Category: art
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bad days
Some days, I just feel bad. Even as it seems the world could be on the upswing, it’s often hard not to feel dread in the air. Making things helps.
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seven questions no one asked me
Once again taking a page from Austin Kleon’s book, I really enjoyed reading and responding to this New York Times article, in which 75 artists were asked about how they spent the last year. Here are my own responses (even though no one asked me): 1. What’s one thing you…
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the power of juxtaposition
In his famous interview with François Truffaut, Alfred Hitchcock details the power of placing two images beside one another: [Pudovkin] describes an experiment by his teacher, Kuleshov. You see a close up of the Russian actor Ivan Mosjoukine. This is immediately followed by a shot of a dead baby. Back…
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build yourself a playground
One of the things I set out to do in the last few years was make my living space a playground. Not so much in the literal sense, but more in the creative and artistic sense. A few years back, my roommate and I had a friend over. What started…
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commissioning a new notebook
I’ve carried a Moleskin notebook in my pocket with me everywhere I go for almost ten years now. It usually takes between six months and nine months to fill it with drawings, dialogue, bits of prose, and snippets of conversation. When it comes time to retire a notebook, I empty…
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Christoph Niemann on practice
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.
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
joshua chamberlain 