Thanks for this video. As a lifelong (but unprofessional) artist, I've struggled with motivation for some time. I need to rethink my approach so I can learn to love drawing again.
to draw, not to please, but simply for the sake of it to be, without running through the usual tick boxes; to let happen what comes natural, and not necessarily what is desired for the most complex are born from simplest of seeds, seek not the sophistications; instead , the simplicities, which permeate in all directions
this is so me, it became part of my personality always pushing, always striving for more (whatever this means). I also learned the hard way that this wasn't a healthy behaviour on the cost of my mental health so I figured its better to take a step back from time to time and allow myself to relax and just do nothing. To everyone who's reading this: time for yourself or time to relax isn't smth you have to earn! Thanks for the video Steven, it's good to get remembered every now and then
Friend i heard about you on reddit because my craft was feeling like work. I'm (but not limited to) a beadwork artist. You illuminated the fact that i have felt like I'm behind, I'm late, i should have gotten more done on this project by now, whatever that means. I'm suprised I've been sucking the joy out of putting these tiny beads together into something pretty like i have. I think I'll just put a few beads on today and see what that's like.
Hi Steven! I came across with one of your videos and it is been a long time since. I completely forgot I was one of your subscribers and searched "pencil drawing from imagination" to find you again, haha. Thank you so much for this video, your beautiful words helped me (a young artist or at least someone trying to be one) a lot. I lost my motivation due to ezamination system in my country. You reminded me a LOT, such as why I started to make art at the first place. And that "bank account" thing was relatable as hell too. I appriciate your effort, this helped me so much. So just wanted to thank you!
I think I’m aware that I’ve been trying to perform in evrything I did in my life to please my unpleasable father. Decided to do art school at 37yo (1y ago) thanks to a lot of therapy. Aka « getting to know myself » Beautiful milestone in my life ! I still don’t know why I do this exactly, I just want to create and I’m struggling with that « just create » (indeed 😄) Finding my joy in drawing is like searching the locks for my keys in a pitch black unknown mansion. Sometimes, it happens. And it must be linked to this child in me who struggles to have fun because « you got to be first in school » I’m just going to keep drawing and going to therapy, it’s allright because all this process has given me a kind of faith that it’s worth it.
you start off with goals and then you anxiously work to achieve them, but then once those goals are either achieved or you realize they were unrealistic to begin with you need to find out what really motivates you about art. its not to say goals are bad, just that they must really align with the practical creation of art, not some other thing like getting some to some level of status. bad fuel can start the engine i guess but doesn't work forever.
hm this is a tangential thought but watching this anime called "Bartender: Glass of God", the title character talked about how his relationship to the person he is creating a drink for is kind of a like a therapist. although that is not quite the same as how you're describing the interaction between a viewer and your artwork, there is a little bit of that intimacy or maybe a sense of authenticity in the interaction. I've been thinking a lot about authenticity between people and maybe art could be a kind of a medium for that...
I have been thinking about what drives me to make art as well, and quite quickly I found out espaciam was the answer. My life wasn't easy and pain, physical and emotional, accumulation over the years and nearly made me go extinct. I have survived my own little dark age, though corrupted. The things that happened back then still haunt me to this day and impact my current life decisions immensely. Now I am in a tough spot where I probably should start making money, though as of now, it seems difficult to actually get on track. My engineering degree? Worthless. Mu current degree in linguistics? Will probably be dropped. My art? Not there yet. Currently, I feel like my drawing tablet yearna for me like whispers coming from the abyss. They lure me and force me to spend time with it, even though by sitting down with seemingly positive intentions, they amplify just my bad emotions. I try to work next to uni, everyday, (or at least try to) and during holidays. I am terminally online and have been since years, and honestly, I have no clue what I would do in life if my access to a computer was compromised. I just can't catch a break.
My friend, it sounds as though you stand before a great precipice, but you're afraid to cross that threshold. That's understandable. But when you do decide to turn off your computer and be off-line for a while you'll regret not having done it sooner. Perhaps you need a break from drawing while you figure it all out.
Thank you for sharing these insights, Steven. But be cautious with the non-self teachings. Without a solid foundation in calmness of mind and virtue of heart, this is an advanced topic that tends to stir up existential anxieties and doubts in individuals who have yet to deal wisely with their existing hindrances.
