I've been away for awhile. Forgot my password and changed my email and was just too busy with another blog "Just Another Life".
But enough about me. Back to being creative.
I've been writing all kinds of stuff and even wrote a few songs, but have not put much media on paper. Can't seem to find the motivation.
And this week doesn't look much better. Hundred plus degrees makes working with ink and paint and paper a little difficult. Always wiping and waiting for it to dry.
Besides, working in impressive heat is only good if it is real messy. Lots of room to throw things around and not care. Heat draws you out while cold draws you in.
Still the ideas flow and a catch phrase or light movement burns it's way into the gray mass and will remain until the time is right.
and when the time it right, create.
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Stealing
A wise sage once told me, “There are only four really creative people in the world. They live in a bomb shelter out west. They create the original ideas and WE all steal from them.”
It may seem silly, but it is partially true.
Before you sign your name to a creative work, remember the influences that got you there.
Everything we see, hear, touch, we take into our minds and rearrange into a personal reference. A color, a sound, a phrase can stick in our minds eye, and if memorable enough, will be repeated sometime later in OUR own work.
There are only so many musical notes and so many words and so many colors, but how we arrange them, is our creative challenge.
So remember the eighth commandant and footnote your next creation.
It may seem silly, but it is partially true.
Before you sign your name to a creative work, remember the influences that got you there.
Everything we see, hear, touch, we take into our minds and rearrange into a personal reference. A color, a sound, a phrase can stick in our minds eye, and if memorable enough, will be repeated sometime later in OUR own work.
There are only so many musical notes and so many words and so many colors, but how we arrange them, is our creative challenge.
So remember the eighth commandant and footnote your next creation.
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Lost in being Creative
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Shannon (the secretary) has lost her cat and has asked David (the graphic designer) to help with a lost poster. This is their email correspondence...
Read from TOP to BOTTOM From: Shannon Date: Monday 21 June 2010 9.15am To: David Subject: Poster Hi I opened the screen door yesterday and my cat got out and has been missing since then so I was wondering if you are not too busy you could make a poster for me. It has to be A4 and I will photocopy it and put it around my suburb this afternoon. 
This is the only photo of her I have she answers to the name Missy and is black and white and about 8 months old. missing on Harper street and my phone number. Thanks Shan. From:David Date: Monday 21 June 2010 9.26am To: Shannon Subject: Re: Poster Dear Shannon, That is shocking news. Although I have two clients expecting completed work this afternoon, I will, of course, drop everything and do whatever it takes to facilitate the speedy return of Missy. Regards, David. From: Shannon Date: Monday 21 June 2010 9.37am To: David Subject: Re: Re: Poster yeah ok thanks. I know you dont like cats but I am really worried about mine. I have to leave at 1pm today. From: David Date: Monday 21 June 2010 10.17am To: Shannon Subject: Re: Re: Re: Poster Dear Shannon, I never said I don't like cats. Attached poster as requested. Regards, David. 
From: Shannon Date: Monday 21 June 2010 10.24am To: David Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Poster yeah thats not what I was looking for at all. it looks like a movie and how come the photo of Missy is so small? From: David Date: Monday 21 June 2010 10.28am To: Shannon Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Poster Dear Shannon, It's a design thing. The cat is lost in the negative space. Regards, David. From: Shannon Date: Monday 21 June 2010 10.33am To: David Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Poster Thats just stupid. Can you do it properly please? I am extremely emotional over this and was up all night in tears. you seem to think it is funny. Can you make the photo bigger please and fix the text and do it in colour please. Thanks. From: David Date: Monday 21 June 2010 10.46am To: Shannon Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Poster Dear Shannon, Having worked with designers for a few years now, I would have assumed you understood, despite our vague suggestions otherwise, we do not welcome constructive criticism. I don't come downstairs and tell you how to send text messages, log onto Facebook and look out of the window. I have amended and attached the poster as per your instructions. Regards, David. 
