As an aside, I am always impressed with your language. I know English is not your native tongue, but anyone would be hard pressed to know that from your writing. You always express your deep emotions in English flawlessly.
Thanks so much for saying that, Mark! If you would have any idea how long I sit to write a two minute read you would think I am crazy. But it sounds like its worth it. Having written this newsletter for three years has improved my writing tremendously, but I am still very slow.
That's what I was thinking. And always remember the famous apology (source escapes me at the moment), "I'm sorry I didn't take the time to write a shorter letter."
this happens to the best of us and to me, i go back an repeat what i say a lot: creativity is a beast that eats us from inside screaming to get out. in what form it gets out it doesn't matter. to give you some examples: brian adams is not just a musician, is also a good photographer; sir anthony hoppkins is not just an actor, is also a good painter; susanne is not just a photographer and a zine queen 😊
Looks very tactile and for some reason Japanese to me. I like the different size pages, the ink, feathers, etc... beautiful hand-made textures. You should do chapter II. I look forward to seeing it! Really good, Susanne!!
This is beautiful, the sentiments, the emotions and the book.
Also - thank you for an idea of what I can do with the ream of handmade paper I have. It didn't work for my original idea but I love the paper so much. It fits right in with other handmade books I've been doing. Yay!!
Thank you for your comment, Tony. I find your words interesting, because I have been thinking about how I have been feeling lately, and how to describe it with words. “on hold” is surprisingly close…
Difficult times often end with lessons learned, but such hard lessons they can be. I admire you turning to your studio to find what spoke to you and found healing through the creative process. I have been able to use photography as a therapy and know the healing power creative pursuits can have. Although I have attempted journaling myself, I have not been one to continue that type of pursuit, your pages here blow me away, I think you are so gifted in the sense of a growing connection with your inner creative voice and it's physical manifestation. Thank you so much for sharing. Very inspiring. Take good care!
Wow, thank you for your thoughtful and kind comment, Paul! Art making is a powerful tool for getting me through tough times. I am glad photography helps you. Journaling is helpful to me as well, but in a different way. I try to be constant with it, but it is harder for me.
Gosh Susanne, this is just so beautiful. The raw humanity of it. It’s a rare gift to witness someone able to translate their pain into art. As a witness, this kind of art is truly palpable and cathartic. Thanks for sharing it with the world.
Thank you, Lauren! It feels good to know it speaks to you. I know it came from a dark place, but what makes it so relatable is that most of us have been there in one way or the other.
I love this so much, Susanne. It coveys such strong feelings and I love the way you have used photographs, paper, marks and ephemera throughout. Truly beautiful!
Susanne, This is so deeply moving and personal and artful and creative. I was deeply impacted by this work. I feel as if I will return to it over time the way you might return to a special poem or book. It has that kind of depth and emotion. Thank you for sharing it with us.
Oh, Tom! This is such a heartwarming comment. Thank you! I wasn‘t sure how my fellow photographers would think about a work like this (I know some purists will cringe), but I am so glad that it resonates with you so deeply. Thank you for letting me know! I think as humans we can all relate to feelings I tried to express in this work.
This is so cool, Susanne! Maybe not the best word but I'm lacking sleep so it's what I'm using :). I loved watching you flip through the pages as the birds sang inside my window. I could feel the emotion through these pages, which are vastly different from anything I've seen of yours. I'm always so impressed by the creativity and sensibility that flows through your hands. Just lovely! And your writing is real and humane, so relatable. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks so much, Juliette! You have no idea how often I am lacking to find the right words, so cool is totally fine! ;-) I am glad it resonates with you. And this is what I meant by ‚the most imperfect‘ zine of all. You could do something like this! 😎
As an aside, I am always impressed with your language. I know English is not your native tongue, but anyone would be hard pressed to know that from your writing. You always express your deep emotions in English flawlessly.
Thanks so much for saying that, Mark! If you would have any idea how long I sit to write a two minute read you would think I am crazy. But it sounds like its worth it. Having written this newsletter for three years has improved my writing tremendously, but I am still very slow.
I take two hrs minimum to write a 10-minute essay. Writing takes time.
Ten minute essays are hard work!
That's what I was thinking. And always remember the famous apology (source escapes me at the moment), "I'm sorry I didn't take the time to write a shorter letter."
What's a "ten-minute essay"?
an essay that takes 10 minutes to read. I should have written 5-minute essay.
