Feeling Deeply, Sharing Boldly
Seeing Sensitivity As A Superpower
I’ve always been drawn to images, stories, and words of wisdom that don’t just engage my mind—they capture my imagination.
As a creator, I do my best to channel emotions into what I make. As a curator, I select, arrange, and present work that resonates with me—and, hopefully, with others too.
But creating and curating in a world overflowing with opinions, comments, and noise? That’s where things get complicated. At least, for me.
FEELING EVERYTHING, ALL AT ONCE
The internet has a way of flattening experiences. A work of art that took days and weeks to make is often judged—praised, dismissed, and/or ignored—in seconds.
A thoughtful montage of vintage photographs might receive a fraction of the attention a meme gets. And yet, despite the fleeting engagement and open-to-interpretation nature of the former, I’m drawn to making montages, not memes.
I’ve seen how some creators and curators manage to distance themselves from their audiences and their work. They’ve adopted a “just put it out there and move on” mentality. I admire that approach, but I’m not wired that way.
Every montage I make, every post I write—it’s all a piece of me. Which means I tend to take things personally. And that’s both a strength and a weakness.
CREATION + CURATION + INTENTION
Creation is about reflection—making something from nothing or transforming what already exists into something new. Curation is about selection—deciding what deserves to be seen. Both tell a story, whether through a collection of vintage photos, a montage of artistic male portraits, or a deep dive into a forgotten artist’s work.
But I don’t create and curate based solely on aesthetics. For better or worse, I create and curate based on emotions and instincts.
A photograph might be visually stunning, but if it doesn’t feel right, it doesn’t make the cut. And I’ve left more work on the cutting room floor than I’d like to admit. Not everything I make is fit for public consumption—or public comment.
For me, my work is deeply personal. Maybe too personal.
THE RISK OF CARING TOO MUCH
Being sensitive in a creative space means opening yourself up—to feedback, interpretation, and criticism. And not all of it is constructive. Or kind.
There are days when I wonder if my sensitivity is a liability. If caring so much about images and stories is worth the emotional toll. Maybe creating distance would make things easier?
But then I remember the creatives whose work truly moves me are the ones who care deeply. They don’t just make content; they craft experiences. They don’t just present; they connect.
And connection is the reason I do this.
EMBRACING SENSITIVITY AS A STRENGTH
I used to think I needed to grow a thicker skin.
But I’m finally realizing that sensitivity isn’t necessarily a weakness—it’s part of my process and who I am. It’s what makes my work meaningful…to me at least. And it allows me to collect and connect with heart, create with purpose, and curate work that doesn’t just look good—it feels right to me too.
Fellow sensitive creatives, please consider this: feeling deeply doesn’t have to be a flaw. It can be a superpower. I think the world needs more people who give a fuck about what they’re doing and what they’re making. And, in my experience, works that carry authentic emotion will find a receptive, supportive audience.
Thank you for being a friend!
Clint 🌈✌️
P.S. This Studio Saturday, I’ll be finishing a new montage, just for Substack paid subscribers. I plan to send it out later today. Until then…cheers!
FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION
ON THIS DAY = MARCH 8
BIRTHDAYS
1841 = Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. = American lawyer and jurist
1856 = Colin Campbell Cooper = American painter and academic
1865 = Frederic Goudy = American type designer
1887 = Una Vincenzo, Lady Troubridge = English artist 🌈
1921 = Alan Hale Jr. = American actor and restaurateur
1922 = Ralph H. Baer = German-American video game designer
1944 = Carole Bayer Sager = American singer-songwriter
1945 = Micky Dolenz = American singer-songwriter and actor
1947 = Michael S. Hart = American author and Project Gutenberg founder
1948 = Peggy March = American singer-songwriter
1951 = Monica F. Helms = American activist and trans flag designer 🌈
1959 = Lester Holt = American journalist
1961 = Camryn Manheim = American actor
1968 = Shawn Mullins = American singer-songwriter
1976 = Freddie Prinze Jr. = American actor, producer, and screenwriter
1977 = James Van Der Beek = American actor
1982 = Kat Von D = American tattoo artist and model
2004 = Kit Connor = English actor
EVENTS
1775 = An anonymous writer, thought by some to be Thomas Paine, publishes African Slavery in America, the first article in the American colonies calling for the emancipation of slaves and the abolition of slavery.
1817 = The New York Stock Exchange is founded.
1936 = Daytona Beach and Road Course holds its first oval stock car race.
1948 = SCOTUS rules in McCollum v. Board of Education that religious instruction in public schools is unconstitutional
1950 = The iconic Volkswagen Type 2 "Bus" begins production.
1979 = Philips demonstrates the compact disc publicly for the first time.
1993 = Beavis and Butt-Head premieres on MTV.
HOLIDAYS + OBSERVANCES
PORTRAIT + QUOTE OF THE DAY
“It’s the experience of maybe you’re too straight to be gay and you’re too gay to be straight. So it’s like, ‘Where do I sit?’ But I feel much more secure in myself now.”
Kit Connor
NEW + FEATURED
Featured = To The Front Of The Line #1 (NSFW)
Substack = NSFW + Pioneers + Pride + SFW
LINKS
Bluesky + Ko-Fi + Linktree + YouTube
SHOP
Art Prints + Merch + Pride
On Amazon + On Threadless
I think that most creators feel similarly. Each creation contains a part of your self, your soul. It is a precious child of its creator. We welcome honest feedback but some boorish, rude or insensitive people don't seem to realise the impact of their criticisms, the intimate nature of creation. "Your child is fucking ugly. I hate it." I make critical remarks, which may be hurtful - "Hairs too long in my opinion", "Tell him to smile at the camera. I like his smiles not his sour faces.".
https://youtu.be/qw0V5y4QuMQ?si=p2UVdw78-Zogcn-I
Now let's have a smirk 😏