02/09/2026
Today I wrapped up my third year in a row as an artist at today. Grateful for the ways I have grown professionally, and for all the connections I’ve been able to make as a direct result of this show.
With this year’s show behind me, I am able to reassess the direction I would like to go this year.
I intend to wrap up a few commissions I’ve got in the works. After that, I have no immediate plans to create any artwork intended for art fairs.
Regarding my portraiture work, I will continue accepting custom portrait commissions, including live events (such as weddings).
I’m extremely interested in securing a partnership with an agency that specializes in connecting clients with portrait artists.
So, sending out my portfolio is on the agenda.
I can’t do it all, and I don’t care to.
My time and energy is too valuable to squander it doing tasks other people are better suited for. I’d happily share a percentage if it means I can focus more on what I do best, instead of exhausting myself like a hamster on a wheel trying to wear every hat needed in a functional business. I don’t care about social media likes and it’s draining to force myself to pretend like I do.
Beyond that, there are quite a few paintings I have been holding back from creating in effort to keep my business neutral in regards to politics, religion, etc..
What I’ve been taught from others in the industry is that it’s essentially counterintuitive to making a sale if a patron gets emotionally wrapped up in an ideological discussion.
I get that. I can accept it.
However, choosing ambivalence during times of stability is not the same thing as what it means to stay silent during times of turmoil.
Choosing to say nothing, do nothing, when civil rights are being trampled and revoked IS saying quite a bit actually.
Concealing what’s on my mind has never been my strong suit anyways, so this truly would be a tragic time to pick up the practice.
I have the capability to invent images that don’t exist and render them believable to life. I’ve worked incredibly hard to amass the knowledge required to achieve this skillset.
It is powerful, and I know it.
Furthermore, I don’t need a data center ravaging the last remnants of paradise in order to do it either.
Visual imagery is communication just like the written word. My ability to communicate through images transcends linguistic differences. A border can’t keep it out. Once it’s out there, good luck trying to erase it.
If the pen is mightier than the sword, it seems reasonable to me that my brush is more effective than some half-wit “boogaloo” loser with an inferiority complex.
A wise man once said “with great power comes great responsibility.”
Well, I guess it’s time to get to work making some art that comforts the disturbed, and disturbs the comfortable.
Sales be damned, since my integrity isn’t for sale.
