2018, My BEST YEAR EVER !!!
12 months
34 shows
16 states
52,000 Miles
33 motels/air bnbs
3 cars
Countless Good Times
2018 is in the rearview mirror and it was a phenomenal year! In fact it was the BEST YEAR EVER for Left Behind photography. I had two (2!) Best Ever shows, both within three weeks of each other, reaching milestones I had dreamed of. I met more amazing art-loving people than ever before and I added a family of serious collectors whom I had the privilege of personally visiting. I did another commissioned work for a client who trusted me with an important family 'heirloom'. I made so many great connections through my art and, to me. that is what it is ALL about. I am excited about making even more connections in 2019.
Of course 2018 was not without it's challenges. I blew the transmission on my old Santa Fe, after ~300,000 miles. That forced me to rent a Uhaul truck for a few weeks and then buy a used Ford Explorer, which promptly BLEW UP after 100 miles on a trip to a show in Ohio. I had to then cancel on that show, first time ever I did that. Finally, after renting more trucks, I was finally able to buy my current, more reliable, car: a VW Touareg. I also traveled about a thousand miles on Labor Day weekend to do a show that I sold ONLY ONE small print. I had to appeal to many of y'all for help during these difficult periods and y'all came through, again. Thank you!
In 2018 I found myself in some fascinating locations that I was able to photograph. Tops among them was the Historic Cossitt Library , an abandoned library in Memphis TN. I finally found an old Jeep that I had been searching for over 2 years! Also there was a boat graveyard, old church, vintage gas station, and many old cars and trucks. In 2019 I have plans to take more time to shoot, time to make NEW ART! I will take time to travel to places for the purpose of photographing, not just because it is on the way to an art show of mine. I was fortunate to save enough money to buy a new camera, for the first time in five (5!) years. I plan to make the most of this opportunity.
[Me at Sugarloaf Crafts show]
I am truly humbled each and every week; humbled by thousands of people who "get me" and get my art and my vision. Humbled by people willing to spend their hard-earned money on my art. Humbled by art show organizers and managers who help these art shows appear virtually overnight as if my magic, and by the managers who "work with" this sometimes struggling artist (me!).
THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!
LOOK OUT 2019, HERE I COME!
