Cream of The Crop Podcast

Thank you Vicki Lesley, Justin's Dailies, and many others for tuning into my live video with the magnifcent Eleanor Anstruther! An imperect AI Summary:The conversation, which featured Eleanor Anstruther and the artist known as SLART, covered topics ranging from the origin of a significant photograph to the details of SLART‘s recent exhibition and his artistic philosophy in the face of bereavement.The Unposed Photograph and Matt BerryThe chat began by discussing the black and white photograph used as a thumbnail or graphic, which Eleanor described as “dark pensive and sad,” and “beautiful”. SLART shared the photo’s backstory: he took it in a passport photo booth because he had messed up the writing on an exhibition flyer he intended to give to Matt Berry. The final, unposed shot—which Eleanor noted looked “incredibly posed” and like a “fantastic art piece”—was taken accidentally because the booth snapped the picture immediately after the money was put in, before SLART was ready. SLART later added a blue filter to the black and white image.Regarding Matt Berry (musician and actor), whom SLART had wanted to invite to his exhibition, SLART did manage to give him the flyer, but was “gutted” when Matt Berry didn’t attend. SLART reflected that while Matt Berry was “really charming” during a talk, he “lost the charm a bit” when meeting one-to-one, speculating that this was understandable when signing records for 150 people separately.THE moment I handed over the flyer. The Memento Vivere ExhibitionSLART‘s show, Memento Vivere, was held in an underground crypt below St Pancras Church. SLART described the exhibition as “amazing” and “very moving”. He noted that small mishaps, such as forgetting the 200-year-old key to the crypt one day, made the overall experience more interesting. The space itself was initially intimidating to SLART, who worried about filling the large crypt. However, it was ultimately “perfectly spaced out,” allowing viewers to follow a journey through the tunnels.The exhibition featured 34 works in total, exceeding the original plan of 24. These included his fistula collection, which documented his kidney failure, as well as several modern momento mori paintings. SLART noted that having a show deadline helped focus his mind, allowing the ideas to flow and clarifying the creative process.Artistic Process, Style, and InfluencesSLART discussed his journey in art, noting he only started painting in 2019 after a 20-year break. He found his return to art—prompted by reading a post from Thomas J. Beavenon about reconnecting with childhood abilities—to be “life affirming” and a recovery of his essence. He felt the delay allowed him to accumulate life experiences, giving him “a lot more to say”.Key elements of SLART‘s artistic philosophy and development include:• Action over Fear: Despite being “crippled with self-doubts” and experiencing nervousness every time he pursues a project, the passion to get his work out “is bigger than the fear”. He is a living example of “just doing it anyway”.• Style Development: His style has become “freer” and more authentic. He actively moved away from attempting realism or inventing a contrived style after a mentor, Cros Crosley, advised him to return to his “naive art style”.• Viewer Completion: SLART recognizes that the viewer completes the work and determines what it means to them, noting that artists cannot control interpretation. He compares releasing art to “producing children and setting them free”.• Moving On: SLART has developed a good practice of knowing when a piece is finished and moving on to the next project without dwelling, which he considers a “sweet spot”. He is not afraid of running dry because he believes the well of ideas is universal.SLART expressed affinity for artists who pursued their own voice, mentioning Picasso. He expressed love for David Shrigley‘s free, non-realistic style. He has a real affinity for Jean Dubuffet, who started taking art seriously late in life (at age 41). SLART also discussed the importance of depth in art, referencing Rothko and Francis Bacon, noting that he found “the most incredible calm” in front of Bacon’s paintings because the artist “is showing the inside”.Bereavement and HumourA poignant detail of the exhibition was the death of SLART‘s older brother, Gary, who died of liver failure the day before the December 2023 exhibition. Gary’s struggles stemmed from trauma experienced during the first Gulf War. SLART chose to continue with the show and was honest with visitors.SLART painted straight away after the death. His work responded by depicting a figure drinking beer and having war trauma flashbacks. He also used humor by painting a memory of himself and a friend stealing Gary’s porn magazines as a child, showing Gary looming over them. SLART emphasized the necessity of incorporating humor into his work, as you have to “laugh about things” even concerning death. SLART also noted that Gary had kept his illness secret from the family until he died.Future PlansSLART confirmed that he is planning a documentary that will document the process of using art to get through kidney failure and bereavement, as well as the exhibition process. He noted that he has some video editing skills and intends to “give it a go,” focusing on telling his story rather than creating a “perfect documentary”.Eleanor also mentioned that SLART has a catalog of unsold work available on his Substack. See below.Memento vivere has concludedSome of the artworks are still available to purchase. To view our catalogue and price list, please find the links below.* Memento Vivere Catalogue* Memento Vivere Price ListGet in touch if you have any questions or would like to make a purchase.Subscribe for more adventures of an Outsider Artist… This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.creamofthecropbyslart.com

The Power of Expression: Finding Our Voices Through Art and Writing—Despite Social Anxiety | Thank you Karma’s Vision, Nimita Kaul, Amy Butler, Sandolore Sykes and numerous others for tuning into my live video with Sean Bennett! Join us for our next live video in the Substack app.Remember to check out SLART’s upcoming London Art exhibition www.cryptlondon.art and Sean Bennett’s writing coaching www.writeandpint.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.creamofthecropbyslart.com

www.cryptlondon.art | Memento Vivere | SLART and Gabriel Fine Arts | Crypt Gallery, London | 7-18 September 2025 | Opening Night 6 September 6-9pm This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.creamofthecropbyslart.com

https://slart.substack.com Thank you Stephanie Graham (she/her) 🪩, Sandolore Sykes, Alexander David Welch, Merny, Sissitrix, Michael Young and others for tuning into my live video! Join me for my next live video in the app.Here’s a really bad AI summary of the video.* SLART introduces the topic by discussing their most emotionally challenging piece of art, titled "Bloodlines," created in 2022.* "Bloodlines" was their first large-scale oil painting, measuring approximately 3 foot by 4 foot (96.52 cm by 121 cm).* The creation of "Bloodlines" occurred after SLART started dialysis following kidney failure. The reference photo was a selfie taken during their first dialysis session on the 16th of December 2021.* SLART felt significant mental blocks and fought with their mind, doubting their ability to create such a large piece.* The process of painting "Bloodlines" was a cathartic release for SLART.* Their psychologist advised SLART that painting was a good way to process and reflect on their health situation while being off work.* Due to being unwell and undergoing dialysis, SLART only had enough energy to paint for a couple of hours each day in their freezing studio in January with no heating.* SLART faced technical challenges, particularly with blending oil paints for the eyes and shadows, as they are self-taught.* SLART received mentorship from Caryn Koh, another artist in their studio, which helped them overcome technical difficulties and reinforced their belief in their abilities.* SLART views "Bloodlines" as a reminder of a new beginning in their art journey and health improvement.* SLART shifts to answering a question about what inspires them lately, mentioning drawing with their 2-year-old daughter and the unfiltered creativity of children.* SLART reflects on their aging 17-year-old dog and how his vulnerability has made them appreciate life and being present.* SLART acknowledges the importance of promotion and online presence but also the need to be present with family and not let work constantly intrude.* SLART answers a question about being present online, clarifying their efforts to connect authentically and help other artists on platforms like Substack.* SLART discusses their experiences with the toxicity of being an online artist, including negative comments on their work on Facebook and Substack, and how they try to manage their emotional reactions.* SLART reflects on the nature of negative comments, suggesting they often reflect the commenter's own feelings rather than the artist's work.* SLART answers a question about their Zen project, a global collaboration involving self-printed magazines (zines) with contributions from over 100 artists.* The Zine project has progressed to the first draft stage with around 80 pages formatted, and the next steps involve editing and printing.* SLART describes the Zine project as something that formed organically and has its own momentum.* SLART answers a lighthearted question about their favourite type of biscuit, choosing a chocolate hobnob.* SLART shares their approach to Instagram, trying to use it more for interaction and sharing other artists' work rather than just self-promotion.* SLART briefly touches on the option to block people on Substack as a way to create a peaceful online space.* SLART notes that hurt people hurt people, reinforcing the idea that negative online interactions often stem from the commenter's own issues.* SLART makes a comment about a participant in the chat having a go at someone on Substack and realising it was because they weren't feeling great.* SLART discusses the tendency for one's internal state to influence how one perceives others.* SLART provides an update on the progress of the Zen project, including the number of applicants (over 100) and the current stage of development (around 80 pages in the first formatted draft).* SLART sets a personal deadline of the next two weeks to get the Zen project ready for the next stage (editing and printing).* SLART reflects on the effortless nature of some creative projects, contrasting it with times when it is more challenging.* SLART says goodbye and concludes the session as someone else enters the meeting room. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.creamofthecropbyslart.com

Check out full episode here https://slart.me/deanSteve’s (SLART) story fascinated me. After a 20-year break from drawing, he returned to art in 2019 and has since completed 25 exhibitions, including Swindon's largest mural that moved local residents to tears. Steve's journey shows what's possible when you think differently about reaching people with what you do.We explored how creative people can bridge art and commerce without compromising their vision. From restaurant transformations inspired by London's Sketch to creating permanent outdoor galleries, his shared his approach to making art more accessible is an approach from which many of us can take something.* The episode concludes with ideas on creating innovative art projects, like permanent outdoor exhibitions, and the transformative potential of art in both individual careers and community development. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.creamofthecropbyslart.com

This is based on the post on how the Redcliffe Street Mural in Swindon came to be. https://creamofthecropbyslart.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.creamofthecropbyslart.com

Read the post at https://slart.substack.com - World-Class Artist, SLART's Weekly art practice: Week 42 - I’m the new Jean Dubuffet. I write (at least) twice weekly about my art practice and share stories about the journey of moving from a day job to a full-time professional artist. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.creamofthecropbyslart.com

Read the post at https://slart.substack.com - World-Class Artist, SLART's Weekly art practice: Week 40 - I’m the new Jean Dubuffet. I write (at least) twice weekly about my art practice and share stories about the journey of moving from a day job to a full-time professional artist. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.creamofthecropbyslart.com

