Nathan Hangen

Nathan Hangen – Make Nothing but Art:

I’ve spent most of my life either running away from failure or runn… http://bit.ly/9VJtoX

RT @nhangen Make Nothing but Art:

I’ve spent most of my life either running away from failure or running … http://bit.ly/9VJtoX

New from the blog: could you make nothing but art? http://ow.ly/28oKF

RT @nhangen: New from the blog: could you make nothing but art? http://ow.ly/28oKF <–For the brave.

Make Nothing but Art http://bit.ly/aOYsJC Blogging.alltop

Make Nothing but Art http://bit.ly/9CMFzY

RT @nhangen Essential post for every Digital Crusader: Make Nothing but Art http://bit.ly/9pHeB2

RT @marsdorian: RT @nhangen Essential post for every Digital Crusader: Make Nothing but Art http://bit.ly/9pHeB2

Hell to the motherfucking YES. RT @nhangen Make Nothing but Art http://bit.ly/9pHeB2

RT @CatherineCaine: Hell to the motherfucking YES. RT @nhangen Make Nothing but Art http://bit.ly/9pHeB2

Thanks, Nathan! Although I haven't figured out exactly what it will look like yet, I am definitely with you. I believe truth is always simple. It is when we start trying to compromise and serve more than one master that things get complicated. So, lead on!

beautiful !

You are a huge inspiration, Nathan. I'm sure you will even kick more ass with this mindset. I'm just learning to not compromise with my core values, because I want to create the ultimate life. It's a slow process, but I'm getting there. I have too many ideas, but I focus my mind on the first few. I want to learn how to ship, and ship, and ship. You are doing it constantly, and not just talk about it, and that's why I'm coming back.

*wild applause*

That is why you're remarkable. Pragmatists with a dedication to art are MAGNIFICENT.

But what art shall I make…A question to ponder as u read RT @nhangen Make Nothing but Art http://bit.ly/9pHeB2

Brilliant post Nathan. I had no idea you played all those brass instruments. We should form a bloggers brass quintet. I can play the Tuba, you the french horn and then we'll just need some trumpet players and a trombone. Anyways, I think it's a really great way of approaching everything you do. I've become more and more focused on creating art, so more power to you

RT @nhangen: Make Nothing but Art ##digitalempire http://is.gd/djfxD

Well, I'm a lil' rusty, but I try

Once I get this electronic music thing down, I'd be more than happy to have a brass jam session

Well, I'm trying to be remarkable, but still waiting for the Force to take root

Thanks man…I think so…I feel it at least.

I could crash and burn, but I won't know until I just ride the damn wave right?

It's the search that's important I think…and I'm not convinced we ever stop searching. We just learn how to make our search evolve…continuously…until we hit the sweet spot. Here's to both of us finding it

Make Nothing but Art http://bit.ly/9pHeB2

RT @nhangen Make Nothing but Art http://bit.ly/9pHeB2 <—-You should read this post.

I'm with you Nathan.

This is the same epiphany that I had a few days ago; when I deleted a post that I had just because it just wasn't good enough. I finally understood that my blog isn't about getting a regular sounding post out to the public on time, it's about inspiring people with my words. With my passion.

I want to inspire people BEYOND THEIR PERSPECTIVES. It was at that point that I knew the completely clear focus of my blog. The muse for my art.

I can't not retweet this. I wish you all the luck that I can give to anyone. We're on this mission together, every last one of us.

I guess it is just a frame of mind right? I never thought of my writing as a form of art, I never thought of my products as a form of art either. I guess I just thought of it as “work”, and maybe that is one thing I have been missing, so as I venture out to my first big project on my own, I will start to think of it as art instead of work.

Awesome Nathan. I could expect nothing less.

This post was definitely 'art' Nathan….total awesomeness….very much looking forward to hearing your book updates as I'm sure we'll all be buyers. Thanks for sharing such a frank, open, and honest post.

I really like that. Sometimes, we make small compromises and don't call them as such. We rationalize and tell ourselves that the world works that way. That's when we make mistakes. I admire your commitment.

Make Nothing but Art http://bit.ly/9pHeB2

RT @nhangen Make Nothing but Art http://bit.ly/9pHeB2

Raising the proverbial bar there, Nathan… Looking forward to the new you. I guess the guest posts have to even more top notch, right?

RT @CatherineCaine Hell to the motherfucking YES. RT @nhangen Make Nothing but Art http://bit.ly/9pHeB2 ~ Am with you, absolutely.

