The Art

It is rewarding to realize I have been doing the same thing for nearly two and a half years. having a familiar subject to return to and examine from multiple angles; recognizable stability. The body of work has grown so vast - larger and more diverse than anything I've created in the past - and the desire to make more has inspired the cultivation of new skills. It's surprising how much there is to mine, but it bounces against my own life just as much as it bounces against the object of obsession. Arthur is not me and we do not react similarly to everything, nor have we had the same life. It's exploration from a safe distance where I am largely uninvolved.

This year I started my own private journal in which I make entries in a way Arthur would approach them, followed by my own entry. It helps to break apart the barriers around emotions and experiences. Maybe this idea will be helpful to someone... If not, I'll contend with the embarrassment of having revealed it.

The Marbles

Marbles are the most positive outcome of 2021. It's not the most interesting or social hobby, but having things to look forward to and something tangible to enjoy has been pleasant. I share them here only because I connect them to Arthur and the body of work cultivated in this space.

Why marbles? It's inscrutable. It's too abstract to put into words. But it's good to have proof that the mind will never stagnate. It will continue to latch on to simple things and leech joy and contentment from them. There's always something waiting for us in the future.