I found a nice swivel painting chair for $2.99 at the secondhand store. The past few months I have been steadily leaning into my present/future reality. I have part time employment at Vermont Studio Center, which I’m super grateful for in many ways. Since I no longer need to do commissioned design and photography work to get by, I can more fully dedicate my life to painting. I’ve almost always felt this was the way to go, but it was worthwhile to give everything else a shot too. And in a sense I have been learning how to paint for the past decade, whereas now I feel that I’m actually painting. Sure I am still learning as I go, but I have a much better grasp of it now. My aim is to create a collection of work that I can exhibit in a show for summer/fall 2026.
For that to come to fruition, intentions need to be set and distractions brought to a minimum. The best way for me to not be enticed by something is to simply not have it in my environment. Whether it be snacks, alcohol, video games, or, as of this week, a smartphone… if it becomes detrimental to my productivity or wellbeing, I need to get it out of my sight. So I sold my iPhone last week, and my new Nokia flip phone arrived today.
This past week has been super liberating, honestly an easier transition than I thought it would be. Sure it helps that I still have a tablet, and can go to my dads house or the cafe for Wi-Fi, but to not have a hand-sized touchscreen computer with access to the world’s information and endless stream of content at my fingertips has been life changing to say the least. The main benefit will be my focus not breaking during the day, not resorting the quick dopamine fix that a phone provides, not getting wrapped up in the ever-shifting global and national events. I will be more inclined to focus on what I need to do in my own life and local community. What matters most will be what and who are in front of me physically.
All that said, I just wish to be able to focus my energy where it is best received. So I can stay above water on this wave that is life, and dedicate as much time possible toward furthering my endeavors into painting. By imposing limitations in areas that aren’t priorities, I can allow myself to thrive in the areas that matter most. Gone are the days of spreading myself too thin.
For people who have followed me for the greater part of the past 10 years, maybe this all sounds a bit familiar. I used to speak a lot about how I was working to improve my life and do what matters most to me. I’ve attempted many new things in efforts to better get a handle on my impulsive nature. It essentially comes down to putting the right things in front of me, and removing the options for such things that are of detriment. So if I’m a painter who aims to put most of his free energy into creating new artwork, why would I need 24/7 access to the world’s information and mildly entertaining content? Somebody who makes a living online through creating social media posts and online communities surely will see it differently. It only serves as an illusion of productivity for me.
I am coming to understand the beauty of an uninterrupted artistic process, and that extends to life… because life for me, is the artistic process.
Thank you for being here.
art.of.a.rock 