I get asked all the time if I get creative block, and what my strategies are for beating it.

First, just accept that staying creative is not easy, and it gets harder the older you get. I haven't really noticed it or accepted it until recently, but there indeed seems to be a trend. I met a woman recently who used to paint amazing realistic portraits in her youth. She's in her 60s now, and doesn't do it anymore. When I asked what happened that made her stop, she just shrugged and said, "life".

Some of us get bored and change lanes. Some of us allow the mundane to overcome the creative. And some of us, sadly, just get tired. If you're still cranking out paintings at age 60 at the same speed and quality as when you were 20, you're a rare creative genius.

My creative block comes not from lack of ideas but from the fact that sometimes none of my ideas speak to me or feel special. They don't feel worth it. And every time I go through an artist's block a part of me is scared witless that this is it, this is the end of the road, the muse is gone, never to return.

But the good news is, most times there are ways to summon the finicky byotch right back out of hiding. I don't believe there's any one "formula" for beating creative block, since we're all unique individuals who respond to different stimuli. I'll just list what helps me, and maybe it'll resonate with some of you.

- Look at other people's art. I think this one is universal. Whatever method you choose, whether it's browsing DA or opening an art book or visiting a museum, looking at art is inspirational.

- Look at your own old art. I sometimes find stuff I forgot I'd done, and old ideas become new, only better.

- Don't force it. For me it's a sure way to make things worse. You may just be stressed/tired/distracted and need a break.

- Do something else creative that doesn't have to do with art. For me it's writing.

- Enjoy silence. I know a lot of people like to listen to music to get inspired, but it does the opposite for me. It commands my attention so completely that I can't think about anything else.

-  Go shopping for art supplies. Or go shopping for something else. Or just go for a walk. Point is, don't just sit on your couch and wait for your muse to return. It'll only depress you. Get out there, change your surroundings. I once heard someone say they liked to just board an Amtrak train and go wherever their fancy took them. I doubt most of us can afford it, but it's a great idea.

- Do some sketching/doodling. Doodle whatever you want. Draw fan art. Do collage. And don't worry about being perfect.

- Waste some time. Seriously. Surf the web, play a videogame, whatever. In the immortal words of John Lennon, "the time you enjoy wasting is not wasted."

- Do something that makes you laugh. It's true what they say about laughter being the best medicine. I like to look at those silly Rage comics memes.

- Look for reference. Sometimes all it takes is a single photo to get the creative juices flowing. My drawing High Water ([link]) was born that way.

- Do something mundane and boring. Do the dishes, wash the car, go grocery shopping.

- Cook yummy food. It's cathartic.

- Do a puzzle or build stuff out of legos. You don't have to be a kid to enjoy kids' stuff.

- Take a long shower. Seriously, you think different in the shower.

- Work out. Run, pump iron, go for a bike ride, whatever your poison of choice is. I do dance aerobics.

- Curl up with a cup of tea (or coffee) and a good book.

- This doesn't apply to everyone but if you frame your own work, do some mat-cutting. It relaxes me.

- Broaden your interests. The more diverse your interests are the most sources of inspiration you'll have.

- Try a new medium or do some crafts. I like to do scrapbooking and sculpting. I used to paint miniatures but it hurts my eyes these days.

I'm sure I've missed some, but those are the strategies that work best for me.

Feel free to share yours!




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Yes, I get it. It's April's Fools. Haha.

I expected DA to pull something, but what are they trying to do here, lower visiting numbers to 10? Couldn't they do something that isn't, I don't know, so annoying I want to throw something at my screen?

Julie Dillon puts it best: [link]

Seriously, stop it. It's not cute, it's not funny, it's annoying, unprofessional, and downright childish.




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Woke up today to my second DD:





I'll do my best to answer all the comments, but for now, a huge THANK YOU to everyone for their support, and to and for suggesting the drawing! You guys really made my day!


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More unique, awesome art for you guys to drool over:

Book art by Emma Lloyd ([link]):



Eggshells and other ordinary stuff turned into art by Kyle Bean ([link]):



Matchstick marvels by Patrick Acton ([link]):



Various objects assembled into portraits by Zac Freeman ([link]):



Typewriter art by Keira Rathbone ([link]):



Driftwood art by Heather Jansch ([link]):



Amazing body art by Craig Tracy ([link]):





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A number of my ACEOs are up for auction on eBay:

[link]

The auction is going on until January 28th.




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Wanted to share with you guys some of the a-ma-zing art I've stumbled upon in my travels through teh Internets. There is so much creativity in this world that sometimes I think my brain might explode from the sheer amount and level of awesomeness. Looking at these works makes me feel like an unworthy microbe. It also makes me feel that we, as the human race, are not completely doomed after all.

