Letting Go in Lexington

Letting Go in Lexington
Hostess: Angela Jarman, 2nd Year Medical Student – University of Kentucky
Lexington, Kentucky
September 1st – September 10th
“Letting Go”

Doctor: You have a bad heart.
Patient: I want another opinion.
Doctor: OK, you’re ugly too.


Firstly, I must admit to wrongfully presupposing that all doctors (and aspiring doctors) were the same: evil, humorless nerds with a sickening penchant for dissection and an inability to interact socially. I have never been more wrong.

Upon my arrival in Lexington, Kentucky I was immediately taken aback by the massive thoroughbred horse farms and how well the historic character of the city had been preserved. Not an hour into my visit I would be shocked even further: Angela was taking me to dinner with some of her medical school colleagues. At the time, all I could think of was how I wanted to shower, brush my teeth, and rest after the 11 hour Greyhound expedition. Nonetheless, I accepted the invitation realizing that Angela had no intention of keeping me out late, and that her classmates were eager to meet me: the traveling artist.

Initially the conversation centered on subdural hematoma and how fatal an increase in intracranial pressure can be. I worked diligently to follow, but found myself having an internal dialogue about my aforementioned conjecture regarding doctors. Then, everything changed. Angela and her charming guests recognized that they were speaking a language foreign to me and began conversing more colloquially… I began to feel included. What’s more, I started to feel that these super-nerds were in fact, regular people who happen to have a sincere passion for medicine and a superior capacity for knowledge. They weren’t all the drab white coats that left me feeling helpless and uninformed in regards to the inoperable tumor in my mother’s brain. In fact, I wanted desperately to transport my mother to Kentucky so that these delightful beings could look after her. Oddly, I felt that her chances of survival were higher in the hands of these three students than in those of the “qualified” doctors at Duke Medical Center.

Angela continually introduced me to her peers and I was steadfastly impressed by their vigor for medicine, medical research, and surgery. Each and every one of them exhibited an upbeat disposition in the midst of being overcome by bi-weekly examinations, hours of concentrated instruction, and an unrelenting breadth of lecture notes. How they kept smiling, joking, and laughing was unbeknownst to me. I was inspired by their dynamism. Further, I was bowled over when I caught a group of 2nd year students glaring at a photograph of their White Coat Ceremony. You could see the pride of that moment brilliantly palpable on their grinning faces.
Angela transported me to the art store nearby, as public transportation is limited in Lexington. I collected the needed supplies and some groceries which was easy given that Angela and I share a mutual passion for vegetarianism. In recent years I have subsided to being a pescatarian, but even then my consumption of vegetarian foods predominate my diet. Angela and her delightful roommates, Edita and Desiree, allotted me my own space to sleep and create. I felt welcome and encouraged.

Using a smaller painting surface than usual, I searched my soul for a storyboard that would address a circumstance that was heavy on my heart utilizing greater symbolism and more surreal detail – to best use every inch of the board. What I decided upon was a visual analogy of a tale of unrequited love. Inspired by the circumstances of my youngest sister (born in Louisville, Kentucky) and the secreted confessions of women close to me, I found the issue to be pertinent to my stay in Lexington.

I wanted to keep the symbols clear and concise. I utilized pink and blue paint to boldly signify stereotypical male-female delineation. On the left border I painted a stream of mated pink and blue triangles emblematic of flower petals. The purpose of the ‘petals’ is to showcase the “he loves me, he loves me not,” thought process that affects those wandering in an amorphous affiliation. Many of the women in my life have sought my advice on whether their significant, but not so committed other, shares a reciprocated love for them based on their vocalized versions of their interaction. I never pretend to know. Still, I find the complexity of the longing to be most intriguing and agonizing.

Next I created floating pie charts showcasing varying split designations. None of them are exactly “50/50”, which aims to illustrate how imbalanced the relationship in question is. Lastly, I created the two characters floating in a proverbial sea of light (gold) and darkness (black), whereby the female character is reaching for the male character who is working his way out of view. The male figure’s right hand is equipped with sharp claws. The purpose is not to make him sinister, but rather to expose the idea that he is perceived to be sinister when in fact he may be merely protecting himself in fear. I worked diligently to create dimensions that would make the images appear in motion. This is something I have been feverishly attempting to perfect. I explained the piece to Angela and her roommates. Their approval of the subject matter and its meaning left me contented with how I approached the piece psychologically. The work is justly entitled: “Letting Go”.

