Creativity is the journey that leads us from the familiar to the unknown, from doubt to clarity, and from reflection to action.
No worries, I'm not going to get into the same old "oh no, I still don’t know what is going to happen" mode. I'm actually super excited to share with you the latest developments in my artistic journey. Finally, after a period of reflection and exploration, I've gained more clarity and a renewed sense of purpose, and I can't wait to embark on this next chapter with all of you.
At this moment, I am deep in the process of writing Chapter 8 of my upcoming next book, If These Walls Could Talk, a project that delves into the memories of a house, well actually my house, through different eras in Jersey City. The house, lovingly called "old lady," is telling you lots of little stories; she has a great voice, and I hope she will captivate you as much as she captivates me. Alongside this, I am revamping my artist website to better reflect the changes and updates in my creative life. And, of course, I am dedicating significant time to painting—I am happiest in my studio for sure with my sleeves rolled up and a brush in my hand.
I want to take a moment to express my gratitude for the incredible support I've received from many of you during my sabbatical and through this Substack, including some paid subscription pledges by my free subscribers to support me. Your encouragement and engagement have been invaluable, and it has prompted me to consider how I can offer more in return.
Initially, the idea of introducing a paywall for exclusive content felt conflicting to me. I've always believed in the power of sharing art and stories openly. However, I've come to understand that your support goes beyond mere generosity—it enables me to focus on what truly matters: creating meaningful art and writing.
Conversations with friends and fellow creatives have helped me recognize the interconnectedness of my interests in history and historic preservation, architecture, storytelling, and art—a journey I've been on for years. It's made me question whether my doubts were simply the voice of procrastination—you know the procrastination monkey is real; he loves hanging out on my shoulder.
As I navigate through the process of updating my website and refining my creative vision, things are becoming clearer. I look forward to sharing more about this journey with you soon.
Now, regarding subscription tiers here on Substack, here's what I came up with:
Free Subscribers: Nothing changes for you. You'll continue to enjoy my free content every couple of weeks, including stories, insights into my work, and glimpses into my artist life. I appreciate you, and I'm happy you enjoy reading what I share.
Paid Subscribers ($5/month or $50/year): By subscribing, you'll directly support the completion of my book. Additionally, you'll gain access to exclusive content on this Substack, including drafts from my book If These Walls Could Talk, at least six times a year. These drafts could include excerpts of chapters or behind-the-scenes insights into the writing process, along with audio readings of those excerpts in my heavy accent voice, if you dare to listen to it. Additionally, you will be acknowledged by name in the final published version of my book. You truly make a difference—thank you!
Founding Members ($150 or amount of your choice over an annual subscription): As a founding member, you'll receive all the benefits of paid subscribers, plus a free signed copy of the final published version of If These Walls Could Talk. Thank you so much for believing in this journey, and I cannot wait to wrap the book in a nice... maybe handmade wrapping paper... wouldn’t that be something? and send it to you :)
Your support fuels my creative journey and enables me to bring my projects to life. I hope you consider supporting my book endeavors, but in any event, I cannot wait to share more sidewalk stories with you. Thank you for being part of this journey and for considering joining me on this exciting path.
Warm regards,
Nat Kalbach
I can not wait to read your book!
The title is the title of one of my favorite HBO short stories (3 stories as one show).
Best wishes as you continue on your creative journey.