People often ask me where my creative themes come from, and I answer that they are formed by a combination of personal and corporate societal experience.
Anxiety is something that I struggled with for a long time and eventually was able to harness, but in recent times, I’ve felt it rearing its head again and not just in my life, but in the lives of everyone around me.
We now live in a time of many “unknowns” and serious issues that affect us all personally. In my effort to contain my anxious thoughts, I landed on the concept of IMAGINATION.
Our imaginations are a powerful weapon, a portal for dreaming of all that is alternative, idealistic and pure. But it’s much more than a neutral place filled with sparkling ideals; our imagination has the dexterity to cast shadows of doubt, arouse fear and tell tragic tales that haven’t yet happened, hanging in the balance of what if?
I took this thought to the team and we crafted Darling Issue 23 around the idea of our imagination being a sacred and powerful place connected to our life force, a place we must protect at all costs. My hope is that the essays, poetry and interviews you’ll read inside will build upon this truth and the visuals will spark even greater beauty in your mind’s eye this spring.
Here are my personal notes on a few of this issue’s unique features. Be sure to visit our shop for an even more extensive look inside:
Inside The Dreamer | “Just Imagine” by Amanda Cook
This article explores ways to redeem imagination — that space where thoughts can live and breathe — and offers hope that where we struggle with anxiety, we can find new ways to love ourselves and seek freedom from despair.
Inside The Achiever | Interview with Rachel Brosnahan
Golden Globe winner Rachel Brosnahan sat down with us to share about her role as “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.” Savvy but warm, she talks to us about what she thinks is worth a confident pursuit both on and off the screen.
Inside The Hostess | “I Can’t Cook” by Candace Nelson
Chef, entrepreneur and businesswoman Candace Nelson of Sprinkles and Pizzana, writes a compelling article on how cooking doesn’t need to be as frightening or perfect as we fear, and offers tips on the essentials of how to get started.
Inside The Intellectual | Interview with Danai Gurira
Danai Gurira talks to us about her passion for both theatre and film, allowing African women to tell their stories, and reveals some of the how and why behind her role as the fearsome warrior Okoye in the just-released “Black Panther.”
Inside The Stylist | “To Adore, To Adorn” by Kahu de Beer
This persuasive essay argues for why it isn’t wrong for women to enjoy dressing with style, and encourages the stylist at heart that what she’s doing can be a method of real self-love and affirmation.
Inside The Confidant | “Dear Jess,” with Guest Editor Jess Weiner
In the first of our new series, activist, businesswoman and change-maker Jess Weiner answers questions sent by our Darling community surrounding work, womanhood and self-acceptance.
Inside The Beautician | “Body as Home” by Amanda Crew
Actress and leader in the conversation around body issues, Amanda Crew writes the story on why she began to speak out about her past, present and future in her own body — and why we need to refrain from judgment of one another in the process.
Inside The Explorer | “Women Wage Peace” by Orna Raz
This exposé tells the story of a phenomena of women from both sides of the conflict in Palestine and Israel marching to believe in peace in their region; a movement strongly rooted in the conviction that the mothers of the community have both the capacity and the responsibility to stand for peace.
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Feature Image via Tony Li
Cover Image by Kayt Jones for Darling Issue No. 23
