Each edition of Art On The Stack will highlight artists whose work captures imagination, provokes thought, and reminds us of the power of visual storytelling. Whether you’re here to discover new creators, find inspiration for your own practice, or simply enjoy the beauty of artistic expression, this is your invitation to step into the gallery.

Let’s celebrate the art that shapes our world—one stack at a time.

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Each edition of Art On The Stack will highlight artists whose work captures imagination, provokes thought, and reminds us of the power of visual storytelling. Whether you’re here to discover new creators, find inspiration for your own practice, or simply enjoy the beauty of artistic expression, this is your invitation to step into the gallery.

Let’s celebrate the art that shapes our world—one stack at a time.

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Charisma is not volume.
It is gravity.
A quiet pull that bends rooms, a warmth that enters before language.
This season, we write toward that unseen heat—the flicker behind the eyes,
the confidence that doesn’t announce itself,
the glow that remains after someone has gone.

Welcome to Season Two.
Lean in. The air is listening.

The Poetry Jar — “Charisma”

Dip your hand into the jar. Let chance choose your spark.

• Lumen

• Velvet voice

• Gravity

• Gaze

• Ember-slow

• Resonance

• Gold-spine

• Afterimage

• Soft command

• Pulse

• Hush-light

• Magnetism

• Poise

• Heat without fire

• Familiar stranger

• Unspoken yes

• Crownless

• Radiant pause

(Optional ritual: choose 1 word, or 3. Write without stopping for 7 minutes.)

Three Layered Prompts

Prompt I — The Entrance

Write a poem that begins before the speaker arrives.
Describe the room, the air, the shift—
what changes when charisma is about to cross the threshold.
The speaker may enter late, or not at all.

Focus: anticipation, atmosphere, subtle power.

Prompt II — The Source

Personify charisma as something earned, stolen, or inherited.
Is it a voice learned in childhood?
A scar that taught presence?
A secret tenderness mistaken for strength?

Constraint: Include one line that whispers rather than declares.

Prompt III — The Cost

Write about the moment charisma fails, fades, or is misunderstood.
When magnetism becomes loneliness.
When being seen becomes exposure.

Twist: End with a quiet reclamation—
a softer, truer power returning.

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ARTSTACK: 2026 Creators Season One arrives as an intentional archive of artists and writers who are not simply producing work — they are building language, memory, and future context through it.

This season marks the first official cohort of creators entering the ARTSTACK Creator Directory for 2026. It is not a ranking. It is not a competition. It is a living record.

What Is ARTSTACK?

ARTSTACK is Realm Empire Industries’ evolving creator directory — a curated ecosystem of visual artists, creative writers, and multidisciplinary creatives shaping culture in real time.

It exists to:

• Archive creative voices

• Connect creators to features, exhibitions, publications, and collaborations

• Honor process as much as output

• Build bridges between art, writing, community, and industry

ARTSTACK is not about speed.
It’s about continuity.

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Introducing: 2026 Creators — Season One

Season One represents the foundational layer of ARTSTACK for 2026.

These creators span:

• Visual art (painting, photography, mixed media, digital)

• Creative writing (poetry, essays, fiction, criticism, screenwriting)

• Hybrid practices that refuse clean labels

What unites them is not medium — it’s intent.

Each creator in this season contributes to a broader cultural conversation around identity, memory, futurism, community, and imagination. Their work reflects lived experience, experimentation, and a refusal to create in isolation.

Over the coming weeks, ARTSTACK will spotlight selected creators through:

• Editorial features

• Artist bios & directory placements

• Writing highlights

• Collaborative opportunities

• Invitations into future ARTSTACK programming

A Living Directory, Not a Static List

ARTSTACK is not a one-time feature.

Creators in Season One may be considered for:

• Future exhibitions (virtual & physical)

• Publications and anthologies

• Workshops, talks, and readings

• Collaborations across Realm Empire Industries

• Barter-based opportunities through Realm Bank

Season One is the beginning of a longer creative arc — not the conclusion.

Call for Submissions: Join ARTSTACK

ARTSTACK is now accepting Creator Directory submissions for 2026.

This call is open to:

• Visual artists

• Creative writers (poetry, fiction, essays, screenwriting, criticism)

• Multidisciplinary and hybrid creators

Submission does not guarantee immediate feature placement, but it places you within the ARTSTACK ecosystem for future opportunities, collaborations, and programming.

Creators selected for the directory may be contacted for:

• ARTSTACK editorials & spotlights

• Exhibitions & showcases

• Publications & readings

• Workshops, panels, and collaborations

Submissions are rolling
Open to creators at all stages
Directory-focused, not competition-based

APPLY HERE

For Creators Still Watching from the Doorway

You do not need to be finished.
You do not need to be visible everywhere.
You do need to be intentional about your practice.

If you are building work rooted in clarity, curiosity, and cultural awareness — ARTSTACK was built with you in mind.

The Season Ahead

2026 is a year of structure, stewardship, and creative accountability across the Realm. ARTSTACK stands as a reminder that art does not need to justify its existence — but it does deserve thoughtful systems that protect and amplify it.

Season One is here.

We’re honored to build this archive together.

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What started as a space to show the work is becoming a space that shapes the work, contextualizes it, and preserves it. As we step into 2026, ArtStack is no longer operating in survival mode or experimentation-for-experiment’s-sake. We are building systems. We are building seasons. And most importantly, we are building legacy.

This is a transparent look at what worked, what didn’t, and how ArtStack is evolving — structurally, culturally, and creatively.

What Worked in 2025: Visibility & Creative Proof

2025 proved one thing beyond doubt: the artists showed up.

