Hmm, I'm wrestling with that idea. Does quality happen by chance? Like, if you enter the lottery enough times you'll eventually win a prize? I think thoughtful, dedicated work generates a reputable level of success. Staying in the game makes a difference—practice makes perfect (or at least better)—but you can't just be a machine. Far too many artists fall into redundancy to meet a market demand.
"Does quality happen by chance?" - Such a great question! I think sometimes it does, or at least appears to. Often what looks like chance is something more cumulative. I'm a firm believer in the idea that the best way to get to quality is through quantity. Show up, make a lot of shit, pay attention, and eventually it gets less shitty.
Duane, adding in an Ade collab piece with the collage of yours that touched me this morning made me jump into the cart! So exciting to have your work. George
Really interesting, Duane. For myself, I must say that my emotional approach varies wildly. Sometimes it's overwhelmingly exciting, other times a massive struggle, sometimes positive, other times cathartic, etc. And what seems to be true is that none of it has any bearing on how others respond to it, so I just do what I need to do in the way that feels right at the time.
First, get out of my f-ing head! LOL Second, absolutely spot on. It takes a lot of courage and trust to put something made into the world. Almost like dropping your child off at their first sleep-over. I hope we all find courage to keep making with honesty and truth.
Thanks Bob! That’s such a great way to look at it! Putting the work out in the world is an act of release; releasing it and letting it go, but also an act of releasing myself. It’s a way of clearing my desk, my head, and my heart, in preparation for the work still to come.
Reading this makes me want to go fumble around in the dark with a glue stick. I really appreciate the way you own the tension, not just the certainty. There’s something comforting about knowing the work doesn’t always have to be driven by confidence or clarity—sometimes momentum is enough, or even just the refusal to quit. Thanks for sharing this part of your process so candidly.
Thank you so much! My work is almost never driven by confidence and rarely, if ever, by clarity. And yet neither are they absent. I’m confident in the momentum of consistently working. There is a clarity that comes with the obstinate refusal to be deterred. And I’m confident that if there is any clarity to be had, it will arrive in the momentum of showing up always. Thanks again!
oof, good question! i can only speak for myself, and I can say that the times I have been sure are VASTLY outnumbered by the occasions of doubt and uncertainty.
Duane!! This might be my favorite piece of yours I’ve ever read. I so appreciate the vulnerable peek inside your brain. And gorgeous sentences and collages as always. Thank you!
Wow Kate! Thank you! My brain is in a constant state of cluster-f*ckery, haha. Making things helps me make sense of it. Glad some of it makes sense to you too!
Late dad used to say to me, “ all change happens at the borders of frustrations “- anger and fear and excitement and terror and love all rolled into one
Vanessa, Thank you! I LOVE that quote from your dad! He's so dynamically on point! I couldn't agree more, it's all the things, all at once, all the time!
I think that not gluing down a collage is like not pushing the shutter release on a camera.
That’s a fantastic connection! The surest way to quality is through quantity.
Hmm, I'm wrestling with that idea. Does quality happen by chance? Like, if you enter the lottery enough times you'll eventually win a prize? I think thoughtful, dedicated work generates a reputable level of success. Staying in the game makes a difference—practice makes perfect (or at least better)—but you can't just be a machine. Far too many artists fall into redundancy to meet a market demand.
"Does quality happen by chance?" - Such a great question! I think sometimes it does, or at least appears to. Often what looks like chance is something more cumulative. I'm a firm believer in the idea that the best way to get to quality is through quantity. Show up, make a lot of shit, pay attention, and eventually it gets less shitty.
Showing up is at least half the battle.
Maybe even more.
Wow! Just wow!!!
Thank you so much!
Duane, adding in an Ade collab piece with the collage of yours that touched me this morning made me jump into the cart! So exciting to have your work. George
George! That’s so awesome!! Thank you so much!
Really interesting, Duane. For myself, I must say that my emotional approach varies wildly. Sometimes it's overwhelmingly exciting, other times a massive struggle, sometimes positive, other times cathartic, etc. And what seems to be true is that none of it has any bearing on how others respond to it, so I just do what I need to do in the way that feels right at the time.
All the things all at once, and all entirely true simultaneously. But the most important thing is the continuing, love it! Thanks James!
First, get out of my f-ing head! LOL Second, absolutely spot on. It takes a lot of courage and trust to put something made into the world. Almost like dropping your child off at their first sleep-over. I hope we all find courage to keep making with honesty and truth.
Thanks Bob! That’s such a great way to look at it! Putting the work out in the world is an act of release; releasing it and letting it go, but also an act of releasing myself. It’s a way of clearing my desk, my head, and my heart, in preparation for the work still to come.
Yep.
I always admire those monks who can make mandalas out of sand then erase them. Making a collage then not gluing it reminds me of that.
Yes! I know exactly what you mean! I think of those monastics often, and that kind of welcoming acceptance of the fleeting ephemerality of all things.
Reading this makes me want to go fumble around in the dark with a glue stick. I really appreciate the way you own the tension, not just the certainty. There’s something comforting about knowing the work doesn’t always have to be driven by confidence or clarity—sometimes momentum is enough, or even just the refusal to quit. Thanks for sharing this part of your process so candidly.
Thank you so much! My work is almost never driven by confidence and rarely, if ever, by clarity. And yet neither are they absent. I’m confident in the momentum of consistently working. There is a clarity that comes with the obstinate refusal to be deterred. And I’m confident that if there is any clarity to be had, it will arrive in the momentum of showing up always. Thanks again!
Well said. It’s reassuring to know that clarity can come from just showing up and doing the work. Thanks for your openness!
My pleasure! Thanks for all your support and feedback!
Does anyone really create from certainty?
oof, good question! i can only speak for myself, and I can say that the times I have been sure are VASTLY outnumbered by the occasions of doubt and uncertainty.
Same for me, Duane. It’s a rare occurrence for me to sit down and write anything from a point of certainty. Unknowing always drives the work.
Absolutely, it can make it tenuous and difficult, but it’s also what makes it filled with wonder and discovery!
Beautiful. That could be my manifesto. So many powerful statements.
Thank you so much for reading Adam! I appreciate it!
Duane!! This might be my favorite piece of yours I’ve ever read. I so appreciate the vulnerable peek inside your brain. And gorgeous sentences and collages as always. Thank you!
Wow Kate! Thank you! My brain is in a constant state of cluster-f*ckery, haha. Making things helps me make sense of it. Glad some of it makes sense to you too!
Hail to
The yes in all of that - my
Late dad used to say to me, “ all change happens at the borders of frustrations “- anger and fear and excitement and terror and love all rolled into one
Vanessa, Thank you! I LOVE that quote from your dad! He's so dynamically on point! I couldn't agree more, it's all the things, all at once, all the time!