J.B. Sommerset

Thimble Flower by J.B. Sommerset (c) 2024 Sometimes quotes can be super formulaic and that can be annoying, but sometimes just because it's annoying doesn't make it less profound. One of the most common ones is: "If you don't learn to master your rage, your rage will become your master." There is an old Ben Stiller movie that pointed this out, it's called  "Mystery Men" . That movie was okay, it gave me a chuckle, but he was right about this. Most of the great quote writers do this. I am not great, but I have a couple of these formulaic little bastards in my notebooks, so here's one for the day: "Be specific to the particulars of your craft, but also, be particular to the specifics of your craft." J.B. Sommerset. Cheers!

A while back in an update, I promised more of my art would be uploaded soon. While it's been hard to find time, I assure you, I am still making art. My newer stuff is more experimental. I have been meaning to update my Youtube channel as well, but haven't gotten to it yet. I do have have a few new videos in raw format, but they  need editing and I just don't have the time yet. There is a lot of new technology I have been learning. Being an old timer, it's hard to keep up with tech things, and I still don't have my new rig set up.  A lot of the videos in the future will most likely be partial pen and ink, and screen captures. I am learning the "new ways" to art. For a while my art is going to be a hybrid of digital and pen and ink.  For today, I thought I'd post one of my favorite videos from the channel here, of course, for your enjoyment. This is one I originally did for the cover of " The Lost Pilgrim ", it didn't make the cover, but I ...

"A Friend In Need" Art Credit: J.B. Sommerset (c) 2024  Done with Sketchbook on Android I must admit that I can be somewhat of a curmudgeon when trying new things, especially tech. It's hard, at my age, to adjust to new things unless they are undeniably useful. I have my favorites when it comes to the tools of my crafts and I like to keep those on a short list. My favorite will always be pen and paper for my art and my writing, there's something about the tactile sensation of using it that makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside. And the smell of aged paper? -Shutter- I need a minute. If I am honest though, working on a computer has so many more advantages than working with pen and paper. From being able to revise on the fly, select, cut and paste, etc. All the advantages a computer provides are real time savers, especially if you are looking at the craft from a "big picture" point of view (see what I did there?).  I have my favorite software of course. Free is...

You might have noticed that things are changing on the site. It's been a long while since I had the time to do any updates. I think now is that time. I am settled in the new digs, I am at one with the wild-life, and I have some time to catch up on a couple of things. Like I said, it's been a super long time since I updated anything on the site. Truth is, there's been a significant uptake in traffic and the old format is outdated and not working the way it used to. So here's the rundown of what will be happening over the next couple of months. 1) First, the site is going to get reworked. Not completely redone, just reworked for now. Google has migrated it's domains to Squarespace and we might be moving to that platform, not sure yet. I need to see how flexible it is and if it offers something that will make this process easier. 2) My gallery will be updated and old pictures will be removed, and new ones will be added. Also the stores that I sell my art through will b...

"Sun on the Tracks" (Photo Credit: J.B. Sommerset (c) 2024 ) Sometimes we need a reminder that the only thing that keeps us from being ourselves is the fear that there will be a fair amount of judgement with that endeavor. If there were no fear in the becoming than there would be no value in it's lessons and self actualization would mean nothing. So, here's a good quote in that vein... "I'll be here waiting, just the other side of your fear. So, are you going to come find me? Who am I you ask? Well, I am you, the you that is waiting for you to become." J.B. Sommerset Cheers!

"Mud and Snow" (Photo Credit: J.B. Sommerset ) Sometimes it pays to have a "down to Earth quote" one that's really note sophisticated or complex, one that is simple, but makes since in ways that the common man can understand. I have a whole section in my notebooks dedicated to this kind of quote. I call it "the simple man section". Given that this is another election year, I thought this one fit the bill, enjoy.  "If you are going to be lazy and cut corners, you probably shouldn't do it while wiping your ass." J.B. Sommerset Cheers!

Since the invention of the digital format there has been an ongoing argument as to which is better, digital or analogue. Hardcore audiophiles will always argue that old vinyl will always be better than digital formats. Old school artists will always scoff at the digital facsimiles or photoshop drawings. And some writers look down on those who "first draft" on a computer, even though in this modern world most of us will have to type drafts for submission.  I am an old schooler and I see the value of first drafting with pen and paper, but thank god people don't have to read that drivel- I would be embarrassed. That being said, in a world of lazy A.I. driven art, music and writing, there is something very important to be said for original analogue.  The best contrast in this argument is Vinyl versus Digital. My wife and I recently bought some vinyl and a fairly descent record player. I instantly noticed how much better the sound was. I used to be a radio D.J. and I had forgo...

