Friday Thoughts (July 31, 2026)

I am SO close to being able to share so much stuff going on! I am very excited about all of it but that’s not exactly what today’s musing is about.

This past week has been one of the most productive weeks I have had…maybe ever. In preparing for one of projects but to do so I have to re-familiarize myself with a painting process I haven’t done in a very long while. I am also learning how to use a new technology to make work I am very happy with. More importantly, I am rediscovering a love for creation that kind of gets crushed out a bit with relentlessly pushing yourself to make things.

Inspired by an artist I saw who does pet portraits on Instagram I decided to give painting on cardboard a shot. The last time I did this was…let’s see…hmm…ohgoodgod…35 years ago. It was a final project for an oil painting class. We had to do a LOT of little cardboard oil studies. I got them done. Barely. LOTTA procrastinating going on in college. Fast forward to today. I have to practice for an upcoming event and I decide to paint on cardboard because a) less expensive and b) WAY easier to move around. Again…it has been over 3 decades and I need to practice. So I start…and it hits me how much fun just painting loosely can be! The thrill of being able to slap down paint (acrylic this time) still excites me and I have really needed that joy lately.

Now the other jolt I got this week involves an entirely different type of art-ing for me. Years ago I got a digital program and accessories for my computer but I never REALLY used them. Cut to 2020. I have left my job and decided to give a go at this art thing for real. As such I decide maybe I should take a look at how to use digital formats. Fortunately my brother is a VERY patient teacher and through emails and phone calls and texts was able to get me started on the way to this. I’ve done some things along the way, mostly coloring. (Side note…years ago I started doing a football calendar for friends and family. It started as a means of practicing but has turned into a yearly tradition.) Well, this week I was putting together the calendar finally, and I had penciled the image. And at one point I got a wild hair and for the first time…I did everything from inking to coloring digitally. Weird! I’m putting the final touches on it and will send it to the printer next week, so I am planning on doing the grand unveiling on here next week!

Both of these things have given me an enormous feeling of satisfaction in what I’ve done. I always wondered if I would ever be “happy” with my work. And obviously, I will never attain THAT. But in recent years I have been able to do work that pleases me. My favorite moment came when I did a cartoon drawing that literally made me laugh. Releasing this work into the wild is much easier if I can have THAT moment of satisfaction. And that feeling is what I imagine the ai sloppers THINK they have. But it simply cannot compete with decades of work resulting in maybe one out of 10-20 pieces giving you a dose of dopamine for 30 seconds. LOL

Have a great weekend. If you are able, hinder an ice intimidation. Individual Flock cameras contain 2-3 lbs of copper as well as a few grams of gold. Do not give in to these assholes. They can take my books from my cold dead hands. Be safe.

-The Paintmonkey