TAKE THE TIME TO CARE FOR YOURSELF
For the past week or so I have been fighting a head cold and altogether unwell-ness, and all during this time still trying to give 100% at Cuttink and at my day job. The result was a very tired, and still unwell, Jeffy. The more tired I got, the less efficient I became at the tasks at hand.
Hello,
For the past week or so I have been fighting a head cold and altogether unwell-ness, and all during this time still trying to give 100% at Cuttink and at my day job. The result was a very tired, and still unwell, Jeffy. The more tired I got, the less efficient I became at the tasks at hand.
During my creative accountability meeting with @efdot (Eric) earlier this week, he stated something so simple that I couldn’t believe that I did not realize it myself. To paraphrase, he said “You are allowed to slow down, to rest so that you can get better and work on the many things that fuel you.”
Wow! Right? How did I think that my to-do list could be more important than what my body is telling me?
If I run myself into the ground and am exhausted, the main person that I am letting down is myself. I need to stay healthy, energized and focused and do whatever it takes to be in that state. So this week I just want to remind you all that it is okay to give yourself time to rest and recuperate so that you can get back to creating, writing, playing music, or whatever else you love.
Take the time to take care of yourselves, friends!
Recent Patterns I Drew
Sincerely,
Jeffy Thomas
PRACTICES TO MAXIMIZE MY 24 HRS
I constantly find myself looking at the many creative people that I follow, wondering how they are able to do so much with their time. Constantly creating, running their business, working their “day job,” writing, giving talks, etc. They wear so many different hats and still keep going. How is this possible? I mean surely there is a trick, right?
Hey,
How do they do it?
I constantly find myself looking at the many creative people that I follow, wondering how they are able to do so much with their time. Constantly creating, running their business, working their “day job,” writing, giving talks, etc. They wear so many different hats and still keep going. How is this possible? I mean surely there is a trick, right?
NOPE.
They are working with the same 24 hours that the rest of us have. Even though I knew this, the realization was still a hard pill to swallow. I am not inherently lazy, but I do not always operate at 100% capacity. So what is it that drives them? What are doing to allow them to be so productive? What practices do they have in place to help them?
- Rest:
Getting the correct amount of sleep allows the brain to be rested and more focused during the time that they are awake and working. - Writing:
Writing allows them to flesh out ideas and help influence the next creative piece. It also serves as a physical archive of notes to come back to, instead of “trying” (and failing) to remember every important idea. This is something I’ve only recently started putting into practice. - Scheduling:
Some of the artists I follow carefully schedule their days. They organize calendars and set timers to focus on the task at hand for the allotted time. - Play:
I use this term to describe the pursuit of passion, whether it’s drawing, painting, designing, dancing, making music, etc. They do this mainly for their own satisfaction, constantly striving to do their best. - Airplane Mode:
Sean McCabe of Seanwes.com talks about undistracted time. He puts his phone on “airplane mode” — all devices disconnected from the Internet and incoming contact — to create or write. I’m implementing something like this, too, to give myself the space to create without distractions. - Sabbaticals:
Earlier I stated that sleep was important, but rest also comes in the form of sabbaticals. This provides creatives time away from their daily routine, allows them to tackle things they’ve put on the back burner, and gives the chance to pursue a different hobby that they do not normally do.
I’m sure there are other good disciplines not included in this list. How do you maximize your time? Feel free to respond to this email and let me know of any practices that you have set in place to make you successful at what you do.
OLD + NEW (SNEAK PEEK)
The "Lighthouse" piece I'd created a while ago is still one of my favorite pieces. I'm going to be starting a new one soon.
Here are some sneak peeks into a new piece that is in the works. It is one of the first larger pieces I've ever worked on. Exciting!
Sincerely,
Jeffy Thomas
DIRECTION FOR CUTTINK IN 2015
There are a few things that have been in the works for a long time. With the start of the new year I have had the renewed energy and drive to put my thoughts and wants into action. The many ’things’ I’m referring to are:
WHAT IS HAPPENING AT CUTTINK?
Hey,
There are a few things that have been in the works for a long time. With the start of the new year I have had the renewed energy and drive to put my thoughts and wants into action. The many ’things’ I’m referring to are:
Show opening at Chapter House Cafe and Gallery
On April 10, 2015 I will be showing some of my new art work at Chapter House Cafe and Gallery in South Philadelphia (620 South 9th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147). The show will be up from April 10 - July 1. It has been at least a year and a half since my previous show so it will be an awesome way to get my work out to the public.
