The story of real. weird. art.

it is 2014, and I am late night doodling to escape reality.
I find myself staring at a penguin puking an armless skeleton and asking:

"what the hell is this?"

I POST IT Craigslist, JUST TO see if ONE PERSON BOTHERS REPLYING, Perhaps TO SUGGEST COUNSELING.

I HEAD TO BED.

It is the following morning.
I am STARING open-mouthed AT MY INBOX.

twenty people want MY PENGUIN.

I AM CONFUSED.
AND EXCITED.
this IS WEIRD...

I LOVE IT. 

I DRAW ANOTHER DOODLE.
IT'S a hot dog holding quarters.
It makes the Best of Craigslist.

THERE’S NO STOPPING now.

TWENTY new pieces OVER the next twenty days, ALL a blur.

I AM doodling, uploading, AND mailing THINGS to awesome people who somehow love THESE DOODLES as much as ME.

I can't remember EVER FEELING this happy.

months pass.

I bump into a street artist, she asks if I'm an artist. 
I show her MY WORK and she SUGGESTS SELLING IN union square.

It takes aNOTHER month before I muster the COURAGE to come.

I am petrified.

My setup is scarce-
a tiny table, a few framed prints,
a portfolio of glorified doodles I know no one wILL BUY.

thousands of people pass WITHOUT glancing.
I COME TO TERMS IT WAS TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE.

And then...
something catches a stranger's eye.

She stops, AND staRES in silence
for an eternity.
AND suddenly bursts into laughter.

AND at last, I know what I want to do
for the rest of my life.

I still can't believe this is my "job", and yet thanks to support from Folks like you, real. weird. art. has grown from a little barfing bird to a full-time career.

I like to think I am good with Words, but i’LL Never come close to expressing MY gratitude FOR THOSE WHO HAVE providED ME this dream of a life. 

To anyone who is or has ever supported me,  
By sharing my work with THEIR family and friends,
OR SIMPLY following ALONG on this weird ride,

From the bottom OF MY HEART
(plus the top, and all the slimy goop in between),

thank you.