July Studio Update

The air in Ohio has turned thick and sweet this week, a heavy, humid heatwave that settles over the afternoon like a wool blanket. I’m writing to you today from the shade of my girlfriend’s patio, chased outside by the stifling air indoors. Out here, a restless, warm wind stirs the leaves while the kids splash and laugh in the pool, cutting through the summer drone. The air carries the nostalgic, unmistakable scent of charcoal and beef hotdogs searing on the grill—the absolute essence of midsummer. It’s a fleeting, golden moment of family and stillness before the fireworks of the Fourth arrive.

Speaking of which, we are on the eve of a monumental milestone: America’s 250th birthday. To celebrate this historic Semiquincentennial, I wanted to offer something accessible, small, and deeply rooted in our shared landscape.

🇺🇸 The Semiquincentennial Postcard Sale

I have curated a special set of five brand-new postcards that capture the quiet, enduring spirit of rural Americana. Given the sweltering heat we’ve been experiencing, these five scenes feel particularly fitting—reminders of the vast, sun-baked, and weathered beauty of the countryside.

• Price: $2.00 each
• The Collection: Perfect for framing as mini-prints or sending a note to an old friend.

🎨 Studio Update: High Stakes & Fast Breaks

Inside the studio, the energy has been… complicated.

Progress on my major current painting, Returning The Favor, has been painstakingly slow. Some pieces demand a piece of your soul, and this one is proving to be a beautifully painful marathon. I’m fighting for every brushstroke, and it’s taking its toll.

To save my own sanity and force a mental break, I decided to do something completely outside my comfort zone. I challenged myself to paint a rural barn scene as fast and loose as possible. I set a strict 4-hour time limit, abandoned my usual precision, and just let the paint fly for the pure fun of it.

The verdict? I’ve attached a photo of it below so you can judge for yourself, but I’m incredibly unsure of it—and, truth be told, I kind of dislike it. It’s raw, messy, and entirely different from what you’re used to seeing from me. Because of that, I’m unlikely to ever officially add it to my web catalog.

However, art is entirely subjective. Take a look at the attachment and let me know: did the experiment work, or should I stick to my slow and steady pace? If you’re curious about adopting a weird, fast piece of my studio history, reply directly to this email and let me know. I’d love to hear your honest thoughts!

🏆 The American Watercolor Society Online Exhibit

On a much prouder note, the American Watercolor Society’s (AWS) online exhibition is officially live!

My painting, (“I’m Sorry, It’s Cancer,”)[/story/im-sorry-its-cancer/] is featured in this prestigious showcase. You can now watch the entire exhibition stream on YouTube to view it alongside some of the finest contemporary watercolor works in the world. It is an immense honor to be included.

🎸 Magic City Arts and Music Festival

Thank you to everyone who came out to see me at the Magic City Arts and Music Festival! Connecting with fellow art lovers in person always recharges my creative batteries.

🎁 Monthly Print Winner Announcement

Every month, I randomly select one subscriber from our global community to receive a free 9x12-inch giclée reproduction of their choice.

This month, the wheel spun across the Atlantic! Congratulations to:

• Oliver P. from Shrewsbury, United Kingdom!

Oliver, please reply to this email with your shipping address and the title of the print you’d like me to send your way!

Stay cool, enjoy the holiday weekend, and thank you, as always, for walking this creative path with me.

Warmly, Ben Young