244. Niche-building
sleep training, poop, and youtube live.
Niche (n): a recess in a wall, a sheltered or private space, an employment for which a person is best fitted, a habitat supplying factors necessary for the existence of an organism.
Dear reader,
This week, Rohan was rolling on his play-mat, muttering to himself in a sour mood. We could not figure out what it was. Then it hit us. Right on the nose.
Over the last couple of weeks, some new things have entered Rohan’s life. One is eating solids every day. The actual amount that enters his stomach is perhaps 5% of what he throws on the floor, rubs against his cheeks, plugs into his ears, scatters over his head, and scrunches between his fingers. But he seems to absolutely love it. He is ready to jump out of his high chair as the meal is prepared, and lunges forward to snatch the spoon out of our hands.
The other new thing in his life is sleep-training. He is crying in the other room right now, and we cannot go in until five minutes have passed. Parents, what are your thoughts on this barbaric, cold-hearted practice? Do we really have to go through with it? Is there light at the end of this tunnel?
Sifting through old photos, I found the very first drawing I made of Rohan. I don’t remember sharing it with you.
Check out some more drawings from the hospital that day.
Later today, I am chatting on YouTube Live about my upcoming class at the Wild Wonder Conference next month. Join this session to learn about sketching nature in urban environments, and how a sketchbook helps me better appreciate my world.
It is a 40-50 minute session that goes live at 2pm PT.
During this weekend’s workshop, I had the chance to think about how my art has evolved over the years.
Some years ago, I gave myself the job title of Sneaky Artist. As it turns out, you are allowed to do that sort of thing? I was not very good at it then. My lines were more crude, and many of them were redundant. No one would buy those early drawings.
But line by line, day after day, is how progress happens. Mistakes become ideas and ideas become style. Over time and pages and bottles of ink, the lines have carved for me a cozy, little niche - clients pay me to attend events, to walk about and sit on fancy couches, and draw things, and give them the drawings afterward.
I am happy to oblige.
Progress is evolution. The evolution in my pages suggests to me a subconscious loyalty to my education as a mechanical engineer - I have increased output while reducing input. I use fewer lines now, but the lines say more than they ever did before.
Evolution is progress. Those many, early lines for which I charged $50-100, and the fewer, newer lines for which I charge much more. How does art find its value?
I am thinking about this all the time because it is my work and my business and my busyness. More soon.
Were you in this week’s workshop to Defeat the Blank Page? If so, share your drawings and experience in the SneakyArt chat. There is always a lot to learn from looking at others’ work!
The next workshop is a Drawing Tiny People session, more suitably timed for people living in East Asia and Oceania. Sign up using code [SNEAKYREADER] for your exclusive discount.
🗓️ Saturday, Sep 7
⏰ 4pm - 6pm PT
🎪 People of Vancouver, find me this Saturday at the Watson St Music Festival and Sunday at the Granville Block Party. I will be drawing things and selling limited-edition prints.
📚 Why I Self-Published my First Book and why you should too!
🖋️ How I Started Using a Fountain Pen before I knew how to draw.
📖 Lessons from a Sketchbook Habit for artists and non-artists alike.
🙌🏽 A Job Title I Made up for Myself and why a little audacity is good for health.
Dear reader, thank you for your time and attention. I am so glad to have a space in your inbox.
The SneakyArt Post is a publication of secretly drawn art of the world. Every week, I share the latest pages from my sketchbooks and the best ideas from my journey as an artist and writer.
we sleep-trained - kids are great sleepers and I'm a better-rested parent for it - like everything, it's just a boundary that can help kids feel secure <3
I'm wondering what the baby learns from sleep training. Is it that - crying is useless, and I might as well give up? Or is it, that these guys will come get me in 5 mins, so I should continue regardless? Are human babies really designed to self soothe themselves? I get it, that it's hard for the parents but that's because we were supposed to be doing this with our village - which does not exist anymore. I don't know the alternative, but sleep training sounds harsh to me :(