The disoriented witch walked through the dense forest, her mind filled with confusion and uncertainty. She had always prided herself on her abilities as a witch, but lately, everything seemed to be going wrong. Spells that had once been effortless for her now resulted in unintended consequences, and she found herself forgetting even the most basic incantations. Her fellow witches had started to notice her struggles, offering advice and suggestions on how to regain her magic. But none of their remedies seemed to work. The disoriented witch felt a growing sense of frustration and despair.
What the process of working together was like:
Jamila and I were living with a lot of stress due to the nature of the degree requirement that shifts all activities at The School of the Art Institute for the week. I offered my studio space across the street from the Art Institute of Chicago, as a free meeting place, but it was difficult to synchronize our schedules especially during Critique Week.
The disoriented witch felt a growing sense of frustration and despair. How had she become so lost? She thought back to the beginning of her journey as a witch. As a young girl, she had always felt a connection to the supernatural.
Disrupting Invisibility: The Disorientation of Invisibility
We worked at our individual homes/studios as we didn’t have access to a convenient shared space dedicated to art making. I offered my studio space across the street from the Art Institute of Chicago, as a free meeting place, but it was difficult to synchronize our schedules especially during Critique Week. Jamila and I were living with a lot of stress due to the nature of the degree requirement that shifts all activities at The School of the Art Institute for the week. I offered for us to meet remotely so we could have tea and make art separately but together. We didn’t limit ourselves to a medium but instead we tried to stay with wood as a surface to work on.
Carol painted, and Jamila painted and collaged, and I sanded, made rope, and braided. Kerry’s work is still in progress, but deals in re-collection. I harvested and dried a witches’ broom, a literal site of trauma. I sanded its rough edges and thanked it for growing. The thing itself is seen as a problem. I identify with this, always already being a thing derided. The hand spun yarn, died with Lavender flowers, and Jamaica tea/Hibiscus flowers are twisted into a rope (the colors of the Transgender flag and Brown), then tied, then braided. It may be a talking stick or a witches’ broom. A tool that facilitates community or a tool that cares for space. Ancient tools of the Original Peoples.
What the process of working together was like:
Working together has been extremely rewarding and difficult at times. Some people need to listen more, and others need to share more. But that is the nature of group dynamics. Elders are a blessing, as is having the space to hold each other’s attentions. Intentionally holding space is reparative in nature. We repaired ourselves because we were allowed to repair ourselves.
What folks learned along the way about each other, themselves, and intergenerational LGBTQ+ relationships:
We learned that we all have inherent value, and when we share our experiences, we collapse the space(s) in between us. We become, Us .
What the final project ended up being:
The final project is four very different pieces of art that each represent Us as unique individuals with infinite wisdoms to share and shoulders to lean and/or to cry on. A painting (Carol), a future photo and fabric collage (Kerry), a painting with collage (Jamila), and a sacred object (Juanx/John). Unique and dynamic, no longer alone in the world.
For My Family/Famlia
Juanx/John Sexton Cornejo
November 20, 2022
We are starlight.
We, are stars.
We are the sand in between our toes.
We, are the land.
We are the dirt, and mud, and worms wriggling.
We are vast, and tough, and soft.
We are so much more than they will ever see. Or know. Or fear.
We have always, already been here.
We aren’t going any–where.
WE—ARE—EVERYWHERE.
Genre: Fantasy
She would spend hours reading books on magic and practicing her spells in secret. Over time, her powers grew stronger, and she felt a sense of purpose and confidence in her abilities. But now, that confidence was shattered. The disoriented witch wondered if she had taken her powers for granted, if she had become too comfortable in her own magic. She realized that she had always relied on her intuition and instincts to guide her through spells, never truly understanding the underlying principles of magic. With a renewed determination, the disoriented witch decided to return to the basics. She sought out ancient texts and studied the foundations of spellcasting. She immersed herself in the theories and histories of witches who had come before her, hoping to find answers and rediscover her magic. Days turned into weeks, and the disoriented witch's confusion slowly transformed into clarity. She began to understand the intricate balance of energy and intention required for successful spellcasting. She practiced diligently, starting with simple spells and gradually working her way up to more complex enchantments. As the disoriented witch honed her skills, she noticed a remarkable change within herself. Her spells became more precise and powerful, and the unintended consequences ceased. She felt a renewed sense of purpose and confidence, knowing that she had overcome her disorientation and rediscovered her magic. The disoriented witch emerged from the forest, a transformed sorceress ready to embrace her true potential. She was no longer lost but found, guided by the knowledge and understanding that had once eluded her. With every spell she cast, she felt a deep connection to the magical forces of the universe, and she knew she would never lose her way again..
Reviews for "Through the Mist: Tales of the Disoriented Witch"
1. John - 2/5
I found "The Disoriented Witch" to be quite disappointing. The plot was confusing and lacked depth, making it difficult for me to connect with the characters or understand their motivations. The writing style was also inconsistent, with some sections being overly descriptive while others were rushed and lacked detail. Overall, I felt like the story was rushed and poorly executed, leaving me unsatisfied as a reader.
2. Emma - 1/5
"The Disoriented Witch" was a complete letdown for me. The premise seemed promising, but the execution fell flat. The characters were one-dimensional and cliché, and their interactions lacked any real substance. The plot was predictable and unoriginal, with no unexpected twists or turns. Additionally, the writing was riddled with grammatical errors and awkward sentence structures, making it a chore to read. I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for a captivating story.
3. Mark - 2.5/5
Although "The Disoriented Witch" had some interesting ideas, it ultimately failed to deliver an engaging reading experience. The pacing was inconsistent, with parts of the story dragging on while others felt rushed and glossed over. The world-building was also lacking, leaving many unanswered questions and making it difficult to fully immerse myself in the story. While the book had potential, it fell short in its execution, leaving me disappointed overall.
4. Sarah - 2/5
I wanted to enjoy "The Disoriented Witch," but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The writing style was dry and lacked emotion, making it difficult for me to become invested in the story or its characters. The dialogue also felt forced and unrealistic, with wooden interactions that did not reflect genuine human interaction. Furthermore, the ending was abrupt and unsatisfying, leaving many loose ends and unresolved plot points. Overall, I found the book to be lacking in both substance and execution.