It’ official, Heart is on Spotify! Thank you everyone for your kindness and encouragement with this project. It means so much to me.
Also a big thank you to my sister for providing the artwork for this as well!
Heart is on Spotify!
artists
Heart is Now Available
Heart is available to listen to on Youtube and Instagram! The artwork for this project was created by my lovely sister @nuggiedraws. You can find her on Instagram!
There are three songs in total: Heart, Artist and Juliet’s Song.
I wrote Heart and Juliet’s Song back when I was in the 10th Grade.
I wrote Juliet’s Song for an animated project I made for my English class at the time. Initially it was played on the piano and yes, it is based on the play Romeo and Juliet. I re-recorded and used the song again in university for one of my Shakespeare course finals…and then decided to return to it again to create an acoustic version on the guitar.
Heart, the title track I wrote the same year. If I’m being honest, it isn’t the most emo song I’ve ever written. It’s pretty sad though. It was one of the first songs I wrote with my guitar. The song kept resurfacing over the years at different points in my life. At times I wish the song were longer, but at the same time I don’t think it needs to be. It always just felt right. It’s definitely the most personal song I’ve released. I actually shared the song when I entered the Zepeto Idol competition on Instagram a while back.
Artist I wrote initially as a poem this year and ended up putting music to it on a whim. I actually wrote the song while procrastinating a chapter edit for my debut. Whenever I get stuck on a scene, I try writing something else, like a poem to inspire me. In this case it worked but then I ended up with this recording hanging out on my laptop…and then, I decided that for once I’d actually share the music I’d written versus a cover song.
I hope you enjoy listening to Heart and that you’ll check out @nuggiedraws (I have her gif on my blogs homepage! Cute right?)
BIPOC Manga’s
After my last post I decided to challenge myself by finding some BIPOC manga and comicbooks to read. I know of some in the works that I’ve been following on Instagram but as for other’s I truthfully never thought to look for more. When I come across them I read them but actively hunting isn’t something I do. I’m the type of reader that likes to wander.
I know a few Middle Grade comics with BIPOC character’s, but I couldn’t think of any for YA or Adult off the top of my head. If you asked me about say, character’s in the DC universe through series I’ve watched I’d have more to list. As for Middle Grade I seen/read Fake Blood, Spider-verse, New Kid and a few others with BIPOC.
I came across a couple of lists, the first being: 10 Manga’s Featuring Black Character’s. Of that list I decided to check out Adorned by Chi. I thought it sounded interesting. I like magical girl stories…which is why I constantly use Sailormoon gifs and memes haha.
I also found a really cute one called Princess Love Pon. I’ve started reading it already. It’s incredibly adorable. Yep. It’s adorable. I hope I can read more of it while I’m on break at work!
Tephlon Funk is a manga I’ve been following through Instagram for a while. I love the art style. It’s not in the kawaii, cutesy magical girl style…so if that’s not your thing, then maybe Tephlon Funk is for you? What drew me to this series was the art. I don’t know what it was about it that just made me go “Wow I wanna read this!” but something clicked. All the characters have so much personality in each individual frame, and the hair! I love hair. I love drawing it so I really admire when other people do a great job drawing it. I can tell how much detail they put into it. I recommend checking it out!
There’s another called Love! Love! Fighting! which looks like a really cute shojo. I’m definitely going to read more about it. The artwork almost gives me a 90s manga vibe.
Shop Small, Support Local: Showing Love & Support to Artists During the Pandemic
This post is a little different than the usual…since it isn’t 100% book related, however, I felt the need to write it, so I will.
I want to support my fellow artists, authors, musicians and creatives alike. Whether it’s the small donut shop in my neighbourhood, a favourite artist I’ve grown to love by connecting at a convention, or maybe its my musician friends or an author I love (indie or traditional).
It is something that I’ve always felt was important, and when I have the means to do it, I do. There are so many people that I would absolutely love to show some support to even when I can’t do so financially, because I want their dreams to come true!
I know it might sound a bit childish or silly…but it brings me joy to see others doing what they love to do, and if I can somehow help them out even if that’s through word of mouth then I’ll definitely do so!
Not every artist or musician I know has work available to purchase right now, which is understandable, given the circumstances and both them and the ones that do are on my mind constantly. Many of them make the majority of their sales doing art shows, conventions, concerts, book launches, readings etc. All of which are community events, that require well…people being physically present and making connections with one another.
The other day when I was organizing my books, I came across 5 that I had purchased, which were signed copies! 4 of which I got a conventions over the years, and 1 which I got at an author meet and greet (the author who then later turned out to be my editor!).
I have art prints that I purchased, again signed by the artists, who I spent time getting to know over the years at conventions as well. Some that who I hold dear to my heart, because of how incredibly sweet they were to my friends, sister and I!
It isn’t just an item anymore, it’s a memory…and a connection…and I believe that connection is what really drives the artistic communities.
I loved attending my friends show, and cheering her on as she played her gorgeous music for everyone! I get chills every time she performs! Her songs are so beautiful, and the stories behind them are what make them even better!
It’s different listening to the recordings on Soundcloud or Spotify. It’s not the same as hearing and seeing her in person.
Art and the people behind it make me so happy, I can’t explain….and I’m sure there are others like me who have this need to show them love and support. I know many of them are self-employed and are doing their best right now, given the circumstances.
It really makes me think back to what Kenneth Oppel (author of Silverwing and Airborn) was saying about the lack of Canadian author representation in bookstores across Canada over the years, and how it was having a negative effect on the Canadian book sale market.
It really demonstrates how important it is to share and support the works created by your local artists!
So I’ve decided to finish off this post, that I will share a couple of Canadian artists, authors and musicians that I enjoy personally, and if you know any others (Canadian or not…maybe even yourself!) please feel free to link them in the comments to show your support. That way others can find and share them as well!
Artists with super cute online shops:
Authors:
Ardin Patterson 