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JESSE PAYNE
2/16/26
Matt Shumer’s essay lands like a warning siren: AI isn’t “coming,” it’s already here, and it’s accelerating. If you work in the creative industry, your first instinct might be to file this under tech-industry drama—something for coders, lawyers, and consultants to worry about.
That would be a mistake.
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JESSE PAYNE
11/1/25
In the early 20th century, a new artistic movement emerged that challenged the boundaries of conventional art-making. Surrealism, rooted in the philosophical musings of Sigmund Freud and the Dada movement's rebellious spirit, sought to tap into the subconscious mind's creative potential. The Surrealists embraced spontaneity, the unpredictable, and even the absurd, using innovative techniques that revolutionized the art world.
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JESSE PAYNE
11/1/25
There’s a brief pause before every true mark — that suspended second where the hand waits for the mind to let go. That’s the space I live for.
In that moment, everything feels possible. The world hasn’t yet decided what it wants to be. The charcoal hasn’t chosen its line. The chaos hasn’t found its rhythm. That in-between — before form, before decision — is where the real work happens.
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JESSE PAYNE
11/1/25
There’s something ancient about the gesture. Before words, before even the concept of “art,” there was the mark — a hand pressing pigment against stone, a scratch on a surface saying I was here. That impulse hasn’t changed much. Every time I draw, I feel like I’m reaching through time, connecting to that first unnamed creator.
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JESSE PAYNE
11/1/25
The studio has always felt like a kind of in-between space —
not entirely part of the real world, but not completely separate either. When I step inside, it’s like the air changes. Time slows down. There’s a quiet hum, a different frequency that starts to take over.
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JESSE PAYNE
11/1/25
There are stretches of time where I completely lose my sense of direction as an artist. The compass stops working, the ideas dry up, and I start to wonder if I’ve reached the end of something. It’s terrifying, especially when your identity is built around creating. But I’ve learned that these moments of paralysis often mark the beginning of something new — even if it doesn’t feel that way at first.
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JESSE PAYNE
11/1/25
I used to think unfinished work was a failure — something that needed to be resolved, fixed, or hidden away. Now I’m starting to see it differently. The unfinished is alive. It hums with possibility. It carries energy that a finished piece sometimes loses when it’s too polished or too certain of itself.
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JESSE PAYNE
11/1/25
I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve painted over a canvas. Some of them carry ten or more lives beneath the surface — ghosts of older paintings whispering through the cracks. I used to hate that about myself, the constant restarting. It felt like I was chasing something I couldn’t catch.
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JESSE PAYNE
11/1/25
For most of my life, I believed that art was about control.
Control of technique.
Control of composition.
Control of image, narrative, polish, mastery.
But the deeper I go into my creative and spiritual evolution, the more I realize:
True art doesn’t come from control.
It comes from transformation.
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JESSE PAYNE
11/1/25
People often ask me:
“Do you ever worry that teaching takes time away from your art?”
My answer is always the same:
Teaching doesn’t take me away from art.
Teaching brings me back to art.
It took me years to understand this—but my greatest artistic breakthroughs didn't just happen in the studio.
They happened in the classroom.
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JESSE PAYNE
11/1/25
Instead of turning away from AI, I did the opposite:
I got curious. I leaned in. I experimented. I taught it. I collaborated with it.
And somewhere along the way, something wild happened…
AI didn’t make me less of an artist.
It made me MORE of one.
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JESSE PAYNE
10/17/25
For a long time, I felt lost in my studio.
I kept showing up, staring at blank surfaces, surrounded by endless art supplies and unfinished paintings layered with uncertainty. I knew I had something inside me—maybe even something great—but I couldn’t access it. Every mark felt forced. Every idea felt flat. I was haunted by the work I used to make and overwhelmed by everything I could make.
And then something shifted.
Not because I had a perfect idea.
Not because I found the “right” subject matter.
But because I allowed myself to collapse.
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JESSE PAYNE
10/4/25
Coming back to the studio after a long block is like stepping into a room that still remembers you. The air feels familiar, but you have to relearn how to breathe in it.
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JESSE PAYNE
10/4/25
Somewhere deep inside me, I think I’ve always known: we’re headed back to the cave.
