The old one-dimensional female archetypes -- the soccer mom, the starving artist, the successful-but-lonely boss lady -- are dead. Women are creating new, multidimensional archetypes and defying stereotypes.
The most fulfilled women are constantly creating in multiple areas of their lives, whereas burnout often happens when we feel like the routine of our day job is all we have time for. The Archetypal Woman Series is a tribute to inspiring women who rearrange time and space to explore and excel in a range of activities. May their stories encourage you to expand into your own uniqueness for the benefit of you and everyone in your orbit.
Can you tell us a little bit about the work you do?
I'm mostly a writer. I write poetry, fiction, essays, and I write about art. I also offer arts-based editorial work. This takes a couple of forms. I work directly with artists and writers to elevate their access to resources and opportunities through coaching, writing, and editorial support. And I've created an experimental art writing journal called Crystal and Flame.
We are in a time of rapid change! What encouraging trends are you seeing in your industry?
I feel encouraged by the willingness of certain writers and artists to call for more accountability from institutions. I'm interested in radicalizing how resources get allocated in the creative community. The pandemic has drawn needed attention to how intensely artists struggle in our society. There's still a lot of work to do here, but I do see more people invested in finding ways to broaden access to resources.
What are some practical tools you use to help manage your time and energy?
Rest and daily movement are pretty non-negotiable for me. I'm in recovery from a post-capitalist productivity addiction, so I sometimes have to will myself to nap or take a break. I'm very lucky to live very close to some beautiful trails. I walk a lot. I lie on the earth. I dance. I find that if I think about time management, I tend to lose time. If I orient toward what my body needs to feel well, I get a lot more done.
This is the Archetypal Woman Series, where we shine a spotlight on women who are bringing forth new, multidimensional ways of living and working. How would you describe the archetype you’re bringing onto the planet?
I love this question. She's a bit of a shapeshifter. Right now I'm thinking of her as a Venusian Editorial Executive. There's this model of creation she's invested in that's Venusian in the sense of lushness. Everything is soft. I have the notion that every strand of her labor is born from pleasure, and every pleasure gives way to a birth. The parenting of her creative projects forms a collaboration with other partners--which she orients to with a great deal of love.
Can you tell us about a woman who has had a significant impact on the trajectory of your career? What lessons did she impart?
My mentor Kathryn Davis taught me a lot about teaching and writing. She taught me something very valuable about leaning into my particular weirdness as a writer, and also as a person, and the benefits of letting people see one's strangeness. In general, Kathryn knows a lot about the beauty of the weird.
What's next for you? Do you have any projects in the pipeline you'd like us to know about? How can we support you and your work?
I'm offering 3 Earth Consent workshops through the Tarble Arts Center in November and early December. These workshops are a pre-cursor and window into a longer Earth Consent Course that will happen in 2021. The workshops are free, so it's a great chance for anyone to dip a toe in. Beyond that, Crystal and Flame is actively seeking collaborative partners and investors. We'd love to hear from anyone who's interested in participating in the future of the art world!
What message do you want to share with the world?
I want people to know they can tear holes in the fabric of reality if they don't like the one they find themselves in. It is possible to remake the world.
You can follow Maura on Instagram @ekphrasticninja and learn more at www.maurapellettieri.com.
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