Some of these you've probably seen before. If not... prepare to have your mind blown.

Take this, for example:



Still life photograph, you say? An ultra-realistic painting? Nope! It is, in fact, a wooden sculpture carved and hand-painted by artist  Randall Rosenthal ([link]).



More awesomeness:

Underwater sculptures by Jason deCaires Taylor ([link]):



3D street art by Kurt Wenner ([link]):



Toilet tube paper art by Anastasia Elias ([link]):



Murals by Eric Grohe ([link]):



Crayon carvings by Diem Chau ([link]):



Cardboard sculpture by Ana Serrano ([link]):



Paper art by Yulia Brodskaya ([link]):




Stay tuned for more awesomeness.







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Wishing all my watchers, visitors, and friends a fantastic New Year!
Stay happy, stay healthy, stay creative!




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As promised, here are more of my ancient paintings found during my Mom's move. (Thanks for the kind wishes in regards to that, by the way... It went well!)

Even though they're quite beat up, these are in a better shape than the previous two. I'm getting a kick out of these. I can barely even remember painting them. I think I was into the work of Tim White big time, because these look like I was trying to mimic his style. According to caption on the back, the godawful pink monster is called a "hedgecrab". I believe he was part of an "alien fauna" type encyclopedia I was putting together back then.

These are all oils on cardboard, circa 1990-1992:

















And here are some sketches piled up together, from the same time:





Hope you enjoyed! I promise, no more fossils!



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My Mom was moving and found a bunch of my old paintings. So old I can't even remember doing them!

Most were in pretty bad shape because they were done good 20-25 years ago with oils on unprimed cardboard, and there was some damage from the humidity.

I got a kick out of it, and I thought maybe you guys will, too.









P.S.: Lots of and thanks to all my watchers, old and new!



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Hello to all you wonderful peeps!

I know I haven't been very active here in the last... holy crap... 3,5 months. No, I haven't contracted a deadly virus, or been abducted by aliens, or lost my right hand in a fruit slicing accident, or quit making art to become a full-time burlesque dancer. And no, I'm not running for president next year, either.

I decided to make this summer the Take-It-Easy season. I'm still doing art shows and commissioned work (hey, I've got to eat), but other than that, I stopped obsessing over my many unfinished works that at some point stopped being exciting, and moved on. The world isn't going to come to an end if I don't finish them next month, or next year, or, frankly, ever.

Strangely, I've been reading an increased number of journals on here that describe in eerie detail exactly what I've been going through: artist gets this awesome idea, artist spends sleepless nights planning and sketching, artist finally puts project down on paper, artist works on project for a couple of days... and totally loses interest. I don't know, maybe it's the season (it's been hot here, and heat is a creativity-killing, four-letter word in my book).

So what have I been up to? I've been sketching. Like, a lot. Like, every day. I've splurged on a moleskine and made myself a promise to fill it cover to cover by Christmas. So far I've been doing good on that promise. I won't subject you to all of my doodles, but I'll subject you to some, since people have asked to see more sketches... I've also been writing, and working with my editor on my book. It's slow going, and I'm afraid I may have to postpone the release until later next year. Oh well, c'est la vie.

I'm also getting ready to go on a cruise at the end of the month - really, my first major vacation in ten years. It's also the first time in more than ten years than my family is getting together with our two best friends' families. I'm not much of an eager traveler or a beach bum, but I'm looking forward to it, especially the part where I'll get to make out with dolphins.

So there you have it. I thank everyone who's faved my work, commented, noted, and added me to their watch list in these past few months. It means a lot to me, and never fails to put a smile on my face.



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FEATURES OF THE MOMENT!

This entry's theme is...

...CITIES real and imaged.






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I hate the word “elite”, and I hate everything that it represents.

All those who think themselves “elite”, are nothing more than sad, scared little children obsessed with being better than everyone else because... Well, because deep down, they know they are not.

That'll be all. Feeling like indulging in brevity today.


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FEATURES OF THE MOMENT...

drumroll...

...STEAMPUNK!

'Cause it's all kinds of awesome. Give these peeps some love. They deserve it!

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This is well worth 9 minutes of your life:

[link]

Happy spring!

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FEATURES OF THE MOMENT...

drumroll...

...STEAMPUNK!

'Cause it's all kinds of awesome. Give these peeps some love. They deserve it!

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Reality is hitting me in the face: I simply cannot maintain a personal Facebook account anymore. I don't even know 90% of the people sending me friend invites and other invites I don't even have a clue about.

