THE LONG GAME VOL. 14 - MF DALÍ UPDATES

To procrastinate working on my MF DALÍ zine, I started creating Artist Trading Cards (also called ACEOs) for the series and have made 207 at the point of writing this. I have made very little progress on the zine in the last six months but I think it may have been unintentionally strategic so I would have more time to add to the collection before I present it as a whole. That said, I made it over a mental hurdle with it recently, worked on it for a few ninety minute blocks, and now I’m in the deep middle. I’m hoping to sell the original cards someday but also turn them into packs of trading cards to be sold at a lower price for collectors. The ACEOs will also appear in an Appendix of my MF DALÍ book.

I’ve created a task for myself to do soon in which I title, scan, and sleeve all the art cards but naming 207 pieces of art is an intimidating endeavor; like all the best art projects. I have updated this website to include a category for the MF DALÍ collection that explains what it is to those who are unfamiliar. I saw that someone ripped off my idea with AI and shared it under the same name, MF DALÍ, so I now know that if people are already ripping me off it must be a good idea to run with. The extent of this passion project is intimidating but I’m loving every minute of it.

Day 38 Of Delusional Optimist's Guide To Achieving The I'mPossible

Day 38

Today I was surprised to wake up and think, “ooo, what can I do tomorrow?” This could only be the procrastinator in me who is just afraid to start filming myself, or, the fact that I stayed up til 5:30am watching videos from two of my new favorite heroes, Casey Neistat and Peter McKinnon. If you’re paying attention to the YouTube nation, you have likely already heard of these two but I was blessed to find them while researching the Patreon videos of those who have successfully utilized the platform. I realized that I’ve been doing the world a disservice by NOT filming my adventures. I make it a point to do the most interesting stuff possible and always have more fun if I’m making something too. Great examples… the day I went to North Bend/Snoqualmie to film a Twin Peaks tribute with @TheRingOfDOOM and going on rap tours. Since I grew up in this area and we were always into free entertainment, I visited Snoqualmie Falls and the surrounding areas more times than I can count but the process of making the video made it a whole new experience.  

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One of the best things I learned from two of my new favorite YouTubers is the beauty of B-Roll footage. Without really knowing what it means, I’ve acquired quite a bit of amazing B-Roll because I like filming weird stuff. Watching Casey’s videos in particular, helped me to realize that there is much to be gained by being brave enough to just film it all and that wearing sunglasses is more than okay. The life I will be living on this Europe trip will be both inspiring, beautiful, hilarious, and will show the world places they don’t often see. By showing them what I’m seeing and allowing them into my weird world, I may get closer to being able to afford food on the trip… so I must. Visiting Porto showed me the joys and financial benefits of exploring the smaller cities in a country so while I will be heading to London and Paris, I plan to spend most of my time in the cities that have gotten less press over the years. It may be the galleries and artists from the city that somehow found my Instagram but I’m feeling the call to Rotterdam and I can’t wait to figure out why. Other cities I have on my list are Bristol, Manchester, Liverpool, Edinburgh, Belfast, Stavanger, Copenhagen, Oslo, Madrid, Marseilles, Bordeaux, Florence, Naples, and everywhere else really. I couldn’t be more confident that my adventures will be weirder, and therefore way more interesting, than those who have gone before me only IF I’m brave enough to be myself in front of the camera. A 40 year old woman traveling with an MF DOOM based fictional character will probably make a very different video than a twenty-something influencer-type who wants to hit the clubs. Until I’m able to firmly grasp the assistance of a team, I get to explore myself as a filmmaker and continue to make the weirdest stuff possible on my own terms.

