Grace Galore Magazine
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[If you would like to submit work or be a sustained contributor, please check out the credits page for more information! We would love to spotlight your creative talents here at Grace Galore Magazine!]
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Welcome to the second issue of Grace Galore Magazine! The first issue was really well-received and I am so glad because this issue will be completely different. The first issue was a tester to get my feet wet. You’ll notice some changes, but regardless the meaning is still the same and still for creative artists, like myself. I am very excited and I hope you are all equally receptive to this issue!
The work in this issue speaks for itself and it should (as the issue’s theme is identity and it is personal for us all). I talk about it more on the next page but there’s a storytelling factor that my hands did not have to touch as the words and images did themselves. The issue also has a lot of my work. Beyond the size of the magazine or amount of submissions, it gave me my own space to be as real as I can be. Where I can say what needs to be said in a way that I can articulate myself and leave it as that. It was something to tell pieces of myself and moments that became the same stories I carry today – the only difference is I don’t have to show or tell them anymore after this. I feel reborn in a way. For a look inside my mind and other creative artists, read on.
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Identity, to define it in the simplest terms, is a classification of who we are. But it is much more complex, isn’t it? Identity is collective and identity is personal. It is watered down from our family and intimate relationships and those same traits can be rejected and deserted for new experiences that illicit a new introduction to yourself. Identity is those stories attached to your history, your understanding, and your reactions. Identity is messy. It is broad. It is hard to define yet, when we have a glimpse, it is so precious to have found it and to understand it. This issue is full of those glimpses from not only me but a few creative writers and artists that decided to let us in. I am so grateful to have seen this inkling of who these artists are. Now, here’s your chance!
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ARTIST PICK OF THE MONTH
DUMBSHITIWRITE is a 19 year old poet/writer from Maryland. Her account @dumbshitiwrite on Instagram is her safe space to share and help through her words. “I started my Instagram for my writing because I felt like I needed to get the stuff on my mind out. I used to write when I was 15 but I stopped because I felt like what I was writing was just me complaining and I thought that meant I was being ungrateful. I write the things I write because it helps me a lot and I post it so it maybe can help someone else who’s going through hard stuff too because it sucks when no one in real life understands you so that’s when a lot of people (like myself) look to the internet for help so that’s why I figured I’d post what I write just in case it helps one person.” “Music has made such an impact in my life. I chose to submit this specific poem because I feel music has definitely made me the person I am today. Most of the time when I think about a memory from my childhood, I instantly think of the music I was currently listening to back then or maybe a certain music video. It’s definitely therapeutic in a way but more so, just a overall great feeling when you discover new music or even when you reconnect with old songs. There’s obviously a sense of nostalgia but it’s also reliving that moment when you were a kid and you are waiting for an episode of Hannah Montana to come on so you can sing along to the theme song or when High School Musical came on, you knew ALL the songs and felt so happy and accomplished. I think music helps everybody in some way and it’s helped me to this day. I’m just really grateful for it.
@jasmineejenay”
“My personal Instagram is
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“I think it's hard to talk identity itself. I chose these pictures because I think they represent me”
“I like anything that is green. I like the outdoors. The white flower on my ear is a representation of ‘the flowers are blooming and so am I’’’ -Sara
taken by Nayeli Carrillo on an iPhone 8
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COLLECTION OF WORKS BY NOD KEYA I opened up about a lot about the stories I still hang on to. My goal is to let these memories go so I can make room for something more positive. These stories do not define me yet, I have allowed them to. I have allowed the pain and the struggle to stick to who I am so much that I feel like I can’t grow into this new version of myself. I have shared these stories with others, creating separate moments. Some led to arguments, realizations, and other vast moments but mostly, I had regret. I wasn’t telling my own story the way I wanted to. I let my mental illness and overthinking turn it into an open discussion or a place for advice – but I have realized that never want I wanted because regardless of whatever was replied, those original moments happened. They affect me enough to where I feel so tethered to them. So, these works detailing the feelings of having to hold my tongue as a Black woman, my sexuality, life after sexual assault, my mental health and anything else are not up for discussion. This is for consumption in a way but eat at your own discretion and your own table. I have been so worried of having a voice and when I begun to talk and share, it was cluttered and chaotic. I took almost a vow of silence and pushed everyone away because it was all too loud. I wanted control and never found it until I was all by myself, wishing for the comfort that I cursed and sent away. My writing and the start of it again has brought these stories to the forefront so, I have shared as much as I feel comfortable with at the moment. I share my pain, almost love, anger, and other emotions but instead of holding it so close to my heart and mind, I am staring at it. Consuming it like others do. And just like others do, I quickly move on, distracted by something else.
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“I have had to spend the majority of my life performing for others and for their comfort…to only then still be disrespected. I am devoured and then thrown away”.
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“I don’t think I’ll have a moment like this. A moment where I am with another person and it’ll all make sense. I feel unnecessarily doomed with my sexuality and gender expression. If I wasn’t unsure and unattached to my physical being, it’s not like life would get better. I think I just wish for a moment where I look at someone and everything clicks and I don’t have to question anything. They can feel my energy and I can feel theirs and it’s harmonic”.
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*This letter has been redrafted and rewritten since I sent it. Some of the words were sent and some were not, i.e. unsent
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Grace galore Magazine Issue 002
sept/oct
Grace Galore Magazine is a multifaceted digital magazine that makes space where space isn’t preferred! For creative artists by a creative artist. The team: The person behind it all: Nod’Keya’ Grace
[If you’d like to submit work or be apart of this current one-person team and/or showcase your talents in design, multimedia art, photography or writing, etc. please send an email to gracegaloremagazine@gmail.com] Keep up with grace galore mag:
Instagram: @gracegaloremag Twitter: @gracegaloremag Website: www.nodkeya.com/gracegaloremagazine Special thanks to:
The wonderfully talented creative artists who shared their work; Jasmine Jenay, Sara Zuniga/Nayeli Carrilo and Sufrida x Cansada.
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