A modern fable on learning to let go... I’m done chasing ephemeral engagement dictated by algorithms that seem designed to disrupt connection. In a year of hard truths, I have come to appreciate and cherish my Substack community that invites me into their precious life, that chooses to slow down and spend some time with me exploring the abundance and generosity of nature.
Letting go is as much a daily practice as are your color studies. I, too, have come to recognize that chasing engagement in an environment ruled by algorithms is a fool's game. Keep making your art, living your truth, and sharing yourself in whatever way best serves you. Your community will find you and will gather around to support you. New doors will continue to open. Walk through them..
I savor your substack with my morning coffee, and appreciate it so much. Yes, I love instagram too, I am so sorry that your content was taken. That is a loss. Thank you for sharing the good, the bad, and the color.
I am so sorry for what happened to you and your work on Instagram. Losing your work like that is like losing a limb or a loved one. But I'm glad you washed up on this shore, because it meant I found you again. Not in a creepy way, of course. Ha Ha! I know a lot about loss and some days it feels like I'm still digging out the hole that opened up in 2008. But that loss led me to pandas and new friends and trying new things.
The end of a year always makes me melancholy as well as hopeful. Not really sure what this next year holds in store for us. But it will be better for having friends to reach across the webs that connect us.
Such a wonderfully candid post about your journey this past year and letting go. I too participated in a solstice bonfire of burning papers . . . letting go of things that no longer serve. It was cathartic and energizing. Here's to connecting with color and each other in the New Year.
It is a heartbreak to learn about this loss for you, and for all of us who follow you. However, your intention to let that loss go and let yourself be open to whatever is next is a beautiful choice. For myself, that’s the direction I need to take for the future, as we carry on with the unknown. Your color studies and your beautiful book have been a major inspiration for me and no one can take that away. Will look forward to following you on Substack and I too am grateful for your presence here. Thank you and wishing you and yours the very best possible new year. We will carry on with the practice of noticing and seeing color in the special way you’ve shared with us. 🙏🏻💕
Sorry for your loss. I enjoyed your instagram account before your daily practice. Just focus on what feels good and do what joy want to do. Answers don’t have to appear immediately. Happy New year!
Happy New Year. Some of the best advice I heard last year was to STOP doing what you don’t like. Recently someone flipped the equation to spend more time doing what you love. Onward💛
I love your color stories and treasure your book which I have recently shared with my class of 25 seniors as we delve into the realm of mixed media. At 78, I am the oldest senior in the group and the one that insists on learning something new every day--this is a part of my being. Like you with your daily practice, I strive to find something in this beautiful world to investigate and cherish.
I have found, however, that I too am at a loss most days as I see our country grimly changing in a way that I never expected with the appointment of a criminal for president. My TV has been silenced and still the behavior of this devious one comes through somehow just like the hacker that invaded your privacy. I hope that I too can find a way up from the doldrums that have blanketed our country. Chin up, dear one, and to those of us seeking joy as we must go on.
dear one, thank you so very much for your kind words. Yes, the world is a dark place at first glance (and second and third) If I don't turn away from the hose of angry, misogynistic white men who abuse their power, it's easy to get sucked down with them. But there is light in the world -- in people like you. And to my everlasting delight, light energizes color. xo Lorene
Thank you for persevering . Patience , Kindness and Tolerance are my guides in the coming months . Letting go of old hurts and frustrations and grievances . Creating room for the new trials and tribulations that will come in the new year, along with joy , friendship and discovery. All the best to you and yours and your newest miracle to be 😘🇨🇦🍁
Dearest Barb, I love it that you acknowledge the worthiness of letting go of hurt and frustration while also accepting that there will always be more of the same — along with the possibility of great joy and deep love.
I felt this, I understand what it feels like to have your work stolen from you. These feelings going forward will ebb & flow often striking you when you least expect it bringing the less than needed band aid effect for the PTSD. It sounds like such a beautiful thing that you & others created only to be snatched away by those who have no understanding of such things, the worst. In the spirit of the watercolors may their blends, color & transmutable shapes give you solace going forward. All knowing that you will continue to create a new with even more colors. I enjoy your writing also & feel the color within your words. 💞
Yes, I understand and whether loss is in the form of a loved one, a new awareness of recuperation from a fracture, or just realizing nothing happens unless we step out and try! I too have learned life is better when I am active , in purpose, in collaboration for justice ( humanitarian global style) , and also reaching out to children!
Dear Lorene, Happy New Year's Eve. I love how you have shared your love for colour and nature with us here. I don't know when I first fell in love with your colour swatches. I remember it wasn't long after your dear Dad passed. At one point I remember leaving a comment saying you should create a book. You can't imagine how absolutely thrilled I was when you did just that. I have 3 copies and have bought a couple to give to other lovers of colour. Thank you for taking the time and dedicating yourself to share these gems with us. May you have a wonderful new year following your heart. I hope to keep following you wherever you may decide to lead us!
I will be here for you on Substack, and the heck with those nasty algorithms. I am so very sorry for what you have been through, and I know, as someone who is trying to make some income from this kind of stuff, that it is devastating to have the kind of loss you had. I can only hope there was ultimately a good reason for it and that you can leave that portion (instagram) behind and open up new doors. Your color brings so much to all of our lives. Thank you Lorene
Letting go is as much a daily practice as are your color studies. I, too, have come to recognize that chasing engagement in an environment ruled by algorithms is a fool's game. Keep making your art, living your truth, and sharing yourself in whatever way best serves you. Your community will find you and will gather around to support you. New doors will continue to open. Walk through them..
Wishing you all the best in the year to come.
