New Directions for JKFA...

I'm sure I'm not the only working artist who utilized social media and websites in the early 2000s as an invaluable marketing tool, only to see today's changes in those landscapes for the not-so-better. It's become increasingly frustrating for me, as I built decent followings through both platforms in the beginning. Today, I just don't have it in me to fight algorithms and pay-to-play schemes to get community engagement. I've struggled with the idea of maintaining a website and my IG page for years. Do I keep them? Do I abandon them? At this point, I'm very much at a crossroads with both. Frankly, I don't have the energy to consistently post stuff for eyes and likes. I refuse to be a 'content creator'...fuck that shit. At the same time, I'm tired of feeding the tech bros' AI monsters, but, if I don't want it online, I shouldn't share it. See the conundrum?

Moving forward, I'll share work and news when I have something worthwhile to share. For instance, I won't be updating my website with old work (posters, paintings) from my portfolio. I'm only interested in focusing on new work, whether it be collage, painting, printmaking, photography, etc. The old work is old work. Not that the old work is no longer valuable. I've just worked hard at moving past certain times in my creative life, and I'm looking forward to the future.

The web shop is going to be hit or miss, too. I'm annoyed by how much postal rates have skyrocketed over the last few years, not to mention, the insane tariffs that have been tacked onto original art shipments. Let's just say the all around greed has really gotten out of hand. Once I figure out a good and fair balance between cost of goods and shipping value, I'll open the web store back up to domestic and international customers and collectors.

Lastly, I'm working on setting up my old school email newsletter for y'all. I'm not sure how many people still open those things, but I have a subscription to a few fellow artist e-newsletters and they are great to read. I feel inspired to follow in their footsteps. I think it'll be the best way to keep up to date what's going on. I'll just need to stick to my guns and send out a monthly newsletter.

I think that is about it. Typing this is a struggle, too, as I rather be in the studio making art on this beautiful Friday. Anyhoo, that's it.

Happy birthday, John Lennon.

Talk soon. -JK

PS...have a looksie at the old studio below - 10 years ago. Oh, how I miss having that much space.