Whether you’re sharing your work, or hiding it, what lies at the heart of it is your ego and how important you think you are.
Author: Matt Shanks
Under the influence
If watercolour has taught me anything, it’s how to embrace a lack of control, believe in uncertainty and be comfortable with influencing outcomes, not ‘achieving’ them.
What’s it worth
The things we own, and the labour we practice so that we can own those things, can be measured across three fundamental domains of value: Use, Exchange, and Symbol/Sentiment. Value of use: is when we derive benefit from the use of an object. i.e. Hammers have high use value because they help us nail things… Continue reading What’s it worth
Watercolour is inconvenient
Maybe in a world that prioritises convenience, going the opposite way is worth something.
Patience is not passive
I used to think the word patience was a substitute for waiting. When we’re children and we want our Christmas presents, we’re told to be patient. When we’re demanding dessert earlier than usual, that word again – patience. We can’t wait to grow up, can’t wait for our next birthday party, can’t wait for our friends… Continue reading Patience is not passive
No one will see my private parts
Ensuring I’ve got a non-negotiable private playground for ideas, thoughts, and feelings is critical to make better work.
The tools of the trade
For an illustrator, the tools of the trade go beyond brushes, paper, and paint. The mind and the body also need the same, if not better, care and attention to deliver better quality work for longer.
Afraid to waste the good stuff
Would we make more art if we weren’t afraid of ruining the lovely paper, or using up the expensive paint or damaging our nice brushes?
Done is better than perfect
It’s only when something is done that you can get feedback. And it’s only through feedback that we improve.
Truth-seeking
The art I love most reveals something about us or the world that has been there the whole time, but we’ve been too focussed to see it.