Impeccability

Impeccability is what I’m after.

Traditionally, we see the artist as an off-kilter dreamer. Van Gogh eating paint and cutting off his ear. Toulouse LaTrec consorting with can-can dancers at the Moulin Rouge and drowning himself in absinthe and art. The bohemian lifestyle is as romanticized as it is cliche’.
Charlie Parker, Miles Davis, Ernest Hemmingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, all heroes and geniuses, all consumed by the same fires that made them burn so bright.

But it doesn’t have to be that way. A person can reach for art and impeccability both. This account is the start of that journey. For me, the ninja is a totem of endurance, perserverance, stealth, and patience, and with him comes a promise of silent mastery. My hope is that when you come to this site, you’ll watch, read, and listen, and be inspired to create. I want us to be an underground society of impeccable artists. Not drowning in anything, only striving to be better than we were yesterday, and to create art that lives with a fire that burns but does not consume.

I want us to be an army of ninjas, and I want to start with me.


It’s going to take a bit of work.

I’m slightly overweight. I like to watch movies instead of sitting down to work. I eat too many cookies, and I tend to stare off into space when it comes time to sit down and write a song. I’m kind of messy, and my studio isn’t even a studio at the moment because it’s all in boxes. I’ve put off laying out my children’s book (despite it being completely written and illustrated) because I don’t know a thing about InDesign, and when I get home from work all I feel like doing is playing with my kid and plopping down on the couch.

This is far from impeccable.

But it’s not like I’ve never accomplished anything. I’ve won some awards for songwriting, and was co-founder of a pretty awesome vocal band, Stripped. I currently sing backup for an awesome bluegrass band, Mandy and the Bandits. I’ve won grants for my art, and gotten good reviews for my webcomic, Milo the Cloud. I’ve made toys that sold like hotcakes, and I’m a pretty decent father of the best baby in the world. I’m a good husband, and a good friend.

But not a ninja.

yet.

Come with me if you want to create.

  • Alvin

    Great start, Sean. You’ve identified one way of observing “the artist.” You’ve contrasted the popular image with a sort of disciplined approach to life and self expression. Assuming I’ve correctly read you–how do you propose to begin to merge intention with realization? I’m certain you can do that; just curious.

    • sarcher

      It’s going to take longer posts than this to talk about my full scope but I’m going to set myself missions. Some will be physical, some artistic, some will be tests of will. And I really am hoping that readers will join me in this. I’m sure there are others out there who keep telling themselves that next week they’ll start painting again because they used to love it. A big part of why I’m doing this is because I needed inspiration and got it, and now I’m hoping to inspire as well. Thanks for the great question, Alvin.

  • randy mccumber

    the journey is the most important part, not that you have got to where you wish to be. The learning, successes and failures along the way, the folks we meet along the way (both those that inspire us and those who put us down)all end up as part of the person we end up being. good luck in your journey.

    • sarcher

      Absolutely, Randy! And while my journey has always been enjoyable, I just really feel like I need to be more accountable to the direction I’m traveling and would love to have some folks along for the ride. Thanks so much for dropping in and piping up, and I hope you’ll check back in every now and again. Cheers!