(This was a post from late 2014 on the blog from my old website. It’s been slightly re-edited with new photos.)
You have no idea how much I appreciate everyone reading and commenting on my posts. One comment I’ve read several times is people describing my posts as inspiring. Truthfully, though, my goal is not to inspire.
Ultimately I write these posts to myself. This is advice that I need, but I feel others may be in the same boat.
Since I started the tattooing path, I have never had any shortage of imagery, reference, possible ideas, or motivational material available. If anything, with social networking, specifically with Instagram, I’ve been inundated with too much inspiration. It’s paralyzing.
There is some value to searching for inspiration. Much of the time, though, we’re just procrastinating because we’re scared to start. Actually starting is where the magic is.
I want you to actually start. Now, if at all possible. If not In this moment, then definitely today. If you’re too busy, then time yourself and work for only ten minutes today. If you can’t spare that, make it five. If you can’t spare that, then make it one minute. It’s still more than nothing. Quit your excuses.
But… it has to be something meaningful and original. Be fearless. Don’t be afraid to make something ugly or stupid, but genuinely try.
After the time you’ve allotted yourself, if you hate it, don’t get rid of it. Cross it out if you need to. I’d suggest sharing it with at least one person, though, no matter how you feel about it.
If you like what you made, work more every day on it until it’s done. Feel free to stick to your allotted time each day if you’re busy, but work on it EVERY DAY.
What do you do once you finish? Start something meaningful and original the next day.
What do you do if you hated it?
Start something meaningful and original the next day.
This is how great things are made.
I recently took a drawing workshop with Steven Assael. He went over keeping a sketchbook, and advocated keeping one where the pages are easily removable. That way you’re not married to anything you draw. You can cross drawings out. You can accept that some are going to be bad.
In his words, “You have to make a lot of bad drawings in order to get really good at drawing.”
Think about that. He didnt just say the bad drawings were a possibility. He said that regularly doing work that fails to meet our own expectations is essential to progress. If you never do, you’re not stretching and you’re not learning.
Oh lord it’s painful but it’s a good pain.
GO START NOW.
Thank you.