Well, we made it. Here we are in 2024, I waited a couple of days to make sure it was legit. Apparently it is, we have passed through another segment of time to the next micro-epoch of the 2020's. With how weird it has gotten since 2016, its anyone's guess what's next. I mean, it's been escalating in weirdness for a while now. One of my favorite authors is Kurt Vonnegut, I have read his catalogue of strange stories and oddities, the man's entire collection of works. Some of the most interesting and down right bazaar stories. But I have to say, not even he could have prepared me for how strange the future actually is.  So, here comes 2024, strap in and open your mind, things are about to get stranger, especially because it's an election year here in the good old U-S-of-A, and that means "double-play" for the circus monkeys and spin doctors. The stories we might encounter could just break us. All you creators out there might find your self lacking next t...

Here's a good one from the "in progress" second volume of "Ego Strata" . This one was one I picked up in Ireland; at least I came up with it there. It's a good quote and it's a daily reminder for me. In fact, I know it in Gaelic . It goes something like this: "The art of love is the act of learning to let go; Ta' Gra' Ligin Dul." J.B. Sommerset Cheers!

Sometimes, it's important to remember that writing is about transmitting ideas and the audience receiving them. If we are writing an academic paper it is best to be technical with what we are saying and concise- to the point. If we are writing an instruction manual it is best to be orderly and descriptive. etc. If we are telling a story, we need to show the audience what the characters and events mean. The reader or the person listening to the story must go on a journey with the characters.  We need to show them, not tell them, telling them takes something away from the journey.  Sometimes in my YouTube wanderings and explorations, I find videos that I see as particularly useful for developing skills. I then sometimes post them so all of you don't have to spend 40 years in the desert looking for a home. I hope this one helps some of you develop your skills, enjoy! Cheers!

Here's one for all the people out there who would rather see the world as it is, than view it through all the filters that remove the ugly imperfections and blemishes. Here's to those people who would rather be troglodytes than pull their phone out to snapshot their food, or scroll through their Facebook feed at a funeral, the people who want the real connections to the monetized ones. This one is for you... "No wonder the world is dying of loneliness and a broken heart. Every time it tries to have an intimate moment with someone, they pull out their phone and try and exploit that sacred moment for 'likes', 'views', and 'subscriptions'..." J.B. Sommerset Cheers!

When I first saw " Primal " listed on HBO MAX, I didn't realize that it was a  Genndy Tartakovsky  production. If I had, I most likely would have watched it sooner. It's just so damn good. Do yourself a favor, watch it now, here's why... Usually, cartoons don't interest me, so I just pass them by. With the exception: PIXAR . I pay attention to  Pixar  releases because I have a history with them. However, they seem to have gone a little stale over the past few years. What I mean by that is they have found a formula and are sticking to it- make the audience cry. Nonetheless, they still know their craft, but I feel that they have reached a peak. I doubt they will ever come up with another " Wall-E ", or even more poignant, another " Up ". Those risks have been taken, and those stories have been told. The other major animation studios are no different, sometimes they break free of what works and come up with something truly wonderful, but rarel...

There are certain authors I keep coming back to, mostly for the quality of their craft. I have talked about these authors. Much to the chagrin of the people reading this, I keep bringing up creative minds such as  Stephen King ,  Kurt Vonnegut , and Douglas Adams , to name a few. I mention these not because they are classics, plenty of authors are classics, even the bad ones.  I mention them because they resonate with the world. The words they wrote helped shape the world we live in. And even if no one knew who they were they would still stand out as great story tellers. They captured something and made it real, or at the very least inspired someone out there to bring something new into the world and make that thing a part of this place.  So naturally, I study these people, and as always, I keep an eye out for short clips and interviews with these kinds writers. Every once in a while I stumble across one or two I haven't seen before. This week I found a new one writt...

I must admit, I hate words like "influencer" and "content creator", especially with regard to the interwebs . The interwebs has changed so much in the arts, least of all is the dignity of true artists. It takes away from the actual title and what it means to be an author, artist, or musician. As an example, when you are a writer, it's pretty clear what you do- you write. When you are an artist, it's also pretty clear what you do- you create art. A musician creates music and a sculpture makes... well you get the idea.  Ad nauseam!   I do not associate " influencer " or "content creator" with   any specific talent or creative outlet, other than marketing themselves as such and convincing people to believe that's what they are. That being said, I also acknowledge that whether I want it to change or not, the arts are changing; a rebranding if you will. And as much as I hate the terms used, that is the future for a while.  I read a lot of ...