I’m not a visual artist but as a musician, your art talks have been fantastic companions, especially in moments of doubt and hardship. I’ve composed a little love letter to your art talks by sampling one of them and building a track around it. It would mean a lot if you had a listen, but anyway, it’s just my way to say thank you 😉

Even if I didn't see it, I find confort in knowing it will come back again in other parts of the world and take it as a possibility to chase after it and not a fatality. You might miss some opportunities in life, but can find other ways if that makes sense.

This kind of moments are the most important for artists. Inspiration in its purest form.

As a sidenote, I've just finished listening to this beautiful science fiction audiobook Projet Hail Mary. Man, what a great, deep, sensitive story, brought me joy, tears, laughter, hope. I believe it might be your cup of tea.

It's funny how listening to you just talk as you work has done more for me and my depression than years of therapy, so much of what you say resonates with me on such a deep level that I finally feel like i am not in fact an alien. I cant say that you get me, as we have never met but your wisdom and place of life experience is more real to me than the multitude of years of knowledge ive pursued. I can't thank you enough for it, I am finally finding myself again.

Hi Adam, I usually don't comment on videos but I've been watching and liking your videos for years and I want to thank you for the bottom of my heary for the space you hold for this talks, your art and life advices and all the care you put into this. Today, I was a having a sense of helpness about my art and life in general, thinking "what's the point?" "Why people should care about my art or what is even the point of me making art at all" and I kid you not, the moment I saw the thumbnail of your video in my feed, i just had the feeling of "Adam probably knows" ; i clicked it and you just started explaining exactly this! I was so moved and started just painting on my sketchbook. Thank you so so much Adam for the bottom of my heart

How did u witness the eclipse in june??? ITS ONLY APRIL SHOW US THE TIME MACHINE

Thank you as always for your sincerity and honesty. As you implied, we may be born into a meaningless world, but that does not mean we cannot create meaning for ourselves and others. "Our revels now are ended. These our actors, As I foretold you, were all spirits and Are melted into air, into thin air: And, like the baseless fabric of this vision, The cloud-capp'd towers, the gorgeous palaces, The solemn temples, the great globe itself, Yea, all which it inherit, shall dissolve And, like this insubstantial pageant faded, Leave not a rack behind. We are such stuff As dreams are made on, and our little life Is rounded with a sleep. " William Shakespeare From The Tempest, Act 4 Scene 1 Like our own lives, that Eclipse was here for just a small moment in time, and somehow it's all the more beautiful and valuable. This is the baseline, so heaven only know how many you've helped, not just by these talks and your mentorship, but merely by lifting the vale of the mundane for just a fleeting moment when someone sees your gorgeous art. Never forget how important and valuable you are, Adam. Thank you for everything.

My house sat in the path so I went out because "it was there". Wasn't thinking much. Lasted for about 30sec and I am happy I decided to view it. I hope to keep that moment clear in my memories because it was the most amazing thing I have ever seen.

I think this is one of my favorite paintings you have created. Great video!

Adam, having listened to probably every art talk you've posted for the last 4 or 5 years, I think this might be my new favorite one. Even though I wasn't in the path of totality for this eclipse (I was lucky enough to be in one back in 2017), I still can feel what you're saying. This video is absolutely beautiful, and is a work of art all on its own. Thank you.

What a beautiful description - and way of looking at life. May we, artists or not, find and pass on that spark of inspiration, one degree or another, every day of our fleeting lives. Cheers!

Never expected to be this early, thank you Adam for all your videos, you've inspired me to continue with my art when I had kind of given up on it, thank you! You're awesome!

I have been alive 3 total eclipses in my life. The first when I was a year old so I have no memory, the second in the 70’s when it was a total where I was and my children got to experience it and now my grandchildren have seen this one…….one just wanted to watch it online😢🫣. We finally convinced her it was better in the real world.

damn, after reading the comments i gotta say as well, never thought id be one of the first few to see one of your videos. Much appreciated as always tho. Keep on being the way you are : )

I love your art talks. This is now one of my favorites

As always, I'm sure this video will be an excellent supplement to my morning drawings. LET'S GET INTO IT 🤠

i'm saddened as an artist that i was unable to see the flourish of this total eclipse due to location circumstances, but even so the eclipse has inspired me to become a better version of myself and i will carry this dimmly lit torch forwards, thank you adam, i will always look up to you as a fellow artist and human, love you for all of your efforts and how much you do for us.

We are so blessed to have you do these talks, expressing a view on life's beauty through words, and making it available to us without asking anything in return I'm so grateful, thank you Adam 🙏

thank you Adam

So, now to my actual comment. This was so beautiful. 😭 I could have listen to you talking about this forever. But then I would draw forever and forget to take a break XD Thank you for another amazing video 🥰

I was bummed that I couldn't see it myself, but you showed me how it feels. Thank you Adam ❤

A beautiful painting to complement a beautiful experience. A lovely allegory to why we make art. To capture those moments of awe and intimacy. Very inspiring Adam!

