A Light in Dark Times
It’s about what’s right, not who’s right
It all seems… all-consuming. Here’s a few ways to keep going as creatives.
A couple things before you read this. While I’m a spiritual person, I’m not impressed by religiosity. Second, I do not involve myself in politics. Lastly, I believe that most people are capable of doing what’s right.
Why mention these things?
Because you’re here, reading this. It’s important to me that you know where I’m coming from. I strive to live my life without harming others, while at the same time holding to my principles. It takes constant effort to keep balanced. Especially since I want to maintain my creative energy.
In view of all that’s concerning us these days, I thought I’d capture where I’m at right now. I say this often: my blog is mostly for me. Through it, I’m able to revisit my thoughts. And perhaps be reminded of what’s important to me.
Silence news outlets
The “news” has changed. Most big box news outlets are biased sensationalism. Meanwhile, a charismatic 20-something sitting in a midwest basement has a million+ people on YouTube who say he’s a trusted news channel. Ok, cool.
Here’s the thing, I don’t need a daily drip feed of bad news to know things are bad everywhere. After all, this is Earth, so we already assume things are critical. All of it is out of our control anyway. There’s no psychological benefit to dwelling on how horrible things are.
That said, I stay plugged in to my local community using a couple apps and by getting involved with neighborhood events. I look for ways to strike up conversations with my neighbors. And I visit the NPR and Associate Press websites for broader world updates.
My main focus remains creative education and information gathering. There are a few Twitch channels, YouTube profiles and smaller Zoom meet ups that keep me connected to relevant topics, such as growing my creative skills, game design trends and strategies for operating a creative businesses.
Unsubscribe at will
I took an afternoon the other day and reconsidered the various social media accounts I follow. You know what surprises me? How many people use their business profiles to spread lies and disparage others. Isn’t business about serving customers? Sharing resources? Delivering on promises we make?
Anyway, I no longer trust social media companies to do what’s right by people. I used to think they would, but I was naive. Social media is primarily a source of entertainment drenched in ads. That’s it. I know, social media is “crucial to business success,” right? For me, it’s not. Creating useful content, products and services is crucial.
All told, what’s important about life and doing great work, isn’t found online. It’s found within. It comes down to how we use our time. That limited, non-renewable resource we all have – time. Who are you giving it to? Who deserves the gift of our time? How will you spend what you can’t earn back?
Ignore the ignorant
When we make a conscious decision to ignore narcissists, bigots and zealots, we get something amazing – more peace of mind! These individuals are lost to themselves, stuck in their malcontent and bitterness. Don’t get baited into joining them. There’s no growth to be found in vulgar rants, name-calling and posting more vitriol online. It only kills our creative energy and wastes time.
A colleague I used to work with used to be very active on Twitter (X). “We have to call these racists out on their bull*&^$ Eric,” she’d say. After years of such effort, she told me all it did was make her more tired and more depressed. Meanwhile those she challenged, just kept river-dancing on the backs of the people they triggered.
When we encounter ignorance, it is good to offer perspective if someone’s really interested in growing as a person. But when people show us who they are deep down – close-minded, selfish, not open to reason – believe them. That’s when we take a deep breath. And we journey on.
Build creative muscle
I’m the first person to admit to needing more time in the gym for physical fitness. But creatively speaking, I am a powerhouse! It’s not cause of any inborn magic, but constant effort. The “darkness” drains all the joy from our creative pursuits if we let it. We all get down or depressed. Have a pity party. Then bounce back.
Have a little tea or coffee in the morning. Clear your mind. Think of all the little and big ways you’ve grown as an artist.
Doodle something when you sit down at your desk as a way of starting the day. Something goofy or funny, on a sticky note.
Each morning decide on one small or large project to move forward. Choose to feel good about whatever progress you make.
When you’re stuck creatively, ask a friend for help or DM another creative online for perspective. Don’t stay in your own head.
At lunch, watch an episode of a show you grew up with. Sometimes returning to stuff we loved as kids helps us in unexpected ways.
On occasion, ditch Google searches and ask prior employers, mentors or work mates how they accomplish things or approach creative problems. These are people who you know and who know you. And that advice can be worth lots more than a random person’s online.
Prioritize your health. Without it, there’s nothing else.
What are you doing to keep yourself well? What perspectives would you share? Leave a comment some time or share your thoughts with me.
It’s frightening to see corrupt, hurtful and arrogant people in society being supported and even deified. All we can do is hold to what’s right.
Keep your light on.
–E
PHXDW + Doodles
Flip Doodle Deluxe for Designers!
Flip Doodle Deluxe lands at Phoenix Design Week for the first time!
It was an awesome time with lots of drawing, laughing and getting to know other creatives. The organizers of Phoenix Design Week 2024 invited me to lead a Flip Doodle event prior to this year’s two-day conference, which was themed as “OASIS”. It was everything I was expecting – reinvigorating, informative and fun.
On June 25, 2024, Flip Doodle Deluxe released to the public. It’s a card deck I created that’s all about flipping cards, cooking ideas and serving doodles. Creative blocks? Squashed! Fear of failure? Haha, yeah right!