On nights that I wasn’t creating I was exposed to a wealth of beautiful landscapes, escorted to a beer festival, treated to Goodfellas pizza (some of the best I’ve ever had – ever), reminded of how poorly I play beer pong, and exposed to the rival that is the University of Kentucky versus the University of Louisville. Multitudes draped in blue clothing littered the streets of Lexington on the morning of the Big Game. The red and blue garments were vaguely reminiscent of rival Californian gangs preparing for battle. The Big Game (which UK won) was as intense off the field as it was on. In celebration of UK’s victory, I decided to go roller-skating with a throng of med students. Mindful of the fact that I had never skated before and that I was slightly inebriated, I fell more than I traveled forward. I know for a fact that there is video of my most epic fall in the possession of one of the students and I pray that it never goes public. Nonetheless, it was a wonderful time.

In the home where I viewed the bitter UK-UL challenge I encountered a marvelous painter. I must show my appreciation for this remarkable visual artist who is peacefully tucked away in the smallish confines of Bloomfield, Kentucky. Realist, impressionist, wunderkind painter: Mara Huston, stole my heart with her colorful wizardry. Her paintings hung on the walls of her stunning home, showcasing a time capsule of her beautiful daughters as they mature before her very eyes. Her brushstrokes captured an intimate portrait of love that a photograph could never accurately render. I pray one day that I will paint so well. I have urged Mara to get a website so that you can view her work. She is truly a genius.

Lastly, I want to thank Angela Jarman and her roommates for being such delightful hostesses. Further, I want to thank Angela for introducing me to her med school contemporaries and for allowing me to let go of my negative presuppositions about doctors. I am eternally grateful for the experience.

Two Kings in D.C.

Two Kings in D.C.
Host: Emil King, Policy Analyst – Green DC
Washington, D.C.
August 13th – August 27th
“Two Kings”

You wouldn’t know that the inhabitants of Washington, D.C. had no voting representation in Congress. Aside from the license plates fearfully gripping the rear-ends of vehicles rapidly darting, unexpectedly weaving, and frantically honking their way to-and-from government employment that boldly exclaim their disdain for: NO TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION, you would think that many of them were already members of the ‘House’. Several individuals I encountered during my first outing were not withdrawn about their political views and/or positions on local issues. As one would expect, the nation’s capital is chock full of serious minded and seriously-intelligent beings, constantly aware of their surroundings and thusly conservative in regards to their nighttime revelry. It’s quite the departure from my nights in the Lower East Side, but much needed given my aim to fashion works that will best represent a sober me.

Upon our meet up, my host, Emil King (phenomenal surname), took me on a hurried tour down a bustling ‘U Street’ where I marveled at Pierre Charles L’Enfant’s Baroque grid system. I have visited D.C. a number of times throughout my life, but never before had I taken the time to truly observe how meticulously the capital city was planned. Meandering through the city streets was simple given that the lattice design is much like the one I traversed back in Manhattan every day. The immediate and most noteworthy discrepancy between the two cities is evident in the wealth of attention paid to the architecture of D.C.’s buildings. Each edifice blends seamlessly into the overall aesthetic of the city. These weren't awe-inspiring skyscrapers constructed solely to boast the limitless capacity of big business, rather they were a team of structures working jointly to guide the eye onward. I was immediately encouraged to create.

Emil’s pace was hastened because he had to drop me off at his home and then quickly race back to his office for a 4:00pm meeting. I am immediately made aware of how central a figure he is at his firm, and how things work in the District. People drive, walk, and talk fast out of necessity. I feel right at home.

Beginning my expedition at Emil’s 1915 gabled front wing cottage is a breathtaking first that will not easily be topped in ‘exchanges’ to come. His home is minimally decorated with a myriad of vintage furnishings and epoch extras, most markedly a Royal ‘Touch Control’ typewriter, an original Levy’s Real Jewish Rye subway poster, and a 23” America’s Cup Shamrock V yacht class model sailboat. The dark stained oak floors are wonderfully complemented by glacial white walls adorned with rare art of all types. I was honored to know that my work was being sought out by such an advanced collector, and even more so when he directed me to the easel he had designated specifically for the work I was prepared to create.

