I appreciate you
Thanks so much for the well-wishes.
What can I say? My readers are the best.
I’ve been sick with COVID this week, and I reached out to y’all the other day for some visual inspiration to lift my spirits. So many of you sent warm notes of kindness and empathy, and that’s exactly what I needed. I complain about social media all the time, but this is really what it’s about — human connection with like-minded creative people. Today, I feel lucky and grateful. Thanks so much for these well-wishes.
Last week marked my third anniversary of writing about photography on Substack. It's a small milestone, but it can be scary to think in public, and I'm proud of the work I’ve done here. What has stood out the most for me is how many emails I've received from readers who subscribe to the newsletter, saying they wish they could support my work with a paid subscription but can't afford to.
I don't paywall anything and think of FlakPhoto Digest as a public service, so it’s been moving to hear people's financial stories. Many of them are artists, and they explain how challenging it has been to make ends meet in recent months. That's not surprising. Times are tough all over. America is not well right now.
I'm glad you’re reading, and these community connections make me feel like something special is happening in the space between us that goes far beyond money exchanging hands. It's a communion of some kind. Those of you who create know what I mean. I'm still making sense of this, but it feels like I’m on the right path.
I've become a hippy dippy old dude in my middle age. I've always been that way, but these days, it's in full force, and goodwill animates my work. I want to promote images and ideas, but I really want to connect with people. Send good vibes to my readers. Brighten their day. Small acts of kindness through photography. Know what I mean?
My COVID fog is lifting, and I’m feeling better today. Hopefully, I’ll feel even better tomorrow. Thank you for helping me get through it, friends. I appreciate you.
One more thing…
It was rainy and overcast in Madison yesterday, and we spent the day at home, sick, and cozied up, reading Elisabeth Tova Bailey’s illness memoir, The Sound of a Wild Snail Eating, together. Do you know this book? It's quite lovely. I highly recommend it.
Enjoy your Sunday, friends, and have a great week. Take care!
You rock, Andy! Happy to hear you’re feeling better.
Get better!!!