Journal #3
Years of Making Ends Meet: A Life in Creative Hustle
The Dock, Montauk
Introduction
In Montauk, where this dory, "THE DOCK", rests in shifting light, I'm reminded of the years after college, when making ends meet depended more on persistence than stability. Art and design became both my passion and survival. Later after moving to California I learned to translate my skills into opportunities by visually creating ads for small businesses, drawing houses for realtors to give as gifts to departing homeowners, illustrating several cookbooks, and taking on nearly any design work that came my way.
Rendering for a Jewelry Ad
Every project carried a personal investment, each ad layout, each architectural pen and ink, each illustrated recipe page reflected my will to keep thoughtfully creating even when times were lean. I worked late nights refining pen lines and air brushed soft diffusions, using my wood drafting table which I also used as a dining table in those lean days. There were no guarantees, just faith in the work itself and the quiet conviction that art, in all it’s forms, could sustain me not only financially but spiritually.
Realtor Pen and Ink Commission gift for owners
Looking back, those years of resourcefulness taught me resilience, craft, and creating fine art thoughtfully. Every commission, no matter how small, added another layer to my skill and shaped the artist I am today.
The Ditch Witch: A Family Legacy in Montauk
Three decades ago, after I had moved to California, my Sister Lili Adams decided to start her own food truck concession business after being a chef for many years. These were the days before all the trendy food trucks we see everywhere now. She created an iconic place - The Ditch Witch. It is more than just a food truck parked by the waves in Ditch Plains, it’s been a gathering place; a symbol of the town I love, Montauk. A special place whose laid-back surf culture is a beloved part of the local landscape.
I’m proud to say the The Ditch Witch is part of my family’s story. When Lili was first conceiving the business, she asked me to design a logo for her. After creating many different options, she chose the one that still exists today and is now famous and iconic. What began as a humble beach concession evolved into a community fixture, a spot surfers, families, and travelers from afar return to summer after summer for the fresh food, good vibes and a touch of nostalgia.
Lili retired and her son and daughter now run the business. I am honored to have helped create a very small portion of The Ditch Witch’s brand. Maybe all the previous commission pieces I worked on prepared me for this most important one, the one I am most proud of. I came to understand that creativity is not a luxury but it’s a lifeline.
My Nephew Grant with his son, my Great Nephew Koda, in front of The Ditch Witch