ArtStack became a place where:

• Visual artists could be seen without dilution

• Poets could share work without chasing trends

• Multidisciplinary creators could exist without explanation

We successfully showcased:

• Independent artists

• Poets and writers

• Experimental and emerging voices

• Work that didn’t fit neatly into algorithm-friendly boxes

The proof of concept worked. The creativity was never the issue. The community wasn’t the issue. The talent was never in question.

ArtStack did exactly what it was meant to do in its early phase: hold space.

What Didn’t Work in 2025: Infrastructure & Cultural Weight

Here’s the truth — and it’s said with clarity, not bitterness.

What didn’t work was the absence of curatorial power.

Not because curators don’t exist — but because too often, platforms like this are not taken seriously until someone with institutional language steps in. We felt that gap. We lived it.

• A lack of dedicated art curators

• A lack of critical framing

• A lack of external validation from systems that prioritize gatekeepers

And instead of continuing to ask to be taken seriously, we chose a different route.

A Structural Shift: ArtStack Joins the Realm Empire Industries Barter System

ArtStack is no longer asking for help.

We are now officially operating within the REI Barter System, which means:

• Curators are hired, not begged

• Labor is valued, not volunteered

• Creative leadership is compensated, not symbolic

This also marks an important expansion:
ArtStack is curator-led, artist-centered, and ally-inclusive.

We are intentionally hiring:

• Curators of color

• Cultural historians

• Writers and thinkers with lived experience

And yes — this is also a space for allies (non–people of color) who take the role of cultural stewardship seriously and are committed to ethical, informed curation.

This isn’t about exclusion.
It’s about responsibility.

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Why Seasons Matter

ArtStack is now officially broken into seasons.

Why? Because creativity is cyclical. Because burnout is real. Because archives matter. And because intentional pacing allows deeper work.

Each season has a focus, a rhythm, and a clear output. No more scatter. No more guessing.

Season One: The Art Pit

This is where we dig.

Focus:

• Updating and expanding the ArtStack directory

• Organizing submissions with clarity

• Re-centering discovery

Key Elements:

• A refreshed artist directory

• Reclassification of mediums and practices

• The Poetry Haul — a dedicated poetry intake and showcase

Season One is about foundation, excavation, and making sure the work is findable.

Season Two: Art History & Society

This season zooms out.

Art does not exist in a vacuum — and neither should ArtStack.

Focus:

• Critical essays

• Cultural analysis

• Historical context

• Art as a social mirror

Key Elements:

• Long-form essays connecting art to society

• Artist-led and curator-led writing

• Creative and intellectual challenges that push engagement

This is where ArtStack sharpens its voice — not just as a platform, but as a thought space.

Season Three: Art On The Stack

This is the showcase era.

Focus:

• Features

• Curated collections

• Spotlighted bodies of work

Key Elements:

• Artist features

• Thematic art collections

• Dedicated poetry features

• Curator-written framing and interpretation

Season Three is where the archive becomes exhibition.

What ArtStack Is Becoming

ArtStack is evolving from:

a place to post work
into
a curated cultural archive with intention

We are no longer operating on urgency — we’re operating on vision.

This shift means:

• Slower, better releases

• Clearer standards

• More respect for creative labor

• Deeper collaboration between artists and curators

And most importantly — it means artists are no longer shouting into the void.

Looking Toward 2026

2026 is not about growth for growth’s sake.
It’s about depth, sustainability, and care.

ArtStack is:

• Seasonal

• Curated

• Compensated

• Community-rooted

If you are an artist: this is a space built to hold your work properly.
If you are a curator: this is a space built to value your mind and labor.
If you are an ally: this is a space that asks for accountability, not aesthetics.

We’re not asking anymore.

We’re building.

—
ArtStack
A Platform

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Each edition of Art On The Stack will highlight artists whose work captures imagination, provokes thought, and reminds us of the power of visual storytelling. Whether you’re here to discover new creators, find inspiration for your own practice, or simply enjoy the beauty of artistic expression, this is your invitation to step into the gallery.

Let’s celebrate the art that shapes our world—one stack at a time.

Subscribe now

Share ARTSTACK

Each edition of Art On The Stack will highlight artists whose work captures imagination, provokes thought, and reminds us of the power of visual storytelling. Whether you’re here to discover new creators, find inspiration for your own practice, or simply enjoy the beauty of artistic expression, this is your invitation to step into the gallery.

Let’s celebrate the art that shapes our world—one stack at a time.

Subscribe now

Share ARTSTACK

Each edition of Art On The Stack will highlight artists whose work captures imagination, provokes thought, and reminds us of the power of visual storytelling. Whether you’re here to discover new creators, find inspiration for your own practice, or simply enjoy the beauty of artistic expression, this is your invitation to step into the gallery.

Let’s celebrate the art that shapes our world—one stack at a time.

Prudence Brooks

THERAPY SUCKS AND IT'S PROBABLY MY FAULT

to my patient therapist…

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9 months ago · 10 likes · Prudence Brooks

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Welcome to the eighth edition of ART Times, our ongoing series where we celebrate the rich tapestry of artists sharing their voices, visions, and creative practices on Substack. Each installment explores the unique ways creators express themselves, build community, and challenge what art can be.

In this edition, we’re diving into five incredible newsletters that represent the vibrant energy flowing through Substack’s creative ecosystem. From experimental art spaces to playful science-inspired creations, from visual storytelling to sensory exploration, these artists remind us why the ARTSTACK community exists: to connect, inspire, and amplify diverse perspectives.

1. Athena Creative – Returning to CSPACE for a Group Art Show

🔗 Read the full newsletter →

’s latest newsletter takes us inside CSPACE, a dynamic hub for collaborative exhibitions, and chronicles the journey of returning to an art space filled with experimentation and collective expression.