Stephanie Graham asked me in my chat:1. Why Art? What made you decide, you know what I'm going to be an artist. 2. What made you say, you know what I’m going to be a professional artist.I attempt to answer whilst driving in this recorded live video.(Shout out to Thomas J Bevan for the inspiration).Join me for my next live video in the app This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.creamofthecropbyslart.com

Read the post at https://slart.substack.com - World-Class Artist, SLART's Weekly art practice: Week 39 - I’m the new Jean Dubuffet. I write (at least) twice weekly about my art practice and share stories about the journey of moving from a day job to a full-time professional artist. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.creamofthecropbyslart.com

Read the post at https://slart.substack.com - World-Class Artist, SLART's Weekly art practice: Week 38 - I’m the new Jean Dubuffet. I write (at least) twice weekly about my art practice and share stories about the journey of moving from a day job to a full-time professional artist. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.creamofthecropbyslart.com

Read the post at https://slart.substack.com - World-Class Artist, SLART's Weekly art practice: Week 37 - I’m the new Jean Dubuffet. I write (at least) twice weekly about my art practice and share stories about the journey of moving from a day job to a full-time professional artist. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.creamofthecropbyslart.com

Read the post at https://slart.substack.com - Hey, I’m the new Jean Dubuffet. I write twice weekly about my art practice and share stories about my transition from a day job to being a full-time professional artist. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.creamofthecropbyslart.com

Read the post at https://slart.substack.com - Hey, I’m the new Jean Dubuffet. I write twice weekly about my art practice and share stories about my transition from a day job to being a full-time professional artist. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.creamofthecropbyslart.com

Read the post at https://slart.substack.com - Hey, I’m the new Jean Dubuffet. I write twice weekly about my art practice and share stories about my transition from a day job to being a full-time professional artist. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.creamofthecropbyslart.com

Read the post at https://slart.substack.com - Hey, I’m the new Jean Dubuffet. I write twice weekly about my art practice and share stories about my transition from a day job to being a full-time professional artist. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.creamofthecropbyslart.com

Read the post at https://slart.substack.com - Hey, I’m the new Jean Dubuffet. I write twice weekly about my art practice and share stories about my transition from a day job to being a full-time professional artist. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.creamofthecropbyslart.com

Read the post at https://slart.substack.com - Hey, I’m the new Jean Dubuffet. I write twice weekly about my art practice and share stories about my transition from a day job to being a full-time professional artist. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.creamofthecropbyslart.com

Read the post at https://slart.substack.com - Hey, I’m the new Jean Dubuffet. I write twice weekly about my art practice and share stories about my transition from a day job to being a full-time professional artist. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.creamofthecropbyslart.com

Read the post at https://slart.substack.com - World-Class Artist, SLART's Weekly art practice: Week 29 - I’m the new Jean Dubuffet. I write (at least) twice weekly about my art practice and share stories about the journey of moving from a day job to a full-time professional artist. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.creamofthecropbyslart.com

Read the post at https://slart.substack.com - Hey, I’m the new Jean Dubuffet. I write twice weekly about my art practice and share stories about my transition from a day job to being a full-time professional artist. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.creamofthecropbyslart.com

Read the post at https://slart.substack.com - Hey, I’m the new Jean Dubuffet. I write twice weekly about my art practice and share stories about my transition from a day job to being a full-time professional artist. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.creamofthecropbyslart.com

Read the post at https://slart.substack.com - Hey, I’m the new Jean Dubuffet. I write twice weekly about my art practice and share stories about my transition from a day job to being a full-time professional artist. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.creamofthecropbyslart.com

Read the post at https://slart.substack.com - Hey, I’m the new Jean Dubuffet. I write twice weekly about my art practice and share stories about my transition from a day job to being a full-time professional artist. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.creamofthecropbyslart.com

Read the post at https://slart.substack.com - Hey, I’m the new Jean Dubuffet. I write twice weekly about my art practice and share stories about my transition from a day job to being a full-time professional artist. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.creamofthecropbyslart.com

Read the post at https://slart.substack.com - Hey, I’m the new Jean Dubuffet. I write twice weekly about my art practice and share stories about my transition from a day job to being a full-time professional artist. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.creamofthecropbyslart.com

Read the post at https://slart.substack.com - Hey, I’m the new Jean Dubuffet. I write twice weekly about my art practice and share stories about my transition from a day job to being a full-time professional artist. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.creamofthecropbyslart.com

OWN IT! bit.ly/ownitslart | Today’s post is read by the AI-generated version of The S N DOUBLE OH P, The D OH Double Gee Y, to the D OH DOUBLE G.I updated my profile the other day to state, "I am the new Jean Dubuffet." He’s my favourite artist, you see. He started his art career later in life, like me (at age 41), he boldly experimented, and ended up creating the ‘Art Brut movement’.I was posting one of my reels on Instagram the other day and chose the Jay Z song "Picasso Baby" because the artwork I was sharing was called "Fighting with Picasso."The reel starts…“It ain't hard to tell. I'm the new Jean Michel. Surrounded by Warhols. My whole team ball. Twin Bugattis outside the Art Basel”.🎶A while back, I mentioned I had a few free coaching sessions around my art business, and I finally declared that “I am the modern-day Jean Dubuffet.”It didn’t feel conceited. It didn’t feel forced. It felt plausible, normal.I already know how I started my art career late like Dubuffet did, and he embraced his own style, as I do. So it’s not like me saying “I’m the new Leonardo Da Vinci” as that wouldn't feel right. It would feel like a barefaced lie, I’m not a fan of the phrase “Fake it til you make it” although I am an advocate of stepping out of your comfort zone.As soon as I added this to my Substack profile and the start of the blurb for Cream of the Crop, my Substack publication, it felt real. Like a declaration, I say therefore I am. I am that I am.You are responsible for how you present yourself in this world. You decide who you are, whether it be through your writing, your art, or your branding. No one else will permit you; you have to give yourself permission!Look at Ali, he wasn’t shy about saying he was the greatest! You don’t have to go to his level, but just own who you are, even if you are fully letting go of pretence and being yourself.WHO. ARE. YOU?Declare it below in the comments fo shizzle.Thanks, This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.creamofthecropbyslart.com

Read the post at https://slart.substack.com - Hey, I’m the new Jean Dubuffet. I write twice weekly about my art practice and share stories about my transition from a day job to being a full-time professional artist.I share how I was captivated by Sophie Von Hellerman's painting at Turner Contemporary, which inspired me to work on a larger scale in my own art. I couldn't work in my studio this week due to a family illness, but I'm planning a session next Wednesday to start a new piece.Looking ahead, I'm organising an exhibition titled "Trespasso," set for either July 20th or August 17th, 2024, in an unconventional venue with local artists, chefs, and musicians to foster community and cultural connections. Additionally, I'll participate in an art fair in Brussels in November 2024, where my curator will showcase my work. This trip will also be a family outing, exposing my daughter to the art world.Lastly, I pitched a job idea to Mills Baker and Chris Best, CEO of Substack. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.creamofthecropbyslart.com

Read the post at https://slart.substack.com - Hey, I’m the new Jean Dubuffet. I write twice weekly about my art practice and share stories about my transition from a day job to being a full-time professional artist.In this episode, I talk about how I got back into art after 20 years. (Hint: I stopped creating art in the first place due to an art teacher putting me off).The post that got me thinking about what I liked doing as a child is https://lifemathmoney.com/how-to-be-a-true-autodidact/ Here are the slides from the video, feel free to add your (friendly) comments https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1i5GWSXFmcSoMMkgBUhOwP1KOF2DbXvGHaw2oae1_cqM/edit?usp=sharing This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.creamofthecropbyslart.com

Read the post at https://slart.substack.com - Hey, I’m the new Jean Dubuffet. I write twice weekly about my art practice and share stories about my transition from a day job to being a full-time professional artist.I had a conversation with LA Celeb Hypnotherapist, Steve G Jones back in 2013 and this is the first time I have shared it. I felt like the interview went badly at the time, I was bumbling, and the call cut off when someone called Steve on Skype (remember Skype?). However, as I listened back to it recently, it’s pretty good to be honest, a little bit rough around the edges, yes, but it’s a good, open chat.It’s raw, totally un-edited and here for your listening pleasure, mistakes and all.I asked Chat GPT to summarise Steve G Jones from his bio and present it as a podcast summary:They said…“Welcome to the world of hypnotherapy with Dr. Steve G. Jones, a clinical hypnotherapist with over 40 years of experience. Dr. Steve's expertise extends from weight loss to anxiety and beyond, transforming lives globally. Through his books, private practice, and global teachings, he's empowering individuals to unlock their full potential. Join us as we explore the transformative power of hypnotherapy with Dr. Steve G. Jones.”Not quite human-like is it? But you get the gist, he knows his stuff!Enjoy!SLARTP.S. Check out Steve’s work here. He generously gives away 5 full-length hypnosis tracks (really good quality ones) if you sign up for his newsletter.www.stevegjones.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.creamofthecropbyslart.com

In this podcast episode, SLART engages in an intimate conversation with Brooklyn-based Polish artist Olek. Despite initial self-doubts from SLART, Olek accepted the invitation for an interview. The connection between SLART and Olek delves into existential themes, meditation, and spirituality. The conversation explores Olek's diverse artistic endeavours, including crochet and Virtual Reality, with a focus on deeper dimensions beyond mere technique. The dialogue reflects admiration for Olek's work and emphasises a shared appreciation for going beyond the self.Check out Olek at https://www.olek.space (Update, and on Substack: agata)Enjoy! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.creamofthecropbyslart.com

Read the post at https://slart.substack.com - Hey, I’m the new Jean Dubuffet. I write twice weekly about my art practice and share stories about my transition from a day job to being a full-time professional artist.This was recorded in 2014 at age 31. However, you’ll get the idea of how shyness ruled my life in my late teens and early twenties. During this recording, I was in a much more grounded space, but in hindsight, I didn’t know what direction I wanted to head in next. Nowadays, I compassionately remember this version of myself. I am even more grounded in many ways, and I have my art career as my focus now.Thanks for listening!SLARTThank you for reading Cream of The Crop. Please feel free to share this post.Cream of The Crop is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.creamofthecropbyslart.com

