I was in fourth grade I thought myself a hustler for 50 cents you could
hustler for 50 cents you could
hustler for 50 cents you could Commission a fully rendered pencil
Commission a fully rendered pencil
Commission a fully rendered pencil drawing of your name in block letters
drawing of your name in block letters
drawing of your name in block letters for 50 cents more you could have in
for 50 cents more you could have in
for 50 cents more you could have in color for three dollars you could have
color for three dollars you could have
color for three dollars you could have your own drawing of a custom lowrider
your own drawing of a custom lowrider
your own drawing of a custom lowrider with a bikini clad woman on it it was a
with a bikini clad woman on it it was a
with a bikini clad woman on it it was a racket
racket
racket I was stocked in candy every week I was
I was stocked in candy every week I was
I was stocked in candy every week I was never without a cavity at my dental
never without a cavity at my dental
never without a cavity at my dental appointments even at ten years old I had
appointments even at ten years old I had
appointments even at ten years old I had a knack for making images but I also
a knack for making images but I also
a knack for making images but I also felt creatively stifled with my newfound
felt creatively stifled with my newfound
felt creatively stifled with my newfound role doling out made-to-order artworks
role doling out made-to-order artworks
role doling out made-to-order artworks what I really wanted to do was a full
what I really wanted to do was a full
what I really wanted to do was a full layout with my own comics and my own
layout with my own comics and my own
layout with my own comics and my own design I wanted to find my creative
design I wanted to find my creative
design I wanted to find my creative voice my name is Musa Wilkinson and I’m
voice my name is Musa Wilkinson and I’m
voice my name is Musa Wilkinson and I’m not a designer I’m not a social
not a designer I’m not a social
not a designer I’m not a social scientist and I’m not in corporate
scientist and I’m not in corporate
scientist and I’m not in corporate training I’m a professor of art and I’m
training I’m a professor of art and I’m
training I’m a professor of art and I’m a working professional artist now my job
a working professional artist now my job
a working professional artist now my job here today is to share with you about
here today is to share with you about
here today is to share with you about what I know about creativity from my own
what I know about creativity from my own
what I know about creativity from my own career as a working artist for 15 years
career as a working artist for 15 years
career as a working artist for 15 years throughout my own life
throughout my own life
throughout my own life my own experience in countless hours
my own experience in countless hours
my own experience in countless hours spent in the studio
spent in the studio
spent in the studio I’d like to convince you to build a
I’d like to convince you to build a
I’d like to convince you to build a richer more stimulating existence by
richer more stimulating existence by
richer more stimulating existence by nourishing your own creative impulse I
nourishing your own creative impulse I
nourishing your own creative impulse I don’t actually consider myself a fairly
don’t actually consider myself a fairly
don’t actually consider myself a fairly creative person it’s taken work and
creative person it’s taken work and
creative person it’s taken work and strategy but whatever your hobby your
strategy but whatever your hobby your
strategy but whatever your hobby your interests beer-brewing
interests beer-brewing
interests beer-brewing wood craft – knitting it’s through the
wood craft – knitting it’s through the
wood craft – knitting it’s through the act and perspective of a maker that I’m
act and perspective of a maker that I’m
act and perspective of a maker that I’m going to share nine clear steps with you
going to share nine clear steps with you
going to share nine clear steps with you in building and sustaining a more
in building and sustaining a more
in building and sustaining a more creative life devour everything
creative life devour everything
creative life devour everything broaden your interest space immerse
broaden your interest space immerse
broaden your interest space immerse yourself in them being passionate about
yourself in them being passionate about
yourself in them being passionate about something usually starts as an idle
something usually starts as an idle
something usually starts as an idle interest hone in then invest in your
interest hone in then invest in your
interest hone in then invest in your curiosities Amy Silman a living
curiosities Amy Silman a living
curiosities Amy Silman a living contemporary painter she says that art
contemporary painter she says that art
contemporary painter she says that art schools are some of the only places you
schools are some of the only places you
schools are some of the only places you can encourage students to indulge in
can encourage students to indulge in
can encourage students to indulge in their idiosyncratic Chrissa teas we’re
their idiosyncratic Chrissa teas we’re
their idiosyncratic Chrissa teas we’re taught that we must master singular
taught that we must master singular
taught that we must master singular interests we even singular eyes it when
interests we even singular eyes it when
interests we even singular eyes it when we always said young people what is your
we always said young people what is your
