My talk with author James Howard Kunstler in mid-August, 2024, in which we focus on his visual art and various peripheral subjects including: growing up in Manhattan, the post WWII built environment, the psychoses of the art world, Fairfield Porter and removing heavy metals from the bloodstream.
Making money (or a living) through producing art may be easier nowadays with the internet, web pages, and things like PayPal and Patreon. One can cut out ALL the middlemen, sell directly to the public, and keep much more of the proceeds. I imagine that things like "print-on-demand" ability on Amazon, for instance, could be very helpful to authors as well.
What a treat to see your paintings! In March, 2020, a small bird landed on my hand here and told me to get to my studio and paint. She seemed to say "You'll be ok, just paint"... Of course, I had no idea what was coming for us then... So I've been painting now between my clients. Food for the soul. All best from Sedona. Kenyon And please God, may Trump et al win.
(originally wrote this in response to _Halloween on John St._, in the context of "Kamala Unwinding"; moved it here because I didn't think you'd see it)
JHK, NOW we're talking! Your substack is starting to feel like home.
You preserve the best of New England (which will always have a special place in my heart), and your paintings are your force field against the stare of the abyss.
"There are moments in our lives, there are moments in a day, when we seem to see beyond the usual- become clairvoyant. We reach then into reality. Such are the moments of our greatest happiness. Such are the moments of our greatest wisdom. It is in the nature of all people to have these experiences; but in our time and under the conditions of our lives, it is only a rare few who are able to continue in the experience and find expression for it."
~ Robert Henri
Not to guilt you, but I could have used this image during summer as a substitute for air-conditioning ;)
Well, thank you, Sedgwick! Robert Henri is a favorite of mine along with Sloan, Hopper, and Luks -- the New York "Ashcan" boys. Wonderful painters fully engaged in reality. I am most happy standing 'out there' with my French easel. . . though I also very much enjoy composing these blogs at five a.m. I'm glad to hear they resonate with an audience.
Most bloggers don't and probably can't offer a full-course meal. Your paintings tell us who you are possibly even more directly than your writing, which makes me smile, just in a different way.
I feel a great affinity with writers who also create visual artwork. Here on Substack there are two, you & Sasha Latypova. And you also told such an excellent, timeless fable of one Johnny Appleseed! Your paintings, & Sasha's, bring home to me the beauty of this world.
It's great how 'painting' is making a comeback culturally. My grandfather loved painting scenes of the countryside around Stratford, Ontario. Wishing you a bountiful & peaceful 2025!
I tried to email your art dealer and it bounced back. I was interested in Bonnie fish creek. The paintings are awesome. I love the feel of the past in them and the crooked signs seem to be letting us know things are falling apart . Please have whomever is selling for you email me @kirstendownes@gmail.com
Making money (or a living) through producing art may be easier nowadays with the internet, web pages, and things like PayPal and Patreon. One can cut out ALL the middlemen, sell directly to the public, and keep much more of the proceeds. I imagine that things like "print-on-demand" ability on Amazon, for instance, could be very helpful to authors as well.
What a treat to see your paintings! In March, 2020, a small bird landed on my hand here and told me to get to my studio and paint. She seemed to say "You'll be ok, just paint"... Of course, I had no idea what was coming for us then... So I've been painting now between my clients. Food for the soul. All best from Sedona. Kenyon And please God, may Trump et al win.
Yes, very important to get outa the left side of your brain on a a regular basis. Keep'er goin', Kenyon!
As I always tell you when I can comment….i love your brain! So productive, sensitive, cogent and thoughtful! Lovely paintings👍👍❤️
Why, thank you for the compliment!
Keepin' 'er goin'.
(originally wrote this in response to _Halloween on John St._, in the context of "Kamala Unwinding"; moved it here because I didn't think you'd see it)
JHK, NOW we're talking! Your substack is starting to feel like home.
You preserve the best of New England (which will always have a special place in my heart), and your paintings are your force field against the stare of the abyss.
"There are moments in our lives, there are moments in a day, when we seem to see beyond the usual- become clairvoyant. We reach then into reality. Such are the moments of our greatest happiness. Such are the moments of our greatest wisdom. It is in the nature of all people to have these experiences; but in our time and under the conditions of our lives, it is only a rare few who are able to continue in the experience and find expression for it."
~ Robert Henri
Not to guilt you, but I could have used this image during summer as a substitute for air-conditioning ;)
THANKS, MAN!
Well, thank you, Sedgwick! Robert Henri is a favorite of mine along with Sloan, Hopper, and Luks -- the New York "Ashcan" boys. Wonderful painters fully engaged in reality. I am most happy standing 'out there' with my French easel. . . though I also very much enjoy composing these blogs at five a.m. I'm glad to hear they resonate with an audience.
Most bloggers don't and probably can't offer a full-course meal. Your paintings tell us who you are possibly even more directly than your writing, which makes me smile, just in a different way.
I feel a great affinity with writers who also create visual artwork. Here on Substack there are two, you & Sasha Latypova. And you also told such an excellent, timeless fable of one Johnny Appleseed! Your paintings, & Sasha's, bring home to me the beauty of this world.
It's great how 'painting' is making a comeback culturally. My grandfather loved painting scenes of the countryside around Stratford, Ontario. Wishing you a bountiful & peaceful 2025!
Thanks for your kind compliment. Is painting coming back after decades of stunt-and-clutter art? I hope you are right.
I really like the Halloween painting!
I tried to email your art dealer and it bounced back. I was interested in Bonnie fish creek. The paintings are awesome. I love the feel of the past in them and the crooked signs seem to be letting us know things are falling apart . Please have whomever is selling for you email me @kirstendownes@gmail.com
these are beautiful paintings. I love all of them.
The Center Falls, Spring painting is lovely.
The house looks like the George C. Marshall's home Dodona Manor
in Leesburg Virginia. (right up the road from me) there is no Falls close by but there is the Town Branch waterway that runs into Tuscarora Creek :-/
That is a very nice painting. Maybe because it looks like Marshall's house haha. God bless and stay well.