Diasporas are amazing, aren't they? A little girl whose parents run a bodega in Belize speaking perfect patois. Syrians in Armenia. Jews in Mexico City. What a lovely world.
Ian, thank you so much for your comment, and for sharing so many other beautiful examples of people finding home far from home. The word 'diaspora' wasn't on my mind as I was writing this essay, but it absolutely should've been -- so thank you for reading and for bringing it into the conversation here!
I love this, Switter, and I especially love that you mentioned Indians. If there is ever to be a sequel to this essay, it would be about the Indian community who gather on the rambla (boardwalk) of Montevideo every weekend and play cricket there :) It's another picture of diaspora that always brings me so much joy when I see them playing there.
Many years ago, I spent a long Saturday afternoon trying to figure out cricket in a Johannesburg park. It's still a mystery, in the same way that people's love of kombucha and durian are still mysteries to me.
Thank you so much, my friend, and I love that you've seen the softball field as well -- it's such a special part of Parque Rivera to me now. Sending love! 🤍
I felt like I was right back in that moment when you showed me this delightful scene--in person. You captured every little aspect of it with exact imagery! I’m sitting in a doctor’s office time traveling 🧭 to that joyous afternoon with you and Elena Rose. ❤️
Getting to share the softball field with you was one of my most favorite unplanned moments during your visit this year :) I love that we just happened to walk past it that Sunday, and that you immediately got why the field meant so much to me 🤍
I love how your images slow down the pace of the reading in order to savor the words and really think about them. Just curious about your lettering process: how do you ensure that there absolutely no mistakes?
Stephanie, I'm so sorry just to get back to your comment now, but thank you so much for your kind words. I especially love how you felt the images helped you slow down while you were reading...that wasn't something I deliberately set out to do when I started creating illustrated essays, but it's really lovely to hear that it had that effect on you 🤍
In terms of my process, that's also a great question, but I'd say it's almost impossible to ensure there are absolutely no mistakes :) But what I do to try and avoid them is, once I've finished the lettering for a new essay, I just read over it again and again -- and then again! I've especially found that reading my writing out loud to myself is an amazing way to catch typos and errors...there's just something about it that helps me catch errors more easily.
I hope that helps answer your question, and thanks so much again for reading 🙏
“Somehow, I feel more at home in these places myself...” It’s interesting, isn’t it, how when others are so grounded in who they are, that it gives a type of emotional solidity to those around them even if they don’t join in with that identity themselves. Beautifully written!
Renee, I can't thank you enough for leaving such an insightful comment -- and for shedding such light on why I've always been drawn to such places and neighborhoods in the world. I've never quite made that connection before, but it resonates so deeply with me. I so appreciate you reading and adding your perspective to the conversation! 🤍
Thank you so much for letting me know, Switter -- please know I'm honored to be included in such a beautiful post of gratitude, and it's humbling to hear I've been able to be of some help in bringing back more positive memories from difficult journeys. Thank you again, and all the best! 🙏
Thank you so much for your kind words, Michael, and please know, I'm not normally a big sports person either :) But as I shared here a couple of weeks ago, the few times I have written about sports, it's always because there's a deeper story taking place, and that sport represents something significant about a particular culture or community. I really appreciate you reading, and for taking the time to share your thoughts 🙏
Diasporas are amazing, aren't they? A little girl whose parents run a bodega in Belize speaking perfect patois. Syrians in Armenia. Jews in Mexico City. What a lovely world.
Ian, thank you so much for your comment, and for sharing so many other beautiful examples of people finding home far from home. The word 'diaspora' wasn't on my mind as I was writing this essay, but it absolutely should've been -- so thank you for reading and for bringing it into the conversation here!
Thank you for inspiring the comment!
Armenians in west Africa, Indians doing wonderful things around the world, Greeks in Malawi, Irish priests in Sudan, Mennonites in Bolivia. . .