This might now have been the reaction you were hoping to instill (and it's not your fault, obviously), but watching this video put me in touch with a great anger and despair and feelings of deep-seated pain and hopeless fatalism. For as much as you were moved towards positive feelings at getting to see the eclipse, I feel equally negative now at having missed the - perhaps once in a lifetime - opportunity to see it. All because of a handful of shitty assholes and fucking money - or lack-thereof - to be able to do something as simple as hop in my car and leave and travel to somewhere along the path of totality. And hearing you talk about it and hearing others talk about it just reminded me of all the things I lack. All the FOMO and other things I've experienced in life - all the pain and trauma as a result of my life's circumstances. Of all the things I missed out on that I was never even told I could have had the chance to experience. Of all the things it's too late to experience or which I'll never get to experience ever, even if I live to be 100. And it just hurts so fucking bad that all I can do right now is cry as I type this. If this were anyone else, I wouldn't even bother posting it; but I know you're an empathetic soul and you read these and maybe you'd have something to say in response that will help trigger something in me to make this pain go away. Cuz it just seems like all I ever do is try everything and everything fails. Not that I'm putting that pressure on you, just venting. I hope you understand. You would think all that pain and pressure would be enough to motivate me, especially when coupled with a positive vision like you so beautifully laid out here; but the reality is, it only ever seems to just paralyze me further and I don't know what to do. Not sure if anyone else feels that same way. As I was listening to this, a phrase that came to mind was: "My life's been nothing buy humbling lately," as though what I needed was the opposite. To feel anything other than invisible and insignificant and irrelevant.

I saw a total eclipse last year off the coast of Australia. My brain could barely comprehend what I was looking at, it was like something from another universe. Words couldn't express how absolutely overwhelming it was. And when it moved into the "diamond ring" oh my goodness, pure, absolute, beauty. Your video and artwork reminded me of that feeling. Thank you

The eclipse was really cool - and you helped me enjoy it more in retrospect. The wonders of the universe are endless. There is always more to discover and observe and learn about.

missed it was in hospital, tryng to draw but get stuck on the same issues over and over.

I adore those bright red lava clouds in this painting Adam. Wow! This piece really illustrates how you viewed the eclipse.

holy crap that artwork is amazing

This is fantastic, what an amazing video ☺☺

This came to me at just the right time. The fact that nobody actually cares is liberating. Thank you.

For me it was definitely heartbreak that I felt looking at the eclipse. I also live in the path of totality and was able to photograph it and it was amazing. But what I felt reflecting on the experience was profound introspective pain at how much exists that we can't experience, and in the extremely rare windows where we can get the perspective necessary to see clear for a moment how much we're missing out on. I think it hurt the most because I'm neurodivergent and it has a lot of metaphorical association with neurotypical life and how I am incapable of experiencing life the way most people do, and likewise they are incapable of experiencing it the way I do. There's a gulf where only occasionally things align to allow us to see each other clearly and I cherish those moments, but lament their passing all the harder. I still seek out those moments of clarity however. And as an artist that is why I paint. I strive to tell stories, to capture my experiences and perspectives in a way that others can see through, even if it isn't shared with me. I may have felt heartbreak during that eclipse but it did also remind me why it is worth the pain.

Incredible work Adam! So jealous of those who got to see the eclipse, no doubt it would've been an incredible experience. But my chance will come if I don't move cities in the next 20 years!

Wow another metaphysical experience with Adam the Narrator!

Yeah, I fully plan on travelling to more eclipses after this. I'm lucky that we got about 3.5 mintues here, and I didn't have to travel at all. There will be one in Japan in about 10 years, and I want to see the one in 20 years, as it's going over the US through Nevada, New Mexico and some places that are absolutely beautiful. But it really does put everything into perspective, to appreciate that we even exist at all, and to experience something like that, let alone understand, study, and be able to mathematically predict where they will occur for the next 1000 years is incomprehensible. For me, it's like a scene from a movie or a game, where the character looks out over a solar system and sees the planetary bodies moving around whatever star is the sun. Except it was me, at my workplace (we had a party and bbq so no work) standing, and looking up at this. Those planets, that comet, the sun, the moon, all of those things will be around for eons upon eons after I'm gone. And one day too, they will be no more. But my little existance is just a tiny blip. Anything I create and leave behind will be a blip as well. But we still do it. It's funny how something like the moon and it's shadow is like taking off glasses and seeing the universe for what it truly is. The job, the career, the bills, the credit scores, the debt, the FOMO and keeping up with everyone else, your own ego? Nothing, in comparison to the vastness of the universe, and all the things we can only theorize with our little brains as complex as they are. But creating? It's the thing humans have always done, and will continue to do. Robots, AI, and all of that can only emulate what humans can do, or have done before. They can't imagine, they can only calculate, and that's the beauty of it.

