Thank you. Being into fashion, sewing and poetry as a man, a black man, this post definitely resonantes. Now I feel like I should help build a community
Thank you for this. Their profiles look so cool. Sadly I don't use socials anymore, at least for now. Definitely looking into what I can do more locally IRL
Thanks for this! It definitely speaks to me. These are feelings I’ve felt for the past 5 years. When I was younger, I made and shared my art with abandon, pride and passion. But over the last many years—though I have never for a second stopped writing and creating—I stopped sharing.
This year I have begun sharing again, though with fear and guilt and confusion about whether it matters. It’s great to read this. Thanks for the thoughtful piece and encouraging words. 🙏
Calvin, it matters. It really matters, even if you don't share it. After you make enough, you'll find a way to share it and an interest in doing so, but that's so not the point
YES👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 Like if I’m completely for real, I want men voices in the arts, I just don’t wanna hang out with artists (of any gender) who replicate the bs outside the art world INSIDE the arts. The hierarchy, the posturing, the fake “I know better than you”, all that nonsense. Just be open, be curious, be loud, be honest, be genuine, listen, cry, ENGAGE- I want to hear you!!! I’m a trans man and I promise we feel the same things and I don’t want you to shut up or go away, I want y’all here with me- MAKING ART. Literally every man you know who isn’t an artist feels what you feel and it’s down to you as an artist to be the brave one and SAY IT OUT LOUD and we’re listening and we care about you!
This made me... I don't even know. Maybe sad? I don't actually know the feeling. No, actually, it's more like longing. Some pressure inside my chest. I write fantasy novels, I am a writer, that's all I have ever wanted to be. I am a avid reader too, I love fantasy and I love romance as well.
I remember a few years ago when I told a couple of friends (man and woman) I was thinking of writing a romance novel. I'd never forget that eye roll of the man, or that teasing smirk of the woman. It hurts a little bit, especially when I heard some other person saying I shouldn't do it because 'a man shouldn't write from a woman's perspective' or 'men are bad at romance'.
I ended up writing and publishing a romance novel a few months ago, from the point of view of a man, and I love that story, but I have to admit that part of me it's hesitant to promoting it because of those words. It still will be a while but I like to think that I am slowly getting past it.
Wow, thank you so much for sharing Enael!! And thank you for writing!!!!! And for publishing! That is so courageous. I’ll definitely go check out your substack! Wishing you all the love and success!
Big fan of Dr. Alok Kanojia! His work helped improve my boyfriend's and my mental health and technology addictions so much. He opened my eyes to the suffering today's men are dealing with and it breaks my heart -- patriarchy needs a major rebrand. Intersectional feminism includes everybody. Thank you for writing. :)
The reason I started painting was because of Henrietta Berk. The reason I started writing again was because of Annie Dillard and Mary Oliver. And the reason I’ve been able to push deeper into the artist’s life is because of my wife’s incredible support.
This artist road is wonderful, intense, and mystical. I am grateful for the women who have shaped mine, also, to all of us sharing the journey.
Thank you for this article and what is practically a blessing to create without judgement. I've never had a problem creating/expressing myself, but recently, I've felt my voice could be optimized elsewhere, like my writing isn't worth paying attention to. I think it's worth giving another shot.
Am forwarding to my husband who is going to take it to the weekly "Andys Man Club" meeting tonight.
If you're not familiar with it, It's a men's a mental health support organisation that run free to attend groups nationally. It's been a Godsend for my husband over the last 4 months since he first went.
Any organisation doing similar is a great start for men to find a safe place to share, to realise they aren't alone and I applaud it happening.
I just wonder if the extra layer that's then needed... Is those men then Creating ART together to move through their pain and heal?
Art is transformation at its heart isn't it? And Humanity needs it more than ever. Thank you for your voice Amy, personally finding your work has been part of a huge creative block being destroyed within me and I couldn't be more grateful... Cannot wait for the book! 🙏🏻📖
Thank you for this perfect essay, Amie! I am just coming back to making art after hiding from it for 30 years because I was told it wasn't a useful or valuable enough thing to spend my life on. I still struggle with my art being "just art" and not a table or sword. I actually went through phases where everything I made had to be something useful in a tangible way. I am beginning to believe that my art is useful in a vulnerable and spiritual way.
DJ, that's awesome. I think a lot of what holds us back is that men aren't "allowed" to express emotion, which is ridiculous. Any mother will tell you boys are more emotional than women. And Western society represses and encourages suppression of emotion.
I used to look forward to breakups because I knew I would get good song out of it. It's a way to look on the bright side, I suppose. I was less emotionally intelligent then.