we always said young people what is your passion some of the most consistently
passion some of the most consistently
passion some of the most consistently creative people I know or Dilek
creative people I know or Dilek
creative people I know or Dilek and not masters there polymaths sewing
and not masters there polymaths sewing
and not masters there polymaths sewing crafting their own furniture making
crafting their own furniture making
crafting their own furniture making their own jewelry cutting their own hair
their own jewelry cutting their own hair
their own jewelry cutting their own hair getting to a variety of raging ranging
getting to a variety of raging ranging
getting to a variety of raging ranging interests find out everything that you
interests find out everything that you
interests find out everything that you can and humble yourself by asking every
can and humble yourself by asking every
can and humble yourself by asking every question that you can everyone in life
question that you can everyone in life
question that you can everyone in life you encounter has something valuable to
you encounter has something valuable to
you encounter has something valuable to teach you and if given the opportunity
teach you and if given the opportunity
teach you and if given the opportunity they will talk your ear off about their
they will talk your ear off about their
they will talk your ear off about their own interests all we have to do is
own interests all we have to do is
own interests all we have to do is listen I think that a lot of folks
listen I think that a lot of folks
listen I think that a lot of folks oftentimes believe that the only way to
oftentimes believe that the only way to
oftentimes believe that the only way to produce is through a rigorous craft I
produce is through a rigorous craft I
produce is through a rigorous craft I don’t think that this is true yes being
don’t think that this is true yes being
don’t think that this is true yes being a creator implies that there will be
a creator implies that there will be
a creator implies that there will be copious amounts of time creating however
copious amounts of time creating however
copious amounts of time creating however the artisan designers had evolved they
the artisan designers had evolved they
the artisan designers had evolved they step out of their Studios they step out
step out of their Studios they step out
step out of their Studios they step out of their workspaces they seek out
of their workspaces they seek out
of their workspaces they seek out intellectual spiritual and inspirational
intellectual spiritual and inspirational
intellectual spiritual and inspirational encounters they search and are curious
encounters they search and are curious
encounters they search and are curious about all the things that life has to
about all the things that life has to
about all the things that life has to offer they surround themselves with
offer they surround themselves with
offer they surround themselves with other creative people they take classes
other creative people they take classes
other creative people they take classes in Japanese and in pickling stop
in Japanese and in pickling stop
in Japanese and in pickling stop avoiding failure originality to me
avoiding failure originality to me
avoiding failure originality to me doesn’t actually exist the divine theory
doesn’t actually exist the divine theory
doesn’t actually exist the divine theory of genius is a myth talent is simply
of genius is a myth talent is simply
of genius is a myth talent is simply reinforced and cultivated giving the
reinforced and cultivated giving the
reinforced and cultivated giving the appearance of the effortless virtuosity
appearance of the effortless virtuosity
appearance of the effortless virtuosity is the product of practice the story I
is the product of practice the story I
is the product of practice the story I tell often is a Frank Lloyd Wright
tell often is a Frank Lloyd Wright
tell often is a Frank Lloyd Wright designing his masterpiece Fallingwater
designing his masterpiece Fallingwater
designing his masterpiece Fallingwater the house straddles a waterfall in
the house straddles a waterfall in
the house straddles a waterfall in southwest Pennsylvania it was designed
southwest Pennsylvania it was designed
southwest Pennsylvania it was designed for a guy named Edgar Kaufmann and his
for a guy named Edgar Kaufmann and his
for a guy named Edgar Kaufmann and his family as reported by Wright’s
family as reported by Wright’s
family as reported by Wright’s apprentices Kaufmann senior was in
apprentices Kaufmann senior was in
apprentices Kaufmann senior was in Milwaukee about nine months after their
Milwaukee about nine months after their
Milwaukee about nine months after their initial meeting he called right up early
initial meeting he called right up early
initial meeting he called right up early one Sunday morning and said I’m gonna
one Sunday morning and said I’m gonna
one Sunday morning and said I’m gonna visit you before lunch I’m really
visit you before lunch I’m really
visit you before lunch I’m really excited to see what you’ve got
excited to see what you’ve got
excited to see what you’ve got planned out for me Wright had told
planned out for me Wright had told
planned out for me Wright had told Kaufmann in an earlier communication
Kaufmann in an earlier communication
Kaufmann in an earlier communication that he’d been working on plants but he
that he’d been working on plants but he
that he’d been working on plants but he actually hadn’t drawn anything at all
actually hadn’t drawn anything at all
actually hadn’t drawn anything at all after breakfast that morning amid very
