Artists tend to think a lot about money. Like round the world backpackers--when they cross paths, they don't talk about the culture or the historic sights. They talk about cheap places to stay that have hot water 24 hours a day.
A lot of us get very nervous about the subject of money, insist we're no good at it, etc.
A story on Beliefnet today sets out ten tips for beating the fear of money. It's aimed at the spiritually-minded, but some of the ideas could be useful for anyone. Like "Make Peace With Your Financial Past." That one is very valuable to me: I still beat up on myself for years of undercharging, for various financial errors I've made.
This piece by Susan Corso offers some strategies for replacing the guilt and anxiety, thus making better financial decisions.
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Tuesday, February 05, 2008
Monday, February 04, 2008
Graceful Self-Promotion
This advice is from, of all places, a year-old Cosmogirl magazine. It's aimed at teenagers: "Here's the trick to talking yourself up without sounding conceited." (I don't think I've heard the word "conceited" since high school.)
But anyone with work to sell needs to know how to self-promote gracefully. Here's one very good tip from the article: "Get psyched." We're advised to think of our most spontaneous friend talking with excitement about what she/he has been up to. "You don't feel like she's bragging because you're having so much fun listening to her, right?"
Basically let your passion for doing the work show, and it doesn't sound like petty personal bragging. Instead, what we're doing is getting other people excited too.
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But anyone with work to sell needs to know how to self-promote gracefully. Here's one very good tip from the article: "Get psyched." We're advised to think of our most spontaneous friend talking with excitement about what she/he has been up to. "You don't feel like she's bragging because you're having so much fun listening to her, right?"
Basically let your passion for doing the work show, and it doesn't sound like petty personal bragging. Instead, what we're doing is getting other people excited too.
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Sunday, February 03, 2008
Marital Argument
Last night, an argument on the home front.... I started it by mentioning something that was going to fester to the point of eruption if I didn't.
Wasn't pleasant, as I expected. But I did it, and am pleased that I did.
We didn't resolve it. We've only resolved one difference in 24 years of marriage and I've forgotten which one that was. Neither one of us is famous for changing our own minds. But each having said our piece, we move on...better for having spoken than not.
I'm fairly new to "mentioning" things immediately. And it's embarrassing that that's true at the age of 59. But better late than never, of course.
So I'm congratulating myself for getting on with it instead of waiting. It would have been a lot easier short-term to hope that the issue went away.
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Wasn't pleasant, as I expected. But I did it, and am pleased that I did.
We didn't resolve it. We've only resolved one difference in 24 years of marriage and I've forgotten which one that was. Neither one of us is famous for changing our own minds. But each having said our piece, we move on...better for having spoken than not.
I'm fairly new to "mentioning" things immediately. And it's embarrassing that that's true at the age of 59. But better late than never, of course.
So I'm congratulating myself for getting on with it instead of waiting. It would have been a lot easier short-term to hope that the issue went away.
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Thursday, January 31, 2008
Putting Your Message Where It Can Be Seen
Greenpeace pulled a pretty splashy trick this week to get a message across.
They projected--as you would with a movie projector--an environmental warning up onto the Washington Monument. You have to see this.
One night after Bush's state of the Union address and one day before a major climate meeting, these activists used projectors of monster-rock-concert magnitude, and shone up onto the white obelisk the words: "U.S. Global Warming Plan: Hell and High Water" with an image of water climbing high up the monument.
The whole picture and warning stayed up there, outrageously large against the night sky, for ten minutes before security people closed it down.
That ten minutes is the kind of triumphant moment that makes a good movie ending. I'm impressed they pulled it off. Makes me want to cheer.
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They projected--as you would with a movie projector--an environmental warning up onto the Washington Monument. You have to see this.
One night after Bush's state of the Union address and one day before a major climate meeting, these activists used projectors of monster-rock-concert magnitude, and shone up onto the white obelisk the words: "U.S. Global Warming Plan: Hell and High Water" with an image of water climbing high up the monument.
The whole picture and warning stayed up there, outrageously large against the night sky, for ten minutes before security people closed it down.
That ten minutes is the kind of triumphant moment that makes a good movie ending. I'm impressed they pulled it off. Makes me want to cheer.
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Wednesday, January 30, 2008
A Model of Creativity
A famous British advertising genius died this month: John Webster. In addition to his very imaginative work, he presented a model of a "creative type" who didn't conform to the stereotypes. From Blogger Jia:
"John was the antithesis of the caricature advertising man. Though supremely confident of his own talent, he was never arrogant, did not push himself forward, dressed unexceptionally, threw no tantrums and accepted good ideas from others gracefully, including ideas from clients, something few advertising creative people will countenance."