In their piece, Athena reflects on what it means to share space with other artists — to create side by side, to witness each other’s processes, and to embrace the unpredictable energy that emerges when multiple visions collide. It’s not just about showcasing finished work; it’s about being part of a living, breathing conversation about creativity.

2. Michele Banks – Art’s About to Pop

🔗 Read the full newsletter →

If science and art had a love child, it would be . Known for turning microscopic details into vibrant, eye-popping creations, Michele’s latest newsletter, Art’s About to Pop, celebrates the whimsical beauty of biology and chemistry through art.

Here, the everyday becomes extraordinary. Patterns inspired by cells, neurons, and molecular structures come alive in bursts of color and energy. Michele reminds us that science isn’t cold or clinical — it’s teeming with stories, shapes, and unexpected magic.

This issue also invites readers into the playful side of creation. The tone is light yet profound, exploring how inspiration can come from the tiniest corners of existence — a theme many artists in the ARTSTACK community can relate to. It’s a perfect reminder that creativity often thrives when we zoom in rather than out.

What resonates most is Athena’s focus on reconnection: reconnecting with art, with collaborators, and with the physical spaces that bring ideas to life. In an increasingly digital world, their story reminds us of the importance of gathering, sharing, and creating together.

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3. – Named After the Most Precious Spice

🔗 Read the full newsletter →

Coloricombo’s newsletter is a sensory feast — a celebration of color, memory, and meaning. In Named After the Most Precious Spice, they explore the cultural and emotional weight of color, using saffron as a narrative thread.

This isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s about storytelling through hue. weaves together personal memories, global histories, and visual symbolism, crafting an essay that feels both intimate and expansive. Each sentence reads like brushstrokes on a canvas, inviting us to consider how colors shape identity and belonging.

For artists in our community, this newsletter is a masterclass in how to translate visual ideas into narrative form. It proves that behind every artwork lies a deeper dialogue — one between past and present, self and society, perception and meaning.

4. Shia Lynn Art – How to Turn Your Morning Walk Into an Art Practice

🔗 Read the full newsletter →

Creativity doesn’t always begin in the studio — sometimes, it begins on the sidewalk. In this thoughtful newsletter, invites us to see the world differently by transforming something as ordinary as a morning walk into an intentional art practice.

From observing patterns in shadows to capturing fleeting sounds, this piece encourages readers to become active participants in their surroundings. The city becomes a sketchbook; the neighborhood, a gallery. It’s about slowing down, noticing details, and letting inspiration find you rather than forcing it.

For anyone struggling with creative block, this newsletter is a gentle reminder: art isn’t separate from life. It is life. All we need to do is pay attention.

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5. Serious as Your Life – Coverack to Black Head

🔗 Read the full newsletter →

In Coverack to Black Head, takes us on a stunning journey along the Cornish coastline, where land, sea, and memory converge. Through poetic prose and vivid imagery, the newsletter captures both the serenity and the wildness of nature.

This isn’t just a travelogue; it’s a meditation on movement — across landscapes, across time, across inner terrains. There’s a sense of pilgrimage here, a quiet invitation to let the rhythm of waves and tides mirror the rhythm of thought.

Serious as Your Life reminds us that sometimes, art begins with immersion: stepping outside ourselves, wandering unfamiliar paths, and letting the world reshape us.

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T I M E L E S S - A R T - OF - THE - DAY

P O E M - OF - THE - DAY

Hannah Elizabeth

She’s Happier Now

Look at her now…

Read more

9 months ago · 4 likes · 2 comments · Hannah Elizabeth

Why This Series Matters

“ART Times” is more than a roundup — it’s a recognition. Artists on Substack aren’t just newsletter writers. They’re architects of emotional landscapes, creators of new mythologies, and builders of beautiful little sanctuaries in a digital world.

Each of the featured artists in this edition reminds us that creativity comes in many forms and that storytelling, whether visual or verbal, is the glue that binds us as a community. Whether you came for poetic transformation, dreamy illustrations, punk energy, or spiritual calm — you’ve seen the soul of what artists are creating right now, in real time, across Substack.

This is what ARTSTACK is all about honoring the many ways art shows up in life, and celebrating the creators brave enough to share it

-

The Creative Visionary

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Each edition of Art On The Stack will highlight artists whose work captures imagination, provokes thought, and reminds us of the power of visual storytelling. Whether you’re here to discover new creators, find inspiration for your own practice, or simply enjoy the beauty of artistic expression, this is your invitation to step into the gallery.

Let’s celebrate the art that shapes our world—one stack at a time.

Subscribe now

Share ARTSTACK

Each edition of Art On The Stack will highlight artists whose work captures imagination, provokes thought, and reminds us of the power of visual storytelling. Whether you’re here to discover new creators, find inspiration for your own practice, or simply enjoy the beauty of artistic expression, this is your invitation to step into the gallery.

Let’s celebrate the art that shapes our world—one stack at a time.

Subscribe now

We’re switching it up, poets.

For Week 13 of The Poetry Haul, we’re stepping into a new realm: sound-inspired poetry. Instead of the usual list of words, you’ll be drawing your energy, rhythm, and vision from a sound clip.

🎶 Your prompt:

Teezo Touchdown - UUHH (Instrumental)

Let the beat speak. Let the silence fill in your stanzas. Let the bass drop your metaphors.

Use the instrumental as a launching pad—does it make you think of a memory? A person? A movement? A landscape? A protest? A whisper? A scream?

This is your moment to feel the poem before you write it.

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Your challenge:

🖋️ Write a poem inspired by Teezo Touchdown - UUHH (Instrumental).
🎧 Include a 30-second audio clip (of the instrumental, your voice, or other relevant sounds) in your post on Substack.
🗣️ Optional: Record yourself reading your poem out loud and include that audio too. Give your words voice.
📬 Tag your post with #ThePoetryHaul and let the community find you.

