Thanks Davin! I’m agnostic when it comes to things talent and genius. I’ve met people that make me believe that each are possible, and that convince me that if they do I don’t have them. But, what it also leads me to believe is that wonder and curiosity, as you point out, outweigh them, and that the most important question is how to make teh most of what you’ve been given.
Holy COW, THANK YOU for the shout out friend!!! Your kind words knock my socks off! I am honored to make it into your newsletter ( which I simply devour weekly).
Very very interesting topic today. Genius vs. obsession/work ethic/determination.
Regardless , each pursues a SOLUTION TO A PROBLEM…..
I’ll be re-reading this one a couple or twenty times.
Hi, Julia, I stalked your Instagram a bit and loved your stuff. Beautiful addition with the stitching??
I had to greet my fellow North Carolinian. Both you and Duane inspired me to truly get off my booty and go all in one collages and share them. I tend to get stuck in my head a bit and get cagey about sharing. I look forward to studying your compositions in particular, and digging into the narratives.
My pleasure! Thank YOU, putting all teh materials to such incredible use! I never could have imagined what you did with them! In case I haven’t thank you enough for all you support, thank you, thank you, thank you!
I’m an obsessive. A dog with a bone. Stubborn. Nosey/curious. Consistently unimpressed with what I produce, so I have to create more. The older I get, the more like my dad I become. He’d be laughing if he could see me now.
I love your posts. Not just for the collage, but for the art and thoughts of other people that you share.
You are so fucking good, excuse my french! And you inspired me to make a digital zine. I dabbled with analogue collage and had friends who owned their own printing press back in Japan. I should message them. I miss that time.
Getting off topic! I love seeing your thoughts as well as your work. And Julia?? Magnificient. Thank you for sharing.
French is my favorite f*cking language, haha! Thanks so much for your kind words! I really appreciate it! Sounds like you’re working on some great stuff! Looking forward to seeing it!
@Julia’s work fantastic isn’t it?! Blows me away! Glad you like it too!
I'll be studying yours as well ;) can I gush a bit on your first piece, 'a calling that i hear' ??
the subject is captivating, but what I really love are the placement of letters and comic pages. the contrast of the b jumps out at me. I kinda want to know if there is something behind it? My eye went right to it first before it traveled up to the astronauts face, and then I noticed the typewriter script, and okay I'll stop haha.
when I look through your other work, those features seem to be a hallmark of your style. I like to think I can point out a Duane Toops no matter where I stumble across it.
Wow! Thank you so much! One of the things I always hope for as a maker is that there's something recognizable in my work, so that might be one of teh nicest things you could possible say to me, lol. Thanks for that!
I try not to overthink the elements too much while I'm making. I save the analytical thought for after the work is finished. I like to incorporate type, because I think there's something beautiful and aesthetically pleasing about letter forms, but also because language itself is system of symbols layered with a fluidity of meaning that shifts and changes along with the context in which it's used. That's something that I try to play with in my work.
I often use a process of creating collages that I call Making Problems / Finding Solutions. For the first part I just stick anything down anywhere, no thought, not even any intuition really. Just gluing things down. At some point it switches to solving the puzzle. How can I resolve all of these things into a satisfying image. Or more often, how can I get out of this corner I've painted myself into!
Yes! Such a great practice Joel! I’ve only recently started doing something similar when I’m making collage papers. I’ll glue random scraps and fragments leftover from other collages onto failed gel print papers and look for possible compositions that I can cut out as a starting place for new collages. Love the way you’re doing it. I may have to give that go. Thanks for the recommendation!
Thanks Neil! I think we each get to decide what the meaning of our being is. We get to choose what our higher purpose will be. When we do we then have the responsibility to build our lives accordingly. My only purpose, the only thing that I think I’m here to do, is to make things.
I think genius is everything you've touched on here, Duane--plus Time.
I think that what a lot of people attribute to genius is actually just the benefit of a thoughtful, patient gazing. Which leads to clarifying. Which refines it into something singular. Genius!
Looking at Julia's work blows me away--her stitching is definitely genius!
“the benefit of a thoughtful, patient gazing” - that strikes a deep and resonant chord. So much of what seems like a strike of lightening, or what seems like it appears out of nowhere is something that occurs as culmination of a long and slow evolution.
I would say curiosity is everything. That and tenacity. Tenacity comes before talent.
“Tenacity comes before talent” - That’s a damn good line!! I’m stealing that , haha!
I probably stole it from somewhere, too. So, feel free…
You’ll always be the author to me, lol.
I don’t believe in genius or talent. I believe in curiosity, wonder, and engagement. If you follow those (which you do) then you’re golden.
Thanks Davin! I’m agnostic when it comes to things talent and genius. I’ve met people that make me believe that each are possible, and that convince me that if they do I don’t have them. But, what it also leads me to believe is that wonder and curiosity, as you point out, outweigh them, and that the most important question is how to make teh most of what you’ve been given.
Holy COW, THANK YOU for the shout out friend!!! Your kind words knock my socks off! I am honored to make it into your newsletter ( which I simply devour weekly).
Very very interesting topic today. Genius vs. obsession/work ethic/determination.