I don't think I want to dress unexceptionally. But other than that, I think he set an admirable example.
It can take some gumption to be oneself, rather than what is expected of an artist. Which he was.
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"John was the antithesis of the caricature advertising man. Though supremely confident of his own talent, he was never arrogant, did not push himself forward, dressed unexceptionally, threw no tantrums and accepted good ideas from others gracefully, including ideas from clients, something few advertising creative people will countenance."
I don't think I want to dress unexceptionally. But other than that, I think he set an admirable example.
It can take some gumption to be oneself, rather than what is expected of an artist. Which he was.
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Tuesday, January 29, 2008
A Quick Pick-me-up
If you need a bit of uplifting, go to this site:
http://www.greatquotesmovie.com. It's wisdom put to music.
Thanks to Renee Warren for letting me know about this.
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http://www.greatquotesmovie.com. It's wisdom put to music.
Thanks to Renee Warren for letting me know about this.
If you like this post, please bookmark it on del.icio.us, share it on StumbleUpon, vote for it on Digg. Thanks so much.
Talk Nice to Yourself
Being yelled at can hurt your creativity.
University of Florida researchers did some workplace observation and concluded that bosses who are verbally abusive are doing harm rather than good. Both problem-solving skills and imagination take a hit when voices are raised.
The underlying principle appears to be: when you're the target of a harangue, that's all you're thinking about. And that's true even when the rudeness is fairly mild.
This would seem a no-brainer, but a lot of yelling and threatening does occur. And it's generally because somebody wants something done or done better. I think most of us could say that it doesn't work. I have an idea that it's also meant to be punitive; but whatever satisfaction might be gained by the name-caller/accuser is surely no compensation for what's lost in productivity.
I think this may also be true when we're verbally abusing ourselves. So cut out the self-berating and free your imagination.
If you like this post, please bookmark it on del.icio.us, share it on StumbleUpon, vote for it on Digg. Thanks so much.
University of Florida researchers did some workplace observation and concluded that bosses who are verbally abusive are doing harm rather than good. Both problem-solving skills and imagination take a hit when voices are raised.
The underlying principle appears to be: when you're the target of a harangue, that's all you're thinking about. And that's true even when the rudeness is fairly mild.
This would seem a no-brainer, but a lot of yelling and threatening does occur. And it's generally because somebody wants something done or done better. I think most of us could say that it doesn't work. I have an idea that it's also meant to be punitive; but whatever satisfaction might be gained by the name-caller/accuser is surely no compensation for what's lost in productivity.
I think this may also be true when we're verbally abusing ourselves. So cut out the self-berating and free your imagination.
If you like this post, please bookmark it on del.icio.us, share it on StumbleUpon, vote for it on Digg. Thanks so much.
Monday, January 28, 2008
Creative Courage and Car Repairs
My 17 year-old car--which you've seen on this blog before because I stencilled morning glories on it--is in the shop today for $700 worth of replacement of small wornout parts that were causing it to rumble and shimmy and throb and would soon make it stop altogether.
So I've been working at a grocery store cafe (Weaver Street Market)and a library computer (Carrboro Cybrary) all day while waiting for this to be fixed. Pleasant places to work, but the whole idea of sitting outside of the car ICU (Autologic) does not make me feel bold.
So I tell myself: it's not my body or one of my loved ones that's in the ICU, and I'm fortunate to have such a glorious and faithful car that is now getting a whole new lease on life, and it's not $2,000, and I haven't wasted the day.
But the fact is: I feel as if I somehow didn't play my cards right or I wouldn't have to buy $700 worth of car maintenance today.
This is irrational. We all have to get our cars and our teeth worked on. And nobody can slay dragons every day.
So, I've decided that for me today's dragon-in-need-of-being-slain (since I need one)is the idea that needing a car repair and wincing at the cost are not an indication of bad life decisions.
Devoting as much of my time and money as possible to art is not an indication of immaturity or failure.
On days like today, I do need to remind myself of that.
If you like this post, please bookmark it on del.icio.us, share it on StumbleUpon, vote for it on Digg. Thanks so much.
So I've been working at a grocery store cafe (Weaver Street Market)and a library computer (Carrboro Cybrary) all day while waiting for this to be fixed. Pleasant places to work, but the whole idea of sitting outside of the car ICU (Autologic) does not make me feel bold.
