Development

I initially published this short essay in March of 2026 in anticipation of launching a (now abandoned) journal project. It has been edited to retain some key learnings about my self and my practice- part of the purpose of a blog is to chart a writer’s development over time.
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Regular readers have probably noticed that I didn’t publish any blogs this week about other artists. That’s because, there has been a development- well, there has been development.

A big part of having a practice, for me, is developing- the process of growth, advancement, and transitioning from a simpler to a more complex state. Sometimes, that means admitting that something that was serving you may not be any more. Perhaps that is the time and energy it takes to generate a blog every single day, especially if the energy that draws you to the activity of writing is best served by directing your time elsewhere.

I’ve considered myself an emerging artist for the last several years. Yes we’re going to look right past the fact that I’m 51 and what the word “emerging” usually means in the Visual Arts, at least for now. I need my relationship to this community to change, so I am taking action. The biggest part of that is owning the value of my relationship to all of you, and letting go of activities that don’t grow my connections or influence.

BTW, to any artists from outside the Triangle about whom I’ve blogged, and who started following the same as a result, I do value the (hand full of) times that has happened. And, it has certainly not been for every one of the 2,000+ blogs I’ve done.

I’ve received so much support and encouragement from so many of you here locally, in person and “in the comments section,” for the content I’ve created over the last several years out of my experiences being out and about on the scene. Many of you have told me you enjoy seeing my Instagram posts about, both, the local scene here in the Triangle and some of the artists from around the world (and the canon) I have learned about by blogging. YOUR feedback is the reason I realized I need and want to do more professional writing.

And I do love being out and about, seeing what you’ve all made, reflecting on it and helping to build our community by announcing its existence. Being an artist, to me, is about participating in community, and, I still very much believe that, to have space, you have make space, period. The next stage of development will include this site. Now sterlingbowen dot com, it will soon be re”launched” as paintingafterartisdead dot com (yes, that’s also my Instagram handle). The goal is to center my blog as an important part of my practice, even if not daily going forward. And (going forward) exclusively my own prose, but with higher expectations and intentionality around growing my credibility (and practice, too).

This will also always be the place to find my portfolio of visual art objects and installations.

And an archive of my prior, daily artist-centric blogging practice will live here in some form indefinitely.

THANK YOU to every single reader who has followed me so far, and I’d always love to hear from any of you.

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It’s also interesting to note the importance of the word “development” in my life on a couple of other levels. I am, literally, a developer in my 9-5 role with Duke Energy (LinkedIn profile). For those that aren’t sure what that means, I own a pipeline of electric generation projects in various stages of permitting, contracting and approvals that, lord willin’ and the creek don’t rise, will one day be utility-scale solar power plants. It’s enjoyable work, for me, which also takes – and creates- energy. And “yes” I try to be honest about what working for this particular company means.

Also, one of the definitions of development is “the process of starting to experience or suffer from an ailment or feeling.” These developments in my life do come from a place of experiencing, while maybe not suffering, definitely the need to heal. My reprioritization is, in addition to the reasons above, about making more time available in my life for non-work and non-Art activities, specifically with my life partner. Many of you have met this wonderful person and I suspect most of you came away with the impression that we have a great relationship. Odd as it may sound, given that, we have found ourselves in a space where we want more time with each other. I’m therefore very happy to report that you will all see a little less of me, and my spouse with me more often when I am out and about. I’m grateful to start- and hopefully, to share- our journey to reclaim romantic love.