after breakfast that morning amid very
after breakfast that morning amid very nervous apprentices Wright calmly drew
nervous apprentices Wright calmly drew
nervous apprentices Wright calmly drew the plans in the two hours that it took
the plans in the two hours that it took
the plans in the two hours that it took Kaufman had drive to his office now I
Kaufman had drive to his office now I
Kaufman had drive to his office now I tell this story because it illustrates
tell this story because it illustrates
tell this story because it illustrates something that we hold ourselves up to a
something that we hold ourselves up to a
something that we hold ourselves up to a standard is virtually unattainable
standard is virtually unattainable
standard is virtually unattainable genius we expect that we should be great
genius we expect that we should be great
genius we expect that we should be great masterful at our projects without rigor
masterful at our projects without rigor
masterful at our projects without rigor the story doesn’t reveal the 67 years of
the story doesn’t reveal the 67 years of
the story doesn’t reveal the 67 years of preparation that he did before that 2
preparation that he did before that 2
preparation that he did before that 2 hours every morning conversation every
hours every morning conversation every
hours every morning conversation every book every experience and every drawing
book every experience and every drawing
book every experience and every drawing that he tossed aside if we let go of
that he tossed aside if we let go of
that he tossed aside if we let go of certainty an expression and growth stems
certainty an expression and growth stems
certainty an expression and growth stems from that unfamiliarity unfamiliarity
from that unfamiliarity unfamiliarity
from that unfamiliarity unfamiliarity make time in space in the 15 years I’ve
make time in space in the 15 years I’ve
make time in space in the 15 years I’ve been a working artist I’ve made my
been a working artist I’ve made my
been a working artist I’ve made my studio out of a garage a bedroom a
studio out of a garage a bedroom a
studio out of a garage a bedroom a kitchen table an old car factory a 5,000
kitchen table an old car factory a 5,000
kitchen table an old car factory a 5,000 square foot storefront I’ve worked over
square foot storefront I’ve worked over
square foot storefront I’ve worked over a manhole cover in a basement to my
a manhole cover in a basement to my
a manhole cover in a basement to my current work working space an old
current work working space an old
current work working space an old Catholic orphanage set up a defined
Catholic orphanage set up a defined
Catholic orphanage set up a defined space for your practice and carve out
space for your practice and carve out
space for your practice and carve out and marry a determined timeslot stick to
and marry a determined timeslot stick to
and marry a determined timeslot stick to it think of this space as holy not a
it think of this space as holy not a
it think of this space as holy not a room to store games and collect mail
room to store games and collect mail
room to store games and collect mail simplify this place and make it serve
simplify this place and make it serve
simplify this place and make it serve one function think about the kinds of
one function think about the kinds of
one function think about the kinds of spaces you’ve been most productive and
spaces you’ve been most productive and
spaces you’ve been most productive and in the past and try to reflect that keep
in the past and try to reflect that keep
in the past and try to reflect that keep negative influences out think of it as a
negative influences out think of it as a
negative influences out think of it as a laboratory a place for inquiry a place
laboratory a place for inquiry a place
laboratory a place for inquiry a place for experimentation consider tending to
for experimentation consider tending to
for experimentation consider tending to the needs of a space in order to scout
the needs of a space in order to scout
the needs of a space in order to scout your day many artists I know clean and
your day many artists I know clean and
your day many artists I know clean and organized allow for boredom during this
organized allow for boredom during this
organized allow for boredom during this time and unplug from technology there’s
time and unplug from technology there’s
time and unplug from technology there’s even an app that allows users to ignore
even an app that allows users to ignore
even an app that allows users to ignore every technological invent every
every technological invent every
every technological invent every technological distraction there’s an
technological distraction there’s an
technological distraction there’s an exercise that I’ve started to implement
exercise that I’ve started to implement
exercise that I’ve started to implement my classes where I ask students to draw
my classes where I ask students to draw
my classes where I ask students to draw a contour of a shoe without ever looking
a contour of a shoe without ever looking
a contour of a shoe without ever looking at their drawing and at a snail’s pace
at their drawing and at a snail’s pace
at their drawing and at a snail’s pace you wouldn’t believe how difficult it is
you wouldn’t believe how difficult it is
you wouldn’t believe how difficult it is for them they always cheat they always
for them they always cheat they always
for them they always cheat they always look so I asked him to roam the halls
look so I asked him to roam the halls
