For over a month, I’ve dedicated myself to drawing a dachshund every single day. This artistic endeavor involves sitting down with scrap paper, laying out a palette of 120 colored pencils, and immersing myself in the process for no more than two hours, all while enjoying some music. But what exactly am I doing, and why? [dog breeds names with pictures in india]
I’ve been sharing my daily creations on various platforms, from Instagram and Facebook to Threads, Tumblr, X, and even TikTok. To the public, my explanation is simple: “I am drawing a dachshund every day until THE LISTENERS comes out on June 3rd.” However, the underlying reasons are far more nuanced than a simple marketing ploy. Despite owning seven dogs, none are dachshunds, and while there are three dachshund characters in my upcoming novel, the book is not about them. This project, therefore, is not a direct promotional tactic; it’s an inefficient and peculiar endeavor. Investing 180 hours to create a dachshund for every 4-5 pages of my novel seems outlandish, especially since no one commissioned it. The drawings themselves are not polished enough for a book or a grand exhibition, leaving them seemingly “useless” for the time being. [types of dogs in india with pictures and names]
This perceived uselessness is precisely the point. In a world increasingly driven by the monetization of creativity and the pervasive influence of social media algorithms, art-making and creative living have become overwhelmingly purposeful. Platforms often prioritize engagement over artistic merit, rewarding popular subjects like cats over less conventionally appealing ones like old men. This dynamic pressures artists to create content that aligns with algorithmic preferences, even if it deviates from their personal artistic goals. As an artist seeking to sustain a living, the temptation to cater to these trends is significant, leading to a situation where the “purpose” of art is dictated by external forces rather than the artist’s own intent.
The rise of AI further complicates this landscape. AI art, capable of generating imagery in minutes, represents a soulless consumption and regurgitation of existing art. Unlike traditional art, which should ideally transform both the creator and the consumer, AI art’s one-sided relationship with consumption makes it a prime example of singularly purposeful imagery. While I could generate dachshunds with AI, the result would lack the inherent qualities that make my hand-drawn pieces meaningful. The subtle imperfections, the visible effort, and the limitations of my tools all contribute to a unique tension and energy, reminiscent of John Cage’s approach to composing music at the edge of an instrument’s capabilities. This “strain” and “tension” are what make the art relatable and human.
The concept of “uselessness” in my dachshund drawings is a deliberate choice to signify play and experimentation. These drawings don’t demand anything from the viewer; there’s no call to action. While the release of “THE LISTENERS” serves as a justification for this project, there’s no direct link to pre-order, and the inclusion of the dachshund bookplate/print is merely a rationale for the subject matter. This is essentially a personal game, using the book release as an excuse to spend time studying masterworks and practicing my art in a broad, unburdened way. [toy long haired dachshund puppies for sale]
In our fast-paced lives, there’s limited room for purposeless practice, for embracing failure, or for engaging in inefficient processes that don’t yield immediate returns. However, if these dachshunds were truly without purpose, you might never have seen them. I would have simply accumulated them in my studio, only for confused heirs to discover them years later.
My true purpose behind these “purposeless” dachshunds is to encourage useless practice and play. I want to foster an environment where art is made for its own sake, sometimes catering to popular appeal like a “cat,” but often exploring more personal, less conventional subjects like the “old man.” The experience of teaching a writing bootcamp highlighted how crucial it is for individuals to understand that their initial creative endeavors might be mere practice for future, more impactful work. It can feel daunting to invest in a project that might never be widely seen, yet this is precisely how growth occurs. Much like my past practice of posting a short story weekly, this project is partly for the audience but significantly for my own learning and development. [show me pictures of long haired chihuahuas]
So, I ask you: If you were creating art for the algorithm of your heart, what would it be? What are your “dachshunds”—the pursuits that bring you joy and growth, regardless of their immediate utility? [miniature dachshund puppies for sale near me]
