A first Art talk & coffee | back to Youtube

I heard someone from the music business saying they are no longer looking for talent, they want people with a certain look and a willingness to cooperate. I thought, that’s interesting, because I believe a total unwillingness to cooperate is what is necessary to be an artist — not for perverse reasons, but to protect your vision. The considerations of a corporation, especially now, have nothing to do with art or music. That’s why I spend my time now painting.

― Joni Mitchell

I admire people who can plan out their content for themselves and keep their own deadlines. I can’t. I admire people that have a calendar that they actively use for months, and that are in general ahead of the game. I am, however, not one of those. Not for a lack of trying, repeatedly over the years. I have listened to podcasts, Ted talks, and YouTube videos about how to plan your life and your content calendar, how to manage time and how to stay on track. Then I have tried to implement those ideas into my own life with various result. Some things have worked better than others, but most of them I’ve already forgotten… I have then tried again. Many, many times. I am just not a great planner person I’ve come to realize, again and again.

So how do I get anything done? Sometimes I am not sure either, but in general I just sit down and do something. When my stars align (that’s when I have the time, the energy and the resolve in the moment then it happens). This week I sat down to create another YouTube video for example. I sat down without a script, or a plan or even a name for what I wanted to do, and I just… did it.

In this video I get into all kinds subject matters because my mind was flooded with thoughts. I talk about my three previous experiences with finishing 365 art pieces in a year (so proud of those!), my current substrate, demonstrate how my chomper works (which I got second-hand from a book binder that went out of business), how I found a cute cat image in a thrifted book, how I have a new-found love of blogging since NaBloPoMo and that I want to be your cheerleader for sharing ourselves through blogging. I am hoping for a blogging revival, even a small one would be a win in my book. Please spread the word. I also, somehow, get in a mention of my favorite Swedish knitting book designer and the power of sharing your art on the internet. Phew, right?

I made up a name for the video series on the spot and rambled on for quite a bit. Here it is, and yes, I have given it the not very original name:

Art Talk and coffee with iHanna

All the synapses were firing at the same time I think. I am really all over the place in this video, but it was great getting some of it out. finally – and to get back into the youtubes.

I hope you like the idea of a talky video, it is easier to edit/make for me than the ones where I create something, because those videos usually come out messier, longer and have more moving parts to them. Let me know below. Feel free to suggest subjects/themes for upcoming art chats or blog posts. Would you like me to talk about something that I do now or have shared in thepast, ti talk about my experiences with blogging, art journaling or embroidery for example?

Wishing you all the best in these troubling times. Keep creating, keep learning, keep being generous and kind and most of all, keep doing the things that are important to you in your life. Let’s not loose focus on what is important for us & our mental health.

And yeah, let’s simply say NO the bullies of the world. Take care.

Namaste.

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