So I tell myself: it's not my body or one of my loved ones that's in the ICU, and I'm fortunate to have such a glorious and faithful car that is now getting a whole new lease on life, and it's not $2,000, and I haven't wasted the day.
But the fact is: I feel as if I somehow didn't play my cards right or I wouldn't have to buy $700 worth of car maintenance today.
This is irrational. We all have to get our cars and our teeth worked on. And nobody can slay dragons every day.
So, I've decided that for me today's dragon-in-need-of-being-slain (since I need one)is the idea that needing a car repair and wincing at the cost are not an indication of bad life decisions.
Devoting as much of my time and money as possible to art is not an indication of immaturity or failure.
On days like today, I do need to remind myself of that.
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Friday, January 25, 2008
A Theme for Your Year?
A suggestion offered at my Mystic Pizza gathering this week: instead of a goal or a resolution for a year, try a theme. (Mystic Pizza is a monthly lunch of friends who are interested in mystical experience and related topics.) I think the idea of choosing a theme came from leadership/diversity consultant and writer Thomas Griggs.
Kelley Harrell of Soul Intent Arts said her theme this year is "allowing," not standing in the way of the good stuff that's happening for her. She likes this approach better than having goals, which feels too coercive and burdensome.
I like the idea too. My daily to-do list is something I rarely finish; it just gives me an idea, a set of priorities for my day.
I can see having a theme of being more fit, or improving my writing, or getting more work published, as a guiding factor in making a lot of daily decisions.
My resolution for this year is follow the will of God, which really falls more into the theme category. Because how do you know when you've accomplished it?
We did decide that a decision to follow the will of God is a lot easier than the resolve to lose five pounds, which is far too troublingly measurable.
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Kelley Harrell of Soul Intent Arts said her theme this year is "allowing," not standing in the way of the good stuff that's happening for her. She likes this approach better than having goals, which feels too coercive and burdensome.
I like the idea too. My daily to-do list is something I rarely finish; it just gives me an idea, a set of priorities for my day.
I can see having a theme of being more fit, or improving my writing, or getting more work published, as a guiding factor in making a lot of daily decisions.
My resolution for this year is follow the will of God, which really falls more into the theme category. Because how do you know when you've accomplished it?
We did decide that a decision to follow the will of God is a lot easier than the resolve to lose five pounds, which is far too troublingly measurable.
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Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Heath Ledger
A sympathetic note struck by director-editor-screenwriter Richard Brody on NewYorker.com blog on the death of actor Heath Ledger:
"As we remember Ledger, it’s worth recalling the agonies that actors, from amateurs to stars, have to pull from their guts."
Any day we feel like beating up on ourselves for lack of creative courage, it could be good to remember Brody's kind and soothing thought.
Ledger, who played one of the two cowboys in love in Brokeback Mountain, was one actor with a lot of courage. I'm one of the very many sorry to see him go.
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"As we remember Ledger, it’s worth recalling the agonies that actors, from amateurs to stars, have to pull from their guts."
Any day we feel like beating up on ourselves for lack of creative courage, it could be good to remember Brody's kind and soothing thought.
Ledger, who played one of the two cowboys in love in Brokeback Mountain, was one actor with a lot of courage. I'm one of the very many sorry to see him go.
If you like this post, please bookmark it on del.icio.us, share it on StumbleUpon, vote for it on Digg. Thanks so much.
Inspiring New Links?
Yesterday I discovered that two of my favorite bloggers didn't know of each other's marvelous sites, and both of them are on the subject of writing.
So--I'd like to ask you a question. What are some of your other favorite blogs? Or websites. On any subject. Please don't keep these resources a secret.
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So--I'd like to ask you a question. What are some of your other favorite blogs? Or websites. On any subject. Please don't keep these resources a secret.
If you like this post, please bookmark it on del.icio.us, share it on StumbleUpon, vote for it on Digg. Thanks so much.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
This Prize-Winning Blog
Fellow writer/blogger Irene Latham of Word Lovers Unite has chosen this very location to received the Excellent Blog Award. I'm delighted, and hope you are; a blog is its commenters as much as it is the blogger. Do go visit Irene at Word Lovers. A post that might be of particular interest is Goals and Whatnot.
It is now my delightful responsibility to pass this honor on. I must tell you that I am so torn between two blogs that I insist on giving it to both. One is the newish Mystic-Lit, a collection of thoughtful writers writing about writing. There's always an interesting discussion underway here. The other is Design Your Writing Life, where Lisa Gates is doing excellent coaching with commenters. Her thoughts are insightful, and her encouragement is highly effective. I've had several bursts of productivity after visits there.
