A 1986 playlist! Street art! Apologies! 🚦
Things are looking up!
Ever since I moved back to Brooklyn, I've been fascinated by a mysterious local artist who draws on discarded boxes, doors, chairs or anything else my neighbors throw away. (I've put several images of his work on Instagram and in newsletters.)
Eventually, I figured out the artist's name: Alex Itin. And yesterday I was shocked to walk into my studio and find one of his creations at my desk:
My friend Dean had spotted Alex quietly doing his thing and told him I was a fan. I only wish I'd been there to meet him--Alex's work has truly been a bright spot during this pandemic and a reminder that making and experiencing art can help us get through the toughest of times.
(P.S. A few hours ago, I was walking down the street and saw the below image on a broken table by the side of the road. Keep it up, Alex!)
New playlist:
86 great songs from 1986!
If you liked my 81 songs from 1981, you're gonna LURVE my new playlist of 86 songs from 1986, which is heavy on the college rock (Depeche Mode! R.E.M.! Siouxsie!) but also includes a pinch of Randy Travis and Janet Jackson. I hope it enhances your at-home workout, even if that workout is just eating a delicious sandwich.
HEAR THIS PODCAST:Â This week I binged the first three episodes of THE APOLOGY LINE, a new podcast that tells the shocking story of what happened in the '80s when a man set up a phone line encouraging callers to apologize for their misdeeds. The six-episode series is creepy, compelling and right up my alley.
NEW diary comics! NEW videos! Â
Holy moly, I'm *still* drawing daily diary comics and posting them on patreon.com/whitneymatheson. Throw me a bone or two and spy on my life.
Also: Watch the latest Nightwork video from Dean and I, where we talk about studios and newsrooms and weird workplaces. Stay tuned for info about an upcoming virtual event!
That's all for now--tell me a story at whitmath@gmail.com. Bonus points if it involves pajamas, camels or both.
Wang Chunging tonight,
Phyllis Lindstrom
"I don't think I'm my age. I'm truly 6 years old."
- Cloris Leachman (R.I.P.)
Reach out! Find me on Twitter, Instagram and at whitmath@gmail.com.