Indeed, what a lovely world.
I love this, Switter, and I especially love that you mentioned Indians. If there is ever to be a sequel to this essay, it would be about the Indian community who gather on the rambla (boardwalk) of Montevideo every weekend and play cricket there :) It's another picture of diaspora that always brings me so much joy when I see them playing there.
Many years ago, I spent a long Saturday afternoon trying to figure out cricket in a Johannesburg park. It's still a mystery, in the same way that people's love of kombucha and durian are still mysteries to me.
Another gorgeous piece, I've seen that softball scene as well and love everything it represents, you captured it all so perfectly.
Thank you so much, my friend, and I love that you've seen the softball field as well -- it's such a special part of Parque Rivera to me now. Sending love! 🤍
I loved this. What a fun experience.
Thank you, Mark! I'm so glad to hear you enjoyed this 🙏
I felt like I was right back in that moment when you showed me this delightful scene--in person. You captured every little aspect of it with exact imagery! I’m sitting in a doctor’s office time traveling 🧭 to that joyous afternoon with you and Elena Rose. ❤️
Getting to share the softball field with you was one of my most favorite unplanned moments during your visit this year :) I love that we just happened to walk past it that Sunday, and that you immediately got why the field meant so much to me 🤍
I love how your images slow down the pace of the reading in order to savor the words and really think about them. Just curious about your lettering process: how do you ensure that there absolutely no mistakes?
Stephanie, I'm so sorry just to get back to your comment now, but thank you so much for your kind words. I especially love how you felt the images helped you slow down while you were reading...that wasn't something I deliberately set out to do when I started creating illustrated essays, but it's really lovely to hear that it had that effect on you 🤍
In terms of my process, that's also a great question, but I'd say it's almost impossible to ensure there are absolutely no mistakes :) But what I do to try and avoid them is, once I've finished the lettering for a new essay, I just read over it again and again -- and then again! I've especially found that reading my writing out loud to myself is an amazing way to catch typos and errors...there's just something about it that helps me catch errors more easily.
I hope that helps answer your question, and thanks so much again for reading 🙏
universal and joyful
Thank you so much, Appleton -- I love that both of those words came to mind for you after reading this piece 🙏
With your paintings and your words, you bring a neighborhood to life. I almost feel like I was there with you. Grilling meat, too. Wonderful!
I love arepas, also!
Thank you so much, Mel! I'm so happy you enjoyed the story, and especially that you felt like you were there yourself :)
PS - I loved hearing you love arepas as well! 🙌
“Somehow, I feel more at home in these places myself...” It’s interesting, isn’t it, how when others are so grounded in who they are, that it gives a type of emotional solidity to those around them even if they don’t join in with that identity themselves. Beautifully written!
Renee, I can't thank you enough for leaving such an insightful comment -- and for shedding such light on why I've always been drawn to such places and neighborhoods in the world. I've never quite made that connection before, but it resonates so deeply with me. I so appreciate you reading and adding your perspective to the conversation! 🤍
so beautiful !!
Thank you so much, Ana!
Candace, I just left you a gratitude bouquet over at Switter’s World in my latest post titled “Thank you.” See if you can find it.
Home is where our hearts are.
Thank you so much for letting me know, Switter -- please know I'm honored to be included in such a beautiful post of gratitude, and it's humbling to hear I've been able to be of some help in bringing back more positive memories from difficult journeys. Thank you again, and all the best! 🙏
Not a sports enthusiast, but your art and writing had my full attention, full of heart and wonder and joy. Thanks, Candace.
Thank you so much for your kind words, Michael, and please know, I'm not normally a big sports person either :) But as I shared here a couple of weeks ago, the few times I have written about sports, it's always because there's a deeper story taking place, and that sport represents something significant about a particular culture or community. I really appreciate you reading, and for taking the time to share your thoughts 🙏
Lovely
Thank you, Travis!
Thanks for the tips!