JT: Your interpretations are spot-on. The darkness that surrounds some of these pieces is tangible and you are entirely accurate in depicting them that way. But as you’ve said, you start at the edges and work toward the center. The center is always light. That is what I want the viewer to take away from this experience. The ultimate realization that in all darkness, there is light, untouched, unconquerable, forever shining. I feel that understanding when I look at so much of your work. You don’t ignore the darkness, but instead see the reality of that darkness: as an image. Not real, fleeting, inconsequential, laughable even. I see a man unafraid and sure.
I want you to know that you can do no wrong here. There is no need to feel any pressure. Don’t see me as highly regarded, or more experienced, or superior in any way at all. Our nature is one. Just enjoy. By leaving behind any notion of future or past, we can focus instead on the reality of this moment being utterly perfect and only becoming more so. This show is going to be great. There is zero doubt in my mind. When we’re working together, doing our best, with a good heart and with the best intention, how could it be otherwise?