101 - 5 Reasons to Write Regularly

🎙 a new episode of the podcast + 🎉 sneakyart giveaway!

👋🏼 Hello, readers!

Today, reflections on completing 100 issues of the SneakyArt Post, a new episode of the Podcast, and a SneakyArt giveaway!

5️⃣ Reasons to Write Regularly

When I started this newsletter, I had two goals in mind - to commit to a regular writing practice, and to reach my audience in a more effective way than social media permitted. But in the process of writing 100 issues, I learned many things that I did not expect.

Nishant Jain | SneakyArtist @SneakyArt

I started a newsletter to commit to regular writing. Today, The SneakyArt Post goes out to 1000s of readers who give me a space in their inbox every week. 🙏🏼 Here are 5 ideas I picked up - from writing 100 posts - that run counter to myths surrounding creative work... 🧶

Nishant Jain | SneakyArtist @SneakyArt

1/ **Inspiration comes later** There is a great illusion that creative work needs a spark of inspiration. Build the habit of consistent work, and you will find inspiration - like SneakyArt! - is everywhere.

Nishant Jain | SneakyArtist @SneakyArt

2/ **Regularity breaks down facades** As a product of my generation, I assumed the need to be a *brand* to my audience. But a weekly publishing commitment makes that impossible. We are only human. Embracing vulnerability led to true human connections with my audience.

Nishant Jain | SneakyArtist @SneakyArt

3/ **Be the humsafar, not the guru** ‘Humsafar’ translates to ‘companion on a journey’. See, everyone is on their own trip, man. I see a subscription as a decision to walk with me, for however long they wish. We learn from each other.

Nishant Jain | SneakyArtist @SneakyArt

4/ **‘I write to know what I think’ - Joan Didion** Thoughts are wild things. Writing is the job of catching them out of the air, and polishing until they make sense. Your best ideas are 2nd, 3rd, and 4th iterations of your wild thoughts. Only writing will take you to them.

Nishant Jain | SneakyArtist @SneakyArt

5/ **There is no finding yourself.** You don’t discover the writer or artist in you. You create them, from the raw ingredients of your free subscription to humanity. Actions matter. All else is consolation for fools and the unmotivated.

Do you have a writing practice? I would love to hear your best ideas and experiences from writing regularly.

🎙 Episode 35 - Reconnecting with Don Colley

In this episode, I speak with my good friend Donald Owen Colley, an artist based in Chicago.

Like the previous couple of episodes, this one is also a Second Conversation, i.e. a chance to catch up with guests who have already appeared on the show. I share with Don some new ideas I’ve imbibed from having conversations with so many wonderful guests, and hear his plans and ideas for his work.

Don and I met when I lived in Chicago. We immediately hit it off because we share a deep love for human activity and urban spaces. His work is characterized by a close observation of life and marked by a genuine empathy for other people. He brings sharp observation and a nuanced understanding to both his art and his arguments. I hope you will see that also from the conversation in this episode. Follow Don’s work on Instagram.

Listen to the episode on your choice of streaming service:

Spotify | Apple | PocketCasts | Google | Web | Gaana

🎯 Podcast Updates

I’m recording several new episodes over the next couple of months, and enjoying the process very much. The guest list has now extended far beyond the network of people whose work I knew already. Several upcoming guests this season were recommended to me by listeners, other guests, and SneakyArt Insiders. I am grateful to everyone that introduces me to wonderful artists that do such interesting work, and I love that you feel so deeply about the show.

If there is someone you have been waiting to hear on the show, but I haven’t invited yet, please tell me about them in the comments. I would love to call more people!

If you are a regular listener of the SneakyArt Podcast, I would appreciate a review on Apple Podcasts. I am told ratings are crucial to visibility!

🖋 SneakyArtist in the Wild!

Observe, a SneakyArtist hunched over his sketchbook. Observe his coffee, black, in a special thermos (thanks, Substack!) so it stays warm even when neglected completely. Observe the singular weapon of choice, a fude nib fountain pen. Observe the furrowed brows, and the hint of a Resting Grumpy Face.

I went out to draw today with a new friend in Vancouver. Notice Juan’s drawing of me in the pic above, and check out his work on Instagram.

🖼 SneakyArt Giveaway

Since paid subscriptions launched in September, I have given out 5 copies of my book and 3 fine art prints. But this is the first time I am offering original art!

I am excited to do it. Giving art to people is one of the great joys I have from being an artist. And it is one of the ways that I show my gratitude to the people that support my work.

Here is the giveaway for this month!

Drawn at Kafka’s Coffee Roasting, on Main St, Vancouver.

For a chance to win this one and at least 10 more drawings this year, all you have to do is become an Insider! Right now, I am running an incredible offer on the paid subscription.

This offer expires at midnight on Friday, so grab it before it’s gone!

⏪ Last Issue

100 - Friends on a Sunny Day

Thank you for your time and attention. See you next week. 👋🏼