to thank you for sticking with me throughout this process. In 2022 I am hoping to increase my subscription earnings which I can then transform into many more beautiful things: corporeal fashion pieces and gifts, programs that offer love and sustenance, and social writings to help transform the world into a better place - or at least ease the suffering of sentient beings.
I know I'm worth support, and I know my work is valuable. Every single comment, reply email, every donation and especially every new and faithful Member, means more than I can say.
I love you all, and thank you. From the bottom of my heart: Thank you.
Kelly
