I saw this video being tweeted by another illustrator who I’m in awe of, Edwin Ushiro. And having listened to the message by John Jay, one of the co-founders of Wieden+Kennedy, I can see why Edwin was so moved. It’s a simple conversation about creativity, but it’s full of smart words that anyone who works creatively should take to heart. This is how we should all work, in my book.
“Understand their soul and make that soul relevant to a greater number of people.”
What beautiful work, Fast Company! Thanks for the continued inspiration.
There’s something about make believe that stirs our soul. A story that comes at you with guns blazing, and then suddenly…you’re not in Kansas anymore. Philippe Gamer has come up with one bang up story that will make all of your action story fans clench your fist in excitement. Will they? Won’t they? What a minute…WHAT?!?!
Not what you expected, huh? Me neither, but I LIKE IT! If you’re a fan of Philippe, then go check him out on his Facebook page. The Chase: it’s not your everyday story about aging. It’s much better! Now these are my kind of heroines.
This is going to be a short post about another of my favorite destinations: Letters Of Note. This amazing site continues to offer us glimpses into our creative past from some of the brightest and most creative minds that we’ll always admire. Browsing through (it’s been a while – sorry), I came across a few gems that you should experience for yourself:
A Book Is Like A Man: A dialogue between John Steinbeck and his editor, Pat (hilarious blurbs between publisher and writer)
Again, go check out their amazing collection of correspondence from our creative past. The chance to see into the minds of our predecessors who made history.
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This quote jumped out at me in the same way that Vincent describes: small things coming together. It started when I caught myself staring a canvas (no, not the original) that my hubby gave me years ago as an birthday present: The Cafe Terrace on the Place du Forum. Something about this scene caught the both of us in a shared moment of wonder, so it became ours.
Then the quote reminded me of how I approach my writing: a series of seemingly unrelated stories that somehow build into a bigger picture in my mind, like puzzle pieces coming together. This style of research is true for all styles of writing that I pursue, as I tend to look for a different view of a subject or try to see how stories tie together to make a real-life situation. Since I take my creativity pretty seriously, I’m always trying to find new ways to broaden my world so that I can create even bigger ones in my mind. I’m like a kid in a candy store when I take a bite into a new piece of writing, because for those moments I am truly alive in the way that I know I’m meant to be.
I don’t like to limit my imagination, so this approach allows me to indulge my curious side which is pretty insatiable. The world is my oyster, and I’m always looking for the brightest pearl to polish. So how do you create?
I saw this passed around on Reddit and had to share it. The Japanese street dance crew, Wrecking Crew Orchestra Family, provides an electrifying performance that will leave you amazed (and in the dark) in the end. There’s not much to say but WOW!! That’s brilliant (I know, bad pun).
Browsing through a few posts on Inside The Rock Poster, I came across another amazing gallery find: Mondo Gallery. They work with some amazing illustrators who make rock posters, but the ones with Victorian influences caught my eye. And for good reason!
The moon image is one of my favorite Victorian images that I’ve seen repeated in silent movies (of course) as well as music videos (like Tonight Tonight by Smashing Pumpkins), and the Dracula poster was done in a collaboration between Vania Zouravliov (get his illustration book – it’s AMAZING) and Aaron Horkey (another incredible artist).
But to say that this is the extent of Mondo is missing the big picture, because they have so many other talented artists that are creating even more amazing images to be graced on posters and other collectibles. If you’re in Texas, then don’t miss checking out their new gallery. It looks like an illustration paradise.
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There are geniuses, and then there are creative geniuses, and they actually are all around us. Case in point: Kelli Anderson, an “artist, designer, and tinkerer” who challenges the norms that we accept with no issue every day. But in Kelli’s world, there is no such thing as a norm, because disruption is the name of her game. And from this talk and her site, it’s clear that she takes this mission very seriously (with an awesome sense of humor).
She created a paper record player as an invitation, which I find amazing. But she also participated in the Yes Men’s fake New York Times (I wrote about it at the Urban Times) by creating all of the fake, hopeful Utopian news that we all crave. I seriously loved this project, and wish it were true! Everything she does is to disrupt status quo, and it’s brilliant and necessary.