If you like this post, please bookmark it on del.icio.us, share it on StumbleUpon, vote for it on Digg. Thanks so much.
It is now my delightful responsibility to pass this honor on. I must tell you that I am so torn between two blogs that I insist on giving it to both. One is the newish Mystic-Lit, a collection of thoughtful writers writing about writing. There's always an interesting discussion underway here. The other is Design Your Writing Life, where Lisa Gates is doing excellent coaching with commenters. Her thoughts are insightful, and her encouragement is highly effective. I've had several bursts of productivity after visits there.
If you like this post, please bookmark it on del.icio.us, share it on StumbleUpon, vote for it on Digg. Thanks so much.
Monday, January 21, 2008
Working in the Spirit of MLK
How I'm celebrating MLK Day today: I'm going about what I'm called to do without hesitation and procrastination. Doing my work in the spirit of MLK, following as best I can the example of his courage.
Part of me considers that a cop-out, since it's not a variation from my normal activities.
Most of me will be well satisfied if I carry through with it.
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Part of me considers that a cop-out, since it's not a variation from my normal activities.
Most of me will be well satisfied if I carry through with it.
If you like this post, please bookmark it on del.icio.us, share it on StumbleUpon, vote for it on Digg. Thanks so much.
Sunday, January 20, 2008
"Celebrate! Act!"
Monday is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, the 40th anniversary of his death. This year's theme (I don't know who decides such a thing) is "Remember! Celebrate! Act! A Day On, Not a Day Off."
I'm not sure yet what that's going to mean for me; I do like that it encourages activism.
I know a guy who decided in elementary school that he wanted to be an activist when he grew up. He's now in high school and is a volunteer with Greenpeace, the ACLU, and a group promoting gay-straight harmony. I'm impressed.
I've never been much of an activist myself--always one revolution behind, so it has seemed.
I'd love to know anything you're initiating on this MLK Day to change the world to the way you think it ought to be.
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I'm not sure yet what that's going to mean for me; I do like that it encourages activism.
I know a guy who decided in elementary school that he wanted to be an activist when he grew up. He's now in high school and is a volunteer with Greenpeace, the ACLU, and a group promoting gay-straight harmony. I'm impressed.
I've never been much of an activist myself--always one revolution behind, so it has seemed.
I'd love to know anything you're initiating on this MLK Day to change the world to the way you think it ought to be.
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Friday, January 18, 2008
If You're Taking Your Work Too Seriously
Here's a marvelous gift I received yesterday, meant to be a tub toy, but I spend more time at my desk. It's difficult to get too mad at the computer, myself, or the world, when I'm keeping company with Jack Nicholson Duck.
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Thursday, January 17, 2008
The Business of Art
Painter Jackie Battenfield is a serious artist and a commercial success. She teaches professional development at Columbia University and Creative Capital, among other venues.
I've attended sessions of hers at Creative Capital and really like her practical go-get'em perspective. She made her first round of visits to Washington, D.C. galleries with her three-month-old baby in tow.
She has a website and an upcoming book on how to do what she has done: The Artist's Guide: How to Make a Living Doing What you Love .
Jackie has supported herself through the sales of her paintings for more than twenty years. That's an astonishing accomplishment. What she has to say is valuable not just for visual artists, but others as well.
Visit her website (click on her name above) for daily tips until the book comes out.
If you like this post, please bookmark it on del.icio.us, share it on StumbleUpon, vote for it on Digg. Thanks so much.
I've attended sessions of hers at Creative Capital and really like her practical go-get'em perspective. She made her first round of visits to Washington, D.C. galleries with her three-month-old baby in tow.
She has a website and an upcoming book on how to do what she has done: The Artist's Guide: How to Make a Living Doing What you Love .
Jackie has supported herself through the sales of her paintings for more than twenty years. That's an astonishing accomplishment. What she has to say is valuable not just for visual artists, but others as well.
Visit her website (click on her name above) for daily tips until the book comes out.
If you like this post, please bookmark it on del.icio.us, share it on StumbleUpon, vote for it on Digg. Thanks so much.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
"A Two-Book Deal"
I had terrific news this morning from a writer I've worked with: Deborah Dunn. Here's what she wrote:
"Wanted to let you know I'm signing a two-book deal with Simon and Schuster (Howard) this week for the book you critiqued The SAM Syndrome: Help for Women Who are STUPID ABOUT MEN.
