Also, consider nature as art. By simply going for a walk and noticing, there is so much beauty. A tree, the clouds, birdsong, chipmunks scurrying across a walking path. It's all right there... and it's free!
Love this, Dan! I’m on a journey to integrate more art into my day-to-day life as well. And you’re totally right — I’ve been taking the train into NYC or going to local art museums or music venues, but there’s something about integrating into your day-to-day life that makes a big difference. On the movie front, I watched the Lilith Fair and the Mel Brooks documentaries this week and highly recommend both! And they’re double dips. Art about art, creativity, creating community, and overcoming adversity!
I'm always looking for things that others might not see and capturing it with my cell phone camera. Yesterday I saw interesting chunky tire tracks with beautiful contrast in shades of white and grays. It seemed like abstract art that could be decor in a modern industrial space. It made me think of a quote by Rob Walker who wrote "The Art of Noticing." He said, "Decide what, among the things you notice, you might declare public works of art." I made the photo into a post for my Days of Gratitude FB today. https://www.facebook.com/daysofgratitudebook
Wow, Dan. This really landed with me. In part because the ideas and framework you present are so smart and actionable, in part because I'm currently working my way through "The Artist's Way" course and have "Artist's Dates" front of mind. Lots of fodder for those in what you write here. But what sticks with me the most are 1): your intentional shift from "“mildly distracting” things to focus more on “deeply relaxing”". This is huge and I'm starting to do this, too, with tremendous payoff in the quality of restoration and jolt of creativity it affords. (For me, this looks like a shift away from reading lots of short- to concentrating on long-form journalism or books.) 2) your specific actions to upgrade the quality of your "home theater" to make the payoff of movie-watching as rewarding as possible. This is something I'll take with me. Thinking more deeply and structuring more carefully the places for and modes of taking in creative work - scene and setup as part of the experience - is something I've not considered carefully enough. What I also love about both these "upgrades" is that they can be entirely free and within our control. They suggest a sense of experimentation over time, too. This adds to the sense of co-creating the experience with, in your example, the movie makers. You really tapped a vein here, Dan. Thank you!
Fabulous, Dan! One thing I've done the past year + is get deliberate about making art, not at home where I can easily put it off, but through classes at the local library (free) or art center ($15-$40). I've made copper earrings and pendants for myself and my BFF, painted watercolor flowers, made alcohol ink tile coasters, decorated stuffed birds (a birding group project), and learned about letter press, making two fun posters, among other things. It's fun, creative, and yes, it helps the writing.
Thanks, Dan! Your work is always so thorough and inspiring. I really enjoy hearing about the various ways you pursue creativity and art.
Also, I know you’re staying away from streaming services, but I just want to comment for others who may be reading that a free movie streaming service called Kanopy only requires you have a library card to access it. It has many older, eclectic, indie, and diverse films and documentaries on it. I really enjoy it when I want to watch something that is a little out of the box.
And, your sentence: “Maybe this is ridiculous too, but this is who I am” stood out to me. We would all be happier if we could embrace a little more of that mindset for ourselves. :)
It's really interesting to see your spreadsheet of movies, Dan. Ben and I often watch movies, too, and I also escape into books or music. I don't mean "escape" as an avenue of denial, just a way to enter into worlds and universes that may or may not exist, but they depart from my own burdens and reality. And I connect with them.
As for finding time, I think every person finds time for what matters to them. Maybe what we're seeing in this day and age with constant scrolling is really a trauma response to the oversaturation everyone is exposed to - too much, too fast, too soon. And this pace is constant. It's unavoidable. I wonder sometimes if people "check out" or dissociate through endless scrolling, precisely because they are so overwhelmed and do not know how to stop the loop and actually do something different that is meaningful for them - or to even sit long enough to know what matters most to them.
Indeed! Thanks Jeannie. It’s been nice to simply take more intentional control over the process, and not 100% relinquish it to the easiest path (which is apps.)
I am reading a great book: Mona's Eyes. It is 52 chapters with the grandfather and granddaughter viewing a different painting each week at the Louvre. It is fantastic!
Yes to more art, more creativity, more good movies, and I’d add more reading books! Visit the public library. The library has many wonderful free programs, too. I’ve been working on blackout poetry and turning them into cards to send to friends just because.
So much of this resonated with me as I too have consciously made the choice to invite more art back into my life, currently in the form of painting and drawing.
As the mother of a musician and a pro-human rights consumer, may I suggest that you consider a platform other than Spotify.
I saw Outland in the movie theater when it came out. I should rewatch it. I’m stuck on which movie you won’t watch again. I loved reading, music, movies my entire life but creating art is only in the last 3 years. This side of art is only a continuation of my first three loves tangled up together. Good read.
This is such a good idea. Mine is that I’m committing to be entertained “locally” - as in before I turn to a prime video or Netflix or whatever I’m going to listen to my friends’ audio dramas, or read the books of friends or friends-of-friends.
I promised myself I would re-learn one song on my guitar, and there are at least a dozen movies I would like to see. I love using the library in my town and at work to access films, but the only problem is that I start watching a movie and fall asleep!
Also, consider nature as art. By simply going for a walk and noticing, there is so much beauty. A tree, the clouds, birdsong, chipmunks scurrying across a walking path. It's all right there... and it's free!
Great point! Thank you Raymond.
So very true...Mother Nature is my absolute favorite form of art.
Love this, Dan! I’m on a journey to integrate more art into my day-to-day life as well. And you’re totally right — I’ve been taking the train into NYC or going to local art museums or music venues, but there’s something about integrating into your day-to-day life that makes a big difference. On the movie front, I watched the Lilith Fair and the Mel Brooks documentaries this week and highly recommend both! And they’re double dips. Art about art, creativity, creating community, and overcoming adversity!