• Share it with us by [posting directly on Substack with #artstackpoets] and tag us ARTSTACK please remember to type @ with our name and click our account. From there our account should be highlighted.

• Share your poem in the comments or in our online art center (tag #ThePoetryHaul so we can find it!).

• Engage with other poets—this is about community, connection, and expression.

Need help with adding audio?
You can use sites like AudioMass or MP3Cut to trim audio clips and embed them into your post. Substack allows simple audio embeds in posts (just upload like an image or drag and drop).

Submission Deadline:
4/23 at 11:59 PM (your time zone).

We’ll feature a few standouts in next week’s recap and yes, we’re listening this time.

Never Enough Time

Never enough time

But so much time in my past

An age far down the road

How to make minutes last

In this state

At this date

Fast rate

But never too late

To try something new

Not a duplicate

Of previous fate

But a new way

To see

Feel

Learn

No time

No time to burn

Slowing down the moment

To feel

See

Be

Hear-

Here

Never enough time

But I know that this moment

Means everything

Dishwater

by

I love the way you pour your soul onto paper, like discarded dishwater.

Bits and pieces left to be sifted through—

some identifiable,

some no longer fitting into the lines for which they were created.

A puddle of music,

a wash of color,

a deconstruction of your life—

pieces lingering on the abyss,

waiting for new meaning.

Pieces once lifted to the highest stature,

now drenched and lying on the dirt.

Each beautiful and meaningful in its own way.

Nobody, not even you, gets to define your life.

Read the remnants like tea leaves,

and let rain wash the rest away.

We live in an age when we duplicate the duplicate as we lust for something new in a duplicitous spiral of self infatuation

Six times removed and long since past a time of trying to understand

Living in a personal microcosm while consuming a tasteless microwave dinner

Plastic food and reality TV are the consummate evening fare and fertile ground for finding future leaders as we fumble forward hell bent on the consummation of our own destruction

Backing the backward speakers and letting blatant mistruths rule the day

The devolution of a people involved in the vehement veneration of the vile while valuing vice

Bowing to those who never state the truth as the state of humanity dissolves into a state of chaos and disrepair

When avarice becomes the reigning religion retribution will most assuredly rain down

A leveling brought about by our own hand, not some vengeful god

And all those who failed to see their own self importance and rampant wantoness will be the first to cry,

"What did I ever do to deserve this?"

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In this edition, we explore four incredibly distinct newsletters — each offering a glimpse into the inner world of its creator. From soulful lyricism and whimsical illustrations to soft prayers and psychedelic reflections, this issue is a full-spectrum journey of creativity, introspection, and connection.

Carlos Jackal — A Butterfly’s Soul

’s recent post, A Butterfly’s Soul, is a stunning blend of poetic thought and philosophical musing that captures the ephemeral nature of transformation. There’s a rhythm to Jackal’s writing that feels both spontaneous and spiritual — like a song remembered from a dream.

Through layered metaphors and soulful reflection, Jackal asks the reader to contemplate their metamorphosis. What are we shedding? What do we carry unknowingly? This newsletter doesn’t just speak to artists; it speaks to anyone on a path of reinvention, gently reminding us that transformation often comes with both beauty and ache.

“The butterfly, in its final form, does not recall the leaf it once crawled on. And yet, somehow, it knows it belonged there.”

Carlos Jackal is a writer to watch. His newsletter feels like a slow exhale — poetic, probing, and always leading us toward a deeper kind of clarity.

Weronika Salach — How I Got Into Children’s Book Illustration

There’s something magical about stepping into the world of children’s book illustration, and gives us a front-row seat in her post How I Got Into Children’s Book Illustration. Her story unfolds like a picture book itself — warm, personal, and quietly bold.

Weronika doesn’t just talk about drawing; she talks about the emotional resonance of childhood, the importance of visual storytelling, and how imagination is a lifelong companion. Her honesty about creative blocks, self-doubt, and perseverance feels like a balm for any artist navigating the long road between dream and publication.

Accompanied by examples of her whimsical art style and thoughtful reflection, this post offers insight into the technical and emotional work behind illustration. It’s a delightful read for illustrators, aspiring artists, and anyone who still believes in the magic of storybooks.

“The picture doesn’t have to be perfect. It just has to speak to the child in you.”

The Mazist — The Phantom Zone (Potent with Lyrics)

Step into the surreal with The Mazist’s latest piece, The Phantom Zone (Potent with Lyrics) — a mind-bending, multimedia post that fuses poetry, sound, and visual storytelling into something unforgettable. This is what happens when an artist invites you to a world they’ve built entirely from scratch.

Reading work feels like stepping into a metaphysical mixtape. His post is packed with layered lyrics, haunting vibes, and thought-provoking observations on existence, identity, and creativity. It’s punk rock poetry, philosophy in a hoodie — rebellious, weird, and sincere.

What makes this post stand out is its sonic edge. The embedded lyrics aren’t just text — they’re alive. You can feel the rhythm, the pulse, the tension. It’s art that asks to be felt, not just seen or read.

“In the Phantom Zone, we meet ourselves — unfiltered, untamed. The echo becomes a mirror.”

Karina — Loving-Kindness Prayer for the Quiet

Sometimes, the most profound art is found in stillness — and that’s exactly what offers in Loving-Kindness Prayer for the Quiet. This post is a meditative, heart-opening piece that feels like a spiritual reset for anyone overwhelmed by the noise of the world.

Written with tenderness and clarity, the post offers a simple but powerful practice of self-compassion and reflection. Whether you're an artist, a parent, a caregiver, or simply a seeker of calm, this prayer reaches out and holds space for the quiet moments in between chaos.