I got a major advance and the editor of the inspirational division wants to cross over into the mass market with it."
This news has been years in coming and it's so good to hear, makes me feel re-encouraged about the possibilities. This writer had a good idea and she didn't give up.
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"Wanted to let you know I'm signing a two-book deal with Simon and Schuster (Howard) this week for the book you critiqued The SAM Syndrome: Help for Women Who are STUPID ABOUT MEN.
I got a major advance and the editor of the inspirational division wants to cross over into the mass market with it."
This news has been years in coming and it's so good to hear, makes me feel re-encouraged about the possibilities. This writer had a good idea and she didn't give up.
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Building Insights. Breaking Boundaries
Discovered: another good source on creativity research books. A publisher called Elsevier has as its motto: "Building Insights. Breaking Boundaries."
The list of titles is long and diverse. The International Handbook of Giftedness and Talent. How Designers Think. Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivation (That's one I wrestle with a lot: am I better at doing the work because I love it and it needs doing? or do I need to promise myself a Tootsie Roll Pop at the end of a new page? Right now I'm running on love, but there's a big glass candy jar not far from my desk.)
This collection of books also recognizes the creativity involved in a wide range of activities. Not only are there books on advertising but one called The Art and Soul of Midwifery.
In my view, writing fiction is midwifery. It's just helping the story to emerge.
If you like this post, please bookmark it on del.icio.us, share it on StumbleUpon, vote for it on Digg. Thanks so much
The list of titles is long and diverse. The International Handbook of Giftedness and Talent. How Designers Think. Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivation (That's one I wrestle with a lot: am I better at doing the work because I love it and it needs doing? or do I need to promise myself a Tootsie Roll Pop at the end of a new page? Right now I'm running on love, but there's a big glass candy jar not far from my desk.)
This collection of books also recognizes the creativity involved in a wide range of activities. Not only are there books on advertising but one called The Art and Soul of Midwifery.
In my view, writing fiction is midwifery. It's just helping the story to emerge.
If you like this post, please bookmark it on del.icio.us, share it on StumbleUpon, vote for it on Digg. Thanks so much
Monday, January 14, 2008
How to Cook Up New Stuff
From an article in Vogue on the design of a pocketbook:
"To invent, you need a good imagination and a pile of junk."
I agree about the pile of junk, whether it's tangible junk or odds and ends of ideas and memories. I think we all have a good imagination, and when we sit and play with junk, that natural inventiveness kicks in.
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"To invent, you need a good imagination and a pile of junk."
I agree about the pile of junk, whether it's tangible junk or odds and ends of ideas and memories. I think we all have a good imagination, and when we sit and play with junk, that natural inventiveness kicks in.
If you like this post, please bookmark it on del.icio.us, share it on StumbleUpon, vote for it on Digg. Thanks so much.
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Shut Up and Make the Movies?
Woody Allen thinks it's better not to think about one's creativity.
He summed up this philosophy in an interview on NPR: "Shut up and make the movies."
I can see his point. At the same time, I find the subject of how-to-enhance-creativity fascinating, and some of the things I've learned from my reading and discussions have helped me.
I also know it's possible to avoid "making the movies" by reading about the process instead, or reading one's own press. Out of fear of that, I've read fewer of the classic books about writing than I otherwise might have. As is so often true, it's a matter of each individual finding her/his balance.
What has your experience been with finding this balance?
I find that my perfect ratio shifts quite a bit from time to time. And that discussion with my weekly writing group and on this blog are currently the right amount of talk for me.
I don't plan to shut up.
If you like this post, please bookmark it on del.icio.us, share it on StumbleUpon, vote for it on Digg. Thanks so much.
He summed up this philosophy in an interview on NPR: "Shut up and make the movies."
I can see his point. At the same time, I find the subject of how-to-enhance-creativity fascinating, and some of the things I've learned from my reading and discussions have helped me.
I also know it's possible to avoid "making the movies" by reading about the process instead, or reading one's own press. Out of fear of that, I've read fewer of the classic books about writing than I otherwise might have. As is so often true, it's a matter of each individual finding her/his balance.
What has your experience been with finding this balance?
I find that my perfect ratio shifts quite a bit from time to time. And that discussion with my weekly writing group and on this blog are currently the right amount of talk for me.
I don't plan to shut up.
If you like this post, please bookmark it on del.icio.us, share it on StumbleUpon, vote for it on Digg. Thanks so much.
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