The Fear of Art-making

Years ago my professor insisted that everyone grab a copy of Art and Fear by David Bayles and Ted Orland. I may have read the first few pages during the class. Five years later I found it in the bottom of a drawer while moving. I read the whole thing and it was very helpful in identifying many of the difficulties that many artists have. Especially when they have to wrestle with the idea of calling themselves an artist.

If you have been a person that is interested in the arts, chances are you have exposed yourself to a lot of very good and inspirational work. This is great but causes a problem when you actually make your own work. Sadly, your work will compare badly with the fabulous success of the inspirational work. Hey, as an artist you have great taste. When you judge your own work, it does not always measure up. And if you are like me, you tend to judge yourself harshly in return. This is a terrible mistake.

The Art of the Day

Today I was wondering if I could get serious. I want to kick my own ass. That isn't new. Just about every day is a day that has me wanting to kick my own ass. My relaxed nature and harsh self image are always at odds. I jump around with ideas, I am fascinated for a day or two, but loose interest soon after. It is a serious problem if the goal is to accomplish something large. It is delightful if the goal is simply to enjoy a few moments of life.

At my age, the pressure to accomplish something with weight and meaning is growing. The pressure may not be external, but its grip is strengthened by A&E Biographies and stories about adventure and travel.

In the past I have almost subscribed to the one piece of art a day movement. Though, it has been around forever. I have taken photographs each day for a month. I did create a video piece based on two years of almost daily photography. I recognize that both of those projects improved my skills and comfort with challenges of making things.

Hopefully this posting will allow me to work out a few of the ideas behind blogging about making art. Part of the intention is to provide resources that deal with the creative side of art and craft making. Other goals are to provide group challenges that trigger the desire to make. I don't know how much I need to limit the scope. Is this for designers? Would it interest a dress maker? Could a wood carver benefit from the ideas?

In any case, I imagine I should simply get started. Things will work themselves out with enough effort and attention.

I Want a Robin Hood Hat

Online Video for Clever People

Here is a list of video resources for clever people.

• FORA.tv
  
• TED
• Current
• Mind
  

Private Storage for Web Aps

Web Aps like Gmail and Flickr are great. I love them and use them for most of what I actually do these days. Google's mail application has become my main connection to people in my professional and personal life. What would happen if Google decided to lock me out of my account? That is a problem that might just require another private service.

It would be a way to store your email messages, photos, and documents created with web aps. I don't know exactly how this would work. It might take the form of an automatic backup system. It might use the application APIs to mimic the functionality, but actually create content that isn't stored on Google or Yahoo servers.

UK Newspapers: the morning after

UK Newspapers: the morning after
Originally uploaded by moleitau

I wonder what the US newspapers look like.

UK Newspapers: the morning after

UK Newspapers: the morning after
Originally uploaded by moleitau

Very Interesting

Fly Stick

Least Wanted Head Injury

Alisa Miller: Why we know less than ever about the world

Alisa Miller, head of Public Radio International, talks about why -- though we want to know more about the world than ever -- the US media is actually showing less. Eye-opening stats and graphs.

Letting Education Happen

Speaking at LIFT 2007, Sugata Mitra talks about his Hole in the Wall project. Young kids in this project figured out how to use a PC on their own -- and then taught other kids. He asks, what else can children teach themselves?

Jonathan Drori: Why we don’t understand as much as we think we do

Starting with four basic questions (that you may be surprised to find you can't answer), Jonathan Drori looks at the gaps in our knowledge -- and specifically, what we don't about science that we might think we do.

Jonathan Haidt: Liberals and Conservatives

Psychologist Jonathan Haidt studies the five moral values that form the basis of our political choices, whether we're left, right or center. In this eye-opening talk, he pinpoints the moral values that liberals and conservatives tend to honor most.

Steven Pinker talks about the Blank Slate

Steven Pinker's book The Blank Slate argues that all humans are born with some innate traits. Here, Pinker talks about his thesis, and why some people found it incredibly upsetting.

Steven Pinker talks about the Blank Slate

Printing Houses

Headlines of the Day

Party in Power, Running as if It Weren’t
The New York Times, Peter Baker
Party in Power, Running as if It Weren’t ... which is completely maddening.


McCain Vows to End ‘Partisan Rancor’
The New York Times, ADAM NAGOURNEY and MICHAEL COOPER
McCain Vows to End ‘Partisan Rancor’ ... by airing a constant barrage of attack ads against Obama.