To be honest, my book and print sales this year have been dismal. It’s often hard to keep making things with older work going unsold. So it was heartening to read Tight Times Loosen Artists’ Creativity in the NY Times this morning. On their blog, they asked readers to comment on what effect the economy is having on their life and work. In the subsequent article, the author, Robin Pogrebin, writes: “Perhaps most striking about the comments was the considerable number who were defiantly upbeat despite grim circumstances. Many artists testified that the recession had strengthened their commitment to their work or allowed them to concentrate on their art — since the time spent on side jobs had diminished — or had even been a source of creative inspiration.”