Why Studio Notes exists
Why Studio Notes exists
Let me re-introduce myself: I'm moving to Substack!
Hello, human!
My name is Bea Policarpio, I am a Filipina artist who also writes. Welcome to my newsletter, #StudioNotes!
If you’ve already subscribed and are wondering why you are getting this email, it’s because I’ve decided to switch to more flexible platform moving forward—Substack—which frankly has a better archive layout, and also allows you to more easily share my letters with others!
If you’ve enjoyed or learned anything from my past notes, please do me a small favor and tell at least one person you think may like them too!
Why #StudioNotes exists
In 2020, my new year’s resolution was to serve others in a tangible way, not only through my art, but also with my words. In March, Metro Manila was put on total lockdown due to the COVID-19 global pandemic. I struggled to make sense of the uncertainty that lay ahead us but more importantly, I asked myself how I could be a gift of time—rather than a waste of time—during this strange season. This sense of purpose is what compelled me to start writing about the creative journey, combining wisdom that I had learned from others with lessons I needed to remind myself of. I figured—what are we all here for if not to inspire one another?
This passion project was born out of three lifelong goals:
I want to connect in a deeper way with the online community beyond the usual feed and story posts which tend to keep us on the surface.
I want to serve more concretely through my creative pursuits and share what I’ve learned along the way.
I love writing and one day hope to publish a book.
How will you be a gift of time?
So I’ll be sending you one letter a week baring my soul and all the gory detai—OKAY, CUT. No. That’s not what I’m after.
So here’s the deal: You can expect me, Bea, to drop in your email inbox every Friday night at 6PM, bearing a letter written with love and good energy, minus all the drama and fluff, just in time for the weekend.
Each week I will discuss a broad theme related to creative living. The stories I share will sometimes draw from the current state of the studio, but other times from the lives of incredible human beings who have inspired me as an artist. I’ll be combining this with potentially life-changing material by other people plus shameless references to pop culture: every week you’ll receive my recommended resources for your reading, viewing, and listening pleasure. I’ll never recommend you anything I personally have not consumed myself. It’s an ambitious project for sure, but I promise to deliver value to you to the best of my abilities.
If you’re new in da club, you can catch up by reading all past volumes here.
You are free to unsubscribe anytime if you feel that I have failed to inspire, inform, or otherwise entertain you in any way—this means I no longer deserve your attention nor your time. With that, I promise not to send you spam mail, meaningless personal rants, quasi-novels, unsolicited videos of me crying and/or desperate attempts at humor. (The last one maaaybe negotiable depending on my mood. Kidding!)
What do you do in the real world?
I frequently get asked what I “actually do” as a full time artist. Well, I make art! I make things happen! I paint! I write! I film! I create content! Sometimes I model for Instagram and dance on Tiktok! LOL.
On a more ~professional~ note, when I’m not doing any of the above, I also do client work—private commissions for collectors, creative consultancy, content marketing, and branding projects. We’ll get to know each other better over the course of this correspondence, but feel free to reach out by replying to this email or via Instagram DMs!
Stay healthy and with any luck I’ll see you in your inbox next Friday.
Sending all my love & intensity,
xx B
The artist, elsewhere:
Visual Diary @beapolicarpio / Art Gallery @polipaints
Shop Originals: The Artling | Cartellino Shop Prints: Artdrop | Paragon
Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Tiktok (if you dare) | Art Tiktok