Dear Sandi,
Here’s to being found, open doors and the way forward. xo
I savor your substack with my morning coffee, and appreciate it so much. Yes, I love instagram too, I am so sorry that your content was taken. That is a loss. Thank you for sharing the good, the bad, and the color.
Thank you dear one. Here’s to more color
I am so sorry for what happened to you and your work on Instagram. Losing your work like that is like losing a limb or a loved one. But I'm glad you washed up on this shore, because it meant I found you again. Not in a creepy way, of course. Ha Ha! I know a lot about loss and some days it feels like I'm still digging out the hole that opened up in 2008. But that loss led me to pandas and new friends and trying new things.
The end of a year always makes me melancholy as well as hopeful. Not really sure what this next year holds in store for us. But it will be better for having friends to reach across the webs that connect us.
Such a wonderfully candid post about your journey this past year and letting go. I too participated in a solstice bonfire of burning papers . . . letting go of things that no longer serve. It was cathartic and energizing. Here's to connecting with color and each other in the New Year.
Color + Connection = 💛💛💛
It is a heartbreak to learn about this loss for you, and for all of us who follow you. However, your intention to let that loss go and let yourself be open to whatever is next is a beautiful choice. For myself, that’s the direction I need to take for the future, as we carry on with the unknown. Your color studies and your beautiful book have been a major inspiration for me and no one can take that away. Will look forward to following you on Substack and I too am grateful for your presence here. Thank you and wishing you and yours the very best possible new year. We will carry on with the practice of noticing and seeing color in the special way you’ve shared with us. 🙏🏻💕
Letting go is hard -- having let go is freeing!
So very sorry for your loss. I am so grateful you still choose to share your color. It matters so much. Keep going.
Words to live by: keep going🙏🤍
Sorry for your loss. I enjoyed your instagram account before your daily practice. Just focus on what feels good and do what joy want to do. Answers don’t have to appear immediately. Happy New year!
Happy New Year. Some of the best advice I heard last year was to STOP doing what you don’t like. Recently someone flipped the equation to spend more time doing what you love. Onward💛
I love your color stories and treasure your book which I have recently shared with my class of 25 seniors as we delve into the realm of mixed media. At 78, I am the oldest senior in the group and the one that insists on learning something new every day--this is a part of my being. Like you with your daily practice, I strive to find something in this beautiful world to investigate and cherish.
I have found, however, that I too am at a loss most days as I see our country grimly changing in a way that I never expected with the appointment of a criminal for president. My TV has been silenced and still the behavior of this devious one comes through somehow just like the hacker that invaded your privacy. I hope that I too can find a way up from the doldrums that have blanketed our country. Chin up, dear one, and to those of us seeking joy as we must go on.
dear one, thank you so very much for your kind words. Yes, the world is a dark place at first glance (and second and third) If I don't turn away from the hose of angry, misogynistic white men who abuse their power, it's easy to get sucked down with them. But there is light in the world -- in people like you. And to my everlasting delight, light energizes color. xo Lorene
Amen agree
I'm here! I'm here with you my friend. xoxo
happy, healthy, joyous 2025
Ah Teresa -- here's to garden adventures in 2025. xo L
Thank you for persevering . Patience , Kindness and Tolerance are my guides in the coming months . Letting go of old hurts and frustrations and grievances . Creating room for the new trials and tribulations that will come in the new year, along with joy , friendship and discovery. All the best to you and yours and your newest miracle to be 😘🇨🇦🍁
Xx Barb at the farm
Dearest Barb, I love it that you acknowledge the worthiness of letting go of hurt and frustration while also accepting that there will always be more of the same — along with the possibility of great joy and deep love.
You have brought me gently into my own tentative color awareness. I love your flower/watercolor studies and have shared your posts with friends.
Thank you for persevering.
Color is a remarkably gentle guide. Thank you for sharing my colors and making room for my words.
I felt this, I understand what it feels like to have your work stolen from you. These feelings going forward will ebb & flow often striking you when you least expect it bringing the less than needed band aid effect for the PTSD. It sounds like such a beautiful thing that you & others created only to be snatched away by those who have no understanding of such things, the worst. In the spirit of the watercolors may their blends, color & transmutable shapes give you solace going forward. All knowing that you will continue to create a new with even more colors. I enjoy your writing also & feel the color within your words. 💞
Yes, I understand and whether loss is in the form of a loved one, a new awareness of recuperation from a fracture, or just realizing nothing happens unless we step out and try! I too have learned life is better when I am active , in purpose, in collaboration for justice ( humanitarian global style) , and also reaching out to children!
It's not a bad thing to become familiar with loss. It opens our heart to others.
Dear Lorene, Happy New Year's Eve. I love how you have shared your love for colour and nature with us here. I don't know when I first fell in love with your colour swatches. I remember it wasn't long after your dear Dad passed. At one point I remember leaving a comment saying you should create a book. You can't imagine how absolutely thrilled I was when you did just that. I have 3 copies and have bought a couple to give to other lovers of colour. Thank you for taking the time and dedicating yourself to share these gems with us. May you have a wonderful new year following your heart. I hope to keep following you wherever you may decide to lead us!
Oh my Annie, thank you for your constancy and support. Here’s to more colors in the New Year
Your color studies enliven my days and I am so glad YOU’RE here 💚 strong, bright, caring, funny, honest, colorful you….
Likewise dear friend 💚💚💚
I will be here for you on Substack, and the heck with those nasty algorithms. I am so very sorry for what you have been through, and I know, as someone who is trying to make some income from this kind of stuff, that it is devastating to have the kind of loss you had. I can only hope there was ultimately a good reason for it and that you can leave that portion (instagram) behind and open up new doors. Your color brings so much to all of our lives. Thank you Lorene
Dearest Susie, thank you. As always, loss has taught me more than riches ever will. Here’s to the next!