A journey of 10 years and 100's of 1,000's of miles revealed a passion that turned into an obsession...
I used to really dig making the occasional work of art - just doodling on paper, or my computer for the fun of it... In 2001, a girlfriend told me to do an art show, so I did one... and I didn't sell anything. So... I figured that I must not be a real artist, and I stopped creating art.
In 2006, I gave away my stuff, and went couch surfing (a non-stop road-trip, getting to meet and stay with hundreds of people, and stay on their couches) for 6 years. In 2011, a buddy took me to some galleries in Maui... I didn't want to go, but once we got there, I was in awe!
By the 5th gallery, I had such heartbreak. I realized that I had wasted 10 years of not doing something that I really love. So, I vowed to start creating art every day....
That lasted a whole 2 weeks.
In April of 2012, I sat there thinking about what I want in my life, and what I don't want. The heartbreak returned, and that was definitely something that I did not want. So, I announced on Facebook that I'd create a new drawing every day.
Nobody (especially me) knew it would last this long. I had announced it initially just for accountability-- thinking that somewhere is someone who will mock me when I fail.
Sure enough, drawing turned into painting, into carving wood, into sculpting, bronze, 3D (and 3d printing), CNC cutting, welding, fractals, heck... even posing as an artist's model.
Creating art has replaced my travel-obsession. I guess I was just searching for something, and when I found that creating art is my thing, I didn't need to travel anymore.
The more art I do, the more I want to do art... and doing other things that I was doing for my bread and butter now feel a bit like torture.
The amazing thing is not just creating the art- but what that art can do for the world. I've raised thousands of dollars for charity by donating my art. I've made people cry by painting memories of lost ones (mostly pets). And the coolest thing is all the people that have gotten inspired by seeing the daily commitment to a passion, who have messaged me about how now they've gotten inspired to pursue their own passion (music, painting, photography, electronics, etc).
April 23rd will be the start of my 5th year of daily art. It's been a heck of a journey. There have been many days where I skipped sleep, or blew off friends and family.... rather than miss a day of creating art.
The images submitted here are just a few of my favorites over these last 4 years. I hope you dig them. And more so, I hope that you find and stay true to your deepest passion, whatever it may be.
More info: TheArtOfOri.com
Year 1 through 3 favorites.
Year 4 favorites.