Regardless , each pursues a SOLUTION TO A PROBLEM…..
I’ll be re-reading this one a couple or twenty times.
Thanks, as always Duane, for the brain food!
Hi, Julia, I stalked your Instagram a bit and loved your stuff. Beautiful addition with the stitching??
I had to greet my fellow North Carolinian. Both you and Duane inspired me to truly get off my booty and go all in one collages and share them. I tend to get stuck in my head a bit and get cagey about sharing. I look forward to studying your compositions in particular, and digging into the narratives.
Thank you, from a new fan!
I know right, that stitching!!
My pleasure! Thank YOU, putting all teh materials to such incredible use! I never could have imagined what you did with them! In case I haven’t thank you enough for all you support, thank you, thank you, thank you!
Wise thoughts, fantastic art, and so nice of you to share such kind words. You inspire me too, and I love how these processes work both ways. 🫂
Julia's art is stunning too. I've just followed Julia on here and Insta... The stitching is a superb addition. Mixed media-licious! 👏👏👏
My pleasure, Martin! I just give credit where it’s due.
@Julia’s work is nothing short of brilliant! And I definitely can say enough about that marvelous stitching!!
Martin! Hello new friend!
Any DT fan is a friend of mine!
Thank you for the support, I am so grateful!
Your work is phenomenal, I’m just now scratching the surface of what will be a deep dive into your online gallery!
@Martin Hughes is always churning out something intriguing!
Yay, thank you so much, Julia! 🎉
Here’s to arting all the art we can. It’s ever so moreish and exciting. I, too, look forward to enjoying all your work. Good times!
And again, awesome Art in this one.
Much appreciated Emily!
I’m an obsessive. A dog with a bone. Stubborn. Nosey/curious. Consistently unimpressed with what I produce, so I have to create more. The older I get, the more like my dad I become. He’d be laughing if he could see me now.
I love your posts. Not just for the collage, but for the art and thoughts of other people that you share.
Same here! Thanks again!
You are so fucking good, excuse my french! And you inspired me to make a digital zine. I dabbled with analogue collage and had friends who owned their own printing press back in Japan. I should message them. I miss that time.
Getting off topic! I love seeing your thoughts as well as your work. And Julia?? Magnificient. Thank you for sharing.
French is my favorite f*cking language, haha! Thanks so much for your kind words! I really appreciate it! Sounds like you’re working on some great stuff! Looking forward to seeing it!
@Julia’s work fantastic isn’t it?! Blows me away! Glad you like it too!
I'll be studying yours as well ;) can I gush a bit on your first piece, 'a calling that i hear' ??
the subject is captivating, but what I really love are the placement of letters and comic pages. the contrast of the b jumps out at me. I kinda want to know if there is something behind it? My eye went right to it first before it traveled up to the astronauts face, and then I noticed the typewriter script, and okay I'll stop haha.
when I look through your other work, those features seem to be a hallmark of your style. I like to think I can point out a Duane Toops no matter where I stumble across it.
Wow! Thank you so much! One of the things I always hope for as a maker is that there's something recognizable in my work, so that might be one of teh nicest things you could possible say to me, lol. Thanks for that!
I try not to overthink the elements too much while I'm making. I save the analytical thought for after the work is finished. I like to incorporate type, because I think there's something beautiful and aesthetically pleasing about letter forms, but also because language itself is system of symbols layered with a fluidity of meaning that shifts and changes along with the context in which it's used. That's something that I try to play with in my work.
Thanks again!
I often use a process of creating collages that I call Making Problems / Finding Solutions. For the first part I just stick anything down anywhere, no thought, not even any intuition really. Just gluing things down. At some point it switches to solving the puzzle. How can I resolve all of these things into a satisfying image. Or more often, how can I get out of this corner I've painted myself into!
Yes! Such a great practice Joel! I’ve only recently started doing something similar when I’m making collage papers. I’ll glue random scraps and fragments leftover from other collages onto failed gel print papers and look for possible compositions that I can cut out as a starting place for new collages. Love the way you’re doing it. I may have to give that go. Thanks for the recommendation!
I like that idea of having one debt that needs to be paid each day: create something.
Thanks Neil! I think we each get to decide what the meaning of our being is. We get to choose what our higher purpose will be. When we do we then have the responsibility to build our lives accordingly. My only purpose, the only thing that I think I’m here to do, is to make things.
I love all of the collages so much, and the words! Yes yes yes! Remaining to remember is by far my favorite, but they’re all so wonderful
Thanks so much Rikki! That’s one of my favorite one’s here too!
I think genius is everything you've touched on here, Duane--plus Time.
I think that what a lot of people attribute to genius is actually just the benefit of a thoughtful, patient gazing. Which leads to clarifying. Which refines it into something singular. Genius!
Looking at Julia's work blows me away--her stitching is definitely genius!
“the benefit of a thoughtful, patient gazing” - that strikes a deep and resonant chord. So much of what seems like a strike of lightening, or what seems like it appears out of nowhere is something that occurs as culmination of a long and slow evolution.
Yes! @Julia’s stitching is absolutely genius!!
"What happens when restlessness mixes with curiosity..."
Perhaps this IS genius.
Oh, I like the way you think Kim!