Thank YOU!

Hey guys-

Thank you so much for a great turn out at the Water Valley Art Crawl. I was blown away with how the community supports artists here. I am honored to be a part of it now. I hope you all had a lot of fun. I know I did! I got to see my family and all of you :)

Geez, I am tired though. I was going to journal as usual- but decided to do it here. I am exhausted. Code Pink was a huge success, but the the work that goes into making that happen and the open studio is a lot. Thank goodness- they are both things that I love. Blake makes everything come together at Code Pink which is so amazing to see him be passionate about that. I was interviewed today by Deedee for the DM. She told me how important Code Pink was to her experience being in the South. It really made my day.  Seeing her joy makes my tired eyes and head aches worth it. 

Deedee was interviewing me about the Big Gay Art Show which is TUESDAY NIGHT 6-8pm. The show is really great to me. I did pick the art for it, so I am biased. The show is serious and playful. I love contrast and contradictions in art. I think you see that in the show. Blake talked to Wayne Andrews at the Power House- and there may be some rainbow food for the event?? I guess you will have to come see for yourself. 

I got on Facebook today, and DAMN. It is like getting punched in the face on both sides. We are so complicated. Donald has found ways to target his base and push divisions further and further into our society. The sad thing is he turns to the NFL to create the division. Who would have thought we would be here today having these conversations... the leader of the USA calling football players "sons of bitches." 

I want more than anything to be silent. I like being silent in life. I love listening to others and finding what I believe in the midst of opinions. I posted awhile ago that I would no longer be political, but that is incredibly hard when you want justice in America. Some people say it's privilege to be silent- but I know all colors, classes, and orientations that choose to be silent and not feed into the force that is dividing the country. I am not agreeing or disagreeing with those that disengage. I believe we are way more complicated than the two categories that most of us are being lumped into. I find myself wanting to be silent on social media, because my voice is best expressed through my art. I am not always great with words. I also have yet to see FB posts that are really changing peoples minds and hearts. I see the same racists posts from the same racists people. I see the same progressive posts from people I admire shared by the same people. I am not seeing dialogue that is getting anywhere. Maybe its happening slowly. I am not sure, but it seems like a hopeless battle. 

I posted a status a year ago about how I thought private schools in the delta were problematic. I was not in anyway trying to say my education was bad, or I did not enjoy my time there. I had a great education and enjoyed it. But the private schools in the delta help maintain a segregated culture no matter how you look it. I was sad about that. The same people that got upset with me for posting about private schools never speak up about racism in America. They never speak out against injustices inflicted on the LGBTQ community, muslims, or people of color. Start a controversy over a display of cotton or selling it at HOBBY LOBBY- and they are standing in cotton fields taking selfies defending the crop. Some people will never admit America's bloody past or the ways we continue to let the oppressive systems live on into the future. 

I am running on the trail. This is three months ago. I wondered if the trees cried with me. I stopped running and turned to walk in the forrest. On that hot summer day, the trees wept with me. Tree sweat, my grandma says. I had a vision in those moments of the powers of heaven flooding the earth. I fell to my face as people of color were crowned by the king of kings. I stayed kneeling in front of those closer to the heart of god. Hearts crushed by injustice. 

Ok, I got sidetracked. The light is beautiful here in the studio today. I love this new little place. I love the light. The light is my joy. I hope to see you guys Tuesday at the Powerhouse from 6-8pm.

JKA 

#5

Hey y'all- 

I have not posted in awhile. I usually write my thoughts on paper, scribble a sketch, or let it pass into my imagination. I wanted to start something online. I wanted it of be for you, but this will probably be more for me. Do people even read blogs anymore? 

I have finally moved into my new studio. I am by no means settled and ready for action though. I am excited to create in a new space. I created in my home for the past 4 years. I will miss it, but the freedom that will come from not seeing dishes, laundry, or a comfy couch will help my productivity. 

I am worried about us. Our country. Our disagreements. Our past. Our future. The climate. The hurricanes. We are in the dark. I feel like a child when it comes to sitting with myself in a dark room. Afraid of the unknown. I am learning that to walk into the unknown requires the ability to remain content with yourself in the darkness. I am inspired by these thoughts recently. 

Today- Blake and I started setting up for the "Big Gay Art Show" at The Powerhouse. The show is coming together. We included art that we have collected, art from local queer people, and some of my work. The show is really a trial run. I would love for this to be something that happens every year where artists can submit work to be entered in the show. We shall see how this one goes. The reception is September 26th from 6-8pm at the Powerhouse in Oxford, MS. 

If you made it this far- stop and find your heartbeat. Sit and listen. Think of the fragility and power within you.

You are beautiful.

You are loved. 

