This year, when I apply “art” as a filter, has felt like a whimper and continued decline. For my career, I'm batting zero despite efforts to be included in fairs and exhibitions. Social media, as it has matured, funnels users towards other artists. My posts receive 10-30% of the audience I received a year ago and engagement reflects this. I've never been more removed from the art world and I've been insulating more of my work here.

However, the work still finds ways to be produced. Early this year I played more with color and continue to be surprised at how vibrant flesh can be. The soft nuance of pencils is something I always understood but enjoyed more than ever this year. I took a risograph class. More books were produced. In summary, my process continues to stimulate and I'm never short on ideas. This is ultimately why I spend so much time on making artwork, despite life's other obligations.

Finally, and most importantly, I feel great love from my family and personal relationships. My kids are bright, creative, and healthy. My partner is infinitely understanding, loving, comforting. 2023 will have my deepest attention in these personal areas.

I wish everyone else to do the same: talk to your aging parents, be vulnerable around those who care about you most, seek friendships. There's no shortage of chaos in this world to inspire art, but having a stable healthy environment takes work.