I appreciate that you put this video together. There is only one aspect that concerned me: the association of art with suffering; because the narrative one has historically come across about this topic tends to imply that suffering is *especially associated with art, and that can be misleading and harmful, particularly to those who are at the start of making their way. I imagine most will agree that suffering is found in any aspect of life, and a better understanding of why it is happening becomes a wonderful means for finding the way to do things that is particular to you. What I mean by this is - suffering and clarity go hand in hand, when you find yourself suffering, realising that this means you are in need of clarity, you can then seek it out, rather than remaining in the state of suffering, you can take the gift of exploring clarity that your feeling of suffering has revealed to you. And your video is a wonderful example of a process one can take on and enjoy. I doubt that your mentioning of suffering was meant in the way that I am cautioning above, I thought it useful to point it out for those who may have been led to think of art this way. Thanks for the video.
It's a good point, and I find readily that with each video I produce leaves open some avenue of interpretation I failed to close. So for clarity no, art is not exclusively tethered to suffering, but because of its intrinsic good we're willing to suffer for its sake if we have a conviction of the reality of that good. Otherwise it's just pleasure and we would never pursue it once it becomes uncomfortable and difficult
suffering is pretty solid. Like running, it doesn't have to be self destructive. perhaps sacrifice is a better term, but most sacrifices require some form of suffering or other, be it as mediocre as boredom. The idea of suffering as a source of inspiration is perhaps the issue.
This is a very beautiful video about one way to learn to love art and become an active participant. However, there’s reams of studies and data that shows that behavior and actions really does change people also. The fundamental problem with New Year’s resolutions is that they’re overly broad and overly concerned with the idea of change and less concerned with the actual concrete day-to-day habit building. In reality what works for people varies a lot. For some people thinking about why art is important and focusing on the thinking aspect does wonders. But for other people setting a specific time aside every day to just draw for 30 minutes builds a concrete habit that begins to change their thoughts.
Jordan, I just want to encourage you. I think your videos are terrific and incredibly insightful. You're a gifted teacher, and I've particularly enjoyed your "Comicking" series. Just thought I'd let you know that you should keep making stuff.
@@jholtillus Definetely did. I think it is gonna be hard to find what actually keeps me going but I am eager to find what actually makes me draw in the end and to work on my lost motivation and fun on art. I want to have fun again, come home and want to do nothing else but draw and create.
I cannot express how perfect and true and needed (by me) this video is. I am on the other side of the hump of realizing that art (in my case, fiction) is valuable that I know that what you're saying is true, and still not down into the valley on the other side far enough yet to not need to hear this. Thank you for recording and uploading it. There's a quote I'm familiar with that is so connected with your words that it's uncanny. It's through the lens of religion, but it's the same principle: "True doctrine, understood, changes attitudes and behavior. The study of the doctrines of the gospel will improve behavior quicker than a study of behavior will improve behavior." (Boyd K. Packer) I've avoided writing fiction for years because of a belief that fiction is less worthy of reading and writing than non-fiction. All the efforts to "get myself to write" fell flat because that belief was invisibly blocking any action. I'm working on a belief that fiction is beautiful and good and helpful and worthwhile.
im not sure and i am hesitent in writing this, altho i am already practicing art and not waitng for a time to start i think i needed to watch this video, i was about to plan how ill study but i think that wouldve exhasted me, i think altho i should reaserch and makes steps and goals to learning i shouldnt force myself and make myself anxious on the matter, cuz itll just make me quit, also i should try to find more about why i wanna make art
I'm with you and I completely understand the difficulty you're dealing with. I spent so many years frustrated by my low output and lack of motivation and the thing that jumpstarted me was studying art history. I completely fell down the rabbit hole of Italian art and I just studied it without a plan. Then I moved on to other movements and periods and it breathed so much life into me. I made the video because I really believe that a big goal, "get to know art better," can move you forward without the detailed small goals that constantly make us feel like we're failing. Those are more appropriate later when the motivation is firmly entrenched (I do, for example, produce two pages a week and draw every day). But I couldn't have done that 10 years ago.
@@jholtillus to clarify; as you mentioned, for something so subjective, there are many ways to do all that needs to be done. The end goals might be different, but there are also multiple perspectives on what success is. I don't rely on my art for income, but this is where I need to be at the moment. The intrinsic value of producing my art outweighs the actual value (at the moment). So, @specterman603, I'd say enjoy the process of searching and learning. This is not to minimize the value of direction (teacher), which is invaluable.
