27 Oct 2026 7 min read

Into the Forest at Knight

"Spiral Priestess of the Woods"

Well, the dopamine gods doth decree I return to this wonderful space.

So! July. Was a while ago. Wow.

So a lot has happened in the last several months. Lots of interesting inspirations and plenty of struggles. I think the major reason I haven't been actively posting here is the expectations I set for myself about this blog. I have had a lot happening, but nothing profound or at the very least nothing I've felt was important enough to write a thoughtful rant about. In my mind, I felt like this place was for profound revelation or reflection and I think that gives the imposter syndrome an opportunity to build an unnecessary barrier. So instead, I'm reframing.

This space shall be untethered from reason.

Let the flow-state begin.

In the current age of AI integration and exploitation, social media has become harder and harder to utilize to create connections and community. The weight scale grows ever more imbalanced as we trade more and more autonomy for access and I think we collectively need to shift how we intake media and community, and accept some harsh realities as artists and art consumers.

We have been provided an inflated visibility at the cost of autonomy of our art, control of our output, and regulation of our dopamine production.

None of us got into social media to create duets, or follow trends, or altar our creative output to meet algorithmic preferences, yet most of us feel obligated to compromise and capitulate these billion dollar systems just to keep our heads above water and content in the feeds. We need to accept that we will not find those numbers elsewhere without those same compromises coming with them. Capitalism has the most because it exploits. A better alternative will never offer the same ease for free in the same way that independent clothing stores cant charge sweat shop prices. We will not get the dopamine of [number go up] that we have been convinced matters. It's a mask, its vague, and I have sold more at art markets than I ever have online. Social media is A tool not THE tool.
Building an audience is energy and connection. You cannot buy success through sponsored ads, bot followers, or outsourcing to AI.

The dream is a lie, the sell of convenience is ridiculous, and the expectations to meet are asinine. Every artist I know has "released" more pieces of art than every famous historic painter, yet we are conditioned to believe that last weeks post is dead and no longer worth focusing on. Nonsense. You put your passion into an piece of art and it is worth more than a Wednesday traffic boost. We need to learn how to appreciate and explore individual pieces of art. We've been taught to scroll, heart, and forget. This only benefits those making money when every third thing you scroll past is ad revenue for the provider. Take time to appreciate art, find the high res, see the artist in person, for god sakes buy physical media. They cannot data scrape or delete from recommendations a vinyl record or a sculpture you own. The value of your art should never be defined by whether a suit feels they can profit off of it. Take it back by appreciating your own art for what it is - a reflection of you. Once you have, stop feeding the machine that states you have to pay to be valued. Don't put your art (or face) into AI trends, don't artificially inflate your numbers to seem successful, and don't give money to these ghouls so your local demographic sees your work. Attend art markets, local shows, connect with other artists, offer collaborations, purchase and support other artists. Every incredible adventure and creative venture I have ever had in my entire career in art and music has started with networking directly with other humans. It starts with "Your art is amazing! Want to do something together?!"
Don't pay a suit to be seen.
Be seen by being present.
You have to set tangible expectations.

I don't say this in a "lower your expectations" kind of way, I say it in a "think about what you actually specifically want to accomplish on a platform, with your art, financially or communally. Social media THRIVES on your vague goals. What keeps us scrolling and trend chasing and content creating is unspecified motivations just seeking the momentary hit of good brain juice.
WHO do you want to see your art?
HOW MUCH do you actually expect to make with your art?
WHAT is your tangible goal with your art?
Do you want to pay your bills? Travel? Connect with artists you aspire to work with? Reach a particular skill level? What do you specifically want?
Maybe you don't need 10,000 followers, maybe you need 4 people that buy a print every month so you can afford to go on a trip this Summer. Maybe you don't need a robust online store, you need 3 art markets to fund the class you want to take on pottery. Maybe you don't need 20 interactions per post, maybe you need one good conversation with one person moved by your work to feel like you exists and your effort matters. Be specific. Be intentional. Become tangible.

On that note, I've been discovering some new motivations and focuses.
I've been thoroughly enjoying macro botany photography. I've been combining my interest in alchemy/herbalism with my local flora to some really fun results.

I mean look at this moss. I had no idea it was so structured and beautiful. I have been learning so much about plant structures and it's amazing. More on this in a future post.

Sometimes limitations offer the most opportunity for creativity.
For example, playing 100 hours of Elden Ring and wanting to do dark fantasy photography with all of the wonderful humans you know. Finding their final boss form.

But uh-oh, chainmail is expensive.

...but learning to make it...is less expensive...

I've found a new passion that my attention deficit brain loves. Making chainmail and scalemail is such a fascinating and satisfying way to spend several hours. I love world-building and storytelling, and having the opportunity to custom build armor and jewelry for the models I work with has been so goddamn enjoyable. I will expand on this in the near future.

I made myself sit down to write this post as stubborn defiance against the latest Meta overreach and to remind myself I can build community and tell a story elsewhere. Forgive the tangental nature of this post. This is the authentic experience of a conversation with me. Disorganized and full of passion. I plan to use this space for curated narrative releases with art releases as well as personal ramblings such as this. This will be space of madness.

Things I've been listening to lately that you should listen to:
(in no particular order)
1. Blood Mountain Black Metal Choir - Songs From a Dying Empire
[go buy this on Bandcamp right now. Right now.]

2. I just told you to go buy "Blood Mountain Black Metal Choir - Songs From a Dying Empire" why are you still reading th-
2. Elder Colossus - Black Kiss of the Crow

[There is a unique joy to hearing an album that sounds amazing, created by people you love that absolutely deserve the level of quality that reflects their dedication to their craft and the value of them as human beings. This album is a heavy, crushing, melodic experience that I cannot wait to listen to on vinyl when I pick up my copy this coming weekend.]

3. Pure Love Eternal Peace - ST

[Easily one of the most powerful live performances I've gotten to enjoy. Visceral, emotional noise. My favorite type of music]

4. Adolyne - Of Ash / Of Shit / Of Shame

[The progenitor of my love for the type of music above this entry, Adolyne has always held a special place in my heart as Saskatchewan heavy noise royalty. I'm pretty sure I'm going to be required to stay 50ft away from vocalist Skot Hamilton if I continue to glaze him every time I mention a project he's involved with, so, I'll keep that to a minimum. This album perfect encapsulates why I love live music. Pure intensity.]

5. Norther Graves - Derelict

[Eternal fine young man and prodigal vocalist/lyricist Damian Smith offers an evolution of his music and vocal style with every release and feature he finds his way into. His solo project-turned-international band Northern Graves tells a story steeped in Canadian history and raw emotional release. If you liked Altars of Grief's Iris, this is it's history buff, matured, refined elder sibling.]

Thank you for your attention on this tangent.
Be good to yourself.
Take care of eachother.
All is for the All.
Free Palestine.

-dsmsblk

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