For the history of my journey as an artist, I did not work in the tradition of “the project”.  During this time, I rejected the notion of dreaming up a project then making work to fit into the planned idea in favor of making work that interested me and letting pictures find themselves in loose groups I called “a series”.

Then came the books. I was longing for a way to make my pictures into objects bigger in a way than the single image or even a series. Three years ago, I was talking with a student in my studio. I listened as Zach talked about his passion for collecting fine press books and a desire to be part of the eclectic mix of folks who make them. I spoke of my desire to publish a book of my pictures, not in the traditional way, or print on demand, but with some letterpress text and handmade prints all bound together by my hand. His comment of “you should just do it” along with an introduction to Griffin Gonzalas of No Reply Press resulted in my first edition of handmade books, Still+Life.   

My fifth edition of books Sketchbook has just been completed and shipped out to the collectors who so generously support my work. It takes me around 6 months to make one of these editions and I would be kidding y’all if I did not admit it can be a struggle.  My tendency (according to my 4th grade teacher) to be easily distracted might be part of the issue. It is true I will admit, my head is easily turned in new directions. I mentioned this feeling of a 6 month project being a long time to another artist friend and the look on her face said one thing to me very clearly. Give me a break…

So what am I getting at? There is a real beauty in working on a long-term project, the results are rewarding and all of the steps are what I like doing as an artist. Making things with my hands, solving problems, learning new things. The beast part is ignoring all the other possibilities that come along pulling me away from the project. I am striving to embrace them both. 

If you would like to share your journey I am wondering if you get the most satisfaction from long-term projects or simply making work that turns you on at the moment? If you do embark on a big project is there some ways you chose to think about it that help with the feeling of being overwhelmed that sometimes accompanies such things?

Be well,

Ray