The Scorpion Farmer

 I'm thinking about writing an allegorical story about the declining status of an unnamed superpower, which descends into tribalism, fascism and ignorance in a startlingly short period of time after the election of an anti-democratic, misogynistic sociopath to the highest office of the land.  It will be called "The Scorpion Farmer" and I'm visualizing the last chapter -- the cruel farmer lies writhing on the dusty ground, having finally been toppled by millions of the irate, stinging scorpions he has mistreated and misled over the years.  In a rippling wave of pain and death, they swarm the screaming, prostrate figure, extracting revenge for all of the destruction and death caused by the cruel, sociopathic farmer.  Final scene:  the farmer's old red hat lying battered and torn, the only thing now visible on the hard, rocky ground.

Or maybe not...

The War President

Narragansett

Instead of my usual snarky new year's poem, I'm starting this year with a gentle little book.  This is "Narragansett," an accordion-style artist's book I created from cardboard drink coasters, some left-over scraps of nautical maps, and document repair tape in late 2025.  (4x4," opens to 24"). This book is travelling to Kalamazoo, MI right now, to be part of the annual Illustrated Accordion exhibition at Kalamazoo Book Arts Center. 

I was thinking about the sea.

Salud, 2026

 New Year's Eve, the last day of a bitch of a year.

Good riddance 2025, you were painful in many ways,

evil and banality in high places,

greed and tribalism in abundance,

dear ones gone too soon.

Salud, 2026!

Please be kind.

Music Box

 A friend requested that I do something (no specified requirements!) on a large tintype.  He has collected a number of these from artist friends -- he supplies the tintype, with his only stipulation being that only the background can be worked on, not the central image.  I originally considered painting some wild, Rousseau-type "wallpaper" on my tintype, but no...this lady had a story to tell.  So we told it.

"Music Box" watercolor pencil, paint & collage on tintype, 2025

Some Fall Exhibitions

 Some of my books are appearing in far-flung places this fall:

        In Rochester, NY, the 2025 showing of the Art of the Book is opening, and I am delighted to have two pieces on view there.  "People I Know, People I Don't Know" is appearing in the Artist's Book section, and "Copper No. 2" is included in the Book Sculpture category.

 

        Out at the University of South Dakota, the 2025 exhibition "Bound & Unbound VIII" opened on August 25th.  Appearing in that show is "Double Vision," an altered book collaboration between myself and my good friend Sabine Remy of Dusseldorf, Germany.  You can see all of the wonderful books appearing there by accessing their Library Guide here.

And heading south from there, you can find "The Book As Art v. 13: Mixed Messages, which will show at the Decatur Library in Georgia, September 12-October 25, 2025.  My recent book "I READ THE NEWS TODAY OH BOY" will be part of this wonderful collection of books.

Enigma Variations

 Supposed to be packing right now, but would rather cut and paste.  Takes my mind off...things.

Enigma Variations 01 and 02: