Further to "exploit or explore": I yearned to "stop playing the hits" for years, but was too scared to deviate from what I knew would *work* (and let's be clear... it had nothing to do with rolling in the dough). But I started a big project about my mother's Lewy Body dementia that somehow organically turned into working on a graphic memoir about it, and that entailed exploring a world I knew little about. At the same time—maybe *because* I was in uncharted territory?—I found myself more and more in the right brain mode I'd been yearning for. Less afraid to make "imperfect" art. More attuned to inner prompts, even if they didn't "make sense". And very invigorated in a way I'd never been with my art making!
But what I actually started out wanting to say is that it wasn't a choice, as in: "Hmm, let's see. Should I exploit or should I explore?" For me it was definitely a case of finally being ready to let go of the safety of what I knew, due to the confluence of a few different factors.
The JJJJJJerome Ellis piece is amazing. Listening to those recordings was an immersive experience. I found myself slowing down as I listened, enjoying the space. The music he built around his stutter showed the continuation of thought, of flow, of communication. But I especially enjoyed the recordings where there wasn't music. And of course, his words are brilliant.
Further to "exploit or explore": I yearned to "stop playing the hits" for years, but was too scared to deviate from what I knew would *work* (and let's be clear... it had nothing to do with rolling in the dough). But I started a big project about my mother's Lewy Body dementia that somehow organically turned into working on a graphic memoir about it, and that entailed exploring a world I knew little about. At the same time—maybe *because* I was in uncharted territory?—I found myself more and more in the right brain mode I'd been yearning for. Less afraid to make "imperfect" art. More attuned to inner prompts, even if they didn't "make sense". And very invigorated in a way I'd never been with my art making!
But what I actually started out wanting to say is that it wasn't a choice, as in: "Hmm, let's see. Should I exploit or should I explore?" For me it was definitely a case of finally being ready to let go of the safety of what I knew, due to the confluence of a few different factors.
The JJJJJJerome Ellis piece is amazing. Listening to those recordings was an immersive experience. I found myself slowing down as I listened, enjoying the space. The music he built around his stutter showed the continuation of thought, of flow, of communication. But I especially enjoyed the recordings where there wasn't music. And of course, his words are brilliant.
The Silk Sonic album is great. Tickled me to go back to some of Anderson Paak's records, Ventura is expansive.