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Below is a fabulous TED Talk on the theory of flow, which is the ideal state of mind induced when one’s skill level is matched by a high level of challenge, usually during creative endeavors. Csikszentmihalyi provides a near-perfect explanation of the feelings I experience when painting.

As many of you know by now, I am a big fan of Sophie Blackall‘s work and have made several posts featuring her Missed Connections. I’m excited to share that she has recently created a new blog called Drawn From My Father’s Adventures. Here is Blackall’s description…

I have always loved my father’s stories, the grim ones from boarding school during the war, the exciting ones from being the son of a spy, the exotic and bizarre and beautiful ones from traveling to unpronounceable places long before there were guide books. I have always seen these stories as pictures and I thought it was high time I coaxed them in writing from the source and drew them.

CLICK HERE to read the accompanying story of the above illustration…

I’m taking down my work from JP’s Java this Thursday, which means tomorrow is your last day to see it! If you find yourself needing a pick-me-up, swing on over to JP’s to get your caffeine and creativity fix!

I recently came across this artist while scouring the internet during what a friend helped me to identity today as “productive procrastination,” which I have been doing a lot of lately. I love Joel Henriques‘ simple subject matter and bold use of color.  Of course, I especially enjoy this painting as it reminds me of my time spent in Amsterdam, The Netherlands and the bike culture that flourishes there. Anyways, I hope you enjoy my musings as much as I do, because they account for a large percentage of my “productive procrastination.” I guess I should get back to writing my thesis Until next time!

There Goes The Neighborhood

I just came across a painter named Bruce McCall who gave a great artist talk on TED. The painting above is based on the story of the old woman who lived in a shoe…though the title is necessary in understanding his subtle humor, I find it pretty hilarious. I love his ideas of faux nostalgia and the way he implements them – he has also illustrated many covers for The New Yorker. Be sure to watch this one!

http://video.ted.com/assets/player/swf/EmbedPlayer.swf

There Goes The Neighborhood

I just came across a painter named Bruce McCall who gave a great artist talk on TED. The painting above is based on the story of the old woman who lived in a shoe…though the title is necessary in understanding his subtle humor, I find it pretty hilarious. I love his ideas of faux nostalgia and the way he implements them – he has also illustrated many covers for The New Yorker. Be sure to watch this one!

Hi everyone! I haven’t been blogging this past week because I’ve been in Seattle for the National Art Education Association’s 2011 Conference. I stayed with a bunch of my girlfriends from the UT graduate art education program for a week in downtown Seattle. I had quite a blast…got to do some shopping and playing, attended the museum pre-conference at the Seattle Art Museum, saw some AMAZING speakers including Dr. Rex Jung on Creativity and the Brain, gave a presentation with my friend Danielle, ate lots of yummy food, got rained on, and enjoyed many happy hours. I was not too sad to miss SXSW, though I wish I could have been there for UP Collective’s weeklong events. I did make the opening, however, where I showed off my latest painting, inspired by my childhood collection of cassette tapes.

Realize that you have nothing more to learn. This will destroy all danger of success.

Sneer at those who are more successful than yourself.

Tell yourself that it is now too late, and that you really did not have the proper equipment; and it will be especially helpful to keep saying that people are against you.

Never learn from experience. Keep on doing the same fool things time after time.

Never wait to hear the other side of the story. Knowing both sides will only unsettle the mind.

Use your wit destructively. Be smart at the expense of absent people.

Stand on your dignity. Never forget that you have a position to keep up.

Try to get everything cheap. Study and practice to become the perfect “chiseler.” This will build an invincible poverty complex.

…the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness (Proverbs 12:23).

From Around the Year With Emmet Fox: A book of Daily Readings