Read the post at https://slart.substack.com - Hey, I’m the new Jean Dubuffet. I write twice weekly about my art practice and share stories about my transition from a day job to being a full-time professional artist.My music evolution went a bit like this.Pop music > Hip Hop > Jungle/Drum and Bass > Trance > House > 80s electronic > Then basically Max Richter, B-52s and Devo more recently!Bel Amour was a big track back in the 2000s and it has that summery, Ibizan feel to it.Do you recognise it? Well, Franck was part of Bel Amour. In 2016, I still didn’t know what I wanted to focus on in life, so I decided to set up a House Music Podcast called “Not everyone understands house music” taken from the Eddie Amadour song of the same name.Franck was one of my first interviews!Enjoy!SLARTCream of The Crop is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.creamofthecropbyslart.com

Read the post at https://slart.substack.com - Hey, I’m the new Jean Dubuffet. I write twice weekly about my art practice and share stories about my transition from a day job to being a full-time professional artist.Thank you to www.kidney.org for having me on their podcast.I enjoyed this uplifting conversation with the National Kidney Foundation, a top, New York-based Kidney charity. That said, I must admit that I didn’t properly warm up and wanted to say so much more, but that’s the nature of interviews, it takes a while to settle into them (Well, for an introvert like myself it does). Please feel free to comment with your thoughts below.Please click the ❤️ icon below and share with friends.Cream of The Crop is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.creamofthecropbyslart.com

An enchanting conversation with Beth Raps of Raising Clarity. I felt myself getting relaxed and into the conversation flow when the time ran out! So there will be a part 2 in 2024! We discussed finding the edge between a ‘normal day job’ and an ‘art career’ alongside some probing from Beth on the meaning of some of my art pieces. There’s so much more to unpack here, so check it out for yourself and please ask any questions!Enjoy!SLARTFull Video Version:Please share!Cream of The Crop is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.creamofthecropbyslart.com

SLART Note: This post is also part of the Soaring Twenties newsletter. A magnificent group of writers, artists and flaneurs who are committed to putting their best work out into the world. It didn’t occur to me to share my thoughts on the topic of mobile phone addiction before now. I mean, what hasn’t been said about it? We all know it’s a problem but don’t know how to transform those ingrained usage habits. Alex Dobrenko` and Thomas J Bevan changed my view on how the tides are turning, so I’d like to share my experiences and perspective on this move back to reality. I don’t have all the answers, all I can share are my experiences.I am an old millennial.I am at the tail end of the generation, so I remember a lot of the 1980s cartoons that young millennials might not remember. 15 years for a generation seems a bit long and should perhaps be 7 years in my opinion. The difference between starting secondary school to leaving is a huge gap in time and I can’t relate so much to people who are 10-14 years younger than me. For example, when I mention Jeremy Beadle to them I get a blank look, but if you say to anyone over 38 in England “Jeremey Beadle” they’ll either reply “Small hand!” or “Watch out! Beadle’s About!”. One colleague who was 25 said he’d never seen an Arnold Schwarzenegger film, the look on MY face!Ah, another example came to mind. There was a strong divide in my team at work regarding whether they preferred the UK (superior) or the US version (inferior) of The Office. Everyone under 35 said they liked the US version best (boo) and the oldies over 35 said the UK version was way better (truth).Before I go into the smartphone stuff, I just stumbled across this official-looking chart explaining the generations of the past 100 years. Have a look, you little nerd. A visual representation like this is pleasing to the eye, it puts everyone in these neat boxes so we can be easily predicted and marketed to. Makes me wonder who made these up?! Was it a marketing ploy?Bear with me, I will get to a point sometime today…So, as an old millennial, I am part of the last generation who remembers life before the internet. I have strong nostalgia vibes about my childhood, going out for hours, playing in streams, rolling old tyres down hills and playing NES games for hours on end. That said, I’m still addicted to my smartphone. I got my first iPhone in 2007, The hungry birds were my best friend, it got me through my dialysis treatment for 4 hours at a time, 3 days per week. I was 26 at the time, not super young, but young enough to get addicted to this new wonderful device that connected little old shy me to the rest of the world. It was a lifeline in those days, it connected me via Meetup.com where I hosted events for shy people in London. I could connect with new people all over the world. It was a modern marvel when it was shiny and new!Then 15 years later, I’m bald, I’m 60 pounds overweight and I’m scrolling for hours per day trying to find something that’s not there. And it’s all Steve Jobs’ fault! Joking, I love Steve.Jokes aside, I’m aware that it has become a big problem for me, the awareness I’ve brought to it since Alex and Tom’s wonderful posts (I’ll link to them at the end) has helped me notice what I am habitually doing on my phone.For instance, this evening I did the whole Instagram, Facebook, Gmail and WhatsApp loop. I’m at home, my daughter is asleep next to me, ready for bed and if I deeply think about this, IT’S FUCKING MADNESS! “What am I doing?” I caught myself, laughed and carried on writing this post. I felt much better about producing something rather than trying to consume digital thin air. I don’t want to compare it to this because it’s a sad memory, but when my dad was in a care home for people with Alzheimer’s, he and others would walk around for hours searching for something but couldn’t quite put their finger on what it was. So, so sad to witness. This is unconstructive smartphone usage, smartphone addiction even. It’s a bit like when I eat crisps to feel better after a stressful day, I’m internally promised that it’ll make it all better, but no matter how many crisps I eat, I just end up feeling sad and sick.Back the to social media loop I was talking about before. If I really stop and think about that behaviour, what is the thinking behind it? I’m longing for connection, or at the very least, a bit of dopamine to simulate connection. I check my emails to see if any art opportunities have magically appeared in my inbox, or even sadly, getting anything I can reply to, to feel like I’ve completed a task! “Ooh, the Parish Council have contacted me on my non-cultivation of my allotment, I can reply words to them.”It’s chronic fucking insanity!Let me say that again In another way.Spending hours on your phone with no direction is chronic fucking insanity.I just had a strong recollection of wasting an inordinate amount of time on Vine back in 2013. I had a lot of sadness and anxiety back then, so I scrolled through for hours, getting little hits of relief. Then I wanted to be Vine famous after that to feel worthy but my videos were crap. When I read that last paragraph back, I guess it did give me some kind of relief, but I could’ve done something more productive to get help.I imagine the youth of today totally wrecked from their ‘from birth’ phone usage, but I don’t really know if that’s the case. Maybe it’s like me growing up with a house phone, I didn’t use that 8 hours per day. My dad would’ve killed me as that would have cost him £48 per day at 10p per minute. That was a lot in 1995! It’s a lot now.So let’s forget about the youth and get us adults sorted first.The smartphone is still a marvellous tool, but sadly ‘Big Social’ has got us using it in an addictive way. We can’t blame them wholeheartedly though, we need to take responsibility for what we do next.Life isn’t black and white, but I see two clear routes to solve this issue:Route 1: Get rid of your smartphone, go back to using a Nokia 3310 and just use your laptop like it’s 2005 again. My friend Adam has done this, and he feels amazing, he lives off-grid and only uses his laptop a few times a week to send emails and connect with people online, he must travel to an internet café, I mean, café to connect to the online world. (It’s funny how my brain went back to 2003 when I used to frequent internet cafes to apply for jobs and ‘surf’ the world wide web).Route 2: This is my preferred route, really think about what you want to use your phone for and what you need to use your phone for. We need a bigger possibility to step into. We can use apps like Freedom to block sites and all that, but it’s like taking painkillers for the headache of someone who eats a lot of sugar. It’s just masking the issue.We’re hooked on our phones, what possibility can you create to replace that need?I’ll go first…What do I need my smartphone for?* Mobile banking (could use a laptop but mobile banking is useful for emergencies)* Two-factor authentication on websites (could use text on an old phone)* Reading Substacks* Writing notes (no reason why it can’t be offline)* Apple Pay (could start carrying my cards with me)* Checking crypto wallet (could do on laptop)* WhatsApp has become a utility, unfortunately, or fortunately depending on how you look at it. So I keep in touch with all my friends and family there. What do I want to use my smartphone for? (Ideal scenario)Ok, let’s really think about this. * I do enjoy writing notes on my phone, so I’m happy to use that for writing Substack drafts and ideas down, it’s just so much easier than manual not taking, but will use that for other purposes.* I like using apps to frame my artwork, and to take photos of art pieces, whether my own or others.* I like reading Substack so I’ll keep that. That includes connecting with peeps in the comments and notes.* I like reading books on Kindle, if only we could read Substack on Kindle Mills Baker hmmm 🤔 So thinking about my ideal scenario, I would only check my phone of a day if I were doing any of the above. Sounds simple, so the thing that’s ruining me is the need to check everything. So, let’s Re-delete the Meta apps (apart from WhatsApp). Ok, done.Next, what do I want? A full-time professional, art career. So I can’t waste time flipping between apps and scrolling to find that illusory thing. I have limited time as I spend 45 hours working and commuting. When I find myself doing anything unproductive on my phone, apart from reading of course, then I will remind myself of “Art Career” and stop, then put my focus on something more useful. Do you see how insidious this is?After writing the previous paragraph, I felt stuck on what to write next, so what did I do? I typed in Gmail into my browser and looked at my email. I quickly said “Art Career” in my head, closed the tab, and laughed, all in 1 second, in my mind. Do you see how mad this is?I just did it again! I stopped writing for a second, then picked up my smartphone again, checked Gmail “Art Career!” closed it, and laughed again.Mad, mad, mad.Imagine explaining all of this to our grandparents when they were our age now. They’d think we were mad, they just did their job (for life), went down the pub, they lived their lives. Of course, it wasn’t perfect, they generally lived at their station and didn’t have the awesome opportunities we have now, but were content on the whole.Stop. Be. Here. Now.Breathe…Ok, let’s finish this post off…I just did it again.To finish this post…We carry upon our person, a pocket-sized computer, that is more powerful than any supercomputer ever created pre-2000*, which cost the government millions upon millions of pounds and weighed tonnes in weight. A device that takes amazing photos, where you can read nearly any book you want, listen to any song you wish, or watch any movie. You can buy almost anything you wish and get it delivered to your home the day after or even the same day! You have a scanner, a calculator, and a notepad, to start your car, change your TV channel, measure stuff, monitor your heart rate, travel on a train, bus, tube, or plane, store credit and debit cards, navigate yourself anywhere, you can talk to your phone, take voice notes, utilise AI, and play video games. Then on top of that, you can use automation to connect various apps and actions, connect to your lights at home, your doorbell, your baby cam, turn your heating on when you arrive outside your home…But instead, I scroll through social media and waste my time.Let’s become the masters of our devices, let’s get the power back!Master this amazing device and you are the master of your universe!“It is okay to own a technology, what is not okay is to be owned by technology.” ― Abhijit NaskarWhat will you do next?The power is in your hands.Lots of love,SLART Check out Tom and Alex’s Posts that I mentioned above:Join me in the comments, and reply to one or more.* What will you do next?* What kind of person do you Have to be to use your phone productively?* What would your ideal phone usage look like? * What was your phone usage time during the last week? (Be honest)* Tell me about how your phone habits affect you negatively * Which version of the office-based sitcom ‘The Office’ is better? UK or US?* Please can you share this post?Cream of The Crop is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.A strange video using Runway. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.creamofthecropbyslart.com