I'm deleting my account and creating a page instead. If you were my friend on FB, like me here: [link]


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Art & CSS by *MJWilliam

Something I came across that seemed interesting enough to share.

Unlike other forms of art, viewing a piece of art doesn't require a certain timeframe. You decide how long you'll look at it.

This little study certainly puts things into perspective:

[link]

In other news, I'm working on a bunch of stuff which, unfortunately, is taking me forever due to the fact that there is only 24 hours in a day.

To be continued...


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Art & CSS by *MJWilliam

As promised two entries back, here's what I've been working on:



This is the first draft of my first novel, part one of a trilogy. As much as I don't want to release it in three parts, I doubt anyone would want to read a 2000-page book by an unknown author. So part one is now with an editor, and I'm working on the cover art (the cover you see in the photo is a dummy... it's actually the sketch I did for one of my Varda Chronicles pieces). I am hoping all goes as planned, and I can release the book this year.

I owe a great deal of thanks for this to Stephen King's On Writing. I got this book as a Christmas gift, and thought, “what the heck, it's short enough, I think I'll read it now”. I thought the book would discourage me – I've always felt awed and humbled by King's talent, and inadequate about my own ability. But the book actually ended up giving me that one final push I needed to get my own writing off the ground. Every paragraph in it was a revelation of sorts. “The road to hell is paved with adverbs.” OMG, absolutely! (Pun intended). “If there's no joy in it, it's just not good.” Tell me about it! “Even when no one is listening (or reading, or watching), every outing is a bravura performance, because you as the creator are happy”. Ain't that true! “Do you really need someone to make you a paper badge with the word WRITER on it before you can believe you are one?” Sing it, brotha! “Good writing is often about letting go of fear and affectation.” I'm guilty of both! And it wasn't until I picked up this little gem of a book that I was set free of both. There are so many other things that ring true in it... Well, practically everything. If you are in even the slightest way interested in writing, go get this book this minute, read it, and heed every word.

I don't know, maybe it was a coincidence that I just happened to receive this book as a gift. Maybe it was just a coincidence that I decided to read it. Maybe it was just a coincidence that about a month before I got it, I had been cleaning out my desk drawer and come across my manuscript, buried deep under all the other junk, and had thought, “Oh hai. I should really do something with you, shouldn't I? Eh, maybe later...” But the longer I live the more I'm convinced that things don't just happen, they happen for a reason. Since I was a little kid I wanted to do it all – draw, paint, write stories, craft things, make photos, play the piano, cook, compose music, dance... The list goes on and on. So far I've done all of it (save for making movies and digging up dinosaur bones). Writing, however, was never one of those “maybe I should try it, see how it goes” things. I've been walking around with stories in my head since I was 7 years old. I didn't start doing it because I wanted to try it out, I started doing it because I couldn't not do it. And now I want to finish it, not because I want to get rich or famous, but because there is this huge question hanging in the air before me: “If you aren't planning to ever finish it, then what's the point?” Because I want to one day be able to hold my book in my hands and say, “I did this. It may not be a great literally work, for all I know, but I put my heart and soul into it, and I never gave up on it, and here it is.”

I've come to realize a lot of things in the past few months, and one of them is that doing the things you love doesn't have to come with a label, or with 24/7 commitment. By definition, if that were true, it would mean you can only be good at one thing (only 24 hours in a day, after all), and should only concentrate on one thing, because if you can't commit to it 100% you shouldn't be doing it in the first place. I reject such a notion. What a way to suck joy and creativity out of life! I get people writing to me saying how discouraged they feel about their art, and that they'll never be good at it, and that they'll never be "real artists". Well, I'll be damned, what IS a "real artist"? No such thing. If you believe you are, then you are. Quit feeling sorry for yourself and do what makes you happy, and who cares if you're not the next Michelangelo. It's about time I took my own advice...

Updates to follow. Enjoy the features.

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Art & CSS by *MJWilliam

...the gods themselves struggle in vain."

Bear with me on this, kids. This is astounding in its absurdity, at least I feel it is.

So I get an e-mail the other day. It's from a fan, and it's full of glowing compliments, exclamation marks and wows and oohs and aahs. She says she saw a print of mine someplace, and wants to know if there is an original. I say yes, there is, an original and prints. She writes back, saying:

"I am a Person who is on Social Security and cannot afford your Original......I wish I could, you are really a Great painter!! What is The actual size of the Original......and how many have you sold???"

No m'am, I tell her, the original means there's only one copy in existence. If you cannot afford the original you can always buy a print.

