Cactus & Clowns
Don't let the title scare you away from reading this week's FUCK YEAH FRIDAY ZINE!!
Let’s be honest, things are weird in my life and in the world, and shit has ramped up since starting this particular weekly venture, making it harder and harder for me to remain positive. Basically I’m validating the need for this space, even if it’s already after 6PM today, because we need more positivity in our lives.
Speaking of positive stuff, a buddy got me out on my bike for the first time in a loooooong while! We rode about 16 miles and once I send this zine out, I’ll be potting a cactus that a friend pulled out of her yard for me last week.
What’s keeping you busy this weekend?
Send in the Clowns
A friend of mine posted something on her socials recently about how clowns (and the art of clowning) have historically been utilized as a tool for protesting. It’s pretty genius, dare I say, downright radical. I know what you’re thinking, “Oh April, there’s nothing positive about clowns.” Hear me out though. It’s been happening for centuries in some form or another. Even Wavy Gravy’s clown persona came from learning that police didn’t want to be photographed hurting a clown.
“Clowning is a universal means for challenging a social structure.” I love this. Civil disobedience through clowning is revolutionary and brings a legit smile to my face.
Dig This
It’s now May, but April 30 was National Tie Dye Day and nobody loves a fake holiday as much as I do! Gives me a reason to celebrate a friend of mine who’s a wizard at the art (and science) of tie dyeing, Jamie Ocain. Peruse his Etsy and check out his FB and IG pages to see what he’s up to. You might find him at a farmer’s market, funky pop-up, or a festival, and he also takes commission work. I promise he’ll make your psychedelic textile dreams come true.
I inherited a giant pile of cotton/linen napkins and an antique table runner from a dearly departed Great Aunt and Jamie turned each piece of cloth into a unique piece of usable art. We did a few of them together, which was an awesome way to spend an afternoon with a friend.
Last winter he made my cousin and I some super-sweet tie dyed flannels, so don’t think tie dye is limited to t-shirts and sarongs.
Learn a little more about Jamie below!
FYF: What do you do to maintain your sanity/positivity? & How do you stay creative and innovative?
Jamie: To maintain my sanity and positivity these days, I try to avoid too much news. The political climate really took its toll on me so I just try to not see too much. To get out of my head, I go on long walks in nature and go to yoga class a few times a week. Therapy helps. And I really do consider my tie dye as art therapy.
To stay creative and innovative, I study a lot of different types of art and listen to different genres of music. For color ideas I like to watch light shows at concerts and study bugs, birds, flowers and nature in general.
FYF: Best Advice you’ve ever been given?
Jamie: Best advice I've ever been given was to stay off the needle. I used to hang out with a rough crowd in my youth, and I had enough common sense to see what it did to those around me. Hearing it from someone I loved who was totally caught up in addiction really hammered it home. Stick with the hippie drugs kids.
FYF: What’s your favorite medium of expression?
Jamie: Currently, my favorite medium of expression is tie dye. It's a really physical art form, so I get to work out some frustrations. And it's full of dopamine hits. While I have a pretty good idea of what to expect, I never really know what the finished piece is going to look like till I open it up for the reveal.
FYF: If you could compliment yourself at 13, what would you say?
Jamie: If I could compliment myself at 13? Like my 13-year-old self? I guess I would say I'm proud of you for being curious, compassionate, and having an open mind. I was a sensitive kid. I cared about people and things.
FYF: What are you listening to or reading right now?
Jamie: At this very moment I'm listening to a "This is Billy Strings" playlist. I listen to a lot of Psychill, Psybient, and Shpongle, like ... Psychedelic easy listening. When I'm feeling nostalgic, I'll put on Metallica, Pantera, White Zombie. I'm not reading a book at the moment.
FYF: What’s the best way for folks to get in touch with you for your magical tie dyes?
Jamie: The best way for folks to stay in touch with me is by following me at Zencraft Arts on IG and Etsy. ✌️😃 (Etsy and socials linked above)
Concert Corner
Mogwai is May 3 (tomorrow) here in Austin and I can’t wait! If it weren’t for that show and Dead and Co. at the Sphere on 5/11, I’d run away to catch a Jazz Fest nights show and a burger at Port of Call and the world’s best muffaletta (Cochon spells it this way.) at Cochon Butcher.
On a personal note, I enjoyed Phish’ short spring tour via live stream over the last couple of weeks and super-pumped about the upcoming summer tour. They’re finally coming back to Austin after 7 years and it’s going to be straight fuggin’ fire!
Cuteness Overload
Enjoy the random photo of my cousin Leia, my best friend Wendy, and I before the LCD Soundsystem show last weekend in Dallas and some photos of my flowers.
Stay tuned for other random posts! Comment about what you're growing, doing, listening to or cooking.
Youre friend is right!
https://open.substack.com/pub/theshinythings/p/an-idiots-guide-to-revolution?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=11s101