Read the post at https://slart.substack.com - Hey, I’m the new Jean Dubuffet. I write twice weekly about my art practice and share stories about my transition from a day job to being a full-time professional artist.SLART Note: I created a series of 30+ interviews with prominent coaches all over the world, the theme was overcoming social anxiety and gaining clarity in your life, but anyone will glean insights from this informal chat with Supercoach Michael Neill.“Michael Neill is a globally acclaimed transformative teacher, speaker, and author known for seamlessly merging the sacred and profane. Challenging the societal belief that stress and seriousness are integral to growth, his work revolves around an inside-out understanding. As the CEO of Genius Catalyst Inc. since 1990, he transformed it into a multimedia organization, providing services to tens of thousands annually through live training, online courses, and self-study programs. With over three decades of coaching experience, he has mentored diverse clients worldwide, spanning investment, sales, energy, manufacturing, and entertainment.Recognized among coaching thought leaders, Michael has authored six best-selling books, with translations in 25 languages. His impactful TEDx talks and podcast, 'Caffeine for the Soul,' along with retreats and seminars, have reached audiences in 60 countries and across six continents, leaving an indelible mark on individuals and organizations alike.Please do me a solid and share with 1 person today.Here’s the video version:Blessings to you,SLARTCream of The Crop is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.creamofthecropbyslart.com

In 2008 I had come a long way in terms of overcoming crippling shyness (social anxiety). One fateful Wednesday, I got an email from an associate, a man I looked up to called Stefano. He asked me if I would like to go and speak to Ruby Wax about social anxiety for the BBC tomorrow (Stefano couldn’t go, so he kindly thought of me). Everything about the request instilled fear in me. “Speaking to a celebrity, on camera, for the BBC, TOMORROW??!” My mind fearfully exclaimed. Despite the fear, the courageous part of me knew that I had to be there.On the day, I arrived at the café in Notting Hill, a lovely part of London that has a Richard Curtis film of the same name. I went to the toilet to calm myself down, I was sweating profusely, my palms sweaty, my throat dry, and breathing deeply to slow everything down. After a minute or two, composed but still shaky inside, I go and speak to the producer, and we wait for Ruby to turn up. You’ll see what happens next in this episode.I will tell the full story soon in a post, it’s a good one.Enjoy!P.S. Here’s the full video version if you’d like to watch it:“‘Come to the edge.’‘We can’t. We’re afraid.’‘Come to the edge.’‘We can’t. We will fall!’‘Come to the edge.’And they came.And he pushed them.And they flew.”Guillaume ApollinaireThank you for reading Cream of The Crop. Please share this post, you never know who needs to see it today ❤️ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.creamofthecropbyslart.com

As I enjoyed my sausage, mash, peas and onion gravy on my own during my 30-minute lunch break, I thought about how often I’ve asked someone else ‘how to’ do something. But what was I really asking?In 2021, I emailed legendary Swindon muralist, Ken White and asked him “How do I start painting murals?”.Cream of The Crop is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.I couldn’t find this email conversation when I tried searching for it recently, but in short, he said “You’ve just got to do it”.At first read, I felt short-changed, but then it dawned on me, that no one could really help me with this, I just needed to find a way myself.In my neighbourhood, I would often walk past this large wall by the Swindon Designer Outlet Village. It was a bit of an eyesore, I’m a fan of tagging but this wall looked pretty drab, so I thought to myself “Let’s paint a mural here”.Months passed, and I got sick with kidney failure. Then in January 2022, I started feeling a bit better after dialysis and thought I’d email our local councillor, Jim Robbins, about the wall space. Not to be flippant about the illness, but I’ve written about it in other posts.Jim said he’d reach out to the landlord and see what he says. Then lo and behold, he said yes. The next stage would be the funding.I set up a GoFundMe page and thought about creating a tribute to my late tutor, Paul Moss. Not my art tutor, but my Multimedia tutor, I studied web design, graphic design, 3D animation and video editing. I did look around the art block at my local college and have no idea why I didn’t sign up; I think I saw more of a viable career out of ‘new media’ than art.Back to Paul, he was such a wonderful guy, down to earth, techy, great sense of humour and wise. I had crippling shyness at college and Paul encouraged me to carry on with my studies, as working in web design wouldn’t be as socially taxing as doing all these class presentations at college.Paul would go out of his way to help his students. He drove one student to Cardiff in Wales, 72 miles from Swindon, to visit the university to encourage him to attend. It worked! That was just the kind of guy he was. He played basketball with me one time at my local court, quite the sharpshooter he was.So, this GoFundMe page. It started off with the Paul Moss tribute and I posted it to my local community group. They said that it was not really fitting as he wasn’t local to this Swindon district, I felt a bit deflated, but on reflection, it made sense if people were going to donate towards it. Then I had the idea to tweak it, and it then became a local artist community project with the theme of Swindon and Wiltshire heritage, now that’s something people can get behind.The area where the proposed mural wall is located is right next to Swindon’s Outlet village, which was previously the GWR railway works, they used to have great industry in Swindon and built the trains there. They were once Swindon’s biggest employer.With this new local theme and initiative, the page was tweaked, put live and the money came rolling in. Within 2 weeks, we raised £700 for the new mural. I don’t often blow my own trumpet (my default, sadly has been thinking that I’m useless), but I do impress myself at times with how things fall into place, I can’t really take credit, I just seem to allow things to happen. This project was a prime example of this. A woman, Helen, who lives in the area got in touch. Serendipitously she had been trying to get a mural painted on that same wall, since 2019, but then the pandemic came along and there were other priorities for all and it got put on the backburner.Helen and I met at Made in Bahia, which is a hidden gem in my town, a fantastic Brazilian café owned by Gerson Silva that serves fresh Caipirinhas and Sagres lager on tap as well as some mouth-watering food. It’s sadly one of those cafes that go unnoticed when you walk past, because it’s not fancy on the outside, nor is it heavily marketed. But when you have the inkling to enter, you’re greeted by a warm, inviting smile by blue-eyed, olive-skinned Gerson. It feels like you’re coming into his home, you feel like you’re being taken care of. Helen and I started chatting and she mentioned another artist who was involved in the initial mural discussions. He turned up 5 minutes later, a chatty, friendly, energetic artist named Cello, he showed me some of his great artwork and I felt inspired. I must admit, I felt like I wanted to work on this project myself, but I put my ego aside and let it all unfold.We started brainstorming ideas, but I got quite anxious brainstorming out loud in a group, I don’t really enjoy it, to be honest, I like being alone, writing down ideas, and pondering over them. I feel too much pressure on the spot. A few ideas were flowing, I felt the anxiety rising in me, and then I thought “Just let it go and see what comes”. Well, it wasn’t as clear as that, it was more of a feeling of “Don’t worry”. Soon after I let go, I noticed out of the window, lovely red brick arches, part of the railway buildings, then I said to them “I had the idea of each artist having their own arch, like the ones across the road, so it’s in keeping with the area. Each artist can paint what they like in their arch, under the theme of Swindon and local heritage” I felt a bit smug when I said it out loud, even though I had a slight doubt in my tone. They both nodded in agreement, then I started mocking up the arches! 10 artists, 10 arches. Perfect!A couple of months passed; I was procrastinating a little on how big of a task I’d taken on. I had to remind myself that I could only do one thing at a time, so started with the brick arches. The simplest way to paint consistent bricks was to use a brick stencil, bought that, went to B&Q, got some paints, brushes, rollers, and then some spray cans from a friend’s shop.We got to the vast empty wall, empty bar some badly executed graffiti tags, and proceeded to measure out 10 equal spaces for the arches. Might I add that precision makes me feel uncomfortable, it goes without saying that I want my mechanic or my kidney surgeon to be precise, but as an artist, I have become pretty good at estimation and that’s fine by me.Once the arches were painted, I worked a bit more on my design, having the rough dimensions now, I could put something more concrete together in Photoshop.Piece by piece, bit by bit, the mural started to take shape.The arches were now complete and the next step, we needed to find more local artists.It happened easily, not compiling a list of local artists, looking through their work, shortlisting and picking the ‘best ones’. Cello and I extended it to our networks, and we got 8 other artists within a few days. I got my new next-door neighbours involved, they are friends of the previous tenants and were both artists, so it was a great way to get to know them by working on this project. These are the same couple who hosted my art exhibition on 14th October 2023.Adam Crosland, my studio neighbour joined in and so did Caryn Koh. I got to meet a couple of awesome local street artists, Inca Mole and Jaksta as well as Harrie Dearing, I adore her work! Carly Byrne created an awesome, cheerful piece and runs her own pottery studio too.The Redcliffe collective was bornThe street we painted the mural on was Redcliffe Street, so we became known as “The Redcliffe Collective” I felt like a cool artist at last, part of a collective.July 2022 was a hot month in the UK, painting outdoors in the sun was idyllic for us all. Around the corner of Made in Bahia, a generous resident put a tab behind the counter there, so we could get drinks and Brazilian snacks when we needed them. An ice-cold Sagres in a frozen glass, on a hot summer’s day was heavenly.Blessedly (In a weird way), I was off work as I was on dialysis 3 times a week for 4 hours at a time. So I was able to take my time doing a bit of painting when I could manage it over the two weeks. I felt slight guilt as I was off work and felt that I should be resting, but my psychologist said it’s ok to paint as part of your recovery. She was right, there’s nothing I enjoy more, I lose myself in the act of creating art, so there’s no worry and no kidney failure when I’m painting. What could be a better form of rest?Painting this mural was an idyllic couple of weeks. A dream come true.Local residents were coming up to us and thanking us for brightening up the area. Some were in tears of joy and one older gentleman was enthralled by the railway aspect of the mural, he used to work at the railway works round the corner and came out especially to see it with his wife. It was a real buzz, a real community event. It’s amazing what £700 and a group of people can do in 2 weeks to transform an area!Once the mural was complete, we had a bit of fun contacting the press. The first to pick up the story was our local rag, The Swindon Advertiser.The Redcliffe Collective was featured on regional and national news.📹 BBC Points West (For the West of England Region):I don’t know if you’ve noticed a recurring theme in my posts. I’m constantly reminding myself of these things I write about because they help me, and they are common things that many (if not most) of us deal with in our lives.When I asked Ken White “How can I paint a mural?” What I was really asking him was “Can you make me feel worthy of doing this project, tell me what to do and help me do it?”. I wanted him to impart his wisdom to make it easier for me, and that is fine, but I realised when you do something for yourself once, it’s much easier the second time. During the second time, you have the confidence to do more, and you have the memory that you have done it before. This becomes stronger the more you do it. Simple, but I forget this often.Ken White gave the right advice in the end, by saying “I just did it”. Then I went ahead and ‘just did it’ too. You can do the same, step by step. My love to you,SLARTThanks for reading my post! You can check out the Mural in person by travelling to the link below. Please send us your best wishes by leaving a Google review and help spread the word for public art: https://maps.app.goo.gl/8BowxB8EXhx7Nijm8P.S. I gently challenge Tabitha Blair DuVay Knox Alex Dobrenko` Mike Sowden Mills Baker Cintra Wilson Jeanne S Ray Downs Clancy Steadwell Allison Epstein Christopher Frizzelle and Thomas J Bevan to stretch yourself with a lil project that feels slightly (or massively) out of reach. Something you may have been putting off. Comment below. Remember, it’s just a bit of fun, play around with it and most of all, enjoy it. Lots of love ❤️ Cream of The Crop is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.creamofthecropbyslart.com

