train your eyes to find me beautiful
So... is Instagram Dead?
I’ve got to come back and write about this graffiti at some point - add it to the list!
About 24 hours ago Bec and I hosted an Artful Conversation to discuss the state of the 'gram as a tool for artists. I mean we know IG is far from DEAD in terms of business - they have billions of users and continue to grow and grow and grow.. But for some of us, that initial intimacy has fallen off - Bec likened it to everyone being at the same party but in different rooms. Accurate!
I think my favourite thing about coming together for these Artful Conversations is always that my ideas and feelings around a subject are stretched - I come away looking at things anew and that’s my favourite kind of gift.
During the chat someone asked whether we’d try a new social media instead of IG, and after talking it through I realised that for all it faults, I’d much rather stick with the place I’ve grown such deep roots. Spoiler alert - I do actually like Instagram! And I’m a commitment girlie at heart (that noise you heard was my husband sighing in relief) - I’d rather treasure the good and find ways to change what’s not working. We also discussed how to reframe our relationship with IG so we can use the 'gram without feeling overwhelmed and deadened by it. Plus, perhaps more importantly, we spoke about how to find creative connection, art inspiration and community outside of social media.
It was a subject we could of talked about for hours. We loved the conversation and wanted to share it with you too - so we're releasing the replay for you to watch. We'll keep the link active until midnight this Sunday.
We had some technical hiccups at the start so the juicy stuff begins about 10mins in so we suggest starting there.
Want to dive deeper into Artful Conversations?
At the end of the class we shared a discount code to the Artful Retreat - 3.5 days at a beautiful farmhouse in the Catskills, NY. The Artful Retreat is not a workshop it's a chance to put you and your art first. A chance to try new art practices and a chance to just be. Should we make it a social media free event too ...?! I’m a hell yes!
SAVE $150 with code INEEDTHIS if you book before midnight this Sunday…
On a personal note, I’m about to take off for 10 whole days. Like, literally in 3 hours. Things have been brilliant but busy this summer holidays, and the idea of some time away from work and regular life with little to do is overwhelmingly good. I guess I gotta go pack?
Laters potaters,
Lxx