Four photos of a vintage brown pill bottle and several transparent pill capsules filled with strips of paper and red and white sprinkles. On the left: close on the label of the bottle, which reads, "Pure unmodified doubts; for the immediate reduction of self-worth, indispensible to the working writer; a sure cure for optimism and vitality; DIRECTIONS--Adults, one capsule by mouth three times daily. Proportionally more for children; prepared by Traci Chee, druggist, San Francisco, Calif." Top right: pill bottle on its side with the metal lid nearby, pill capsules spilling out. Middle right: open pill capsule with a strip of paper unfurling out of it; text reads "Dear author... impossible to correspond... we thank you". Bottom right: pile of pile capsules in a white dish
Top: open pill capsule with red and white sprinkles strewn about and a strip of paper reading, "Ms. Chee, we regret we cannot publish..." Middle: closed pill capsules with red and white sprinkles and coiled strips of paper inside; in the center is a strip of paper reading "07.16.09 | We are honored that you considered... time. Please consider the numerical reality:... work. We hope you will keep in touch, and we..." Bottom: a mosaic of strips of paper, each of them featuring the word "unfortunately"
When in doubt, make more art. 💪 Half of this month's newsletter is from 2015, on rejection & a book art project called DOUBTS. Half of it is a reflection, ten years later, on what I've since learned about coping with feelings of inadequacy & failure. 🎨
tracichee.substack.com/p/when-in-do...