Notes From the Studio

We shall not cease from exploration / And the end of all our exploring / Will be to arrive where we started / And know the place for the first time ~T.S. Eliot

1/12/2025

And here we are in 2025! It's been a rough start, to say the least. Our community is still reeling from the loss of Beth Millner, and my personal community of friends is reeling from another major blow. It feels like being pummeled by wave after wave, and as soon as you think you've gained some footing another wave slams its arrival.

In times like these I've always sought comfort in music, both listening to it and playing it. When there are no words, it helps to lean on someone else's, or just forego them completely and surrender to melody. This recording of Al Green singing R.E.M.'s Everybody Hurts really met the moment. I'll also leave you with my absolute favorite song of all time, which has lifted me up countless times over the last 2 decades.

Ink on Paper

I can't remember if it was over a beer, around a campfire, or over a beer while around a campfire, but my dear friend Heidi and I were talking about how I wanted to write more actual letters this year. She mentioned that she used to do that more, and right then and there decided to challenge herself to jump back into that practice this year.

We worked together to make some custom stationary, settling on this gorgeous "berrylicious" paper, matching envelopes, and a bold orange ink. Simple, eye-catching, and just downright fun. We had a good laugh because while we were texting back-and-forth, finalizing the ink color, she realized that the color combination matched the winter gear she was wearing!

This project highlights what I love so much about printing: creating things that people can use, that helps them engage with their world.

Other Rambles

I wrote a series of quotes in my journal to round out the year. One of them was from NMU professor Steve Hughes, who was speaking to the Marquette Monthly:

"I would say storytelling with their art is my mantra. If it's not telling a story, then it literally is just a representation of something that maybe doesn't capture anyone's interest long term. We want to stop people in their tracks and make them pay attention."

It got me thinking about Artificial Intelligence. AI can't tell a story. All it can do is generate representations. For example, look at this Reel. AI could never make something like this, because the human element - the quirks, mannerisms, imperfections, etc. - is just too strong. Only a human can tell a story like that.

That's it for this one! Happy New Year, hug your friends, hold each other close, and lift each other up.