I Used To Be A Modern Digital Painter

In 1999 when I first moved to Seattle, I started experimenting with creating computer art. I called myself a modern digital painter back then. The job I came to Seattle for was bogging me down with administrative duties I never planned on.

After I arrived home at night, I would start creating computer art. I had absolutely no clue what I was doing. I was armed with an iMac, a printer and all the creative passion of Picasso. The first character I completed was an abstract named William, he reminded me of Shakespeare for some reason. Then came Andre, a pudgy Spanish looking gentleman wearing a fabulous hat.

My wife Terri was convinced my work needed to be shown in public, so she went out and got me placed in a coffee shop for about six weeks. I hung ten pieces there. In just a few months I was selling in a small gallery and retail shop in downtown Seattle, then another shop out in the burbs where I live.

My artwork sold more often than I could keep up with. After all, I was the only guy doing computer art that looked like it was hand drawn. Even though it was really created with random clicks from my mouse. That was my style. I sold dozens of framed pieces at that time.

Three years into my digital art adventure I became totally bored. I felt like I had hit a wall and reached the end of myself. So I gathered up my work from all of the shops, boxed 'em up and called it done.

Shortly after, I dove into photography, then moved onto writing which I began in 2007. The goal was to eventually write a book from my blog posts. The end result has turned out the same as when I was doing digital art. Now what?

I work on three websites, Best Kisses which has over 21,000 visits a month, iPhone Savior that has over 7,000 visits per day and the one you’re currently reading. iPhone Savior recently surpassed 4 million views in less than three years. I'm still eyeballing that book idea, but what's holding me back is that I'm not convinced it will make a difference in this world we all call home.

You see, my digital art was for me, photography for me and penning a hugely successful blog also for me. I truly expected the end result to be more fulfilling than it has been, but that’s just not the case. Success is like that when it's focused on self gratification, even if you don't ever reach the highest pinnacles of worldly success. The end result is still the same, it's only the view that changes.

I never cared about making money, I just wanted to make a difference in someone's life through my work. Believing all along that just doing was enough, my aim did not need to be deliberate. I was wrong.

I’m considering re-purposing my art now or maybe I'll start teaching people how to use their creative gifts to leave the world a better place than how they found it. This time I'm going to be deliberate about making a difference. I want to make this life for someone else a tad better than it was before by giving away my creative talents. That journey for me is just beginning. I'll let you know how it turns out.

“The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson

[Art by Ray Basile]

Comments

[David Goad]

Ray, you make more of a difference than you realize. There is not just one "meaning in life." Meaning comes from the tiniest, seemingly insignificant moments where you connect with another human being and make a positive impact on his or her life. The scale of a single event is not as important as the cumulative moments and the ongoing mission that you follow every day. Collecting your past work and reintroducing it creates more moments for more people. Nothing wrong with that.

[Scott Martin]

Ray,
You have made a difference in my life...I have been inspired as I watch you grow as a writer/blogger/creative genius since you 2007 start...I still remember when you approached me and said “Hey, I just started this blog called Mr. Besilly”...I thought, “hey cool...everyone needs a hobby”...I never imagined your blog would become as successful as it is today...

I was fortunate enough to know you before you started blogging so I am able to reap the benefits of watching you grow, first hand...It has become a tangible experience for me...as opposed to the intangible, disconnected experience of reading some guy’s blog that I serendipitously come across who is already generating millions of views.

Watching your creative growth (experience) helps me creatively grow as well, which I appreciate greatly.

Another thing...

I have to ask...can one really separate self-gratification from their creative work? I don’t believe you would have generated the number of daily hits if you didn’t obtain some self gratification from your process.

Human nature generally dictates we are never satisfied...Once you’ve achieved your goals, it’s natural to want more.

It appears you’ve accomplished your original goals... maybe it’s time to either expand your original goals or create new ones. Once your new goals are clarified then growth can again be measured...

We are only happy when we are growing...happiness then is derived from continuous growth.

You also stated,

“I want to make this life for someone else a tad better than it was before by giving away my creative talents.”...

I have to respond and say you’re already a master at giving away your creative talents...

By allowing us to read your blogs; I believe you are doing just that...

Last point...

You asserted you’ve gotten bored with your digital art...

Again, I’m wondering if the boredom you’re experiencing is because you’ve grown as an artist and your original goals no longer inspire you...

Without you going through your digital art phase, would you have ever been able to create those amazing iPhone Savior pics?...maybe...but I’m guessing your days as a “digital artist” laid some the foundational work toward creating a blog that millions now enjoy...

Looking forward to reading that book...

Thank you for sharing your creativity these last few years...