beginnings are hard and so are endings, and why i think purple is a great idea

sometimes you don't need a coach

Jan 11, 2025

why purple may be important

Hi, i am Sharon, an artist currently living in Southern California. As everyone, I am struggling to grapple with this new year, and we are only 11 days in. Politically, my candidate did not win, the dread of the new president has overcome me and I find myself already overwhelmed by his lies, his ridiculous bluster and the thought of four more years of absolute chaos.The fires are scary and horrific, and I am trying to do what I can to help. Creating is how I get through all of it, every damn day.

You might know me as nullsie on instagram. my online clubhouse, as of right now least, for my creative life.

In the past few years, I moved back to California after a decade in New York with my best-friend boyfriend, basically the love of my life. He passed away after a long struggle with cancer, and my life as I knew it ( running an antique business with him, painting every day, hitting the back roads of the Hudson Valley and beyond ,amassing favorite collections, loving searching, picking, selling and buying at flea markets and other pastimes like searching for the most perfect hot dog on earth-which FYI may be found at Pete's in Newburgh New York ), came to a screeching halt.

I shared it all on instagram. My converse were pictured in every doctors office and hospital room, I shared my sketchbook, that I took everywhere, my tears and despair and countless videos and photos as I packed up, sold and discarded every bit of our life together. I love all the friends I made in real life and on social media, who helped to lift me up, as I broke in a million pieces.

the eagle has landed

The day finally came, my stuff was in a moving van, snow was falling and 6 hours later I was at LAX. That was a few years and lots of tears ago. I have painted my brains out, taken a million classes, subscribed to patreons and substacks, licensed my work, created fabric and puzzles and lots more.Art has been a true healer. I am finding my way, more comfortable in my clubhouse and now here in 2025, I think I need more or actually less if that makes sense.

and now back to purple

AND so you say, why am I babbling and what about the purple?

…I think with all the great classes and mentors and patterns and groups, I have paid for, its time to pop out of a lot of it this year. I am filtering and sorting and doing what I want finally.

I am me, and although I value every drop of advice, and color palette recommendations, and every how-to tutorial… etc etc.. It’s time to make my own place here. that happy and rebellious place, where even if an art director tells you to stay away from purple, you can follow their instructions on THAT project, BUT you can use a shit- load of it on your latest painting and add glitter too. If outlining with black isn’t COOL anymore, maybe I will make it cool again. I used to hate purple, but now all of the forbidden colors like purple and orange and olive are calling me.

SO friends, as Southern California is burning before our eyes, and friends are losing their homes and businesses, let’s first help each other and then ourselves (donate to any of the wonderful organizations that are doing good work right now find a way to donate your time.) I have a fundraiser going on insta right now , or here are some places you can donate. (just a few of so many)

And then let’s get to business, for our own well being. what’s serving you and what isn’t? This year, paint with purple or whatever color you adore or despise, learn to embroider, break some rules, get outside, make something, and share it with me.(you can pull out the books you haven’t read, take out a camera and photograph your own inspiration etc etc.) You don’t need a coach, or an expensive group ,or a step by step class , it is all inside of you and me, and good god we already know what to do! The more you make or create , the better you get. Its only the 11th, write a poem, collage it up, get out your sketchbook, make what you love or are dreaming of. Use your voice, speak up. It’s all inside you. It’s healing.

This is our god damn year, regardless of who is in charge of the country or of our social media of choice. Show me, tag me, or don’t. This can be our new playhouse and its definitely free (at least for now), I just have this idea. Let me know what you think. Let’s do this together. If you don’t agree with me or like me , just don’t follow me, please don’t feel the need to tell me. Negativity is not needed now, find something else that lights your fire. We have this gift to make something out of nothing. Lets do it.

Big h

ugs,

Nulls