RT @jodereza: RT @CatherineCaine Hell to the motherfucking YES. RT @nhangen Make Nothing but Art http://bit.ly/9pHeB2 ~ Am with you, abs …

I'm with @nhangen here in the pursuit of making nothing but art http://bit.ly/9pHeB2

Are you creating the art that you love? RT @nhangen: Make Nothing but Art #digitalempire http://is.gd/djfxD

Make Nothing but Art http://bit.ly/9pHeB2

Inspirational! RT @AndyFogarty: Are you creating the art that you love? RT @nhangen: Make Nothing but Art #digitalempire http://is.gd/djfxD

Now THIS is awesome! I love it when lines are drawn in the sand. Go rock your shit man, and I'm looking forward to seeing what comes of it.

This is the Nathan Hangen that I come here to read about.
Inspiring post..

Stop compromising & make art! Whatever you do for a living, you need to read this post by @nhangen: http://bit.ly/9x2AqM

Stop compromising & make art! Whatever you do for a living, you need to read this post by @nhangen: http://bit.ly/9x2AqM

RT @nhangen: Make Nothing but Art ##digitalempire http://is.gd/djfxD

Dude! Idealist and optimist – the only way to true happiness – and that is life art. Do that stuff, I want to watch.

Dude! Idealist and optimist – the only way to true happiness – and that is life art. Do that stuff, I want to watch.

This is the reason I follow your blog!!! I want to see more stuff like this. I'm sad that you ever felt that you had to compromise…that's not the reason any of us come here.

When you started talking about art in your posts, it made me rethink a lot of things. I know I'm still learning and effing up a bit in the art department, but that's part of it I assume. Not a week goes by that I don't try and figure out some new way of creating art…and a lot of that has been inspired by your posts like this.

RT-ing this now!

This is the reason I follow your blog!!! I want to see more stuff like this. I'm sad that you ever felt that you had to compromise…that's not the reason any of us come here.

When you started talking about art in your posts, it made me rethink a lot of things. I know I'm still learning and effing up a bit in the art department, but that's part of it I assume. Not a week goes by that I don't try and figure out some new way of creating art…and a lot of that has been inspired by your posts like this.

RT-ing this now!

Awesome post here!

We all have a form of art we can create in some way, shape, or form. I myself also play the piano. In fact, I used to be able to play it by ear and probably still could if I sat down at one.

It's talent I got from my mother. We are very much into music, more than most. I know I don't do much with it now but that's where my blog comes into play.

Everything we decide to do in life can be a form of art in some way and if we let that take us to where we really want to be, money shouldn't even be a problem.

Great words here Nathan!

Wrote this yesterday, but just in case you missed it: Make Nothing but Art ##digitalempire http://is.gd/djfxD

RT @nhangen: Wrote this yesterday, but just in case you missed it: Make Nothing but Art ##digitalempire http://is.gd/djfxD

I'm with you.

I'm a writer — have been all my life — but these days my whole focus is on building a model that pays artists to be artists. It irks me that the world doesn't already work that way, but I'm going to fix it.

I look forward to reading your novel.

Yes! @nhangen is layin' it on the line! Make Nothing But Art – http://bit.ly/bcXVGp

Good post. And, just an addition:

I get touchy about the definition of “art” – because if we look at it in the traditional sense of The Arts (like music, writing, drawing, painting)… we ignore a whole complete world of people performing their own version of art.

To anyone who has passion, the work he or she is doing and caring about is art. A business person is an artists – his art, the negotiation and deal. A mechanic is an artist – his art, the meticulous attention to smooth-running machinery. A parent is an artists – his art, shaping and molding children into well-rounded adults.

So if by working/hanging with artists you mean “people who have passion and do what they love well”, then yes. I'm in

Yep, that's exactly what I mean. Technically, the music I make isn't art, but I'm working on it

I would add to what you've said, but you said it perfectly…especially in regards to the nuances of a trade, such as that of a mechanic.

Welll, I think it appears that it doesn't work that way because there aren't enough people doing it. Who's going to be the next to step up?

It's the only happiness I want, that's for sure

Thank you sir…been a long and difficult Spring…but maybe this is me reborn

Thanks Andy, you can count on it.

Damn straight

So true…make 1 compromise, and soon you're making them all the time.

“…….even though I might not be creating oil paintings, I’m still worthy of creating art.” What a gem of a quote that is Nathan.

Over the course of many posts you've helped me see that spewing out content that is compromised, that is ultimately driven by the 'engine', is undermining me at my very core. I don't quite know what I'm capable of yet but I can feel it's busting to get out as I gradually strip away the old paradigm.

