“Hello, and welcome to my neighborhood. My name is Joel Mesler, and this is my art studio, where I work and make art. Come on in and let me show you around.”

"One of the first things I do when I enter my art studio for the day is pick up a rock and light some incense. Smell has always been able to move my energy and get my feet where they belong, right on the ground. As I have grown older, I have noticed that the more present I can be, the more useful I am to myself and others. I want to be useful."

“On this particular day in my art studio, I received a phone call. It was Sarah Harrelson. She was calling to invite me to guest-edit the Hamptons issue of CULTURED magazine.”

“So I gathered some of my things and headed to my special space, where I like to lie down… 

"…take off my shoes, pull a blanket over my body, and let my mind drift. I never know where my mind will take me, but that is the fun."

"But today was different. I had a magazine to edit. What would it be about? I had to get to work. I love to work."

"So, I pulled out my books and started to draw and sketch ideas. Nothing was coming easily. I had to surrender.

"I wanted this magazine to be honest and real and not make-believe.”

“And then suddenly there was a knock on my studio door. It was my dearest friend, Rashid Johnson. And that’s when it hit me: I wanted this issue of CULTURED to be about the people, the artists who live here, who work here, like I do now. This is a magical place, and in many ways it has helped me find my way back to myself. So, thank you for listening and being here, and I hope you can enjoy it. You deserve great things!”

"Sincerely, Joel Mesler, 2023"