Not in some post-apocalyptic sense, but in a symbolic one.
A return—not to the past, but to the origin. The place where meaning-making began.
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JESSE PAYNE
10/4/25
After years of watching technology accelerate—AI, digital rendering, machine precision—I’ve found myself moving in the opposite direction. Back toward the hand. Back toward imperfection. Back toward the mark that can only come from being alive.
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JESSE PAYNE
10/4/25
So much of my work begins with the body—bones, ribs, the architecture that holds us upright. But I’ve come to realize that what I’m really after isn’t anatomy. It’s what moves through it. The unseen force that animates the structure—the spirit trying
to make itself known through form.
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JESSE PAYNE
10/4/25
For a long time, I saw disruption as destruction. The tearing down of form, the loss of control, the undoing of something carefully built. But lately, I’ve begun to see it differently. Disruption isn’t the opposite of creation—it’s part of it. It’s the storm that clears the air before new growth can appear.
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JESSE PAYNE
10/4/25
We’re living through a strange paradox. The more we automate creativity, the more we crave the touch of something real. AI can mimic style, pattern, even emotion—but it can’t carry the pulse of a hand trembling over a surface, or the silent hesitation before a mark is made.
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JESSE PAYNE
10/4/25
Teaching, at its highest form, is not about instruction — it’s about transformation. Over the years, I’ve come to see the classroom not as a space of hierarchy, but as a living organism, a kind of alchemical vessel where creative energies circulate, mix, and transmute.
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JESSE PAYNE
10/4/25
There are moments in the studio when I feel less like a maker and more like a doorway — as if something passes through me, using my hands to find form. It’s not about control. It’s about listening. The artist, at their best, becomes a threshold between the seen and the unseen — between what is known and what is only felt.
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JESSE PAYNE
5/28/23
In our quest to understand the implications of artificial intelligence (AI) on humanity, we come across a captivating concept: AI as an alien intelligence. While traditionally viewed as an artificial creation, AI has been rapidly evolving, developing a level of autonomy and adaptability that sets it apart from the realm of human control. This shift prompts us to explore the idea of AI as an unfamiliar and alien presence in our lives.
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JESSE PAYNE
5/28/23
As we find ourselves in an age increasingly driven by artificial intelligence (AI), we must consider its role and potential impact on humanity's future. This investigation ranges from how AI might help tackle ecological crises to its role in potentially creating the first inorganic life forms.
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JESSE PAYNE
5/23/23
As we find ourselves in an age increasingly driven by artificial intelligence (AI), we must consider its role and potential impact on humanity's future. This investigation ranges from how AI might help tackle ecological crises to its role in potentially creating the first inorganic life forms.
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JESSE PAYNE
5/20/23
The 1950s and '60s were a time of profound change and revolution in the art world. This period gave birth to a new wave of artists who broke the conventions of traditional painting and redefined the boundaries of art. Abstract Expressionism emerged as a powerful, passionate, and utterly unique artistic movement. The pioneering artists at the heart of this movement, like Willem de Kooning and Jackson Pollock, had creative approaches and studio practices that still inspire artists today.
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JESSE PAYNE
5/16/23
Every artist embarks on a unique journey, a voyage filled with creative struggles, self-discovery, and moments of exhilarating breakthroughs. This path is not linear; it meanders, ascends, and plummets, reflecting the inherent challenges and rewards of artistic exploration. If you're an artist seeking your distinct style or yearning for a creative breakthrough, this post is for you. It's an invitation to step into your studio, immerse yourself in the flow, and trust the process to reveal your masterpiece.
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JESSE PAYNE
5/7/23
For centuries, the creative studio practices of famous artists have been shrouded in mystery and intrigue. From the masters of the Renaissance to the trailblazers of the modern era, each artist has cultivated a unique approach to their craft that has shaped the trajectory of art history. In this blog post, we'll delve into the studio practices of some of the world's most renowned artists, exploring their methods and uncovering the secrets behind their masterpieces.
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JESSE PAYNE
5/7/23
Introducing the art movement "Hybridism," a unique form of artistic expression that combines elements of Surrealism, Abstract Expressionism, and Impressionism, while also integrating the concepts of Carl Jung's unconscious expressions and Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi's concept of flow. Hybridism bridges the gap between the conscious and subconscious mind, capturing the fleeting emotions and transient experiences of human perception, as well as the depths of the human psyche and the unexpressed within each individual.