I will create at least one new Cuttink creation each week for this show. In each weekly newsletter you will receive one teaser photo — and maybe an occasional full photograph — leading up to the opening in April 2015.
Website re-launch
I’ve also been re-working my website, which has only served as my portfolio and not much more. I am reconfiguring it to reflect the many changes and growth that Cuttink and I have experienced.
In the past few years I’ve created hand-cut Ketubahs (Jewish marriage contracts), framed guestbooks, and custom wedding invitations for couples who have enjoyed my style. This new section will showcase these wedding works, allow couples to read about my process in detail, and inquire about these specialized services.
The latest iteration of my website will also include a long-overdue web store, for easy access to my inventory.
Social media usage
I have accounts on Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr, Pinterest, Dribbble and Instagram. A few of these accounts have flatlined while others have occasional posts.
Having let those accounts go cold means none of my followers know when and how often to expect any work from me. I will utilize the strengths of each site to showcase my process, and schedule regular content for you to enjoy.
Weekly Newsletters
This goal is simple — continue to provide insight into all that is Cuttink. Feel free to share these newsletters with anyone that might benefit from or enjoy them.
Studio
A close friend has given me the opportunity to work out of a dedicated space with minimal distractions and in very close proximity to my home. Once I am fully settled into that space I will be developing pieces more consistently and inviting the public for a closer look.
Cuttink and a Drink
This brings me to introduce Cuttink and a Drink, a concept a few friends and I dreamed up not so long ago. I envision hosting a small monthly event for creatives, artists, musicians, entrepreneurs, etc. to convene over a drink and form relationships, share current project ideas with peers, and foster collaboration and growth.
I understand that this may be a lot to take in, revealing most of my dreams for Cuttink. I share this with you as a way to present my vision for 2015 and to keep myself focused.
Please feel free to reply to this email with your thoughts or questions. I would love to hear back from you.
Enjoy the rest of your week.
Sincerely,
Jeffy Thomas
CHOOSE TO USE YOUR HANDS
Is creating with our hands important? We are currently living in a world where there are devices to do everything for us. In the two weeks I’ve been taking public transit to work I’ve realized how reliant I have become on technology. Need to write to somebody? We have email to replace handwritten letters. Need to save a thought or list? Type it into your phone to read at a later time. Right now, more than ever, it is important for me to make the effort to create with my hands.
Hey,
Is creating with our hands important? We are currently living in a world where there are devices to do everything for us. In the two weeks I’ve been taking public transit to work I’ve realized how reliant I have become on technology. Need to write to somebody? We have email to replace handwritten letters. Need to save a thought or list? Type it into your phone to read at a later time. Right now, more than ever, it is important for me to make the effort to create with my hands.
It has become commonplace for my generation to use our electronic devices as the initial means to create instead of the analog tools we could be using. These days the need for immediacy has trumped the need for the physical process. Most of us have word processors that relieve the need to pick up a pen or pencil to communicate. Digital tools like the Adobe Suite, Sketchbook Pro, and Wacom tablets allow artists to work without even needing a piece of paper. Please don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying it is negative to use technology in this way. Rather, what I’m saying is that when you start your creative process digitally it becomes harder for the audience to see the creator behind the product.
For a person who needs to create using their hands, their tools become an extension of them. They’ve learned the balance and weight of the pen, pencil, X-acto knife, paintbrush, etc. They know how the tool will interact with the medium. I understand how the ink will flow from my Micron pen. I understand how the watercolor paper I use will accept the ink, and which X-acto blade best cuts curves vs. straight lines. All this because I have chosen to practice creating with my hands. I’ve allowed myself to make mistakes and learn from them.
Recently I sat down for coffee with a brand-new friend. I was excited to meet him and talk with him about his artistic process, and even more thrilled when he showed me his sketchbook. Filled with a range of rough drawings to finalized designs, it was clear how much care and passion was behind each line. I could see some expression of him in each piece. At the end of our meeting he gifted me a handmade greeting card, embossed with the word “optimist.” I immediately knew that it was created by hand with love and purpose.
