Skip to main content

Fab Reading


I am reading Austin Kleon's really super book, Show Your Work. I was hesitant at first because the "get discovered" part of this tag line made me feel like a blend between a narcissistic punk and a used-car sales person. Turns out my gut wasn't on the mark; Kleon writes about creating our own connected group (I hesitate to say network because it has negative and over identified connotations) for the purpose of both self-promotion and "others-promotion". When we promote or celebrate or honour other people's work, we are creating an open environment for others to inquire about what we create too. The more we share, the more we learn. The more we authentically share, the more we magnetized like minded people to us. As a result we have helped to populate our world with more happy, supportive, connected, creative people -- like you & me.

So if you're as unsure as I am of how or where your place in the world is, give Show Your Work a read. If nothing else, you'll feel good and learn something.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

A Picture-perfect Idea

When I last spoke of the Anonymous Art Show that I participated in back in Nov. 2011, I neglected to note a detail that really stood out for me. On the main wall near the entrance, the organizers hung a large canvas wrapped with all the names of the contributing artists. I was proud as punch to see my name included in print among the over 400 other talented souls who participated in the annual event. It's a small thing, one's name typeset amongst so many others, but it spoke in a large way to me. It said that my work is valuable to this organization; it's appreciated, acknowledged, and recognized. And that feels great. So if you find yourself in need of a creative way to express thanks to your contributors at an event, this may just be the final touch you need.
Post a Comment
Read more

Starbucks saved my marriage

In early February I was still greatly enamoured with my Christmas "urchin" necklace ( see Jan 20th posting). I put it on daily feeling extra warm and fuzzy with the knowledge that my guy had showered me with such a special gift of love. And then I lost it. I mean I physically lost my necklace. One morning, apparently the clasp wasn't fully closed, the chain released and the necklace slipped off of my neck. I was beside myself with sickness; and my better-half was using all of his energy to restrain anger-based comments from exiting his mouth. Pulling my emotions together, I retraced my steps multiple times, posted LOST signs around the neighbourhood and sent out a lot of gratitude vibes hoping a Kind Soul would return it to me.  One very long day later we received a call from a Kind Soul. A fellow Starbucks regular found my necklace on the floor near the coffee bar! English isn't his first language so he didn't know how to go about finding the necklace...
Post a Comment
Read more

My latest favs

From Canada to the States, print is alive & well. Currently I'm crazy about these two mags. Uppercase  is published from Calgary. Yes, I too was surprised that Cowtown could be so design-stylish & typographically sensitive. But that shows how ignorant/prejudice I can be. The mag features designers and artists from across the globe. Additionally interviews include folks that run their own business in a creative manner, such as the British family whose business is to refurbish retro trailers and caravans and rents them out for personal & business use. The mag is delightfully detailed with illustrations and graphics that support each story. The stock is hefty and over-all a joy to soak up. Where Women Create is fully American. But don't let that leave you feeling excluded. The stories are warm, inspiring, & drenched with rich, detailed photography. Each page I turn leaves me enthralled. I envision myself in each studio (and secretly, being featured i...
Post a Comment
Read more