So check out Kelli’s site and see what she’s up to now. Kelli definitely sees things differently, and I love her view of our very colorful world. It’s going to be a fun ride with her. I can tell. : )
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A pause to contemplate life (an uncooperative pause by the looks of things). I saw this on Reddit and understood (and giggled a bit).
Sometimes, you just don’t feel like reporting to the Death Star for duty – no matter how much your commander wants you to DO YOUR JOB. This has now become my new protest image for all of those things that I ever did (and will do) against my better judgment (and against my gut instinct).
It’s only been a few days since we lost the massive talent of Moebius. All around, people are celebrating his genius as we should be. He left behind an incredible amount of work that would equate to the illustrator’s version of the Library of Alexandria. It will surely take us that long to really appreciate the diverse intricacies that he was capable of drawing so effortlessly. To keep with the sharing tradition that exists in creativity, enjoy a few documentaries that have been floating around the Net:
Moebius Redux: A Life In Pictures (BBC documentary – part 1, part 2 – here, part 3 – here):
http://youtu.be/fUT1LH8ZlXo
And BDMIX lessons by Moebius (as found through YouTube DOS121269 – fascinating to watch Moebius work live):
http://youtu.be/5CMmtfB1sD0
We all will be cherishing his books, illustrations, and so much more that he left behind. As well as the joy that he showed while doing what he clearly loved. We really are lucky to be able to share in his incredibly beautiful world, where he will now exist in spirit forever more. And here’s another heartfelt tribute to a man that so many revere: Moebius: The Visionary’s Visionary.
Typically, we’re talked to at length (very long length) about what we’re to do with our lives. At the beginning of our careers, we ask for advice from those who matured before us. Whether they know us well or not, they’ll probably try to steer us to the right path based on their own experiences. And those experiences of those before them, and so on. We’re all basing our life decisions on what people in the past told the next generation, without the benefit of the knowledge of all that is available today…if we choose to find it.
Larry Smith, an economics professor at the University of Waterloo has decided to give us the talk that we all probably wished we’d heard before we chose our career path. As a person who sees things logically (or so you’d assume as he’s an economics professor), you would expect the talk that we’ve all been given. If you work hard, then you’ll get your just rewards. Your passions are for your off-times. Will you be able to support yourself and a family on your passion? The list of questions is endless, and most still resound even today. But the difference is that we are now in a period of time where the whole world has opened up to us. So, why satisfy yourself with a job which has little guarantee of stability and goes against your dreams. If your world is going to be unstable, shouldn’t you be doing something that drives you to create every single day of your life? Something that fills your well so that you don’t have to wait for the weekend with baited breath. Something that has no boundaries to expanding yourself, and finding your true identity.
Larry give us a talk that is blunt and necessary. It’s a no hold barred lecture that isn’t just a lecture, but a wake up call that your life is yours to make (or not). Can you face yourself in the mirror everyday knowing that you’re not pursuing what might be because you’ve settled for what is? It’s not an easy road, and you have to be prepared for people’s reactions to your decision (especially when it sounds far-fetched to them). But know that your potential will be recognized by someone, and maybe even lead to collaborations that bring it all to successful life. You’ll make mistakes, but you’ll also learn and grow. It all depends on how invested you are in your passion. So, what’s your passion, and how can it help change the world that we live in?
Looking around, it’s obvious that more dreamers are needed ASAP. Passions, please apply!
Our censorship fight with the US Congress is far from over, as they continue to attempt to break the Internet with legislations driven by crony capitalism in the US and abroad. Though SOPA (Stop Online Piracy Act) and PIPA (Protect IP Act) have been pulled back for now, more continue to follow them. Now, we have to contend with ACTA(more) and TPP(2), which are international attempts to censor and control the Internet for the sake of commerce. And if that's not enough, now there's CISPA (more).
Go to EFF.org to keep up with the legal news that impacts our world and its technology. The greed won't stop, so we have to stay vigilant as well. Especially now that lobbyists are admitting out loud that they expect to be rewarded for their "contributions": Read it on TorrentFreak
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I want to thank all of my visitors who are taking the time to leave such inspiring and thoughtful comments. I'm glad that I'm able to connect with so many of you through my writing. This blog is all about things that drive my creative inspirations, and all of you are part of that inspiration. So, thanks for your support. I look forward to getting to know you better throughout this creative journey.
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