#20 - Human Reasonings
a new podcast episode and some old thoughts
The rhythm of regular work is quite interesting when you are yourself responsible for keeping the whole thing running. This week, I recorded 2 episodes of the podcast, and fixed plans for two more next week. I have been working through NaNoWriMo to extricate a novel that has been living inside me for 5 years. I don’t write as much as recommended, but I have 20,000+ words so far. Above all else, I enjoy the habit of waking up in the morning and making a beeline for my desk. I like that win early in the morning.
Habits are nice things. But to be sure, even the best can fall apart easily. Every morning of this November, sitting at my desk, I watch my laptop come to life. I open Google Drive and stare at a blank page. Every fiber in my body tells me to shut down the laptop. My mind cries out for a day’s break. I start with one word, one sentence. I complete one paragraph, and again I ask myself why I am doing this. Am I any good at putting this into words? It’s been 5 years and 5 drafts. Why will it work this time?
It takes another couple of paragraphs before I am able to mute this voice to a near-silent buzz. I do not look at my phone, lying face-down on the desk, silent. After a sputter, and some false starts, slowly the words begin to flow. I welcome them onto my page. One word after another. One sentence after another.
And then a new paragraph.
Some are little and some are large. Some do the job so well that I can hardly believe it what me that wrote them. Some of them look like they already don’t belong. But it is not for me to think about that right now. The dreaded word - editing - does not enter my mind. I give myself a single, simple duty - to let one word follow the other, and keep moving forward. I want to get to the end of this thing, this 6th draft of the story for which I quit my PhD program 5 years ago. I have never gotten to the end of it, but this time I have great hopes.
I tell you now, I don’t know how good it will be. But it also does not matter. It is not my business to think about that stuff. There is a quote I have memorized, but which I hesitate to share with others. It sounds pompous and selfish, but in reality it is only self-preservation. It says -
Gods must not engage in theology. The artist must not, by human reasoning, destroy the faith that art requires of us.
I don’t know who said it and don’t care to find out. But it is my compact with myself, for it reminds me every time, every morning of this November, that I cannot let go.
In speaking with guests on my podcast, I have learned many different things. My guests are a diverse group of people in their backgrounds, their education, and even in their reasons for making art. But through these conversations run a few common threads. They tug the creative soul in unique, unexpected directions. If you are sensitive to the threads in your life, you may discover some magic inside you. Curiosity is a thread. Open-mindedness is another thread. Selfishness is a thread too, in as much as the individual refuses to consider the opinions of others. Another thread is courage. Courage is a funny one. It has nothing to do with prowess, ability or talent. Courage is just a person refusing to stop.
I cannot explain it any better. Let’s talk about other things.
Ep 8 - Sketching the World with Luis Simoes
In the latest episode, I speak with traveler and urban-sketcher Luis Simoes about his journey around the world. Luis quit his job as a graphic designer (in his early 30s) to backpack around the world, drawing all the interesting sights he would see. What motivates a salaried, young person to take on a life of less comfort, certain risks and constant instability? Is there really a pot of gold at the end of this rainbow? Or is the goal the journey itself? This conversation became the longest session I have recorded yet, because I had so many questions and he had so many stories.
In the first leg of our conversation, we explore the reasons and inspirations behind taking such a monumental decision. We travel with him on the first legs of his “World Sketching Tour” as he travels from Portugal to Russia, zigzagging across Europe. From there he takes the famous Trans-Siberian Express to Mongolia, China and Hong Kong. He travels down South East Asia and touches upon India in the south. He does not have a list of things to see. His destination is the journey, and every day is an opportunity to discover art in the lives of people he has not met before, in a world he has never seen. After a brief intermission (to recap), we continue to South America and Africa. Since lockdown, Luis has pivoted to focus on his burgeoning global fan base, while exploring different avenues to crowd-fund/independently support his life, his passions and his plans.
Check out Luis’ amazing work on Instagram or visit his website to see his amazing sketchbooks.
Listen to our conversation using your choice of service below:
Spotify | Apple | Website | Pocketcast | Gaana | JioSaavn
In the movie “Born to be Blue”, Ethan Hawke plays the great jazz trumpeter Chet Baker. Battling adversity and addiction, the musician looks into the mirror in the dressing room before a show, and addresses his demons. He says -
Buy me a coffee!
With this episode, I also introduce a way for listeners to support me.
If you enjoy my work, and would like to support it, you can now do so by simply buying me a cup of coffee. Your endorsement will help me continue to work as an independent artist, writer and podcaster.
Prints
I added a new listing to my Etsy store - an assorted pack of SneakyArt prints of Chicago. Think of it as a surprise package, whether for yourself or as a gift for someone else. It has a mix of prints of different sizes, handpicked by me. Some feature the people, others the fantastic architecture and public amenities of this great city. Click here to learn more!
Stay safe, and let’s talk again next week.
A short note to say how much I enjoy your posts and your podcasts. I look forward to your podcasts. You speak to some inspiring people and it is so interesting to hear their stories. Thank you!