Dear Artist,

Mary Mattingly didn’t get the Guggenheim Fellowship because she simplified her work.

She got it because we clarified her story.

As an artist working across sculpture, sustainability, public art, and photography, her practice defies simple description. That’s what made our work so crucial—translating that complexity into a clear, compelling narrative that felt both deeply personal and professionally focused.

Here’s what she wrote me after she got the award:

“Collaborating with Brainard proved to be a game-changer… He helped me select images, clarify text, and stay on task. Winning this fellowship has pushed me to make life changes, start ambitious new projects, and expand what I thought was possible.”

The Guggenheim is transformative. But it requires a sharp presentation. Artists are often too close to their own work to articulate it well. That’s where I come in.

I work with artists one-on-one—editing, shaping, listening, advising.

10 spots total. Now only 6 remain.

If you’re eligible (Citizen or permanent resident of the U.S. or Canada) and ready to take this seriously, reply to this email and ask about my fee structure. Let’s begin the work.

Sincerely,

Brainard Carey