In the past, my creativity ran out almost exactly the moment I realized I’d be out of money in a few days and my @TheRingOfDOOM US TOUR stopped dead in its tracks approximately twelve hours into Texas as I was heading further south into areas where sleeping in my car at night would be way too sweaty to become a reality. Looking back on the still unused footage I’m realizing that the missing link is the B-Roll footage. I was so caught up on getting shots with @TheRingOfDOOM in it that I neglected to capture the scenery for the most part. Had I been vlogging at the time, my story would be so much different and it likely would have helped me stay on top of the depression that held me back at the time. Watching the sizzle reels of the videographers I worked with at Bumbershoot and the videos of Casey Neistat and Rob McKinnon showed me how far I have to go on this journey but as long as I can stay on top of my mindstate, I’m going to have a blast learning how to make better videos and my progression will be wicked awesome.

Last night at approximately 4:30am was when I decided I must go to the woods today for further reflection and to see what kind of footage I’m called to create today. After I finish this post and promote it, I’m heading to the woods for the first time in way too long to gather both my thoughts and also footage to set the scene of Washington as a whole for my Patreon video. It is not a new concept that the pursuit of money can halt artists in their tracks and that struggle mode prevents artists from maximizing their potential on a daily basis. I began to seek out financial stability outside of the music industry so I can afford to keep working with musicians and have every intention of using the platform I create to highlight the artists that inspire me. For the most part, the money issue has been why I’m a Delusional Optimist and not just an Optimist. I wholeheartedly believe that the universe will provide me with everything I need once I figure out what that is and to this day it has proven to be true. While there are many things at this time that would make my life easier and/or healthier; I have more than what I need to survive and am in a better position than most of the people on this planet in spite of my lack of health insurance, a stable income, food money, and a permanent home. We get to prioritize whatever we want in our lives and by choosing travel as my main priority, I’ve abandoned what normal people feel they need to survive in search of adventure and this is why I must show people my story and bring them along with me. The only way I will make this work is by allowing myself the headspace to develop this idea to its fullest.

TODAY’S GOALS

1.     Drink 64 oz. water

2.     10 Minute Stretch

3.     Go For A Walk In The Woods and get some great footage

4.     Blog Posts On Website… Shared (post on all blogs on Medium also) - LISBON

5.     2-3 Instagram Posts Per Account @206liz @TheRingOfDOOM @MyDefOfCool

6.      Further work on Lisbon post.

7.    Further work on freeing up space on my laptop and phone for new adventures. (I’ve spent many hours of the last few days on this boring but vital task).

8.   Make plan for exit of studio space and of the final footage I’ll get in the space for my Patreon video.

 

SONG OF THE DAY

Chris Whitley – “Big Sky Country” 1991  This song has remained a constant in my life since listening to the song on cassette in the family Suburban on road trips through big sky country in the early nineties. I know from experience how many places in the middle of the US that are the perfect spot to play this song and am headed there today.

Day 37 Of Delusional Optimist's Guide To Achieving The I'mPossible

Day 37

Today I woke up and made my plan for the day before I looked at my phone like all the best people recommend. I already went to my studio, the post office, and I’ve eaten breakfast like a boss. These days, the only urgent business I typically have is to make a few bucks on eBay but I know that is temporary. There was a time in my music career in which I could fill an eight-hour workday answering emails and promoting music and events that wouldn’t earn me any money so this is great progress actually. As the day for my departure creeps closer (11 DAYS!), I’m realizing that I’ll need to narrow my focus and prioritize what really needs to happen before I leave. Even if I do all the small stuff to make money before I go like sell my unneeded belongings and work hourly jobs, it still wouldn’t be enough to fund my Europe trip so for the most part it seems like a waste. I must figure out how to earn money while I’m traveling to make this adventure work. Thus lies the I’mPossible. I’ve already let the catering company know that I’ll no longer be working for them because while the money does add up, it’s only enough to keep me squatting in Seattle and the mindstate of those who work there poisons my soul. There are many examples of people who have made a living while traveling and I WILL be one of those people.

@TheRingOfDOOM at the site of the Banksy/Robbo feud in Camden, London in January 2017.

@TheRingOfDOOM at the site of the Banksy/Robbo feud in Camden, London in January 2017.

