This is me, Jon Keppel, reading from my book The Art Flame. FYI This book was published in 2018. My thoughts and feelings have expanded since then. We are all always in a continual process of growth and maturation. I just want to affirm and reaffirm here that I have the utmost respect for what I call conventional art or art for exhibition. That is, in the end, what helped inspire me to write these words. Since writing this I have tapped into a humility further coming to connect with Love and peace and an even deeper level celebrating all art equally. This book was made from a certain perspective at a certain point in my life. I still believe that there is tremendous value in it and a forward seeking nature that is in the end a very, very good impulse. I had to reflect on the nature of being in order to move forward in my life and so that took bringing into question some of the pillars and platforms of the art world in order to do that. I believe we should value all art. Thank you. Jon Keppel 12/9/23