In March of 2018, I got to travel to Phoenix for ASTM E1527-13 (yes, -21 wasn't out yet!) training. It was a crazy experience. Not the class -- the class was your typical ASTM training, but getting to explore Phoenix was quite surreal. Mostly because it just seems so much like it. should. not. be. there. A big brutalist modern city in the middle of the desert. SO WEIRD AND DYSTOPIAN. And so cool. Especially because at the time I was obsessed with watching Equilibrium on Netflix every chance I got.

lol sorry, Phoenix.

I also got to attend the Arizona Fine Art Expo for the first time ever while I was out there! I met many excellent artists, but the ones that stand out are Caroline Kwas and Sam Thiewes. Caroline and I talked vanlife and starting over, and Sam Thiewes told me that one of the most critical things about having a home studio is being able to "shut the door on it" which I thought was a deep metaphor and asked him what it meant. He looked at me like I was insane and said, "A door. You need a door to your studio. So you can shut it. So you can walk by it and not have to look at your mess." Which is pretty dang good advice, to be honest.

And, I got the chance to experience a neat public art project! The 26 Blocks Project. More information @ www.26blocks.com

Of course I made a StoryMap -- see below. :)

Touring Phoenix's 26 Blocks