Artist statement | A Knot in the Net: Dreaming, Weaving, and Bearing the Burden
Once again, we find ourselves navigating times that feel both overwhelming and all too familiar. These unprecedented days weigh heavily on us, and I struggle to find the words to express what so many of us are feeling. Even now, writing this feels daunting, yet the emotions stirred by recent events are impossible to ignore.
Like many of you, I am deeply concerned for the safety and well-being of marginalized communities. I worry for myself, my partner, my loved ones, my chosen family, strangers and for the Earth Mother herself. To be apathetic or aloof in times like these is a cruel privilege, and I feel a deep anger when I linger on that thought for too long.
So much has already happened in the brief month of January, and I am unsettled in every way. Throughout my day, I find myself questioning if my feelings are an overreaction. However, the last few weeks have shown that they are anything but. Still, I refuse to succumb to fear. I will not make myself smaller or sugarcoat my art. I step into my work with even more rage, and even more love.
I’ve also been grappling with how we sustain systems of communication in moments like these. I find myself torn between disconnecting entirely from social media or remaining. For now, I’ve chosen to remain—not to conform, but to preserve the channels that keep us connected.
Truthfully, I am a painfully slow creator, and balancing art-making with the demands of life has always made it nearly impossible to keep up with the relentless algorithm. So, if you haven’t already, I invite you to subscribe to my newsletter. It’s infamously inconsistent, but it’s where I’ll focus all of my energy and updates moving forward.
As I reflect on my artist statement and light the candle on my altar, I call upon my grandmothers, grandfathers, and ancestors who have endured the end of the world many times before. They remind me that I am but a knot in a long, unbroken net of resistance. I am no more special, but I am here, actualized and activated in this moment. And because of that, it is my burden to dream and move my hands to reinforce the tautness of this net.
So I leave you with this: In the darkest moments, when your breath feels shallow and the inside of your being trembles, extend your hand outward, and you will find mine grasping for yours. Take hold of one another, breathe, and weave.
In solidarity,
S.O.S.A. Studio LLC Celebrates Artist Julysa’s Birthday with Fundraiser for Sana Roots Co
S.O.S.A. Studio LLC was proud to host a birthday fundraiser in honor of Artist Julysa Sosa, pledging a dollar-for-dollar match on all donations to Sana Roots Co, an organization focused on supporting local youth with culturally rooted education and training.
Sana Roots Co, based in Yanaguana, works with youth on the South Side of San Antonio to provide programs that help heal generational trauma, build strong identities, and prepare students for life beyond high school. The organization uses the 4 Elements Holistic Wheel as a framework for guiding students in their personal and academic growth, and the importance of this work has never been more urgent.
Loneliness is the most frequently reported challenge by the students, and the programs at Sana Roots Co provide not just education, but a sense of community and connection—critical elements for breaking through these barriers.
Thanks to the generous donations made during the 24-hour fundraising window, we’re excited to share that we raised significant funds to support these programs. Every dollar will go toward ensuring that more students have access to the resources and guidance they need to thrive.
Thank you to everyone who contributed and shared this campaign. Your support is making a real difference in the lives of the youth served by Sana Roots Co. Stay tuned for more updates on the progress of these essential programs and how you can continue to help.
Exclusive Look: Julysa Sosa’s Self-Portraits and Prose in ESJ’s Mini Digital Issue
S.O.S.A. Studio LLC is proud to announce that Julysa Sosa, our founder and artist, is featured in an exclusive mini digital issue of ESJ. This special edition, titled "The Concept of Home", unveils never-before-seen self-portrait work and prose from Julysa—a deeply personal exploration of identity, space, and sustainability.
This body of work is not only visually captivating but also profoundly moving. Julysa’s self-portraits and prose invite readers to sit with their own definitions of home, sacredness, and the intentional ways we cultivate safety in our spaces.
This exclusive issue also features intimate reflections from writer and educator Toni Sturdivant, and stunning photography and poetry by ESJ’s founder, Katie. Together, these creators craft a vulnerable, visually rich narrative about sustainability and the concept of home that will linger with you long after you’ve turned the final page.
Buy Your Copy Now and immerse yourself in this exclusive edition.
Behind the Art: Yolloxochitl / El Desprendimiento
Life has not felt normal for the past six months. I've been working through my grief, taking turns being held in community and also holding space for others. In this time, I've tried my best to not detach my mind from my body and continue to bear witness. It's unbelievable and wounding. In every interaction, I am caught in the horror of what continues to unfold in Palestine. I have a journal full of notes and reflections, but no real words of solace.