SLART Note: It was an interesting experience having a podcast with two different artists in two different locations, but it worked well. Sophie and Tara were a real pleasure to talk to, Sophie is a great artist in her own right and her inclinations are moving towards art curation. She is also (at time of recording) Tara’s assistant. Tara is uber-cool artist and high-fashion desiner who’s exhibited all over the world.I love opening up conversations towards a deeper level, beyond achievements, small talk and saying things for the sake of it. This coversation was no exception. Sophie El-HomsiSophie El-Homsi is a French painter with Scottish and Lebanese roots, currently residing and working in Paris. Throughout her artistic journey, she has explored various styles, including fauvism, realism, and abstract art, utilizing diverse mediums such as ink, clay, acrylic, and graphite. Since 2020, Sophie's focus has shifted to oil paintings that portray minimalist and vibrant landscapes, occasionally featuring animals or trees.In addition to her dedication to art, Sophie has a profound passion for travel, allowing her to discover new cultures and landscapes. Her paintings draw inspiration from these travels and personal experiences, encapsulating memories, both positive and negative. Through her art, she narrates her perception of nature as a beautiful, colorful, and sometimes violent force.Tara VatanpourTara Vatanpour, an artist and luxury fashion designer, is the founder of Tara Vatanpour. With Persian, Azari, French, and American roots, she draws inspiration from the rich tapestry of Brazilian culture. Tara's artistic exploration centres around themes of immigration trauma, loss, separation, the resulting emotional chaos, and the quest for healing.Since 2019, Tara has showcased her work at prestigious venues such as the Venice Biennale, exhibitions in London and Paris, and various online residencies and publications. Her luxury fashion brand, Tara Vatanpour, mirrors her artistic endeavors, seamlessly merging fine arts with fashion to delve into the depths of her thematic exploration.Cream of The Crop is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.creamofthecropbyslart.com

MEMENTO VIVEREThere’s nothing new in these words, but they come from an almost universal dissatisfaction, a search for something more than a 9-5 existence.It’s a dichotomy.You should be grateful for having a job, right?Yet you can’t help this dissatisfaction that you feel, right?So, there are people worse of that you, but it’s not your problem, right?Then why is there so much guilt around wanting more than this?Is it not a privileged angst thing? Too much time to think about things?The sentence “People who are working two jobs and kids don’t have time to moan about their job” puts me firmly in my place.“Why can’t I just stop moaning and get on with it?”This cycle continues.Forever.Until a concerted effort is made to get what you want out of life.Sometimes I wish I were simple minded, just working a simple job, enjoying life for what it is, not wanting for anything nor wanting for more, enjoying a few pints down the pub with no agenda. No ideas above your station.When people ask me about my job, I say “Yeah, it’s not too bad. I can’t really complain, I’m getting paid ok and it’s not hugely stressful”. I bore myself saying it, over and over.Now and again, I feel mild excitement, well, more like a mediocre interest, in a new task or change of direction in my role. It has kept me going for periods of time, but it normally ends up being stale again.Don’t get me wrong, I know what it’s like to struggle financially. I was on less than minimum wage for about 6 years working for myself. I always thought that having a secure job would make me happy, yet here I am in a secure job. The plus side of being self-employed in the past was that I was time-rich, and I lived in London at the time so I could enjoy being in a big city. Even without much money, I could enjoy a pot of £6 early grey tea, up the OXO Tower and enjoy the view of the Thames on a summer’s day, when everyone else was slogging it in their 9-5. 8-8 more like in London.I fantasise about drawing, painting, and writing, at leisure but with a structure that satisfies my need to have a framework that houses my activities. Providing some kind of direction and meaning. Especially in terms of earning an income from said activities.Then my mind goes towards the thought “If I had enough money to live the same lifestyle regardless, what would I spend my time doing?” I feel a sense of discomfort asking myself this. My mind goes all Nihilistic and I think that I would no longer like painting, drawing, and writing if I didn’t have to work, as it’s just a distraction from my 9-5. Grass-is-greenerism at it’s greenist.This of course is not true, I drew a lot as a child, it was something I “just did” I didn’t try and do it, I just liked doing it, it was simple.  I think my mind is just trying to keep me safe, that’s one of the brain’s jobs, right? It’s keeping you safe, it doesn’t understand the context. It just thinks you will die if you leave the comfort of your 9-5 and follow a creative pursuit.I was watching a TV series called The Cockfields recently, something quite apt stood out. The stepdad (Ray) of the main character (Simon) said to him about leaving his full-time job to become an illustrator. I was blown away at how apt it was for me.The conversation went like this:Simon: I’m leaving my job to pick up this illustration gig.Ray: Oh right.Simon: What do you mean? Ray: Well, are you getting enough money coming in from that?Simon: Not yet, I’ve got a couple of jobs coming in. The main thing is, I really enjoy it.Ray: Haha. I love fly fishing but I didn’t leave my job to pursue it, did I now?. Esther (Simon’s girlfriend): Well, he’s actually doing really well with it and I’m proud of him!.This got me thinking about generations and attitudes to work, boomers just got on with work, got married and had kids young, bought a house on a single salary, worked all their lives in their job for life, then retired.Simon, the millennial, realised that there’s more to life than doing a job you don’t love.What’s it going to be like for future generations? I think it’s changing already. There’s many 20 year-old nowadays realising the potential of the modern internet (social, AI, crypto, live content).After all of this, what is the answer?The way I see it, it’s about taking those steps when you are working your 9-5, build something. My something is a congruent place for my writing and art, my Substack.Some days at my day job I will feel like quitting.Some days will be boring.Some days will be stressful.Some days will be exciting. Well, that’s pushing it a bit. But if I keep building, doors will open in ways I don’t realise right now.You can either do or do not do, the time will pass anyway.If I’d never started creating art in 2019, I have no idea where I’d be now. I’m glad I started, as I can look back, knowing that I’ve created a body of work.I’m grateful, truly, looking at what a tiny selection of what i’ve created below in 4 years, makes me smile.I’ll leave you with this….“Don't let the fear of the time it will take to accomplish something stand in the way of your doing it. The time will pass anyway; we might just as well put that passing time to the best possible use.”Earl Nightingale My love to you,SLARTCream of The Crop is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.Thank you for reading. Please pass these timeless words on to someone you care about today. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.creamofthecropbyslart.com

A conversation that takes a deep dive into how we see ourselves, unleashing our passion and how to live with illness that is at the forefront of your life. Listen in for a great chat with Artist Steve Light AKA SLART and Janis Hough.“I believe that we should all seek to be our raw, naked, honest truth, perfectly imperfect and fuck what other people think. Dare to be your most vulnerable self. Live life on your terms.”Janis HoughSLART note: I felt ok and I was in good spirits during this interview, but looking back at it now, I look gaunt and was quite ill. This about 6 weeks after I started dialysis sessions and my voice was weak. As you’ll discover in the chat, people with chronic illness can often just carry on living life a relatively normal life. Janis is a wonderful human being. I’ve known her for about 14 years, and it’s been amazing seeing her grow as a person and a coach in that time. What also inspires me about Janis is her free spirt, over the past 8 years or so she built a life living between Antigua and the UK. Living life on her own terms, making lifelong friends on the island and most recently, starting her own Yoga school.If you’d like to watch the video version, I’ve embedded it below:A little related shoutout: I really admire Rae Katz standing up for women who have mysterious diseases, who, more ofthen than not, are dismissed from their doctors and written off as ‘nothing to worry about’. She writes about chronic illness, being a mum and work culture in a male dominated tech-world (and so much more!). Make sure you check out her ‘stack, I highly recommend it! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ One more shoutout to my late mum, who would have been 74 today. Lots of love to you. Rest in peace x.Cream of The Crop is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.creamofthecropbyslart.com

