187. Work/Not-Work at the Cafe
some tasks I tricked myself into completing this week
Dear reader,
This week I went out to get work done. I needed to complete some big tasks before travelling (this Friday onwards). In an outside environment, I figured, I might focus better. Every time my attention dropped, which it does often, I could simply … draw?
In today’s post, some good results.
The SneakyArt Post is a weekly publication about secretly drawn art of the world. I share my latest drawings, and the best ideas from my journey of self-education to be an artist and writer.
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Big Task #1
I am wrapping up edits on Episode 58 of the SneakyArt Podcast. Below, an insightful quote:
And I think we are also super casual about [making art] as a species. Kids are trained to appreciate art, but then something gets lost along the way in understanding basically how important art is to our survival as a species. I think it is one of the most important things that human beings do.
And in the book, I talk about, um, human magic coz I think that it actually is magic. We're super, super casual about that. That there are people who make things out of nothing…
I thought of art in a very different way when I was an art director. And then I started making art almost seven years ago in a regular, dedicated, concerted way. And I realized that even my thinking as an art director I needed to throw out. And what I've come to learn has made me a better art director, it has made me a better collaborator, and it's also made me a better artist.
I let the conversation wash over me while I observed people at the cafe. It was lunchtime. Every table was its own private island.
Episode 58 releases this Friday across all streaming platforms. Meanwhile, catch up with Episode 57, a conversation with John Muir Laws about nature journaling and some good ideas to help pay attention to our natural environment.
Big Task #2
I am nearly done with the book proposal for my next book of SneakyArt. After much procrastination, hand-wringing, and fist-shaking at grey skies, the heavens took pity and sent the work of Courtney Maum to my feed. More specifically, her Domestika course on Book Proposal Writing.
I watched the videos and made notes at 49th Parallel Coffee Roasters on Main St. Whenever my attention dropped, I looked up at the people lining up to order donuts.
I am at the 80% mark and finding Courtney’s course immensely helpful. If you are on a similar journey, I absolutely recommend it. I already had most sections written - SneakyArt Insiders are part of this journey - but something was holding me back. Like I was missing something but did not know what. The course helped me break down the opaque process, and revealed the hidden structure behind a good book proposal.
Dear reader, have you gone through this process of soliciting literary agents? Would you give me some tips and good ideas?
I will begin sending my proposal by the end of this week.
The Workshop this Sunday
Honestly, I find workshops a little overwhelming and exhausting. They drain me of all ‘people-facing’ energy. But after every session, I also appreciate how much a good workshop can impact someone’s life.
This weekend’s Tiny People Drawing Workshop was fantastic. And I realized that … I should do more.
Here is some lovely feedback I received.
Marian (and several others) noted my ideas on developing your own style. In the session, I made this observation about writing vs art:
It is super difficult to write in your own voice and we spend years trying to not write like other people.
It is actually super easy to draw like yourself, but we spend years trying to make art like others.
With every workshop, I liberate participants from this flawed pursuit by helping them find their own lines.
The next workshop is in June. I will announce dates next month. SneakyArt Insiders are always the first to find out, with the chance to grab a limited number of free and discounted seats.
Dear reader, expect another mail from me tomorrow. I have big news to share! (Hint: It’s prints!)
I am glad to have a space in your inbox. Thank you for your time and attention.
That observation about writing vs. art is so true! I’ve had my own writing voice for ages and have come to trust that, and I’m beginning to apply that to my drawing now as well. It’s always good to see that feeling put into words by someone else who has gone through the process.
I’ve been sorry to miss your workshops, so far — just bad timing for me. Your words in this blog and art are so inspiring, can’t imagine how much more inspiring it would be with one of your workshops. Best of luck with your book - can’t wait to see it and buy a copy!