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I love this little chat with This American Life's Ira Glass on the importance of persevering in being creative. I think he articulates a wall we all hit a lot, particularly when we start out, when our ambitions are so much greater than our current skill set. He explains that there's a certain entropy that moves all of our efforts towards crap, and that only by being ruthless in self-editing and insisting on trying some more can we be good. It's not about talent so much as it's about being willing to be beaten and to work hard. Failure creates quality. It sounds painful but it's infinitely rewarding. Check him out.
(Thanks,Laura for reminding us about this video)

A nice appreciation of The Creative License on Bruce Black's blog. Funny when someone else makes you look at your own ideas as if you had just come up on them.

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Above: Recent images from our Flickr Site

On July 28, 2008 wagonized said, “Oh, sweetness! That a tribute to all these dogs.” in A surprise book: Bad to the Bone.

On July 24, 2008 Paula Abreu said, “It's here! LOVE it!” in A surprise book: Bad to the Bone.

On July 22, 2008 Tim Clary said, “Danny, this looks great! Just wondering about your experience with Blurb? I did a photo book for my girlfriend last year and was happy but thought the design tools were a tad limited. Did you use their design templates or just upload the whole page layout as an image? Either way, it's definitely a cool option for those who'd like to make their own books but don't want to deal with hand-construction or expensive printing.” in A surprise book: Bad to the Bone.

Just Try It

An exploration of the effect photographs have on my brain and eyeballs.

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My mum taught me to appreciate paper early. To riffle through blank journals and pinch the sheets between my finger pads. To consider pulp and fiber. To notice how a pen flows smoothly here while it bucks and protests there. Since, I've met and felt quite intensely about so many different papers.
French toilet paper - crisp, waxy, impractically nonabsorbent and harsh. Little Italy deli

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Drawings & doggerel
By Danny O. Gregory

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The Internet Archive has scads of free public domain movies that are really worth browsing through. I came upon this Visite å Picasso from 1950 that is a pocket-sized piece of inspiration.

Posemaniacs has zillions of posed, flayed people you can revolve and then draw. It has 30 second poses, hands, all sorts of things. Try it out.



The 1000 Journals Project is quite intriguing and now there's a movie about it. I like the way this trailer captures much of what we talk about in the EDM group.

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Past Matters

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I wrote about Steve Mumford last year when his work was only available on Artnet. Now he has published a sumptuous book collecting all of the watercolors and observations he made during his visits to war-torn Iraq.
He told me that he drew almost exclusively with a dip pen

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Why is journaling so popular these days? I take on the topic.

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A record of my exploration into all aspects of drawing, illustrated journaling, creativity, and the inspiring aspects of art. By the author of "Everyday Matters," "The Creative License", and "An Illustrated Life" and other books.


Peanut
Everyday Matters

I have been invited to give various workshops over the years but have often been reluctant because of the traveling involved. I love the idea of sharing ideas and experiences with other writers and artists but my schedule is pretty tight.
However, when Eric Maisel, the great psychologist and expert on the creative mind, asked me to participate in his Writer's TeleSummit, I was quite intrigued.

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At the Telesummit, there will be dozens of top writing professionals sharing their experiences and giving out invaluable advice. These are international authors who could normally never gather in one place at one time. And participants from around the world can enjoy all of the classes, presentations, and workshops without leaving home because it will all be conducted virtually.
The conference will last for four days and each day will have six different presentations. There will be mystery writers, romance novelists, children's authors, self-help writers, editors, publishers, ... and me.
If you've ever wanted to get more into writing, publish that novel, learn about the industry and kick start your creativity, this will be full immersion -- a tidal pool of talented people, brimming with ideas and inspirations, with tips and advice that will inspire you no matter what sort of creative art form you are into.
And best of all, you can participate from your bed room, your office, your back yard, anywhere you can get online or on the phone. No travel, no hotels, no muss or fuss. You can get CD and MP3 recordings of the presentations, ask questions, participate. And, unlike most conferences, clothing is optional.
Check out the Telesummit websitefor more details. I really hope to see you there. It's gonna be a blast.

 

Recent Matters

A surprise book: Bad to the Bone

Maybe it's because of my initials, but when I was little, I was determined to become a vet when I grew up. In fact, I got my first job at the age of 11, working for a vet at...

Facing facts

To see a world in a grain of sand, And a heaven in a wild flower, Hold infinity in the palm of your hand, And eternity in an hour. William Blake - Auguries of Innocence I have been reading...

An Illustrated Life preview in HOW

The August 08 issue of HOW magazine has a healthy preview of my upcoming book, An Illustrated Life: Drawing Inspiration From The Private Sketchbooks Of Artists, Illustrators And Designers. You'll find sketchbooks and interviews with seven contributors as well...

A Challenge for the Whole Family

It's the 13th anniversary of Patti's accident. Jack wrote a lovely essay about how that event has effected him since he was just a baby. Here's a video of him reading it at his school's literary festival. Oh, and...

An Illustrated Life Podcast 012:
Melanie Ford Wilson

Melanie is a wonderful illustrator and designer based in Ontario, Canada. I first encountered her work through her blog and was enchanted by the sweetness of her perspective and by the lively way she writes. We had a length...

Souvenir Stand

G'ahead, take home something nice!

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