Something I wrote recently that really helped me push through my most recent piece is the idea of the role of grandparent and grandchild. I had watched a video clip of Bisan going live on TikTok, and someone asked her what would be the first thing she does when she is back home. She answered that the first thing would be to visit her grandmother, who was genocided, and visit her resting place because she never got the chance to grieve that loss. Honestly, that broke me.
After losing my grandmother last year, I am especially tender around this wound. I wrote in my grief journal, "What if Bisan also made an unspoken vow with her grandmother? What if she too was obligated with the responsibility of searching for her grandmother, and what if their cycle remains in limbo, incomplete because she is prevented from finding her?"
I began working on this digital piece, "Yolloxochitl / El Desprendimiento," soon after my grandmother passed last year. The conceptualization of this piece started from the wound of losing her. I have her suspended and cocooned in a place outside of time and space.
Yolloxochitl / El Desprendimiento, 2024
Her expression is neutral, childishly joyful, mischievous even, and she is cast in gold. I am vibrant red, showing the vitality of my being, and I am willfully threading, braiding the trenzas that connect me to her and to our ancestral network. My expression is grief, beyond grief because I am ripping open my chest to expose my heart, vulnerable and existing in the beyond.
I am cocooning my grandmother, preparing her, accompanying her, and ultimately releasing her. She is my Yolloxochitl, my heart flower. And this is my duty, to perform this ceremony of death and release, El Desprendimiento.
This process is wounding, but not despairing because I know as I coil her, and soon until no part of her is visible, she still exists, as an ancestor bundled like the others in the background. Always tethered and connected.
But still, I write this even now. With each breath, I feel the unforgiving edges cutting where her imprint was carved out. With every step forward, I carry the heavy empty space suspended. Despite this wound, I am grateful for it, as it serves as my proof that she did love me in this way, and it wasn’t just a figment of my imagination.
This feeling is why I dedicated this piece to all the grandchildren who, despite wincing through the cuts of memory, of love, remain tethered to their grandmothers. To those who whispered a vow, spoken or unspoken, to push against time, pull across space, and find each other in the middle once again, I search with you.
To you, to Bisan, to every grandchild tasked with searching, may we find her again, and again and again and again and again and again and again and again…
Big News: S.O.S.A. Studio LLC Becomes an Official Entity
As many of you know, my journey as an artist has been deeply personal, and it’s been a privilege to share that path with you. Over the years, I have felt truly supported as I’ve navigated my own growth and evolution. Recently, I’ve had the time and space to reflect, recover from severe burnout, and heal from old wounds—allowing me to step into a newfound sense of confidence that I had long lacked. Whether it’s my full frontal lobe development finally kicking in, or the nurturing community you’ve created around me as both an artist and a human, I’m incredibly grateful. Thank you for being part of this journey.
Today, I’m excited to share that I’ve officially formalized my art practice into a business entity: S.O.S.A. Studio LLC.
This decision comes after much thought and intention. S.O.S.A. Studio LLC will manage the administrative and business aspects of my work, creating a healthy separation between my creative practice and the logistical side of things. It’s been a long time coming, and I feel confident that this step will allow me to move forward with more clarity and focus.
While this is a big milestone, it doesn’t change much in the way I approach my work. My passion for creating and connecting with you all remains the same.
Thank you for your ongoing support and for being part of this next chapter in my art practice. It’s an exciting time, and I’m grateful to have you along for the ride. Keep an eye on our new profile for updates, and as always, I’m thrilled to continue this creative journey with all of you.
Artist statement | Remembering Aaron Bushnell & Palestinian Lives Lost
By bravely dismantling the façade of so-called American ideals, Airman Aaron Bushnell’s extreme act of protest dealt a damning blow to U.S. imperialism and the military-industrial complex.
I honor Aaron for his integrity in recognizing the implications of his privilege and choosing to reject the colonial myth. Aaron understood the significance of solidarity and dutifully accepted.
As I write this, I am wounded, enraged, and even more distraught than I could have imagined after witnessing ongoing genocide in Palestine — a genocide in which you and I are also complicit. Self-immolation is an extreme act of protest that feels impossibly heavy and horrific to understand. However, after almost six months, I can comprehend why Aaron did what he did. Yet, I am sick with grief over the impossible and violent circumstances that forced him to take on such a burden.
As we mourn Aaron Bushnell and the more than 30,000 Palestinian lives lost to this ongoing genocide, let his courageous act of love echo within us, shocking us from complacency and moral apathy. Let our grief remind us that we are still alive and tethered to our souls. May his example inspire us to relentlessly reject colonial myths, stand with the oppressed, and lead with a heart ablaze. Let Aaron’s love for collective liberation root us all, grounding us firmly on our path forward.
May all the martyrs rest in the pulsating heartbeat of eternal vitality, and may we always hear and be moved by their rhythm.
