Potayto, potahto who cares?
Nobody, except my brain won't let it go
I don’t usually write weekend posts, but I want to step up my Substack game a bit. When I had a blog on my old website I used to post almost daily, but since I moved over here, I’ve become super lazy about writing posts.
Well, maybe “lazy” isn’t the right word since I have 11 drafts sitting in the back. It’s more like I’ve been holding myself back from posting because Substack intimidates me. Yeah, that’s better.
The biggest reason I feel apprehensive here on Substack is because I don’t consider myself a writer in any way. Thinking I have to write a “newsletter” or an “article”, instead of a blog, has been messing with my head, and has slowed me down a ton. I know it’s semantics, but to me, newsletter vs blog feels like the difference between formal and casual dress codes. I didn’t want to be the one showing up in a tshirt and sweatpants in a room full of tuxedos and ballgowns.
Please pardon me, I need to write my newsletter now. Nope, see? That just isn’t me. I’m more like, OH! I wanna share this painting, so let me quickly jump on my computer type of person.
Since I moved over here, there’s been a constant bickering going on in my head over the definition of a newsletter, and blog. So I googled it, and this is what it said:
A newsletter is a private message sent directly to an email inbox on a set schedule. A blog is a public page hosted on a website that anyone can find on the internet at any time.
Where They Live
Newsletter: Lives inside a reader’s email inbox.
Blog: Lives on an open website or search engine.
How People Find Them
Newsletter: Requires a person to sign up with their email address.
Blog: Anyone can find it by searching online or clicking a link.
Aha!! So, this IS a blog to those who follow or find it randomly, but could be considered a newsletter to those who subscribe because they receive it in their inbox. I guess?
I’ve always liked the word blog better. I had a newsletter once, and ended up shutting it down just a few weeks in. I quit the day I found myself cleaning the bathroom when I was supposed to be “newslettering”.
The bathroom hasn’t been cleaned since, but at least I’m not torturing myself to write a newsletter anymore. (Kidding!! I clean the bathroom daily because I’m a germaphobe, and I like the smell of cleaning products. Foaming bleach bubbles. mmm lol)
Blogging is way less formal, and more frequent, at least the definition in my brain is, and that’s how I prefer to write. I’m not fancy or posh in any way. I like things simple, casual, and since I was a kid, I’ve absolutely hated getting dressed up. It always has felt fake to me, like I was pretending to be someone I’m not in clothes that make my skin crawl. Ick!
As an adult I’ve never owned a fancy expensive clothes or a pair of high heels. I wouldn’t have any place to wear them if I had them. I also don’t know how to “newsletter” or “article”. I only know how to blog.
I’ve seen people call the posts they make “letters”, and I tried that out for size for a while, but again, it didn’t fit. I’m not much of a letter writer. In fact, I suck at it. It fills me with a sense of dread if I have to sit down and write. I’m much better at quick emails and short handwritten notes, but letters? Nah, not for me. Believe or not, as long winded as I can be, I freeze up if I’m expected to write something long or formal. My brain’s like, you want words from me? Nope. I got nothing to say. Bye.
Since I’ve been attempting to convince myself I’m only expected to informally blog here, I’m slowly hearing my old blogging voice return. My fingers are loosening up on the keyboard & I’m writing a stream of consciousness again without deleting it all when I’m finished. I think I’ve figured out a way that suits me.
Writing this reminds me of a story of two friends I watch on Youtube. One wants to do a “podcast” and the other one keeps freaking out over the word. “Nah, man, nah” is his response whenever his friend tries to talk him into doing a weekly podcast. When asked what he wants to call it, he said, “Idk, how about talking. Can’t we just talk?" I totally get it! Talking is informal, and random. Nothing is expected, but title it a “podcast” and it’s no longer two guys shooting the shit. It suddenly ups the expectation that it will have to be more than he has to give. He knows how to talk but doesn’t know how to podcast. I so get it.
My art isn’t about being right or innovative or a genius.
It’s just about me with my gut hanging out.
Danny Gregory
Okay, I’ve yammered on long enough. I’m calling this here thing a blog, so I can relax, and keep showing up in my paint clothes, period. Now back to art…
All the paintings I posted here sold last week are now off to their new homes. I painted a couple more 4x4s last night, and have a few others to list. Whew! It’s been busy.
Thanks everyone for reading, and supporting my work by purchasing from my online shops. Each and every purchase, no matter how big or small, has allowed me to keep painting all these years. I really appreciate it. ❤️
If you haven’t checked out my Square Series yet, you can find it on Daily Paintworks.
Since it’s going to be a scorcher again this week, I’m going to have my nose to the grindstone. There’s not much else to do, except hide inside, paint, and read.
Hope you’re having a fabulously creative weekend. xo
PS: I found a Reddit thread, and it seems like there are a few other people confused about what to call their Substack, also. I liked this comment from baddieb23 - I incorporate video so I refer to it as a show with an article component. 😂
My artwork is available on Daily Paintworks (US shipping only), Etsy, and eBay (worldwide shipping).
Check out my weekly eBay auctions with low starting bids.
You can also find me on pinksky & blsky.
I’ve also been posting notes here on Substack in between these longer posts.
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May you be well, happy and peaceful. ☸️
I enjoyed reading your "yammering." It reads as honest and true.