I'm having trouble writing right now (meaning in 2025). Back in February, when I started this entry, I wrote: “Even as much as I try to stay focused on what I can do, the attacks from this current president have our house in emotional rough seas.” I would say now, in July, we (my partner and I) have found a way to stay active and very engaged in our community.
In September, I am finally hitting publish! It has been a long year!?
You too? Hit reply, tell me how you are holding up.
Here I am, continuing to buoy myself and sharing what has been helping. You might be able to guess that it’s meditation, cultivating practices like “Obscured Journaling,” and creating art in my new office, which looks a lot different now from the video attached here.
Thanks for reading “Transformation Collective Space”!
This post is public, so feel free to share it.
I have a vast array of art supplies there (in the office and at home). I moved into this new office on February 2, 2025, after a brief trip to the East Coast to celebrate with a fantastic friend who had turned 50. It was a whirlwind of a day/week/era.
All the politics in Turtle Island are a LOT. There are a handful that give me hope, and many who leave me screaming in my head.
So, onward we go, fighting, making it through the day, and so I hope some of this is helpful to you. I used to practice obscured journaling a lot more. My work Instagram handle was “obscured journaler.” Here is a short, ancient video of me engaging in this journaling process.
https://youtube.com/shorts/Jwp_2CYwFgE?si=vuNDQBT88ZAMUCSu
What supplies do I use? When creating a practice aimed at cultivating a deep level of calm (sometimes referred to as art journaling), I found that you need a paper thicker than 98 lbs. I work with watercolor gouache, pen, pencils, and Mod Podge. Can you use copy paper or many craft papers (sure), but the paper rolls can be disappointing. There were times when I scoffed at the necessity of having beautiful paper. No longer; if you can spend $20 or visit a local thrift store, you will likely find some gently used art supplies. It doesn't have to be that pricey. If you are local to the Bay Area, check out https://www.scrap-sf.org/home.
Another way to save money is to use Gesso to paint over canvas and old journals. Sometimes, I use the ends of old paper pads —the cardboard (back) and the front flap—to make a fun mini-portfolio. I enjoy creating new books with random pieces of paper that I use for other process-based pieces.
Last year, I used a gallon of gesso, and there were days in my life —years and years, actually—when I never even painted. So, reuse, ♻️ reduce, and recycle ♻️ y’all.
I just found this fantastic place through a quick web search: https://www.dharmatrading.com/. Buying the materials is half the fun of cultivating an art practice. I will get back to you about the fun supplies, beyond alcohol inks, you can buy at Dharma Trading! I love alcohol inks, so I am glad to buy them from somewhere more ethical than big box stores.
I have cultivating / journaling/ meditation sessions available (online and in my new office in SF). You can simply text or email to learn more. bridget@bridgetbertrand.com.
Friends, family & colleagues are welcome to a one-off expressive arts session; 🙏🏻 I am happy to receive your money 💰;) I send 10% of my post-tax earnings to the global majority members of my community or to other fund me’s etc (which are a kind of mutual aid, of course). If you’re unsure what this means, please ask me. Additionally, you can join the "Mighty Network,” a free platform to share your cultivation experiences. It is the first link on this link tree now.
You might notice I am aiming to shift my language around what I am doing over here (leaving out the “a” word, art). I want to invite the word: cultivate:
cultivate /kŭl′tə-vāt″/
transitive verb
To improve and prepare (land) by plowing or fertilizing to raise crops; till.
To loosen or dig soil around (growing plants).
To grow or tend (a plant or crop).
and growing and tending to myself and my family is included too
Meditation is also a cultivation. It is something like this: "The practice of meditation is learning to ‘live’ in the stillness
beneath all change, which is the true center, or the point at which we can return.
Curious who I have been learning and unlearning with? Here is a list of MANY folks! Google Doc with extra support for you
Are you interested in journaling? Perhaps we could meditate together; shoot me a text at 650-539-4325?
My directions to you: pour the paint on the canvas, roll on the floor, sit in the numbness, the anger….the grief, the disbelief; let it flow out of you in any way you can. Next step: call someone who cares and speak openly. Text, blog, vlog, (privately perhaps)…. Please don’t worry or say, “I’m worried it’s too much for you”…. Sweet heart ❤️…. That’s my job …. All of our jobs to say….” I’m at capacity today…. I’ll be back in touch tomorrow…. Or Saturday….”. What’s your way, though, dear ones? Share … lift each other 💞
https://bit.ly/nourishallowexpand (an at-home workshop you can also request for your small group).
https://bit.ly/profoundsteps (this is the Google link from above)
https://bit.ly/resourcesfromtransformationcollective (This is the same information from above, but on a Notion link, for all my non-Google folks, brava!)
https://bit.ly/thetimetoresistisnow (many ideas of ways to keep resisting)
https://bit.ly/sciencennotcompliance (a letter to adapt and fight for gender affirming care of all types for all ages in CA).
Lastly, if you live in SF and would like to help get ICE out, please fill this out. I can help you with the evidence (email me) https://www.sf.gov/file-sanctuary-city-ordinance-complaint
Thank you for being here. I am in solidarity with you!
Love, B (any pronouns), and you can still call me Bridget
PS, soon some words about the “empty nest”…