What does an idea feel like?

I wanted to use the Patreon-exclusive comic to think about brainstorming. Inktober was a great example of what it feels like when I’m pondering projects. There’s always the first few ideas that come to mind and they’re usually the safest, easiest to execute - the sure fire kind of ideas. Those definitely have their place and there are plenty of times when I’ve subscribed to keeping things simple in order to make sure I can deliver on a project, meet a deadline, or manage a lot of priorities at once. 

BUT there is always something so particularly satisfying and scary about when those bigger more challenging ideas come around. Typically, if i keep digging around and wait a little while, I’ll get ideas for projects that feel much more intimidating and way out of my comfort zone. Sometimes they require skills I don’t have or there’s a big gap between what I’m picturing as the end result and how I’d actually plan to pull it off. Sometimes I just know they’ll be logistic nightmares or super time consuming. So my first response is that typical “oh NO WAY. I’m not doing that NO that’s too much.” Because who wants take the hard road right?

Here’s the thing. When an idea is strong, it inevitably takes over my brain and all the safer more reasonable options pop like little balloons. It really does feel like a thunderstorm that just brews and brews until it clouds out everything else and I just have to act on it. As much as it can be intimidating, I love ideas like this. The ones that feel uncomfortable are almost surely a sign that I’m on the right track. The outcomes might be more uncertain but good grief are they ever rewarding. I constantly have to practice the skill of moving towards things that intimidate me and remind myself that the good stuff is usually right outside my comfort zone. 

Thank you patrons, for being a space that makes it possible to take those risks and push the boundaries of what I do as an artist. This little community is a huge part of why I’m able to do trickier projects and I’m so grateful to you for making it possible. Here’s to not having to play it safe. Be daring you wonderful people, and support the people who dare. The world will thank you for it. I certainly do.

Big love.

B