I took the day off and went into the city yesterday, making a round through my old hood and regular haunts. One such, the Detroit Institute of Arts, ostensibly my undergrad classroom.
I needed some time with the modern greats, and the word that kept screaming at me, solidly, was RISK. Those mf’ers took crazy, out of the ether risks. And seemingly without fear.
I needed the example yesterday, and it’ll keep feeding me if I commit to it. Your point—exactly right. Nothing good ever came from compliance.
I encourage artists to write an "Anti-Art World Resume" that includes all the stuff that usually gets cut from a resume, like how many pieces of art they created then threw in the trash, how many YouTube videos they watched to learn a technique, how many exhibitions they visited... There are so many rules to break! Taking risks is part of the artist's DNA but we often forget it.
I'm signing up for the risk! "What about turning your portfolio into a zine ..." I use Instagram as a creative portfolio and journal of sorts, like so many of us do. But over the past few weeks you've nudged my mind into a far better space: Make art and send it to people.
You reminded me to connect with my community instead of only depositing my ideas in a digital landfill. You've become that voice in my life that reminds me to do the things I already believe in. Thanks for your ideas, guidance, and support.
I did! I transformed something that only lived in my sketchbook into a fun zine about monster movies and have been handing them out to friends. Seeing someone page through your work, really taking it in and engaging with it, is an unmatched experience.
It’s going great! It’s felt like reclaiming parts of myself. I’m taking old articles and interviews and backlogging them at the moment. Currently doing the opposite with social media. So it feels like a reminder of the positive side of all of this.
And boom! Just the nudge I needed to hit send on submissions to some literary mags I revere. Whether or not I get published, I took the chance. Thank you for being the voice of courage, relentlessly.
Great post Seth. I like that you're here keeping me grounded when I feel like I need 4 more subscription services to "automate" my business when in reality simplicity is the route best for me and my clients!
Oh, I wouldn't know anything about that!!! Not me! My goodness, I was using VAs, Zapier, Basecamp, Front (a group inbox thing for $70/mo... I'm sure it's more now)....
I love this message. ''There are risks in all this, yes, but social media has done a great job telling us to take less risks'' so true!
I took the day off and went into the city yesterday, making a round through my old hood and regular haunts. One such, the Detroit Institute of Arts, ostensibly my undergrad classroom.
I needed some time with the modern greats, and the word that kept screaming at me, solidly, was RISK. Those mf’ers took crazy, out of the ether risks. And seemingly without fear.
I needed the example yesterday, and it’ll keep feeding me if I commit to it. Your point—exactly right. Nothing good ever came from compliance.
I encourage artists to write an "Anti-Art World Resume" that includes all the stuff that usually gets cut from a resume, like how many pieces of art they created then threw in the trash, how many YouTube videos they watched to learn a technique, how many exhibitions they visited... There are so many rules to break! Taking risks is part of the artist's DNA but we often forget it.
oooh, love that
I'm signing up for the risk! "What about turning your portfolio into a zine ..." I use Instagram as a creative portfolio and journal of sorts, like so many of us do. But over the past few weeks you've nudged my mind into a far better space: Make art and send it to people.
You reminded me to connect with my community instead of only depositing my ideas in a digital landfill. You've become that voice in my life that reminds me to do the things I already believe in. Thanks for your ideas, guidance, and support.
You are so welcome Reinhard! Have you sent your art to anybody in the last week? I'd love to hear how it went!
I did! I transformed something that only lived in my sketchbook into a fun zine about monster movies and have been handing them out to friends. Seeing someone page through your work, really taking it in and engaging with it, is an unmatched experience.
ooooh, that sounds so great! Taking something that you already had and it re-working it... love it!
I love this message! Congrats on getting off google and downgrading Apple storage. That’s a huge win. Leaning back into my website because of you!
I'm trying haha! How is the website work coming along?
It’s going great! It’s felt like reclaiming parts of myself. I’m taking old articles and interviews and backlogging them at the moment. Currently doing the opposite with social media. So it feels like a reminder of the positive side of all of this.
YESSSS building that archive. I love it!
It has felt SO good to do!
And boom! Just the nudge I needed to hit send on submissions to some literary mags I revere. Whether or not I get published, I took the chance. Thank you for being the voice of courage, relentlessly.
Yesssss! 50/50 chance with each of them! Yes or no! Either way, life rolls on and you keep making stuff and being you!
Great post Seth. I like that you're here keeping me grounded when I feel like I need 4 more subscription services to "automate" my business when in reality simplicity is the route best for me and my clients!
Oh, I wouldn't know anything about that!!! Not me! My goodness, I was using VAs, Zapier, Basecamp, Front (a group inbox thing for $70/mo... I'm sure it's more now)....
😂
This is the pep talk we all need today, thank you Seth!
So happy to provide!
I'm totally taking the podcast on cassette idea. <3
TAKE IT!!!!
More solid advice, thank you, Seth.
Nolan - sorry I missed this comment! Thank you so much. Onward to the good stuff!
Great ideas in this post!
Thank you, friend!!!!! Let’s hang soon!
I finally emerged from an evil month-long winter illness, so yes, let's!
Love this. My 30-year career as a professional musician, literally began by busking downtown.
Totally! And how else with the "weirdos" find you if you're cosplaying as the normal, business as usual folks!?!