Signs that I am on the right path are coming from all directions. I still am reveling in my good fortune about the random opportunity to work alongside some of the most successful videographers and producers in the world in the weeks before I head off to make my own video series on my iPhone. It was a déjà vu from when I was blessed to work on Tom Petty’s documentary team last summer about a week before I left to drive solo across the country to make tour documentaries about @TheRingOfDOOM. The most encouraging out of all the messages heading my way from the universe are the people whose attention I’ve been able to capture in the last few months. I am the first to admit that overanalyzing Instagram likes could be a pretty silly hobby but when the Creative Director for VICE shows up in your notifications (as he did yesterday), you know you’re getting somewhere. Beyond that, I still smile in wonder when I remember that the Security Guard at Beyond The Streets in LA already knew my travel itinerary before I even said a word to her. The seeds I have been planting on a global scale are 100% intentional and it is working. By photographing @TheRingOfDOOM alongside some of the most famous and talented Street Art AND inside some of the most prestigious museums and galleries in the world, I have placed myself on the radar of all these people and it feels like they’re all waiting to see what I do next. I plan to go to all the galleries in France and the UK that follow me to ensure they’ll keep watching and it is only a matter of time before it all comes together. Rewatching Jack Conte (CEO of Patreon etc.) share his advice about sticking with it has become a daily ritual and I couldn’t be more confident that this trip will change the lives of everyone I know. If I’ve ever shown an interest in your art, know that I’m knowing this to create opportunities for you.

I’ve always known that when I narrow my focus and work directly towards one goal, I’ll make it happen faster than anyone thought possible. As of today, I will make the creation of @TheRingOfDOOM series and all it’s promotion my number one goal and create my own visual art as my after hours hobby if I have time for it. I love making collages and I can’t wait to make art with found items all over Europe but the long term reality of me going all in on being a visual artist is spending thousands of hours alone gluing tiny pieces of paper. By going all in for my fictional character who is intent on saving Earth by way of inspiring its artist community, I’ll be out in the world on a daily basis and also potentially change millions of lives for the better. Knowing that I am so close to making this happen that the Creative Director from VICE would show even the tiniest bit of interest in my work helped me sharpen my focus and put this all into perspective. To be clear, I’m flying to London for a two month trip in 11 days and at this moment, I’ll run out of money by the end of the month. I believe so strongly that it will all work out that I’m going anyway and will have no place of my own to come back to (unless you count my car).

People that take risks like I am about to take are the ones that win. One of the best parts about this is that my idea is truly unique and no one has attempted it… at least I believe it is. That said, if you know someone else who is trying to start a Street Art/History Joke travel show hosted by an alien fictional character made of clay who wears an MF DOOM ring as a mask and is intent on saving the world via art, please send them my way. They’re likely my soul mate. It has taken me forty years to focus in on the thing I believe will help me make my best mark on the world and I couldn’t be happier to realize that I’m already this far along my path. As I write this, the hairs on my arms started reaching for the ceiling. This is it. I finally found my thing and it is as weird and awesome as I am… now I just need to focus my energies on communicating my idea with the masses.

TODAY’S GOALS

1.     Drink 64 oz. water

2.     10 Minute Stretch

3.     Go For A Walk

4.     2 Blog Posts On Website… Shared (post on all blogs on Medium also) - LISBON

5.     2-3 Instagram Posts Per Account @206liz @TheRingOfDOOM @MyDefOfCool

6.      Finish collaging purple coaster set.

7.       Study 4Culture site and other grant options

8.      Watch too many Patreon videos so I can learn how to make mine better

9.      Work on Lisbon post.

10.    Go to Art Walk and talk to at least two people.

 

SONG OF THE DAY

Madvillain – “Accordion” 2004   It is time for me to reach out to DOOM’s team again to check in about continuing to use his likeness. If he’d like me to stop, @TheRingOfDOOM may transform into something else once he drinks the water in Bristol. If DOOM and his team want to be part of the story, we all win.