You've inspired me no end Nathan. I'm with you.

I've always wanted to write it…not sure why I haven't. I think I was waiting for the right time, and I'm thinking this is that time.

Not just frame of mind, but frame of life…it's an approach to everything you do.

RT @nhangen: Wrote this yesterday, but just in case you missed it: Make Nothing but Art ##digitalempire http://is.gd/djfxD

This post resonates with me. I am with you.

I'm sure many of us share the same battle to balance the explosive nature of our creativity that desires to create without an intent to make a commercial impact with our family's need for us to support them financially. But in the process of meeting our obligations and “soldiering on” we often ignore the intangible needs and internal drive that make us who we are. We gain a sense of being responsible, all the while we tire from pushing ourselves against our grain. At some point our “divided” self demands attention. Some people seem to successfully manage their split natures, I continue to struggle.

I too have a restless spirit and find myself in a battle to honor the DNA that God gave me, while remaining responsible to my obligations as a single dad with 2 kids that rely on me.

Someone I find inspiration from is Randy Elrod… he seems to balance commercial viability (he's a realtor) with his creative nature…. Huge supporter of the arts (founded the “Cre:ate” conference), respected avant garde christian, successful artist (paints female nudes), author (Sex, Lies & Religion), and wine blogger. His main blog is here: http://www.randyelrod.com/

Keep pushing to stay true… you are onto something here.

Thanks for this post. Nice to

I like the fact that you are not identified by the traditional sense of artist…There are so many things in life that truly require artistic talent, even if it's knowing how to peacefully and gracefully extract yourself from an interaction that is going nowhere…

I love your passion Nathan!

Just awesome! I recently came to the same realization (getting older, life is short, why do stupid stuff we hate, etc.)

I played the flute & piccolo for several years and in high school. So, we could form a band with srinirao and then run it through a filter to make it electronic. Sounds good to me? hee hee

Seriously though, I agree that art comes in many forms and so does creativity. Just about every type of challenge that requires creative problem solving skills is artistic, in my opinion.

Nathan,
Kudos to you for making this commitment to yourself now while you are still young, rather than 20 years from now. I admire your passion, energy and courage. Thanks for the inspiration.

RT @nhangen: Make Nothing but Art ##digitalempire http://is.gd/djfxD

Nathan, I love this post. This one really touched me because I can relate on so many levels. Music and writing are a big part of my own creative drive, and more recently spirituality. So while your goal may be overly optimistic or idealistic… who cares? What's wrong with optimism and idealism? In my opinion that's a huge part of the problem with the world today… idealism and optimism are on the fritz and people are caught up in negativity and mediocrity. So the fact that there are people who think like you in this world makes me happy, and again…loved this post.

People are so terrified of making 'bad' art. Perfectionism and fear of what people will think are keeping us too freaked out to get our heart out there. But, when it comes to 'bad' (or rather imperfect) art I think it counts more because the person behind the art is actually really living it.

Art is art, and we can't always be perfect (as much as I'd like to be). I still struggle with that, but it's so much easier to reach perfection when you're trying than when you've given up.

Isn't it amazing how many similarities between creative and entrepreneurial types?

Here's to being idealistic and optimistic

As long as we've got a good name, I'm in

It is! lol.. lot's of similarities, and I notice more of them all the time.
The funny thing is that I never had any idea this would be the path I'd take
someday. Funny how things work though. And as to idealistic and
optimistic.. I'll drink to that!

I'm a bit late to the party, but:

1) I see the massive Linchpin influence here. Now I, like you, go around telling people to create art – and they give me this weird look that says, “But Brett, I'm not artsy or creative blah blah blah”. It's not about what we think as art; it's about taking what we DON'T already think is art and making it into an art form.

2) Reminds me of a passage from Self-Reliance (Ralph Waldo Emerson): “To believe your own thought, to believe what is true for you in your private heart is true for all men, — that is genius… A man should learn to detect and watch that gleam of light which flashes across his mind from within, more than the luster of the firmament of bards and sages. Yet he dismisses without notice his thought, because it is his. In every work of genius we recognize our own rejected thoughts: they come back to us with a certain alienated majesty. Great works of art have no more affecting lesson for us but this.”

Excellent post, as always, Nathan.

I'm with you. I'm almost 60 years old and have done it both ways — I've worked for others and I've been an independent artist. No more compromising myself for mere money though — I'm going to spend the second half of my life doing what matters to me. My hat's off to you Nathan, and best of luck.