"I was hoping to hear from you today about downloading a copy Of your Original Picture at 600 or 1200 DPI.....or sending me a copy On a DVD!! I hope you would be kind enough to sign the copy For me.....it would be for my own personal use and not for Resale!!!"

*Beep! Beep! Red flag going up!* Um, no m'am, I'm afraid I can't do that.

"Would you mind sending me an 8 X 10 Copy of the Limited Edition Print so that I can see what it looks like?

*Yep. Definitely a big-ass red flag.* Sorry, can't do. But I can provide references from past buyers who can attest to the quality of my prints, if you'd like.

Then tell me what it is Printed ON??

I give her a link with the info on my prints.

"I really don't know what you mean by Limited Edition And Open Edition??    Is this a type of Photographic Paper?? I prefer my photos printed on Epson High Quality Photographic Paper about 45 Lb Weight and High Gloss.....I don't care for Matt Paper!! It may Also print a better Quality Photo if you use Printer Profiles based on the type of Paper you use!!"

The red flag is bigger than ever, but I'm kind of amused, so I keep rolling with it. I tell her about print runs and how many I have left of that particular piece.

"So.....you made 50 Paintings Of the Original and have 30 Left......is this Correct??? You are Also selling each for $800.00......is this correct??? What Year Did you paint the first?? May I ask who Is the Owner of the Original # 1?? If it becomes Worth $5,000,000.00 in 100 years.....then what are the other 49 Worth??"

I tell her we were speaking about prints, not originals. The original is one, uno, unique. The prints come in copies. As for the copyright owner, that would be me. When you buy a painting or a print you aren't buying any rights.

"So the Person who bought the painting "Finding Moses" by Alma Tadema for almost $36,000,000.00 has no right to Reproduce it!!! I say you are dead Wrong!!!!! In other words if I gave you $800.00 for your Original painting you could continue selling Duplicates or Copies.....but I could not??     Once I buy the Painting it is mine To do with as I please......your Rights are gone Forever!!! Check it out!!!"

At this point my red flag is the size of Siberia, and I'm ROFLing, I'm shaking my head, I'm fuming, all at the same time. I tell her (still politely, even though I'm itching to embark on my usual sarcastic/bitchy rampage) that Alma Tadema created "The Finding Of Moses" in the 1600s, before the copyright laws existed. I also send her a link to the U.S. Copyright Office that details what copyright is, and how it works.

These are some of the "pearls" I got in return (the whole thing is way too long and badly written, so I won't subject you to it):

"C'mon......do you know how dumb that sounds??? You are saying that I would not have the Right to make copies of a Painting I own.....but you would have the right Because you retained the Copyright. If you sell that painting you Should no longer have a legal claim to anything I would do with the Painting!!!!! Neither should you have any rights to sell any Copies without my Permission!!! Why would you want to Retain the Copyright to a Painting You NO Longer Own"?? IF someday should decide to Reproduce it and sell it Why would you care??? If you are that Greedy why not Just KEEP IT??"

"I would never buy anything While someone else held the Rights!!! That would be treating me Unfairly!!! Why would you want to hold onto the Rights.....and Sell all the copies you wanted, and deny me any rights after buying It from you?? Although it would not be my intentions to do so, I Do not want any Restrictions. I could never do that to someone! Yours is an act of Greed......as the old saying goes "YOU WANT YOUR CAKE AND EAT IT TOO"!!!!

"Think about this......sell me the Original Painting for $200.00......and give Me a letter on your Company Letter Head that it is The Original Painting And sign it before a Notary Public with their name and seal and then start Painting copies and selling them as the Original......and see what I can do to You in Court!!

I shit you not. I've no idea what caused her to arrive to this particular conclusion, but I thought it was a nice piece of projection on her part.

There are ignorant people out there. You know, the kind of people who steal your work and then say, “oh, but I didn't know I couldn't!” These are pathetic. And then there are ignorant people who think they know everything, and are in the right. The “yeah, I sold your work, who says I can't, you're a greedy jerk for saying I can't!”. These are not just pathetic but dangerous. I now believe that this woman was hoping to get a hi-res file of my work with the intention of printing and selling it. Not for a moment do I believe that "I'm a poor senior" crap. It's just too bad that her intentions were about as subtle and a car crash, and her utter stupidity (and a short fuse) got in the way and made those intentions crystal clear in the end.

Therefore, if you ever receive an e-mail from someone named Bobby with a comcast.net address who's on Social security and thinks you're the bestest artist in the whole wide world, run like hell. Just some friendly artist-to-artist advice.

P.S. I contemplated posting her complete e-mail address, but I don't want people reading this and flaming her. That's not why I wrote this.

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Art & CSS by *MJWilliam