My turn on process videos after last year's big expo

Showing the rough drafts gets more engagement than perfect art.

Pro tip: Keep an eye on visibility shifts at Molasses Reef

We dove Molasses Reef yesterday and the vis dropped fast from 80 to 20 feet out of nowhere. Sticking close to the reef wall, we found a hidden cave full of lobsters we'd have missed otherwise. Staying calm and not panicking turned a tricky situation into a cool find. Just a heads up to always have a compass and light handy there.

Why my sketchbook tours now feature every single page, not just the highlights

As someone who oversees a painting crew, I understand the value of showing both primer and finish, but in our sketchbook community, there's a strong trend toward displaying only polished, successful pieces. I've come to disagree with this emphasis on perfection because it can mask the genuine learning curve of art. About six months ago, I committed to a new habit: filming my tours without skipping any pages, including smudged charcoal studies, half-erased pencil drafts, and color experiments gone awry. Initially, I worried it would look unprofessional, but the response was unexpectedly positive. Viewers began leaving comments about how refreshing it was to see the struggle behind the skill, and I noticed my own anxiety about 'bad' pages diminished. By highlighting these raw moments, my tours have become more relatable and have sparked honest conversations about creative blocks. While many artists curate for aesthetic appeal, I've found that embracing the full spectrum of my sketchbook leads to a more authentic artistic practice and community connection.

Rant: In my experience with model train collecting, I'm facing a personal finance split: prioritize buying rare pieces as potential assets versus limiting spending to preserve my emergency fund. Your mileage may vary, but I'd appreciate input on balancing passion and prudence.