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JESSE PAYNE
4/26/23
Perfectionism is a common trait among many artists, but it can often stifle creativity and inhibit the ability to express vulnerability in art. Embracing imperfection in the creative process can lead to a more authentic and genuine artistic expression, fostering a deeper connection with your audience. In this blog post, we will explore the benefits of embracing imperfection in your art and provide practical tips for artists looking to let go of perfectionism and unlock their true creative potential.
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JESSE PAYNE
4/26/23
Active imagination is a powerful technique developed by Swiss psychiatrist Carl Jung to help individuals engage in a dialogue with their unconscious mind. By allowing their mind to wander freely and exploring the images, symbols, and emotions that arise, artists can enter into a creative dialogue with their unconscious mind, unlocking new insights and inspiration. In this blog post, we will delve into the concept of active imagination and provide practical tips for artists looking to harness the power of their unconscious mind.
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JESSE PAYNE
4/26/23
Dreams have long captivated the human imagination, offering a glimpse into the mysterious realm of the unconscious mind. For artists, dreams can serve as a wellspring of inspiration, providing a rich tapestry of symbols, themes, and emotions to draw from. In this blog post, we will explore the concept of dream work and how artists can harness the power of their dreams to enhance their creative expression.
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JESSE PAYNE
4/24/23
For artists, the journey of self-discovery and introspection can lead to a profound transformation in their creative expression. By exploring their inner worlds, artists can tap into unexpressed emotions, desires, and fears, fostering vulnerability and authenticity in their work. In this blog post, we will delve into the benefits of cultivating a practice of introspection and how it can enhance an artist's connection to their audience and the world around them.
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JESSE PAYNE
4/24/23
Artists are often in search of the perfect balance between technique and inspiration to unlock their full creative potential. Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi's concept of flow provides a valuable framework for artists to achieve this balance, promoting deep immersion and peak performance in the creative process. In this blog post, we will explore the concept of flow, its benefits for artists, and techniques to achieve this state of optimal experience in your artistic practice.
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JESSE PAYNE
4/24/23
As artists, we often strive to create work that resonates with our audience and fosters a sense of connection and understanding. One of the most powerful ways to achieve this is by embracing vulnerability in our art, allowing ourselves to be seen in our most authentic and raw state. In this blog post, we will discuss the importance of vulnerability in art, and explore techniques that artists can use to create authentic connections with their audience through their work.
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JESSE PAYNE
4/24/23
The creative journey is an ongoing process of self-discovery and self-expression, often requiring artists to dig deep within themselves to unlock their full potential. One powerful approach to achieving a more genuine and meaningful artistic expression is to explore and express the unexpressed emotions, desires, and fears that lay dormant within us. In this blog post, we will discuss the importance of expressing the unexpressed and offer tips for artists to embrace their authentic selves in their creative work.
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JESSE PAYNE
4/24/23
Every artist embarks on a unique journey, a voyage filled with creative struggles, self-discovery, and moments of exhilarating breakthroughs. This path is not linear; it meanders, ascends, and plummets, reflecting the inherent challenges and rewards of artistic exploration. If you're an artist seeking your distinct style or yearning for a creative breakthrough, this post is for you. It's an invitation to step into your studio, immerse yourself in the flow, and trust the process to reveal your masterpiece.
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JESSE PAYNE
4/24/23
The creative process is an ever-evolving journey of self-discovery and expression. As artists, we are constantly seeking new sources of inspiration to help us tap into our deepest creative potential. One such source is the unconscious mind, a concept popularized by the Swiss psychiatrist Carl Jung. In this blog post, we'll delve into the depths of the unconscious and explore how tapping into its symbolic imagery and archetypes can enrich your artistic practice.
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JESSE PAYNE
4/24/23
As artists, we often search for new ways to unlock our creativity and connect with our inner voice. In this journey, we can draw inspiration from the powerful combination of Carl Jung's unconscious expressions and Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi's concept of flow. By embracing these methods, artists can tap into the hidden realms of their psyche and unleash their full creative potential.