Summary

Jymi Cliche's 2021 was marked by creative achievements, personal growth, and challenges, including organizing art shows, publishing books, dealing with OCD, and adapting to changes in personal relationships and healthcare support.

Abstract

In 2021, Jymi Cliche hosted virtual events, completed and published two books, and organized a solo art exhibit. Despite facing rejection from agents and dealing with severe OCD symptoms that affected his performance schedule, Cliche continued to create and share his work. He also navigated changes in his personal life, including a breakup and the start of a new relationship, and adapted to transitions in his healthcare team. His year was also highlighted by family visits, a photography show, and participation in art contests. Cliche's artistic endeavors were complemented by his efforts to maintain his health and well-being, such as getting vaccinated and seeking a new social worker when necessary.

Opinions

Cliche views his art and writing as methods of self-expression and healing, particularly during times of mental health struggle.
He values community and connection, as evidenced by his hosting of Zoom parties and participation in open mics.
Cliche expresses disappointment with the publishing industry's lack of interest in his autobiography and children's book, but he remains undeterred in his creative pursuits.
He places high importance on his health, as shown by his decision to stop performing live music due to severe OCD symptoms and his proactive approach to getting vaccinated.
Cliche is resilient, turning frustrations with his healthcare providers into motivation to advocate for his needs and finding alternative avenues for his work, such as self-publishing.
He demonstrates a positive outlook, focusing on his accomplishments and planning for future goals despite setbacks.

2021 in Review

My 2021 in review…

Jymi Cliche swimming in July 2021. Photo manipulation by Jymi Cliche of photo by Koda Haynes

I hosted a New Year Art Show/Open Mic Party on Zoom with about 25 people from around the world
participated in Soulkore and Jam’n Java Open Mics
found a record case that could hold tons of records and began organizing

visited my parents
finished writing “I Write the System”
illustrated “Be the Best You”
queried agents for both books, but was told that while my writing and art were good and the idea of the books sounded interesting, neither an autobiography about an unknown artist or a children’s book about a Bipolar, transgender child were exactly what anyone was looking for right now
designed covers for both books and prepared them for self publishing on Amazon
got vaccinated
broke up with one of my open relationship boyfriends who I’d been with for about four years but realized he rarely ever made me feel good
hosted an Open Mic/Art Show Zoom Party in April
cleaners came and helped me make my apartment spotless
bought some cheap new furniture and put it together
did my last open mic in May
My favorite health care worker announced she was moving to another job and I was heartbroken. Then, her replacement kept blowing me off and my visiting nurse was blowing me off as well, so I was spending several hours, several days a week, waiting for people who never showed up and didn’t apologize. I was losing my cool.
My OCD symptoms began to get severe and I had to stop doing open mics. I’m still dealing with this problem and have not performed live music since.
I framed 25 photos and 25 drawings for a solo exhibit at Out Of the Blue Gallery starting in May and it went all through the Summer. It was called “Falling Apart, Breaking, and Putting Myself Back Together Through Art” and was made up of photos and art I did when I was sick with psychosis between 2005–2010. Most of the art was done in psych wards.

Some of the photos from Jymi Cliche’s exhibit at OOTB Gallery

some of the art from Jymi Cliche’s exhibit at OOTB Gallery

Photography Show on May 22 that many friends and family attended

Artists Prospero Eaton and David Stickney at Jymi Cliche’s Photography Show. Image by Jymi Cliche

began preparing for an art show in December that was gonna be at the health center and everything I sold had to be under $20 so I had books, prints, stickers, t-shirts, and business cards made
Part 2 of my art show June 26, which many friends and family also attended

Jymi Cliche in front of his art. Photo by Nikki R.

made stickers and a book announcement to sent out to my mailing list
dealt with severe rage and stress in June-September
my long distance boyfriend visited at the end of July and we went to see a scenic view of Boston and to the art gallery, the graffiti spot, and swimming in Mystic Lake. It was like a staycation for me.

Boston Skyline photo manipulation by Jymi Cliche

graffiti spot photo manipulation by Jymi Cliche

got a new social worker in August because I refused to work with the one who kept blowing me off
published “I Write the System” in end of August and started out on the best seller’s list in a couple categories

visited parents for pre-birthday fun
saw my sisters and nieces and brother in law at an art show at Out Of the Blue Gallery on my birthday
hung out with a friend for my birthday
started a new relationship with someone I have known 25 years
did some new art based on my children’s book

published “Be the Best You”

artist Armani Dae holding a copy of “Be the Best You” by Jymi Cliche. Image by Armani Dae

attended my cousin’s wedding party in September
designed 14 tarot cards based on the suit of swords, but the suit of microphones in my version

attended a Halloween art show and made some Halloween art

saw a friend around Halloween and had pumpkin beer and listened to some records
started writing new book “Good Catholic Kids”
edited my old books and prepared to make second editions
got ready for an art and writing contest I wanted to enter
visited my parents for Halloween and there was a police chase outside my parents house
my art went up at the Middle East Nightclub in early November and I had an art show there with Prospero Eaton and our friends in November

I had issues with getting my medications and stress and couldn’t make it to Thanksgiving but I celebrated at home with a steak and a movie
I made more stickers and newsletters to send to my mailing list for the holidays
I submitted 5 drawings, 5 paintings, and 20 pages of writing to the contest which is still open and therefore no winners have been chosen yet.
The craft show at my health center was canceled, and nothing was going right. My rage came back after losing so much time and money on shit that went nowhere, but I made back most of the money I lost. I may not have made extra, but it’s not really about money for me anyway, so I came to accept it
I went to my parents for Christmas

and now I’m just taking it easy, looking back on my year and my accomplishments, and preparing to make some goals for 2022.