You Can Run With US
If you have joined me on a Monday morning live, you will have learned that I have a tiktok bestie and platonic soul mate Casey H Wilkinson.
We met in early 2021 on tiktok and have been utterly inseparable.
I learned a bit later that she lives only a few hours away, just across the Canadian / US border, however the global pandemic kept us from being able to meet in person.
For my birthday in May 2023 I had a mission…. To give Casey a damned hug; and I did, but I also got so so much more.
Come and run with us!
Friday Sock and I traveled from Quebec to the USA to visit Casey at her home. She showed us her studio (the tree mural looks SO much more vibrant in person btw), we exchanged stickers and goodies and just TALKED. We talked without any of that awkwardness that one would likely have meeting someone for the first time.
It was very much like sitting and working together in a live.
We talked about our dreams and goals and the crazy ride Casey has been on the past few weeks after a video of hers went MEGA viral.
We just basked in each other's company and it was lovely!
Saturday we met again for brunch at a darling mom and pop diner along with Casey’s husband, long time friend Teeg and her partner.
I have been fortunate to have bonded with Teeg, a photographer on a small artist community over the winter. In that short time we have also grown close and it was amazing to be able to meet them in person and give them a hug too!
After our meal we headed to a local public library that was having one of their used book sale fundraisers. I basked in the presence of so many English books; being a Quebecoise this was a major treat. Sock and I bought many books!
Onwards to more adventures and we walked a short distance away to Jay Street, a pedestrian street full of small independent shops!
We visited a cute book store and souvenir shop, The Open Door BookStore, where Sock found a book all about socks!
We then went to Jay St Collective, a consignment shop filled with local artists' creations! This is a place Casey and Teeg plan on selling some of their art. I bought an art print and some stickers.
We paused for a few moments in the street again and were joined by Sarah LuAnne, an artist and author and fellow friend from tiktok.
Next we headed into Bear and Bird, a funky geeky gift shop and artist gallery. While we explored the countless lil drawers filled with stickers and pins from local artists an employee told us that the next exhibit for the gallery in the back was soon and accepting artists!
The gallery was a lovely space filled with treasure and I dearly hope my friends will consider submitting things to show in the space!
As we were leaving the shop after we paid for our purchases we ran into Amanda the shop’s owner. She spent some time talking to Casey and Teeg about how they could set up tables outdoors on weekends during the summer to sell their things allowing them to practice selling in person for the first time.
The support for local artists on this street was simply AMAZING!
I was in dire need of a rest, having fibromyalgia makes outings difficult at times as I need lots of time to recharge.
We headed to the Whistling Kettle, ate some delicious scones and had fabulous iced tea and just basked in some time to get to know one another better.
Sunday we met mid afternoon at Arthur’s Market, a cute cafe and artisanal foods marketplace. As I spent some time taking in the adorable little shop I noticed a table full of community notices. There was an open call for submissions for a pop up gallery fundraising for a brick and mortar space and I shared the fliers with everyone once they joined us. We sat and chatted for quite some time about all the opportunities there were for artists if you can get out and explore!
While I had gone to go order my food and drink I noticed someone setting up a large vintage suitcase (I have a huge fondness for them) and once I got my food I wandered over to investigate.
It was Amanda from Bear and Bird with a mobile Correspondence Club of Schenectady!
Her suitcase was full of cute cards and postcards and postage. Anyone could come get supplies, write a letter and post it right outside the cafe! What an amazing way to encourage authentic connection and communication.
Casey chatted a while with Amanda again about donating misprints of the fantastic greeting cards Casey makes, as her goal is also to encourage giving cards to encourage connections (especially for those who are neuro-diverse and can have difficulty with what to say).
After lunch Casey Teeg and I , accompanied by our life partners, walked down the banks of the Mohawk River.
Many shenanigans ensued and among the chaotic wholesome tomfoolery we found a skatepark with a skate desk graveyard installation on the chain link fence.
THERE WAS SO MUCH ART.
I truly love how skaters customize thier skate desks so elaborately.
Near supper we parted ways and the following morning I made my way back to Quebec and home. The whole weekend was a reminder at how important belonging to a community is as an artist. Belonging to a like minded tribe with similar values with people who can support you and cheer you on is SO important.
Arthur’s Market hang
Casey, Teeg and I have started a Discord community exactly for this purpose called Art Around and Find Out and you are welcome to come run with us if you are feeling the call to belong to an artist community!
Check out my tiktok video for a compilation of all of these adventures!
Much Love,
