In this episode of Deep Natter, Sean and I are continuing a previous discussion about finding our why around the things we make. Sometimes, it’s easy to lose our way and we end up needing to make a few tweaks or…
In this episode of Deep Natter, one of Sean’s Instagram accounts got hacked, which has us talking about to what degree we’re comfortable relying on social media platforms as the main place to share our work and connect with an…
This is actually episode 10.5 or “10 Take Two” of Deep Natter, since we had a little bit of a power outage situation and had to record this week’s show a second time. It actually worked out for the best…
The other day I was on the phone with Bill Wadman and it didn’t take long before Bill asked “wait, should we be rolling tape on this?” When you’ve recorded 1000 or so hours with someone, the answer is usually…
In this episode of Deep Natter, Sean Tucker and I are talking about perfection. They say that practice makes perfect, but I think as makers, deep down most of us know that perfect really doesn’t exist. Good? Sure. Great? Maybe,…
One of the hardest things about being an artist — beyond the actual making of the art — is deciding how to value the work we make. For many of us — and I’m putting myself squarely in the middle…
If you’re listening to this show, or any of my shows really, chances are you are a maker of some sort. And if you are, I bet on at least a few occasions over the past several months, you’ve had…
I spend a lot of time thinking about materials and objects as they relate to art and art making and I spend a fair bit of time talking about it with Jon. In this conversation, we’re talking about some of…
If you’ve listened to any of my shows before, you know that I spend a fair bit of time talking about creativity, both in the literal and in the abstract. I’m fascinated by how and why we create. Why for…
At the end of May, I decided to take a break from social media so I could focus on making without the constant background noise that seemed to be sucking the life out the urge to create anything. It was…
Last week, I decided to take a much needed break from social media. There’s just too much going on in the world that pulls my focus away from the areas of my life that really warrant – and frankly need…
Back in January, I came across a terrific piece of writing by author Paul Jarvis. One part of it in particular really spoke to some of the things I’ve wrestled with over the years — loving what you do, following…
I have a question for you, and the answer depends at least partly on the primary perspective you take – either as an audience member or a maker — when you think about how to answer. It centers around effort…
“Because I had really poor depth perception, everything in my world flattened into two dimensions. I struggle to incorporate depth into my work because that’s not how I engage with what I see.” — Jo Mackby If you listen to…
The tormented artist. You’ve heard the term — hell you may even be one yourself. I know I was. For years, I was absolutely convinced that if my art wasn’t the albatross around my neck, that I was somehow unworthy…
Adrianne and I were in the car the other day — I don’t remember where we were going but I do remember that we were listening to Classic Vinyl on XM because we both really dig Meg Griffin. The Low…
Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about art – specifically, what really counts as art? Is the art the thing that we make? Or, is in the doing? The making itself. Or is art in the reaction to work —…
Let’s talk about inspiration-specifically what to do when you can’t seem to find any. Generally, there seems to be two schools of thought around it. In one camp are those who more or less wait for inspiration to strike, which…
One of the struggles in making, regardless of what it is that you make is the tendency to compare ourselves to the artists who inspire us. But what do you do when the work you produce isn’t even close to…
The other day, a friend of mine sent me a text message asking why I haven’t set up a Patreon for my podcasts. “Why would I do that?” I asked. “Asks the person who has wondered how he can get…
Last week, we were in New Hampshire celebrating Christmas with family. Now, I’ve got to tell you that I love handmade gifts and this year my eleven-year-old niece Anya made me a gift that I absolutely love. It’s a canvas…