End of Year Review + Store Discount
25% off all Art and Books & My Favorites of 2024
Hello, hi, welcome to another email-asking-for-money-in-exchange-of-goods/end-of-year list.
This weekend and Monday all art on my website is 25% off if you use the code LOVEANDKINDNESS
Give the gift of a UFO Pope Print (limited, hand numbered, bespoke) to someone you love this holiday season.
2024—Year of Change
Back in May I wrote briefly about how truly WILD 2024 felt just 5 months in. As we all know, a lot happened since then to make it one for the ages. The Solar Eclipse and Solstice were especially illuminating. The weather, no matter what month, felt especially chaotic. Change was constant, good, bad, and in between. Lauren and I moved to Kingston; My sister got married; My grandfather died; I lost friends but found many new ones. I saw an energy healer in January and sat in a 8-week compassion meditation course in May and June. All of these changed my life.
I believe now more than ever that love and kindness can be the great equalizers to hate and anger (it takes effort from us, not just putting a “hate has no home here” sign in your yard). Through art and nature we can heal (we must be inclusive and supportive). Through understanding and compassion, we can overcome. It will always be harder to do the right thing but doing the right thing leads to a richer, more fulfilling life.
I’m sure I’ll write about this more in January, but one of my goals for 2025 is to become more involved with the Kingston Land Trust and Arts Society of Kingston. And I hope you too will consider ways to engage with your community through acts of service.
Okay, thank you for coming to my Tedtalk. Now onto the good stuff…
Favorite Albums Released in 2024
Eels by Being Dead (funny, kooky, surprising rock. My favorite album art of 2024)
Diamond Jubilee by Cindy Lee (wonderfully written review by Matt Sage here)
Manning Fireworks by MJ Lenderman (I got a beach home up in Buffalo)
Wall of Eyes by The Smile (Thom Yorke, Johnny Greenwood, Tom Skinner)
Favorite Books Read
Start Where You Are by Pema Chödrön (self-help, compassion, meditation, Buddhist)
Homesick for Another World by Ottessa Moshfegh (short story collection)
The New England Review, literary journal published by Middlebury College
Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yval Noah Harari (Everyone should read this)
Favorite Food
Rosie General Prosciutto Sandwich (Kingston Bakery and Butcher)
Little Star Pastry Chocolate Almond Croissant (best thing to happen to Croton on Hudson since Lauren and I lived there)
Pita House Pita and Hummus (Best I’ve ever had, Lauren agrees)
Favorite Restaurant
Darlings, Tillson, NY (immaculate vibes, cocktails, southern comfort food)
Favorite News Item of 2024
Harry Potter TV Series slated for 2026
Favorite Music Show
Arooj Aftab at Bearsville Theater, Woodstock
Woods at Colony, Woodstock
Favorite Movie
La Chimera “The Impossible Dream” (Italian, period comedy-drama, mystical)
Favorite Artists
Favorite Piece of Art
What I’m Most Grateful for from 2024
The wonderful community here in Kingston that has welcomed and accepted Lauren and I with open arms. You know who you are. Lauren and I have become great friends with our neighbors in our building and have met many wonderful, kind, and inspiring people through Holding Space, work, and around town. I feel very at home here in the Hudson Valley.
Favorite Color of 2024
Fluorescent Pink/Hot Pink—I incorporated a lot this year with much aplomb. I use fluorescent pink heavy body acrylic by Liquitex and Golden.
I hope you’re able to find time to reflect on all the positive items, events, and people in your life in 2024. I’d love to read/hear about them! Reflection is the conduit of growth. See you in 2025. Stay safe, watch for deer. Go Pack Go. God bless.
-Kevin