about under1000skies.org

We celebrate creativity of all kinds, but our focus is on the creative contributions of people currently unhoused or who have been unhoused at some point. When we don’t have contributions, we share inspiring quotes paired with beautiful images, most from Pixabay.com (volunteer photographers and artists).

Homelessness comes in many forms, but living on the street is the most desperate and challenging way to live.  And yet, from these cold, hungry, and painful places — sleeping on the street, waiting for hours for one meal, having no shelter from the bitter cold, searing heat, or storms — comes beauty.  I have been honored, awed, and deeply inspired by the gifts we’ve received from those who go through this daily. 

The idea for under1000skies came from a Twitter conversation in 2014. I was challenged to “do something about” homelessness by an author: 

It Begins with Me

“Light-filled Gem”

A young man asked recently,

“What is the meaning of ‘Gem?” Please explain. I think a good quote is a Gem.”

It was great that he asked. In case you’ve ever wondered, here’s what I wrote in response:

A good quote is a Gem. A photo is a Gem. Poems are Gems. The Gems are especially precious because they are given to us out of kindness, and the ones we love the most have been from our homeless artists. Thank you for asking. ♥.

He also asked

“What do the numbers in the titles mean? Like 5.85?” 

I explained that the “5” is for the year since we’ve started, and the number after the dot is for the number of Gems we’ve shared so far this year.  So 5.85 is for Year 5, 85th Gem.

Thanks again, TH!

under1000skies

In a nutshell, under1000skies is about connecting homeless creatives to each other and to the world.  We are 100 percent not-for-profit, and we will never ask for money. Our only purpose is to bring inspiration and beauty into the world and connect with creative souls.

We showcase daily M-F photographs, artwork, and/or poetry on the website, social media, and in our weekly newsletters by email.  We also have gallery shows about twice a year. As the opportunities present, we interview and honor those who serve homeless creatives (“Spotlight Saturday”).

Some statistics claim that over 90 percent of us are only 2 paychecks away from being homeless. We believe there is no “us” and “them;” only “us.” Connection keeps us strong.

 It Begins with Me

The idea for under1000skies began on November 14, 2014, on my personal blog, Niki Flow, after a Twitter conversation with author Laurence O’Brien. I wrote my first WordPress blog that day: It Begins with Me: O’Brien, the day before, tweeted an article by Christopher Taylor titled “Social Cleansing of the Homeless.” The term “Social cleansing” was unfamiliar, and the article was horrifying. When I responded to his tweet, O’Brien invited me to write about it.

At the time, I was agoraphobic with panic disorder.*  The irony of my situation was not lost on me, but I wanted to help.  I was homeless for a short time.  After two days, the pain levels from living and sleeping outside were ridiculous — and I was a teenager at the time.  So this has always been something close to my heart.

*This was cured:  Transformation

I learned that human connection is critical to healing. I believe creativity is where we meet the best, most unfiltered parts of ourselves, which we rarely show the world in our daily lives. When we play and create together, we connect deeply. We see each other. That was (and still is) my dream — to connect creatives in this sacred inner space. What has grown from that is a connection to some of the most beautiful people I have ever met.

Our first creative was John Olander, introduced by Nicole Huguenin. Nicole lived in Denver, CO at the time she met John. I sent her some artist packs, which included the following note:

There are all sorts of ways you can help our work.

☼ Spread the Word! ☼

Share our gems on your blog, through social media, any way you like.  The more people know about Gems, the more heart connections we make.

☼ Contribute Photos / Artwork / Inspiring Quotes ☼

John now has his own page on our site, as does CordX (our next artist) and MJC (our third, so far).

I would love to feature your artwork or photos.  Your creations will be displayed on this site with your copyright info, as well as through our email list and social media.  “Contribute” means you always retain full rights to your creative work, but you allow us to use it in Gallery shows to generate interest and facilitate connections.  If you’re interested, please send us a note (contact info below).  We’ll add the title, copyright info, and your website if you have one.

☼  Co-Creators – Volunteers Wanted ☼

If you would like to be one of our under1000skies co-creators, please contact us for more information.

We need

• Ben Archer – contributing photographer from points all over the USA
• Joseph Raley – contributing photographer (DE/NJ)
• Mike Downs – contributing photographer (DE), IT guy, patron of the arts
• Nicole Huguenin -contributing photographer, talent scout, writer – Honolulu, HA; San Francisco, CA – without Nicole, we never would have met Johnny O., our first homeless (at the time) creative.
• John Olander – Contributing poet, visionary and beyond inspirational friend
• Cord X – Contributing poet, photographer, artists and beyond inspirational friend
• The Reagan Family – Germany, USA; contributing photographers, inspirational friends.
• Jo (Nothingtosee Movealongnow) – contributing photographer and friend
• Chip Haldane – contributing photographer and friend
• Niki Flow –  website content creator; social media
• KindSpring.org  tribe, supportive friends, contributors of inspiring quotes, mentors, light-bringers
• ServiceSpace.org
• Needed:  United States (all states)
• Needed: Canada
• Needed:  South America
• Needed:  Europe
• Needed:  Australia
• Needed:  Africa
• Needed:  Everywhere

If you have any questions or need more information, please write to us in the comments below!

☼ Social Media Links: ☼

BlueSky: tizzlovesrowdy

YouTube: under1000skies

Update:  Gems 5.51:  Light Up the Dark.  We’re changing, but we’ll keep doing our best to “light up the dark” a little bit every day.

__________

So Far on under1000skies.org

2015
September 2 to December 7, 2015
Gems 1.1 to 1.81

2016
January 4 to December 23, 2016
Gems 2.1 to 2.82

2017
January 2 to July 31, 2017
Gems 3.1 to 3.86

2018
January 1 to December 31, 2018
Gems 4.01 to 4.184

2019
January 1 to December 31, 2019
Gems 5.1 to 5.221

2020
January 1 to December 25, 2020
Gems 6.1 to 6.229

2021
January 4 to December 24, 2021
Gems 7.1 to 7.185

• “Celebrating Johnny O
  Part 1
  Part 2
  Part 3
  Part 4
  Part 5

2022
January 3 to September 2, 2022
Gems 8.1 to 8.140
+
Sept 5 to December 30, 2022
Gems 8.141-TB** to ~8.127-TB
**throwback

GRATITUDE DAY

On the 28th of every month going forward, there will be a “Gratitude Day” post featuring new content from JohnnyO. And, if you are a contributing artist and want to celebrate a monthly Gratitude Day, let me know.

Soon, we’ll start Gallery Shows again. If I can find royalty-free music, more theme videos. Meanwhile, here’s the page of all the videos created so far on YouTube.

2023
January 2, 2023 – December 29, 2023

9.1 – 9.245

2024
January 1, 2024 – December 31, 2024

10.1 – 10.227

2025

January 1, 2025 to (ongoing)

11.1 to ___

__________

Thanks so much for stopping by!

We are all connected.

---

♥. Niki Flow