It's never too late! I Iive by this rule: “Nothing is impossible, it just takes a little longer”. It took me 20 years to realize [after the corporate rat race beat me down] I have a huge responsibility to fulfill to myself, to my child my community. Sometimes it is so large, it can paralyze you. Like it was said about “perfection”, fear of failing etc. The “Just Do It” slogan, could work even here. I started yesterday myself, by setting up a blog where I will write, market my craft and write again, but also show myself I have to start somewhere to “get out of my head”, where it is so, so easy to have the best laid plans.

Nathan, I understand what you're saying, I think. I've always had that conflict between being an artist and wanting to make money. I guess you've seen the book, DO WHAT YOU LIKE, THE MONEY WILL FOLLOW? There's another one, WISHCRAFT, that I think you'd enjoy.

Best of luck on your new life. It's a noble endeavor.

Brett,
I remember being struck breathless when I read that passage in Self Reliance over 30 years ago and I have carried it with me ever since. Thank you for putting it out here.
Chris

Beautiful Nathan! We have even MORE in common than I originally realized…I've been an actor/writer my whole life…never pursued it professionally because I felt it would suck out the passion, but I still do theatre “on the side” as they say because it feeds my soul…every time I put down acting for a prolonged period of time and then pick it up again, I realize that I've been in the desert and the acting is like a long, slow drink of water for me…it buoys me back up and makes me feel whole again – in rehearsals right now for a play my nephew wrote for us – so it has even more meaning…and being an entrepreneur you write every day – we should talk more about the artist/entrepreneur work I am launching because all artists are entrepreneurs in some way and all entrepreneurs are artists in some way…its just a matter of bringing the worlds together and connecting them…they both have something to learn from the other…and I also believe that every person is creative in some way – its how we're designed…as you say, creativity doesn't always mean painting (though it can) it can mean creating origami if that's what you're into or buildings or songs or characters…anything your heart desires!

RT @nhangen: Make Nothing but Art ##digitalempire http://is.gd/djfxD

RT @nhangen Make Nothing but Art http://bit.ly/9pHeB2 <–my goal exactly!

After resisting it for years, I finally figured out some time ago that I'm supposed to create, that this is in fact what I was put on the planet to do. My art (visual, music, writing, teaching, thinking) in all its various forms is what I'm supposed to share. For decades I still felt there was something sort of wrong with me because I have so many passions. Now I find that the more I embrace my nature, the happier I am, and the more multi-passionate people I meet!

Like you, I'm on a journey right now to set up my life so that I'm spending all of my time making art. I'm not there yet, not by a long shot, but at least I've got the goal in my sights and am marching toward it. Step by step.

Thanks for an inspiring post!

After resisting it for years, I finally figured out some time ago that I'm supposed to create, that this is in fact what I was put on the planet to do. My art (visual, music, writing, teaching, thinking) in all its various forms is what I'm supposed to share. For decades I still felt there was something sort of wrong with me because I have so many passions. Now I find that the more I embrace my nature, the happier I am, and the more multi-passionate people I meet!

Like you, I'm on a journey right now to set up my life so that I'm spending all of my time making art. I'm not there yet, not by a long shot, but at least I've got the goal in my sights and am marching toward it. Step by step.

Thanks for an inspiring post!

I know exactly what you mean. I've been distracted the past few days because I've been making music…and you know what? It's like those early times I had in my life where time just disappeared and I didn't miss it. That's what I want to get back to.

I have another book from the same author, Barbara Sher right?

I'd just modify that phrase:

“Dedicate your life to doing what you love, and the money will follow.” I truly believe that.

We all die anyway, so why spend our living moments in compromised situations?

That's fantastic Brett, thanks for sharing…like Chris B said – I'm blown away.

I've resisted too…I think it happens to all of us. Embracing your nature is essential.

I find that when I try to keep these 3 elements of my nature in balance, I end up out of whack…but if I just ride the waves…I end up in such a wonderful place. People might think I'm crazy or that I'm up and down…but I'm OK with that.

I've thought I was being an artist by being a web designer or a video producer for other people. It wasn't until I stopped and realized I needed to be making art for myself, that I would truly be 'making art'.

And my art – for me only – is in the creation and construction of ideas. Creativity is one thing – but making that creativity into an actual creation is a whole other. And THAT is what I choose to make my art.

When I am most inspired is when I am inspiring myself.

And when described as well as that James – that is when you look around and see who is the busiest mechanic, or the happiest parent, or the rockingest salesman. The people that are so enamoured with what they're doing that it's become an art form.