Author’s note: Due to a continuing problem with my computer, I may not be able to add pictures for a few days, but that doesn’t mean I haven’t been drawing them. I’ll add them as soon as I either solve the problem or find a workaround.
The Muse: Wow, you sure have a lot of art supplies.
Me: Yeah, I know.
The Muse: Are you using them?
Me: Not all of them, no.
The Muse: Which ones are you using?
Me: The dollar-ninety-nine sketchbook, the Pilot G2 ink pens, and the Faber-Castell artist pens.
The Muse: Why them?
Me: I like them. I like the way they look and the way they feel and the stuff I create when I use them.
The Muse: What about the vellum?
Me: Haven’t tried it yet.
The Muse: Why did you buy it?
Me: I heard some guy recommend it – highly recommend it, in fact.
The Muse: But you’re still using the dollar-ninety-nine sketch book.
Me: Yes, but not as much as I’d like to.
The Muse: Why not?
Me: I keep thinking I should be using all the other stuff. I mean, after all, I paid money for it.
The Muse: I see. So, instead of creating something with the things you like using, you spend your time feeling guilty for not creating with the things you don’t.
Me: Pretty much.
The Muse: May I make a suggestion?
Me: Shoot.
The Muse: Pack it all up.
Me: Huh?
The Muse: Pack it all up. Everything.
The gloss, the glue, the tissue paper.
The canvas, the vellum, the acrylic, watercolor, and mixed-media paper.
The paints, the brushes, the pencils, and pastels.
Pack it all up.
All of it.
In a box.
Today.
Right now.
All of it except for, of course, the dollar-ninety-nine sketch pads, the Pilot G-2′s, and the Faber-Castell’s.
Me: Then what?
The Muse: Start making stuff again.
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{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
Ken I think this is my favourite post you’ve ever written. Genius.
“Start making stuff again…”
Thank you.
Dan Goodwin´s last blog ..How To Stop Counting Old Beans And Past Harvests And Start Sowing New Creative Seeds
Thanks, Dan.
Yeah, I “save” stuff for the “good” work, which I never quite get to – same happens in the fridge. At least the art supplies don’t usually go bad.
becky nielsen´s last blog ..Great Lavender Heron Pin 6241
I wonder how many other people have expensive art supplies they don’t use because they favor the cheap stuff. I know I do too.
I enjoyed this. Thanks.
ganymeder´s last blog ..Poem: Panic
The sketch books and ink pens are cheap. The Faber-Castelle pens not so cheap. But those are the things I love using most.
I still learn things from people who use other mediums.
“You must collect stuff for reasons you do not yet understand.” Someone other than me said that with the word “things” substituted for “stuff.” I’d love to know who said that.
I’m sorting out a lot of experiment/science stuff right now and getting new inspirations as well as passing things on to other people. I did not know what direction my work would take me when I was collecting. Now I know better, but I’m not getting rid of all of it.
Keep on, Ken. Keep on! JSC
I don’t regret the collecting. I was exploring, but when you explore, the idea is to find something. I found my things.
And note that the muse told me to pack the other things up, not ship them out.
So did you actually creep into my studio and rummage through everything that’s lying around? I don’t dare add up the cost …
Good Grief! I thought I was the only one who did this – wondered if I had some kind of disorder.
Great post! And I love the way you presented it as a conversation with your muse!
Anne Tyler Lord´s last blog ..The Writer’s Life: Come on Over for Coffee
If it’s a disorder, I estimate it strikes about 95 percent of creative people.
I love the idea of working with what you love. Whatever it is.
I have so many instruments. Some cheap. Some expensive.
But I have this core group that I always play, that I love playing. So we spend a lot of time together.
And it’s awesome. It feels like hanging out with old friends. Friends who I’m totally comfortable with. And friends who really get what I’m about.
Good stuff here Ken. Thanks.
Fabeku Fatunmise´s last blog ..In The Fight Or In The Flow?
Ahh…you have those conversations with “The Muse” tooo…;-) Thanks for the post, it was a definite cosmic baseball bat to the head! ~ljl~