Hi! Get ready for some more art.

I’ve been doing standup lately at local bars here and there, not because I’m trying to become a professional comedian but because I’m already funny whether on purpose or not, and it’s an enjoyable way to participate in community over the weird stuff that happens in life. (As well as to practice public speaking skills.)

It’s been a cool experience gradually befriending folks in that scene. So far I have never done the same material twice and I think they are starting to notice … I am learning that’s actually very uncommon.

A lot of my content has been orbiting around this thing I have dealt with my whole life where people just assume I am evil and/or trying to hurt them not because I am, but because I’m not following their expected script.

It has been a ridiculous theme which is old and tired and ready to die. There are other things to joke and laugh about which are gradually taking up more of my minimal airtime at the mic. For example, last time I did an entire set only talking about slugs. It was stupid but we all had fun.

A lot of people get into different art scenes and it quickly stops becoming about the art and starts becoming about positioning.

How do I be the one who gets the good spots? The praise? The notoriety? The attention?

They forget that MOST of what makes any art meaningful is not how cool or smart the “performer” is … it’s that people are willing to engage in good faith.

The magical sparks of connection and electricity generated in any real art scene come from mutual good faith in both directions. As I have said many times about what makes art ART:

Presence, not product.

I made this painting while processing a lot of the things I felt I had in common with my dad while he was still here on this material plane before dying of cancer back in 2023.

He understood that a real art “scene” doesn’t come from prestige or posturing. It comes from unpretentious authenticity, as well as the courage to actually participate in what it really feels like to be alive.

This acrylic painting, which I made on his deck with a view before me and my siblings sold his house—his last piece of art he made—is called OLD SCENE // NEW SCENE.

Much like the entitled judgments that get hurled at me constantly for not following some tired old script are the presumptions of smallminded people who get caught up in the form of art while sacrificing its purpose.

Which scene do you want to be in?

One that forces compliance or one that creates opportunity for connection?

There is always a choice.

Peace,

Adrien