look so I asked him to roam the halls for about 10 minutes paying close
for about 10 minutes paying close
for about 10 minutes paying close attention only the sound that their feet
attention only the sound that their feet
attention only the sound that their feet make after their return they focus much
make after their return they focus much
make after their return they focus much more on the process than the product
more on the process than the product
more on the process than the product rituals and creative spaces allow for an
rituals and creative spaces allow for an
rituals and creative spaces allow for an in-depth investigation of how the work
in-depth investigation of how the work
in-depth investigation of how the work came to be and toss us any conceptions
came to be and toss us any conceptions
came to be and toss us any conceptions that it came easily out the window
that it came easily out the window
that it came easily out the window designated spaces will allow you to fix
designated spaces will allow you to fix
designated spaces will allow you to fix a working process another way of looking
a working process another way of looking
a working process another way of looking at a process is simply as a ritual
at a process is simply as a ritual
at a process is simply as a ritual when you become our mindful of the
when you become our mindful of the
when you become our mindful of the rituals in your life making coffee
rituals in your life making coffee
rituals in your life making coffee waiting your garden typing an email
waiting your garden typing an email
waiting your garden typing an email you’ll fall in love with the creative
you’ll fall in love with the creative
you’ll fall in love with the creative ritual and work these rituals and work
ritual and work these rituals and work
ritual and work these rituals and work then become habit be vulnerable divorce
then become habit be vulnerable divorce
then become habit be vulnerable divorce yourself from ego and allow yourself
yourself from ego and allow yourself
yourself from ego and allow yourself uncomfortable conversations critique is
uncomfortable conversations critique is
uncomfortable conversations critique is simply a negotiation of possibilities
simply a negotiation of possibilities
simply a negotiation of possibilities Renea Brown says that being vulnerable
Renea Brown says that being vulnerable
Renea Brown says that being vulnerable is an act of courage often the real meat
is an act of courage often the real meat
is an act of courage often the real meat of a conversation happens when you
of a conversation happens when you
of a conversation happens when you aren’t tied up at being cool if you
aren’t tied up at being cool if you
aren’t tied up at being cool if you allow for a malleable and flexible
allow for a malleable and flexible
allow for a malleable and flexible interpretation of yourself you can only
interpretation of yourself you can only
interpretation of yourself you can only grow listening is key creating something
grow listening is key creating something
grow listening is key creating something is intrinsically uncomfortable it
is intrinsically uncomfortable it
is intrinsically uncomfortable it exposes your deepest insecurities and
exposes your deepest insecurities and
exposes your deepest insecurities and that what you do will oftentimes never
that what you do will oftentimes never
that what you do will oftentimes never live up to your ideal standards Ira
live up to your ideal standards Ira
live up to your ideal standards Ira Glass makes a great point in saying that
Glass makes a great point in saying that
Glass makes a great point in saying that most young artists stop making work
most young artists stop making work
most young artists stop making work because their skill sets don’t catch up
because their skill sets don’t catch up
because their skill sets don’t catch up to their tastes until much later
to their tastes until much later
to their tastes until much later vulnerability is also tied neatly into
vulnerability is also tied neatly into
vulnerability is also tied neatly into the act of experimentation another
the act of experimentation another
the act of experimentation another exercise I often have my students use
exercise I often have my students use
exercise I often have my students use when they’re stuck I ask that they come
when they’re stuck I ask that they come
when they’re stuck I ask that they come up with a hundred solutions to one
up with a hundred solutions to one
up with a hundred solutions to one problem the first ten are always very
problem the first ten are always very
problem the first ten are always very conventional the last ninety always
conventional the last ninety always
conventional the last ninety always pushed their boundaries this exhaustive
pushed their boundaries this exhaustive
pushed their boundaries this exhaustive process although very difficult yields
process although very difficult yields
process although very difficult yields results whenever a new opportunity
results whenever a new opportunity
results whenever a new opportunity arises in my own career it might help me
arises in my own career it might help me
arises in my own career it might help me realize my own work in a brand new way I
realize my own work in a brand new way I
realize my own work in a brand new way I try to take it I haven’t regretted it
try to take it I haven’t regretted it
try to take it I haven’t regretted it since each time however I have doubts
since each time however I have doubts
since each time however I have doubts and I’m petrified just like anybody else
and I’m petrified just like anybody else
