I am here! I follow a bunch of blogs on bloglovin and 1-2x day I might check in and read a few. On my to or from work or before bed. I agree the neighborhood community is so important! But not always available. So in my quiet moments, I visit my online community.

You know it's really funny (re:odd) that you post this. I took Susannah Conway's course Blogging from the Heart last year and I've been thinking a lot about the direction I want to take my schizophrenic little blog. Honestly, I fell into the trap of wanting to make money from my blog and now I'm pulling back to make it a much more personal space. As an artist, I adore seeing other artists' creative journey and the challenges they face as they happen. You have done a fantastic job of documenting your thoughts and feelings about being an artist and the challenges of making a living. I can relate to a lot of what you say. In fact, last night when I was writing in my little blog brainstorming book about the voice of my personal blog I wrote about how much I admired your writing style and podcasts!

Keep it up! We're still here :)

I still love reading blogs, but I've removed many from my feed in favor of those who get more personal about life, their creative journey or motherhood. So many are monetized and feel like big advertisements I just didn't want to waste my time anymore, especially some that are pumping out 3-4 posts a day...who has time for that?!. I always enjoy yours, though I rarely take time to comment...I read while nursing my new little one and don't do too well with typing :)

Marisa, I am still reading blogs a few days a week via Feedly for the most part. I admit though that it is not a regular habit like it was say 3 or so years ago. With the multiple outlets for information now, I feel like it's hard to keep up. As I get older too, I gravitate towards the most genuine and stimulating creatives and bloggers I can find that are not bombarding me with ads and links and fluff. I like Instagram a lot, probably my fave "go to" - it's visual, fast and fun. Whatever you decide to do in the future I will keep up. Thanks for being so honest with us all as you figure it out. Congrats on your continued success :)

Hi Marisa,
I've been following your blog for years now and I too (as Ange B. mentioned) am in favor of those who get more personal about life and their creative journey. You are amongst the favorite few bloggers I follow. You inspire me and I wish you continued success.

PS: I love hearing your voice too :)

Marisa, you are an inspiration. I love to visit your blog and listen to your
podcasts as well. I appreciate being able to follow your creative journey on your blog, and the fact that you add a personal touch to it. I agree that visiting in person is preferred but when that is not possible, the virtual community reminds me that there's a lot of creativity out there!

I have been reading blogs less and less too. I think I've been catching up on newest things via FB or IG. There doesn't seem to be a good way for me to follow blogs anymore and get updates. Maybe I should do RSS feeds. I also blogged myself a lot more and have been doing it 2-3x/month now. Most of my blogging is personal. And I should also tell you this is your first podcast I've listened to, since you asked.

Keep your blog my dear sweet friend!!!! It is a great source of inspiration, familiarity and beauty and I come here to find all those things. I found you through your blog 5 years ago and have loved watching you grow as an artist. I love hearing your thoughts on your podcasts and know when I listen that I am hearing something real. I still follow blogs of my mentors and artist friends and I appreciate the ones that are geniune and real.
I personally think we are too wrapped up in all the social media and all the spaces we feel we need to be....For me I love your work and your gentle soul and will follow you wherever you may be but I enjoy coming over to your space here to feel refreshed and inspired....xxxooo

Still reading the blog, though I admit that I've not actively reach out to other bloggers or join comment discussion as much these days. It seems to me that most of my interactions with bloggers I know over the years have already moved onto Facebook, and I just haven't made new blogger friends lately.

It's still good to keep the blog updated every now and then, if you still consider it your home base.

I blogged as an artist for over six years. It takes a lot of time and energy to write posts (add to that original photography.) But if you do it because you love it - because YOU love it, and you could care less if anyone is reading it - then keep doing it. If you're doing it because others tell you it's their favorite place on the web, and 'please oh please don't stop!' - if that's all that's motivating you, then maybe you've exhausted that form of expression. As artists, we realize energy is not boundless, that creativity can be fickle. There's no reason to blog unless you love it, because you could be using that time to do other creative things.

Marisa, Always love reading your posts! Followed the blog while on a very long trip. Yours was my 'go to' for inspiration and re-grounding. Would miss it, but understand the need for creating room to think. xo

yes, definitely. the same advice I would give to someone asking this question. turns out, after careful thought - I do still love it. for me. and I also really enjoy the possibility of interactions and discussions like this with the readers who are willing to share. thank you!

Hello Marisa,
There have been SO many times I have wanted to leave a comment as you had said something or wrote something that totally resonated with me. I am sorry I haven’t before now. I don't read as many blogs as I used to in large part because I am trying to listen to my own inner voice but yours is one I come back to. You make me think and ponder things or question ideas that have been mulling in my head but haven’t had a place to share with anyone else. I have appreciated how much I have learned from you over the years and relate to your journey as an artist. You always go deeper than most which is something I value.

I truly recognize the time and energy you put into everything you do. I also wanted to note that I have also taken several of your classes and as a teacher myself I have grown within my own teaching as I have learned from you. Your voice is always fresh and honest and you inspire me.

I too feel like there are so many platforms to keep up and have a hard time navigating them all. I guess my feeling is my blog is my home and probably where I should be posting to more often. It is a place I have the most control over and think about that as platforms like facebook continuously change. What I like about your blog is that I can come back to it and find things easily, like your podcasts. I think people will always come visit you and value your sincerity as much as I do. Thank you so much for all that you do and share.
Cheery Smiles your way...Laura
p.s. I LOVE instagram too! There is such an ease to it and I agree, people are so friendly. There is a different feel for sure.

Really wonderful to hear all of this from you Laura. I will continue! In fact we’ve been spending months preparing for a new project launching on kickstarter within the next 2 weeks, that I think and hope you and many others will love - it will incorporate everything you’ve mentioned here. thank you so much :-)