Thomas Berryman TV is the video interviewer version of a Substack writer. He has a small, dedicated audience on YouTube. He’s interviewed really niche people from ex-cons who have made a full 360 and turned their life around, to lesser-known rappers like H-Ryda and legends like the guy from Reel 2 Real, The Mad Stuntman. (He’s even interviewed David Proval from the Sopranos!) In modern viral metrics, he should really have 1000x the views he has, yet for some reason it hasn’t caught on to the masses, and that’s ok, maybe it’s not meant to. At time of writing, he has 573 YT Subscribers.We are a similar age and both appreciate 90s Hip Hop, so the conversation flowed easily, it was like chatting to a mate. I hope you enjoy the conversation. I have provided the full video version of this podcast, as well as the audio. I was at my art studio during the chat, so if you watch the video version, you’ll see some of my paintings.Enjoy!SLARTThank you for reading Cream of The Crop. Please share this post to get Thomas Berryman TV some more subscribers. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.creamofthecropbyslart.com

"I keep my thoughts on the things I want and off the things I don’t or shouldn’t want, because where attention goes, energy flows.“Derek MillsDerek Mills is known as the 'Standards Guy' because of the daily standards he upholds in his life choices, which help keep him on track.He's someone I look up to in many ways. Not many people know that he had a stammer as a child, but he overcame it to become an influential leader. He is a speaker and coach renowned for his work in the field of personal development and motivation. Those labels don't do him justice; he's unlike most in the field. He has delivered thousands of talks on topics related to personal and professional growth, as well as the philosophy of daily standards and principles outlined in his '10-second philosophy.'You're in for a treat!Cream of The Crop is a reader-supported publication released twice weekly. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.👇 Please share with someone who needs to hear this today.👇 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.creamofthecropbyslart.com