and I’m petrified just like anybody else see Community Art is intrinsically
see Community Art is intrinsically
see Community Art is intrinsically social it is based wholly on connection
social it is based wholly on connection
social it is based wholly on connection any artists will tell you that
any artists will tell you that
any artists will tell you that creativity does not exist in a vacuum
creativity does not exist in a vacuum
creativity does not exist in a vacuum in fact psychologists widely agree that
in fact psychologists widely agree that
in fact psychologists widely agree that in isolation we wither on the vine I
in isolation we wither on the vine I
in isolation we wither on the vine I think of the act of making as twofold
think of the act of making as twofold
think of the act of making as twofold intrinsically political and existing as
intrinsically political and existing as
intrinsically political and existing as a conversation without an audience
a conversation without an audience
a conversation without an audience art does not exist there’s a saying in
art does not exist there’s a saying in
art does not exist there’s a saying in the art world that something is only
the art world that something is only
the art world that something is only worth what someone is willing to pay for
worth what someone is willing to pay for
worth what someone is willing to pay for it
it
it I feel that art can only be worth the
I feel that art can only be worth the
I feel that art can only be worth the distance traveled to each person it
distance traveled to each person it
distance traveled to each person it travels so it’s important to cast a
travels so it’s important to cast a
travels so it’s important to cast a broad net for me every community is
broad net for me every community is
broad net for me every community is valuable when I felt isolated I’ve
valuable when I felt isolated I’ve
valuable when I felt isolated I’ve started websites to promote the work of
started websites to promote the work of
started websites to promote the work of other artists when I felt creatively
other artists when I felt creatively
other artists when I felt creatively blocked I’ve started collaborative
blocked I’ve started collaborative
blocked I’ve started collaborative drawing exchanges when I felt like no
drawing exchanges when I felt like no
drawing exchanges when I felt like no one cared about my work I opened up my
one cared about my work I opened up my
one cared about my work I opened up my studio and had a party when I feel the
studio and had a party when I feel the
studio and had a party when I feel the need to support the arts I go to a
need to support the arts I go to a
need to support the arts I go to a concert a poetry reading a play no
concert a poetry reading a play no
concert a poetry reading a play no community is too small and I think a
community is too small and I think a
community is too small and I think a book club can change your life throw a
book club can change your life throw a
book club can change your life throw a wrench in it even in the visual arts we
wrench in it even in the visual arts we
wrench in it even in the visual arts we call what we do research we find a
call what we do research we find a
call what we do research we find a problem to be solved we investigate it
problem to be solved we investigate it
problem to be solved we investigate it through visual means and then we share
through visual means and then we share
through visual means and then we share those findings with the public however
those findings with the public however
those findings with the public however every creative process no matter how
every creative process no matter how
every creative process no matter how facile it becomes can grow stale we all
facile it becomes can grow stale we all
facile it becomes can grow stale we all know these as blocks some artists seek
know these as blocks some artists seek
know these as blocks some artists seek to push past these stale phases with
to push past these stale phases with
to push past these stale phases with just labor but the problem there is that
just labor but the problem there is that
just labor but the problem there is that the work never really evolves or changes
the work never really evolves or changes
the work never really evolves or changes when life throws you a curveball or the
when life throws you a curveball or the
when life throws you a curveball or the work just gets boring it’s up to you to
work just gets boring it’s up to you to
work just gets boring it’s up to you to add dimension by corrupting your process
add dimension by corrupting your process
add dimension by corrupting your process in my career I try to do three things
in my career I try to do three things
in my career I try to do three things with each new body of work I try to make
with each new body of work I try to make
with each new body of work I try to make each piece better than the last I try to
each piece better than the last I try to
each piece better than the last I try to synthesize my interest to keep it
synthesize my interest to keep it
synthesize my interest to keep it interesting and I corrupt my process
interesting and I corrupt my process
interesting and I corrupt my process ever so slightly from the body of work
ever so slightly from the body of work
ever so slightly from the body of work that I did prior this renews interests
that I did prior this renews interests
that I did prior this renews interests for me and provides me a new limitation
for me and provides me a new limitation
for me and provides me a new limitation to confront after climbing to great
