Kleon, A. (2019). Keep Going: 10 ways to stay creative in good times and bad. Workman Publishing.
- Every day is groundhog day
- Build a bliss station
- Forget the noun, do the verb
“The great artists are able to retain this sense of playfulness thoughout their careers. Art and the artist both suffer most when the artist gets too heavy, too focused on results”
- Make gifts
- The ordinary + extra attention = the extraordinary
Pay attention to what you pay attention to
“For anyon trying to discern what to do with their life: pay attention what you pay attention to. That’s pretty much all the info you need” - Amy Krouse Rosenthal
Your attention is one of the most valuable things you possess, which is why everyone wants to steal it from you. First you must protect it, and then you must point it in the right direction
When you have a system for going back through your work, you can better see the bigger picture of what you’ve been up to and what you should do next.
- Slay the art monsters
- You are allowed to change your mind
“To be on brand is to be 100 percent certain of who yyou are and what you do, and certainty, in art and in life, is not only completely overrated, it is also a roadblock to discovery.”
- When in doubt, tidy up studio
“It’s always a mistake t equate productivity and creativity”
Mise en place = Set in place. Planning and preparation, making sure all ingredients and tools you need are ready before you set to work.
“Keep your tools organized and your materials messy”
Tidying is exploring
- Demons hate fresh air
Take a walk
“When we’re glued to our screens, the world looks unreal. Terrible.”
“Walking is a way to find possibility in your life when there doesn’t seem to be any left”
- Plant your garden
“Like a tree creative work has seasons. Part of the work is to know which season you’re in, and act accordingly. In winter, “the tree looks dead, but we know it is beginning a very deep process, out of which will come spring and summer”
“Because gardening requires so much patience and attention, gardeners have a unique sense of time and perspective”