Yes, emotional suppression is a massive problem, particularly here in America. We need to work toward free expression, and learn productive and meaningful ways to express emotions. I am working on writing about this - it's a huge and intimidating topic!
Saw this when I opened my email and immediately read it to my (male) partner who just said "I feel like my entire body felt lighter just hearing that subject line." Opening space and supporting historically underrepresented voices and visions definitely is something that is needed, of course, and thank you for expanding the conversation of that not requiring the silence of half the population. We need EVERYONE's art magic to create a better world for all.
I was just talking about this on a podcast with Kier Adrian Gray, you've highlighted a real issue among well intentioned progressive men. Thank you for writing this!
Hi I'm here😄 I'm new to art and old to life... I'm so new i didn't know there was such a crises but it souns like you are passionate about it, so well done. Good read. 👍
Thank you so much Amie. I needed to receive/hear your message at this exact moment in time. I am not sure if it is stagnation, procrastination, or self-doubt, but I have been questioning my voice in creating. Hearing you say why the man's voice needs to be a part of art's world brings me rationale and inner peace.
Be on the lookout. My voice will rise again. Thank you once more for your beautiful words and spirit.
Thank you. I’ve never read anyone talk about these things but much if not all of what you’re talking about is very much internalized by men, speaking from experience.
Thank you. As a trans man I've been seeing my cis brothers suffering thinking they aren't allowed to take up any space whatsoever, to just shut the fuck up. And I feel some weird type of way I gotta say "hold up hold up i'm trans!" before i'm allowed to take up any space, because cis-passing. It's degrading.
Why do people think there isn't enough space for all of our voices? There is. We need all the art. All the voices. There can never be too many or too much art.
Thank you. Being into fashion, sewing and poetry as a man, a black man, this post definitely resonantes. Now I feel like I should help build a community
God Ethan, I just cannot tell you how fucking glad I am that you are here making art.
Definitely need to start creating more and sharing. Just applied for a journal and got rejected, might post them all here.
Thanks for being here and creating!!!!!!
I’d love to hear more about your art!
Hello Ethan. I am sorry for butting in. After reading your comment, I felt the urge to share a couple of black male artists you might like to know about? https://www.instagram.com/jesselfreeman?igsh=YmtzYXQzNWVyZG92 explores collage and quiltmaking . And also Justice Mukheli https://www.instagram.com/justicemukheli?igsh=MTdoZXVuY2ltMm01OA== who explores vulnerability and masculinity . Build that community!!
Thank you for this. Their profiles look so cool. Sadly I don't use socials anymore, at least for now. Definitely looking into what I can do more locally IRL
Thanks for this! It definitely speaks to me. These are feelings I’ve felt for the past 5 years. When I was younger, I made and shared my art with abandon, pride and passion. But over the last many years—though I have never for a second stopped writing and creating—I stopped sharing.
This year I have begun sharing again, though with fear and guilt and confusion about whether it matters. It’s great to read this. Thanks for the thoughtful piece and encouraging words. 🙏
Calvin, it matters. It really matters, even if you don't share it. After you make enough, you'll find a way to share it and an interest in doing so, but that's so not the point
YES👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 Like if I’m completely for real, I want men voices in the arts, I just don’t wanna hang out with artists (of any gender) who replicate the bs outside the art world INSIDE the arts. The hierarchy, the posturing, the fake “I know better than you”, all that nonsense. Just be open, be curious, be loud, be honest, be genuine, listen, cry, ENGAGE- I want to hear you!!! I’m a trans man and I promise we feel the same things and I don’t want you to shut up or go away, I want y’all here with me- MAKING ART. Literally every man you know who isn’t an artist feels what you feel and it’s down to you as an artist to be the brave one and SAY IT OUT LOUD and we’re listening and we care about you!
Oh yes, Peaches, I love the way your brain works
This made me... I don't even know. Maybe sad? I don't actually know the feeling. No, actually, it's more like longing. Some pressure inside my chest. I write fantasy novels, I am a writer, that's all I have ever wanted to be. I am a avid reader too, I love fantasy and I love romance as well.
I remember a few years ago when I told a couple of friends (man and woman) I was thinking of writing a romance novel. I'd never forget that eye roll of the man, or that teasing smirk of the woman. It hurts a little bit, especially when I heard some other person saying I shouldn't do it because 'a man shouldn't write from a woman's perspective' or 'men are bad at romance'.
I ended up writing and publishing a romance novel a few months ago, from the point of view of a man, and I love that story, but I have to admit that part of me it's hesitant to promoting it because of those words. It still will be a while but I like to think that I am slowly getting past it.
Thank you for writing about this, it helps a lot.
Enael, congrats on getting it published - get out there are promote it!