When we view creativity as a source of entertainment, the possibilities get cosmic real quick. Thanks to everyone that supported the event. And super special thanks to Larissa (my wife) and Nikki (our dear friend) for their assistance! I’m looking forward to many more chances to connect with people at future events here in the valley as well.
Here’s some images from the event and some thoughts that come to mind.
Three things to ponder
The audience at this event was mostly creative professionals, some of whom already draw but also those who don’t usually find the time. The event was open to conference attendees as well as their friends, family and the public. I’m always amazed at how once given the chance, many people reconnect with drawing quickly.
The artists we were, still exist – At these events I’ve met accountants, engineers, carpenters and other professionals who never doodle, but have such a great time reconnecting with the artist they used to be. Picasso said, “We’re all born artists.” So don’t say, “I’m not an artist.” Say “I know I’ll be an artist again if I try.”
Being creative is human - If you’re suspicious of AI, it’s likely because you understand the potential it has to damage our humanity. It’s serious. I mean, our “phones” already command most of our attention and we all know what it’s doing to our children. But we creatives will never be replaced. We are not robots, using algorithms to tell ourselves we’ve made art. We are the music makers, the dreamers of dreams. And we make those dreams come to life.
People value what’s real - Being seen. Being heard. Being together. True, it may not always be easy to put ourselves out there or want to be creative with others. But once people do, they experience good things in return. A sense that they matter, that their ideas are worth something and that they are part of a collective human experience.
The profound nature of doodles
Ages ago, people drew in caves. They made symbols for places, creatures, people and ideas. In time, they transferred those images to giant leaves, carved stones and bound parchments. They documented their lives through images and taught young ones about where they came from. Long before the printing press.
Well, skipping, skipping – here we are. We’re in an age of image creation that might as well be magic. We draw underwater, with light, with code and even with our eyes. We exist in an optical world where all we imagine can become something real.
If you never think about doodling in everyday life, you’re the perfect person to rediscover the meaning behind it. Who knows, maybe be reconnecting with your creative side you might get closer to a friend / family member, find new ways to manage stress and / or turn a small bit of nonsense into someone’s lasting treasure.
And when you make those first new lines, pause. Feel the moment. Perhaps that goofy doodle will say: “Keep going. Return to the artist you once were.”
:D
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To schedule a Flip Doodle Deluxe workshop or team-building event, contact me for more information!
–E
Let’s Doodle
“Doodle” is a doing word.
The Flip Doodle Deluxe adventure is just getting started. And everyone’s invited.
This is an overview of an event I was invited to participate in at Phoenix Art Museum on Sunday, June 30, 2024 – Family Funday. These events feature art activities, access to galleries, food trucks and much more.
Flip Doodle Deluxe released to the public on my website on June 25, 2024. It was the culmination of three and a half years of work from 2020–2024. I’ve written about how the project started as a way I could give back to the creative community during difficult times.
Now, Flip Doodle Deluxe is a fully developed product. And it’s not just inspiring creativity. It’s spreading smiles, conversations and a sense of togetherness. Thank you to all who attended, played along and gave me doodles.
My fave = Comet / Sheep!
Fire / Face = Web comic hero? Totally!
Thanks to my creative friend Bobby for helping me demo Flip Doodle Deluxe AND the doodles!
A spider, ant, ladybug, caterpillar and worm live on a leaf. Leaf / Bug.
Jellyfish / Drink + Cloud / School
Maybe Starfish / Island is a great place for a tiny kingdom?
Mystery / Monster + Martian / Dynamite
Don’t underestimate (y)our power
So often in our divisive world, empowerment is talked about as something we must gain through conflict. Well, sometimes empowerment is a result of creative play. I’m talking about the power to help heal, comfort and encourage others. All of us have the potential to do this. And I witnessed it at the art museum during the event. Here’s some brief examples:
A rather timid girl and her mom sit down at my table to demo Flip Doodle Deluxe (FDD). The girl immediately connects with the cards and encourages her mom to draw with her. At first, mom doesn’t want to. But as she looks through the prompts she does. They spend the next two hours at my table. We chat and laugh.
A little girl asks what Flip Doodle is all about. I explain. She seems apprehensive and insists “I can’t do it.” Her father kindly compels her to try. She sits at my table for an hour, lost in lines and having a great time. She ends up giving me three drawings.
An experienced photographer gives FDD a try. She draws. We start chatting. Over the next hour and a half we relate about creative pursuits. Doodling all the while. She encourages me to keep believing in myself. Says we need more people who create these moments for others.
A large family sits down with their one grandchild who loves to draw. For almost an hour they’re transfixed by her creations. Some of them didn’t know she could do what she’s doing. Their grand-daughter beams with pride.
At one point, a young boy and his aunt come up. I show them FDD. The boy indicates some embarrassment about drawing in front of others. In the afternoon, he’s back with the courage to draw at a table full of doodlers.
