I wrote a whole damn article about the difficulties of using social media as an independent artist in the age of social media. I had examples and highlights of both failures and success stories, from digital to fine art. I even went so far as compiling some metrics to compare time & effort vs income & profit.
Well, I just deleted the whole thing. I’m skipping this week’s long form article, and opting instead, to share a photo of my work that always stops me in my tracks.
The only thing I really want to communicate this week to anybody that’s paying attention, is that you should really just turn off social media, the news, and maybe even just turn your devices off entirely for a while. It’s incredibly good for your mental health, whether you’re an artist or not.
So don’t spend time reading or listening to my shit, or anybody else’s - just go outside and touch grass instead. Read a fucking book. Spend time with another human. Maybe just look at some physical art at a gallery, or museum. All this digital detritus will still be here when you get back later.
Immediacy is dangerous for creative minds. It’s good to have deadlines, but it’s awful to spend your time in fear of missing out on something unrelated to your own needs. And if you don’t know what your needs are outside of engagement online… well more the reason to get the fuck off of this bullshit and go find some meaning in the tangible world.
It’s beautiful out there if you just pay attention to it long enough. Give it some meaning of your own.
❤️❤️