Lol my impediment to posting more as well!!
this happens to the best of us and to me, i go back an repeat what i say a lot: creativity is a beast that eats us from inside screaming to get out. in what form it gets out it doesn't matter. to give you some examples: brian adams is not just a musician, is also a good photographer; sir anthony hoppkins is not just an actor, is also a good painter; susanne is not just a photographer and a zine queen 😊
Haha, thank you for your kind words! Whatever helps to feed the beast in us, right? 😉
Nailed it. When I grow up, I want to be Susanne Helmert. x
Haha! But I am not even grown up yet (and hopefully never will)
Yes, yes.
Looks very tactile and for some reason Japanese to me. I like the different size pages, the ink, feathers, etc... beautiful hand-made textures. You should do chapter II. I look forward to seeing it! Really good, Susanne!!
Thank you, Søren! Good to read you enjoyed this. We will see where my need of self-expression will lead me…😃
This is beautiful, the sentiments, the emotions and the book.
Also - thank you for an idea of what I can do with the ream of handmade paper I have. It didn't work for my original idea but I love the paper so much. It fits right in with other handmade books I've been doing. Yay!!
I have a couple of bags full of scraps of handmade paper from a local artist, and they are beautiful. I know I'll find a use for them some day.
I am sure you will find a purpose for them one day!
Thank you, Lauri! Yes, go ahead and use the precious papers. This will be a great use.
Absolutely beautiful! It made me teary eyed. I hope you create more. Thanks for sharing this with us!
Thank you for your comment, Manuela! I am already thinking / working on it…
I found that moving. The photographs in your chapter seem as if they are 'on hold', in abeyance. Like, waiting for you.
Thank you for your comment, Tony. I find your words interesting, because I have been thinking about how I have been feeling lately, and how to describe it with words. “on hold” is surprisingly close…
Difficult times often end with lessons learned, but such hard lessons they can be. I admire you turning to your studio to find what spoke to you and found healing through the creative process. I have been able to use photography as a therapy and know the healing power creative pursuits can have. Although I have attempted journaling myself, I have not been one to continue that type of pursuit, your pages here blow me away, I think you are so gifted in the sense of a growing connection with your inner creative voice and it's physical manifestation. Thank you so much for sharing. Very inspiring. Take good care!
Wow, thank you for your thoughtful and kind comment, Paul! Art making is a powerful tool for getting me through tough times. I am glad photography helps you. Journaling is helpful to me as well, but in a different way. I try to be constant with it, but it is harder for me.
Susanne, this is beautiful. I'm really drawn to the raw feelings this evokes. I believe this is a very worthwhile project to revisit. 🖤📷
Thanks a lot, Benjamin! I am glad to read it resonates.
Beautiful!
Thank you, Emily!
This is wonderful, I really like this 😍the collages, the words, the textures somehow it all match together perfectly
Thank you, Leon.
One can feel it that it is dark. I can.
The title says it all: ‘unfinished stories’. Maybe you shouldn’t finish them as they are in a way already finished.
Yes, that is absolutely true. Thank you, Luz!
Gosh Susanne, this is just so beautiful. The raw humanity of it. It’s a rare gift to witness someone able to translate their pain into art. As a witness, this kind of art is truly palpable and cathartic. Thanks for sharing it with the world.
Thank you, Lauren! It feels good to know it speaks to you. I know it came from a dark place, but what makes it so relatable is that most of us have been there in one way or the other.
I love this so much, Susanne. It coveys such strong feelings and I love the way you have used photographs, paper, marks and ephemera throughout. Truly beautiful!
Thank you for letting me know it resonates, Lee Anne! I am so glad to hear this!
This is really beautiful. I am so sorry about Ben x
Thank you, Colleen!
Susanne, This is so deeply moving and personal and artful and creative. I was deeply impacted by this work. I feel as if I will return to it over time the way you might return to a special poem or book. It has that kind of depth and emotion. Thank you for sharing it with us.
Oh, Tom! This is such a heartwarming comment. Thank you! I wasn‘t sure how my fellow photographers would think about a work like this (I know some purists will cringe), but I am so glad that it resonates with you so deeply. Thank you for letting me know! I think as humans we can all relate to feelings I tried to express in this work.
This is so cool, Susanne! Maybe not the best word but I'm lacking sleep so it's what I'm using :). I loved watching you flip through the pages as the birds sang inside my window. I could feel the emotion through these pages, which are vastly different from anything I've seen of yours. I'm always so impressed by the creativity and sensibility that flows through your hands. Just lovely! And your writing is real and humane, so relatable. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks so much, Juliette! You have no idea how often I am lacking to find the right words, so cool is totally fine! ;-) I am glad it resonates with you. And this is what I meant by ‚the most imperfect‘ zine of all. You could do something like this! 😎