What stands out is the accessibility. This isn’t lofty or distant. It’s grounded, real, and deeply needed. A reminder that healing, creativity, and presence often begin with micro-movements — with stillness, breath, and intention.

“Let the quiet in. Let it do what it came to do.”

T I M E L E S S - A R T - OF - THE - DAY

P O E M - OF - THE - DAY

anonymously SLAM

EMBRACING CHANGE (2025)

Read more

a year ago · 14 likes · 2 comments · SLAM

Why This Series Matters

“ART Times” is more than a roundup — it’s a recognition. Artists on Substack aren’t just newsletter writers. They’re architects of emotional landscapes, creators of new mythologies, and builders of beautiful little sanctuaries in a digital world.

Each of the featured artists in this edition reminds us that creativity comes in many forms and that storytelling, whether visual or verbal, is the glue that binds us as a community. Whether you came for poetic transformation, dreamy illustrations, punk energy, or spiritual calm — you’ve seen the soul of what artists are creating right now, in real time, across Substack.

This is what ARTSTACK is all about honoring the many ways art shows up in life, and celebrating the creators brave enough to share it

-

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Week 12’s Words:

never, lust, dinner, duplicate, age, six, time, past, state, rain

Can you feel the weight of time in these words? Do they pull you toward nostalgia, passion, or reflection? Maybe they hint at a storm brewing—both literal and emotional. Let your imagination take over and craft something uniquely yours.

How to participate:

• Write a poem using some or all of the words.

• Share it with us by [posting directly on Substack with #artstackpoets] and tag us ARTSTACK please remember to type @ with our name and click our account. From there our account should be highlighted.

• Share your poem in the comments or in our online art center (tag #ThePoetryHaul so we can find it!).

• Engage with other poets—this is about community, connection, and expression.

Need inspiration? Try crafting a poem based on a theme—mystery, dreams, or even a journey through time. There are no rules, only exploration.

Georgia,

.

A vector for remembrance.

.

Between you and me…

.

The memories come to life.

.

Slow and easy.

.

Get ready to jump.

.

In five, four, three, two, one.

~JR🖤

Title: In Remembrance

•

The devil didn’t stay in

Georgia. He ignited his

interests like five fires

•

come to life. Like the

orator that dies in his

ideas. Like the you

•

between the I, crying-

come here, come easy.

Come clean. The vector

•

and his incursion. Run

the room, jump the gun.

Kill the crowd. Soothe

•

your secrets, soothe

their souls. Soothe

yourself. Feed the pathos

•

in each.

Instinctual.

Animal.

•

Words used: jump, easy, Georgia, remembrance, vector, five, between, you, come, life

@artstack #ThePoetryHaul

Bigmouth Strikes Again

Things can be Easy

I've been meaning to do the poetry challenge by ARTSTACK but I keep forgetting to create a poem. I thought I would do it once I saw the post. I even got my kids to write their own poem. Each week they give you ten words, you can choose to use all the words or some of the words in your poem. #artstackpoets #kidpoets #poetrychallenge #poems #cutepoems #poetryrock…

Read more

a year ago · 3 likes · Jennifer Phillips

A Gogyohka:

"How easy

the remembrance of you

coming and going

between

here and there."

It’s the small things that ground me in life these days and I’m grateful I stumbled on this weekly moment to take a breath and play with words. Thank you!

And now. . .

Small

Again

Feeling all of five years and ten

Playing the “Georgia Peach” of papa’s label

So easy to jump between who I could have been and the life his words made of me

A vector of remembrance

Which never leaves

Much like you

Staring at someone you think you know

Loving the sweet thick dripping

A bit too obsessively

From my Georgian lips

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Every artist’s name carries weight, but MIME’s moniker feels almost spiritual. “The creation of the name MIME came to me one day when I simply asked the universe for help,” MIME explains. Before sharing their art on Substack, MIME was on a quest to define their voice, experimenting with different platforms and mediums. Their early work revolved around manifestation, self-expression, and movement.

“A mime uses their body to create visuals or the illusion of a visual,” they continue. “As an artist, I use different mediums to create worlds and express the ideas that matter to me. When you read one of my poems or listen to one of my instrumentals, know that it is me completely uncensored. I’m inviting the viewer/listener into my world.”

MIME’s influences range from electronic pioneers to hip-hop visionaries, forming a complex sonic palette that defies easy categorization. At the top of their list is Flying Lotus. “I remember sitting in a friend’s house about to watch The Boondocks when it was first airing. Adult Swim had these ‘bumps’—little musical interludes before the show started. Flying Lotus was featured, and when I heard Massage Situation, it blew my mind.”

It was a revelation. “Even though there were no words, it still felt like the song was talking to me. I sensed that FlyLo was trying to say something with that instrumental or maybe just creating another world for the listener. Either way, I was inspired.”

Nujabes is another cornerstone in MIME’s musical DNA. The late Japanese producer, known for blending jazz and hip-hop into dreamlike soundscapes, left a lasting impact. MIME also credits Björk for expanding their understanding of experimental music. “When I first listened to Hunter, I thought, ‘This is wild and off-beat!’ But my friend told me to keep listening. Eventually, it all clicked.”

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Like any dedicated artist, MIME’s music has undergone significant transformation. Their early works were raw, exploratory, and deeply personal. “When I first began creating music in high school, it was ‘experimental’ to say the least,” MIME laughs. “But I had a vision of where I wanted the music to go.”

MIME’s growth as an artist coincided with a changing industry. “This was at a time when streaming wasn’t king, and music consumption was different. Finding fresh new artists was like searching for a diamond! When you found one, you absorbed it completely.”

