No Comment(s)?

You may be wondering why I would write here like it is a “blog”. As of today, the heading for this part of the Warth Studios website is “NEWS”. And I totally get it. There is a sense of responsibility for me to post newsworthy entries. I could talk about an upcoming show, what I’m working on, or some new painting I just completed. And yes, all of these things should be posted here.

Blogging In The Garage at 3 am - © Michael Warth

I’ve done a terrible job the last several months at so many things in my creative life because well, i’m just living my life. Things got busy. Sure, I have posted a few things here lately, and the bug to write is starting to get more intense. My muse is reminding me of the things I enjoy. Truth be told, I find myself trying to get a minute here and there just trying to create something.

For context, I am currently in my garage. I went inside to get a second rusty nail and cigar and decided to take advantage of the solitude I get after 3 am on a Wednesday morning. Just me, my Mac, a tasty drink, a good cigar, and the reduced sounds of the busy highway just a few hundred feet away.

As I write here, and use this platform as a way to introduce news and other bits specific to Warth Studios, I also like to share. Even though the blog-style posts may not fit the “news” format, I believe they are worthy of posting and add value to some of you visiting the website.

I’ve had a few different blogs over the years. I do enjoy it, but the comments section was more often than not, filled with spam or required me to buy plugins to reduce the unwanted content, and in some cases require me to spend extra time sorting through good and bad comments. This led to making the entire process of “blogging” really irritating to me. So much so, I removed two blogs with thousands of words and valuable content. Bots and spammers took all the joy out of it for me.

So, I decided to write again without a comments section. I welcome anyone to comment on social media when I share these posts there. In fact, that’s probably the best way for us to interact. I welcome emails, direct messages and even texts. But to manage a comments section on a blog, on Wordpress or whatever just takes all the fun out of it for me.

This post is not like a lot of other posts. I’m more personal and I don’t care what the SEO gods think of my content. I probably need to edit this more than I will. To be blunt, I will write it and publish without much consideration for grammar or anything I lament about in other posts.

My current situation just feels right for now. I don’t have to spend money to filter comments, I don’t have to spend time sorting through spam, and I can simply write and post. This is me, spilling my guts in a way that is authentic. Just me, hammering the keys like they owe me money while I try to generate a thought worth sharing.

Words…they are our friends. At some point, this post might feel bloated with words. If you read this far or feel like you’ve got too much to read just to get to the point, I applaud your stamina for putting up with my rant. I can do this all day. I love to share my thoughts in words. In fact, I often do better writing than saying what I think.

The negative part of this is that I do like conversation. And I do enjoy reading real comments. Seriously, if the bots and spammers would just go away, I’d love to chat with everyone who reads my posts. Blame them for my new style of blogging or sharing news!

Recently I had a few emails asking why I don’t have comments turned on. Well, here’s you answer. I’m sure by now you get it. If you are a human, and not a spammer, it wouldn’t take long to figure out how to send me an email looking around this website. Drop me a line, I’ll do my best to respond. Michael at WarthStudios dot com is a great way to reach me. LOL

Nonetheless, I want to provide content for collectors of my work, and artists who want to find value in the content I share. I’m looking into more ways to get the party started. My Patreon account is currently in a state of “remodel”. And yes, some of you don’t want to spend money on subscriptions. I get that! But here we are.

Warth Studios dot Com is a way for me to grow as an artist and content creator. This news feed or blog is a way for me to scratch an itch. The podcast is on a break and the blog for the podcast is also on hiatus. Paul and I needed a break. We have personal reasons for it and I am sure most everyone reading this would understand.

I love to open the Mac and write. I love to share. I could apologize for not keeping up the hustle. The true fans, those of you who have read this post know there are times when we just need a break understand. My full time job got real hectic and busy. My personal life is much like yours - we have no time.

I wrote this as an apology. I wrote this as a confession. As creatives, we fail sometimes, but we also need to take a step back and take a break. We need to understand our limits and work within the time we have available. When I was blogging before, I felt trapped and required to share even when I wasn't ready. The spam and bots made it even more time consuming. So yeah, that is why the comments section is gone.

I love you all. I appreciate you for reading my words. The bottom line is that I write these posts to inspire and motivate. Sure, I love the feedback. But, I need to write for you and find a way to create a community without feeding the spammers and bots. Sometimes, a comment isn’t needed. What matters is that you are inspired.

Again, reach out to me if you feel the need, but I’m purposefully avoiding a comments section. Let’s build a better community than one that requires a post and a comment. Let’s be friends, send me an email or a text. Don’t be a stranger. I hope you get more out of me than a reason to comment on a post.

I’m hitting the publish button. Everything in me says not to do it but I am going to anyway. I’ll share it on the socials later and hopefully get some traction. I’m not posting for everyone - I’m posting for you!