*From the Renwick Gallery: “Annie Wells, born 1981; resides Minneapolis, MN.* **Celebrate Trans Love and Joy**, 2023. Alfalfa, amaranth, corn, millet, black mustard, yellow painted mustard, red clover, split green pea, wild rice, and glue on plywood. Wells entered this work in the crop-art competition at the 2023 Minnesota State Fair to commemorate the location of their wedding.”

Happy New Year! This year, I’ll be writing occasional updates here about my work. I am returning from an extended medical leave of absence, and with my health in good shape, I am back in D.C. and ramping up my independent practice. You can subscribe to receive these updates automatically by leaving a contact email at the end of the post. Let’s get to it!

Web Design & Understory Docs

Understory Docs: This month, I am pleased to announce the launch of my first site build since 2024 — partnering with my friend Jordana Rubenstein-Edberg, we rebuilt the site for her documentary media studio, Understory Docs.

Jordana is based in Philadelphia, but works on projects ranging from our shared hometown (D.C.) to her home in Philly, to New York, and to Cairo and the West Bank. I have admired her work since I was in high school, so it is an immense privilege to work with her on this beautiful portfolio. I am continuing to work with Jordana on other projects across the media spectrum, and this brings me so much joy! Keep checking back here for more updates.

I find so much pleasure in these opportunities to help unique artists put their best foot forward. This is technically a post to announce my role in creating the site… but with all necessary self-promotion aside here, the site looks fantastic because Jordana’s work is fantastic. And if you’re looking for a new home for your fantastic work, slide into my inbox; I’d love to take you on as my next client, helping you to make your creativity shine.

Check out Understory’s new site here!

Print Media & Cartography

The Turnaround Magazine: I’m working with Amy and Jess on issue #4* of The Turnaround, for which a theme will soon be revealed. We expect to announce a call for pitches at the end of February! We’re very proud of the work that we did on the last issue, and I am once again on the project full-time as publisher, editor-in-chief, and layout designer. In the meantime, copies of the most recent issue* are available for purchase via Strange Woman Records, or in-person at People’s Book in Takoma Park, Maryland.

Order your copy of The Turnaround here!

New full-length book project: I am also pleased to announce my work as the managing editor, layout designer, and cartographer on a full-length autobiography. The author bore witness to many pivotal moments in the 20th century. The book covers genealogy, migration, and regional history during the era of the Homestead Act; Midwestern farm life during the interwar and postwar periods; US Army life during the Vietnam War and late-stage Cold War periods; and reflection on the “American century” from the point of view of a cultural and military historian. In an era where am very grateful for the opportunity to lend my skills to this important historical work. I am also proud that I can give the author a personalized and “DIY-esque” approach to minimize the stress of the more formalized and institutional publishing process. Further updates on the book project are forthcoming.

New zine in the works: Inspired in part by Jordana’s deeply moving project Scar Stories, I am in the early stages of developing a pulp zine. This will be a much different form factor than The Turnaround, and its aim will be to discuss the experiences of trans folks as we navigate the medical system in an increasingly hostile world. Check back here soon for more updates.*

New letterpress coming soon: I will be completing certification at Pyramid Atlantic in Hyattsville to begin use of their letterpress machine for your projects. Stay tuned for updates on this new service from our studio!

*Certain projects discussed in this update are marked with the asterisk. These projects are supported in part by the D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities, which receives funding from the National Endowment for the Arts.

A note on what it means to be “Union Proud” in 2026

We are witnessing an unprecedented, but predictable, escalation of fascism and authoritarianism under the current regime. As hate continues to grow in the mainstream, independent media creators have a responsibility to preserve truthful and candid depictions of life, of hardship, of free expression, of life’s undeniable beauty.

I hold as truth that an injury to one is an injury to all. There are not many unions that exist for independent creators, but this shop is now unionized under the Industrial Workers of the World Local 450. This will hopefully enable us to work in collaboration and solidarity with similarly minded creators, and enable us to partake in future collective organizing efforts.

I unequivocally stand with the people of Minnesota as they lead by example in their fight against state violence. I forcefully and coldly condemn anyone who remains complicit with, or allied to, the police state in any fashion. I am proud of the creative work I have done in Minnesota in past years. Minneapolis is a wonderful city full of truly incredible and kind people. The neighbors leading community efforts there are the true heroes of our times.

I firmly believe that it is insufficient to say that one will not comply “in advance.” To suggest this is to suggest a willingness to comply with repression at some distant, yet-to-be-determined breaking point. We will not be broken. When the time comes that our work is specifically under threat, we will not comply — period. Do not comply. Do not yield.

The header image for this month’s update is a work displayed at the Renwick Gallery’s State Fair exhibition. It depicts the joy of a wedding at the Minnesota State Fair in 2021.

One last thing

My work continues in the wake of a sudden and tragic loss of my dear friend Tim (1995-2025). He passed away in September, shortly before I was scheduled to pause my work for medical leave.

A few weeks ago, his life was celebrated in a service at the University of Maryland. The event was beautiful, bursting with music and color, coordinated by beloved friends and family. My heart is full from community, but remains heavy from this loss.

I will always miss him. May he always find a cloud to hide behind when he’s not quite ready to leave the sky; may he forever lead us in flying towards the sound.

Artist Updates

January ‘26: Web and Print