Hello, I’m glad you’re here. I have some news to share and a related story for you if you want to dig a bit deeper. Read on and you might even find a teaser or two for exhibitions in the works that aren’t at the announcement stage just yet. But first…

Art Fields, April 10 - May 2, 2026, Lake City, SC. Businesses across the city will host artwork which is available for public viewing Tuesday – Wednesday from 10AM to 5PM and Thursday – Saturday from 10AM – 6PM.

My work Autogenic Habitat Modification will be at Saul Street Sunrise, a cafe across the street from Trax Visual Art Center. You can see all the artwork in the festival here. And if you find yourself near Lake City this month you can register to vote in their people’s choice award. While you can preregister to vote you’ve got to be there in person to have your ballot activated, voting is open April 10 through May 1.

In 2022 I realized something was off, namely, my impression that if I just make the best work I am capable of making the other parts of a career would just fall into place, wasn’t coming to fruition. For years all the contests and competitions, the externally motivated ambition, the networking, the social climbing, the popularity contest and all the looking over someone’s shoulder at openings to make sure there wasn’t some more important person entering the room with whom I need to converse. All that b.s, yeah, I’d prefer not to, tyvm, kiss my ass.

This impression of how a life in art was supposed to work was something I could invest in because that’s how all of art history looks from the outside. I was perfectly happy and self satisfied making things without most anyone really knowing, or caring, let alone investing. Fellow artists knew and loved my work, I was resigned to forever being an artist’s artist. But in 2022 I also realized none of the career stuff was materializing, and I couldn’t just wish success into existence. I was stuck, again. At the same time I missed the raft of friends and acquaintances I had in Brooklyn, a lattice I largely took for granted since it did, in fact, just materialize around me without me trying very hard.

Why traipse down career misstep lane just now? So I can get to the narrative twist that is the subject of today’s newsletter. To be perfectly honest Art Fields is a contest. The People’s Choice Award is 100% a popularity contest. But Art Fields is also one formerly successful agricultural town’s attempt at revitalization. Art Fields is also a four week long art party, it’s a springtime festival, and more. I won’t get into the history or the good it’s done for the local community but if you want to read a small town success story you can.

I didn’t get into Art Fields the first time I applied. Year after year I sent them an application of whatever I happened to be working on at the time, paintings. They were nice enough to offer to send back jurors notes one year and among the inconsequential info was the suggestion that they just didn’t have that much room for artwork that needs to be hung on a wall. What they do have are plenty of pedestals that can be moved all over, placed in the corner of any business who chose to add one. That’s how I found a spot on this year’s artist list.

Paintings are very popular, most artists have made one at some point, and many exclusively make them. Changing the way I think about what I make and how I make it led me to create these rocks I’ve been flogging around town lately. Becoming more strategic about the career goals I’d like to accomplish led me to think twice before dismissing popularity contests as purely corrosive, authenticity sapping, no-thank-yous. Instead they’re another opportunity to find a few more of my people. Like Art Fields itself I saw something I wanted to change in my world and began working to change it.

Two group exhibitions just closed. Pictured above is a shot from New South 7 at Kai Lin in Atlanta which closed a few weeks ago. It was my first exhibition in the best city in the South. I’ll have more Atlanta news later this year.

The neighborhood-art-walk-connected exhibition at Ology closed recently as well. If you missed either you can, of course, see what you missed on their respective websites.

I’m still in the flat file at Peepspace in Tarrytown, NY for several more months and to be perfectly honest with you I’d appreciate it if you’d consider purchasing a drawing from them. They do good work and they support artists like me who work hard but who are also not making enough money at this to actually support their practice, let alone themselves.

In addition to more Atlanta (and Huntsville, did I mention that?) exhibition news later this year I hope to add a few more places around the southeast where you might find my work this spring and summer. The jury is literally still out on a few of those shows. In the meantime, if you see something I made that you like, ask, because it’s all for sale and traveling as much as I do isn’t cheap. Also, hug your nearest artist. Unless they are one of those people who don’t like hugs. In that case tell them you appreciate them.