Comments on: dying young is overrated, revisited

By: Albone

Albone — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 20:52:52 +0000

Word. Less bitchin and more working is the right attitude for success. There’s always going to be a segment of cats that just don’t know that the party’s over. They’re left wondering when life passed them by.
I’ve seen John’s work before, both his portfolio and his website. He did a great article on turning your blog into a shop and what online solutions were available.

By: vicequeenmaria

vicequeenmaria — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 03:10:42 +0000

Hugh, not having known much about you until last year, I’m really enjoying these little installments.
Some folks need mood modifiers to get in touch with their artistic voice. I think it’s a process of maturity to realize that voice is already there — learning to tap into it. Sometimes what it brings up is scary.
One of my all-time favorite writers, Welsh beauty Jean Rhys, wrote one of the greatest examples of English prose in her novel Wide Sargasso Sea. She was an older woman then, and I’m told she couldn’t write without a drink by her side. She definitely wasn’t partying.

By: Matt Moore

Matt Moore — Sat, 12 Jan 2008 18:42:25 +0000

This is as much about growing up as it is about creativity. Lots of people drink heaps and take drugs in their 20s. Some of them are creative, boho types. And many of them aren’t — because (in the UK at least) drugs are everywhere. That shelf stacker in Sainburys is probably dropping trips or a pill this weekend.
Most people stop taking drugs. Some don’t. A selection of either group will be “creative” types. The ones that ease up on the drink/drugs will probably be more productive because as you get older you can’t go on a 2 day bender and then be fully functional the next morning.
If you manage your own life and don’t work a 9 to 5 job then the temptation to piss it up against a wall is all the stronger because the discipline has to come from within, it’s not externally imposed.
As I get older, drink & drugs get less and less interesting. At the same time, let’s not get puritanical here: getting off your face can be heaps of fun (damn, there goes my political career).

By: John T Unger

John T Unger — Sat, 12 Jan 2008 10:45:32 +0000

Hey Hugh,
Thanks for the pimpage!
I’ve been digging your return to the HtbC maerial… It was great then, still is, and it’s nice to see some updates.
Funny though, after about 20 years of 18 hour days with no vacations or weekends, I’m beginning to question my artistic work ethic. At least a bit…
Last year I was engaged and this year I’m single again, in large part because she couldn’t wrap her head around the idea that, yeah, sometimes I have to disappear into the studio for days at a time. She wanted to know why I couldn’t at least be home for dinner every day. Realistically, what I do just ain’t ever gonna be 9 to 5, and it’s probably never going to fit within a 40 hour week either… When I get a new idea, I can’t help just going balls to wall night and day until it’s out there and earning its keep.
But on the other hand, I’m starting to think that it would be nice to have a bit of a life. What good is being rich and famous if the *only* fun I have is in the studio or over internet and phone? So, I’m taking more trips, getting out more, taking more down time to regenerate. If I feel like reading comics or watching movies all day, then I will. If I feel like taking a week off in Haiti this january, screw it… I’ll book a flight. Just did.
It’s amazing to see how huge my little microbrand has become, and it’s damn sure gratifying, and I’m absolutely thankful to all the people that helped that become a new world for me. But I will be taking some time off this year. And I’ll be digging it.
BTW, remember the etched metal project we talked about? I have a WAY better idea about that and we should really talk. Seriously. You’ll love this one (it’s different than the most recent email I sent you). Drop me a line.
Bueno.

By: Jeff

Jeff — Sat, 12 Jan 2008 08:56:49 +0000

Thought i’d interject an Alan Watts quote regarding drugs, creativity and all… “it’s like talking to someone on the tele, once you get the message, hang up.”

By: T

Sat, 12 Jan 2008 02:42:24 +0000

Wow, great comments, and it’s really incredible how relevant Hemingway’s piece is to today. I used to think that hanging out in Williamsburg, Brooklyn would expose me to a lot of great upcoming artists. All I met were a bunch of chronically drunk and partying posers and almost became one myself.

By: Paul

Paul — Sat, 12 Jan 2008 02:20:23 +0000

Hemingway was killed by his psychiatrist. He was duped into getting electroshock which destroyed his memory. That was what Hemingway wrote out of and when that was go so were his stories.

By: Chad

Chad — Sat, 12 Jan 2008 01:10:56 +0000

Pretty sure Hemingway followed a strict schedule as a working writer, drank a lot too. Guess it is possible to do both but not for many.

By: Daniel Miller

Daniel Miller — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 23:28:01 +0000

So true. It is good, this re-visiting of the How to be Creative material. I re-read it recently. Still so good. So your timing in further espousing is well-timed for me.

By: Dennis Howlett

Dennis Howlett — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 22:48:59 +0000

Pity Hemingway didn’t take his own advice and eventually blew his brains out. But I guess with serious talent comes the angst.

By: Summer

Summer — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 22:29:50 +0000

That's a good thing to hear while sitting on the underside of 30. It helps to know that there's a proper balance and that it doesn't make one a freak to work late into a night. I can't tell you how many time I've heard "come on, it's after 6, put the computer/notebook away and relax a little." Frankly, I'd rather be sitting at the bar working on my computer or home sewing/creating/working then out "partying" with all the 80 hour/week bank escapees. It helps to have some positive reinforcement on that.