First, the Spark

“Inspiration is a spark. It is nothing unless we use it to build a fire.” ― Vironika Tugaleva (author)

My wife and I go to see a therapist, monthly. We do it, not because of any trouble in our marriage or to help us through some specific issue, but because we value the perspective of a third voice, one that is entirely objective. And for anyone that knows us really well, Korrie and I also happen to enjoy “talking things through” (to the nth degree)—and we find that our therapist encourages us in that process.

I analyze everything. And although analysis to an extreme can be debilitating, I find it to be a necessary phase to my productivity. I enjoy our therapy sessions, discussing recent events and discovering the why and how behind those things. But for the last few months, I’ve taken that space of self-analysis home on a regular basis, mulling a little more than usual. I wouldn’t go so far as to define it as debilitating, but it was going to a place where both Korrie and I began to take notice.

So, I started making lists. Lists of all of the non-essential things I’ve put aside doing because they weren’t necessary items—repair my drums, listen to a specific podcast, try that different recipe, take Noah to that new park, begin training for another half marathon. I know it seems basic and silly, but it was refreshing to see the list of items I’ve wanted to do, but put off because it didn’t fit into the needs of the week—and one by one, I’ve been completing each one, checking them off my list.

I think self discovery is important, but there is a time to stop thinking and start moving. Every stage of life presents itself with new challenges and their endless variables of how to overcome them. I love the exhaustive process of analyzing them, making conclusions, and then exploring new opportunities. This time of reflection has been more than necessary, but I now find myself ready for action; and although the flame isn’t raging, I am starting to see it flicker.

Enjoy the Scenery

"Slow down and enjoy life. It’s not only the scenery you miss by going fast, you also miss the sense of where you are going and why” - Eddie Cantor (performer)

I woke up this morning feeling somewhat in a slump.

I’ve been listening to Gary Vaynerchuk quite alot lately. He is an entrepreneur; he is driven; and he is a motivational speaker. He is different than every other motivational speaker I’ve seen, because he’s not pitching anything. He doesn’t have the “secret” to making millions, or the “5 tips for success”. His message is clear and passionate: there is only one thing you can do that is guaranteed to get you on your way; you have to put in the work. It is so refreshing.

In this current climate of social media and technology, this sense of immediate satisfaction is so overwhelming. “What do I need to do in order to make it?” It’s a question I hear so much in so many different industries, and it can be difficult to drown it out. And although it is not my personal mantra, I have found myself taking the bait at times. I think this morning was one of those realizations.

One of the things Gary reminds us is that there is a line you need to cross in order to maintain that work ethic—and that’s self-discovery. What is the thing you want and why do you want it? What do you find yourself doing daily, without flinching or feeling bogged down by the effort that it takes? And I’m not sure I have paid close enough attention to it. I think the challenge I have faced is that my previous career path in music altered and I lost track of the reason and purpose. I was no longer passionate for what I had been doing; and yet I continued in it, assuming it was my responsibility. I convinced myself that it was what I wanted.

I woke up this morning realizing that I’ve been impatient lately. I’ve been working for years trying to find that same purpose and unapologetic drive that I once had for something. But in doing so, I too have become enticed by the “secret” of doing what I needed to in order to “make it”. I have a very long list of wants, but I have discounted many of these because they didn’t fall in line with the goal of making it in art or music. I think it is finally time to branch out and fulfill those little dreams. And perhaps in that process, I will finally enjoy the scenery and no longer strive to just be a part of the scene.

Making Progress

I’m excited to be making progress. This week I was able to:

• Create a workspace using our old dining table and chair

• Connect with Mark from Pixel2Editions to create 2 copies of my first 6 images

• Research some additional framing options

• Make some headway with Instagram and how that whole thing works

• Finalize a bio (at least for the time being)

• Start this blog

• Begin utilizing a To Do book

• Take some photographs (although I’m not sure I captured anything really all that exciting)

All the while, I got to spend some time with my family at the Del Mar Pumpkin Station as well as hand out treats to the kiddos in our neighborhood and take my boy to a new park (old park, but new for us) down the street. Oh and I also made some stew.

How to start

I’ve been a musician by day for the past 2 decades. And while it’s been a blessing to be able to do something creative as a career, I have always been drawn to visual art. I’ve enjoyed photography my entire life, but I never imagined I’d be here; creating a website, posting images online, and beginning my journey into framing and selling prints. It’s all very exciting.

I finally made the leap and have been communicating with a great local printer, Mark with Pixel2Editions here in San Diego. He’s been very helpful in the process. I’ve received some test prints and now doing some research for the sizes and framing that I want. I plan on getting him some files within the next few days!