Category: Creative Life


  • Creativity In An Age of Crisis

    • Creativity In An Age of Crisis

      Theory: tragedy inspires the greatest art. E.g. Picasso’s Guernica Hurricane Helene has brought all kinds of trouble to the region – not just Asheville, but the counties and states surrounding it. Since the hurricane hit a week ago and the devastation continues to unfold, I’ve found it nearly impossible to create anything. It got me…

    • Notes on Disasters.

      Even when it’s not right outside your window, it consumes all of your mental bandwidth. The hurricane, the aftermath, the entire region that is suffering. This is the kind of thing that sets people back ten or twenty years. You hear the stories, but now you know. This feels different, more sinister. In grade school…

    • After The Storm

      I’m collecting links for the print-on-demand stores for artists around Asheville/ Buncombe County/ Western North Carolina to share and promote. The goal is to support the local artists who were so heavily impacted without burdening them with order fulfillment. When I’m feeling uninspired, I’ll wander around the Marquee in the River Arts district. It is a…

    • What This Could Be – September 27

      It was the week of crushing rains. Something like 8 inches has fallen over the last 24 hours with more on the way. The trash guys still picked up this week, only to leave the bins with the lid open. By the time I retrieved the can it was half full of water – probably…

    • Other Ways of Doing Business

      As of this writing, in September 2024, I feel as though I join the ranks of the burnt out. I hit this weird spot where I was running a business, but I didn’t really create much. I might be shooting myself in the foot, but I’m not sure I want my sole creations of the…

    • Creative Environments

      “What we can do is construct an environment that nurtures trusting and respectful relationships and unleashes everyone’s creativity. If we get that right, the result is a vibrant community where talented people are loyal to one another and their collective work, everyone feels that they are part of something extraordinary, and their passion and accomplishments…

    • Garbage Town USA

      They might call it Trasheville – as a play on Asheville. It all depends who you talk to. There is still a healthy punk scene that is forever supported by the artisans and students and focused spirit that this is very much an arts town. Like any city, Asheville has its growing pains that look…

    Theory: tragedy inspires the greatest art. E.g. Picasso’s Guernica Hurricane Helene has brought all kinds of trouble to the region – not just Asheville, but the counties and states surrounding it. Since the hurricane hit a week ago and the devastation continues to unfold, I’ve found it nearly impossible to create anything. It got me…


  • Pure KAOS

    • Creativity In An Age of Crisis

      Theory: tragedy inspires the greatest art. E.g. Picasso’s Guernica Hurricane Helene has brought all kinds of trouble to the region – not just Asheville, but the counties and states surrounding it. Since the hurricane hit a week ago and the devastation continues to unfold, I’ve found it nearly impossible to create anything. It got me…

    • Notes on Disasters.

      Even when it’s not right outside your window, it consumes all of your mental bandwidth. The hurricane, the aftermath, the entire region that is suffering. This is the kind of thing that sets people back ten or twenty years. You hear the stories, but now you know. This feels different, more sinister. In grade school…

    • After The Storm

      I’m collecting links for the print-on-demand stores for artists around Asheville/ Buncombe County/ Western North Carolina to share and promote. The goal is to support the local artists who were so heavily impacted without burdening them with order fulfillment. When I’m feeling uninspired, I’ll wander around the Marquee in the River Arts district. It is a…

    • What This Could Be – September 27

      It was the week of crushing rains. Something like 8 inches has fallen over the last 24 hours with more on the way. The trash guys still picked up this week, only to leave the bins with the lid open. By the time I retrieved the can it was half full of water – probably…

    • Other Ways of Doing Business

      As of this writing, in September 2024, I feel as though I join the ranks of the burnt out. I hit this weird spot where I was running a business, but I didn’t really create much. I might be shooting myself in the foot, but I’m not sure I want my sole creations of the…

    • Creative Environments

      “What we can do is construct an environment that nurtures trusting and respectful relationships and unleashes everyone’s creativity. If we get that right, the result is a vibrant community where talented people are loyal to one another and their collective work, everyone feels that they are part of something extraordinary, and their passion and accomplishments…

    • Garbage Town USA

      They might call it Trasheville – as a play on Asheville. It all depends who you talk to. There is still a healthy punk scene that is forever supported by the artisans and students and focused spirit that this is very much an arts town. Like any city, Asheville has its growing pains that look…

    If I wrote something for every series I watched, this would be entirely different website featuring far more reality-based programs than I care to admit (no, not documentaries. yes…THOSE realities). KAOS was a lot of fun. I knew all those old Greek myths I studied back in school would come in use at some point!…


  • The Firm Pays For It

    • Creativity In An Age of Crisis

      Theory: tragedy inspires the greatest art. E.g. Picasso’s Guernica Hurricane Helene has brought all kinds of trouble to the region – not just Asheville, but the counties and states surrounding it. Since the hurricane hit a week ago and the devastation continues to unfold, I’ve found it nearly impossible to create anything. It got me…

    • Notes on Disasters.