In honor of Aaron Bushnell, Free Palestine. Free Palestine. Free Palestine. Free Palestine. Free Palestine. Free Palestine.
In mourning and solidarity,
Julysa
Aaron Bushnell
1998-2024
Behind the Design: The Origin of 'Your Silence Speaks in Blood' Postcards
In response to the urgent need for inclusive activism, I came up with the idea for 'Your Silence Speaks in Blood' postcards. I realized that some people might face barriers to speaking out, like worries about their immigration status or job. So, I created these postcards to give everyone a way to express support for Palestine anonymously.
My main goal was to make things easy for everyone. Each postcard is carefully designed to fit regular 8.5x11-inch paper, so you can easily print them using any standard printer. I kept it simple and minimalistic, so it looks good whether you print it in color or black and white. This shows my dedication to meeting the needs of all kinds of users.
The tagline "Your silence speaks in blood" is a stark reminder of the complicity of certain representatives in ongoing genocide in Palestine. By refusing to advocate for a ceasefire, they betray their constituents' calls for action. This message aims to disturb not only its recipient but also all who handle it, serving as a passive amplifier of advocacy against genocide, even reaching unintended recipients like postal service workers.
I urge you to utilize these postcards as a tool for meaningful action—download, share, and amplify. Together, let us flood our representative’s mailboxes, one postcard at a time.
Behind the Art: I Day Dream/I Dream Dream/I’m Still Here: A Visual Tale of Resilience and Solidarity
In the depths of my grief, "I Day Dream/I Dream Dream/I'm Still Here" emerged as my poignant expression—a testament to transcending the indescribable. Amidst nearly a month of heart-wrenching genocide, I sought solace and strength by translating emotions into this evocative piece of art.
Symbolism:
Duality and Vitality:
The dual human figures at the forefront symbolize inherent duality—the delicate dance between consciousness and unconsciousness, a balance of awake and sleep states. Cloaked in vibrant red hues, they pulsate with vitality, mirroring the body’s rhythm in repairing and regenerating cells while we sleep. As one being lays sleeping, the other half is reaching towards a corner of the universe, symbolizing a connection to the four corners of the universe.
The Connected Braid:
The dual being's braid is connected and represents the idea that knowledge is transferred infinitely as it is looped with no beginning or end, or perhaps with the same beginning as the end. The dual bodies share one face because they are not two separate entities; it is one entity carrying the knowledge of both states of existence.
Peaceful Eclipse:
Behind them, a white dove gracefully eclipses both sunrise and sunset—a profound symbol of peace. A visual reminder that even in apocalyptic endings, a new day dawns. This artwork whispers that, as long as we exist, we embody an actualized resistance—a testament to beating hearts, breathing lungs, and dreaming eyes.
Solidarity with the Palestinian People:
This piece is a deliberate act of solidarity with the Palestinian people, responding to their enduring anguish and injustice. The sunrise and sunset, framed by the dove of peace, convey a message of hope and endurance, encapsulating the idea that memory preserves and fuels resilience in the darkest times.
A Testament to Humanity:
"I Day Dream/I Dream Dream/I'm Still Here" stands as a testament to humanity's enduring spirit. It speaks of a collective dream for a liberated future, where hearts beat freely, lungs breathe without fear, and eyes dream of a world where justice and peace prevail.
Voice Through the Canvas - A Message Beyond Words:
In creating this piece, I found a voice when words failed. Through the canvas, I convey a powerful message—that even in adversity, we are united in our existence and dreams, forging a path toward a brighter tomorrow.
Download Your Free 11x17 Poster:
Experience the power of “I Day Dream/I Dream Dream/I’m Still Here” in your space. Download a free 11x17 poster in collaboration with Artists Against Apartheid. Click here to get your poster and bring the spirit of resilience and solidarity into your surroundings.
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/13wwU6SCom-mJ5qQGD7eCOgqwLOoNylKh
Behind the Design: Creating Sacred Spaces Grief Journal’s Compassionate Layout
In the midst of profound grief from witnessing the genocide in Palestine, I stumbled upon a way to transmute the weight that clenched my jaw and constricted my chest. This grief journey isn't just mine; it's a heartfelt offering to our collective spirit. Allow me to guide you through why I birthed this journal and how it can become a compassionate companion on your own grief journey.
The Birth of Sacred Spaces: The Grief Journal
The very essence of grief embedded in my bones birthed the inspiration for this journal—a tangible companion designed to navigate the turbulent waves of sorrow. I intimately understand the weight that grief carries, the suffocating ache that can render us momentarily paralyzed. This journal is my attempt to extend a hand, to walk alongside you through those profound moments of heaviness.
