Many years ago, Steve Jobs gave an interview describing what it was like to manage Apple.

It’s like one is the captain of a large ship; there is a massive hole in the bow, water is beginning to come in, and I’m doing everything I can to make it to shore before we sink.

Perfect description. I have felt that way many times.

So many details demand attention and take up so much of my day that creating art is almost in the catch-as-catch-can category.

My mind is constantly churning. I have pads of paper around me with which I jot down my thoughts randomly. I always have a piece of folded paper in my shirt pocket and a clip-on pen, so no matter where I am, I have no excuse for not writing something down before it vanishes.

I am sure it sounds like I’m complaining, and I am. But I have learned to live like this and convince myself that this is part of my art.

It is part of my art because it gives me control over my life, just like I want control over my art.

I would go nuts if I only thought about my art. To develop, I must have some left-brain activity that not only gives my right brain a break but also helps it function better—a partnership.

On the other hand, I’m a big believer in letting the mystery be.