Day 35 Of Delusional Optimist's Guide To Achieving The I'mPossible

Day 35

Today is the first day of housesitting at my sister’s place so my daily routine will be challenged by a new location. I’ve already benefitted from the joys of having a kitchen and this is looking to be a truly delicious five days. I’m able to breathe financially for a few days thanks to my sister and brother-in-law being so classy and paying me to stay here and watch the house. Still in awe of my Bumbershoot experience and hoping I’ll get to work with that team again soon.

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The post office wasn’t open for Labor Day yesterday so I’ll be mailing off the eight eBay orders today. Still have a bunch of items on there but it’s remains to be small change. My DVD bundles sold pretty well but I have so many more CDs that I’m pretty sure taking them to a store to see if they want them is the best bet. The biggest challenge of housesitting will be to remain productive when not surrounded by my art supplies. I have infinite laptop/phone projects that I love working on while I’m traveling but I have less than two weeks to work on physical art AND of course making some actual money, so I must use the time wisely. I got a bunch of my favorite photos printed out through an app called FreePrints and I have a retro style photo album to compile into a portfolio of some of my best shots. It’s been years since I’ve seen my photos printed so it’s pretty rad. I can already see that there is a limit to how large the prints can be when using an iPhone but one step at a time. Upgrading to a new camera is one of my Patreon goals but since I don’t have any patrons yet, I’m pretty far from that one. There is still so much to learn about the art of making a photograph so it is not a priority for me at this time; I love having a camera that fits in my pocket that also plays music. I’m not really pushing the Patreon yet because I wanted to make a better video for it first on a day when I’m fully rested but since I got up at 6:30am to take my fam to the airport, today may not be the day.

I’ve been waiting to walk into the 4Culture office until I had both my photo portfolio completed and cleaned up the edges of more of my art… it is almost time. I want to ask them which of my creative endeavors would be best suited for a grant. It is possible that I have too many creative hobbies but is that really a thing? The edge cleanup of my collages is proving to cause me more physical pain than I thought. Grinding down the sharp edges with a file takes forever and the resulting epoxy resin dust is most definitely not good to breathe in so I’ve been using pliers to break off chunks or whacking it super hard with the file instead. This has led to bleeding on multiple occasions so I’m feeling more inclined to make new art instead of cleaning up the old art OR wait to clean it up until I can use someone’s belt sander. That said, my first big 3D water collage with @TheRingOfDOOM in it is already sanded and ready to go. Pricing one’s own art is already hard enough but when I need money it gets trickier because I don’t want to sell myself short. I shouldn’t expect much because I haven’t sold any art yet but I WILL SOON!

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I decided I’ll bring some collage projects over here to work on; currently working on a set of six purple wavy coasters that I pretaped so if I pour too much resin, there will be nothing to sand… love this revelation. I do have 3-4 smaller wood blocks I can tape off and make into art as well but I love making big pieces. It would be wise for me to use the rest of my resin before I leave so it doesn’t go bad. I’ll likely end up making more of my freestanding @TheRingOfDOOM lights made purely with resin and el wire with a battery pack. I haven’t photographed the one I finished outside at night yet but I know it’ll be hilarious to make the photo.

 

TODAY’S GOALS

1.     Drink 64 oz. water

2.     10 Minute Stretch

3.     Go For A Walk

4.     2 Blog Posts On Website… Shared (post on all blogs on Medium also) - LISBON

5.     2-3 Instagram Posts Per Account @206liz @TheRingOfDOOM @MyDefOfCool

6.     Mail eBay items

7.     Make photo portfolio

8.     Finish purple coaster set so it’ll be ready for resin tomorrow.

9.     Study 4Culture site again so I know what questions to ask.

10.    Reunite all of my clothing, wash it, figure out what I want to bring to Europe or storage

11.    Watch a bunch of successful Patreon announcement videos so mine will be even better

 

SONG OF THE DAY

Mali Music – “Gonna Be Alright” 2017   I love this song so much but I can never seem to mention it without also bringing up the Damon Albarn side project from 2002. Mali Music is actually from Mali though so I should quit that… next time of course.