SLART Note: This post may be too long for email, so you can read it in the Substack app or click the link at the top of the email to read online.It’s a mild, sunny October in the south of England right now¹. There’s crunching below my feet as I walk on slightly damp wood chips around the perimeter of my workplace.Cream of The Crop is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.I teleport to the toilet cubicle and ponder on what I am going to write about today.So much suffering.So many experiences.So many triumphs and joys to balance it out.It would really make sense to carry on the reflection from my previous post… I left it last time, with this:My inital goal is to leave my day job and spend that time painting and sharing my work.So what’s the first step in getting towards this?I could work 4 days a week so I have a day painting.This post is turning into a deeper reflection of which I will ponder on this week, I’ll share more about this soon…We don’t reflect enough these days do we? Well, I don’t. So, let’s carry on this reflection…It really does boil down to what I want.I said about the initial goal above, but what about the bigger, more inspirational goal?Ok let’s start with what I want out of an art career:* I want to display my artwork all over the world* I want to be represented by a top gallery so I can focus soley on creating my art* I want to create big mural pieces that anyone and everyone can enjoy* I want to continute sharing and documenting my journey on Substack throughoutThat’s a good start.On reflection of my inital goal of wanting to replace my employment income. It’s not particularly inspiring in hindsight is it?So as a condition of the above 4 bullet points, I want to be paid more or equal than my current salary. Which will free up my time to do so much more with my art. Let’s have a Chat with ChatGPT and see how we can dig deeper in this reflection.I give GPT my Artist CV and bio as a starting point, then I gave it my 4 points above.GPT: It's great that you have clear goals for your art career. Achieving these objectives will require dedication, perseverance, and a strategic approach. Here's a breakdown of each of your goals and some steps to consider:* Displaying Your Artwork Worldwide:* To display your artwork globally, consider participating in international art fairs, exhibitions, and events. This will help you gain exposure to a diverse audience.* Collaborate with galleries and art spaces outside the UK to host solo exhibitions or contribute to group exhibitions.* Create an online portfolio or website where you can showcase your artwork to a global audience.* Utilize social media platforms, art marketplaces, and online art communities to share your work with art enthusiasts worldwide.* Representation by a Top Gallery:* Building relationships with galleries and curators is essential. Attend gallery openings, art events, and networking opportunities to connect with the art community.* Develop a strong portfolio with a consistent and recognizable style.* Consider sending portfolio submissions to top galleries, but also be open to working with smaller or emerging galleries that may provide opportunities for growth.* Build a professional reputation, receive critical acclaim, and gain recognition through local and international exhibitions.* Creating Large Mural Pieces:* Collaborate with local governments, organizations, and businesses to secure mural commissions. Public art projects often require community engagement and funding, so establish connections with relevant stakeholders.* Participate in street art festivals and mural events to showcase your skills.* Use your Substack platform to document the process of creating murals, from concept to completion, to engage your audience and gain support for your work.* Create a strong online presence with a dedicated mural portfolio to attract mural-related commissions.* Sharing Your Journey on Substack:* Continue documenting your artistic journey on Substack, but make sure to maintain a consistent posting schedule to keep your readers engaged.* Share not only your artistic process but also insights into your creative inspirations, challenges, and personal growth.* Promote your Substack through your website, social media, and in your interactions with the art community to expand your subscriber base.Remember that achieving these goals may take time and persistence. Building a successful art career often involves a combination of talent, hard work, networking, and a bit of luck. Stay focused on your creative vision, keep refining your art, and actively pursue opportunities to showcase your work. Adapt your strategies as needed based on your progress and the evolving art world.SLART: I feel underwhelmed and overwhelmed at the same time with these generic answers. Please can you keep your replies succinct and under 100 words per answer? I need you pretend you are a world-famous modern artist and you are living your dream career. You are acting as a mentor to me [SLART] and I need you to be straight-talking and clear with me. Does that make sense to you?GPT: Certainly, I understand. Let's keep it concise and direct. How can I assist you, SLART?SLART: Ok, with my 4 objective as I mentioned above. Tell me something that no one else has told me before about being a great artist.GPT: To be a great artist, you must embrace the discomfort of self-doubt and uncertainty. This vulnerability fuels creativity. Don't fear failure; it's a vital part of growth. Be relentless in honing your unique voice. Success comes from authenticity, not just skill.SLART: Wow, this has eerily hit home with me. There is a lot of self-doubt there. Tell me, how did you harness that self doubt? Don't tell me "how to" but tell me in the form of a short parable.GPT: In the heart of doubt's labyrinth, I found a flickering lantern, guiding me. It whispered tales of giants who once questioned their own strength. They learned to wield doubt like a hidden treasure, fueling their journey. Doubt, their loyal companion, became the guardian of their ever-evolving greatness.SLART: Thank you. It reminds me to take my own advice, I seem to be able to face up to smaller-level doubts, but I can't seem to see the bigger picture. Can you read my recent article on doubt and tell me what I am not seeing please? Note: I added this article text: GPT: Your article beautifully captures the struggle with self-doubt that many artists face. It's a genuine and relatable exploration of your personal journey. However, what's missing is an emphasis on embracing doubt as a motivator. Doubt can be a catalyst for growth and innovation. Shift the focus towards how doubt can lead to self-discovery and creative evolution, which is essential for an artist. Use your experiences to inspire others to push past their own doubts and create fearlessly.SLART: I really appreciate your feedback on my writing. It’s like expressing my emotions through my artwork isn’t it? Being ok with the doubt and using it as a motivator. Can you say a bit more about this? What else am I not seeing?GPT: Doubt can be your creative fuel, propelling you to innovate and grow. Embrace it as a motivator, as the periods of doubt often lead to artistic breakthroughs. Resilience is key in overcoming doubts, making you a true artist. Share strategies to help readers use doubt as a positive force in their creative journey.SLART: I feel like you’re being a bit generic again. I thought we were getting somewhere. As succinctly as possible, what would embracing doubts look like as a top artist?GPT: Embracing doubts as a top artist means using them to fuel innovation, pushing past comfort zones, and turning self-questioning into a catalyst for artistic growth. Doubts become the stepping stones to new creative heights. SLART: I like what you say about going out of your comfort zone.I’ve done that a lot in my life, especially when I suffered with social anxiety and shyness.I think I need to take that energy and apply it to my art.One time, I went to a Paul McKenna seminar with 300 people, I was so nervous, but every day for a week, I did things I was scared of. I even went up on stage and got hypnotised and spoke to the crowd.GPT: Your experience confronting social anxiety and shyness is a powerful source of strength. Applying that same courage to your art can lead to remarkable breakthroughs. Just as you faced your fears on that stage, confronting doubts in your creative journey will lead to artistic growth and extraordinary achievements. Your past resilience is a valuable asset in your artistic pursuit. SLART: You said “Your past resilience is a valuable asset in your artistic pursuit.” This is another sentence that hit home. It makes me think about when I dropped out of a-level art class as my art teacher said that I can’t draw large scale. My blessing is that I lived my life for 20 years then picked up art again in 2019 with an arsenal of lived experiences to share through my art.         I’m tired right now, can you give me some suggests of how an artist could go out of their comfort zone?GPT: [GPT went on to give a list of things, this one stood out]Challenge Your Scale: If you were told you can't draw large scale, prove otherwise. Create oversized pieces that break the boundaries of your previous limitations.SLART: Challenge Your Scale: This one got me thinking… I had been thinking about painting on the side of Swindon Train Station for a while now. It’s around 10 stories high and would make a huge impression on the town. Serendipitously, I emailed the head of Swindon Borough Council about this idea, and he discussed it with Network Rail, who own the building. I said that I would find the funding if they gave the permission. I’m just waiting to hear more. This is definitely out of my comfort zone, but it doesn’t feel as scary as overcoming shyness!GPT: Painting a 10-story mural on Swindon Train Station is an ambitious and impactful project. It's an incredible opportunity to push your creative boundaries and leave a lasting mark on your town. Embracing such a challenge can lead to personal and artistic growth. Keep pursuing it with determination, and you'll likely achieve something extraordinary. Your journey from overcoming shyness to taking on this endeavor is a testament to your resilience and growth as an artist.SLART: Thank you, I know you’re a LLM but you are also a great reflection partner.I felt like asking you to giving me one actionable step towards making the Swindon train station mural project a reality.GPT: You're welcome, SLART. An actionable step to make the Swindon Train Station mural a reality is to:* Create a Detailed Proposal: Draft a comprehensive proposal outlining your artistic vision, the significance of the mural to the community, a budget plan, potential funding sources, and a timeline. Share this proposal with Swindon Borough Council and Network Rail to demonstrate your commitment and planning.This detailed proposal will show your seriousness and help gain the necessary approvals and support for the project. Good luck!SLART: Thank you. That seems like the best idea to me. here is my 1 pager I created before: (Note: You can see the image of it below) Please can you use this info to start off my proposal document?GPT: [GPT Started off a proposal that I will expand on and use… watch this space]SLART: Thank you! * Pause in reflection - SLART travels home and makes himself an espresso martini and carries on the reflection *SLART: Ok, so let’s carry this on. I have a new found vim, a project that grows the more I put my attention to it. What shall we explore next? GPT: Let's focus on refining your proposal for the Signal Point mural project. We can work on enhancing its content, structure, and presentation to make it more compelling and persuasive for potential stakeholders, such as Swindon Borough Council and Network Rail.If you have your current proposal document or any specific questions related to it, please share those details, and we can proceed with suggestions and improvements.SLART: I will definately refine my proposal another time, but now I want to step back even further to look at the bigger picture as an artist. Going back to the vision. I want to think so big that this mural project is just a small project for what comes after it.Note: GPT gives me some generic pointers, not worth seeing. I refine by saying…SLART: Remember you are my art mentor, you are assuming the persona of someone who has art shows at the MOMA, Tate, Gagosian and David Zwirner galleries. I don’t need generic advice. Give me some juicy tips, in under 100 words.GPT: Of course, SLART. Here are some juicy tips:* Disrupt the Norm: Challenge conventions, create art that provokes thought, and stands out from the crowd.* Network Strategically: Build genuine relationships with influential figures in the art world, not just for exposure, but for creative collaborations.* International Impact: Think globally; seek opportunities outside your region. Expand your reach to influential international galleries and institutions.* Invest in Branding: Develop a distinct artistic identity. Your name and style should become synonymous with innovation and excellence.* Stay Authentic: While pursuing grand visions, stay true to your unique artistic voice. Authenticity resonates deeply with collectors and critics.SLART: These are a bit better, let’s dig deeper. I feel like I have a good brand. It’s clean and minimalist. What can I do to improve my brand? GPT: To enhance your already strong brand, consider these deeper strategies:* Conceptual Consistency: Ensure your art consistently aligns with your brand's core concept. This reinforces the brand's identity and message.* Limited Editions: Create limited edition prints or sculptures, adding an exclusive dimension to your brand.* Gallery Representation: Seek representation with prestigious galleries that align with your brand's aesthetic and philosophy.* Artistic Manifesto: Develop an artistic manifesto that articulates your brand's mission, values, and the deeper purpose of your work.* Collaborate with Other Brands: Collaborations with other brands or artists can cross-pollinate audiences, expanding your brand's reach.* Curate Experiences: Craft immersive art experiences or installations that go beyond traditional exhibitions.* Art and Social Impact: Align your brand with social or environmental causes, weaving a deeper narrative into your art.By delving deeper into these strategies, you'll further refine and elevate your brand's identity and impact.SLART: I like the idea of an artistic manifesto. Will you help me write one from my Bio and Artist statement?Here is my Bio:[BiographySLART (Steven Light) is a figurative expressionist artist working and living in Swindon, UK. Steven was born in Tunbridge Wells, Kent but moved to Marlborough in Wiltshire as a young child. He discovered that he was adopted by his grandparents, which set him on a journey of introspection and connection with his biological father and siblings. He spent a decade living in London, which was a contrast to his small-town upbringing, instilling new perspectives and life experiences in his mindset.He has always loved drawing since early childhood. A shy and sensitive soul, he would spend many hours alone, drawing images from cartoons and animal books. He is drawn to creating people-centric art because he loves the diversity of people, their stories, problems, issues, baggage, quirks, and personalities.SLART is also a muralist and has painted multiple outdoor pieces in his town. He’s produced a sizable body of work since moving to an art studio in 2021 and has been part of group exhibitions in the UK and Germany, as well as two well-received UK solo exhibits. One of the solo exhibitions, Fistula, documented his journey living with chronic kidney failure.]Here is my Artist statement: [Artist StatementI am a self-taught figurative expressionist. Through my art, I reveal and disarm human issues. I intertwine Memento Mori, spiritual themes and heavy influences from the 1980s and 1990s pop culture I grew up in, including music, video games, WWF wrestling, basketball, action movie stars and cartoons from that era.My primary mediums are oils or acrylic on large canvases and outdoor spaces to make a big impact. I often use reference photos as inspiration, but I aim to create my own representation rather than a carbon copy. I paint freely with a rough concept in my mind, allowing it to unfold as I work.Drawn to a complimentary colour palette, much of my work naturally employs bright or pastel colours on dark backgrounds creating bold statements. Being self-taught allows me to express myself without any preconceived concepts taken from formal art education.Jean Dubuffet, David Shrigley and Keith Haring are my top three influences. Dubuffet taught me to play by my own rules, that formal art education is not needed and that it’s never too late to start. Shrigley endowed me with humour, authenticity and the confidence to stick to my own style. Haring ignited my love for street art, painting large murals and making art accessible.]Create me a 1-page manifesto that is high-impact and engaging based on my information please. Write it in my style too.GPT: SLART ManifestoIn the Beginning, a Shy Soul UnveiledI am SLART, a figurative expressionist rooted in Swindon, UK. Born under the Kentish sun, I grew up in the embrace of Wiltshire's gentle landscapes. An artist, yes, but more - an explorer of inner and outer worlds. My journey, an odyssey of self-discovery, began as I uncovered the gift of life, given by my own flesh and blood. In the heart of London, I witnessed a tapestry of human existence, painting layers upon layers of perspectives on my canvas of consciousness.From Pencils to Murals, a Voyage UnfoldsI've always drawn, forever a quiet observer. A lonely pen and a paper-world my companions, where cartoons danced alongside animals. The diversity of humanity, their tales, trials, and triumphs, fueled my art. Murals became my medium, a gateway to infuse life with color and stories. In the cocoon of an art studio, my creativity found wings in 2021. Group exhibitions in the UK and Germany, two UK solo showcases, and Fistula, an exhibition of my kidney journey, an affirmation that art speaks a universal language.Expressionism with a Nod to the PastI am a self-taught expressionist. In each stroke, I unmask the human condition, entwining Memento Mori and spiritual motifs. My palette is drenched in the nostalgia of the 1980s and 1990s - music, video games, WWF's wrestling arena, basketball courts, action movie heroes, and the animated tales of my era. Oils and acrylics, my companions, breathe life into canvases, and the open outdoors becomes my vast canvas.From Reference to RevelationI dare to use reference photos as whispers of inspiration, yet I strive to birth my unique creation rather than a mimic. My mind cradles a concept, raw and unrefined, allowing the canvas to guide my hand. Bold statements spring from complementary palettes, vivid hues on obsidian backgrounds, a dance of light and dark. With no confines of formal art doctrine, my art is a reflection of my unfiltered soul.Influence RedefinedThe voices of Jean Dubuffet, David Shrigley, and Keith Haring serenade my artistic soul. Dubuffet taught me to defy norms, to believe in my path, regardless of formal education. Shrigley gifted me humor and the courage to honor my unique style. Haring ignited the flame of street art, large murals, and art for everyone.The SLART OdysseyIn this Odyssey, I pledge to unveil the human essence through strokes of passion and history. My art is a mirror reflecting the vivid stories of life, the shadows, and the light. It is an invitation to a world where the past and present collide in a riot of colors. My mission: to resonate with the soul, to awaken emotion, to inspire transformation.SLART Manifesto: Where Shy Souls Speak, and Brushes Weave TalesSLART: This is a bit pretentious isn't it? Make it more real, more down to earth.Here is my writing style:Article 1: [https://slart.substack.com/p/12-billion-seconds].Article 2: [https://slart.substack.com/p/bloodlines].Article 3: [https://slart.substack.com/p/i-painted-myself-nude].Article 4: [https://slart.substack.com/p/overloaded].Article 5: [https://slart.substack.com/p/a-letter-to-myself].Article 6: [https://slart.substack.com/p/wrestling-with-the-ego].Please write something more SLART. More real.GPT: Note: GPT took being down to earth literally. I will only share the first paragraph to illustrate this :-DThe SLART ManifestoArt is Life, Life is ArtHey there, I'm SLART, a down-to-earth figurative expressionist right out of Swindon, UK. I didn't attend fancy art schools or travel the world seeking inspiration. Nope, I'm just a regular guy who fell in love with drawing since I could hold a pencil.Note: It’s a bit better. I will end this part now but it gives me an idea about a manifesto that is bigger than myself. More than a bio and artist statement, more of a statement of the impact I want to have on the world.SLART: Thanks, let's change direction slightly. Going back to what you said before: [Curate Experiences: Craft immersive art experiences or installations that go beyond traditional exhibitions.]I loved this idea and it aligns with antoher project idea I had. I was inspired by this man who looked at a painting for 75 minutes. Sounds silly when I write it here, but it can be a incredible experience if open to it.My plan is to create an exhibit with timed doors, so you have to be with the painting for atleast 5 minutes. I'd say most poeople just glance at paintings, maybe a minute at very most. Unless you're an art nerd and you might stare for longer. What are your thoughts on my idea?GPT: Your idea of creating an exhibit with timed doors that encourage visitors to spend at least 5 minutes with each painting is a fantastic concept. It offers a unique and immersive experience that goes beyond the typical art exhibition. Here are some thoughts on why this is a great idea:* Deepens Engagement: Encouraging viewers to spend more time with each artwork allows them to form a deeper connection. They can explore the nuances, details, and emotions within the piece.* Encourages Contemplation: In our fast-paced world, your exhibit would prompt people to slow down and engage in contemplation, which can be a meditative and enriching experience.* Promotes Understanding: Art often carries layers of meaning. Spending more time with a painting can help viewers uncover these layers and gain a deeper understanding of the artist's intent.* Emotional Connection: More time spent with a painting can lead to a stronger emotional connection. Viewers may experience a wider range of emotions as they engage with the artwork.* Educational: For those less familiar with art, your approach could be educational. It encourages viewers to look beyond the surface and appreciate the artistic process.* Art Appreciation: It can foster a greater appreciation for art, encouraging people to explore art more extensively in the future.To make this idea even more engaging, you could consider providing viewers with some background information about the artwork or the artist before they enter, sparking their curiosity and guiding their contemplation.Overall, your concept aligns perfectly with the idea of curating immersive art experiences and has the potential to create a memorable and enriching encounter with art.***** End of reflection - for now *****SLART closing note: Wow. That reflection took me to places I didn’t imagine it would, as you can see, GPT does tend to speak matter of factly and generically a lot of the time. You really have to dig deep to get it engaged. The act of reflection got me focusing on bigger things and now I can start putting things into place, keeping those ideas in my mind. As what I sometimes do is get caught up in the day to day and forget the bigger vision. Next time: I’ll carry on this reflection, and report back what’s occured. Very best wishes,SLARTFootnote: ¹ The weather has been very eratic, sunny, then stormy, then rainy, then cold, then sunny again. If you’re British, you’ll know how unpredictable our weather is, in your bones!Thank you for reading Cream of The Crop. This post is public so feel free to share it with cool art world peeps.Limited edition signed art prints available in my storeCream of The Crop is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.creamofthecropbyslart.com