to confront after climbing to great
to confront after climbing to great heights in the art world with his photo
heights in the art world with his photo
heights in the art world with his photo realist airbrush portraits Chuck Close
realist airbrush portraits Chuck Close
realist airbrush portraits Chuck Close was struck down with a spinal occlusion
was struck down with a spinal occlusion
was struck down with a spinal occlusion catastrophic Lee he found himself a
catastrophic Lee he found himself a
catastrophic Lee he found himself a quadriplegic and unable to hold a
quadriplegic and unable to hold a
quadriplegic and unable to hold a paintbrush
paintbrush
paintbrush after years of intense rehabilitation
after years of intense rehabilitation
after years of intense rehabilitation outfitting his house in life to
outfitting his house in life to
outfitting his house in life to accommodate a wheelchair redesigning a
accommodate a wheelchair redesigning a
accommodate a wheelchair redesigning a hydraulic system move his paintings up
hydraulic system move his paintings up
hydraulic system move his paintings up down and all the way around on his
down and all the way around on his
down and all the way around on his studio wall he began his painting
studio wall he began his painting
studio wall he began his painting process again with occupational therapy
process again with occupational therapy
process again with occupational therapy he devised a way to strap a paint
he devised a way to strap a paint
he devised a way to strap a paint to his arm and using limited circular
to his arm and using limited circular
to his arm and using limited circular movements he could put pain to canvas
movements he could put pain to canvas
movements he could put pain to canvas again he no longer had the dexterity to
again he no longer had the dexterity to
again he no longer had the dexterity to airbrush and so he refashioned his tight
airbrush and so he refashioned his tight
airbrush and so he refashioned his tight photorealist style into a blocky square
photorealist style into a blocky square
photorealist style into a blocky square by square approach creating paintings
by square approach creating paintings
by square approach creating paintings the toy with abstraction color theory
the toy with abstraction color theory
the toy with abstraction color theory other than being a story about one
other than being a story about one
other than being a story about one artist resiliency and perseverance
artist resiliency and perseverance
artist resiliency and perseverance it’s also a story about life creating a
it’s also a story about life creating a
it’s also a story about life creating a roadblock
roadblock
roadblock although afflicted with new challenges
although afflicted with new challenges
although afflicted with new challenges his limitation forced him to renegotiate
his limitation forced him to renegotiate
his limitation forced him to renegotiate the rules that he set up for himself
the rules that he set up for himself
the rules that he set up for himself he’s still a committed painter widely
he’s still a committed painter widely
he’s still a committed painter widely collected and respected to this day burl
collected and respected to this day burl
collected and respected to this day burl one of my mentors drilled into me the
one of my mentors drilled into me the
one of my mentors drilled into me the importance of the pursuit of honesty it
importance of the pursuit of honesty it
importance of the pursuit of honesty it took me a long time to trust that my
took me a long time to trust that my
took me a long time to trust that my version of honesty would be informed by
version of honesty would be informed by
version of honesty would be informed by everything that I engaged with that my
everything that I engaged with that my
everything that I engaged with that my authenticity would be unique but also an
authenticity would be unique but also an
authenticity would be unique but also an amalgamation I realized that artists act
amalgamation I realized that artists act
amalgamation I realized that artists act as filters distilling richness from
as filters distilling richness from
as filters distilling richness from their own experiences I feel most
their own experiences I feel most
their own experiences I feel most creative when I’m saturated with the
creative when I’m saturated with the
creative when I’m saturated with the images of other artists I ask that my
images of other artists I ask that my
images of other artists I ask that my students create image banks full of
students create image banks full of
students create image banks full of their influences in and outside of art
their influences in and outside of art
their influences in and outside of art from filmmaking to Hair Braiding
from filmmaking to Hair Braiding
from filmmaking to Hair Braiding favorite media outlets to pets
favorite media outlets to pets
favorite media outlets to pets I asked what they surround themselves
I asked what they surround themselves
I asked what they surround themselves with in their homes I asked them to
with in their homes I asked them to
with in their homes I asked them to critically analyze what type of music
critically analyze what type of music
critically analyze what type of music they listen to this exercise forces them
they listen to this exercise forces them
they listen to this exercise forces them to condense their voice from their
to condense their voice from their
to condense their voice from their simple pleasures we talked a lot about
simple pleasures we talked a lot about
simple pleasures we talked a lot about voice in my field this can be anything
