Aesthetic Overkill! Make it Stop…
For f’s sake, I’m so sick of design! I’m even sick of art!
I’ve been out and about on the interwebs trying to more actively promote my jewelry store, so I’ve been surfing an abnormally (for me) high number of art, craft, design and (shudder) fashion websites. And here’s the thing; I don’t think I can handle any more. I’m aesthetically burnt out, and I’ve barely begun what I need to do.
There is so much ridiculously good-looking ’stuff’ out there, so much ‘pretty’, so much ‘cute’, so much ‘cool’. And all it makes me want to do is shave my head, paint everything in my house white and never make, look at or think about art or design again.
But, I love art. What’s wrong with me? Art is what I do, when I’m not doing other things, and I like doing it. I like making things pretty. I like pretty things. I naturally try to beautify everything around me. Beauty is good.
But there can be too much of a good thing. There’s too much ‘pretty’. Do I really want to add to the aesthetic-overkill that, currently, is just about making me sick? I know I’m just in one of my hormonal, reactionary moods. But it’s not the first instance of this particular mood, and it’s more acute today than usual. I need perspective.
I can pinpoint two of my problems right now:
1. I want to add value to the world, and I’m not really getting that, selling art or jewelry. I feel like it just adds to an already oversaturated visual and commercial atmosphere that I don’t like. I don’t want to be contributing to superficiality and senseless consumerism. I already consider this a big problem in our culture.
2. Even if making and selling jewelry could satisfy me, I just can’t hack the ‘networking’ aspect. Not in this particular market. But, supposably, this is a must if I want to achieve any decent measure of success. Right now I don’t think I can stomach another ‘craft’ blog without following it up with a good old fashioned wrist-slitting. How am I going to ‘be active in the community’ and genuinely reach out to my ‘niche market’ when this is how I feel about it?
Anyway, a heads up is all: If you like my jewels, get ‘em while they’re there, because that might be the last of them. Or maybe this is just an evil ploy to get y’all to buy up my jewels…
No, it isn’t. Between writing and music and work, I don’t really have time to make jewels anymore anyway. I had this idea that I could make a lot of money from it, but like I said, the market is oversaturated. If you want to support my music or just make me feel good and you like my jewels, hey, go for it, but honestly that isn’t why I wrote this. I just needed to vent.
Of course, that said, a week from now I might get a new burst of inspiration and totally change my mind about everything I just wrote here. I’ve been known to do that. Though, this time, I doubt it.
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PS: I don’t mean to say that people who are doing crafts or design or any of that aren’t doing anything of value. It’s just, I guess we all get value-fulfillment from different things, and more and more I’m realizing that if I’m not really into what I’m doing, it isn’t going to work for me and I shouldn’t be doing it. If you’re into it, you probably should be doing it, and I applaud you for doing something you love, whatever it happens to be.
Newsflash: you’re a human being. (At least for the next several decades, anyway.)
That wasn’t meant in a “get over it” way, by the way. Maybe it would be good to keep a private journal of what inspires you and drives you, so you can see where, when, and how you’re getting sick of them, or what is turning an inspiration into an obligation (I’m reminded of your oracle blog). Maybe you need to start projects with more built-in freedom to evolve? Maybe they need a constitution or a mission statement from your higher self. What is, for example, the fundamental thing that drove you to make jewelry? And how will that fundamental thing manifest itself now?
When I visit my relatives they sometimes say “remember when you used to draw cartoons all the time? Gee, it’s a shame you don’t do that anymore.” I’m still doing the underlying thing that previously manifested itself as “drawing cartoons”, only for them it’s lost in the translation (to music).
Similarly some former bandmates strongly identify me with keyboards, putting more emphasis on the instrument than the muse. (*Most* musicians are instrument-centric, actually.) So your pendants are an instrument you got good at, and in their present form aren’t taking you to the next level. The pendants themselves are only a physical thing, but the magic you imbued them with might be calling out for some kind of upgrade.
Sounds like it’s time to avoid and integrate. Avoidance can be helpful in times like these. Relax, have some fun, take a shower, then something will hopefully dawn again.
Also keep in mind, how many people are out there. Billions and billions. You can probably find just a few - enough - to bank on … and making just enough is the best goal to start off with anyway.
Thanks Keith. Yeah, my creative impulses just seem to all be channeling into music these days. And I guess, really I’m just pissed that selling these things isn’t as easy as it was back in the last place I lived, where I would just bring my necklaces to work every day and people would constantly be coming to *ME* asking to buy them, and all on paid time. I got spoiled. Online promotion is a lot more daunting, and I nolonger have that sweet work situation where I’m surrounded by young hipsters who adore me and who spend money like it’s going out of style. ;)
But you’re right, I need to be more deliberate and thoughtful in the starting of new projects. Anyway, I’ve calmed down since I wrote that. I think I’ll just take a break from the jewel-making and focus on music, and see where Life wants to lead me.
Whatacharacter, I agree and am doing just that. And it is good to keep that perspective in mind.. that there are a lot of people in the world. Plus, the thing about jewelry is you can always make room for more. :) ANyway, who knows.. we’ll see..
Is it just me or am I not making any sense today?
Not making any what?