January 14, 2020

Command – Tab

It takes me half a second to Command+Tab and change focus. My computer is a swiss-army knife of distractions. It’s the antithesis of an environment conducive to productive, deep, meaningful work. Command+Tab.

I persist with non-digital work because there’s no Command+Tab. No Ctrl+Z. No way to undo, cover up mistakes, get distracted. When I’m sitting in front of a piece of paper, armed only with my pencils and brushes, there’s focus. I can spend 12 hours a day like this. It’s fun.

Maybe it’s my fault. Maybe I lack the self-control to stay focused when I’m working in front of a computer? Maybe if I turned off the internet, I would work differently. Or maybe digital is just the wrong medium for me. Maybe the computer wasn’t designed to help me make the sort of art I want to make. It’s great for processing accounts or email correspondence. It’s great for managing the business. Maybe it’s not me after all. Maybe it’s just about using the right tool for the job.

Other observations
December 2, 2025

Making a map of dead ends

If we can more easily see the paths we shouldn’t follow, does that make finding the correct one easier?

November 25, 2025

Paying the bills

No matter which way you dice the onion, there’s no escaping the need for money to live. So how might art factor into that?

November 18, 2025

Just feed me

If more choice for a consumer is better, then why do chef’s banquets and ‘just feed me’ options exist in restaurants?

November 11, 2025

The luxury of having no time

Most of us say we need more time but what if the opposite was true? What if less time helped us move forward?

November 4, 2025

A selfish act?

Can the selfish act of making art become an act of generosity? What happens to others who come across the work we make for ourselves?

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