"So I return to the question, "if I loved myself, truly and deeply, what would I do?" The answer comes easy: I'd fly. Fly as high as I possibly can. Then, I'd fly higher.”Kamil RavikantI came accross Kamal via his book, Love yourself like your life depends on it in 2012. It’s a short, personal and moving read. The kind of read you need to get yourself out of an emotional funk.Kamal Ravikant is an author, entrepreneur, and venture capitalist known for his books on personal development and self-improvement and it was a pleasure chatting with him. Note: Leading Light was a mental health project I ran between 2008-2014.Cream of The Crop is a reader-supported publication released twice weekly. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.❤️ Remember to love yourself like your life depends on it. ❤️ Please share with someone who needs to hear this today.👇 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.creamofthecropbyslart.com

I had a solo art exhibition at The Trinity Collective on Saturday 14th October 2023. Trinity is a cool art space with a tattoo parlour upstairs, run by Max and Gemma who are amazing. They happen to be my next door neighbours and we’ve collaborated on a couple of mural projects together.I get quite anxious before an exhibition. I worry about how many people will turn up, if I will make sales and if people will like my art (less about the latter). It’s not an overwhelming anxiety, it’s just a background hum of nerves.In the afternoon before the launch evening, I had a last minute panic about buying snacks and drinks for the event. I assumed Trinity would get some bits in but they didn’t. Here’s a lesson: Never assume, it makes an ass out of u and me lol (not my words).So I went to Booker cash and carry, literally 5 minutes before it closed. My mental programming around buying beer (and most things) consists of “What’s the value per litre?” Or if it’s not liquid related, it’s “what bargains can be had?”. I didn’t have any time to conduct a price comparison on beers so I got Carling and Fosters. Many of you would scoff and proclaim that those are just watered down piss and I’d say “you’re right”. In my defence they’re an easy beer to drink, 4% abv, and they had pint cans.With 48 beers in tow, my wife, baby and I went to Home Bargains for snacks. Big mistake! There were queues in and out of the store’s car park, last thing I wanted was to be stuck in HB for hours on end pre exhibit. Picasso wouldn’t have been doing this FFS!Cream of The Crop is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.So we went in, it had 5 isles of seasonal bits and bobs, Christmas and Halloween mainly. People went skipping around joyously at the sight of the plethora of sparky lights. My wife went off to look at some home bits and I deliberated what to get in the crisp isle. If you know me well, Crisps (Chips for my fellow Americans¹) are my kryptonite and a very nostalgic food stuff for me. Well it’s kind of food isn’t it? The nostalgia ran deep, as a chubby little 8 year old, I’d cross the road and go up to my local shop, they had the best selection of retro crisps there (well, retro now, back then they were modern).So walking down this isle was like looking at an old family album. “Oh there’s salt and vinegar fish and chips, I remember when we had those in 1989” and “Beef space raiders, I remember having a Space Raiders sandwich on white bread and flora, after school that day”. My mind went back to ‘value’ and I was looking for £1 for 6 packets of crisps, this was an impossible task in 2023.I wanted more time in my beloved crisps isle, but I couldn’t be there all day! I had to be decisive, RIGHT! LET’S DO THIS:- BEEF + PICKLED ONION SPACE RAIDERS ✔️ - SALT AND VINEGAR FISH AND CHIPS ✔️- SCAMPI FRIES ✔️- BACON FRIES ✔️- PRAWN COCKTAIL PARTY MIX (good value big bag) ✔️- CHEESE AND CHIVE PARTY MIX (good value big bag) ✔️- JALAPEÑO PARTY MIX (good value big bag) ✔️- 24 Tins of Coke Zero ✔️I go the till like a true hero, stacked up with a world-class selection of snacks.We go back outside, load the car, and go back to the gallery to set up the snacks and drinks, triumphant.Prices are added to the art pieces, print rack is loaded, refreshments table set up. All ready to go, will come back in 3 hours.…I get to the venue at 6:30pm, crack open a can of Carling and anticipate the hoards of SLART fans to enter, frenzied, fanatically fighting over which art pieces to buy. They all sell within minutes and I make £500,000 and go home.Sorry, was just fantasising then…No one turns up at 7pm, 7:15pm, 7:30pm, I think to myself, “I might as well go home”.7:31 hits and a lady comes in with her six-year-old son. We’re Facebook friends, I know the lad’s dad, he has an art studio next to mine. She’s lovely, very inquisitive, asks me a lot of questions about my art.People started trickling in between 7:31-8pm, the space had a nice buzz about it, people were drinking and chatting, I connected people who didn’t know each other before.An artist who I admire turned up and chatted to people all evening, he stayed right to the very end of the event. I really appreciated that.Pleasant evening on all accounts. I had expected more people to turn up, many more RSVPd, but it was nice overall. I didn’t make any print sales which I was disappointed about and although I had a nice evening, I had a niggling sense that all the effort and time was somewhat wasted. I know, if you’ve read this post you’ll know that my inner doutber is an arsehole!I’ve been reflecting on this since that day and ultimately I need to think about what I want as an artist. Since having a child, I realise how precious time is. The thing is, it’s not all about sales, the main thing is the creation of my art. I love setting up my own art exhibitions, like FISTULA in 2022, being creative with the entire event was a a lot of fun. I did have some sales but it was more about people seeing (hopefully enjoing) my work that I found satisfying. Plus there was a community and charity element to it, we raised over £400 for Kidney Care UK which was fulfilling.My inital goal is to leave my day job and spend that time painting and sharing my work. So what’s the first step in getting towards this?I could work 4 days a week so I have a day painting.This post is turning into a deeper reflection of which I will ponder on this week, I’ll share more about this soon…For now, enjoy some photos from the exhibition:Thanks to Gideon Liddiard Photography and Trinity for the photos! and Trinity for hosting me!I look forward to sharing more with you soon.Very best wishes to you,End note: ¹I went to New York in 2009, I remember landing in JFK and hearing that Michael Jackson had died. Back to the crisp point: I went to a Chinese takeaway when I was there and ordered my chow mein and asking for ‘chips’ about 7 times before realising my mistake. “Oh we call fries chips in the UK” I said roiling my eyes at myself, expecting them to find it as funny as I did. They just stared blanked faced back at me.Thank you for reading Cream of The Crop. This post is public so feel free to share it with other cool people.Cream of The Crop is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.creamofthecropbyslart.com

“Remember, if you don't have a goal you're not playing football, you're just kicking a ball around the park.”Geoff ThompsonGeoff is an inspirational character. He's made his mark in various fields and has been honored with a prestigious BAFTA award for his contributions as a writer and film maker. As a spiritual guide, he imparts his wisdom openly, and his martial arts skills are globally-recognised.This audio was recorded in 2014, today you are getting the completely uncut version. Geoff goes very deep into the philosophy of fear, delving into spiritual realms and texts. I don’t think I uttered 30 words in this one, which was fine as I opened the space for Geoff to share his wisdom.Note: You notice in the into, Leading Light TV was part of Leading Light, a project I was running focused on social anxiety and confidence building. You can see the Meetup group which is still going after I left the project in 2014. Enjoy!P.S. You may be reading my words through your email, I just wanted to share the Substack app, it’s really great for reading and interacting with posts, if you wish to use it.Thank you for reading Cream of The Crop. This post is public so feel free to share it with other Martial Arts fans and fear-facing friends all over the world. 🌎 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.creamofthecropbyslart.com

Susan Cain is a well-known, world-renowned, best-selling, well, NYT best-selling author, and again, she took the time out of her busy schedule to talk to little old me. (I need to stop saying “little old me” I need to start celebrating my achievements). Admittedly I felt a little awkward chatting to her but overall, it went well in my opinion. I celebrate how I give people the space to talk and I don’t interrupt them (Way to go me, I praised myself haha). After you’ve listened to this podcast, I invite you to watch Susan’s TED talk, I was extremely inspired by the courage it took. I aspired to do a TED talk when I was younger. I would still do it if it was offered, but I’m not so zealous about it now. Here’s the video:© TED TalksVery best wishes to you,Thank you for reading Cream of The Crop. This post is public so feel free to share it with other Susan Cain fans and introvert friends all over the world. 🌎 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.creamofthecropbyslart.com