Hello!
Confession: I am not the kind of person who feels compelled to blog regularly. I like using the web site as a journal, and I’m eager to explore different ways to use the medium creatively, but I have no motivation to update it regularly. I’ve used the past couple of months to explore various options, including online writing and illustration. I find that I like putting stuff on the blog when it’s concerned with what I am currently doing or interested in and less likely to post if I have to hunt for a topic.
And. . .
I have been having so much fun getting back to the basics of drawing and creative arts that I feel it would be helpful to have a place to journal the journey. Behance and Adobe Portfolio are great for displaying portfolios but lack the space to add details about the process. I’ve seen some inspirational student blogs that are used not only for their portfolios but also to keep track of their experiences, learning goals, and frustrations.
So. . .
In the pursuit of what and how to recreate the blog, I’ve considered various options and made some decisions.
Decision no. 1: Subject of the blog – Journal my art development ….check.
My next thought was: should this be a private or public blog?
There are advantages and disadvantages to both sides. A private blog would allow me to post anything and everything without worry of repercussion (or of evil zombies finding and destroying my home). I could forget about it if I wanted to. I have no obligation to do anything. It also does not allow for any external critique nor potential for future opportunities and networking. And the fact that I could forget about it and have no obligation to support it is also a disadvantage. The website costs money to maintain. What’s the point of spending it if I don’t use it? (I know there are free hosting platforms, but they don’t have the flexibility that a paid host has).
Publishing a public blog has accountability and responsibility. It can, perhaps, provide inspiration to other like-minded people. I kind of like the idea of giving back my own thoughts and artwork as inspiration to the community of artists and bloggers that I derive my inspiration from. It allows for better networking opportunities with the artists I admire. And really, the risk of evil zombie invasion is pretty small.
Decision no. 2: public blog….check.
Okay, now I feel better. I’ve decided what to do and how to do it. What next?
The ol’ project manager in me has been bored. I mean, it’s one thing to manage a home and family, but it’s another thing to dive deep into schedules and setting priorities and serious planning. I already have a college degree and really don’t want to spend years (or the big bucks) getting another one. But I can (and frequently) learn on my own. As long as I have a plan.
Decision no. 3: Plan a path forward….check
This is going to be fun!
originally posted at stillroundthecorner.com
