Hello, everyone,

Jordan here. Long time no see, it’s been, well, exactly a year since we last chatted and, for me, a time period of letting go and listening—a mix of closing doors and cracking open windows to see what comes through. Last go round, I told you about the music project I’ve been working on with my sister Anika called Wijbuh and I’m proud to share: our first track, Saynt James, is finally out and finding its way into the world.

It’s the kind of song when you need something to ground you, like being wrapped up in a warm quilt on an overcast day. No rush, no performance needed, just a slow inhale and exhale.

I stumbled on Saynt James in a late-night YouTube session, watching a conversation between James Baldwin and Nikki Giovanni. Baldwin’s words hit me with that inimitable, cigarette-laden timbre: “You think no one has ever suffered the way I’ve suffered...and then you realize your suffering is your bridge.” That line unlocked something—a kind of calm, an insight that I’ve simply been adding my own chapter to an ancient story, finding the world beyond’s through-lines in this one.

As the track started to take shape, I found myself circling around connection in struggle, building layers that would reflect without needing to say it directly. The track’s process became one of adding texture and listening to where it needed to go—steady beats, expansive pads, Baldwin’s voice—each element a piece of that bridge Baldwin talks about. I wanted it to feel like you could step into it without any expectations, wandering into a room where voices overlap, and you realize everyone’s carrying something, even if no one’s quite saying it.

This year also brought a major revelation: an ADHD diagnosis in July. And for once, a label that actually fits. It’s like finding that missing puzzle piece you’ve been searching for over decades, only to realize it was right there, just out of view. Knowing has brought a surreal kind of clarity, a feeling of, “Oh…that’s why I could never finish any project and I spent 2 hours before bed reading Wikipedia articles on the intersection of the far right and esoteric secret societies.” I’m finally learning to take the path of least resistance—letting go of methods and systems that just don’t work for me and leaning into what does. It’s been a relief to finally stop wrestling with myself and start aligning with the natural currents.

And speaking of letting go… I’m working on a side project, a book of poems and assorted reflections called Thought Crimes. It’s a different kind of outlet, one where I can dive into the odd, irreverent, always messy thoughts that don’t need to fit anywhere else. A few samples:

Lastly, I haven’t made a painting all year. Too much of my ego involved. It’s been nice. We’ll see where the path takes us.

Future Projects x Throwaway Bin

My mind’s always spinning with new projects and possible ideas, some of which I’ll explore in the future. Here’s a sample of what’s in the queue:

• Can You Make Art About Not Making Art?

• Attention Generals Warning: paintings of cigarette boxes with tech logos

• An series of paintings that is solely artist statements

• My Great-Great Grandfather Founded a Tech Company (2089) - Illusory Truth Phenomenon

• Exploring the idea of the weather as the gods’ moods

If you want to talk about Saynt James, Thought Crimes, or just say hi, hit reply. And if you feel like others would enjoy joining the conversation, you can shoot them the sign-up link here.

Thanks for being along for the ride.

Jordan