Happy Holidays!

Upstate Dispatch celebrated its tenth anniversary this year. Its been a hugely busy year for me, behind the scenes, in which I focused on art and business instead of writing, but that will change in 2025, as I’ve had requests to write more and I thank you for the encouragement.

I want to extend special, heartfelt thanks to those of you who continue to pay to subscribe to my Substack newsletter memoir. Thank you also to those who visited the studio in the AMR Artists’ Studio Tour in July of this year.

If you bought a watercolor, sketch, photograph or art postcard, thank you so much. I would love to see a picture of my work on your wall. I would also love to know where you mailed the postcards, if they made it beyond your own wall and went out into the world.

If you bought a print copy of the winter journal this year, I would value any feedback. Did you enjoy it? Did it make you feel like reading more? Would you buy the Spring, Summer and Fall journals if they were published? Upstate Dispatch has never received any grant funding in all its years of existence and features no advertising, but you can donate here.

2024 year went quickly and I spent the holiday season curating my sketch and watercolor inventory, which meant throwing away the work that I think won’t sell, and only keeping work old prep work that shows me how far I’ve progressed. As an artist, you can’t keep everything and the local figure drawing group continues throughout the year, resulting in thousands of sketches.

The sketch giveaway continues in the studio. Beginning in February, on Saturdays between 1pm and 4pm, please visit and pick up a free sketch. Until February, I will continue to keep irregular hours at the studio, but the free sketches are still here. Check in, if you’re passing by. If I’m not at the studio, I will try and remember to hang an envelope with free sketches on the door. If you take one, please leave a business card.

In 2025, more writing is planned. There will be more content like local interviews and short memoir pieces here on the website.

If you are a restaurant, interested in using Japanese knotweed, please click here to read about this versatile, local and highly sustainable ingredient that rivals ramps and fiddlehead ferns, in savory or sweet dishes. A large harvest of Japanese knotweed will be available in the spring.

I’m planning spring sales of all my work beginning in March. If you would like discounted photography, watch this space for news of studio sales. All the photographs are archival, but some of the work needs re-framing or re-matting. The spring prices will reflect this.

The Upstate Dispatch postcard project – a way to sell art at affordable prices – continues with a new selection being printed for the new year. If you would like a pack of postcards, or greeting cards, continue to subscribe for news and prices. (These will be offered free to current paid Substack subscribers in the new year. Thanks for your support).

I wish you a sincere Season Greetings, a Happy New Year, and a prosperous, joyful, and peaceful 2025.

Thanks again for supporting Upstate Dispatch!

Studio Location: Upstate Dispatch Studio, Upstairs @ The Commons, 785 Main Street, 2nd Floor, Margaretville, NY 12455.