Summary

Jymi Cliche, the author, reflects on a productive start to 2022, marked by creating digital art, working on large canvases, and receiving positive reviews for their memoir "I Write the System."

Abstract

Jymi Cliche begins 2022 with a focus on art and productivity, despite the uncertainty of the times. Having accomplished a great deal in 2021, Cliche sets ambitious goals for the new year, emphasizing the importance of persistence and adaptability in their creative process. They have been experimenting with digital art using an iPod and photo manipulation tools, resulting in a series of pieces with a distinctive filter. Additionally, Cliche has ventured into large-scale canvas painting, which has given them a sense of legitimacy as an artist. They have also incorporated misprinted pages from their own memoir as a background for new paintings, fulfilling a long-held desire to use book pages in their art without destroying intact books. The year ended on a high note with their memoir garnering numerous five-star reviews, though it did not place in the top Reedsy books of the week. Cliche remains focused on their art and writing, seeking to maintain a healthy lifestyle and a positive outlook despite the state of the world.

Opinions

Cliche values the act of creation, regardless of the materials used, whether it's high-quality supplies or basic items like computer paper and broken crayons.
They believe that being an artist is not defined by the tools or the setting, such as an art gallery, but by the innate drive to create.
Cliche appreciates the nice canvas and better quality supplies but emphasizes that these are not what define them as an artist.
They find it important to use materials, like the misprinted pages from their memoir, in a way that aligns with their values and creative vision.
Cliche is grateful for the positive reception of their memoir, "I Write the System," and views the accumulation of reviews as a significant achievement, even more so than making it into a top books list.
They are introspective about their work and its impact, as evidenced by a review that highlights the memoir's emotional resonance and educational value regarding personal identity and addiction.

Beginning 2022 With Art & Productivity

We’re off to another year in uncertain times

“Going Forwards and Backwards In Time” by Jymi Cliche (the author)

We’re off to another year in uncertain times. I got a lot done last year and set many goals going into 2022; but the main goal is always to keep going, and do my best, whatever that looks like.

I can’t predict what things will look like down the line, but one week into 2022, I’m off to a good start. I’ve done a series of digital art pieces since I got a new charger for my iPod. It’s old, and I only it use for one free painting program called Drawing Box. I also used photo manipulation tools from PicsArt to create the final effects. The following picture is of the same drawing, but before I put it through the photo manipulations.

“Going Forwards and Backwards In Time: Bright Eyes” by Jymi Cliche (author)

I like them both ways, but decided to do a series in a similar filter as the first one…

Those are all digital pieces, but I’ve also been working on some giant 3 by 4 foot canvases I got for Christmas. I’ve never worked so large before, and it makes me feel like a real artist; the way I felt the first time I painted on a framed canvas, but the truth is, what makes me an artist isn’t the nice canvas and better quality supplies or being in an art gallery, although those things are nice and I am grateful… what makes me an artist is the fact that I’ll draw on computer paper with pencils, pens, and broken crayons if that’s all I can get my hands on. As John Lennon said:

“I’m an artist. Give me a tuba and I’ll bring you something out of it.”

I decided to use misprinted pages from one of my old memoirs as the background for my new paintings.

pages from The Godchild 3: Becoming An Artist on canvas by Jymi Cliche (the author)

I’ve always wanted to use book pages in my art but never felt right about ripping pages from a book, so I knew last year when I got these misprinted ones, exactly what I’d do with them.

“Flip Out” Moo approve… by the Jymi Cliche (the artist)

And this is the one I’m working on… (I still have more to go)

DJ art with pages from The Godchild 3: Becoming An Artist by Jymi Cliche (author)

The year ended with a bit of a disappointment when my memoir “I Write the System” didn’t get enough votes to make it into the top 5 Reedsy books of the week, but what it did get me was a surge in reviews. I ended the year with seven 5-star reviews on Amazon after the book had been out for four months. However, as of just this week, I now have sixteen 5 star reviews and one 4 star review between Amazon and Goodreads.

Here’s one review that sums it up nicely:

“This book has had me laughing and crying. I was taken back to the 80s and 90s of my own childhood through Jymi’s stories. As someone who has questioned their own sexuality and gender, I found it healing to learn that I really wasn’t alone in the universe. I recommend it for anyone, and especially for someone who doesn’t know what it’s like to question their personhood. I haven’t struggled with addiction of alcohol or drugs, but hearing this firsthand account gives me a more compassionate perspective.” — Coriander Rainbeaux

“Snow Plow” photo manipulation by Jymi Cliche (author)

It snowed last night, so I cooked tonight and am going to spend the rest of the evening editing my rewrite of The Godchild and then maybe some more art or writing another chapter in my new book. I’ve been eating fairly healthy and doing meditation and self-help apps, plus reading a little before bed every night. I’m not loving the state of the world right now and am hoping to stay inside and away from germs for the time being while I make some more art.

Happy 2022! Tell me your plans!