      Even when it’s not right outside your window, it consumes all of your mental bandwidth. The hurricane, the aftermath, the entire region that is suffering. This is the kind of thing that sets people back ten or twenty years. You hear the stories, but now you know. This feels different, more sinister. In grade school…

    • After The Storm

      I’m collecting links for the print-on-demand stores for artists around Asheville/ Buncombe County/ Western North Carolina to share and promote. The goal is to support the local artists who were so heavily impacted without burdening them with order fulfillment. When I’m feeling uninspired, I’ll wander around the Marquee in the River Arts district. It is a…

    • What This Could Be – September 27

      It was the week of crushing rains. Something like 8 inches has fallen over the last 24 hours with more on the way. The trash guys still picked up this week, only to leave the bins with the lid open. By the time I retrieved the can it was half full of water – probably…

    • Other Ways of Doing Business

      As of this writing, in September 2024, I feel as though I join the ranks of the burnt out. I hit this weird spot where I was running a business, but I didn’t really create much. I might be shooting myself in the foot, but I’m not sure I want my sole creations of the…

    • Creative Environments

      “What we can do is construct an environment that nurtures trusting and respectful relationships and unleashes everyone’s creativity. If we get that right, the result is a vibrant community where talented people are loyal to one another and their collective work, everyone feels that they are part of something extraordinary, and their passion and accomplishments…

    • Garbage Town USA

      They might call it Trasheville – as a play on Asheville. It all depends who you talk to. There is still a healthy punk scene that is forever supported by the artisans and students and focused spirit that this is very much an arts town. Like any city, Asheville has its growing pains that look…

    One day I’ll get my print story running again.

  • Riffs on Paper

    Riffs on Paper

    • Creativity In An Age of Crisis

      Theory: tragedy inspires the greatest art. E.g. Picasso’s Guernica Hurricane Helene has brought all kinds of trouble to the region – not just Asheville, but the counties and states surrounding it. Since the hurricane hit a week ago and the devastation continues to unfold, I’ve found it nearly impossible to create anything. It got me…

    • Notes on Disasters.

      Even when it’s not right outside your window, it consumes all of your mental bandwidth. The hurricane, the aftermath, the entire region that is suffering. This is the kind of thing that sets people back ten or twenty years. You hear the stories, but now you know. This feels different, more sinister. In grade school…

    • After The Storm

      I’m collecting links for the print-on-demand stores for artists around Asheville/ Buncombe County/ Western North Carolina to share and promote. The goal is to support the local artists who were so heavily impacted without burdening them with order fulfillment. When I’m feeling uninspired, I’ll wander around the Marquee in the River Arts district. It is a…

    • What This Could Be – September 27

      It was the week of crushing rains. Something like 8 inches has fallen over the last 24 hours with more on the way. The trash guys still picked up this week, only to leave the bins with the lid open. By the time I retrieved the can it was half full of water – probably…

    • Other Ways of Doing Business

      As of this writing, in September 2024, I feel as though I join the ranks of the burnt out. I hit this weird spot where I was running a business, but I didn’t really create much. I might be shooting myself in the foot, but I’m not sure I want my sole creations of the…

    • Creative Environments

      “What we can do is construct an environment that nurtures trusting and respectful relationships and unleashes everyone’s creativity. If we get that right, the result is a vibrant community where talented people are loyal to one another and their collective work, everyone feels that they are part of something extraordinary, and their passion and accomplishments…

    • Garbage Town USA

      They might call it Trasheville – as a play on Asheville. It all depends who you talk to. There is still a healthy punk scene that is forever supported by the artisans and students and focused spirit that this is very much an arts town. Like any city, Asheville has its growing pains that look…

    It’s like when you buy clothes: if you find something you like that fits well, buy it in every color. But here, if I find a paper that really sings I’ll stock up however I can.