Nice! Thank you Sam!
Watch the original The Day the Earth Stood Still with Michael Rennie and Patricia Neal.
Thanks for the recommendation Ginni!
The message of the movie is at least as relevant today as it was then—maybe more so.
I'm always looking for things that others might not see and capturing it with my cell phone camera. Yesterday I saw interesting chunky tire tracks with beautiful contrast in shades of white and grays. It seemed like abstract art that could be decor in a modern industrial space. It made me think of a quote by Rob Walker who wrote "The Art of Noticing." He said, "Decide what, among the things you notice, you might declare public works of art." I made the photo into a post for my Days of Gratitude FB today. https://www.facebook.com/daysofgratitudebook
Thank you Vanessa!
Wow, Dan. This really landed with me. In part because the ideas and framework you present are so smart and actionable, in part because I'm currently working my way through "The Artist's Way" course and have "Artist's Dates" front of mind. Lots of fodder for those in what you write here. But what sticks with me the most are 1): your intentional shift from "“mildly distracting” things to focus more on “deeply relaxing”". This is huge and I'm starting to do this, too, with tremendous payoff in the quality of restoration and jolt of creativity it affords. (For me, this looks like a shift away from reading lots of short- to concentrating on long-form journalism or books.) 2) your specific actions to upgrade the quality of your "home theater" to make the payoff of movie-watching as rewarding as possible. This is something I'll take with me. Thinking more deeply and structuring more carefully the places for and modes of taking in creative work - scene and setup as part of the experience - is something I've not considered carefully enough. What I also love about both these "upgrades" is that they can be entirely free and within our control. They suggest a sense of experimentation over time, too. This adds to the sense of co-creating the experience with, in your example, the movie makers. You really tapped a vein here, Dan. Thank you!
Aw, thank you so much Valerie! I so appreciate your kind words and reflections here.
Fabulous, Dan! One thing I've done the past year + is get deliberate about making art, not at home where I can easily put it off, but through classes at the local library (free) or art center ($15-$40). I've made copper earrings and pendants for myself and my BFF, painted watercolor flowers, made alcohol ink tile coasters, decorated stuffed birds (a birding group project), and learned about letter press, making two fun posters, among other things. It's fun, creative, and yes, it helps the writing.
Love that! Thanks Leslie!
Thanks, Dan! Your work is always so thorough and inspiring. I really enjoy hearing about the various ways you pursue creativity and art.
Also, I know you’re staying away from streaming services, but I just want to comment for others who may be reading that a free movie streaming service called Kanopy only requires you have a library card to access it. It has many older, eclectic, indie, and diverse films and documentaries on it. I really enjoy it when I want to watch something that is a little out of the box.
And, your sentence: “Maybe this is ridiculous too, but this is who I am” stood out to me. We would all be happier if we could embrace a little more of that mindset for ourselves. :)
Aw, thank you Breeann!
If you haven’t seen it, please add Lars and the Real Girl to your list. Love that movie.
Thanks Susan!
It's really interesting to see your spreadsheet of movies, Dan. Ben and I often watch movies, too, and I also escape into books or music. I don't mean "escape" as an avenue of denial, just a way to enter into worlds and universes that may or may not exist, but they depart from my own burdens and reality. And I connect with them.
As for finding time, I think every person finds time for what matters to them. Maybe what we're seeing in this day and age with constant scrolling is really a trauma response to the oversaturation everyone is exposed to - too much, too fast, too soon. And this pace is constant. It's unavoidable. I wonder sometimes if people "check out" or dissociate through endless scrolling, precisely because they are so overwhelmed and do not know how to stop the loop and actually do something different that is meaningful for them - or to even sit long enough to know what matters most to them.
Indeed! Thanks Jeannie. It’s been nice to simply take more intentional control over the process, and not 100% relinquish it to the easiest path (which is apps.)
This is so great!! And I hope you enjoy Paper Moon, that is an incredibly powerful movie.
Thanks Sarah!
I am reading a great book: Mona's Eyes. It is 52 chapters with the grandfather and granddaughter viewing a different painting each week at the Louvre. It is fantastic!
Nice! Thanks Geralyn.
Yes to more art, more creativity, more good movies, and I’d add more reading books! Visit the public library. The library has many wonderful free programs, too. I’ve been working on blackout poetry and turning them into cards to send to friends just because.
Thanks Linda!
New follower here, and great post, Dan.
So much of this resonated with me as I too have consciously made the choice to invite more art back into my life, currently in the form of painting and drawing.
As the mother of a musician and a pro-human rights consumer, may I suggest that you consider a platform other than Spotify.
There are many out there.
Cheers,
Katie O'Grady ☘️
Thank you Katie!
I saw Outland in the movie theater when it came out. I should rewatch it. I’m stuck on which movie you won’t watch again. I loved reading, music, movies my entire life but creating art is only in the last 3 years. This side of art is only a continuation of my first three loves tangled up together. Good read.
Thank you so much Tammy! Outland was much better than I expected.
This is such a good idea. Mine is that I’m committing to be entertained “locally” - as in before I turn to a prime video or Netflix or whatever I’m going to listen to my friends’ audio dramas, or read the books of friends or friends-of-friends.
Sounds great! Thank you Michael!
I promised myself I would re-learn one song on my guitar, and there are at least a dozen movies I would like to see. I love using the library in my town and at work to access films, but the only problem is that I start watching a movie and fall asleep!
Thanks Doreen! Perhaps start earlier in the day!