Being a full-time artist I've been social distancing for years now, but all jokes aside, I find myself spending more time in deep thought. Way more than usual. One of the things I've been thinking about is how reminiscent this is to the mid 2000's. Not the circumstances, but the feeling of great uncertainty. In 2009, I graduated with an art degree at the height of the largest recession in US history. I came out of the gate guns-a-blazing. I applied to every design/art related job under the sun. Weeks turned into months which eventually turned into years. I don't think I heard back from one single job I applied to. I had no idea what I was up against. I mean that literally. I had no idea executive and senior level employees were taking junior level positions so they could feed their families. I had no concept of economy and infrastructure. How could I? All I knew were the things I loved. Things like art, music, fashion, and culture. Those were the things that gave me life.

I spent the next few years bouncing around from every odd job I could get. Anything to stay afloat. When I wasn't working, I was working on the art. I'd come home from mandatory six day, sixty hour work weeks and get to work on the art. In fact, I didn't sell my first piece of art until three years after I graduated. I didn't get my first media feature until 2011. (Shout out Complex!) So what's the point? The point is now is the time. In those three years sleeping on couches, eating out of vending machines, and constantly fighting with bill companies, the art gave me hope. The art is what kept me going. The belief that someday my art could give me a better life is what gave me hope. When things are at their worst, that's when the real work begins. Not only is this where the people who really want it start to lay their stakes and stand their ground, but now is the time where the world needs you the most. People need your art, they need your song, they need your writing, they need that business you've been thinking of creating, they need hope. They need something that brings them inspiration, motivation, and a break from all the doom and gloom that's around them. The people who start now and the ones that continue to blaze the trail despite the setbacks and circumstances, are the ones who come out on the other side for the better.

As awful as graduating with an art degree in 2009 was, it was the best thing to ever happen to me. It made me hungry, literally and figuratively. It made me hard as nails. It made me resourceful and grateful. The universe was weeding out my competition for me. It was weeding out everyone who had things handed to them in life. The people who didn't really want it, the ones who only kinda sorta wanted it or just wanted the end result, broke down and the people who wanted it, fell in love with the process and in doing so, learned a lifetime of valuable skills. You only grow when you are uncomfortable. That is where the magic happens. That is why it's imperative you create and build now. Trust me, you wont regret it.

Stay safe everyone. Please continue to practice social distancing and don't venture out unless it's imperative. Most of my mural projects are on hold until further notice. I am currently working on my 2020 Series, "Things I love" so I'll actively be rolling out new pieces in the coming weeks and beyond. With the murals on hold, I also have an abundance of newly open free time so I am also accepting commissions again. Don't hesitate if you have any questions simply reply to this email.

// Kyle