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debra cole's avatar

BTW, your post about digging little holes in the same place to reach gold---I am actually following your advice and your inspiring posts.

I am doing the work. Little by little.

I drew a large beetle yesterday, instead of taking a photo on my phone. It means a lot more when you draw it. These beetles are the size of hardboiled egg yolks, they are covered in thick, dark brown armor, they are not attractive.

I didnt spend too much time---I just did it which was a big step for me. I give you the credit!! I love your posts and your work and I shared your post with an artist friend in a similar situation--she literally stuffs her unfinished sketch books in a drawer so they don't make her feel guilty. I have told her about you. 💕 Sincerely, Debi in Cabo Corrientes, MX.

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Andrew James's avatar

Hey Debi, thanks for telling me this. It makes me really happy to hear you're drawing unattractive beetles in Mexico because of me. That's a sentence I never expected to write.

And thanks for sharing my work, too.

Keep digging :)

Andrew

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E Daggar Art's avatar

I also have several small sheets of Lino and the tools waiting for me… they’ve been collecting dust since last fall. I’ve done it before, but it was a lifetime ago. What am I waiting for?! Thanks for this reminder to just do the thing!

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Hara Vrachas's avatar

I loved reading this! I also learn better by just doing the thing! I recently started lino printing too and I’m hooked.

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Wait a minute!'s avatar

I like your self discovery journey with this project. “Do it!”😂 (Nike slogan “Just do it!”)

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Andrew James's avatar

It’s one of those things that, deep down, we all know. But somehow I still haven’t learned it.

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debra cole's avatar

Inspiring as always!

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Noreen G's avatar

Great advice and I really enjoy lino printing. I’ve been thinking about pulling that stuff back out lately. This is just the push I needed.

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Jane Schonveld's avatar

Loved this. The thinking and sharing - and the Lino cut. Thanks.

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K. Woodman-Maynard's avatar

Yes! It feels so good to just do something instead of thinking about something.

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heydave56's avatar

Super timely! I've been thinking about lino and woodcut myself.

And thanks for the recipe!

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Susan Gresto's avatar

Thanks Andrew! Time for me to get printing! Reading this made me wonder when you might put together a book of your writings on creativity… 🤗

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Andrew James's avatar

Thanks Susan. I don't know when I might try writing and pitching a book, but writing these posts here is a move in that direction. Thanks for your kind words. :)

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Alex Hallatt's avatar

I have a horrible feeling I am procrastinating by reading this post – but it’s so inspiring!

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Andrew James's avatar

Isn't everything procrastination? What are we "supposed" to be doing anyway?

Thanks for your nice words :)

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Alex Hallatt's avatar

Absolutely. Procrastination is good for the mind. When I have an intractable problem (work or otherwise), it is often procrastination that allows my subconscious to noodle things out before feeding it to my conscious brain.

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Lisa Cunningham DeLauney's avatar

Lino cutting was so much fun when I last did it at school, several decades ago! I really ought to give it a go. I remember enjoying skiving through the tile - but not my finger s much!

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Andrew James's avatar

Eeek. Stay safe.

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Mary Parker's avatar

Playing is absolutely the best thing - it's so freeing! It's having the time... I try to draw on a regular basis but if I draw every day it becomes a 'rule' that I must do no matter what so my inner rebel refuses to comply. I have to find ways of ambushing myself.

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Andrew James's avatar

Yes! I feel that too. I need to outsmart myself so that I get things done :)

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Tina Kramer's avatar

Thank you for sharing your thoughts on procrastination, along with your lentil soup recipe. I will have to try it when colder days return to this part of the world, as long as making soup doesn't become another form of procrastination! :)

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