voice in my field this can be anything
voice in my field this can be anything from a unique aesthetic to a technique
from a unique aesthetic to a technique
from a unique aesthetic to a technique or a conceptual concentration but people
or a conceptual concentration but people
or a conceptual concentration but people fail to realize is that it generally
fail to realize is that it generally
fail to realize is that it generally comes from stealing more often than not
comes from stealing more often than not
comes from stealing more often than not the joke about Picasso was as if you
the joke about Picasso was as if you
the joke about Picasso was as if you were doing anything interesting in the
were doing anything interesting in the
were doing anything interesting in the studio don’t invite him over because
studio don’t invite him over because
studio don’t invite him over because it’s going to take it and make it even
it’s going to take it and make it even
it’s going to take it and make it even better Georges Braque figured that out
better Georges Braque figured that out
better Georges Braque figured that out the hard way when Picasso started using
the hard way when Picasso started using
the hard way when Picasso started using his color palette and created fractured
his color palette and created fractured
his color palette and created fractured compositions of still lifes in collage I
compositions of still lifes in collage I
compositions of still lifes in collage I find that my young artists find an
find that my young artists find an
find that my young artists find an authentic voice when they adopt the
authentic voice when they adopt the
authentic voice when they adopt the voices of another
voices of another
voices of another taking on a style or working process
taking on a style or working process
taking on a style or working process Stephen Colbert when interviewed about
Stephen Colbert when interviewed about
Stephen Colbert when interviewed about his character role on the Colbert show
his character role on the Colbert show
his character role on the Colbert show said that he felt much more truthful
said that he felt much more truthful
said that he felt much more truthful speaking as a satirical character than
speaking as a satirical character than
speaking as a satirical character than in his own voice ideation is everything
in his own voice ideation is everything
in his own voice ideation is everything try to tackle problems with no solutions
try to tackle problems with no solutions
try to tackle problems with no solutions like can I design a correct contraption
like can I design a correct contraption
like can I design a correct contraption to let my dog fly creativity and
to let my dog fly creativity and
to let my dog fly creativity and innovation are not the same things
innovation are not the same things
innovation are not the same things innovation involves surprise and a need
innovation involves surprise and a need
innovation involves surprise and a need from your audience and creativity is
from your audience and creativity is
from your audience and creativity is oftentimes centered around novelty in
oftentimes centered around novelty in
oftentimes centered around novelty in psychology there’s a practice that
psychology there’s a practice that
psychology there’s a practice that involves framing then reframing if we
involves framing then reframing if we
involves framing then reframing if we look at problems through one perspective
look at problems through one perspective
look at problems through one perspective nothing will evolve if you change the
nothing will evolve if you change the
nothing will evolve if you change the question to become much more open you’ll
question to become much more open you’ll
question to become much more open you’ll refresh your perspective what to colors
refresh your perspective what to colors
refresh your perspective what to colors make green well blue and yellow but
make green well blue and yellow but
make green well blue and yellow but reframing the question to have an
reframing the question to have an
reframing the question to have an infinite number of possibilities will
infinite number of possibilities will
infinite number of possibilities will allow for a less rigid investigation of
allow for a less rigid investigation of
allow for a less rigid investigation of the problem for example how many
the problem for example how many
the problem for example how many different ways can I make a color appear
different ways can I make a color appear
different ways can I make a color appear green well a painter will tell you if
green well a painter will tell you if
green well a painter will tell you if you if you use Mars black and lemon
you if you use Mars black and lemon
you if you use Mars black and lemon yellow you can make a beautiful green or
yellow you can make a beautiful green or
yellow you can make a beautiful green or you can place a colorless a chromatic
you can place a colorless a chromatic
you can place a colorless a chromatic gray against a green you’ll perceive
gray against a green you’ll perceive
gray against a green you’ll perceive that gray as green ideation is just a
that gray as green ideation is just a
that gray as green ideation is just a fancy term for brainstorming most
fancy term for brainstorming most
fancy term for brainstorming most artists carry sketchbooks
artists carry sketchbooks
artists carry sketchbooks but we don’t always draw on them they
but we don’t always draw on them they
but we don’t always draw on them they can serve as idea collections for
can serve as idea collections for
