We need to talk. 

I hadn't thought of it that way, you make a great point that applies to all kinds of feedback. And to your point, I go through that with these videos--I have received the odd moment of rare outside perspective on myself and my approach through doing these that is humbling and has shifted my coarse in many ways. Once you put something out there you slowly gain a distance from it and one day you can maybe see it for just a moment through unfamiliar eyes. Sometimes it's scary, haha. I have an odd fear of becoming some form of 'the _____ guy' (e.g. 'The painterly guy') that keeps me constantly trying to change things, but I try to keep the impulse in check. Todd Hido is one of my favorites. I never met him, but his ideas have really made a significant impact on me. In some small way I look at him as a mentor, because he is so honest and open about his approach. He doesn't hide what he's doing behind a veil of bullshit and pretense, he creates what he connects with and shares unreservedly about the how and why. You should read Todd Hido on Landscapes, Interiors and The Nude if you haven't experienced that side of him. I found it absolutely inspiring, and one of these days I want to do a video on that book and what I got from it. I doubt many people are aware of it or what to expect based on that title. It's an honest look back over his own career so far that has that same self-reflective quality you referred to.

Here's a link to the book I referenced if you are interested: amzn.to/2xIRGtr (

What is your handle on Instagram?

Vinny Le Pes thanks Vinny, I do have the book, my ig is grayparts

Ah, I'm preaching to the converted then haha. Thanks, Graham, I'll go check out your IG.

Glad to see you back! You nailed it, the one-way dialogue is painful. This channel is slowly becoming a conversation, but it was difficult to imagine who was on the other side of the camera before people like you started showing up with ideas and input. I'm sure you went through that on your blog. Social media isn't helping, they want to drive numbers and so it's better for them if you mindlessly scroll past Instagram images, double click on whatever catches your eye and continue scrolling. I love the people I've discovered on there, and it has its merits, but it isn't an ideal place for conversation. I notice most comments on there go without reply, even if there are only a few comments, though I'm not sure what about the platform makes it that way. I think a lot of people just post their pictures there and ignore it. I've seen a few good Facebook groups, but the company is becoming increasingly more hostile to pages and that makes me nervous. They are piloting some new changes that all but force a page to pay to be seen at all, and even then it would be on another tab, not the main feed. I'm not sure how that impacts discussion groups but I'm remiss to put too much effort or energy into a platform that already makes a killing off our personal data and still demands money from people who want to share there. Other platforms seem to realize that there is mutual benefit if someone brings people to the platform and keeps them engaged. Then there are the good Facebook groups I used to participate in that became big and attracted a lot of self-promotion, trolling, and repetitive questions and such that I just got tired of hearing. I digress... The platform aspect is tough, and I think I'll be weighing it out for a while yet. But agree completely about the goals of a community, and as I think I mentioned in the video I'd rather not start one unless I can crack how to make it a place for good conversation that offers something valuable for everyone who joins. Something less disposable than 'likes'. I have some ideas. The most valuable communities I've seen are closed groups, but I'm not sure I like the message that sends to new people. It's such a difficult balance of so many opposing concerns. Thanks again for dropping in with the thoughtful comments, I really do appreciate it.

Thanks Lee, I really appreciate that. I was slightly worried I dragged out the intro too long, but decided 'what the hell' and went for it. I'm glad it was entertaining in the end. Thanks for the input, if you have any specific groups on those platforms that stand out to you, let me know.

Ok here's one for starters plus.google.com/u/0/communities/106560238473561648203

Awesome, thanks again!

Welcome, wish you success in your endeavours I hope you do not get too disheartened by a lack of feedback do what feel right to you all the best cheers. Here's a link if you do facebook as well facebook.com/artpeople1/?hc_ref=ARREz-byMOLU-8rIltrOZa6cl_I-XuW937PDxStdw2-nrqVgkY6phRiM_aUhAKZoqjE&fref=nf

Thanks for sharing! I've been in that group for a very short time now checking it out every so often. There is a strong section of people doing a great job helping each other out, which is awesome. Every once in a while I see a troll posting but in some other groups I've seen things you people wouldn't believe... ...ok, sorry. I clearly watched Blade Runner recently.

I totally see what you're saying, it's sort of separable into "community" vs. "collective". I have an interest in both, and in being on both sides of each...if that makes sense. Teacher/student/artist/patron. Perhaps a community that serves to elevate and support the members in a collective way where the best work is propelled forward. I'm still not very close to an answer on this--I'm still seeing what's out there--but what I do see repeatedly is a tipping point that seems unavoidable. At a certain size, a community becomes an echo chamber of self-promotion and criticism. The divisive posts take over, like "do you consider this art?" trending most large groups. Nothing meaningful gets through the noise. On the flip side, restricting the community in inorganic ways does little to foster a sense of community at all. I don't know where I'm going with it yet, honestly. I'm still looking for a good community to take part in, or take notes from at least. I do see the need for more communities. When I did this video, I was thinking "who needs another community?"...but in the time since I have realized that there can't be one large community that meets everyone's needs. At a certain size they begin to fail everyone and a new wave of people take interest and so there is always need for more communities. I am with you on searching for a common value. Something that naturally attracts the kind of people who make a community worthwhile. I'm not sure what that is yet, if it's a style or an ethos or something else altogether, but for now I'm still in the watch/listen/absorb/reflect stage :).

Thanks, I haven’t heard of that. I’ll take a look.