  • July inside of July

    July inside of July

    • Creativity In An Age of Crisis

      Theory: tragedy inspires the greatest art. E.g. Picasso’s Guernica Hurricane Helene has brought all kinds of trouble to the region – not just Asheville, but the counties and states surrounding it. Since the hurricane hit a week ago and the devastation continues to unfold, I’ve found it nearly impossible to create anything. It got me…

    • Notes on Disasters.

      Even when it’s not right outside your window, it consumes all of your mental bandwidth. The hurricane, the aftermath, the entire region that is suffering. This is the kind of thing that sets people back ten or twenty years. You hear the stories, but now you know. This feels different, more sinister. In grade school…

    • After The Storm

      I’m collecting links for the print-on-demand stores for artists around Asheville/ Buncombe County/ Western North Carolina to share and promote. The goal is to support the local artists who were so heavily impacted without burdening them with order fulfillment. When I’m feeling uninspired, I’ll wander around the Marquee in the River Arts district. It is a…

    • What This Could Be – September 27

      It was the week of crushing rains. Something like 8 inches has fallen over the last 24 hours with more on the way. The trash guys still picked up this week, only to leave the bins with the lid open. By the time I retrieved the can it was half full of water – probably…

    • Other Ways of Doing Business

      As of this writing, in September 2024, I feel as though I join the ranks of the burnt out. I hit this weird spot where I was running a business, but I didn’t really create much. I might be shooting myself in the foot, but I’m not sure I want my sole creations of the…

    • Creative Environments

      “What we can do is construct an environment that nurtures trusting and respectful relationships and unleashes everyone’s creativity. If we get that right, the result is a vibrant community where talented people are loyal to one another and their collective work, everyone feels that they are part of something extraordinary, and their passion and accomplishments…

    • Garbage Town USA

      They might call it Trasheville – as a play on Asheville. It all depends who you talk to. There is still a healthy punk scene that is forever supported by the artisans and students and focused spirit that this is very much an arts town. Like any city, Asheville has its growing pains that look…

    It’s been muggy as hell this year. It feels unreal. Still, folks are out trying to make the best of it. “My life, I realize suddenly, is July. Childhood is June, and old age is August, but here it is, July, and my life, this year, is July inside of July.” Rick Bass

  • Riffs on Grammar

    Riffs on Grammar

    • Creativity In An Age of Crisis

      Theory: tragedy inspires the greatest art. E.g. Picasso’s Guernica Hurricane Helene has brought all kinds of trouble to the region – not just Asheville, but the counties and states surrounding it. Since the hurricane hit a week ago and the devastation continues to unfold, I’ve found it nearly impossible to create anything. It got me…

    • Notes on Disasters.

      Even when it’s not right outside your window, it consumes all of your mental bandwidth. The hurricane, the aftermath, the entire region that is suffering. This is the kind of thing that sets people back ten or twenty years. You hear the stories, but now you know. This feels different, more sinister. In grade school…

    • After The Storm

      I’m collecting links for the print-on-demand stores for artists around Asheville/ Buncombe County/ Western North Carolina to share and promote. The goal is to support the local artists who were so heavily impacted without burdening them with order fulfillment. When I’m feeling uninspired, I’ll wander around the Marquee in the River Arts district. It is a…

    • What This Could Be – September 27

      It was the week of crushing rains. Something like 8 inches has fallen over the last 24 hours with more on the way. The trash guys still picked up this week, only to leave the bins with the lid open. By the time I retrieved the can it was half full of water – probably…

    • Other Ways of Doing Business

      As of this writing, in September 2024, I feel as though I join the ranks of the burnt out. I hit this weird spot where I was running a business, but I didn’t really create much. I might be shooting myself in the foot, but I’m not sure I want my sole creations of the…

    • Creative Environments

      “What we can do is construct an environment that nurtures trusting and respectful relationships and unleashes everyone’s creativity. If we get that right, the result is a vibrant community where talented people are loyal to one another and their collective work, everyone feels that they are part of something extraordinary, and their passion and accomplishments…

    • Garbage Town USA

      They might call it Trasheville – as a play on Asheville. It all depends who you talk to. There is still a healthy punk scene that is forever supported by the artisans and students and focused spirit that this is very much an arts town. Like any city, Asheville has its growing pains that look…

    Thoughts on grammar. Why a preposition can end things. And other collected notes.

