Witnessing Voice
WITNESSING VOICE
January asks for attention rather than answers. I am moving slowly this month, noticing what remains in the body and mind after periods of intensity. This is a season of recognition and early awareness, of observing without fixing. I am paying attention to patterns as they surface, to subtle shifts in energy, to the quiet signals that often arrive before language does. This month is about witnessing what is present and letting that be enough for now.
ART
I have been returning to my studio archives, slowly and with intention. Newer pieces sit beside older ones, and each time I pull one forward, I try to remember who I was when it first came into being. This is essentially the heart of the I Am. I Am. I Am. Project.
When I launched Art by Erin in the autumn of 2025, I began reintroducing much of my work not simply to show it again, but to trace each piece back to its origin and sit with the emotion that may have made it necessary. Some answers come easily. Others resist language. That tension is part of the work.
After I revisit the artwork and consider the how and the why, I write a brief, reflective essay. I try to name the moment in my life it came from, and to see whether any part of the larger puzzle begins to take shape. My writing does not explain the work so much as accompany it.
After a thoughtful suggestion from my dear friend H., I dove into research and have decided to begin the process to make these original works more accessible, including affordable prints, while remaining committed to preserving the story and integrity of each piece. I hope to make the prints available in April.
As January draws to a close, so does the ArtFusion Winter Exhibit I had the honor to participate in. My piece So Much Left Unsaid remains on view there through the end of the month.
INSPIRATION
In mid-January, I will be reintroducing both Creative Meditation and Discussion Groups as collaborative spaces. Each gathering is part of a thematic series, connected by shared ideas and creative exploration.
This month, with a focus on presence and beginning, we will explore the subtle currents of energy in the body, notice patterns in thought and feeling, and experiment with reflective creative work: writing and mark making, that brings that which is usually overlooked into view.
Alongside these gatherings, I will also be sharing my Daily Meditations as part of my ongoing Journals Project., The Daily Meditations are simple affirmations paired with a brief reflective passage. This is a project I have been quietly working on for over two years, and it is my great hope that there are people out there who find some peace in these reflections.
Through art, discussion, and meditation, my hope is that this work not only deepens awareness but also creates moments of real connection between people.
HOPE
I am proud to feature RedBike Outreach as my first-quarter nonprofit partner. Many of you know that I have worked closely with RedBike and served alongside the group whenever possible for the past five years. Every other weekend, Paul and I shop for supplies and make hundreds of sandwiches, a small contribution to the larger, ongoing work of outreach. Their work is a reminder that small acts of attention and care can create meaningful change.
By supporting this partnership, you help bring hope to those navigating difficult circumstances while also deepening your own awareness and sense of connection. If you are able, I invite you to make a donation in support of RedBike Outreach. Your contribution directly helps sustain their ongoing work and ensures that care, presence, and dignity continue to reach those who need it most.
Thank you for being here, for reading closely, and for moving through this work with me. January is a beginning, but not a loud one. It is a return to observation, to presence, and to the simple act of noticing what is already speaking.
