the LIFESTYLE

One year ago we launched The Porch Swing, a series centered around a Reflection and Response artist residency where we feature a Collective member’s ongoing projects through weekly installations. Our first Porch Swing resident artist was none other than core Collective member Samuel Bostick. It’s been truly inspiring watching Samuel’s various projects unfold, and his contributions to the LIFESTYLE through creative writing have helped build and develop the Reflection and Response dialogue. We’re proud to have been a part of this year-long collaboration, and we’re looking forward to Samuel continuing to expand his craft as part of our Original Mondays series. Keep an eye out for a lot more to come from this multi-faceted artist! We’ll let Samuel close this one out with a letter to the Collective entitled “A Ride of Definition”:

Yo, this letter makes postage of one plus year of Porch Swing activity.

This has been a ride of definition; that type of space age time travel…the sort of low-tone groove bouncing over spurring high hats and jumping 808 boom-baps. Coming from a forgotten place where it seemed as if life had no direction, this has served as an orientation to truth. Poetry. Introspective thoughts. Erotic peeks. WORDs. Illustrations. Collaborations. Late submissions. Early bird tweets. Ups. Downs. Great and Shitty. It all happened here.

Behind the scenes dreams poured out. This is a place of evolution.

An honor, privilege, challenge and a test of endurance; when it all boils down, there is a special insight that has come from this process. Through and through writing has become a vital part of life as I know it—expression, reflective process, artistic composition, here at the LIFESTYLE all of these avenues have shown through.

It’s kind of crazy thinking back to that first piece—“Vision” and now seeing myself; Closer to my dreams, yet so far from the finale.

Out of pain, doubt, deception and lies, the nighthawk shall continue to rise. Building dreams with a passion; in hard times the cause of pursuit keeps the mission on track. Shit gets tight, every day turns dark, still through it all it’s a matter of self respect and character which maintains momentum. Follow your heart. That’s what I’ve learned through this past year. I finally understand…There is a destiny to fulfill and I’m the only one who can do it for me. The picture isn’t completely developed, still the truth in conviction discerns what’s real as much as it reveals what a lie smells like. That’s the process of growth. It’s not an easy route when there are not many others who have pioneered the way. Regardless of difficulty keep chugging along and learn as you go.

It has been a great adventure and although I’m stepping out of the box, I’ll still be around. There’s no doubt about that.

-SAMUEL BOSTICK

@THEREALSHANTS

just.the.basics

the LIFESTYLE’s role is to create collective space for active Reflection and Response through the arts. This space is built around dialogue, expression, collaboration, and artistic (ex)change involving international craftspeople and their realities. The Porch Swing series opens up a Reflection and Response residency where we feature a Collective member’s ongoing project through weekly installations.