This may not be for you.

Well, at least that’s what Danny Gregory (a favorite artist of mine who runs Sketchbook Skool) said in his always-creative and unique way. It reflects how artists - including me, you betcha - feel when their 1) work is unseen, or 2) their subscriber list doesn’t grow, or 3) they can’t convince others of the value of art in their lives.

Or 4) add anything else. It usually applies to the category of Artist Muses.

So maybe here is a good time to tell you, loyal readers, that I very much appreciate your support by reading this blog, checking out the shop every once in awhile, and occasionally commenting so I know I’ve reached you. I hope you’re finding the dozens and dozens of art references and links I’ve put on my website, but if you’re not, well, that’s okay, too. No pressure. Just wanted to remind you that they exist like here and here and here. And even more, here (but you have to scroll down on the hunt.)

I have a close and art-loving friend who told me recently that, maybe instead of talking about other artists, I should post more of what I do. I am so firmly a believer in the wonderfulness of the arts - all of them, that I think I shall continue to post about them.** I just love finding them and sharing. But I am also going to try to show more work in progress in my own studio. Probably a lot of unfinished things, (oh, man, you should see my Unfinished File Box containing more things that another lifetime wouldn’t finish.) Setting up videos is a pain in the buttinsky, at least for me, but I’m going to try harder as a new resolution. I hope that is something you’ll enjoy seeing. No need to comment. Just look and enjoy. (By the way, work in progress is often ugly. Just sayin’. I used to say - and truly believe - that whether it’s cleaning the house, organizing your life, or making art, it usually looks its ugliest just before it looks its best!)

Watch for the next Jewelbox collection in the next few days, and maybe a piece or two of what I’m working on when not busy sending out calendars. (Have you gotten one yet?!)

**Like, here. From The Marginalian:

“We love iconic illustrator Maira Kalman and have a soft spot for the writings of Daniel Handler, better-known under his legal pen name, Lemony Snicket. Not to mention we’re all over a good trailer for a book. Naturally, we’re head over heels with 13 Words, the new book by Lemony Snicket with an illustrated trailer by Maira Kalman, who also illustrated the book itself.

13 Words is essentially a word book, but it’s no ordinary wordbook. Like those brilliantly reimagined alphabet books we featured some time ago, Snicket’s latest gem takes a children’s literature staple, simultaneously honoring it and flipping it on its head.”