This video immediately reminded me of a comment you left on a previous video, “Everything I Wish I'd Known About Drawing, Writing, Creativity & Artists.” You said, “I know modern culture views us as intractable inner selves (and our true self is identified by what we want most), but I have found that to be a shifting and constantly changing aspect of people --and an undependable foundation. So rather than seeking what makes us happy by fulfilling our desires, rather pursue things you believe are intrinsically good, even if not broadly recognized by your context. Art comes with many bad days as well as good ones. Often it's not fulfilling what I want, I do it because it's good. That sustains me when my passion for it does not.” You’ve given me the revelation that I’m convinced of the moral good of some things, despite not being passionate about pursuing them, and as it stands - before I take your advice and dive into big questions about art and see if I can’t change my thinking - I feel passionate about art despite not being convinced of its inherent good. Do you think a belief in the moral good of something is the most important factor to consider when determining if something is worth pursuing seriously, or should one both have a passion for what they pursue in addition to a belief that it’s inherently good?
What a phenomenal question. I believe it's a mix. There are many high goods (morally) in the world. Obviously, one life is inadequate to explore them all. So we're justified in following skill, passion and opportunity to the good appropriate to us. The reality is that our life, body and mind puts us in range of some things and not others, and our limitations as human beings are severe and our lives short. My desires, passions and opportunities will send me to various tasks, the limiting factor I want to place on those is the framework of the highest moral good, virtue and beauty within my reach. So I will deny some desires, passions and opportunities and follow those that direct towards higher good. Very broadly speaking, this is pretty much the theme from Aristotle down to Aquinas. That's my answer, hopefully coming across humbly and not like an Internet guru
I appreciate that you put this video together. There is only one aspect that concerned me: the association of art with suffering; because the narrative one has historically come across about this topic tends to imply that suffering is *especially associated with art, and that can be misleading and harmful, particularly to those who are at the start of making their way. I imagine most will agree that suffering is found in any aspect of life, and a better understanding of why it is happening becomes a wonderful means for finding the way to do things that is particular to you. What I mean by this is - suffering and clarity go hand in hand, when you find yourself suffering, realising that this means you are in need of clarity, you can then seek it out, rather than remaining in the state of suffering, you can take the gift of exploring clarity that your feeling of suffering has revealed to you. And your video is a wonderful example of a process one can take on and enjoy. I doubt that your mentioning of suffering was meant in the way that I am cautioning above, I thought it useful to point it out for those who may have been led to think of art this way. Thanks for the video.
It's a good point, and I find readily that with each video I produce leaves open some avenue of interpretation I failed to close. So for clarity no, art is not exclusively tethered to suffering, but because of its intrinsic good we're willing to suffer for its sake if we have a conviction of the reality of that good. Otherwise it's just pleasure and we would never pursue it once it becomes uncomfortable and difficult
suffering is pretty solid. Like running, it doesn't have to be self destructive. perhaps sacrifice is a better term, but most sacrifices require some form of suffering or other, be it as mediocre as boredom. The idea of suffering as a source of inspiration is perhaps the issue.
@@jholtillus Thank you.
Yeah this is one of the foundational principles of Buddhism - no mud, no lotus flower.
I think you have the best “why” videos within the art category on UA-cam
Thank you! I really appreciate that
absolutely
This is a very beautiful video about one way to learn to love art and become an active participant. However, there’s reams of studies and data that shows that behavior and actions really does change people also. The fundamental problem with New Year’s resolutions is that they’re overly broad and overly concerned with the idea of change and less concerned with the actual concrete day-to-day habit building. In reality what works for people varies a lot. For some people thinking about why art is important and focusing on the thinking aspect does wonders. But for other people setting a specific time aside every day to just draw for 30 minutes builds a concrete habit that begins to change their thoughts.
Jordan, I just want to encourage you. I think your videos are terrific and incredibly insightful. You're a gifted teacher, and I've particularly enjoyed your "Comicking" series. Just thought I'd let you know that you should keep making stuff.
Thank you very much! That means a lot.
I showed up for an art/comic lecture and got an amazing self help course. Lol.
Hey next week is a full video on speech bubbles and text in comics
@@jholtillus awesome, can't wait.
I got this sent by an online bestie who keeps helping me fight my struggles. 💚
I do hope you got some value from it!
@@jholtillus Definetely did. I think it is gonna be hard to find what actually keeps me going but I am eager to find what actually makes me draw in the end and to work on my lost motivation and fun on art. I want to have fun again, come home and want to do nothing else but draw and create.
I cannot express how perfect and true and needed (by me) this video is. I am on the other side of the hump of realizing that art (in my case, fiction) is valuable that I know that what you're saying is true, and still not down into the valley on the other side far enough yet to not need to hear this. Thank you for recording and uploading it. There's a quote I'm familiar with that is so connected with your words that it's uncanny. It's through the lens of religion, but it's the same principle: "True doctrine, understood, changes attitudes and behavior. The study of the doctrines of the gospel will improve behavior quicker than a study of behavior will improve behavior." (Boyd K. Packer) I've avoided writing fiction for years because of a belief that fiction is less worthy of reading and writing than non-fiction. All the efforts to "get myself to write" fell flat because that belief was invisibly blocking any action. I'm working on a belief that fiction is beautiful and good and helpful and worthwhile.
