The Mothership

and a guy who really knows how to make his life into art

I’ve been absent here on Substack since the end of March, working steadily on a new book, keeping distractions to a minimum. While I have found producing The Conceptual Artist’s Cookbook great fun, it is more of a distraction from a daily writing routine than I expected it to be, even though huge chunks of what I posted were already written. So, while I may be posting from time to time, it won’t be the weekly+ pace that I kept up for all of 2025 and the first of 2026.

I note with interest that while NOT posting, I seem to have attracted plenty of new subscribers. For those of you who have subscribed since beginning of April, welcome! You have no paywall! and nearly the entire memoir that is still out there seeking a publisher is here for you to read from beginning to end or by dipping randomly into the mostly stand-alone chapters.

I do have a couple of updates on upcoming projects that I’ll be posting soon, but today the thing that has pulled me back here was an email from my friend Paul McMahon. Some of you probably know Paul or know of him: an unsung artist from the Pictures Generation group. Those of you who have been reading from the early weeks might remember Paul from this post about the show I curated for The Upstairs Artspace.

That was an exhibition made by asking artists for instructions for making one of their artworks. A multimedia artist, musician, and polymath comic genius, Paul sent a proposal for that tenth anniversary show that was quite beautiful, and he’s the guy that I mentioned ran his own alternative space in Woodstock, New York. That space is called The Mothership, and Paul has been operating it for nearly two decades, programming music, performance and tons of other interesting art events. Largely, he has supported it himself. The building is now in need of major repairs and Paul is seeking funding for that.

Perhaps the crucial idea driving my memoir is the idea that an artist’s real work is the life he or she leads. I am trying to make the case, here, for a different paradigm for being an artist; one less about cultivating unique exceptionalism and more about engaging inventively and poetically with a broader community. This is a somewhat radical idea and one that meets resistance from many quarters, but it is safe to say that in this endeavor Paul is a true fellow-traveler. Plus, he has a heart of gold. I invite you to take a look at the website for The Mothership and if you feel inspired, I invite you to make a contribution, or just buy a funny bumper sticker.

Here is Paul’s pitch:

The Mothership provides the space and opportunity for many cultural events to happen in Woodstock, and a good number of musicians and artists have had their first shows here. Since 2007, we’ve hosted thousands of events. The porch is a wonderful venue in its own right and many concerts and readings have taken place on it. We simply need to save the porch by giving it a new roof.

The porch roof has been leaking for many years and is now showing signs of structural damage. I need to raise a significant amount, likely over $10,000 to repair the underlying supports and reshingle the porch roof, which is large -750 sq ft. You can donate through this gofundme:

Or, tax deductible gifts can be made in Paul’s name to the Franklin Furnace, which will take a small percentage to cover administrative costs.

If you have ever wanted to own a classic Paul McMahon artwork now is the time. Please look at https://paulmcmahon.tv/art-home. Choose something you want and offer what you can afford by texting Paul at 845-443-5247. He will respond, confirm and make arrangements. Many products are also available at https://paulmcmahon.tv/shop

THANK YOU IN ADVANCE! I love you!

-Paul McMahon

If you believe in the restorative power of art, especially when it happens in out-of-the way places, I encourage you to join me in chipping in to help that happen. I thank you. Paul thanks you.

Have a Nice Day. Paul McMahon, 1977