Beautiful! It’s nice to read about you following in the footsteps of someone else (maybe the wrong phrasing but hopefully you understand me). I’ve been wondering about that recently, and who to look to to help with my structure. I’m quite used to being highly independent and creative in that aspect.
Also a fan of Social Media Escape Club and The Ririverse! 🙂
That has been the experience exactly. Finding people who are already cooking and taking inspiration from their work is such a huge motivator for me. I'm always on the look out for new creative role models.
Thanks for sharing these thoughts. I’m new here and have a head full of wild ideas about all the cool things I could do, so learning from folks like you guys who have been doing it for a while is super helpful in my progress towards refining and defining how to get creative in a sustainable manner.
Welcome here! And congrats on the launch of your newsletter. On most days, I still feel pretty new my self. It's been a welcoming community and an exciting place to share creative work!
My pleasure, Jeff. Thanks for reading. It was really hard to come up with a title for this that didn't look suspiciously like your recent (and wonderful) series 😂.
I learned about digital gardens first from Maggie Appleton. The notion totally captivated me!
Oh, sorry about that ha ha. What you guys had to say about sustainability is really helpful. I’m looking forward to reading that article, thanks, Matthew! Really intriguing
Great stories and well compiled! Also been enjoying the Fog Chaser Substack. Excited to check out some of the other Substacks you mentioned!
I especially like the bit about keeping things to yourself. This feels particularly important "these days".
A few years ago a friend of mine started Jungian analysis and I was curious to hear what his experience was like. He told me that his analyst encouraged him to "keep the vault closed" so that alchemical fire could do it's proper cooking.
Gotta keep that alchemical fire cooking! It's amazing how quickly any sort of instrumental/means-to-an-end type headspace around art douses it in cold water. I think that is a difficulty with sharing art online. Like, I don't want to be making it so that I can share it online. I want to share it because there is an abundance and my heart longs for it to be known.
Absolutely, well said. I find for myself there's often a tension between 'making the thing' and being conscious of the audience and possibly trying to cater to them.
This piece really made me think about intentional growth. The idea of reaching a smaller, dedicated group first, without gimicks, is powerful. What if that slow-burn, quality-first approach is the true path for sustainability in any creative endeavor, even in areas like education or AI project development?
Yes, you raise some really good points — and I think you're right. "Slow-burn, quality-first" — if you build something you love, and if you build it with intention and care, then you will find your people eventually. I really do believe that. We're just so conditioned these days for quick hits of growth: followers, likes, having something go viral. It's alluring, but ultimately, I believe, deceptive.
Loved getting the chance to talk with you, Matthew! Thank you!
Let's do it again some time!!!
Beautiful! It’s nice to read about you following in the footsteps of someone else (maybe the wrong phrasing but hopefully you understand me). I’ve been wondering about that recently, and who to look to to help with my structure. I’m quite used to being highly independent and creative in that aspect.
Also a fan of Social Media Escape Club and The Ririverse! 🙂
That has been the experience exactly. Finding people who are already cooking and taking inspiration from their work is such a huge motivator for me. I'm always on the look out for new creative role models.
Ahhh whatttt?!! 🖤 I’m in tears 🦋
Thanks for sharing these thoughts. I’m new here and have a head full of wild ideas about all the cool things I could do, so learning from folks like you guys who have been doing it for a while is super helpful in my progress towards refining and defining how to get creative in a sustainable manner.
Welcome here! And congrats on the launch of your newsletter. On most days, I still feel pretty new my self. It's been a welcoming community and an exciting place to share creative work!
And this is how I was officially established as the queen of sausage decomposition 👽
I love this article and I’ve been super impressed with Fog Chaser ever since I stumbled upon him this summer 👾
Riri: world builder, music lover, songwriter, sausage decomposition artist extraordenaire!
I really enjoyed this post and interview, thank you. Fog Chaser has been a huge inspiration for me. “Digital garden” - I love that.
My pleasure, Jeff. Thanks for reading. It was really hard to come up with a title for this that didn't look suspiciously like your recent (and wonderful) series 😂.
I learned about digital gardens first from Maggie Appleton. The notion totally captivated me!
https://maggieappleton.com/nontechnical-gardening
Oh, sorry about that ha ha. What you guys had to say about sustainability is really helpful. I’m looking forward to reading that article, thanks, Matthew! Really intriguing
Great stories and well compiled! Also been enjoying the Fog Chaser Substack. Excited to check out some of the other Substacks you mentioned!
I especially like the bit about keeping things to yourself. This feels particularly important "these days".
A few years ago a friend of mine started Jungian analysis and I was curious to hear what his experience was like. He told me that his analyst encouraged him to "keep the vault closed" so that alchemical fire could do it's proper cooking.
Gotta keep that alchemical fire cooking! It's amazing how quickly any sort of instrumental/means-to-an-end type headspace around art douses it in cold water. I think that is a difficulty with sharing art online. Like, I don't want to be making it so that I can share it online. I want to share it because there is an abundance and my heart longs for it to be known.
Absolutely, well said. I find for myself there's often a tension between 'making the thing' and being conscious of the audience and possibly trying to cater to them.
Good stuff.
This piece really made me think about intentional growth. The idea of reaching a smaller, dedicated group first, without gimicks, is powerful. What if that slow-burn, quality-first approach is the true path for sustainability in any creative endeavor, even in areas like education or AI project development?
Yes, you raise some really good points — and I think you're right. "Slow-burn, quality-first" — if you build something you love, and if you build it with intention and care, then you will find your people eventually. I really do believe that. We're just so conditioned these days for quick hits of growth: followers, likes, having something go viral. It's alluring, but ultimately, I believe, deceptive.