In his episode of Abstract: The Art of Design, Illustrator Christoph Niemann has this to say about showing up for work: “You have to practice and become better. Every athlete, every musician practices every day. Why should it be different for artists?” His Sunday Sketches are a perfect example.
Category Archives: art
why I quit
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: I’m not great at letting things go. Despite this fact, yesterday I decided to call it quits on a novel I’ve been tinkering with for close to eight years. There were many reasons to do so. The project was an attempt at self-preservation. It was anContinue reading “why I quit”
doors to nowhere
I read recently that when interviewed about his classic painting, Nighthawks, Edward Hopper was asked about the lack of visible exit. “Dammit,” he responded. “I did it again…” I have no way of knowing if this is true, as I’ve been unable to corroborate the story. Regardless, I love the way this illustrates how muchContinue reading “doors to nowhere”
late night seeing
I couldn’t sleep last night, so I poured a drink, put on a record, and opened my notebook. This happens every so often–I sit straight up in bed and feel compelled to make art. A few years back, I’d make collages or write poems. Stranded in the Midwest though, drawing has become the go-to form.Continue reading “late night seeing”
hustlin’
Austin Kleon on the hustle: “I made poetry at night not because it was a side hustle, but because it was keeping me alive, ya know? It was keeping me from hating my life.” This video is a fun companion piece to John Cragie’s “Hustlin‘” off his new record, Asterisk The Universe. The point though?Continue reading “hustlin’”
where we come from
In her episode of Abstract: The Art of Design, Es Devlin makes the claim that, “the systems and influences of one’s childhood are inescapable.” While peering down on a model of her hometown, she says, “My work is as much a reaction against this as it is continuing to perpetuate the influence of this.” ThisContinue reading “where we come from”
nothing personal
I’ve been writing a lot recently. It’s going better than usual and here’s why: I’m not being precious. I don’t throw a parade when I’m happy with the work and I don’t fall on my sword when I’m not. I show up each morning and tell a story–sometimes it’s good and sometimes it isn’t. MyContinue reading “nothing personal”
the shape of things
I spent a while at the art museum the other day, studying Saul Steinberg’s Mural of Cincinnati. While trying to recreate select bits and pieces in my notebook, I remembered a drawing teacher I met once who was fond of saying “Everything is made of simple shapes.” It’s easy to believe this, looking at Steinberg’sContinue reading “the shape of things”
drawing as seeing
I went to the museum yesterday. Instead of using my phone to photograph the things that struck me, I took out my notebook and tried to draw them. It allowed me to really focus on what I was seeing, to absorb every detail. Have an afternoon to kill? Go to the museum. Take a notebookContinue reading “drawing as seeing”
swimming upstream
I’m currently reading Alan Jacobs’ Breaking Bread with the Dead. It’s a tough read, but absolutely worthwhile. In one passage, he advocates for “reading upstream,” which is to say looking to those who influenced your influences: I took a couple of classes in medieval literature but I came to adore the anonymous masterpiece Sir GawainContinue reading “swimming upstream”