Emil was kind enough to map out a local art store, a Home Depot, and a paint supplier. Luckily they were all within walking distance to one another (by NYC standards). I immediately stowed my duffle bag in the modest bedroom and journeyed to the metro. Within an hour I was able to ascertain all of the necessary supplies and some standard grocery items (albacore tuna, honey wheat bread, Jif creamy, three apples, a quart of cranberry juice, and Smart Deli soy-protein “turkey”).

Back at the house I rested the freshly cut 28” x 48” piece of birch on the table Emil gave me permission to utilize for the ‘commission’. Next, I spread my acrylic paint containers, sable brushes, and some folded paper towels on the table. Then, I found a plastic egg crate in the recycle bin and cut it in half. I filled half of the crate with water and left the remaining half empty for paint mixing. After that, I made a sandwich. Emil’s state-of-the-art sound system caught my attention and I decided to play Cirque du Soleil’s “Vai Vedrai” at a low volume while I sketched out my thoughts. Without knowing the song’s meaning I allowed my thoughts to wonder. Where it lead me was to a place of deep introspection. As you might expect the majority of my introspection centered on a woman. My aim was to produce a work that featured two primary images of the same man in two different worlds surrounded by my stylistic maze. The idea was to portray the man appearing trapped between his reality and a dream sequence. On one side the man is struggling with what he fears to be true while in the other he is thriving in a self-fulfilling fantasy. As it pertains to me, I currently feel trapped between ideas of what I hope to achieve in spite of self-doubt and dreams of major success as a relevant and impactful contemporary artist. Thusly, I compacted some of my deepest fears and dreams in a work entitled: “Two Kings”.

Emil introduced me to many of his colleagues and local acquaintances and bragged heartily about the work, now confidently displayed on an easel. We patronized all of his local hangouts while he educated me on how energy efficient D.C. had become in the past decade. In between his intellectual bantering we shared a great deal of common ground. My favorite venues were: Busboys and Poets, California Tortilla, Marvin, Churchkey, Black Cat, and Patty Boom Boom. A day of drawing, 5 days of painting, 2 days of inking, a day of touching up, and finally – the exchange is made. Emil seemed very pleased with the work although refusing to have his smiling face photographed for the site. I did, however, capture a photograph of him that did not include his face, as he marveled at his new ‘investment’. I am contented to know that I have completed my first assignment to the delight of my host. All that is left for me is to further enjoy D.C. and all that it has to offer until my next venture in Lexington, Kentucky.

Before I go I would like to formally thank Emil King for permitting me to momentarily occupy his world. I am hopeful that we will meet again in life (and that I can seek his advice on solar panels and energy efficient bulbs for the art gallery I intend to open). I am proud that my work will forever remain a fixture in his magnificent home.

Already, the Exchange has proven worthwhile.

The Martyst Exchange Program

Hello World,



If you have ever wanted to purchase the work of an emerging artist, but felt that the investment was too steep for your budget, read further.


Given my current desire to explore the world and its inhabitants, I want to propose an exchange. If you have a vacant bedroom, a spare sofa, or an unfurnished space, I would like to trade a 'commissioned' work in exchange for a 7-30 day stay in your living quarters.


If you live within walking distance of a grocery store or metro, and feel comfortable allowing an emerging artist to function as a temporary housemate while completing a work for which you would have chosen the palette, please contact me with your name, city/state, and dates of availability.


I endeavor to travel for the next 12 months (minimum) investigating the world with broader vision. I plan to document my travels and progress by photographing my process. Most importantly, I want to add an image of each completed (and exchanged) work. This will be my gift to those who will have housed and supported me during this process. It will also serve as aiding the development of my maturing portfolio.


I will purchase all art supplies, foodstuffs, and living necessities. Also, I will transport myself to and from your living quarters at my own expense. All I ask is that you provide a place for me to create, prepare food, and rest.



I welcome invitations from anywhere in the world.



Thank you in advance for considering The Martyst Exchange.



The Martyst,

King