Don’t You Dare Stop

“You take a crash, you get back up and next time you succeed and that’s a great feeling.”

–Shaun White, three-time Olympic gold medalist in snowboarding and author

Failure can knock the wind out of us, scattering confidence across the floor. But there is something so powerful about choosing to get up anyway bruised, wiser, and more determined than before. Each setback carries a lesson, a subtle shift in balance and belief. When we try again, we aren’t starting from the same place, we’re starting from experience.

Ron Norsworthy spoke to us about American Dream, his recent exhibition at Edwynn Houk Gallery. A set designer by training, Norsworthy is very process oriented as an artist. His work typically comes to him as spaces realized through dreams, memories, or ideas eventually becoming inhabited by figures who engage with them in some way. As he builds his collage pieces, he sources materials primarily from the internet. To learn more, listen to the complete interview.

Ye Zhu joined us to talk about Underbelly Bloom, his recent show at Dimin Gallery. Zhu considers his practice predominantly process based. Working across many media, he is able to expand his language of painting to include textures, sheens, and even the meaning of objects. To hear more about his process and work, listen to the complete interview.

A Few Words to Keep in Your Pocket.

The earned joy of resilience is the kind that reminds us we are capable of more than our falls suggest.

Outings.

Join me at A Hug From the Art World in Chelsea for a few shows including Black Friday, by Pablo Barba.

Interviews are available on iTunes as podcasts, and for Android, please click here. All weekly essay pieces are here in a shareable format. The full archive of interviews is here.

More Books to Read.

Ours is a community of readers. Tell us what books you’re reading now by adding your titles to our reading list here. Praxis user Tabby Ivy is reading Grand Finales: The Creative Longevity of Women Artists, by Susan Gubar.

Opportunities.

Bethany Arts Community seeks emerging artists (21+) for its 2026 Emerging Artist Fellowship. Two 15-week cohorts receive housing, studio space, and a $250 weekly stipend to support creative and professional growth. Check the website for further details. Deadline is February 20.

Brainard Carey is an author, artist and educator. He is the director of Praxis Center for Aesthetics and is currently faculty at the School of Visual Arts in NYC. He has written seven books for artists, including Making it in the Art World. His seventh book, The Problems in the Art World: An Artist’s A-Z Action Guide, is available now.