can serve as idea collections for everything from names of artists poems
everything from names of artists poems
everything from names of artists poems inspirational quotes great podcasts to
inspirational quotes great podcasts to
inspirational quotes great podcasts to your grocery lists I often don’t draw in
your grocery lists I often don’t draw in
your grocery lists I often don’t draw in when I brainstorm but instead I create
when I brainstorm but instead I create
when I brainstorm but instead I create an idea tree that branches out to my
an idea tree that branches out to my
an idea tree that branches out to my influences art history and all of the
influences art history and all of the
influences art history and all of the associated implications I make a link to
associated implications I make a link to
associated implications I make a link to all the things that I find relevant in
all the things that I find relevant in
all the things that I find relevant in my life from passing interests to lists
my life from passing interests to lists
my life from passing interests to lists of subjects I write artist statements
of subjects I write artist statements
of subjects I write artist statements about what do I want to accomplish in my
about what do I want to accomplish in my
about what do I want to accomplish in my work personally I delight my indulgences
work personally I delight my indulgences
work personally I delight my indulgences and I don’t really believe in guilty
and I don’t really believe in guilty
and I don’t really believe in guilty pleasures but I do analyze everything
pleasures but I do analyze everything
pleasures but I do analyze everything even the terrible films that I watch
even the terrible films that I watch
even the terrible films that I watch there’s a phrase commonly used today
there’s a phrase commonly used today
there’s a phrase commonly used today called overthinking I am mistrustful of
called overthinking I am mistrustful of
called overthinking I am mistrustful of this word it implies that strong
this word it implies that strong
this word it implies that strong consideration is somehow
consideration is somehow
consideration is somehow harmful I find that in my studio there
harmful I find that in my studio there
harmful I find that in my studio there needs to be a balance between allowing
needs to be a balance between allowing
needs to be a balance between allowing oneself to search deeply but retaining
oneself to search deeply but retaining
oneself to search deeply but retaining the flexibility to call Rome a road
the flexibility to call Rome a road
the flexibility to call Rome a road block serendipitous making is about
block serendipitous making is about
block serendipitous making is about pleasure it can seem decadent but it’s
pleasure it can seem decadent but it’s
pleasure it can seem decadent but it’s also about work in closing I encourage
also about work in closing I encourage
also about work in closing I encourage you to share my fourth-grade self can
you to share my fourth-grade self can
you to share my fourth-grade self can tell you that the Hustle is real and
tell you that the Hustle is real and
tell you that the Hustle is real and oftentimes it Sun fulfilling but I think
oftentimes it Sun fulfilling but I think
oftentimes it Sun fulfilling but I think that is a maker there’s a responsibility
that is a maker there’s a responsibility
that is a maker there’s a responsibility to put it out there I think that it’s
to put it out there I think that it’s
to put it out there I think that it’s sinful to take creative actions and not
sinful to take creative actions and not
sinful to take creative actions and not allow others insight into our shared
allow others insight into our shared
allow others insight into our shared experiences I wouldn’t have a career if
experiences I wouldn’t have a career if
experiences I wouldn’t have a career if I didn’t have deadlines for me
I didn’t have deadlines for me
I didn’t have deadlines for me accountability is a strong motivation
accountability is a strong motivation
accountability is a strong motivation when you’ll have to confront the
when you’ll have to confront the
when you’ll have to confront the embarrassment of not fulfilling an
embarrassment of not fulfilling an
embarrassment of not fulfilling an obligation the end game and becoming
obligation the end game and becoming
obligation the end game and becoming more creative is twofold
more creative is twofold
more creative is twofold creating connective experiences and
creating connective experiences and
creating connective experiences and leading you to a purpose that is beyond
leading you to a purpose that is beyond
leading you to a purpose that is beyond the banality of the everyday a creative
the banality of the everyday a creative
the banality of the everyday a creative practice rinses away the monotony the
practice rinses away the monotony the
practice rinses away the monotony the monotony of boredom and adds richness to
monotony of boredom and adds richness to
monotony of boredom and adds richness to everything that you do when people make
everything that you do when people make
everything that you do when people make disparaging remarks about the purpose of
disparaging remarks about the purpose of
disparaging remarks about the purpose of the arts I like to remind them the art
the arts I like to remind them the art
the arts I like to remind them the art doesn’t save lives it simply teaches us
doesn’t save lives it simply teaches us
doesn’t save lives it simply teaches us how to live it thank you
”
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