2014 wrap up

2014 for me was a great year, in several ways.

Of course, first and foremost, I was lucky enough to have shared another year with family and friends. And even though some think it is still a little silly, there is always time to say "I love you," especially when we part. That was a habit started nearly twenty years ago, and one that will hopefully never wane. I've met new friends, lost some folk along the way, but near or far, everyone still has part of my heart. It also fortunate to be reminded that sometimes, those you lost, are better to be lost than remain. If they don't see what they've done, you're sure never going to be able to show them. So, as someone once advised, move on.

But I digress...

This year was the first time spent really focusing on my art as a potential income. I've made half-assed attempts before; the occasional National Geographic or Discovery tidbit that luckily fell into my lap, or even a book or article...but never fully focusing on what I could accomplish. I've always felt that art and creativity is like breathing, essential for life itself, for growth, for learning. For years, I've pushed friends with their artistic and creative endeavors, some a bit afraid they might fuck up. So what?!? Hell, if I hadn't fucked up so much in the past, I wouldn't know what could be accomplished now. But anyway, yeah...I've pushed friends in their creative outlets, and to explore those outlets; however, never really pushed myself in that manner. Just fiddle farted about, trying this, trying that, never settling on one area to excel. That is, never settling til this year. And, it can't really be thought of as settling. No...settling means giving up other areas for one that you feel safe; so that's not it. If I had to narrow it down, I would say it is more like the pins in a tumbler, all falling into place, and those sequential moments creating an opportunity that for once did not go ignored.

This year was good. Numerous past experiences and education helped a lot. Understanding trends, in retail and social media, helped; but, going back to the basics probably meant the most. Going to back to what was true to me very early in the year (and really the very end of 2013) was probably the biggest kick in the butt ever.

So...What was it?

This...

Simple, isn't it? Just some simple lines from a very old love of maps...almost resembling scribbles. Since I've always believed that simple + simple + simple = complex. with a little color shading, simple lines became this...

Simple lines became a mountain. Simple shades in one color became light and dark. They became warm or cold; and most importantly, they became depth. 

Now I wanted to see what was next to the mountain. What lay below? What lay behind? More shapes, created by a few more simple lines followed. And those also got some color. And soon simple became simple times a buttload and created this...

And from here it expanded. Sure, with simple lines I could create a world...but then I wanted to get closer - to see the town near the valley by the trees and found how much more fun that simple + simple could be.

 I found a place that took a chance with these simple line arts. There was a marketplace that was already selling full color, intensely detailed pieces; and for a moment, because I had these almost monochromatic simple silly little shapes, there was doubt.

Now doubt...well, doubt is a bitch. It is the nagging older sibling of fear. It is the second guessing of self worth. Luckily, there is also the youngest sibling, "Fuckitwhatthehell." Being right is great. We all want to be right, find the right path, choose the right choices; but "Fuckitwhatthehell" is that go for it moment that can bring about a pretty freaking awesome change.  The owners of the site liked the mountains. They liked the rivers and the dots, the dashes and the shades. They took a chance. I took a chance.

And the most wonderful thing happened. Other people liked those silly little simple lines with simple shades; and soon others were creating worlds and lands where their minds could imagine all sorts of possibilities. Over the months, more silly little simple lines and shapes were created, until there were literally over a thousand of these simple little pieces. People started looking me up through the blog and social media, and I was lucky enough that they began to share their creations with me; and they asked questions about the work.

So, Fuckitwhatthehell won out and I'm glad that emotional sibling did. It is good to see that you can be a positive effect on others; but freaking great to see you can be a positive effect on your own life.