From: Shannon Date: Monday 21 June 2010 10.59am To: David Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Poster This is worse than the other one. can you make it so it shows the whole photo of Missy and delete the stupid text that says missing missy off it? I just want it to say Lost. From: David Date: Monday 21 June 2010 11.14am To: Shannon Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Poster 
From: Shannon Date: Monday 21 June 2010 11.21am To: David Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Poster yeah can you do the poster or not? I just want a photo and the word lost and the telephone number and when and where she was lost and her name. Not like a movie poster or anything stupid. I have to leave early today. If it was your cat I would help you. Thanks. From: David Date: Monday 21 June 2010 11.32am To: Shannon Subject: Awww Dear Shannon, I don't have a cat. I once agreed to look after a friend's cat for a week but after he dropped it off at my apartment and explained the concept of kitty litter. I have attached the amended version of your poster as per your detailed instructions. Regards, David. 
From: Shannon Date: Monday 21 June 2010 11.47am To: David Subject: Re: Awww Thats not my cat. where did you get that picture from? That cat is orange. I gave you a photo of my cat. From: David Date: Monday 21 June 2010 11.58am To: Shannon Subject: Re: Re: Awww I know, but that one is cute. As Missy has quite possibly met any one of several violent ends, it is possible you might get a better cat out of this. If anybody calls and says "I haven't seen your orange cat but I did find a black and white one with its hind legs run over by a car, do you want it?" you can politely dec lin e and save yourself a costly veterinarian bill. Regards, David. From: Shannon Date: Monday 21 June 2010 12.07pm To: David Subject: Re: Re: Re: Awww Please just use the photo I gave you. From: David Date: Monday 21 June 2010 12.22pm To: Shannon Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Awww 
From: Shannon Date: Monday 21 June 2010 12.34pm To: David Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Awww I didnt say there was a reward. I dont have $2000 dollars. What did you even put that there for? Apart from that it is perfect can you please remove the reward bit. Thanks Shan. From: David Date: Monday 21 June 2010 12.42pm To: Shannon Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Awww 
From: Shannon Date: Monday 21 June 2010 12.51pm To: David Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Awww Can you just please take the reward bit off altogether? I have to leave in ten minutes and I still have to make photocopies of it. From: David Date: Monday 21 June 2010 12.56pm To: Shannon Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Awww 
From: Shannon Date: Monday 21 June 2010 1.03pm To: David Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Awww Fine. That will have to do. |
Thursday, April 29, 2010
What is your slogan?
Every artist, writer, performer wants to be remembered. To sell their creative ability and make a living, the artist must have a hook. Something that makes them stand out from all the rest.
The same is with any product. A soft drink is a soft drink and a laundry detergent is a laundry, but with a slogan and branding, one stands out from the others.
Try Marketing 101.
Some artist are flamboyant and self prescribed exhibitionist. Some have works that are "so" different to create a fad or trend. Some are radical in their art approach, but that can offend and become a risky technique.
So create a slogan for yourself.
While the piece of art may have a name describing what the artist intended for the piece to say, and the show may have the artist name displayed; the public is bombarded with images and names and will soon forget.
A slogan will intensify the impression and even if the viewer forgets the name of the piece or work or artist; the slogan will become embedded with the experience.
If you don't think it will work, who is the "King of Pop"?
For a sculpture to have the slogan of the "Metal Maniac" or "Master of Steel" or "Power Potter" will bring new recognition to the art and the artist.
A craft creator may become the "Weaver to the Stars" or "Susan Sew What" or "Birds of a Feather".
Imaging going to a show to see the "Prince of Paint" or "The Soul Painter" or "The Brush-man of the lower East Side".
Side note: If you can get a sponsor (or patron to the Arts - as we like to call them) it will give new relevance to the show. "Sponsor's name" presents the work of "artist's name" - SLOGAN!
You will be remembered.
The same is with any product. A soft drink is a soft drink and a laundry detergent is a laundry, but with a slogan and branding, one stands out from the others.
Try Marketing 101.
Some artist are flamboyant and self prescribed exhibitionist. Some have works that are "so" different to create a fad or trend. Some are radical in their art approach, but that can offend and become a risky technique.
