March 9, 2014
Being “homeless” is SO AWFUL. Painting next to sparkling fucking water instead of the refrigerator. Journaling in a beautiful park instead of on my fucking couch. And every time I wanna take a shower, I have to break out of my bubble of self, go to a friend and be reminded of the fact that people care about me and enjoy my presence.
WHEN WILL THIS NIGHTMARE END?!
March 8, 2014
I was about to make a silly update about buying a half gallon of ice cream and having my work cut out for me since I – you know – LIVE IN A MINIVAN and don’t own a freezer BUT – how ’bout this instead…
This fermented-foods kid wanted one of my twenty dollar prints and offered to give me ten dollars and a bottle of homebrewed Kombucha instead of the full twenty. So, for those unfamiliar, Kombucha is a vinegary, fizzy health drink. Which means that it’s under pressure and SHOULD THE GLASS BOTTLE EXPLODE SUDDENLY, your life will reek of vinegar. Especially if it explodes all over your clothes, your bed, your carpet, and your fucking inventory of art prints.
I’m gonna get on that fucking ice cream now.
March 4, 2014
I really enjoy the little life I’ve been building for myself (and that includes living out of/sleeping in the minivan) but… I just climbed into a real bed and am about to eat some cookie dough and watch an episode of The Simpsons. And that sounds pretty cool too.
March 3, 2014
Last night went well enough that I can justify getting down to Sarasota by way of tagging along with Iron Chic and selling/painting at tonight’s show at Skatepark of Tampa. It’s really hard to watch Iron Chic play and not just smile the whole time so I’m pretty excited to extend my little punk rock weekend by a day. And to see some people I care about in Sarasota (even though I gotta head right back up to Jacksonville on Wednesday morning so I can be at Burrito Gallery for Artwalk). ALL GOOD THINGS!
I’m at a print shop in Gainesville, replenishing my stock again and getting the first batch of prints for my two most recent paintings.
And as I wrote that out, they’re ready to go so I’m gonna hit the road to Tampa and bag these little guys up once I get down there.
March 2, 2014
Working on a new painting and selling prints at the OWTH/Slow Death/Iron Chic/Careeners show. Does it get any better than this?
February 28, 2014
I’m too fulfilled. Too many things are going my way. IT’S KILLING MY ART.
Or… maybe it’s okay to be happy?
As I was working on this painting, trying to figure out how I wanted to frame it [mentally/emotionally], I was tempted to kick around in my head until I could find or invent a problem.
Ultimately, I decided to just let it be.
I’m having fun making art, it’s supporting me financially, I’ve got an exhibit running right now in Jacksonville, some other pieces hanging in businesses around town, a large piece prominently featured in a gallery in Delray Beach, prospects for the rest of the year. Things are okay and I guess that’s okay.
It’s better than “okay,” really.
Blog for Feb 28, 2014: I just set up my new exhibit at BG (with 24 pieces!) and still have some stuff at Chamblin’s too. Five originals up on the walls and just under a dozen prints (of different pieces) out on display. Although – apparently – one of my paintings is too offensive for anyone to exhibit… You won’t find Amazon Wishlist hanging anywhere. (Kinda crazy that of all my outrageous stuff, just the word “Christian” in an ambiguous/possibly negative context is the most offensive, right?)
Today, I’m headed to Gainesville to do a pop-up show at the Civic Media Center. I’ll be back in Jacksonville at some point this weekend, at which time I’ll start posting a new LETTER TO THE CITY all over Riverside and downtown. And this Wednesday, I’ll be out for the Downtown Artwalk.
February 23, 2014
I used to care about stuff. These days, whenever I hear someone railing on about how this or that is bullshit or a scam or [whatever], I just kinda roll my eyes. “Get some real problems,” I’ll think. “Isn’t there anything going on in your own life worth being concerned about?” I’ve only got so much emotional capital and I’m definitely not investing it in some shit that has zero bearing on my day-to-day. And (of course) I’ve got my own principles, but I’m not about to start preaching to other people about what they ought to support, not support, believe, or not believe. Again – I GOT ENOUGH GOING ON RIGHT HERE. I don’t have the time or energy to waste on trying to change or influence somebody else. Besides, I’m pretty sure that the most positive effect I’ve ever had on the world has been through my art and my writing, which I do for my own benefit but which seems to positively impact other people as an added bonus.
On another note: I’VE BEEN FUCKING A LOT LATELY. I’m getting a lot of attention from girls. It’s probably going to my head a little bit. There are still plenty of times when I’ll catch a glimpse of my reflection and get pretty bummed out about the way that I look but for the most part I’m pretty pleased with myself these days.
I painted this while I was selling prints at the opening of a new art space in St. Augustine. It’s been a really long time since I spent less than ten hours on a painting, but I’m pretty sure I wrapped this one up within an hour or so. If I’m being honest, it was half expressive art and half “hey, girls! look at me! come talk to me!” Even still, I’m pretty happy with it.
I chose to use only the second half of my caption as the title because (by itself) it’s sexually suggestive but silly. That line underneath the body was originally meant just to distinguish one leg from the other but I left it as is ‘cause it kinda looks like it’s meant to be a dick. That works too.
—–
This painting is already up as part up my exhibit at Burrito Gallery in Jacksonville, FL. By tomorrow afternoon, it’ll also be available as a 12×16″ print.
Speaking of prints, I set up at Rain Dogs to sell last night (thanks to my buddy, Mike, who does art under the banner of Hood Rat Shit). I just found out that Chris Wollard and Jon Snodgrass are playing there tonight, so I might try to go back and do the same. Here are some photos from last night though.
Snarkiness, pride, self-deprecation, vanity, whatever… all that shit aside – I really do have fun. And I really am grateful. I couldn’t ask for anything more than what I’ve got. And when I think about all the people that have been so supportive of me recently – personally or in just buying my work – it really is humbling. I feel like I’m in a pretty good state of being, even if it is a delicate balancing act sometimes.
Update (April 2025): This painting is currently hanging in THE RINGLING MUSEUM OF ART. If you’re reading this anytime prior to July 30th, you can go SEE IT IN PERSON!
