Long time…….I know. There has been quite a bit going on in the world and in my head these last few months. But, I won’t bore you with the details….just know that it has been a Sh*t Show.
Read MoreA Different Type of Road Trip..
This Too Shall Pass...
I went for a bike ride the other day and came across a message that seemed to be written in the sky:
“THIS TOO SHALL PASS”
I have not taken this path before so I am not sure how long the message had been up there, but in reality, it didn't matter. It’s not a new message….we’ve heard it many times.
As you may have guessed, ALL of the art shows that I would normally attend have been cancelled or postponed through July. I get a new email from a different show every few days with news that further eludes to a sense of uncertainty. For me, this uncertainty, makes me a little anxious. All in all, we are doing well. I am getting some projects done around the house, learning Spanish (again), I learned how to make pasta from scratch and built a raised garden box to grow my own herbs and veggies.
I just wanted to take a moment to check in with everyone. I hope that you all are healthy and stocked with toilet paper. I would also like to THANK everyone who has ever purchased a piece of work from me! Because of you, I am able to be less anxious about the next few months as we get through this.
I am so OVER 2020, I decided to offer a 21% off sale until the end of April. Enter the code OVER2020 at checkout. In the meantime, I’ll be behind the scenes creating new work, creating new social content and trying to figure out which one of my bourbon bottles has the clearest bottom.
Cheers!
February 24th
I can honestly say that my interests in spirits came from my dad, Erby. He would always tell the story of when I was 3-4yrs old on a trip to see his mother and I wouldn’t be still and was really fussy. We only had about 15-20 minutes left in our trip when he stopped for gas. He pumped his gas, went into the store and came out with two beer cans (one large one and one small one) . He opened the smaller one just enough to break the seal and let the carbonation and a little foam out and hand to me in my car seat. I sucked on the top of the beer can the rest of the ride. Two things happened: I shut the f*ck up and as soon as he let me out of the car and ran towards the house screaming, “ Grandma, Grandma! DADDY GAVE ME A BEER!!!” I’m not sure if I actually remember it or that I have heard it so much that I have created the memory from the story. Either way…that’s my dad.
Fast forward to my adult life a few years ago, my dad came to Atlanta and spent a week with my wife and I. One night, he and I went out for dinner and sat a bar and had dinner and a couple drinks. I realized that was the first time that we he and I had ever sat as adults and had a drink together since that day when I was younger. It meant a lot to me. Ironically, that is the ONLY pic that I have of us together as adults.
On February 24th, my dad would have been 72 yrs old. He passed in April 2019. I knew this day was coming and wondered how I would feel and what I would I do now that I couldn’t call him to wish him a HBD. I decided I’d come to one of my favorite spots and have a drink with him. (Sorry, Dad, but nobody serves Segrams 7 anymore so I replaced it with Uncle Nearest 1856)
So as I sit here at this bar, with watery eyes looking like a weirdo, I want to wish you Happy Heavenly 72nd Birthday. I love and miss you, Pop. #cheers
January 26
January 26…..(I type slow….I promise I will do better), This day has a double meaning for me.
1). 2012…. It was my last day of employment with the State of Georgia. I told myself in January of 2011 that I would quit my job and pursue a full-time career in Fine Art Photography. I was already doing it part-time and it was going pretty well for the amount of time and energy that I was putting into it. A few years before, I had been traveling to shows and exhibitions with my younger brother, Aaron, and developed an understating of the business, its potential and the logistics of it all.
We would drive to an art festival in….say Detroit. Set up everything up, work for two days straight talking to customers, delivering artwork, etc…. We would then break it all down and hop in the van on Sunday night and drive all night back to Atlanta. I would be at at my desk by 8am-ish. Tired af….but, I was there. After doing that for a while, I gave myself a full year to put a plan in place to make my exit. I focused more on my craft, booked more shows and told everyone that I knew that I was quitting my job in a year (I did that to hold myself accountable.)
I scheduled a meeting with my Manager, Bonnie, right after the new year. I had booked 8 shows back to back. This meant that I would need to be off of work on Friday AND Monday for the next two months in order to travel and make this happen. I asked. She said, “No” ( I knew she would.). I slid her my, already typed and sealed, resignation letter and made January 26 my last day working for her. The picture below was taken around 8am-ish the following Monday after I quit.
2) 2020…..Kobe Bryant, along with 8 others, were killed in a helicopter crash. I am not really a Kobe fan or a sports fan for that matter. However, I am a big fan of the bigger message.
NOTHING IS CERTAIN
Do it today. Set goals. Hug your family. Tell the people that you love them. Take that trip (not by helicopter). Drink that bottle of wine/bourbon that you have been saving for a “Special Occassion.” Be Present.
Cheers!
mr
MaxX
I spoke with a life coach a while ago and we discussed my love for “connections.” Interactions with people from all walks of life is what inspires me. My artwork allows me the opportunity to travel and meet awesome people from all over the world. I have so many stories and experiences that help me to create and tell my story. Allow me to introduce you to Max with two X’s….
At the Neptune Arts Festival in Virginia Beach (Sept), I was in my booth and two ladies and their two kids walked in and started looking at pieces. I introduced myself to everyone. I spoke to the oldest (girl) first and then spoke to the boy (age 7-8 kinda shy and holding his mom’s hand)…
Me: “Hey Whats up!? , What’s your name?”
Max: “I’m Max…..just Max.”
Me: “Wait….you mean not Maxwell, or Maximus, or Maximillion?”
Max: “No! JUST MAX!”
Me: “OK….Spell it!”
Max: “M-A-X”
Me: “Hmmmmm…..I think…..you should change it…..I think you should spell it M-a-x-X”
His eyes got really big and I could literally see wheels turning in his head. His mom said, “I like that!”
I went back to fielding questions about my work and helping other customers. They said they’d be back later. We began saying our good-byes and I asked Max, “Uhhhh….What’s your name again?”
Max: “Max!”
Me: Spell it!
Max: “ M-A-X”!
Me: (looking confused) Say What now? Spell it again….”
Max: “M-A-X-X!!”
Me: “NICE! High five and they were on their way down the boardwalk..
The following day, I am sitting in the chair across from my booth and a lady walks up holding a phone and shows me the picture below. She said, “He couldn’t stop talking about you yesterday! He doesn’t like ANYBODY, but you were his “best friend” yesterday, and we want to buy that painting!!”
Maxx is probably going to change the world one day, but we will both always remember the day, that the artist who created the artwork in mom’s dining room, changed his name….
Cheers!
STAIRS
I've always been intrigued by Staircases....especially when you cant see what is at the top. They are similar to closed doors or opportunities yet explored. These steps could be a great opportunity or cliff, but you will never know unless you TAKE THAT STEP!! #fearsucks #doit #begreat #bethewolfandnotthesheep #imdeepasabathtub
New Site is Live!
Our new website is live! Thanks to the wonderful web design team, I now have a place to show you my artwork. As a collector, I look forward to building my relationship with you as you continue to build your collection.
Here's to fine art!