By Kenn Sava.
I know I’ve said this on previous anniversaries after rough years, but there were times this past year I never thought I’d get NighthawkNYC to its 9th Birthday, July 15th, 2024. The most recent in a year of ailments and illnesses was not being able to see in the intermediate distance, which includes my computer screen, for almost six weeks, while having a torn ligament in my foot which has had me using a cane, severely limiting what I could do, while frantically trying to avoid surgery. But? Seven pairs of glasses, and 4 Podiatrists later, here we are!
On the other hand, I somehow managed to publish THIRTY-TWO full-length pieces in Year 9. Better than one every two weeks. And, I was a Finalist for the 2023 Andy Warhol Foundation Arts Writers Award.
It all reminds me of what a lot of Artists go through. It’s not easy doing anything creative, and I hear a lot of stories of the travails involved in trying to get your work shown or seen. I admire anyone who is in there trying. It’s not all that different from doing something like this. There are the big media outlets, the “established” Art writers, and everyone else has to work extra hard to be heard. I try to ignore the “realities” involved in writing about Art, and keep focusing on the Art, but they eventually catch up with me. They haven’t sunk me yet!
Still, I’m lucky to still be here. I’m lucky that more and more people continue to find NighthawkNYC.com each and every year. I’m lucky to have so many friends I’ve never met who drop me a line, or who have followed my pieces going all the way back to July, 2015. And I’m very lucky to have the support of Artists I admire.
It seems to me that doing anything creative, or doing something like this, has to be done without the overriding expectation (or need) of making money doing it. Making money from it was not my intention going in to starting NHNYC, and it only became a factor when I came close to going broke. My solution is to sell off my personal collection of books, music and Art (as you see in the postscript to each piece) to keep going, to keep the site FREE for everyone as it’s always been, AND to keep it ad-free! I’m sure you know in your travels around the world wide web that there are VERY few sites these days that are either free or ad-free, and almost none are both. The reason is it’s almost impossible to afford to do one, let alone both. These past nine years I’ve learned that the hard way.
Need I say that your support is critical- however you are able to support my work and NighthawkNYC.com – IF you feel it’s worthy of your support. Here are some options- Donations via PayPal are gratefully accepted. My collections are available for purchase. Posting links to pieces you feel others should know about on social, or telling others about NHNHC helps! Any and all of that is incredibly appreciated.
Thank You, again, (and in advance) for reading my pieces, and for your support.
Universe willing, Onward to Year 10!
Kenn.
NighthawkNYC.com has been entirely self-funded & ad-free for 9 years, during which 330 full-length pieces have been published! If you’ve found it worthwhile, PLEASE donate by PayPal below to allow me to continue. Thank you, Kenn.
You can also support it by buying Art, Art & Photography books, and Music from my collection! Art & Books may be found here. Music here and here.
Written & photographed by Kenn Sava for nighthawknyc.com unless otherwise credited. To send comments, thoughts, feedback or propositions click here. Click the white box on the upper right for the archives or to search them. Subscribe to be notified of new Posts below. Your information will be used for no other purpose.
For “short takes,” my ongoing “Visual Diary” series, and outtakes from my pieces, be sure to follow @nighthawk_nyc on Instagram!