Fall update time!

Happy Fall friends! I can’t believe it’s already spooky season. I’m excited to update you on what's been keeping me busy in (and out!) of the studio…

In late September I attended my first ever live art event as part of the Band Together fundraiser for local non-profits where I completed the above piece entitled “Venom” from start to finish in a single day. 

I arrived at the site with the art partially completed. Mikie and I enjoyed VIP area comforts including free food and beverages, and meet with both art enthusiasts and unexpected old friends (including my former NC State Architecture professor Don!)

The Black Pumas headlined the event at Red Hat Amphitheater. All in all it was a spectacular evening!

Speaking of firsts, I landed my first ever PAID solo project proposal last month. I sent in my qualifications this summer for a wall-mounted public art piece at HUB RTP, a giant new mixed-use development in the heart of the Research Triangle Park, North Carolina. 

To my delight, I was shortlisted and paid to complete a site-specific artwork proposal. Below is the design I created for the proposal.

The following is an excerpt from my narrative outlining the design concept: 

This idea of Universal Intelligence is something I've been contemplating this year during my morning meditation practice. I’m excited to have created a design concept representing my ruminations. 

I created the above diagram illustrating the concept of Coral for a corporate boardroom project with ArtLifting recently. I love the organic flow of the concept, and the integration of the design idea with the spacing between the three pieces.

This is an exploration into applying the ‘Regal’ design I shared in my last newsletter to a triptych application.

I’ve begun working with a design assistant who created the fabulous renderings shown above. Thanks Harley!

I’ve received the final photography from the Gold Diamonds NYC project. I LOVE the way this project turned out and i’m super grateful for the fabrication services provided by Obsidian Solution, the client JRM, Stefanie at Gensler NYC for the art advocacy, and ArtLifting for bringing me this work!

ON A PERSONAL NOTE

September 27th, 2024 marked six years since my life was turned upside down by a car crash and severe traumatic brain injury. 

I'm grateful for all the progress i've been able to make in recovering my health and well-being since then. It's been a massive uphill climb and truly a hero's journey which as led me through depths of both great despair and triumph – widely expanding my spectrum of lived experience as a whole. 

 Folded Poetry has been a key component to bringing my life meaning and purpose again. 

I so appreciate your continued interest and enthusiasm for my work.

As many of you know, i’ve been to Italy and back since my last newsletter! I embarked on the travel too depleted and unfortunately I fell ill with what I suspect was Covid (though my test was unclear) and remained ill for much of the trip. I bounced back some for the second half of my time abroad and still managed to enjoy my international experience, but we definitely learned a lot about timing European travel. Florence, where we spent most of our time - was incredibly hot and crowded when we visited - definitely not ideal for someone feeling under the weather.

Despite all this we still had a wonderful trip filled with great memories. Below are some highlight photos. 

 I’m grateful for the opportunity to get out and experience something entirely new. I find that novelty is something which helps my creative mind thrive.

Shortly after returning home from abroad, I encountered a small creature in very apparent distress roaming the street in my neighborhood. I parked my car and followed him, calling gently until he finally collapsed behind a fallen tree in the woods and had no choice but to let me approach.

His fur was falling off and he could barely stand to eat when Mikie and I returned with food and supplies. We brought the little guy home and spent hours cutting the mattes of fur off, gave him a flea bath, and solicited medical attention from a veterinarian friend.

It’s been a joy watching Weaver (named after the street I found him on) blossom into a happy healthy pup. 

It's my first time rescuing an animal off the streets!

As you may know, this household already cares for two dogs and a cat, and we are finding that having four animals is a little beyond our capacity to simply give all the creatures the attention and love they need. If you are considering adopting an animal, or know someone who is, we are looking for a new home for Mr. Weaver Beaver. He’s incredibly smart, cuddly, affectionate, entertaining, docile, and (we suspect) hypoallergenic! 

That's all for now! Did you enjoy this newsletter? I have never “gone viral” and all of my growth is organic - It would mean the world to me if you would share this with an art (or dog) -loving friend.