Good thoughts. And thank you for watching.
I always learn so much from your videos!
Thank you! I'm truly glad to hear it
Thankyou so much
Well thank you too
great advices :)
Thank you for watching!
This video is heavier than the subject implies. Very helpful. Thank you.
Thank you!
im not sure and i am hesitent in writing this, altho i am already practicing art and not waitng for a time to start i think i needed to watch this video, i was about to plan how ill study but i think that wouldve exhasted me, i think altho i should reaserch and makes steps and goals to learning i shouldnt force myself and make myself anxious on the matter, cuz itll just make me quit, also i should try to find more about why i wanna make art
I'm with you and I completely understand the difficulty you're dealing with. I spent so many years frustrated by my low output and lack of motivation and the thing that jumpstarted me was studying art history. I completely fell down the rabbit hole of Italian art and I just studied it without a plan. Then I moved on to other movements and periods and it breathed so much life into me. I made the video because I really believe that a big goal, "get to know art better," can move you forward without the detailed small goals that constantly make us feel like we're failing. Those are more appropriate later when the motivation is firmly entrenched (I do, for example, produce two pages a week and draw every day). But I couldn't have done that 10 years ago.
@@jholtillus tyvm for the response, tbh this solution is very smart and I'm surprised I didn't hear about it before, i need to learn to love art more
@@jholtillus to clarify; as you mentioned, for something so subjective, there are many ways to do all that needs to be done. The end goals might be different, but there are also multiple perspectives on what success is. I don't rely on my art for income, but this is where I need to be at the moment. The intrinsic value of producing my art outweighs the actual value (at the moment). So, @specterman603, I'd say enjoy the process of searching and learning. This is not to minimize the value of direction (teacher), which is invaluable.
Wise thoughts. Happy 2024.
Thank you and a happy New Year to you as well.
You have way too few views, this is much more insightful than a whole bunch of stuff that's out there
It's on me to put in the work. Regular uploads and solid content. I think I'll get there with time. I appreciate the kind words.
Wow, great video; excellent message. I love the idea of a year of discovery...Thank you. I'll be back to watch this again.
Thank you! I'm glad you got something of value from it
Lmao the thought of I need to draw more, oh I will try to more next year, legit was going across my brain as I scrolled onto this video 💀😭😭 aight then
It's that time of year
Liked and added comment to show appreciation of video.
Your channel deserves to grow - greetings from Macon, GA.
Thank you! Hoping for steady growth
I could watch this daily.
I appreciate that but you clearly have a higher tolerance for me than I do
Very wise words, amazing video!
Thank you
Great advice!
Thank you!
This video immediately reminded me of a comment you left on a previous video, “Everything I Wish I'd Known About Drawing, Writing, Creativity & Artists.”
You said, “I know modern culture views us as intractable inner selves (and our true self is identified by what we want most), but I have found that to be a shifting and constantly changing aspect of people --and an undependable foundation. So rather than seeking what makes us happy by fulfilling our desires, rather pursue things you believe are intrinsically good, even if not broadly recognized by your context. Art comes with many bad days as well as good ones. Often it's not fulfilling what I want, I do it because it's good. That sustains me when my passion for it does not.”
You’ve given me the revelation that I’m convinced of the moral good of some things, despite not being passionate about pursuing them, and as it stands - before I take your advice and dive into big questions about art and see if I can’t change my thinking - I feel passionate about art despite not being convinced of its inherent good.
Do you think a belief in the moral good of something is the most important factor to consider when determining if something is worth pursuing seriously, or should one both have a passion for what they pursue in addition to a belief that it’s inherently good?
What a phenomenal question. I believe it's a mix. There are many high goods (morally) in the world. Obviously, one life is inadequate to explore them all. So we're justified in following skill, passion and opportunity to the good appropriate to us. The reality is that our life, body and mind puts us in range of some things and not others, and our limitations as human beings are severe and our lives short. My desires, passions and opportunities will send me to various tasks, the limiting factor I want to place on those is the framework of the highest moral good, virtue and beauty within my reach. So I will deny some desires, passions and opportunities and follow those that direct towards higher good. Very broadly speaking, this is pretty much the theme from Aristotle down to Aquinas. That's my answer, hopefully coming across humbly and not like an Internet guru
so nice i watched it twice
I appreciate both viewings. Thank you
I couldve used this last year
I needed it constantly for way too long
drop the mike
Too expensive
@@jholtillus 😅