21 Comments
User's avatar
Kharpern's avatar

Congratulations Phoenix. I love your art. The word that comes to mind regarding your art is whimsical. I hope you don’t mind the description. Having someone in our lives who believes in us is worth everything. Your partner is a gem. And silencing our inner critic can be a challenge (sometimes a lifelong one 😕). At least that has been so for me. Anyway….you are finding yourself and your way. Exciting! 👍😃💕

Phoenix Birch (they/them)'s avatar

I love that my art is whimsical to you, Kharpern. Your words of encouragement mean a lot to me. And yes, my partner is a gem, indeed. I'm really lucky to have them in my life. Sending much love and appreciation your way! xx

Kharpern's avatar

Hi Phoenix

I don’t tend to post my photo in posts because of privacy concerns. However for the past number of days I’ve been thinking I’d like you to see me as you have allowed your readers like myself to see you. While my Substack “name” is Kharpern (the name of a tuxedo cat who was my much-loved companion for a number of years) my name is Diane. Please feel free to use either name. xx

Phoenix Birch (they/them)'s avatar

Oh my goodness, how I love this. I feel really honored that you invited me to see you, to know your name, to know you a little more than the small but beautiful glimpses I get here. Thank you, Diane. Your sincerity always shines through your words and now I can see it in your smile 💖

Kharpern's avatar

I’m sorry - but did the photo get posted? I don’t see it in our conversation thread. (I’m not great at technology.)

Phoenix Birch (they/them)'s avatar

I didn't see it at first, but it was there when I went into the post! Technology can be capricious ;)

Kharpern's avatar

Thank you 😊

Phoenix Birch (they/them)'s avatar

You know, it was there and now it’s not… so I get why you didn’t see it. I’m not sure why that is 🤔

old dan yeller's avatar

I love love love this. I love your art and your thoughts and feelings behind it. I also feel so much tenderness toward you and Bryn hearing how they whisper to you what you're capable of. Awesome that you're doing this.

Phoenix Birch (they/them)'s avatar

Oh friend. I love you and this genuine offering of your words. And your tenderness toward us (Bryn is a true gem, as you know). Thank you for being in my corner.

Kate Mapother's avatar

This is so great Phoenix! And feels so entirely authentic to the spirit of you I feel through these inter webs. Congrats friend!

Phoenix Birch (they/them)'s avatar

What an honor to hear how this comes through for you, friend. Thank you, from my heart 🤍

Kate Mapother's avatar

You’re so welcome, from mine 🤍

Keith Aron's avatar

Very excited for all the wild folk out there who will find wild you and your wild folk kin. Deep bow to you for persevering through the process of transformation, friend. 🙏🪶🐛🦋🐿️🦫🦨🐦🐦‍⬛🐦‍🔥🐦‍🔥🐦‍🔥

Phoenix Birch (they/them)'s avatar

Thank you, my dear wild folk kin. I'm so grateful for your presence and witness 💖

Older and wider's avatar

Beautiful, beautiful, Phoenix!

All the best for your embracing of more-than-one-thing, good-enough, and the seeing of the wild folk. 🐌🐦

(Oh! The last writer I responded to, I put a snail and bird on the comment, for different reasons, and here they are again for Phoenix. Snails and birds it is, then!)

May Wildfolk be just the right size for you. May coding no longer haunt your dreams. May the wild folk everywhere continue to inspire you.

Hugs, if you feel like them. 🫂

Phoenix Birch (they/them)'s avatar

Aww, Heather Lee, your words (and wild folk emojis) warm my heart... they really do. I appreciate your wishes, your hugs and your being <3

Michael Moore's avatar

Love the artwork and the shop! I’ve never been brave enough to try coding and was always thankful that it wasn’t a part of my job. I’ve seen enough to realise how much of a challenge it is to code. Well done and best of luck! Much love to you and your beloved 💖💖

Phoenix Birch (they/them)'s avatar

I'm with you, Michael - I've never had the desire to learn coding! I sure admire the skills, though. And thank you, as always, for your kind words. Much love to you and your beloveds <3

Mal Pronouns's avatar

Bravo for not giving up and for listening to your inner creative being! I love your shop and I'll share with my Brooklyn friends!!

Color By Numbers's avatar

So proud of you, sweet Phoenix! So glad you are being brave and sharing your artistic talents with the world!

🐦‍🔥 💞 😘 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