The end of a calendar year may seem an arbitrary time for reflection, but there’s something powerful about so many people doing it at the same time, making trends, commonalities and differences more pronounced as they can be readily examined side by side.
2013 was an unusual year for me. It was not as productive in terms of images or writings as other years, but it was rewarding in many other ways. This was a year of contemplating and reconciling ideas, finding more depth and nuance in stories and places, and getting to know many inspiring people.
Long-term writing efforts kept me from posting too many anecdotal images or thoughts in the last few months, but such is the sacrifice of working on more ambitious undertakings. It taught me about the importance of self discipline, prioritizing attention, and the benefits of deferring momentary gratification for the sake of more complex, sustained and rewarding creative work.
The images I include here touch on several new concepts. Some are parts of more elaborate bodies of work, still in development, but examined individually they touch on important milestones experienced in the course of 2013 – ideas, experiences and places. They also serve as exciting starting points to the new year, and I look forward to seeing what else they may lead to.
Beyond other benefits of stopping here to reflect, is the opportunity to express my gratitude to YOU who read, follow and support my work; you who inspire me with your own art and ideas; you who make my work possible. I strive to continue to be worthy of it.
My warmest wishes to all of you. Here’s to an exciting, enlightening and productive 2014!