  • In The Studio with Violet – May 27, 2024

    In The Studio with Violet – May 27, 2024

    • Creativity In An Age of Crisis

      Theory: tragedy inspires the greatest art. E.g. Picasso’s Guernica Hurricane Helene has brought all kinds of trouble to the region – not just Asheville, but the counties and states surrounding it. Since the hurricane hit a week ago and the devastation continues to unfold, I’ve found it nearly impossible to create anything. It got me…

    • Notes on Disasters.

      Even when it’s not right outside your window, it consumes all of your mental bandwidth. The hurricane, the aftermath, the entire region that is suffering. This is the kind of thing that sets people back ten or twenty years. You hear the stories, but now you know. This feels different, more sinister. In grade school…

    • After The Storm

      I’m collecting links for the print-on-demand stores for artists around Asheville/ Buncombe County/ Western North Carolina to share and promote. The goal is to support the local artists who were so heavily impacted without burdening them with order fulfillment. When I’m feeling uninspired, I’ll wander around the Marquee in the River Arts district. It is a…

    • What This Could Be – September 27

      It was the week of crushing rains. Something like 8 inches has fallen over the last 24 hours with more on the way. The trash guys still picked up this week, only to leave the bins with the lid open. By the time I retrieved the can it was half full of water – probably…

    • Other Ways of Doing Business

      As of this writing, in September 2024, I feel as though I join the ranks of the burnt out. I hit this weird spot where I was running a business, but I didn’t really create much. I might be shooting myself in the foot, but I’m not sure I want my sole creations of the…

    • Creative Environments

      “What we can do is construct an environment that nurtures trusting and respectful relationships and unleashes everyone’s creativity. If we get that right, the result is a vibrant community where talented people are loyal to one another and their collective work, everyone feels that they are part of something extraordinary, and their passion and accomplishments…

    • Garbage Town USA

      They might call it Trasheville – as a play on Asheville. It all depends who you talk to. There is still a healthy punk scene that is forever supported by the artisans and students and focused spirit that this is very much an arts town. Like any city, Asheville has its growing pains that look…

    More exploration with the brush pen.


  • Ink Is A Forgiving Medium

    • Creativity In An Age of Crisis

      Theory: tragedy inspires the greatest art. E.g. Picasso’s Guernica Hurricane Helene has brought all kinds of trouble to the region – not just Asheville, but the counties and states surrounding it. Since the hurricane hit a week ago and the devastation continues to unfold, I’ve found it nearly impossible to create anything. It got me…

    • Notes on Disasters.

      Even when it’s not right outside your window, it consumes all of your mental bandwidth. The hurricane, the aftermath, the entire region that is suffering. This is the kind of thing that sets people back ten or twenty years. You hear the stories, but now you know. This feels different, more sinister. In grade school…

    • After The Storm

      I’m collecting links for the print-on-demand stores for artists around Asheville/ Buncombe County/ Western North Carolina to share and promote. The goal is to support the local artists who were so heavily impacted without burdening them with order fulfillment. When I’m feeling uninspired, I’ll wander around the Marquee in the River Arts district. It is a…

    • What This Could Be – September 27

      It was the week of crushing rains. Something like 8 inches has fallen over the last 24 hours with more on the way. The trash guys still picked up this week, only to leave the bins with the lid open. By the time I retrieved the can it was half full of water – probably…

    • Other Ways of Doing Business

      As of this writing, in September 2024, I feel as though I join the ranks of the burnt out. I hit this weird spot where I was running a business, but I didn’t really create much. I might be shooting myself in the foot, but I’m not sure I want my sole creations of the…

    • Creative Environments

      “What we can do is construct an environment that nurtures trusting and respectful relationships and unleashes everyone’s creativity. If we get that right, the result is a vibrant community where talented people are loyal to one another and their collective work, everyone feels that they are part of something extraordinary, and their passion and accomplishments…

    • Garbage Town USA

      They might call it Trasheville – as a play on Asheville. It all depends who you talk to. There is still a healthy punk scene that is forever supported by the artisans and students and focused spirit that this is very much an arts town. Like any city, Asheville has its growing pains that look…

    I’m still on a quest to figure out why drawing ended up being the answer, but I’m still at it and improving, I think. Whatever the case, my workspace is a perpetual mess of papers and inks and stubs of pencils. More brushes keep surfacing. Maybe, through it all, I just wanted to sit across…


  • Collage, without the mess.

