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Why Blog?

An Interview with RSM's Susan Williamson, and Meer Image owner/artist Steven Vander Meer
I know you've been stamping since 1988, but what got you interested in the first place? And when did you start your own stamp company?
I began using rubber stamps as part of an animated short film I was making. Some of the stamps I used in that film were ones that I had designed and brought to a local rubber stamp maker to do custom for me. That got me into stamping, and eventually, making stamps. First it was just a hobby, but then I decided to put all of my designs in a catalog and, wah-la, Meer Image was born in 1992.
What prompted you to start blogging? (Is it a vehicle for expressing your own personal creativity, a desire to share with others, etc.?)
My First Blog The answer to this question is posted on my very first blog, July 15, 2003: "Today as I was listening to PRI (public radio international) they had a story about how some politicians are doing blogs (web logs). It seemed unlikely but that's the internet for you. I decided right then that I needed an art blog. As an artist, I mean for this to be mainly visual, as opposed to most blogs which are all text." I have kept that sentiment through the years; I never blog just words, always I have an image of some kind, and usually but not always a few words to go with it. I'd say my reasons for blogging are, equally, to share with others, and to create a record. The sharing, I will admit, is partly motivated with business in mind - I know that my customers and my potential customers love to get a look "behind the scenes", and they will see my newest offerings first on the blog. As for creating a record, with art, you often end up with only the finished piece, but on an art blog, you can look back and see what was going on while the piece was first taking shape, the inspiration, the first rough sketch - those parts often are forgotten.
You mentioned that you've stuck with it because blogging is addictive. Why do you think that is? And what are the benefits for you personally?
Continuity My blog has a lot of continuity. Often I will follow an idea from conception all the way through to the finished rubber stamp - or whatever it ends up being. Blogging is really a form of recording, and a record isn't much good unless it's fairly complete. I'm compulsive by nature, and that's good because you want to blog an idea while it's fresh, otherwise you'll loose interest and it will be forgotten. Yes, some ideas are best forgotten, but it's fun to go back an occasionally see a mistake that you didn't make! When I am involved in a creative process, the latest stage - the most recent developement - is always the most exciting, and it's the only part of the project I feel like sharing. So, I'm compelled to share today's developement to show others, and myself later on, how it has progressed.
Do you have a quick tips to share with an RSM readers who might want to start their own blogs?
With the internet, there are lots of new ways to share the creative process with people in distant places, blogging is just one of them. Pick the medium that best suits your reason for wanting to share or record. If you just want to share your art but not write anything, there are specific sites for that, for example you can share your vidios on YouTube, or your photographs on Flickr, not to mention your very own web site. If you just want to record your thoughts or your artistic progress, then you don't need to publish it on the web at all.
If blogging is for you, set yourself some goals. If you're anything like me, one day will come and you just don't feel like blogging. That's okay, but if it streches out to a week, a month.....? People will come and look less and less frequently, and if nobody is looking, what's the point?
If there are any other comments you'd like to make, feel free.
Myself Many blog formats, my own included, have a feature that allows viewers to respond. It's amazing to be able to instantly discuss with people around the globe, an idea that you just jotted down a moment ago. Of course, sometimes you wish you hadn't. Does an artist want a stranger's feedback on unfinished work? Some do, some don't; sometimes I do, sometimes I don't. I'd say, keep the public discussion rather light, and use a more private venue for deeper conversations.
Blog on!

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