2021 was my sabbatical.
I love the idea of sabbaticals. I wish everyone had the chance to periodically stop, step back, have fun, and explore. We shouldn't have to wait till retirement to take some extended time off.
Even before I was pushed into an early pseudo-retirement after last year's clusterfuck, I had been tempted to take one. It's too easy to become tunnel visioned as you progress in a creative career. Your nose is up against your painting and it's hard to take a step back and remember why you're even bothering making art in the first place. But I had the chance to do that this year.
I produced less finished work this year than I have for a long time, but I think the time off was a smart investment for my future art. I'm really excited to create again.
I also had the chance to study art more than I have in years. When deadlines loom, artists rarely have the time to dedicate to deliberate practice. So I took all of this newfound time to work on some of the weaknesses in my work (namely, figures). I'm damn proud of the progress I made and I look forward to all of the new work that I can make now.
So thank you. Thank you for your support, encouragement, and enabling me to take this time to recover. I am profoundly grateful for the life I have and I wouldn't change it for the world.
Here's to an amazing 2022. Onward.
Noah
Now, here's some of the art that I've made this year (starting with a new one that I just finished). Sorry if all these images blow up your email client.