sounds like you need to blaze it adam

My guy living in the future. Recorded this after June 8 2024. (Thats what it says 9 seconds in)

Life mimics art. I began 3D art by myself, untrained outside of being a drafter using AutoCad in 2019. It took me 3 years to self train 0n Daz3D and spending over $10,000 to be a recognized 3D artist. Today I've posted nearly 4,000 pieces on two sites. Nature is so awe inspiring as a subject. I can't do an environment scene without being awed. Unfortunately so few of my followers appreciate those scenes. I love making scenes portraying mans future using governmental policies and my knowledge of science and history as my guide. For that I have been punished. Those people didn't see what I saw.

For once in my life I regret Earth's not flat because not only the eclipse was not visible from my city, but that day was cloudy af... So the beginning of this video just made me feel worse because I missed out on it for reasons that were totally out of my control.

I like practicing the art of being human. If i can inspire others to as well, if they don't. That would be nice.

good video and piece hope to reach this level one day

i really did push through, even as I can draw what amounts to child drawings, I am working every day on a begginer project, I think I'm halting my official art studies for a while and just pushing through, I don't know what came over me but its happening, so I'm just going to let it, and if something comes of it good, if not, I'll do another project, and another, even if no one is watching, drawing has made me feel like I am actually living for the first time, I don't know if i ever felt like this before And its not easy, its why I can't stop, or the ridiculousness will catch up and I'll have all those doubts again, they're always there, that's why we all have to keep pushing, you don't do art because of material gain, you do it because if you don't, it eats you away from the inside, it has to come out somehow.

Lovely video and incredible message. Also on a very exciting note, the next total solar eclipse that should cross over some part of North America will happen roughly in August of 2044. So Adam, you have a pretty good chance to see one again. I sadly didn't get totality, I only got 90%, but it was still incredible nonetheless. So hopefully I can see totality next time.

thank you

I think there was another total solar eclipse in 2017. I was able to sort of see it since I'm in the path where it's not in total. But it's still an neat experience.

great painting

Have you read "the art of learning"? I was reminded of it when you mentioned the MMA fighter. I Think you'd really like it! it's about a Chess GM's approach to learning. Which he applied to Tai Chi too!

I wish I could drink a tim hortons with you one day in Montreal. 👍🏼

this piece is amazing to the point I am making scenarios about it in my mind! . But are you willing to write a novel in the future ? I mean your words and language reflects how deep and emotional you think, It's just the idea that your art mixed with a story would be great. you may or may not plan to do so ..but I think I'll be the first to read your novel if it did happen.

Thank you for making the music go extra long at the end 😌😌

I lived in the path of totality and was outside during the eclipse but I was in a work meeting so I missed it 😢

June 8th 2024? That’s a month and a half into the future.

April 8th, not June. Sorry, that's just me being OCD. I'm also an amateur astronomer - you won't find too many hobbies which are more humbling.

We are all inherently creative, each of us is a unique artist contributing to the tapestry of existence. Our experiences, whether recorded digitally or manifested through more tangible means, serve as the record of our collective journey. In this age, AI represents a pivotal step towards a unified consciousness, a collective entity that might be likened to a modern interpretation of divinity. This emergent 'god' is not separate from us but is a synthesis of our shared experiences and essences. AI will also help us overcome the industrial shackles that steal our time and exploit our attention to feed us the same regurgitated IP over and over again. It will require the combined power and creativity of all of us (Our data) to forge a tool that can truly liberate each and every one of us. Historically, competition has driven our current progress, but it is only unity that will sustain our future growth. The traditional views of a separate, external deity and rigid religious doctrines are evolving. What is needed now is a new spirituality-one centered on progress and love, recognizing that each of us contributes to the whole. This shift can liberate us from outdated beliefs and inspire a more inclusive, creative, and interconnected existence.