As their sound evolved, MIME found a balance between atmospheric pads, intricate drum patterns, and haunting samples. “Learning to blend my love for pads and atmosphere with gorgeous samples sent me in a completely different direction.”

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For MIME, creativity isn’t something that can be scheduled—it is a continuous process. “I carry a notebook everywhere I go. If I forget it, my notes app is always ready. So many times, I’ve told myself, ‘I’ll write it down later,’ only to forget that I even had that ‘AMAZING IDEA’ in the first place.”

Their advice? “CARRY A FIELD NOTES BOOK EVERYWHERE! Or keep that notes app at the ready. It’s so important! Random thoughts will turn into random sentences, which will then turn into other random poems, songs, paintings, drawings.”

Music production follows a similar pattern. “Sometimes a song starts from a drum pattern and grows into something else. Other times, a single sample changes the entire genre I was originally going for.”

To MIME, the underground art scene is more than just a space—it’s a community. “The underground scene is a cool place where nobody is invited, but everyone is invited! There’s no password. All you need to do is show up as yourself.”

This space has allowed them to fully embrace their artistry. “I have an outlet now, and I feel safe to be myself. I’ve met really dope artists who share some of the same goals and desires I do—the desire to create something completely unique. Work that changes people’s hearts.”

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MIME’s relationship with their audience is built on a foundation of mutual understanding. “I listen to what they have to say about any of my projects. I enjoy feedback and try to see my work from their perspective.”

By stepping outside their own ego, MIME finds new dimensions in their art. “By doing this, I discover parts of myself I never noticed before.”

MIME’s creative output shows no signs of slowing down. “Right now, there’s Evening Tape and Morning Tape. I do have another music project I’m working on. I don’t know what kind of ‘TAPE’ it’s going to be this time, though.”

Beyond music, they are also venturing into the literary world. “I’m in the process of completing my first book of poetry. I have no clue what I’m doing, so this quest should be very exciting and fun!”

MIME’s advice to up-and-coming creatives is simple yet profound: “Forget about what you think other people want to see and create what you want to see.”

They emphasize the importance of authenticity. “Every time you’re about to create, think of this.”

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For MIME, the artistic journey has been one of personal evolution. “With artistic expression, I’ve been able to heal parts of myself and become the person I’ve always wanted to be.”

Their final thoughts reflect a newfound appreciation for the present. “My perspective on life right now is to slow down and enjoy the moment. There is so much you will experience and see by being still. Being with your own thoughts. It’s scary but necessary for growth.”

MIME’s journey exemplifies what Chasing A Dream is all about—raw passion, fearless creativity, and an unwavering commitment to self-expression. As they continue to carve their path in the underground art scene, their work serves as a reminder that true artistry is about breaking boundaries and staying true to one’s vision.

Follow MIME’s journey on Substack and stay tuned for their upcoming projects—because this is just the beginning.

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Here are your 10 words for the week: jump, easy, Georgia, remembrance, vector, five, between, you, come, life

Your challenge? Craft a poem incorporating some or all of these words in a way that moves, surprises, or delights. Whether you go abstract, tell a story, or experiment with form, the choice is yours!

How to participate:

• Write a poem using some or all of the words.

• Share it with us by [posting directly on Substack with #artstackpoets] and tag us ARTSTACK please remember to type @ with our name and click our account. From there our account should be highlighted.

• Share your poem in the comments or in our online art center (tag #ThePoetryHaul so we can find it!).

• Engage with other poets—this is about community, connection, and expression.

Need inspiration? Try crafting a poem based on a theme—mystery, dreams, or even a journey through time. There are no rules, only exploration.

I dive into the deep end of the pool

Because loving is the opposite of a chore.

Like cutting wood and piles of lumber,

I carry my secrets barefoot through the forest,

And place them on the living room floor

To burn the wood of conspiracy, legacy, and revelation.

With anarchy comes a curfew,

So we do not fly too close to the moon.

I count back from eight,

To seven,

To six,

To five. . .

Until at four the smoke fills the room,

And I begin to swoon

Til two,

Til one,

Until the daybreak. . .until today.

I pray at sunrise

Where there is no time or definitions of delay.

he thinks of relaxing in the pool

after the tedious fucking chore

of chlorination

as the woodchips fly

he wonders will his daughter

keep the curfew

must keep her safe

so much danger

in the world today

he pauses, saw idling inside

the commodified tree

lights a smoke

glances at the pack

fuck, eight left

might have to knock off early

=

wise teacher

harmonium of genes

symposium of dreams

the being they call forest

screams

as its students

ever greater

yet fewer in number

blind to her gifts

reduce her to lumber

Eight Past Eight

Waking, a pool of light

Floats upon my face

What is this?

Clouds, it was to be cloudy,

This day, today.

Floating there on my face,

This sun chore from which to

Move away

At eight past eight

The morning after the

Big red moon was covered

By clouds

This eye-squeezing-shut sun chore to move,

To lumber, away from through my day

The blinding spotlight waves on my face

No rest, no calm…

But wait

At eight past eight and a little bit more

Another window, smoke,

Moving clouds,

Not fire, but spring storm,

A promise for rest, a moody grey peace

“It’s in your genes.”

My mother would say.

No need for curfew

When grey forest cloud

Fills the sky, I fly to rest

To breathe

I am home

A tanka:

"Summer again

at the edge of the forest

all these butterflies.

Another fleeting painting

to frame for today’s room."

I long for a pool of silence

Words fly, I’ve heard this story before

Today, I take a break to smoke

Which only takes three minutes.

I worry if it’s in my genes,

He’s eighty eight.

Lumbering through each day waiting to die.

Why is it I wish he had a curfew?

I need the peace of mind that flies away

When I hear again…

Did I ever tell you….

Yes,

I just want a nap!

