“Make art. Make art.”
These words concluded the acceptance speech given by musician and composer Glen Hansard at the 2008 Oscars ceremony. Hansard and collaborator Markéta Irglová won in the category of Best Song for “Falling Slowly” from the movie Once.
As the news of Hansard’s accidental and untimely death spread yesterday, so did those words.
Make art. Mark art.
It was both an exhortation and a plea.
In 2026 it challenges the falsehoods of tech bros who tell us that AI will democratize the creative process. It does nothing of the sort. The AI model is based on the theft of the creative work of others. Those who fall victim to the lies will find they have lost the opportunity to experience true creativity: their own, inborn gifts.
AI does not give. It steals.
Last night I sat outside and read a wonderful illustrated treatiste (comic) by Alexandra Gallant-Lee. In many ways it is a love letter to the creative process and to our basic, essential humanity. It is called, simply, Brains.*
BRAINS is a 40 page full-color comic exploration of thinking and perceiving through the eyes of Frogby, a little frog who is playing the part of a blood cell with a crush on the brain in this comic about the joys of having a brain and why thinking for yourself is one of the most powerful things you can do in the face of so-called AI.
This comic was the recipient of the Grand Prize in the MICE (Massachusetts Independent Comics Expo) Mini Grants in 2025.
Brains is inspirational, accessible, and engaging. It reminds the reader of the precious gifts we have already and what a shoddy alternative is being dangled in front of us. The author treats a serious subject in a way that is both playful and joyful. I think it should be required reading for young people as well as adults.
Make art. Make art.
This Sunday the work of HoCoLocal artist Chiara D’Amore will be on display at the Sandy Spring Museum. D’Amore may be known best for her nonprofit initiative, Community Ecology Institute, which has created transformative community-building opportunities through nature, gardening, and environmental care.
Her nature art is spectacular.
You are warmly invited to Wildlight: A Chiaroscuro Collection - an afternoon of art made from the wild world- flowers, leaves, feathers, bones - arranged with intention and released with love. Join me for the opening reception of more than 25 original ephemeral works photographed, printed on canvas, and brought to life with paint. Come for the art. Stay for the conversation. Leave with something that makes your walls - and maybe your heart - a little more alive.
What a wonderful way to support a local artist and to experience genuine creative expression - - conceived by a human brain. Formed by human hands.
Make art. Breathe art. Live art.
Be art.
*Brains is available for purchase at the creator’s website.
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