ART Times – Edition Seven

ARTSTACK - #ARTSTACKTIMES

Welcome to the seventh edition of ART Times, a special corner of ARTSTACK where we shine a light on the newsletters created by artists and creative spirits on Substack. It’s where inboxes turn into galleries, musings evolve into manifestos, and each issue brings you closer to the heartbeat of the art community.

In this edition, we explore four incredibly distinct newsletters — each offering a glimpse into the inner world of its creator. From soulful lyricism and whimsical illustrations to soft prayers and psychedelic reflections, this issue is a full-spectrum journey of creativity, introspection, and connection.

Photo by Debby Hudson on Unsplash

Carlos Jackal — A Butterfly’s Soul

Carlos Jackal — A Butterfly’s Soul

Carlos Jackal Poetry

’s recent post, A Butterfly’s Soul, is a stunning blend of poetic thought and philosophical musing that captures the ephemeral nature of transformation. There’s a rhythm to Jackal’s writing that feels both spontaneous and spiritual — like a song remembered from a dream.

Through layered metaphors and soulful reflection, Jackal asks the reader to contemplate their metamorphosis. What are we shedding? What do we carry unknowingly? This newsletter doesn’t just speak to artists; it speaks to anyone on a path of reinvention, gently reminding us that transformation often comes with both beauty and ache.

“The butterfly, in its final form, does not recall the leaf it once crawled on. And yet, somehow, it knows it belonged there.”

Carlos Jackal is a writer to watch. His newsletter feels like a slow exhale — poetic, probing, and always leading us toward a deeper kind of clarity.

Weronika Salach — How I Got Into Children’s Book Illustration

Weronika Salach first Procreate creations - turned into Skillshare courses

There’s something magical about stepping into the world of children’s book illustration, and

Weronika Salach

gives us a front-row seat in her post How I Got Into Children’s Book Illustration. Her story unfolds like a picture book itself — warm, personal, and quietly bold.

Weronika doesn’t just talk about drawing; she talks about the emotional resonance of childhood, the importance of visual storytelling, and how imagination is a lifelong companion. Her honesty about creative blocks, self-doubt, and perseverance feels like a balm for any artist navigating the long road between dream and publication.

Accompanied by examples of her whimsical art style and thoughtful reflection, this post offers insight into the technical and emotional work behind illustration. It’s a delightful read for illustrators, aspiring artists, and anyone who still believes in the magic of storybooks.

“The picture doesn’t have to be perfect. It just has to speak to the child in you.”

The Mazist — The Phantom Zone (Potent with Lyrics)

Step into the surreal with The Mazist’s latest piece, The Phantom Zone (Potent with Lyrics) — a mind-bending, multimedia post that fuses poetry, sound, and visual storytelling into something unforgettable. This is what happens when an artist invites you to a world they’ve built entirely from scratch.

Reading

Christopher Crawford Jr.

work feels like stepping into a metaphysical mixtape. His post is packed with layered lyrics, haunting vibes, and thought-provoking observations on existence, identity, and creativity. It’s punk rock poetry, philosophy in a hoodie — rebellious, weird, and sincere.

What makes this post stand out is its sonic edge. The embedded lyrics aren’t just text — they’re alive. You can feel the rhythm, the pulse, the tension. It’s art that asks to be felt, not just seen or read.

“In the Phantom Zone, we meet ourselves — unfiltered, untamed. The echo becomes a mirror.”

Karina — Loving-Kindness Prayer for the Quiet

Sometimes, the most profound art is found in stillness — and that’s exactly what

Karina

offers in Loving-Kindness Prayer for the Quiet. This post is a meditative, heart-opening piece that feels like a spiritual reset for anyone overwhelmed by the noise of the world.

Written with tenderness and clarity, the post offers a simple but powerful practice of self-compassion and reflection. Whether you're an artist, a parent, a caregiver, or simply a seeker of calm, this prayer reaches out and holds space for the quiet moments in between chaos.

What stands out is the accessibility. This isn’t lofty or distant. It’s grounded, real, and deeply needed. A reminder that healing, creativity, and presence often begin with micro-movements — with stillness, breath, and intention.

“Let the quiet in. Let it do what it came to do.”

T I M E L E S S - A R T - OF - THE - DAY

Diamonde

P O E M - OF - THE - DAY

EMBRACING CHANGE (2025)

SLAM

Why This Series Matters

“ART Times” is more than a roundup — it’s a recognition. Artists on Substack aren’t just newsletter writers. They’re architects of emotional landscapes, creators of new mythologies, and builders of beautiful little sanctuaries in a digital world.

Each of the featured artists in this edition reminds us that creativity comes in many forms and that storytelling, whether visual or verbal, is the glue that binds us as a community. Whether you came for poetic transformation, dreamy illustrations, punk energy, or spiritual calm — you’ve seen the soul of what artists are creating right now, in real time, across Substack.

This is what ARTSTACK is all about honoring the many ways art shows up in life, and celebrating the creators brave enough to share it

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The Creative Visionary