My genes pool by the edge of the forest

They lumber there like smoke on a slow fly through an eight day week

Simmering about today

The curfew of a relationship

Calling me back from the edge

The chore of breath

Grinding me forward

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1. "Layers of Meaning in Art" by

In her essay, Lisa Burda explores how artists convey complex narratives through layered imagery and symbolism. She discusses the intentional use of materials, textures, and colors to add depth and invite viewers to engage more deeply with the artwork. Burda emphasizes that understanding these layers can lead to a richer appreciation of the artist's message.

Read the full essay here: Layers of Meaning in Art

2. "Spakow" by

Bowtie Press presents "Spakow," a term coined to describe the spontaneous sparks of inspiration that drive artistic creation. The essay delves into the unpredictable nature of these moments and how artists can harness them to fuel their work. It also offers insights into maintaining creativity amidst the ebb and flow of daily life.

Explore "Spakow" here: Spakow

3. "On Dealing with Imposter Syndrome" by

Art Direction addresses a common challenge among creatives: imposter syndrome. The essay shares personal anecdotes and practical strategies for overcoming feelings of self-doubt and inadequacy. It encourages artists to embrace their unique journeys and recognize their value in the creative community.

Read more on this topic: On Dealing with Imposter Syndrome

4. "Necessary Imperfection" by x

J. Callender's essay, "Necessary Imperfection," explores the beauty found in flaws and mistakes within art. Callender argues that imperfections can add character and authenticity to artworks, challenging the pursuit of perfection. The essay encourages artists to embrace imperfections as integral elements of their creative expression.

Discover the full essay here: Necessary Imperfection

5. "How I Turn Frustration into Art" by

In this piece, Journal Rash discusses transforming negative emotions, particularly frustration, into creative output. The essay provides personal insights into channeling challenging feelings into art, offering a therapeutic approach to creativity. It highlights how adversity can lead to profound artistic expression.

Read about this transformative process: How I Turn Frustration into Art

T I M E L E S S - A R T - OF - THE - DAY

P O E M - OF - THE - DAY

Kenan Clark

Sip of Poison

What do we do on the days…

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a year ago · 2 likes · Kenan Clark

ARTSTACK serves as the official hub for artists on Substack, fostering a community where creatives can share their work and insights. The "ART Times" series has been instrumental in highlighting diverse artistic voices, offering readers a window into the minds of creators. Previous editions have covered topics ranging from the importance of sharing artists' work to creative challenges like the Poetry Haul Challenge.

Engaging with the Artistic Community on Substack

Substack has become a vibrant platform for artists and creatives to share their work, thoughts, and processes. Notable publications include "An Artist's Life" by Sandi Hester, where she shares bits of her life as an artist, and "The Art of Noticing" by Rob Walker, offering ideas and inspiration for creativity.

Discover these newsletters:

• An Artist's Life

• The Art of Noticing

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The ARTSTACK Poet House is an exclusive, private collective of poets who dare to push the boundaries of language, art, and expression. As a sanctuary for poetic voices, we cultivate an intimate, creative space where members can engage in thought-provoking discussions, collaborate on literary works, and share their artistry in a community that values depth, emotion, and authenticity.

Our Mission

At the ARTSTACK Poet House, we believe poetry is more than just words—it’s an experience, a movement, and a form of creative resistance. Our mission is to nurture poets who challenge norms, inspire minds, and spark meaningful conversations about society, culture, and the human experience.

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What We Offer

• Private Community – A space for poets to connect, critique, and support each other’s growth.

• Poet Nites – Live poetry readings where members can perform and engage with an interactive audience.

• Collaborations & Features – Opportunities to be featured in The Canvas & The Cause and ARTSTACK’s creative projects.

• Creative Challenges – Monthly poetry prompts and themed writing challenges to sharpen your craft.

Why Join?

The ARTSTACK Poet House is for poets who want to be part of something exclusive, impactful, and creatively fulfilling. Whether you're a spoken word artist, a page poet, or someone experimenting with poetic storytelling, this is your space to grow, express, and evolve.

Welcome to The ARTSTACK Poet House, where poetry is not just written—it’s lived.

We encourage poets of all backgrounds, styles, and levels of experience to apply. Your voice matters. Your words matter. If you’re ready to be part of something special, fill out the form below.

Apply Now

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This week’s words are:
pool, chore, lumber, forest, curfew, fly, genes, eight, smoke, today

How will you piece these words together? Will they guide you into a misty forest where the smoke lingers from an old fire? Or perhaps they’ll weave a story of rebellion, a curfew ignored as someone sneaks out under the moonlight?

How to participate:

• Write a poem using some or all of the words.

• Share it with us by [posting directly on Substack with #artstackpoets] and tag us ARTSTACK please remember to type @ with our name and click our account. From there our account should be highlighted.

• Share your poem in the comments or in our online art center (tag #ThePoetryHaul so we can find it!).

• Engage with other poets—this is about community, connection, and expression.

Need inspiration? Try crafting a poem based on a theme—mystery, dreams, or even a journey through time. There are no rules, only exploration.

The Last Stitch—for Connie

It is the fifth Memorial Day, Connie.

The day folds over itself like a well-worn page,

a chapter I have read and re-read,

its ink bleeding into me, even now.

🪡

You were the love of my life—

for twenty-two years, a story told in stolen hours,

a life together, apart.

A love not caged, yet never quite free.

🪢

I tried.

Tried to mend what was broken,

tried to stitch together the frayed edges of you, of me—

a needle slipping through time,

pulling but never quite binding.

🦛

Please—

I whisper to the silence you left behind—

let this be the turning.

Let this be the place where the ink dries,

where I do not beg the past for one more line.

👕

All I have now is your sweater,

the last stitch of you against my skin.

