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abstract alex. · Jul 31, 2025

when finding balance gets shaky but always necessary...

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A poetic journal recap on my latest art adventures + finding a new balance.



16 June 2025.

“I don’t have major time for minor people.”

Big sis came over and blessed me with a word. Who have I been giving my time to? Oh I know - everyone but me. Neglecting myself is criminal.


pulled from the bookshelf…

Current reads and highly recommended.


Morning vibes.


20 June 2025.

Friday night wip before I knew it would become a portrait.

I pulled out the tools and painted since I’m unable to write. The words, drive, vision…everything just packed up + checked out on me.

I sifted through scraps of expression scattered across the floor, each sheet holding my stories + secrets from another time. Another me.


5 July 2025.

Untitled collaged portrait, 36inx36in.

One of my greatest struggles was denying myself space + grace between visual + literary practices. When do I pick up the pen? Is it time to pick up the brush again? Short answer - when I feel like it. When I painted my collaged portrait, I was in the middle of writing murk(ed). I didn’t have writer’s block but allowed the scales to tilt from side to side when necessary.

While working with both portrait and poem, I waded in the good, the bad + ugly, reflecting on what it would cost me when it was time to change. What mentally held me captive? Who do I walk away from? Where do I stop visiting? What do I quit consuming?

Let go of what’s expired and no longer brings purpose. It’s ok. Everything isn’t meant to last forever.


20 July 2025.

Three weekends in a row of quenching my creative thirst.

I was obsessed with The Wu Tang visuals!
Bri aka A Dope Black Girl with Anxiety <3
Caught a solo art show at Norwest Gallery

I was limiting my exposure to the creative world. Supplementing from the worldwideweb wasn’t enough and I knew better. I met Bri (aka A Dope Black Girl with Anxiety) a few days after the Wu Tang concert. She’s the third writer I met from the Substack-verse, and we yapped like old friends at a cafe.

From rapping along with Wu Tang fans, attending art shows and catching up with artists, I feel renewed.

African World Festival at Hart Plaza
Tons of art and hard to choose what to buy.
Bumped into Tzu Pore at the African World Festival for the Renaissance Exhibition.

My latest portrait that’s a cover up from a previous portrait.

One of my favorite cover ups. The eyes are one of the most important details in the portraits. My interpretation for the white streaks is filtering what we don’t want seen. If someone looks into your eyes, what would they see?

Please feel free to share how this portrait speaks to you.

A lil somethin somethin I listened to while I painted in no specific order.


19 July 2025.

Threw on the skates for the first time in a couple of years.

First lesson in skating is to stand and find your balance. Shift your weight from side to side, bend your knees, gradually roll and push.



HUGE shoutout to my new collectors who’s purchased and received FREE art!

M.P. Fitzgerald! THANK YOU for blessing me with an author’s package.

I want this kind of mail all the time. Author’s package from M.P. Fitzgerald <3
Inside and out, everything is art. Sent my free typo minis to my new collectors.

recommended reads…

Musings From A Broken Heart
Bathing in sunlight
A short piece for encouragement and contemplation…
Listen now
a year ago · 42 likes · 10 comments · Robert the contemplative
John Noire
Noire Notes XVI
Author’s Note: This piece was inspired by Saul Williams’ liner notes for D’Angelo’s Voodoo. You can read it here…
Read more
a year ago · 27 likes · 14 comments · John Noire
A Dope Black Girl With Anxiety
If You Thought I Changed... You Were Half Right
Today’s message: Just because I healed… don’t mean I won’t spin the block, my baby…
Read more
a year ago · 60 likes · 12 comments · A Dope Black Girl With Anxiety
hope on sundays
home is where the houseflies are
Read more
a year ago · 100 likes · 49 comments · hope(less) on sundays

what’s coming up next?…

More typography art that’ll be for sale in small + larger sizes. Abstract portraits are the vibe right now so you’ll see me making more of them. If you’re interested in purchasing, send me a DM or email.


Thanks for reading abstract alex! If you want more, consider becoming a free or paid sub. Not ready to be a paid sub but still want to support? No worries. Reshares and word of mouth is FREE. Talk to your wallet first and consider making a small donation to my Buy Me a Coffee or CashApp ($alexbartistry). Coffee + art supplies go hand in hand.

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Thanks for reading my shit. I love you.

peace.

alex b.

Read on alexbartistry22.substack.com

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