A Community Offering
Beyond the pages and prompts, this journal represents a community offering. Forged in response to collective pain, it recognizes the bending and breaking of spirits and the underlying current of vibrating anger. It stands as a testament to the strength found in shared vulnerability and the courage required to face darkness together.
What the Journal Does
It's crucial to acknowledge that this journal won't miraculously heal wounds. Instead, it serves as a compassionate observer and guide. It prompts small steps out of despair—tiny, manageable actions that gently lead towards hope.
Accessibility Matters
In crafting this journal, accessibility was at the forefront of my mind. I wanted it to reach as many hearts as possible. That's why you can download the PDF for free. For those who prefer a physical copy, it's available for just $8, covering product costs and postage. Printing in bulk is encouraged—share it with your community, bring it to protests, or gift it to someone you love. This journal is meant to be where it's needed the most.
Layout Overview:
Left Side:
1. Ten Deep Breaths Icons:
Start your journaling journey with 10 lung icons, each symbolizing a grounding deep breath. Scientifically linked to emotional states, these breaths invite a sense of calm and assist in navigating activation. Color in each pair of lungs after every belly breath. As you color, visualize your lungs expanding and contracting, and close your eyes to hone in on the sensation.
2. Heart Gauge:
Choose from four heart icons to identify your emotional state. This section cultivates awareness, enabling you to articulate your feelings—a crucial step toward understanding and navigating your grief. Once you've identified your heart gauge, color it/them in.
3. Grief Alchemy:
Visual icons represent low-effort, supportive actions for your grief. No pressure, no boss-babe directives—just a range of neurodivergent-friendly activities to explore. Color them in as you complete each action.
Right Side:
1. Journal Prompt:
Dive into introspection with a carefully crafted prompt. Express your reflections through words, poetry, drawings, or bullet points—this prompt guides you to delve into your emotions on a micro level.
2. Optional Side Quest:
An optional side quest awaits, perfect for high-energy days. Low-effort, high-value activities expand your exploration of the day's prompt, gently nudging you towards collective liberation.
3. Coupled Affirmation:
Seal your reflections with a coupled affirmation, adding language to your reclamation of hope. Words, after all, hold immense power and contribute to the transformative journey of healing and perception.
Why This Layout?
Inner Child Connection: The cartoonish appearance of the icons serves to reconnect you with your inner child, fostering a playful and cathartic process. Coloring becomes a creative and soothing act, offering simplicity amid complex emotions.
Neurodivergent-Friendly Design: Recognizing diverse processing styles, visual icons provide a non-verbal and inclusive means of communication. This design respects the uniqueness of each grief journey, offering a flexible, open-ended approach to expression.
Conclusion: A Companion in Grief
In essence, this grief journal is a companion—an offering born from the collective heartache we endure from witnessing genocide. It stands as a reminder that even in the darkest times, we are not alone. I invite you to download, print, and share it widely. May it serve as a small, gentle beacon, guiding you through the labyrinth of grief and offering solace when words seem insufficient. You're not alone on this journey; let this journal be a humble companion as we navigate the path towards a liberated future together.
Tides of Connection: Grieving Together in Waves of Resilience
Lately, grief manifests in various forms for me—periods of nonverbal communication, avoidant behaviors, an overwhelming sensation restricting my breath, restlessness, disrupted sleep patterns, a weakened immune system, physiological pain, dreamless nights, rage, and meltdowns. Two months into witnessing this ongoing genocide, it feels like the most tender and delicate part of me continues to be bent and broken. The cyclical nature of it loops against my will, leaving me more wounded, disrupting everything.
Reflecting on this past summer and how I accompanied my grandmother's dignified transition to the next realm, her home, filled with three generations of descendants, made me ponder how swiftly our lineage could have ended, paralleling the lineages we witness disappearing in Palestine.
I think of multigenerational households, unable to move with their elders but refusing to leave them. I weep, understanding the deep love preventing abandonment. My grandmother wouldn't have been able to move, and I wouldn't have abandoned her. I wonder if this is how these lineages face genocide—united and unwilling to unlink. The pain in my heart deepens. Reflecting on witnessing it all, the obligation to continue without succumbing to fatigue remains.
Observing our collective movement like water, we take turns as waves. When we strike, we melt back into the collective pool, steadying ourselves before being pulled and pulling forward again. In this harsh reality, it feels beautiful to be held and to hold, connected by grief. While there’s more to say, this is all I have right now. If you feel despair, remember, you are either fluid water holding, momentum building, coiling, or the force unleashing and unwavering. Regardless, you are interconnected and needed to complete these movements. I say this to you as a reminder for myself.
I am interconnected in the collective rhythm—holding, readying, unleashing. Like a wave, I regenerate, never disappearing.
