26 Comments
User's avatar
Xan Rubey's avatar

"Anger creates incredible things" reminded me to tell you and all your Substack gang about the show on BritBox called "RIOT WOMEN." I think the world needs this show now. It's about a group of 50+ women who form a punk band (and you thought the Clash were angry!) and take back their lives. It's funny and empowering and oh-so-relatable and the MUSIC!! is raging perfection! *EDIT: I should mention that Riot Women deals openly and frankly with many difficult topics, including suicide, sexual abuse, and domestic violence. These subjects are treated with remarkable empathy and respect but I don't want anyone to be caught off guard.

Ellen's avatar

I love love love that show! Music from angry middle aged ladies is wonderful. I cannot wait for Season 2. I always say that as a middle aged woman past menopause I can get away with so much because I am certifiably nuts and what more can you do to me? I've been hit with everything.

Sharon Hays's avatar

So many wonderful women artists in the past had shortened lives due to childbirth not to mention dealing with misogyny and racism. What's not to get angry about? And yet, we persevere and create powerful messages through art. We are the creators and nurturers of life.

Ari Wulff's avatar

Jenny, check out Harvey Fierstein's page on FB. He taught himself to quilt during the pandemic, and I promise you, you have never seen anything like it.

SuddenlyJamie's avatar

This makes my heart sing. We need to make more time for our art.

Stacy Brookman's avatar

My anger caused me to create a T-shirt store on Etsy with a snarky reference to the tragedies in Minnesota on it. I'll wear it to the polls.

M. Jean Blythe's avatar

What’s your store named? I want an angry shirt!

Stacy Brookman's avatar

It's called Real Life Resilience with a green circle logo. I'm very, very new, so not sure if it's even working yet. :) Would love your feedback. I have more snarky t-shirts to come.

Marcia Barnes's avatar

I learned a few years ago that I can complete a painting even if I only have 15 minutes here & there. All those 15 minutes added up. Now since I joined Substack I found out that I can fill sketchbooks by completing a drawing almost daily. My followers have encouraged me to produce art instead of just contemplating it.

Becky Robinson Guinn's avatar

That anger does create incredible things. Thanks for the reminder it doesn’t have to just eat us up.

M. Jean Blythe's avatar

This is beautiful! The QuiltCon quilts were inspiring. Talented creatives who put their rage into a quilty reality.

NPE's avatar

And thank you! for sharing your art and thoughtful, encouraging words. ❤️

Nancye Bonomo's avatar

Thank you for sharing. These are amazing and powerful!

Sally Jupe's avatar

Yes! isn't this just the damned truth!! That drawing is a beautiful quilt too.

Jenny Harshbarger's avatar

I love this. And you. And our feminine rage that fuels our creativity. I would be lost without your art. Keep shining.

Hope Griffin Diaz's avatar

You are a singularly amazing woman, Jenny.

Katy's avatar

I love how this one turned out. I’ve had to remind myself that all this anger is rooted in love. It helps keep me more positive.

Feral's avatar

Powerful, and also subtle. Love this.

Polly Hansen's avatar

Love these!