ART AFICIONADO

Thursday, July 3, 2025

I'm excited to blog about an artist my wife and I both admire—Patrick Puckett. We've attended several of his shows at the Wally Workman Gallery in Austin, and we always make a point to see his latest work whenever we visit the gallery for other exhibitions.

Born in 1979 in Jackson, Mississippi, Patrick Puckett earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Southern Mississippi in 2002, studying under Professor James Meade. He moved to Austin in 2005, a shift that marked a turning point in his artistic journey. After a six-year break from painting, he returned to his practice with renewed focus and has painted almost daily ever since.

Puckett's art draws heavily from his Southern upbringing. His bold, expressive works often feature anonymous figures that feel both familiar and archetypal. Using thick brushstrokes and rich colors, he explores light, shadow, and emotion with a style that's been compared to Wayne Thiebaud, though his voice remains uniquely his own. Works like The Garden, The Vase, and The Butterfly exemplify his expressive approach. His "Western Civ." series and other exhibitions at Wally Workman Gallery highlight his ongoing exploration of identity and culture in the American South.

Western Civ., 2024

The Butterfly, 2023

The Vase, 2023

An Experiment in Love, 2021

Sources:

https://www.patrickpuckett.com/

https://www.instagram.com/patrickpuckett/?hl=en

https://www.thecommercegallery.com/posters

https://www.wallyworkmangallery.com/patrick-puckett.html

https://moutoniere.com/collections/patrick-puckett-collection?srsltid=AfmBOor-lGyPP53CfFmCFGU3lblinQaRwwR-g1jehOTUhaLQCdneibJh

https://tribeza.com/uncategorized/patrick-puckett-austin-artist/

https://www.austinarttalk.com/4

https://www.penick.net/digging/?p=94338

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9O-v2KP610w

https://glasstire.com/2013/07/19/patrick-puckett-at-wally-workman/

https://www.fischergalleries.com/artists/patrick-puckett

Wednesday, July 2, 2025

RANDOM WEDNESDAY: Megan Brotherton - Why You Can't Use The Bathroom In A Romper

via Megan Brotherton

Tuesday, July 1, 2025

RANDOM WEDNESDAY: "On Parade" by David Plunkert for The New Yorker

https://www.instagram.com/p/DK2PQDVMv8e/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Planning a Family Cruise… and Navigating U.S. Customs?

Last year, my wife and I surprised our family with an Eastern Caribbean cruise—something we’ve been looking forward to for a while. Now that our kids are adults, it felt like the right time to come together, relax, and make some new memories.

But as our departure date approaches, excitement has been tempered by concern.

A few months ago, we started reading reports about travelers facing unexpected trouble when re-entering the U.S., especially under tightened border policies during the Trump administration. Reputable outlets even recommended extreme measures for foreign travelers—like leaving your smartphone at home and bringing a cheap “burner” phone instead. Why? Because Customs and Border Protection agents may demand access to your device without a warrant, and if you refuse, you could face delays or worse. And here’s the kicker: this advice wasn’t just for foreign nationals—it increasingly applies to U.S. citizens too.

It turns out that the moment you land and get in line for re-entry, you’re not technically “back” in the U.S. yet. That Customs area is a sort of legal limbo, where constitutional protections don’t fully apply. The agent you meet there has considerable power to determine how smoothly—or not—you get back home.

That’s a strange feeling. We’re planning a dream vacation, but we’re also preparing for the possibility that re-entry might not be as simple as handing over a passport and saying “welcome back.”

Travel should be about joy and discovery. But in today’s climate, even coming home requires a little extra caution.