Moving Forward

Dear Collector,

I don’t know where to begin. The positive reception of “I’m Sorry, It’s Cancer” has been overwhelming. I have a lot to go over this newsletter.

While my energy feels short in recent days, I have had to focus what is being worked on in the pipeline. I see this as temporary, but for now, it’s time to focus on my most critical work.

Upcoming Work

I’ve finally begun painting toward the darkest piece I’ve ever planned.

When I first started painting a few years ago, there was one painting I knew I had to create someday. Just one. But I also knew I wasn’t ready for it — not technically, and not emotionally.

Even after completing “In The Dark,” despite it going on to win several awards, I still didn’t feel capable of painting it. Now, after finishing “I’m Sorry, It’s Cancer,” I don’t really have an excuse left when it comes to a lack of technical realism skill. If anything, I’ve started to worry more about time — in the small chance my cancer takes a turn, even though I fully believe I’ll beat it.

Before I can reach that final painting, though, there are two darker works that need to come first. They foreshadow the past.Both are almost as heart-wrenching, and both are incredibly painful for me to revisit.

This painting is the first of those pieces: “Returning the Favor.” It will mirror the next work, in an unexpected way. After this comes “Broken,” which takes place in the aftermath of the finale — sometime in the early morning hours of December 21st.

But a good story needs buildup. Before the final piece, I still need to create lighter, warmer paintings that go further back in time — works that establish the relationship and emotional connection behind it all. “December 20th” is the working title for that final painting. It will depict the darkest and most tragic moment of my life. After that chapter is complete, the work beyond it will return to warmth, color, and light. More vibrant pieces. More hopeful ones.

These upcoming paintings aren’t meant to define my art as darkness alone, but to contrast against the lighter moments — because the dark makes the light shine brighter.

For anyone signed up for my email newsletter, I will be publishing context to these paintings as an early preview of their meaning.

“Returning The Favor” - Watercolor on Paper

“Returning The Favor” will feature a character most of you are familiar with by now. Izzy, along with myself. This scene will be set with the current context:

My dear child,

It was eight years ago that you first lay your head in my lap, like it is now.It was AJ’s idea that I needed a dog. She was the one who pushed me into adopting you. She was one person who always understood me and knew I yearned for a canine companion again. She was the one who found you online. It was her you first found comfort and trust in. She was your human. You came from an abusive past and had plenty of scars to show for it. You were afraid of men, like me. In a way, you were our first child together.

I wasn’t the only one who lost her that night.

I came home with blood all over my shirt. Dried tears on my cheeks. Probably a broken expression on my face. A part of me died that night. You could tell something happened to her, couldn’t you? She never returned. You never let me touch you before that night. You would flinch away when I would pet you, in fear, like I was going to hit you, as your previous caretaker did. Whoever that horrible person was. What I remember of that night, as my back slid down my bathroom wall, you did something completely out of the ordinary. I heard your claws tap across the wood floors and approach the bathroom where I sit on the cold, hard floor. I sat there motionless. I didn’t know what to do. You came over and lay down with your head in my lap. For the very first time. You were the only one there to comfort me that night.

For the next six years, you were always by my side. When I would wake up in the night, screaming in fear, it was the feeling of your wet nose on my face I would first notice as I woke back to reality. It was your presence that made me feel totally not alone, as you lay next to me at night. Your fear of me vanished, and now I have become your loving human. We both lost AJ that night, and yet you were the one who took care of me.

By the time I started healing myself out of the trauma and living again, you were beginning to show your age. You are the first child AJ brought me, and now you are our last one left.

Now, you lay your head in my lap one last time. I know your body is giving up, and your time will end soon. Now, I will be the one by your side, and I refuse to leave you. Just as you did for me that tragic night. I’m here for you now, returning the favor.

Goodbye, my dear child… Izzy.

Entry in to The American Watercolor Society

Originally, last year I had plans to complete show piece paintings for entry in to some of the most prestigious exhibits I could find. It was a wild ambition. The American Watercolor Society’s (AWS) Annual International Exhibit was one of these shows. The cancer diagnoses journey slowed down my ability to get a show piece completed in time, and so I missed the deadline with no current work I had left unsold, I felt was worthy entering in the show. And I’m afraid I don’t have the energy or resources right now to make it to New York for the exhibit it’s self.

AWS however has another online associate member’s exhibit, and I had just completed my show piece with some time left before the deadline for this exhibit was up. So became a new member and entered…

I would now like to announce I’m Sorry, It’s Cancer has been accepted in to the 2026 American Watercolor Society’s Associate Members Online Exhibit. I’m beyond words and excitement.

Mugshot Exhibit at Second April Studios

Second April Studios continues the Mugshot Exhibit, featuring my painting Mistakes, for the month of June.

The painting is displayed prominently at the entrance to the gallery and exhibition will run throughout the rest of the month.

“For Dianne”

There is one other watercolor painting I’m choosing to work on. It’s a gift, to my dear Dianne. It will feature a branch of Cherry Blossoms on a 22x30in Arches Full Sheet.

She’s been responsible for helping to keep my spirits up through this time. The painting will not be for sale, and will remain with her, but reproductions will be available once it’s completed.

Magic City Arts and Music Festival

I will be (slowly) live painting at the Magic City Arts and Music Festival this year, June 13th. I have my french easel, tent, and some of my artworks ready to take with me. If you’re near Barberton Ohio, stop by!

Father’s Day Sale

I’m not a fan of celebrating holidays, as I prefer consistency. But in case you didn’t know, I am a father to a 16 year old teenage son. So Father’s Day is one holiday that is forced upon me.

So for the rest of you to enjoy Father’s Day with me, I’m running a small sale.

ALL 5x7in reproductions until June 22nd will be 50% off, using private offer code FATHERSDAYS.

Newsletter Winners

Now for the monthly drawing. The following newsletter subscriber will receive a 9x12in reproduction of their choice.

The winners are:

• Tom B. from Akron, Ohio

Congratulations to the winner, and thank you again to everyone for your continued support and encouragement.

— Benjamin J. Young