March 21, 2023

Art needs life

There are times when the art practice needs to take a back seat. Maybe it’s that work is overwhelming, or the kids need more attention than usual, or someone close to us needs an extra level of care beyond normal. Like, right now, I’m working 3 jobs at once. I love that work, deeply, but it’s not art. So it’s easy to think that work is ‘taking over’, that I’m losing my motivation or inspiration for making art. But, it seems, the opposite may be true.

Life, like art, isn’t static. In fact, they feed each other. The experiences we have in life fuel the personal exploration of answers to questions no one asked of us. In fact, without life, art may be impossible.

So, sometimes, life has to take priority, and instead of fighting it, the best thing to do is embrace it. Those intense periods of work, the kids, or caring for others will eventually subside and the space to create art once again do eventually appear it’s just that now, we may have something more to say because we’ve lived a little in between.

Other observations
May 27, 2025

Mis en place

Might I make better work if, at the end of everyday, I put everything back in its place – just like they do in commercial kitchens?

May 20, 2025

Artificial intelligence and art

Are artists under threat from generative artificial intelligence? Or is the ‘competition’ we see just misunderstood?

May 13, 2025

It ain’t gonna draw itself

What happens to an idea if I’m too scared to draw it? If I don’t feel skilled enough? If I’m just not ready?

May 6, 2025

Like a machine

Should artists aspire for robotic-like accurate and consistency like those who are the best in their sport?

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