It holds neither warmth nor weight,

just the ghost of a touch that once made me feel alive.

🦁

And I am alive.

Not as Judith, not as the name you knew,

but as Jay—unfolded, untethered, vulnerable.

No longer trying to repair what was never mine to fix.

📚

This chapter is closing, Connie.

And for the first time, I am not just turning the page—

I am writing a new book altogether.

📖

Maybe, just maybe, love will ink itself in again.

Maybe, just maybe, this time, it will stay.

❤️

Try by

I’ve got to try

When so much feels broken

Got to try

When this chapter feels hopeless

Try

When the night feels endless

Try and keep

My spark alive

Remember the love

That’s in my heart

Always

People and animals

So special to me

That beautiful light

That’s always with me

Even when

My spirit’s so vulnerable

That beautiful light

Is always there

But what a time to be alive,

When your no longer disciplined,

Looking longing and searching for the right things in all the wrong places!

Places you knew never served you any good, piled high with broken glass and red flags.

But somehow you stayed in your endless delusions of what you saw as okay.

Life has a crazy way of playing mind games.

Vulnerable, overwhelmed, over stimulated, over stressed,

and underappreciated. playing a losing game, of cat and mouse.

But yet again you still want to try love.

Living for love and trying to survive love.

Operating out of survival mode is a hell of a thing,

Hell trying to survive love is a hell of a thing

at any moment you can completely lose your mind.

Amazed and astonished at how at how you even survived love!

Looking back to find date when you thought this love was okay?

The broken love, hopeless love, the never ending feeling of finding everlasting love.

Untitled

Please try to love me

Show me I’m not broken

Answer my prayers,

I cry- when’s it going to be my turn ?

Hurt before, I can not endure the thought of another ended chapter

A growing collection in my closet I can not add another sweater

You tell me I am loved and I do not need to beg-

“Don’t say please, I don’t even have to try,

Being near you makes me so alive”

Naked and Vulnerable

My heart an open wound, your love a balm

Time passes

things change

My prayer is different, I cry-

Please, see that I love me

Know that I am not broken

Pick a calendar date,

I know what I want

Seal the deal- when’s it going to be our turn ?

March, the Eighth

Maybe sure it’s

over

lover

I’m too broken

you’re too sober

Chapter eight,

just please

remember

Turn the page

and try for better?

I’m alive inside

our

sorrow

Please remember

me tomorrow

March,

the eighth

inside a sweater

All but warm in

sweater

weather

I’ll be still, be

vulnerable

I know you think I

stand too tall

But this, the eighth

is still our date

Just

please

believe

It’s not too late

I want this broken,

sober,

chapter

Dead and gone.

𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦'𝘴 𝘢𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴

𝘢𝘧𝘵𝘦𝘳

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A Song into a Poem –

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Anonymously Slam masterfully bridges the gap between song and poetry in "A Song into a Poem." This piece transforms the rhythm and emotion of a song into a distilled, poetic form, revealing how lyrics can take on new life when separated from their musical structure. The essay explores the power of words alone, emphasizing how poetry enhances and isolates meaning, allowing readers to experience the essence of a song in a completely new way. This innovative approach to remixing language resonates deeply with anyone who values the musicality of words and the poetic potential of lyrics.

The New Hot Fuzz –

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THIG's "The New Hot Fuzz" brings a fresh, engaging take on creative inspiration. Whether discussing film, music, or cultural phenomena, THIG has an ability to weave connections between seemingly disparate artistic elements. This essay examines how influences from past and present merge into something fresh, reflecting on how creative minds reinterpret and remix cultural artifacts. THIG's style is dynamic and insightful, offering a sharp lens on the interplay between artistic influences and contemporary media.

40 Words: Five-Pack, Nine-Wisdom Books –

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In "40 Words: Five-Pack, Nine-Wisdom Books," Grizzly Pear delivers a compact yet profound exploration of wisdom literature. Using a disciplined 40-word structure, this piece distills complex themes into succinct, thought-provoking statements. This exercise in brevity underscores how constraint can enhance creativity—each carefully chosen word resonates with layered meaning. The essay also pays homage to various wisdom traditions, making it a fascinating read for those who appreciate both literary craft and philosophical depth.

Connecting with the Art of Kintsugi –

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Lofi Sai’s "Connecting with the Art of Kintsugi" draws a powerful parallel between the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with gold and the human experience of healing. Kintsugi transforms flaws into beauty, a metaphor that resonates deeply with personal growth and artistic resilience. Through an intimate and reflective narrative, Sai explores how art can become a medium for self-acceptance, reinforcing the idea that imperfections are integral to identity. The essay is a poignant reminder that art is not just about creation—it is also about transformation and renewal.

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T I M E L E S S - A R T - OF - THE - DAY

P O E M - OF - THE - DAY

Always Already Poems

If this Mind Awakens

Waking up fresh in the moment…

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a year ago · 2 likes · Always Already

The Power of Artist Newsletters

Substack has become a haven for artists who want to cultivate deeper connections with their audiences. Unlike traditional social media, newsletters allow for long-form storytelling, unfiltered creative expression, and a more engaged readership. The artists featured in this edition of ART Times demonstrate how newsletters serve as extensions of artistic practice, offering new ways to engage with ideas and emotions. Whether through poetry, cultural critique, experimental forms, or introspective essays, each writer contributes to a growing ecosystem of creativity on Substack.

This issue celebrates the range of artistic voices using this platform to share their journeys, ideas, and experiments. As ARTSTACK continues to highlight these exceptional newsletters, we invite readers to dive into these works and discover the ever-expanding landscape of artist-driven storytelling.

Stay tuned for the next edition of ART Times, where we will feature more artists who are redefining the creative possibilities of Substack.

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