    • Creativity In An Age of Crisis

      Theory: tragedy inspires the greatest art. E.g. Picasso’s Guernica Hurricane Helene has brought all kinds of trouble to the region – not just Asheville, but the counties and states surrounding it. Since the hurricane hit a week ago and the devastation continues to unfold, I’ve found it nearly impossible to create anything. It got me…

    • Notes on Disasters.

      Even when it’s not right outside your window, it consumes all of your mental bandwidth. The hurricane, the aftermath, the entire region that is suffering. This is the kind of thing that sets people back ten or twenty years. You hear the stories, but now you know. This feels different, more sinister. In grade school…

    • After The Storm

      I’m collecting links for the print-on-demand stores for artists around Asheville/ Buncombe County/ Western North Carolina to share and promote. The goal is to support the local artists who were so heavily impacted without burdening them with order fulfillment. When I’m feeling uninspired, I’ll wander around the Marquee in the River Arts district. It is a…

    • What This Could Be – September 27

      It was the week of crushing rains. Something like 8 inches has fallen over the last 24 hours with more on the way. The trash guys still picked up this week, only to leave the bins with the lid open. By the time I retrieved the can it was half full of water – probably…

    • Other Ways of Doing Business

      As of this writing, in September 2024, I feel as though I join the ranks of the burnt out. I hit this weird spot where I was running a business, but I didn’t really create much. I might be shooting myself in the foot, but I’m not sure I want my sole creations of the…

    • Creative Environments

      “What we can do is construct an environment that nurtures trusting and respectful relationships and unleashes everyone’s creativity. If we get that right, the result is a vibrant community where talented people are loyal to one another and their collective work, everyone feels that they are part of something extraordinary, and their passion and accomplishments…

    • Garbage Town USA

      They might call it Trasheville – as a play on Asheville. It all depends who you talk to. There is still a healthy punk scene that is forever supported by the artisans and students and focused spirit that this is very much an arts town. Like any city, Asheville has its growing pains that look…

    Taking the tools I have and pushing them a little further to see what else I can do with them. Digital collage, photoshop, scanning, and making something out of the bits on the cutting room floor.


  • The Universal Reminders

    • Creativity In An Age of Crisis

      Theory: tragedy inspires the greatest art. E.g. Picasso’s Guernica Hurricane Helene has brought all kinds of trouble to the region – not just Asheville, but the counties and states surrounding it. Since the hurricane hit a week ago and the devastation continues to unfold, I’ve found it nearly impossible to create anything. It got me…

    • Notes on Disasters.

      Even when it’s not right outside your window, it consumes all of your mental bandwidth. The hurricane, the aftermath, the entire region that is suffering. This is the kind of thing that sets people back ten or twenty years. You hear the stories, but now you know. This feels different, more sinister. In grade school…

    • After The Storm

      I’m collecting links for the print-on-demand stores for artists around Asheville/ Buncombe County/ Western North Carolina to share and promote. The goal is to support the local artists who were so heavily impacted without burdening them with order fulfillment. When I’m feeling uninspired, I’ll wander around the Marquee in the River Arts district. It is a…

    • What This Could Be – September 27

      It was the week of crushing rains. Something like 8 inches has fallen over the last 24 hours with more on the way. The trash guys still picked up this week, only to leave the bins with the lid open. By the time I retrieved the can it was half full of water – probably…

    • Other Ways of Doing Business

      As of this writing, in September 2024, I feel as though I join the ranks of the burnt out. I hit this weird spot where I was running a business, but I didn’t really create much. I might be shooting myself in the foot, but I’m not sure I want my sole creations of the…

    • Creative Environments

      “What we can do is construct an environment that nurtures trusting and respectful relationships and unleashes everyone’s creativity. If we get that right, the result is a vibrant community where talented people are loyal to one another and their collective work, everyone feels that they are part of something extraordinary, and their passion and accomplishments…

    • Garbage Town USA

      They might call it Trasheville – as a play on Asheville. It all depends who you talk to. There is still a healthy punk scene that is forever supported by the artisans and students and focused spirit that this is very much an arts town. Like any city, Asheville has its growing pains that look…

    Because sometimes you wonder if this is all worth it. Because doing your own thing, running your own business, sharing your story, making it matter, and going out of your way to try something way off base from the norm tends to fail far more often than it succeeds. Because sometimes you find yourself looking…