Better Things in 2023
Hello friends! I'm sitting here at the end of a long but good year feeling thankful for YOU, the folks who buy my work and support me.
I started Alternate Histories in 2010 with a show at Wildcard in Pittsburgh. Since then I've desgned dozens of greeting cards, hundreds of prints, published several books, printed thousands of calendars, designed a few t-shirts, had several art exhibitions, released a vinyl album, and finally this year opened my first Studio and Storefront.
None of that would be possible without YOU.
As we wrap up a tough year in 2022 and head into the future, the Kinks' song "Better Things" is going through my head. Specifically I'm thinking of the time on Sep 21, 2001 when the band Fountains of Wayne performed it on Late Night with Conan O'Brien, in a city still shell-shocked from the events two weeks earlier (you can click here to watch that performance).
I'm not the most inherently optimistic person, but darn it I'm going to try to be less critical and more positive going forward. Be aware of the hardships and challenges of life, be a good ally, and support friends & family as well as intentionally exploited and marginalized folks everywhere. And no matter what, keep rocking out and having fun.
I'll see you in the New Year. And thanks again.
Here's wishing you the bluest sky
And hoping something better comes tomorrow
Hoping all the verses rhyme
And the very best of choruses to
Follow all the doubt and sadness
I know that better things are on the way
Here's hoping all the days ahead
Won't be as bitter as the ones behind you
Be an optimist instead
And somehow happiness will find you
Forget what happened yesterday
I know that better things are on the way
It's really good to see you rocking out
And having fun
Living like you've just begun
Accept your life and what it brings
I hope tomorrow you'll find better things
—Ray Davies