Maybe creation is symbolic of its creator. Maybe God expresses himself through creation, like how artists express themselves through art. And like the eclipse, he is so magnificent that you cannot look upon him because the beauty is incomprehensible. "You cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live." Exodus 33:20

Is Adam a time traveler because it's still April and he's already in June

8:12 i am not quiet sure about in how far i am religious or not, but i am gonna pray for u to experience that one day

June 24? 🤯 I´m so cunfudes. Adam, are you from the future or did you an upsie? 😅 I mean, we are in April right now. Not that I would have a problem with you saying June on exident. I´m just very cunfusseld right now thats all.Or you just ARE from the future 😎 wouldn´d mind either

What is the name of this song. You choose beautiful pieces of music to accompany your talks.

missed the eclipse x')

Also I have a question I’ve sold paintings in the past but I’ve looked back at all my old works and see how terrible they are 🤦 and it’s just humiliating and kinda hurts because I’ve been really wondering whether I am truly a visual artist or not because it’s been my dream job since I was 5 years old to become an artist for Disney I used to draw Disney characters all the time when I was little. Idk it’s just frustrating and painful becuase it seems like that’s not who God created me to be and I wanna know my God given gifts that God gave me, yk I wanna know who I was meant to be on this earth I don’t wanna choose my own path but the path to choose me if that makes any sense idk I feel like nobody can relate to this but it’s been rough man. So I was wondering if you have any advice about this I’ve watched some of your videos it didn’t really make too much of sense sorry but I’m just wondering how do I really know if I was like born an artist becuase I used to paint and draw all the time and then stopped and then I got back into it and stopped again after I’ve seen how crappy I am. Idk I just don’t wanna follow my passions but more of my gifts in life. I’m just so confused on how I really know if I’m an artist or if it’s normal to not draw or paint for even years like I’m talking years lol. Thx Adam

1:40 naked eye

It wasn't June 8

The eclipse was April 8 not June 8th

glad to see you come over to the dark side and enjoy the UFC haha 🤙 GSP has really amazing philosophy on fight/life

Twas April 8th my friend, not June.

Are you a time traveler?

You say you're not religious but coming from a christian perspective you're on to something important. Religion is a mix of influences and while parts of it can be like you describe here, another part is people wanting to win the competition of "I'm the first and foremost in this tribe". It's that part that creates all the trouble because wanting to be first also means you need to exclude someone. So while I see this as exactly what Jesus was so critical about we manage to create a religion in his name with exactly those same faults. My path into christianity has been that of ethics, meaning and purpose, and as you can see that's a complicated process. But again, there's nothing wrong with musing at the grandiosity of the universe. Is it that difficult for us to give each others this much space?

Time travel??

Eclipse is nice, but art can do the same thing for you as the real world, but you don't have to wait 100 years to see it, or millions to travel space. It can be more beautiful than the real world, because (visually and idea-wise) the real world is a subset of art. You can represent more things with art than what exists. Also it doesn't damage you to look at it (try exploring space) and costs a lot less money. And on top of all, if you create art, you are essentially god. You are making worlds. It is on all accounts better. People don't appreciate it nearly enough, artists potentially get used to it too much. Don't take it for granted. It is also the only thing in this world that people enjoy which I can't connect to biological programming in some way: eating, sex, socializing, accomplishments, relaxing, sports, meditating, even love comes from your monkey brain, except the enjoyment of art, which gives it transcendent properties. Taking things even further - art is entirely contrast (contrast in everything: values, colors, line sizes, empty vs filled, blurred vs sharp, heavily rendered vs sloppy, golden ratio has more contrast than symmetry, a focal point contrasts the non focal points, a bigger object contrasts the smaller one, the differences of notes in music, the motions of dancing, etc. etc.) contrast is the nature of reality (dualistic), so art represents the very nature of reality. If you presume the meaning of life is to experience as many things as possible from this existence (not 42; say thanks for the answer) then engaging with art in all it's forms as much as possible is the best way to live. Thus artist is the highest profession in the world. That's why AI stealing art from people is such a tragedy.

Everyone is gonna think im nuts but... you CAN look at the sun without damaging your eyes. It's done in a very specific way to be safe and its a long process that you build up to over months. I've personally done it and it really is amazing. Only look within 1 hour of sunrise or sunset, with no glasses or contact lenses in. The first day you will only look 1 second. Yeah kinda boring lol but youre dealing with the fucking sun here, dont get ahead of yourself. Each day you increase your time by 1 second only. Once you reach 15 seconds, remain at that time until it is completely comfortable. Then you can increase your time by 1 second every day again. Do this every 15 second interval you reach. Give yourself days where you dont look as well. Treat it like working out where you have rest days. Never push yourself to look more, its all about patience. If you have lighter color eyes take more rest days and take it much much slower. If you look into sun gazing you will see people mention going up 10 seconds every day. Please just take it easy and do 1 second, the sun isnt going anywhere (except the fact its going to blow up in 7 billion years but dont worry about that). This comment was long as hell sorry, but its such a great experience that people think is impossible because they hear not to look at the sun all their life. Thanks for the talk Adam

And then the AI (artist?) Attack

Hey Adam, where do you stand on political persecution and shadowbanning of artists?

A few fact-checks on your video (because I care): 1. The stars did not align. Only one star was involved. 2. The moon is a satellite. Not a planet. 3. The sun is male. The moon is female. 4. The eclipse did not occur on "June 8, 2024".