June 22, 2021: Quite often, the word “slow” means something negative. “My computer is “slow”, traffic is “slow”, even when someone is referred to as “slow” it means they are not too smart. These days we want everything fast, fast, fast. Fast delivery, fast food, fast fashion, fast internet. But being in the creative “fast lane” which is what TV volume cartoons are, ( and I often took it as a compliment when someone said I was “fast”) I’m longing to slow down. Not just in life, but also my art. I’m often drawn to stories about craftsmen and women who are meticulous , slow and deliberate with their art. Hiro dreams of Sushi,, a meticulous quality bookmaker. Approaching it with presence. Being an artist is presence. Being an artist is acting as a channel for spirit to work through you. It’s difficult for that to happen when the speed of execution is often the goal. There are some who can achieve that, and there is a lot of creativity in fast entertainment ( and I enjoyed aspects of it) But the role in television animation ( and often feature) is often more of a technical draftsman and fast copy writer. Learning your trade of creative widget making. Quite often everything looks the same. And the same gags, and the same storylines. It’s filling the holes in the grand distraction wall. ( Don’t see whats on the other side, you might like it). It’s often hard to go deep into highly original, inspired storytelling. I’m liking slower art right now. Cultivating that connection. Taking the time to make it with presence and inspiration. But you also have to maintain an eye on expenses and living a simple artists life if you are to accept that things take time. Here in Europe, things are slower in general. Often we make jokes about it, but I’ve grown to like it. Linger around a meal. Have coffee actually sitting down, not from a drive-thru. Being present with someone or just with what is. This sounds a little cosmic, but the other day I took a sip of coffee and sensed the coffee grower who grew the beans, and the ones who picked the beans and the roaster who roasted them. ( Ok, Joe has really gone off the deep end). Lets re-brand the word “slow” into something more positive like “Slow Food” does. Like growing a garden. I know often people tune in to this blog for fan stuff about Rocko, Lazlo or Luna, and sometimes there is that occasionally. But a journal is a “Journey Log”. This is where I am today.
June 22, 2021: Quite often, the word “slow” means something negative. “My computer is “slow”, traffic is “slow”, even when someone is referred to as “slow” it means they are not too smart. These days we want everything fast, fast, fast. Fast delivery, fast food, fast fashion, fast internet. But being in the creative “fast lane” which is what TV volume cartoons are, ( and I often took it as a compliment when someone said I was “fast”) I’m longing to slow down. Not just in life, but also my art. I’m often drawn to stories about craftsmen and women who are meticulous , slow and deliberate with their art. Hiro dreams of Sushi,, a meticulous quality bookmaker. Approaching it with presence. Being an artist is presence. Being an artist is acting as a channel for spirit to work through you. It’s difficult for that to happen when the speed of execution is often the goal. There are some who can achieve that, and there is a lot of creativity in fast entertainment ( and I enjoyed aspects of it) But the role in television animation ( and often feature) is often more of a technical draftsman and fast copy writer. Learning your trade of creative widget making. Quite often everything looks the same. And the same gags, and the same storylines. It’s filling the holes in the grand distraction wall. ( Don’t see whats on the other side, you might like it). It’s often hard to go deep into highly original, inspired storytelling. I’m liking slower art right now. Cultivating that connection. Taking the time to make it with presence and inspiration. But you also have to maintain an eye on expenses and living a simple artists life if you are to accept that things take time. Here in Europe, things are slower in general. Often we make jokes about it, but I’ve grown to like it. Linger around a meal. Have coffee actually sitting down, not from a drive-thru. Being present with someone or just with what is. This sounds a little cosmic, but the other day I took a sip of coffee and sensed the coffee grower who grew the beans, and the ones who picked the beans and the roaster who roasted them. ( Ok, Joe has really gone off the deep end). Lets re-brand the word “slow” into something more positive like “Slow Food” does. Like growing a garden. I know often people tune in to this blog for fan stuff about Rocko, Lazlo or Luna, and sometimes there is that occasionally. But a journal is a “Journey Log”. This is where I am today.
