Hey friends, how is everyone doing out there?

I don’t know about you, but I’m drained. Sometimes the news headlines are too much to bear, and all of this madness with Minneapolis, Greenland, and the rest is getting me down. I don’t mean to be a bummer, but I appreciate that I can share my feelings with you without having to sugarcoat things. I know many of you can relate.

Andy Adams 1d There must be a better way to start the day than waking up and looking at your phone. Still, it's a hard habit to break. How do you start your morning? What healthy habits do you have in place? 26

Today, I’m thinking about creativity, how we keep it alive between projects, and how it can get us through tough times. Making stuff is good for you, right?

Last weekend, I finished Art & Fear: Observations on the Perils (and Rewards) of Artmaking by David Bayles and Ted Orland, a book I’ve owned for years but never opened. I also read Brian Eno's What Art Does: An Unfinished Theory. Both books are helping me focus on what matters, and I recommend them if you haven’t read them yet. I especially liked this passage from Art & Fear:

They’re right — when we notice the world and recreate it, it changes how we see everything. Lately, paying attention feels more crucial than ever. I watched a video this morning that reminded me that photography is a daily practice and something we need to keep doing, one day at a time:

I plan to read more books about art making and the creative life. Are there other titles you’d recommend? Thanks in advance for sending suggestions!

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Speaking of inspiration…

We had an amazing time at Randall Berndt’s STORIES book launch last Saturday — thanks again to everyone for coming out! More than 100 people joined us for a lively conversation about Randall’s artwork and inspirations. It was so much fun and a real shot in the arm.

Special thanks to the entire Arts + Literature Laboratory team for their endless support in making this exhibition and book talk a success. Thanks also to the Wisconsin Book Festival and Abel Contemporary Gallery for their partnership and support. We couldn’t have done this without you.

Randall’s book, STORIES: Words & Images, is available now, and I would love to get more copies of his beautiful work circulating in the world. Please let me know if you’re interested in buying a copy, and I can connect you with Randall.

Our STORIES exhibition will be on view in Madison through February 21, 2026. Please come to Madison and see it when you can. These are gorgeous works that should be experienced in person. That’s all for now. Have a great week!

Exhibition Info