That IS a great pep talk. But let’s talk about YOUR BOOK! It is so good, Mason! Every night before sleeping, I read several pages and am just so into it. I’m calling it a bedside thriller for artists. Carrying it around, showing it to friends, urging them to read it, for their own psyche. Surely you must be so proud of it. Try to savor that! Because truly it is a fantastic classic, alongside your Rituals books.
Belatedly: Thank you SO MUCH, Courtney! "A bedside thriller for artists" — highest praise I can imagine! I so appreciate the kind words, and you pressing the book on your friends, the very best scenario I could hope for. Thank you 🥹🙏
Gold - “Try to do some BAD work—the worst you can think of and see what happens but mainly relax and let everything go to hell—you are not responsible for the world—you are only responsible for your work—so DO IT”
One of my favorite artworks at the Phoenix Art Museum (I live 20 min away) is an installation by Sol Lewitt. I admittedly didn't know much about him before. This letter gives me newfound respect.
Your transition with Worm Zoom matches my own soooo your note of today touched that deep part of me who knew she needed some time/space revisions. Looking forward to the June adjustments. Thanks for making these happen, Mason!
Sol 4 ever!!! I needed this today! Thank you Mason! Also excited to hear about the worm evolution. I’ve been in a period when early morning didn’t make sense for me but soon will be back at a day job where I’ll need it (but maybe not “want” it) so the idea of a prioritizing “taking advantage of” a week a month is actually quite genius! You’re the best!
That IS a great pep talk. But let’s talk about YOUR BOOK! It is so good, Mason! Every night before sleeping, I read several pages and am just so into it. I’m calling it a bedside thriller for artists. Carrying it around, showing it to friends, urging them to read it, for their own psyche. Surely you must be so proud of it. Try to savor that! Because truly it is a fantastic classic, alongside your Rituals books.
Belatedly: Thank you SO MUCH, Courtney! "A bedside thriller for artists" — highest praise I can imagine! I so appreciate the kind words, and you pressing the book on your friends, the very best scenario I could hope for. Thank you 🥹🙏
"Make your own uncool" is the line I would tape above the kettle.
I write a newsletter on Japanese aesthetics from a 1LDK on the
twelfth floor that faces another building — not a Kyoto temple,
not a machiya, the wrong place by every export-aesthetic standard.
LeWitt's letter is permission to keep writing from the wrong place
rather than wait for the right one. Hesse's diary line a year later,
"one of the best," lands because she stopped maneuvering toward an
ideal and started maneuvering toward what was actually on the table.
Belatedly: Yes! Strongly endorse the idea "to keep writing from the wrong place rather than wait for the right one" — well said.
Gold - “Try to do some BAD work—the worst you can think of and see what happens but mainly relax and let everything go to hell—you are not responsible for the world—you are only responsible for your work—so DO IT”
Dyinggg. "World-class obsessive" should forever be in your bio.
And I so admire your Worm Zoom pivot and finding what works for what's next!
Belatedly: Thank you, Kara! I am going to try to work "world-class obsessive" into my bio somehow 🤓
"Don’t worry about cool, make your own uncool." 🥲
One of my favorite artworks at the Phoenix Art Museum (I live 20 min away) is an installation by Sol Lewitt. I admittedly didn't know much about him before. This letter gives me newfound respect.
PS. The artwork is "Sphere Lit from the Top."
Your transition with Worm Zoom matches my own soooo your note of today touched that deep part of me who knew she needed some time/space revisions. Looking forward to the June adjustments. Thanks for making these happen, Mason!
Sol 4 ever!!! I needed this today! Thank you Mason! Also excited to hear about the worm evolution. I’ve been in a period when early morning didn’t make sense for me but soon will be back at a day job where I’ll need it (but maybe not “want” it) so the idea of a prioritizing “taking advantage of” a week a month is actually quite genius! You’re the best!
Happy Memorial Day, Mason. Just noticed that June 19 is Juneteenth.