Best of times. Burst of times.
A Tale of Two Seasons
Hi there! It’s been a minute. We’re back after a much-needed hiatus away from the crowds, the weather, and the uncertainty. Chris and I crunched the numbers and 2024 was our best season since we went pro in 2012. Simultaneously, though, it was an upstream battle against the current of these challenging times.
The Good
We have so many of you to thank for making it our best year ever. We were completely swept up in the love, especially in the new cities we visited this year. (We see you Greenville and Denver.) Against the backdrop of a tumultuous summer, we’re humbled and grateful.
Independent artist life is precarious to say the least. In a digital-first world—especially post-pandemic—I’m honestly a bit shocked street art festivals still exist. Folks still crave the craft—a thrilling little escape from the predictable confines of the big box industry. Personally, I blew my artwork budget this year, but this is work that inspires me to keep creating no matter how weird it gets out there.
From my 2024 collection, left to right: Pete Kornowski, Katie Musolff, Adam Hoffman
Maybe like me, you also recognize that a great piece by a “festival” artist isn’t just about their talent and skill level, but also the blood, sweat, and tears that literally go into the process of setting up shop out there in the elements.
The Not-As-Good
Ask any artist and they’d readily admit there was a palpable sense of unease and unrest all summer, which translated to some really, really tough shows. And we were not immune, sometimes barely breaking even.
No matter which political faction you subscribed to [or opted out of!] this year, I think we can all agree the economy and the election were the flies in the sunscreen. And, man, did we feel it out there working the pavement. “I love your work. I’d buy it if I could afford it.” It was as if we accidentally set up a confessional booth. How do you compassionately respond as an artist? Particularly an artist who captures the complex dynamics of how the “American Dream” has unfolded…and folded…throughout our history?
The Truth
Over the past 18 years or so, since Chris first started making this work, America has suffered and rebounded any number of times. When I came on board in 2009, we’d all just experienced the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression. I personally knew friends and family who’d lost their jobs and their homes. That’s why I was so fascinated by the work Chris was making and why I wanted to be part of it. Collapse bursting with lustrous gem tones—what a dichotomy! It’s such a quintessential symbol of this country’s hope in darkness, its determination amongst destitution.
Americans—the cuckoo creative ones at least—really have a knack for putting a brilliant spin on a shitty situation, for better or worse. In this country, it’s always simultaneously best of times / worst of times, and we just keep on truckin’. That’s what makes America so unique to the outside world—so loathed, yet so loved.
With over a decade in, Chris and I know exactly how capricious this art world can be—from the socio-economic climate, to the dark storm clouds that might destroy your art booth, to the mood of the artist judges who decide whether you’re in or you’re out. Sometimes there are years when we just have to brace for impact. But as the adage goes, it’s always darkest before dawn. At least we’ve got some pretty decent flashlights.
The Season
Gifting season is already coming in hot and heavy. If you’re like us—eager to support the arts during these weird and wild times BUT also watching your finances like a hawk—we’ve got four ways to help you out this holiday season:
Right now, buy one 8" x 10" or 11" x 17" print and get another same-size print totally free. There are no promo codes, no limits.
Get 20% off select Chromaluxe aluminum pieces (sized 16" x 24" and 20" x 30"). Again, no promo code necessary.
We’re offering free shipping on both of these deals. For the Chromaluxe, that’s a steal as shipping the bigger ones can cost up to $60 depending on where you live.
10% of every purchase until the end of November will go to our favorite non profit: ArtWorks for Milwaukee. This incredible organization helps young students gain transferable career skills through art internships. If every discounted Chromaluxe piece sells, that’s at least $300 to ArtWorks. Let’s do it!
Below are the links to each sale, both end on Saturday, November 30th. Email us right away if you have any trouble or any questions.
As we always say: it’s people like you who help us keep indie art alive and well. On behalf of artists everywhere, thank you for your support right now. Whether it’s a purchase or a kind compliment, we’re forever grateful for both.
In our next episode of Not Your Normal Night, we’ll unveil a couple of new pieces we captured this past October. Stretch out those quad muscles and get ready to climb.
