Non Sequitur by Wiley Miller for February 20, 2020

Creativity comes when can, motivation comes when the rent is due.

What’s up here?

Creativity comes from within a being. Motivation comes from being without.

Maybe he can get a job painting “Wet Paint” signs.

I’m not what I call “primary creative”. I can create solutions to problems but I’m not very good at thinking up interesting problems. Can’t even imagine what it must be like to be driven by the demon muse and then watch her walk away…

A Wiley self portrait every morning ?

that darn writers/ artist’ block raises its ugly head anon. I thought RPI’s graduates never encountered that. Wiley and my brother are graduates of same.

Motivation always comes; usually in an envelope with a little window.

I have the same issue with expectations and requirements.

Just slap a price tag on it and call it art….

One should say, “This canvas intentionally left blank”.

Maybe he could just get some of those paint by numbers kits.

Creativity is my wife’s prevue. Motivation is my building what she has created in her mind. Reality is taking the blame when it doesn’t turn out as desired. The future is me changing it suit the new image in her mind. Satisfaction will be the death of me…

Wonder if da Vinci EVER felt this way? Am currently reading about him, and it seems his imagination and curiosity was endless and limitless.

I never knew that canvass could be so pushy.

From the comments here, most people seem to be too hard on themselves about creativity. Creativity doesn’t JUST occur with something big or explosive. Creativity can occur in very small ways as well: adding a new seasoning to a recipe, painting a set of shelves a new color, putting together two pieces from different patterns, improving on someone else’s idea. Don’t be so hard on yourselves, folks. Most inventions are the results of many people working on the same thing and one change making a difference. . .

Look before it’s removed there’s a hidden message about Trump by the wastebasket.

He needs to get mad at the blank space in his thinking, throw some paint, yell, stomp, anything more than just standing and staring. Something to get the adrenaline on line and pumping. In my earlier years, when writer’s block seemed to weigh on me, I took pen in hand and expressed my anger and frustration about even being blocked. That usually worked and I was able to at least begin. The result was not always what I hoped but that also is a part of the process.

Just stick a banana on the canvas with some duct tape!

You can still buy the Bob Ross series on DVD. That’ll keep you going until you get tired of all those “happy little trees.” And that shouldn’t take long.

Personal experience, Wiley?

Hey! A lefthanded paper cutter.

My kind of paint class

I knew that Non Sequitur was available in strip and panel formats, because the Seattle PI would run the panel, and then shrink it to the size of a postage stamp. Just a few minutes ago I finally uncovered the technical evidence as to how this works. Bizzaro used to have to be completely reformatted between formats, but Wiley’s solution seems more elegant: https://www.comicartfans.com/gallerypiece.asp?piece=1411206

“I’m just starting [a new book] and the battle has already begun. I don’t think they ever go smoothly. It’s work. It should be work. It should be hard work. I think if you sort of sit around and wait to be inspired, you’re probably going to be sitting there a long time. My process is more about crafting, working an idea through my head to see if it’s a good concept.” Nora Roberts in an interview with the “Hagerstown Herald-Mail.”

Roberts who also writes as JD Robb is one of the most successful writers in the world.

Don’t mix up the coffee and brush cleaner cups.

LIFE 101. An empty bank account is the best inspiration.

“When you get writers block, move to the next block OVER.”—Professor Feather T. Barnswallow

Is that a left-handed paper cutter?

My life.

This does not work any better than writing “Wash Me” on a dirty car. Inspiration, like rain, comes when it will.

I know exactly how he feels.

Motivation aids in creativity.

Experience has shown that the sign that works best is:

“If you don’t Sell a Painting, there will be No Food For Dinner.”

I was going to post something pithy here yesterday, but the inspiration just didn’t happen. It still hasn’t happened. Just thought I’d let everyone know.

Deadlines and bills to pay are an excellent motivation. As better men and women have said, creativity cannot be invoked on command.