So create a slogan for yourself.
While the piece of art may have a name describing what the artist intended for the piece to say, and the show may have the artist name displayed; the public is bombarded with images and names and will soon forget.
A slogan will intensify the impression and even if the viewer forgets the name of the piece or work or artist; the slogan will become embedded with the experience.
If you don't think it will work, who is the "King of Pop"?
For a sculpture to have the slogan of the "Metal Maniac" or "Master of Steel" or "Power Potter" will bring new recognition to the art and the artist.
A craft creator may become the "Weaver to the Stars" or "Susan Sew What" or "Birds of a Feather".
Imaging going to a show to see the "Prince of Paint" or "The Soul Painter" or "The Brush-man of the lower East Side".
Side note: If you can get a sponsor (or patron to the Arts - as we like to call them) it will give new relevance to the show. "Sponsor's name" presents the work of "artist's name" - SLOGAN!
You will be remembered.
Monday, April 19, 2010
Observation
Being “creative” types, the pleasantries turned to idea brainstorming. Graphic visionaries, sound technicians, and crafters sharing different approaches to ideas freely presented to all.
As the laughter and conversation quicken, a writer observed a couple sitting at the next table. She quieted the crowd and brought the focus to a young man in khakis and a pressed shirt intently talking to a woman in a grey business suit. Both held their coffee cups tight in the center of the round wire table, close enough to touch each other, but nervously fidgeting their separation. The two faces leaned over the table as if to whisper to one another secrets only the other could hear. An older man approached the table. The woman looked up with a joyful look as if seeing an old friend, while the younger man acknowledged the figure with a plan almost disdained look. The older man stood over the couple for a few moments, then the woman gestured to him to join them at the table. As the older man sat close to the woman, the younger man looked at his watch.
Our group sat still bound in the event that had just unfolded in front of us.
Each saw a different occurrence. Some saw the texture of the woman’s clothing, some smelled the coffee, some noticed the mirrored shapes of the body language, and one thought out loud, “This is where it all begins.”
Observation.
People go on in their daily lives, aware of their surroundings, but without accepting the treasures presented to them.
An artist sees the details of life, which sparks the emotions and creates the desire to present each individual view.
And what happened to the trio at the next table? They could be family; they could be lovers, or fellow employees.
You’ll have to wait for the book to come out.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
How much do you want to prostitute yourself for your art?
A friend of mine is working on a manuscript to publish to a best selling novel, and I wonder.
How much is he willing to spend in time and effort to get his words read by the masses?
This is true of all artist who can create their inner emotions and thoughts on canvas, clay, metal, and paper.
The effort satisfies the desires of he artist, but to put this expression out to the public for viewing, perhaps purchase is a different matter.
An artist must become a business professional.
Shows, contracts, fees, reviews and interviews are all part of the presentation of a work of art to the public.
Artist are suppose to be introverts, but this process of reveling art to the public must be an extroverted campaign.
Will the writer, painter, potter, print maker, dancer, singer, musician, writer.... become a prostitute for their art?
Present the art, then have to explain it to the media.
If you don't believe it, look at what actors have to do for a movie.
So put this thought in your portfolio and prepare for the lights if you want to make a buck.
How much is he willing to spend in time and effort to get his words read by the masses?
This is true of all artist who can create their inner emotions and thoughts on canvas, clay, metal, and paper.
The effort satisfies the desires of he artist, but to put this expression out to the public for viewing, perhaps purchase is a different matter.
An artist must become a business professional.
Shows, contracts, fees, reviews and interviews are all part of the presentation of a work of art to the public.
Artist are suppose to be introverts, but this process of reveling art to the public must be an extroverted campaign.
Will the writer, painter, potter, print maker, dancer, singer, musician, writer.... become a prostitute for their art?
Present the art, then have to explain it to the media.
If you don't believe it, look at what actors have to do for a movie.
So put this thought in your portfolio and prepare for the lights if you want to make a buck.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Variations of a theme
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