Thank you! I'm still figuring out a way to do it that feels right and fun for me (and not too overwhelming), but I'm working on it!
Wow, thank you so much for sharing Enael!! And thank you for writing!!!!! And for publishing! That is so courageous. I’ll definitely go check out your substack! Wishing you all the love and success!
Oh! I'm actually getting a little shy now!😳😂 Thank you for your words 😊
Big fan of Dr. Alok Kanojia! His work helped improve my boyfriend's and my mental health and technology addictions so much. He opened my eyes to the suffering today's men are dealing with and it breaks my heart -- patriarchy needs a major rebrand. Intersectional feminism includes everybody. Thank you for writing. :)
Thank you for this, Amie.
The reason I started painting was because of Henrietta Berk. The reason I started writing again was because of Annie Dillard and Mary Oliver. And the reason I’ve been able to push deeper into the artist’s life is because of my wife’s incredible support.
This artist road is wonderful, intense, and mystical. I am grateful for the women who have shaped mine, also, to all of us sharing the journey.
Really appreciated this piece.
Where would we be without our amazing supportive wives? I am so grateful for my wife. She encouraged and enables me to focus on my art.
Thank you for this article and what is practically a blessing to create without judgement. I've never had a problem creating/expressing myself, but recently, I've felt my voice could be optimized elsewhere, like my writing isn't worth paying attention to. I think it's worth giving another shot.
Absolutely "yes" to this. And also, the bonus of the men sharing themselves in the comments -- I've found some amazing new (to me) artists to follow!
Tears in my eyes reading this.😭
Am forwarding to my husband who is going to take it to the weekly "Andys Man Club" meeting tonight.
If you're not familiar with it, It's a men's a mental health support organisation that run free to attend groups nationally. It's been a Godsend for my husband over the last 4 months since he first went.
Any organisation doing similar is a great start for men to find a safe place to share, to realise they aren't alone and I applaud it happening.
I just wonder if the extra layer that's then needed... Is those men then Creating ART together to move through their pain and heal?
Art is transformation at its heart isn't it? And Humanity needs it more than ever. Thank you for your voice Amy, personally finding your work has been part of a huge creative block being destroyed within me and I couldn't be more grateful... Cannot wait for the book! 🙏🏻📖
Thank you for this perfect essay, Amie! I am just coming back to making art after hiding from it for 30 years because I was told it wasn't a useful or valuable enough thing to spend my life on. I still struggle with my art being "just art" and not a table or sword. I actually went through phases where everything I made had to be something useful in a tangible way. I am beginning to believe that my art is useful in a vulnerable and spiritual way.
DJ, that's awesome. I think a lot of what holds us back is that men aren't "allowed" to express emotion, which is ridiculous. Any mother will tell you boys are more emotional than women. And Western society represses and encourages suppression of emotion.
I used to look forward to breakups because I knew I would get good song out of it. It's a way to look on the bright side, I suppose. I was less emotionally intelligent then.
Yes, emotional suppression is a massive problem, particularly here in America. We need to work toward free expression, and learn productive and meaningful ways to express emotions. I am working on writing about this - it's a huge and intimidating topic!
Saw this when I opened my email and immediately read it to my (male) partner who just said "I feel like my entire body felt lighter just hearing that subject line." Opening space and supporting historically underrepresented voices and visions definitely is something that is needed, of course, and thank you for expanding the conversation of that not requiring the silence of half the population. We need EVERYONE's art magic to create a better world for all.
I was just talking about this on a podcast with Kier Adrian Gray, you've highlighted a real issue among well intentioned progressive men. Thank you for writing this!
Hi I'm here😄 I'm new to art and old to life... I'm so new i didn't know there was such a crises but it souns like you are passionate about it, so well done. Good read. 👍
Thanks for sharing, Carl! Hope you keep creating!!!!
Thank you so much Amie. I needed to receive/hear your message at this exact moment in time. I am not sure if it is stagnation, procrastination, or self-doubt, but I have been questioning my voice in creating. Hearing you say why the man's voice needs to be a part of art's world brings me rationale and inner peace.
Be on the lookout. My voice will rise again. Thank you once more for your beautiful words and spirit.
Thank you. I’ve never read anyone talk about these things but much if not all of what you’re talking about is very much internalized by men, speaking from experience.
Thank you. As a trans man I've been seeing my cis brothers suffering thinking they aren't allowed to take up any space whatsoever, to just shut the fuck up. And I feel some weird type of way I gotta say "hold up hold up i'm trans!" before i'm allowed to take up any space, because cis-passing. It's degrading.
Why do people think there isn't enough space for all of our voices? There is. We need all the art. All the voices. There can never be too many or too much art.
Thank you for this post.