Tap-In — Seth Apter

I have the pleasure of introducing you to our next Tap-In guest, who is a multi-talented artist and leader in the mixed-media art community and the author of the new book, The Pulse of Mixed Media. Welcome Seth Apter!…

What makes you feel most fully engaged in life?

I am at my most engaged when I gather the confidence to take a risk and to stand on the edge of something new, exciting, challenging, and altogether heart-pounding. It is in these types of experiences when I feel like I am breaking through and truly living life. Self-doubts? Sure. Sweaty palms? You betcha. Racing heart? Oh yes. But I take these things not as indications to stop but as symbols to move forward.

Some examples. Climbing to the peak of Mt. Olympus and writing my first book. Both were once-in-a-lifetime experiences that have so much more meaning because of the effort and the fear involved in each. In moments like these, I know that I am truly alive.

Do you have any life mottos?

I live my life guided by the idea that a choice we make in any one moment is about the future, rather than the present. Although many people seem to aspire to the concept of living in or for the moment, I prefer to see each moment as an opportunity to create my future. I feel like we are all presented with hundreds of choices every day, some small and some monumental. The person I am today is the result of all the choices I have made in the past. And the person I am to become will be determined by each choice that I continue to make. I am empowered by the fact that every choice I make along the way can bring me closer to achieving my goals and making my dreams come true.

How do you feed your creative spirit?

My first thought in answering this question was to talk about exploring the many galleries, museums, and other creative spaces right outside my door in NYC. My next thought was to mention the importance of online inspiration: visiting blogs, websites, Tumblr, etc. But then I thought more about this and realized that the way that I actually feed my creative spirit is not by seeing but by doing. I feel creatively complete when I have the opportunity to make art, to figuratively shut my door and escape from the daily grind, and to get lost in that special place where my creative thoughts are unleashed and time no longer matters. That is how I truly feed my creative spirit.

What is your favorite social media?

No contest there. Blogs. When I first began to explore the mixed media world, it was through the blogs. I learned about process and technique. I came to know the artists in the community. I knew I found something special. When I was ready to extend my own reach and share my artwork and thoughts with the art world, I did so by creating my own blog, The Altered Page. Now, when I have something important to share, I post it on my blog. And in those times when I need a creative fix or want to connect with a larger community that truly “gets it”, I head to the blogs.

I use and enjoy other forms of social media as well, but they are not the core of my online life. It takes time and effort to maintain my blog, but it is well worth it. I have often said and I truly believe that without The Altered Page, I would not be the artist I am today.

Where you can find Seth:

his blog
facebook
twitter
etsy

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