Our Miniature Hobby Lifestyle
Artificial intelligence (AI) tools are here to stay. Whether it is ChatGPT, AI image generators, or other emerging AI tools that seemingly create something from nothing (a misnomer, by the way), they are becoming more accessible and easier to use. Of course, in my career and artistic pursuits, I’ve often found myself relying on these …
How AI Tools Stifle My Creativity and What I Learned Read More »
Miniature painting is an intricate art that requires patience, focus, and attention to detail. As with any creative endeavor, it’s easy to get lost in the process and become overwhelmed by the sheer number of tasks that need to be completed. That’s where the concept of triage comes in. Triage is the practice of prioritizing …
Strategic Triage: Prioritizing Your Creative Concepts Read More »
I got lost for a while back there. Not lost in the sense of not knowing where I am, but lost in the sense of feeling disoriented and confused. And, it is often “stopping” to smell the roses that helped me find my way again. Here, it was a road trip. At these moments which …
Ever have a problem with getting started with a project? I find that as I get better at doing something, the harder it is to continue. After a bit of introspection, I realized that this is a key symptom of “aspiration paralysis”. As I get better and more confident, my natural inclination is to expect …
The Benefits of Low Expectations (10 Creative Tips) Read More »
I write a lot. Most of it is technical academic stuff for work. But, often I’ll pull up a blank page and draft a creative story or some essay on the state of the world—life. It’s something I enjoy doing and it helps me make sense of what’s going on internally in my head. Journaling …
The Silver Lining: How Inflation and a Bad Economy Can Fuel Your Creative Writing Read More »
So you want to be different? As an artist and miniature painter, I find myself driven to find out how I can differentiate myself from the crowd. With digital media’s escape velocity connecting us globally, embracing individuality becomes increasingly important to me. And, as such, I’ve continually searched for ways to change how I do …
How to Be Different in Your Miniature Painting and Art Read More »
Do you want to know how to write a campaign? Looking for tips for writing a D&D adventure? If you’re playing Dungeons and Dragons (DND) or other tabletop RPG game, you can be sure that there’s more than just rolling dice and slaying monsters. Here I’ll discuss some tips for creating compelling stories that will …
As a miniature painter, have you ever found yourself feeling stuck, unmotivated, or doubting your abilities? These feelings may be the result of learned helplessness, a psychological phenomenon that can impact even the most skilled and experienced artists. In this article, I explore the concept of learned helplessness, its prevalence in miniature painting, and its …
What is “Learned Helplessness”? Insights for Artists Read More »
Distractions are everywhere. You’re trying to get work done, but your mind keeps wandering off to think about that new gossipy thing you heard about your co-worker, or that reality show you can’t miss tonight. Even when we’re trying to focus on a task, it’s hard to resist the pull of a distraction. When it …
The Power of “No”: Are You a Distracted Hobbyist? Read More »
I often get asked why I write so much about hobbies, thoughts, and insights. The simple answer is that it’s something I’m passionate about. But there’s more to it than that. It’s kind of an identity. I think it’s important to have a hobby or creative outlet that is entirely your own. Something that you …
Hobby Writing and Intrusive Thoughts (Editorial) Read More »
Do you ever feel like you’re just not good enough? That no matter how hard you try, you can’t seem to achieve your goals? If so, you’re not alone. In fact, this is a feeling that nearly everyone experiences at some point in their lives. The key to overcoming this feeling is to learn from …
What Painting Miniatures Teaches You About Blood and Failure Read More »
Unmotivated? Lost the mojo for writing or creating whatever you usually enjoy doing? I have a few thoughts on this issue. But, I’ve also got a problem. Hah! Here I am sitting in front of my computer, gnawing on a pen (bad habit). And, I do want to write! But, I don’t know why I …
Miniature painting can be a fun and rewarding hobby, but it’s easy to get discouraged if you’re not seeing the results you want. I hope you find these miniature painting motivation tips helpful and that they give you some ideas to try in your own work! In this article, I share my curated ideas and …
Miniature Painting Motivation (100 Tips and Fun Tricks to Try) Read More »
A lot has been said about the relationship between science and art. Some people believe that they are two completely separate entities, while others think that they work together to create a deeper understanding of the world around us. I happen to fall into the latter category, and I believe that both science and art …
Empathy: Why Science and Art Must Go Together (Editorial) Read More »
Grit is a quality that is essential for any miniature painter. It’s what allows us to keep going when we’re painting something and it doesn’t look right, or when we’ve been working on the same miniature for hours and it’s still not done. It’s what helps us to learn from our mistakes and to keep …
How Grit Helps With Miniature Painting: Are You Gritty? Read More »