I meet a woman who’s worked as an educator for years. In her eyes I see joy, commitment and patience. She’s very complementary and speaks about the importance of humanity in creativity.
A sweet Unicorn / Bear
Mystery creature team-up
Turtle / Money
Bees in space? Uh, yeah!
Swan / Taco + Dragonfly
That cup!
Seahorse / Dragon = worked on this critter thru the day here and there
It’s all happening, now
They say we need to move on from the past few years. That we need do-overs, undos and redos. I can relate. And all of that: the soldiering on, the healing and the forgetting – it’s all happening. But there’s something else. Coping. Some of us are coping with hardships. Day after day. And may always be. But how we cope is a choice.
Do you think art can help? If so, we might as well be friends! From a young age drawing was my imaginative outlet, an escape from bullies, a skill to develop, a source of entertainment and… a potent medicine. An elixir brewed with lines, colors, shapes and stories. Through my creations I discovered my individuality, purpose and meaning.
It’s no different now.
Monsta-attack! (Thanks for scaring me Sydney)
Proud of you Livia ;D
Really cool masked Peacock by Faith
My Snail / Clown + Trout / Chocolatier, heheh
Long live King / Marshmallow!
Required reading I think
To infinity…
We don’t need roads
Flip Doodle Deluxe is the beginning of a creative voyage. And the most exciting thing is, it’s one we can take together. Through real connection. The kind not found in an app or by suffering through ads. I’ll be talking with new folks. Listening to their stories. Understanding where they’re coming from. With doodling to connect us and guide us.
When I’m drawing, I try to relax. I breathe and get comfortable. Looking down I see a plain white landscape. I imagine the possibilities and start with some lines. I might mess up. Whatever. I might change my mind. It’s ok. And somehow, I get closer to the idea of being here on this planet for a reason. A feeling I’m going somewhere.
Hey, maybe doodling is like flying. We soar across reality from a high place. With complete freedom. Down below our fears reach out, but they can’t catch us.
Ready? Let’s go!
Lily’s solution for drawing butterfly wings gives me an idea for making hands easier to draw :D!
Fluffy / Hammer by my Larissa! (<3)
Mermaid / Shell by Alonzo
I lol’d with this Tree / Robot combo by Autumn!
When a doodle makes us laugh, it’s something more than a doodle
Ooze / Blanket :P
Next stop: Phoenix Design Week – “OASIS”
The crew organizing Phoenix Design Week 2024 has invited me to present a Flip Doodle Deluxe workshop at this year’s event in October! More to come soon!
More about Flip Doodle Deluxe.
–E
Nonsense as a Path
I have some thoughts about nonsense. That may or may not make sense.
If you walk this way, you’ll see some stuff.
Remember that time in Wonderland when Alice said: “If I had a world of my own, everything would be nonsense.” We live in that world. Everything is nonsense. Examples:
Commuting an hour to work on-site and “connect with others”, only to type away at a keyboard with headphones on. In a cozy little work silo. With only an occasional chat about movies or whatev with Ken from accounting.
Having our biases confirmed about everything and ignoring anything factual that challenges those biases. And smiling through it all. With glazed over eyes.
Eating durian fruit when we could be eating perfectly good seedless grapes! Durian? Really?
Warring with other countries to take their resources to pollute the world further to build things that generate more waste to bring all the problems of the world to our phones. So we can read about how the world is on fire every morning.
“Reality” TV. (Imagine two sets of semi-truck sized air quotes there.)
We are made of molecules. Yeah. It’s crazy.
Many other things. You get it.
Embracing nonsense
All of that, is why things like writing fiction, doodling, and dreaming up random worlds to explore are not so nonsensical to me. Tabletop games are another favorite of mine. The thing is truth is stranger than fiction. Still. After all these years of people saying that. That’s why at some point in my growth, I’m guessing around 4th grade, I decided to go all-in on nonsense.
So you’re creative. You want more nonsense in your life. The kind of creative nonsense that might come in handy for your business OR that just might make you a happier person. A few things:
Smile and wave – Especially when someone doesn’t get your art or your stories or that ironically-meta sticker collection you’re working on. You’re you. You’re a bit weird. You’ve probably always been. No one should be surprised.
Focus on your unique perspective – Walking the path of nonsense is about what you can bring to the table. You know, that Mad Hatter tea-party table in Wonderland? Where everything was just bonkers? Being yourself will not make sense to some. That’s the goal.
Have some tea – Speaking of tea parties, meet up with other friends of nonsense. For real or imaginary tea! Discuss how nonsense can be of help to others – children, students and the young at heart. How can nonsense bring a smile or a bit of joy to someone? Then do those things. Collaborate on them. Who knows what might happen.
Reality is nonsense
If true creativity is about the absence of fear, we can be unafraid of having our work labelled as “nonsense”. All our oddities or goofimisims as I like to call them, only serve to make us more unique. What makes us unique grants us freedom. And we can use that freedom to push ourselves and the tools we use to be more creative. I guess it’s like this ecosystem we can make for ourselves.
Kinda makes sense. Right?
–E