Anyone who reads my various online sites knows that I largely eschew politics. I am a voracious reader of non-fiction, especially biographies. It always comes across as strange when the journals/letter or straight biography on an artist has zero commentary on major upheavals occurring around them. Especially, as one can be completely oblivious to politics and other strife but still have their lives drastically effected by it. So, on rare occasions I make commentary.

One can write off politics and such as “Not my thing”. This is fine, but it will still effect all artists regardless of medium and genre. Not necessarily in how works are created but in the zeitgeist which ultimately influences where they can be seen and by whom.

I have never felt it is the artist’s duty to have program or message transmitted via their works. The real duty of all artists is to do your thing. Culture is important as it offers a brief reprieve from the grind and struggle. It is a reminder that there are things out there bigger than ourselves and more permanent.

If you are not a creator, audience is equally as important. In refreshing yourself and the (brief) cessation of life’s negatives comes the recouping of strength/will. Being able to redirect concentration from mere struggle allows for getting closer to being the best version of oneself. This is a tool to make the world a better place.

This is actually a quick sketch, larger than I normally work.

14×17 Inches soft lead pencil.

A graphite elegiac musing. There is nothing constructive in non-pundits now doing a post mortem. There is no one thing, this person shouldn’t have done/said this, that person is to blame because… Fact of the matter is, the finger could be pointed at missteps on campaign trail or how tricks were played by the other side but more than half the country casted votes a certain way.

To rail against it is to punch at waves as they crash towards the shore, it might make you feel better in the moment but ultimately is without purpose. Better to change the landscape than fight the players and in this art can be of use.