(Japanese Dogu study by Me)

Living the cliche

As I write this, I am hungry. Actually, I am starving. Just not in the way you think. I could easily walk to the fridge and fill my stomach (admittedly with less than fabulous foods), I am not starving in that sense, I'm starving for progress. 

Starving for progress? Sounds like the type of thing you'd say when an interviewer asks: "What are your biggest weaknesses as an employee?". Well, this isn't about trying to masquerade my weaknesses as faux strengths: "Oh, well I work to hard and care to much about my work and my social life suffers.". Nah. I'm talking about being real with myself and striving for constant improvement. Within my artwork, at least. 

So uh... Why are you sharing this?

I'm sharing this because It's become fundamental to who I am. And living this life I can tell you a thing or two about what it's like to become obsessed over getting better at something. For me it's art, but really it could be anything. So here is the truth, as it has been for me:

It is highly rewarding.

I'm not really talking about money here, though I have started making money from my art and business is growing, I feel like the money is far less important than what I've personally gained from this:

Patience: Hands down the most valuable thing I've taken from this is patience. With patience and careful thought, I believe anything is possible.

Confidence: I'm not walking around with my chest in the air and a mean sway to my walk, but I feel really good about myself. Something about using most of my energy to do something I love and consider productive sort of melts away my negative energies and self doubts.

Integrity & Respect: Art is hard work. It takes a lot of time and discipline to create anything that looks good and in doing so you gain a lot of respect for the work of others. Which in turn has led me to some very fierce opinions geared towards those who plagiarize others work.

Discipline:Last but definitely not least. Discipline gets the job done when nothing else will, and I think it's flat out essential for any creative success.

In conclusion:

Go starve for your art. Whatever your art is. Really let yourself begin to obsess over your passion and let it become a part of how you define yourself. You will find that your growth within your discipline will only be shadowed by your growth as an individual.