It's true. I don't. What is it that I do, exactly?
I don't really know what drawings are going to work, to be well received, and which ones aren't. What am I trying to accomplish, anyway? Be funny? Clever? Political? Or just honest?
What am I going to draw next? Should I work on a series? Should I make a story? I really have no idea.
I think I had a better understanding of what I was doing two years ago than I do now. I don't know what's changed.
I try to get out of my own way, to stop labeling things, but the analytical side of me wants to figure what works and what doesn't, so that I can use that information to decide what to make next. But it never works (at least not for me). I can't cater to specific demands. I can't always be funny.
So I keep on making drawings and sharing them here. Some of them are enjoyed, some are forgotten. The only thing left to do is to keep making, and keep sharing, and embrace the unknown. It scares the bejeezus out of me, I'll admit.
There's a great deal of pressure on creative types to only put out your best work. This can sometimes lead to only sharing predictable work. Forget perfection. What if you want to try something new? What if you've been thinking of yourself as a photographer, but there's some fantastic short stories inside of you waiting to get out? Or you've been blogging about restaurants, but you've got a terrific DIY project to share about how to make your own lamp? It might be good, and it might fall flat. But I think it's worth giving it a shot. That's the beauty of the internet. You can put something out there, and see how it goes. It doesn't cost you anything (and you can always delete it later). I find that the act of posting something, of seeing it on your blog or Flickr account can be really helpful. It makes it a bit more real, and it helps me see it in a new context instead of just on my messy desk. Anything that keeps the door open to future possibilities is a good thing.
The original drawing above is sold. Check for other available drawings and signed prints in the shop.