-JKA

One Night Stand Art Show / OCT 15th

Hey Guys- Its that time of year again for the Motel Art Show. I have been creating a lot of new work for the show. I will be selling my pillows and totes too. The show is from 5-9pm. I will have some of my work for cheap that I am trying to move out of my studio. The show is always fun and worth a trip out of the house even if you just want to browse all of the art. I hope to see you guys in Oxford on the 15th. 

Other news- I am really excited about the next two years. I have two solo shows in Mississippi that are in the works. Hopefully- I will have a vision for something beautiful and the time and place will be right. Thank you everyone who follows and supports my work. I would still make my art without the success, but the support you guys have shown me makes me feel so much more free to create. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. 

Much Joy,

JKA

Act Up.

To Be Politcal. 

I am tired of questions about why my sexuality needs to be brought up in conversation. I am tired of people thinking it might be too much to say “gay christian.” I am tired of people thinking it might be too much for me to wear an equality pin, a lgbtq tote, or a gay t-shirt. Why don't straight people have pride? Why don't straight people have parades? Why don't straight people say, “straight christian.” Why do I need to post so much on Facebook? Why do you post so many pictures of your relationship on social media?

Political, I am political. 

Not because the color of my skin. Not because of equal pay. Not because my bodies reproductive organs are controlled and debated. Not because I came from a different country and look different. Not because my religious dress calls me into question. All of these extremely important political concerns- not to be dismissed here. My political situation is just not as visible unless I step into it. 

My political existence. 

I could hide. I could act straight. I could hide behind the veil of privilege, but it’s always time to lose the veil for the sake of others that came before and will come after. My answer to the start is one of presence. I want people here in the South to see my presence as a queer person. Action through a t-shirt, a pin, a dinner date, a tote, holding a hand, flying a flag. I might get weird looks, called a fag, etc. but I will exist with you- and you will be challenged to think about my existence with yours. I dont think its brave for a white gay male to lose the veil of privilege. I think it is absolutely necessary in order to move forward in the fight to equality.

Politcal, you are political. 

I am changed by the visibility of others. I am changed by the couples in NYC holding hands.  I am changed by the professor who openly talks about her partner.  I am changed by the people here in the South who are willing to dress outside of gender norms. I am changed by seeing people wearing pins and knowing I was was not alone. I am changed by seeing queer people post on social media. I am changed seeing queer people in church. I am changed by the small actions that people think are “too much.”  I am changed when I see you being political. Be visible in your community in whatever capacity you can. No matter where you are. Change will come. 

Political, be political.

We Are All The Same

One of my artistic dreams is to restore an old home and create an installation in the process.  A few months ago another artist, Dustin Vance, asked me to be a part of doing just that. He invited me to be a small part in a larger show in Columbus, MS. The show is called “Splinter: An Exhibition.” The show will feature minority artists showcasing their work in the old house. I have always found it odd that we leave these old places to rot and ruin. For me- they always represented a sanctuary for the outcasts. Dustin has put together a show making the sanctuary a reality. 

My experience on the outskirts of christianity has been the motivating passion behind the piece.  I feel queer people that live openly as themselves often feel like outcasts to the majority of the christian body. I do not write this as negativity toward christians as a whole. I am one, and many individuals have welcomed me and others.  This is more of a critique and a yearning for the age old institution to say, “come.” 

I asked a while back for people in the LGBTQ community to send me images of them to draw in the space. It has been special for me to go in the silence and bring these queer bodies into existence.  I am creating life size figures that hopefully move in and out of reality. Appear and Disappear. To me faith is like that- sometimes its as real as the way you can touch your skin and know you exist- other times you cannot see anything, but you can feel the wind hit your cheeks. I am about halfway through drawing the figures, and I honestly need more volunteers if you are interested. 

My favorite part of the installation is the writing on the walls. I love words. I believe they havemuch power to change us. I have been writing “we are all the same” over and over again.  Hopefully, I am writing the unity of the people that experience the installation into existence. Its been challenging.  Sometimes- I forget what I am writing and have to restart or erase. Sometimes- I get tired.  I get to see analogies run through my head about trying to unify humans in general. Its hard. We get tired. We get lazy.  We forget to respect people different from us. For me, this artistic journey is showing me to keep on no matter how hard the simplest things may be to create unity. 

I just wanted to give you guys an update on what is going on with the upcoming show. I wish you so much joy! 

Goodnight,

JKA

Welcome.

Hey people. 

This is my first blog about my art since college.  This is an updated version of my Wix website that had all of my old artwork.  

The year is 2016. I decided today to catch up to the rest of the modern world and make this website.  I still do not know what is going on, but I am going to try my best to provide a place that you can professionally view my work.  

I plan to use this blog as my sketchbook.  This is the place you can come and see what is inspiring me.  My best work comes from moments where I find relationships between my own work and the work of other artists.  I hope you guys will journey with me as I make new work.

Much joy to you all,

JKA