A minute into the video and I get the feeling I should think about motivation a bit myself. Thanks for the push
Thanks for this video. As a lifelong (but unprofessional) artist, I've struggled with motivation for some time. I need to rethink my approach so I can learn to love drawing again.
to draw, not to please, but simply for the sake of it
to be, without running through the usual tick boxes; to let happen what comes natural, and not necessarily what is desired
for the most complex are born from simplest of seeds, seek not the sophistications; instead , the simplicities, which permeate in all directions
Is this a quote from someone?
nope; just a personal reflection on art and life
this is so me, it became part of my personality always pushing, always striving for more (whatever this means). I also learned the hard way that this wasn't a healthy behaviour on the cost of my mental health so I figured its better to take a step back from time to time and allow myself to relax and just do nothing. To everyone who's reading this: time for yourself or time to relax isn't smth you have to earn! Thanks for the video Steven, it's good to get remembered every now and then
Friend i heard about you on reddit because my craft was feeling like work. I'm (but not limited to) a beadwork artist. You illuminated the fact that i have felt like I'm behind, I'm late, i should have gotten more done on this project by now, whatever that means. I'm suprised I've been sucking the joy out of putting these tiny beads together into something pretty like i have. I think I'll just put a few beads on today and see what that's like.
just wow, so so so much to think about from this video. I have a lot of respect for you.
Hi Steven! I came across with one of your videos and it is been a long time since. I completely forgot I was one of your subscribers and searched "pencil drawing from imagination" to find you again, haha. Thank you so much for this video, your beautiful words helped me (a young artist or at least someone trying to be one) a lot. I lost my motivation due to ezamination system in my country. You reminded me a LOT, such as why I started to make art at the first place. And that "bank account" thing was relatable as hell too. I appriciate your effort, this helped me so much. So just wanted to thank you!
This way of thinking about drawing has me throwing ass fr
Thank you very much, spot on as always!
I get an Allan Watts feeling from Steven and I'm here for it. Thanks for these videos.
8:15 😭 (*takes deep breath and watches the rest of video)
Thank you Steven.
I think I’m aware that I’ve been trying to perform in evrything I did in my life to please my unpleasable father.
Decided to do art school at 37yo (1y ago) thanks to a lot of therapy. Aka « getting to know myself » Beautiful milestone in my life !
I still don’t know why I do this exactly, I just want to create and I’m struggling with that « just create » (indeed 😄) Finding my joy in drawing is like searching the locks for my keys in a pitch black unknown mansion. Sometimes, it happens. And it must be linked to this child in me who struggles to have fun because « you got to be first in school »
I’m just going to keep drawing and going to therapy, it’s allright because all this process has given me a kind of faith that it’s worth it.
you start off with goals and then you anxiously work to achieve them, but then once those goals are either achieved or you realize they were unrealistic to begin with you need to find out what really motivates you about art. its not to say goals are bad, just that they must really align with the practical creation of art, not some other thing like getting some to some level of status. bad fuel can start the engine i guess but doesn't work forever.
hm this is a tangential thought but watching this anime called "Bartender: Glass of God", the title character talked about how his relationship to the person he is creating a drink for is kind of a like a therapist. although that is not quite the same as how you're describing the interaction between a viewer and your artwork, there is a little bit of that intimacy or maybe a sense of authenticity in the interaction. I've been thinking a lot about authenticity between people and maybe art could be a kind of a medium for that...
thankyou steven
I have been thinking about what drives me to make art as well, and quite quickly I found out espaciam was the answer. My life wasn't easy and pain, physical and emotional, accumulation over the years and nearly made me go extinct. I have survived my own little dark age, though corrupted. The things that happened back then still haunt me to this day and impact my current life decisions immensely. Now I am in a tough spot where I probably should start making money, though as of now, it seems difficult to actually get on track. My engineering degree? Worthless. Mu current degree in linguistics? Will probably be dropped. My art? Not there yet.
Currently, I feel like my drawing tablet yearna for me like whispers coming from the abyss. They lure me and force me to spend time with it, even though by sitting down with seemingly positive intentions, they amplify just my bad emotions. I try to work next to uni, everyday, (or at least try to) and during holidays.
I am terminally online and have been since years, and honestly, I have no clue what I would do in life if my access to a computer was compromised. I just can't catch a break.
My friend, it sounds as though you stand before a great precipice, but you're afraid to cross that threshold. That's understandable. But when you do decide to turn off your computer and be off-line for a while you'll regret not having done it sooner. Perhaps you need a break from drawing while you figure it all out.
Steven had a Nico Robin timeskip
Nice
Thank you for sharing these insights, Steven. But be cautious with the non-self teachings. Without a solid foundation in calmness of mind and virtue of heart, this is an advanced topic that tends to stir up existential anxieties and doubts in individuals who have yet to deal wisely with their existing hindrances.
Why are your hands so nice Steven? Mine are so crusty..
You sound like Jake the dog more and more everyday 😢
✌️✌️
:)