Hello! And welcome to the very first Private View roundup email.
2023 has been a long year—well, it’s felt long to me. I’ve seen and reviewed some wonderful art exhibitions and art books, listened to some thought-provoking podcasts, taken a few outstanding art classes, and written about all kinds of topics relevant to artist womxn who are working hard to get their art seen, dismantle patriarchy in the arts, and build a better art world for all.
Here’s a short roundup of all the things I valued in 2023.
(Note: my archive is now paywalled but I have a special offer running—20% off one year’s annual subscription, making it $40)
BEST EXHIBITION VISITED
Impossible really to choose one over another, but the one that changed my life:
Hilma af Klint at Tate Modern.
Read that review here.
BEST ART BOOK READ
Catherine McCormack’s Women in the Picture
BEST PODCAST
Always The White Pube (They’re more outspoken than me!)
BEST ART CLASS TAKEN
Because she’s adorable and so generous with her content,
‘s Taking Notes in the LandscapeBEST CONCERT
Beyoncé— of course! She made me want to buy a pair of sparkly, silver trousers!
BEST MUSIC ALBUM
Always on loop in the studio, Rising Appalachia’s The Lost Mystique of Being in the Unknown
BEST FILM WATCHED
Jules (I watched it on the flight to London—so heartwarming)
BEST PIECE OF ART I CREATED
Not much to choose from this year! But I like how I put these two drawings together to create a picture I might paint in future:
BEST NEWSLETTER I SUBSCRIBE TO
For teaching me how to write beyond a blog post format: Substack Writers at Work from
BEST THING I DID FOR MYSELF
Start a small artist peer support group on Discord. It’s become a key part of my personal and art life, and I love how we show up for each other. I highly recommend you do the same.
BEST PIECE OF WRITING I DID
This essay received lots of positive comments:
WHAT I’VE VALUED MOST IN 2023 IS SHOWING UP HERE AND FINDING YOU.
I LOVE WRITING FOR YOU AND I LOOK FORWARD TO OUR 2024 JOURNEY TOGETHER.
What’s coming in 2024?
A few kind folks have mentioned I don’t write much about my own art here in Private View, so I’m going to be experimenting with ways of including my art practice more.
I’ve also been asked questions about Wild Creative Practice—my framework for seasonal making—so I’ll be writing more about that too.
I also want to hear your private view and I’d love to host some guest writers, but for that, I do need more paid subscribers so I can pay them ;)
I am also planning a little class on self-portraiture—excited about that.
Thank you for your attention.
Thank you for valuing my work enough to grant me access to your inbox—I know that’s a big deal.
Thank you paid subscribers for your kind support.
Let’s keep making art and building a better art world for all.
"Start a small artist peer support group on Discord. It’s become a key part of my personal and art life and I love how we show up for each other. I highly recommend you do the same."
LOVE THIS. I did the same via Zoom, and still figuring out how to make it feel less "up in the air" - I always feel like I need a "landing spot" for zoom discussions. Like, afterwards I want notes, and links, and to keep the conversation going.
I love it! Thank you for introducing me to Hilma's work <3 so good!!