Creativity doesn’t have to be painting pictures or writing poetry. Creativity is finding inspiration in the world, noticing it catches our curiosity in some way, doing something about it, and then choosing, if it serves us, to make it a habit of looking for more inspiration to serve our curiosity.* And you can find it … Continue reading Wanksy: Creativity’s Purpose Is To Drive Inspired Action
Tag: art
How To Be Authentically Creative (Essay)
This is a collection of recent posts, lightly edited and merged into essay format, on the topic of Authentic Creativity. It was largely inspired by my LifeDesign+ interview on YouTube with Justin Castelli. Justin’s unique ability is to help people organize and simplify their thinking down to the point of action. It’s on full display … Continue reading How To Be Authentically Creative (Essay)
How Long Until You’re A Master? (Twyla Tharp Edition)
So you’ve done the thing. You’re pretty good at it, or so you think, and the critics agree. When is it… enough? When do you feel like a master? Even if “they” are saying you are (but you aren’t believing them yet)? Twyla Tharp says she was 57 years old and had just completed her … Continue reading How Long Until You’re A Master? (Twyla Tharp Edition)
Culture Emerges From Creators, Communicators, Collaborators
Culture emerges from: Creators, who come up with ideas, Communicators, who spread the ideas, and Collaborators, who work with the ideas. Good and bad alike. Yeah, it ain’t all sunshine and rainbows. As you may have noticed. Communities contain cultures. They form collections of these ideas. What’s been created, communicated, and collaborated on. So if … Continue reading Culture Emerges From Creators, Communicators, Collaborators
Modern Art, Modern Mirrors (Barry, Succession, and Ted Lasso Edition)
Three of the finest shows I’ve ever seen wrapped before the mid-point of 2023. I'm not here to spoil anything so relax. I'm also not going to talk about them in a way where if you never saw a single episode this matters. I'm bringing them up because Barry, Succession, and Ted Lasso are holding up … Continue reading Modern Art, Modern Mirrors (Barry, Succession, and Ted Lasso Edition)
Pee Wee And Establishing Range
I’m thinking a lot about how in a presentation, or song, or piece of art - the creator establishes “average” and “deviation.” In music it might be loud/soft (like the Pixies). In art it might be contrast/lack thereof (like Rothko). In a presentation - you have to set the average, and then deviate to make … Continue reading Pee Wee And Establishing Range
Podcast Of The Week: Luxurious LVMH
Every now and then I check the Acquired podcast feed, get intimidated by the length of the episodes (should I just read a book/the book/several books on my own?), and too often lately I move on. HOWEVER. Every time I stop and listen to one I think, “I really should listen to more of these.” … Continue reading Podcast Of The Week: Luxurious LVMH
Respectful Disagreement (And Andy Warhol Disses)
We need friends who we both respect AND can disagree with. Because there’s no growth without resistance. Patti Smith and Robert Mapplethorpe were that type of friends. They were also upward-bound artists. Mapplethorpe loved Andy Warhol and wanted to be a part of his scene. Smith didn’t feel the same. But they were still deeply … Continue reading Respectful Disagreement (And Andy Warhol Disses)
Podcast Of The Week: Rick Rubin on Cash’s “Hurt”
My buddy Adam K. sent me this clip from Lex Fridman discussing Johnny Cash’s rendition of “Hurt” with Rick Rubin. They discuss how the lyrics, originally written by a 20-something, are sad but a bit redemptive. The same poem, when sung by a 70ish-year-old, feels devastating. It’s an incredible piece of perspective art. Listen to … Continue reading Podcast Of The Week: Rick Rubin on Cash’s “Hurt”
Maggie Rogers On Her (Visual) Creative Inputs
Before Maggie Rogers makes an album, she has to write some songs. And before she writes some songs, she starts with some visuals. She calls it a mood board (and this is apparently a thing people do that TIL). As a synesthesiac, her brain connects colors to feelings and sounds. She pulls out the poster … Continue reading Maggie Rogers On Her (Visual) Creative Inputs