Jason's Blog is Back!

After months of neglect, Jason's Blog is finally getting some attention!
I'm hoping to continue posting at least once a week, starting today.
If you've been a frequent visitor to Jason's Blog since the beginning, you may notice that some older posts have been deleted. That's because I want to shift the focus of the blog (slightly)... to make it less heavy.
I'll continue writing my usual segments, paying particular attention to segments that haven't been properly explored. One of those segments is Tutorials. I want to pass on the tips and tricks I've collected over the years (I'm sure there's lots of 'em, if I think hard enough).
The Book Reviews will likely focus on non-fiction for a while; books that relate to the arts. I'm currently reading a great book on fiction writing, and would love share what it's taught me.
So, please check back soon––hopefully there will be an update!

I need to find a way to end my posts –– Jason

Facebook Fan Page

Hello,
I've created a Facebook fan page to help promote my art. I'll be uploading more content (artwork) on this page then I will on my personal account. So be sure to "like" it (I could really use the support).
You can find my page here: click me
That's it, for now. I'll be writing a proper post sometime soon!

Announcements and such...

I am pleased to announce that my blog has two new segments for me to update regularly!

New Segment #1:

I'll now be writing book reviews! I try to read a novel every month anyway, so why not blog about what I've read? I'll be kicking off this segment later in this post, by listing 10 of my all-time favourite novels/series.

New Segment #2:

Last month I was buying sock monkey supplies with my friend (alias: Oprah), when I discovered the most amazing creature waiting for me in a clearance bin: a furry rat I named Geethy!

He's the best fake pet ever! My pride and joy!

My living pets want to eat him, so he sleeps on my bookshelf, out of reach.

I want to start a segment showing pictures of Geethy doing things, going places, meeting friends... And who knows, maybe you'll all grow to love Geethy as much as I do!

Ladies and Gentlemen, here he is, the rat himself – Geethy:

Now, here are my choices for "Top Ten Novels/Series of All Time" (in no particular order):

1. Harry Potter Series – JK Rowling
2. Cirque du Freak Series – Darren Shan
3. Shutter Island – Dennis Lehane
4. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory – Roald Dahl
5. Alice in Wonderland/Through the Looking-Glass – Lewis Carroll
6. The Picture of Dorian Gray - Oscar Wilde
7. The Reader – Bernhard Schlink
8. The Five People You Meet in Heaven – Mitch Albom
9. Stardust – Neil Gaiman
10. The Shadow of the Wind/The Angel's Game/The Prince of Mist – it's kinda cheating to squeeze them all in, but I love anything written by Carlos Ruiz Zafon!

If anyone is reading this, I'd love to see your top 10 list!

And to celebrate the beginning of my book review segment, here is Geethy's first adventure:

We all have these days...

I'm feeling strange today... tired, headachy, pensive...

and I've noticed something: I need to post more often!

The purpose of this blog has always been to document my adventures as an artist. Lately I've been posting finished projects, and writing personal updates every 2-3 months. That's not enough!

I forget to comment on the days, like today, when I do nothing creative, and then feel horrible for doing nothing! Many of my days are spent like this... blocked and creating nothing!

I can't, in good conscience, write a blog about creative life without mentioning these uninspired days! My uninspired days are, undoubtably, similar to those of other artists. I want to share my experiences, in case you can relate. I know I'm not alone in this!

I put a lot of pressure on myself to create: especially now that arts and crafts are my only source of income (and so far I've sold nothing). The pressure can be intense, and intimidating! So intimidating that, even on days when I am feeling inspired, the pressure to "get it right the first time" keeps me from starting or finishing projects.

For some reason, I must have something physically accomplished every day, or else I feel useless. This isn't practical; it adds to the pressure, and distracts me from spending time thinking about projects, which is an extremely important part of the creative process!

Most of my illustrations are inspired by times when I've sat, alone in the dark, listening to music. But, I can't remember the last time I've spent an evening doing that! Instead, I'm up late at night, staring at blank documents, expecting something to appear... or reworking the shit out of ideas I've found successful in the past.

My creative goals are often too strict. I try to complete illustrations in one sitting, scared that my inspiration will have moved on by morning. It adds to the pressure, and results in work that looks rushed, incomplete, or uninspired.

So, that's a quick glimpse at the challenges I face on my "darker days." It's a dangerous cycle I get caught in regularly. It's triggered by a number of things, and does go away at times. Also, it's not impossible to create around these problems; the pressure may be there, but some days it's easier to ignore it.

I'm glad I decided to write about this topic. I believe the solution starts with allowing myself to relax! I've been learning how to not be a perfectionist, and embrace flaws (not just art that looks flawed on purpose – real flaws). I'm less concerned about impressing people; I am out to impress myself.

A new me is on the horizon! A better, more inspired me. It's time to focus on myself; mentally, physically and creatively.