Plum Doodles 304, 305, 306

journal fragment from February 10, 2025:

Videos about “how to be in the flow” as an artist – especially reductive “AI” videos – almost blame the artist for not being in the flow. There is a failure to address the cost of living compared to income. Since the 70s, 80s, 90s, cost of living is outrageously tipped toward being far too expensive for survival. 

Even Patti Smith said NYC is not the place to live anymore if you want to be an artist. It’s too expensive. 

I’m grateful I have this cold little cottage over a garage where I live and work at —————. I’m not homeless and I’m not squatting. I am living in the middle of nowhere. It’s very different from the east village from the 80s and 90s.

What’s at my fingertips? Books, a cat, trees, the lake, the forest — my brushes, canvas, cardboard — phone!

My response this morning to a (possible AI) video about Basquiat’s work habits and his flow:

“. . . it’s easier to be in flow when rent isn’t 3/4 or more of your monetary output. Artists/people are far more isolated today. Still – we persist, but the energy in the world, in NYC is very different than it was in the 20th century. The hustle is different. Cost of living changes everything.”

February 10th, 2025
Hudson Valley, New York

10,000 Plum Doodles Project 

I often use scribbles as the genesis for a painting. These squiggles carry energy for me, and on their own, they tell a story. I call them plums because they are little treats for my imagination. I will continue adding to this project until I have reached 10,000 drawings.

John S. Hall‘s 10,000 Poems Project inspired me – but rather than writing – I decided to collect my drawings. Sometimes I write when I doodle, and sometimes I share the writing as well.