“Blog” is a clunky word. It means an online journal, or a “web log”, condensed into the word “blog.
My first web designer showed me how to post to a blog. This was on April 15, 2008, and for awhile, I posted any time that an idea came to me. It was way more fun than I ever expected to have with a computer.
A few years into it, I started chasing down “experts” to learn how to “grow my platform”. I searched for interesting blogs, commented, wrote a few guest posts for other blogs, and even made a few virtual friends. There were formulas to follow about how often to post, how to arrange things, title things, and always end with a question to engage your readers. It took up time that may have been better spent painting or drawing or finding customers and new students. After a few years of this without any noticeable growth in my subscribers, I decided to forget about growing a “platform”. I’d rather grow thyme, rhododendrons, poppies, and maybe a few cucumbers or pumpkins. (Perhaps I am a rogue blogger, along with being a rogue knitter, baker, and painter.)
Now with over 12 years of posting five days a week, mostly about making art and earning a living with unnecessary products in an unlikely place, it is automatic. A handful of people subscribe, mostly friends and relatives, and even a few strangers who have become real friends through the blog over the years. I don’t remember how to check my subscriber list, and it doesn’t really matter. I have no illusions (or delusions) that I will become either the Yarn Harlot or the Pioneer Woman of art. This is just a place for a solo working artist to stay accountable, to write because I seem to have lots to say about what I do, to keep track of what I have accomplished, to gather feedback when working alone threatens to make me even weirder than my sisters think I am, and maybe even to get a commission or a few sales.
I appreciate every single reader of this blog and am particularly thrilled when someone comments. I wish I knew how to thank my readers in a tangible way, but the best way I know is to keep posting, stay quiet about the stuff that divides people, be polite, don’t cuss and resist the pressure to “monetize”. I hate it when people cuss on their blogs, and I hate it when people whose writing I like get rude or political, have pop-up windows that interrupt my reading, have advertising or a begging button, so I will not to go down those dark alleys here.
Thank you for being here with me!
This is how my painting workshop and studio looked when I first started the blog. It was thrilling to have space at home to work and blank places to practice painting murals.
We’ve come a long way.
18 Comments
My wife and I love your blog. I appreciate that you have the limitations (no cussing, no politics, etc) that you have. That makes the blog a really fun place to visit. We met you 12 years ago when you were painting the Mineral King Mural in Exeter and have followed you since. We love your quirky and sarcastic sense of humor. Keep up the good work
Hi Dick (and Dawn) – thank you so much for your kind words! I remember when we met – it felt like a significant occasion. I appreciate hearing from you.
I enjoy your blog most every day, thank you for doing it!!
Thank you, Virginia! I strive to keep it enjoyable.
I love reading your blog each day. It gives me something to look forward to!
Anonymous, I will do my best to not let you down.
Thanks for all that context….you described your voice and motivations perfectly…they match you.
Thank you, Anonymous! I want to be as real as possible (without bleeding all over my readers in the process).
P.S. I forgot to include my humble blog’s URL! https://music53.blogspot.com
Yea! Thank you for sending the link.
A blog can be like a diary, too, where one can look back and see what was on one’s mind 5, 7, 10 years ago and see how one has grown emotionally, spiritually, and yes, even physically (sigh).
I enjoy your blog, your photos, painting progresses and “no ads none of the time” philosophy. You inspire me to be more proactive with my own blog, even though I’m sure no one reads it. And that’s OK, I do it for my own enjoyment and amusement.
Someone once said, “Intelligent people are able to communicate effectively without using obscenities.” Oh wait, that was me!
Your studio murals are much improved!
P.S. “Yarn Harlot??”
Sharon, you are such a faithful reader and friend! I love your comments, your humor, insight, and wisdom. Thank you! I will visit your blog; haven’t looked for awhile and thought you had quit posting. The Yarn Harlot is one of the best knitting blogs ever, one I used to read faithfully until she began leaking her politics onto her posts. She has been around a very long time and is an excellent writer and possibly the best knitter in the world.
That’s a shame about Yarn Harlot turning political. I found Ravelry to be a great site to keep track of one’s kit and crochet projects and patterns . . . until they posted a new policy that all conservatives are not welcome, and members would be banned if they mentioned the “T” word (Trump). It’s certainly their right to run their website however they choose, but why would you want to alienate and ban a large number of your users over TDS? Oh well, I left because I didn’t want to suppose that kind of censorship.
Sharon, that is so wrong, disappointing, irritating, frustrating, and downright infuriating! I am on Ravelry but don’t use it often enough to have noticed that they are so into politics. What would have happened if the site had said liberals are not welcome?? Why would anyone do that? It is supposed to be about knitting, crocheting, yarn, patterns, and camaraderie around those topics.
I know–there was a huge backlash about that (it was 2 years ago today, in fact!) and even made the news. I wonder if that policy is still in place, or they’re ecstatic about their guy winning? Oh well, life is good without that kind of drama.
It would be interesting to see if their membership dropped or grew as a result of forgetting their true purpose.
Your blog is part of my morning ritual. It’s fun to see what’s happening in the valley art world- Mineral King – Three Rivers- and yes see what you’re working on.
So thank you for posting.
Aw shucks, Anne, thank you! That is an honor and I appreciate you letting me know.
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