Rabbit Rabbit
House keeping, hello again, and 10 things I consumed while I was away.
You may have noticed that I french exited out of my newsletter. I say French exit instead of Irish exit because I view a French exit as rude. Anyone who Irish exits feel, in general, sorry for doing so. In the end, I don’t feel that sorry for doing what I did. The honest reason I left is that I became pretty busy. I am not exaggerating or seeking pity by saying I was working from the moment I woke up to the moment I went to sleep seven days a week. I had said yes to everything I was asked to do. I was unaware that what I was undertaking was more than I was lead to believe. I have three jobs to support myself and it was just too much. The one thing I could let go of was the newsletter. It did on some levels make me very sad, but the truth is I was unbelievably tired in a way I never felt. At one point I was working at 3 in the morning retouching dust off floors and I was so tired I was nauseous. In mid to late June my life slowed down but I still felt the effects of this major burnout. It was difficult to do anything. I try to do a lot of personal activities to keep creative. I read, write, and draw. I even started doing a visual journal but nothing. The main point I am making is that
Don’t say yes to everything.
Sometimes as an artist, you should do nothing at all. Rest the mind.
I am back. Maybe with less frequency than before. I am sort of revamping in some ways but it all takes time.
To kick off this first newsletter back I would like to share what I was able to consume art-wise. Typically on the subway or on my way to my next gig, it became grounding in the chaos.
10 Things I Consumed This Spring
This youtube video by Alec Soth discusses his book A pound of Pictures-I had to watch it in parts, but have always enjoyed hearing the inspiration and details of a photobook discussed by the artist. I think this is a great video for anyone to watch because it shows process and intent.
This Interview with Michael Mack- I have watched this on many occasions and as I set the foundation for my next photo book I wanted to be excited again for the process which can at times be grueling. I also watched many of the Mack youtube videos to inspire myself for when I was able to work on personal work again.
This Newsletter by Heather Havrilesky- It’s from the Ask Polly column and this piece centers around setting yourself up for failure. I think as artists you set yourself up for failure and welcome it in a more intimate way than most people do. This feeling of uncertainty when pursuing a career in any medium can be discouraging but this newsletter talks about why it’s so important to do it even if failure feels certain. I’ve always been a fan of at least trying any idea that comes to mind. Although not every piece you make will be good, it will always teach you something. I have always done my best to push through failure and this Ask Polly column was a reminder to push through the failings of April to June.
Someone Who Will Love You In All Your Damaged Glory By Raphael Bob-Waksberg- I was sent this book by a good friend many months ago (hello Mark). I love this book a million times over. In my personal opinion, it shows a great deal of creativity surrounding a single subject. I think short stories are frequently overlooked but they tend to be some of my favorite pieces of writing. The first story in this collection is a favorite. The whole thing made me think outside the box more. I am more conditioned to logical creativity, whereas this collection is more imaginative than I could ever be. I believe all should read.
Parts Unknown with Anthony Bourdain- When I had to stay up late at night and I was tired of listening to music I listened to parts unknown instead. Like many I love Anthony Bourdain and so it was comforting to hear human connection when it felt like the entire world was asleep but me. Listening to the lives of others, hearing stories of different backgrounds always makes me feel more prepared to understand other stories people tell in art.
Writers and Lovers By Lily King- This novel was amazing, I think it says a lot about doing the project you want, even when it feels impossible. It’s not as cliche as that statement. But it’s great for a reminder that the projects we set out to do as artists are important no matter what.
A Final Companion To Books From The Simpsons (Updated Version) by Oliver Lebrun- You may think I am joking however I am far from joking. I picked up this book because I am in love with art books. It is extraordinary to me simply because who hasn’t watched The Simpsons? To pay attention to that small detail in a show that has been around for decades made me laugh. However, I also felt like I wanted to look at every single page. It reminds me of Twitter, when you see detailed shots of renaissance paintings, why not treat a cartoon the same way? Both are art after all. I think in summary, it is very interesting to see what other people are so intuned to.
Gregory Crewdson’s Artsy Mixtape 019- I was recommended this playlist by a friend because it starts with a song by The Beatles. The recommendation was my saving grace. Especially considering the person who did recommend it has very different taste than I do when it comes to music. Where I believed we would never find common ground, there came a playlist that I walked, worked, and read to. It became the soundtrack to the chaos.
Looney Tunes Backgrounds Instagram- Another you may think I am joking about but again the same sort of thing. I am endlessly fascinated by the unexpected art people find in what a lot of people pass off. In the same way, I am obsessed with Paparazzi photos (I view some shots as high art), or the Instagram account subway hands. It is nice to see art in everything, to refrain from limiting art as something made with endless layers and comment on the human condition. Sometimes art is just simply, A Looney Tunes background.
Elvis Directed by Baz Luhrmann- Say what you will about this movie, I loved it. For what it was and for who I am I should have hated this movie, but I had the time of my life watching it. To celebrate the end of my hellish spring I saw it with a few friends. Greatest 30 dollars I ever spent in New York. Austin Butler gave his all, and he looked good doing it. I choose not to pay attention to the complaints of others. I saw this movie when my life felt the most chaotic string of events. Maybe I was inclined to like it because the chaos felt like an accurate representation of my spring. Not the events, but the way the chaos so suddenly unfolded. Oddly, the reasons people didn’t like the movie, became the reasons I loved it. The chaos was art to me.
This is where I leave and I promise more interviews are on the way. I look forward to sharing them with you.
This newsletter is brought to you by one thing: Sleep.
