I really enjoyed this interview! My first thought was: I like looking at these paintings! Whenever I visit a gallery or museum I always feel a little silly. Usually, I find some pieces I love, but a lot of it goes right over my head, which is fine, but also I think a lot of those artists are trying to go over my head, which is also fine, but sorta strange too. Anyway, I really appreciated hearing about his journey and his thoughts on what makes something art. I also agree that his story seems very typical, which is what makes it so interesting!
As for the pay phone, I’m really tempted. Sure, the price is better than the iPhone, but you had me at 70s drug dealer.
Speaking of vice, I like the trash photo but I feel like it’s missing a sex-related sin. Maybe a discarded sex toy or something. I dunno. But get it together, Brooklyn😁
I like your focus on the art of giving up. Years ago I tried to take up tennis. Lessons, practice, the works. One day it dawned on me that I just didn’t like it and being a gym rat was more my style. What a relief.
I loved the paintings and interview with Jonathan Butterick. His paintings seem half Van Gogh/half photorealism but unique. The painting View From My Window reminded me of illustrator Tibor Gergely’s work (and that’s a compliment).
This is another great one, Anne. Also: you'll recall that on an episode of The Brady Bunch, Mike and Carol installed a pay phone in their home to teach the kids a lesson. ("Sorry, Right Number" Season 1, episode 9, streaming on Hulu.)
Oh! I forgot to answer your question. I’ve quit plenty of things in my time, but the two things that were a joy to quit were practicing law and screenwriter. I was a better screenwriter than lawyer, but both made me pretty miserable.
If purchasing your own payphone is of interest, there was a great post linked in today’s Today in Tabs all about how someone did it! Love that payphones.com made itself known to me twice in the span of a few minutes...maybe it’s trying to tell me something? https://bert.org/2022/06/02/payphone/
So glad people are starting to learn about Jonathan's art. The guy's a mad genius.
I really enjoyed this interview! My first thought was: I like looking at these paintings! Whenever I visit a gallery or museum I always feel a little silly. Usually, I find some pieces I love, but a lot of it goes right over my head, which is fine, but also I think a lot of those artists are trying to go over my head, which is also fine, but sorta strange too. Anyway, I really appreciated hearing about his journey and his thoughts on what makes something art. I also agree that his story seems very typical, which is what makes it so interesting!
As for the pay phone, I’m really tempted. Sure, the price is better than the iPhone, but you had me at 70s drug dealer.
Speaking of vice, I like the trash photo but I feel like it’s missing a sex-related sin. Maybe a discarded sex toy or something. I dunno. But get it together, Brooklyn😁
Really enjoyed this interview with Jonathan! The art is beautiful. I hope Jonathan is able to find a way to stay in NYC and continue with his passion.
Jonny is a visionary and you should buy his stuff now.
wierd trash heap = great story prompt
Who are some of his favorite artists?
I like your focus on the art of giving up. Years ago I tried to take up tennis. Lessons, practice, the works. One day it dawned on me that I just didn’t like it and being a gym rat was more my style. What a relief.
Really enjoyed it.
I loved the paintings and interview with Jonathan Butterick. His paintings seem half Van Gogh/half photorealism but unique. The painting View From My Window reminded me of illustrator Tibor Gergely’s work (and that’s a compliment).
Great interview and article! Would love to have one of his paintings!
"Just imagine, if you worked at home, you could conduct all your business from a pay phone, like a ’70s drug dealer" 🤣🤣🤣
Anne I completely LOVE your newsletter! I was reading this on the subway and laughed out so loud 🤣🤣🤣
This is another great one, Anne. Also: you'll recall that on an episode of The Brady Bunch, Mike and Carol installed a pay phone in their home to teach the kids a lesson. ("Sorry, Right Number" Season 1, episode 9, streaming on Hulu.)
I hope Jonathan is inspired to do a series of NYC crazy trash pile pictures.
Oh! I forgot to answer your question. I’ve quit plenty of things in my time, but the two things that were a joy to quit were practicing law and screenwriter. I was a better screenwriter than lawyer, but both made me pretty miserable.
If purchasing your own payphone is of interest, there was a great post linked in today’s Today in Tabs all about how someone did it! Love that payphones.com made itself known to me twice in the span of a few minutes...maybe it’s trying to tell me something? https://bert.org/2022/06/02/payphone/
Ahhh, this is so encouraging. Thank you for finding this art, this story, this light.