Another friend of mine crochets imaginative things and recently made me two crocheted mushroom buddies. She picks a subject matter and figures out how to build a three-dimensional shape using yarn, experimenting and learning as she works. In that process lies the beauty — the excitement that comes from just showing up to create. I think this analog commitment is sometimes lost in our digital world.
I want — no, NEED — to always create by hand. It is how I can tell a story to those who are willing to listen and see. Making art with my hands brings me joy and peace. I hope that you, friends, can find something to develop by hand. Write a paper note or draw a picture for a special person in your life. There is no better way to show care and provide value than creating something by hand with a particular person in mind.
Sincerely,
Jeffy Thomas
TODAY IS FLEETING. TOMORROW NEVER ARRIVES
We have today and now. We exist in this moment and have some control over it. So why not use this moment to the best of our ability, whatever that may be.
“Today is fleeting. Tomorrow never arrives. Tackle something important now. Create something. Live!”
We have today and now. We exist in this moment and have some control over it. So why not use this moment to the best of our ability, whatever that may be.
If right now is the time you are to do something, great! Then do it. If this is the moment you have a thought, write it down. Do something you’ve been putting off. Tackle something off of your bucket list, if you have one. Be creative, whatever that may look like: draw, write, paint, sing, play music, knit, etc…
We are not promised a next breath and therefore should not take what we have now for granted. Tomorrow will continue to be something in the future and never becomes the present. It is always out of our grasp. So why not take advantage of the fleeting moments of today? Create something or even take a break to listen to your heart, body and mind. Do what you need to do to fulfill your dreams. Do this so you can live!
I'm learning and realizing that it is okay for me to be transparent and vulnerable. It is what is going to help me to grow. You’ve shared with me your lives and I look forward to letting you into my creative journey and all that it entails.
Sincerely,
Jeffy Thomas
WHY AND HOW DO I CREATE?
People frequently ask me: why and how do I do it? “It” meaning the combination of drawing and cutting intricate and repetitious lines. The simple answer? I need to. I have to.
People frequently ask me: why and how do I do it? “It” meaning the combination of drawing and cutting intricate and repetitious lines. The simple answer? I need to. I have to.
I need and have to draw because it is one of the few things that I am able to do that is successfully meditative without having to visit some breathtaking location in the world. I am able to lose myself in each inch of the paper directly in front of me.
Focusing on each breath as the pen lays ink onto the sheet, remembering to inhale and exhale. Anticipating where the line needs to go. Embracing the bumps and waivers of my “straight” lines. Realizing and accepting that I am human. Savoring the analog aspect of each hand-drawn line in this digital age. As I draw each line I say a breath prayer. It becomes easy to get lost in the act of devising the story and structure of each piece.
Is “it” easy? No. My art takes a lot of practice, time, and commitment. A lot of ink, paper and blades. Creating is the way I relieve anxiety, frustration and stress. Energy and excitement come from inside me to create something positive. The process of dreaming up something helps me to slow down and appreciate my own strengths. I’m able to pray and meditate away whatever is occupying my thoughts at that time and only focus on the work at hand. In the development stage it is easy for me to become hyper-focused on the details. I have learnt that I need to practice stepping back and looking at the bigger picture, making sure that the smaller elements relate to the broader view.
I’m learning to communicate artistically by incorporating process-oriented techniques such as screen printing, letterpress and paper cutting. These methods ensure the final product will be a thing of beauty, with unique details that reflect its handmade nature. This to me is exhilarating.
From this experience I recognize more about myself and my own capacity. I am a better person to be around. I hope that you, too, find your creative outlet. Each of us needs a healthy release and a way to care for ourselves. This will help bring beauty to a world that always needs more.
““Inspiration is one thing and you can’t control it, but hard work is what keeps the ship moving. Good luck means, work hard. Keep up the good work”.
”
In the meantime, join me in exploring my own wild thoughts and visual stories. I invite you to bring your self into my journey. Let’s get connected.
Toasted Head Wine's World of Minecraft
In early 2013 Cuttink was voted the winning artisan in Toasted Head Wine's 'World of Winecraft' competition...
In early 2013 Cuttink was voted the winning artisan in Toasted Head Wine's 'World of Winecraft' competition. The purpose of the competition was to find artists who were passionate in their own crafts as their on winemakers were.
This was a unique experience as I was competing against people of various backgrounds and disciplines. I alongside a few other artisans over the years were interviewed by them and were lucky to have a mini-interview video made.
Enjoy
