The process of “research “ for creative work is basically Consuming everything in my path… But in a screening sort of way. For instance, I’m avoiding politics like the plague!
As a collage artist, the idea that our art is composed from the fuel of the art we consume is incredible appealing. We need the to burn clean fuel to produce our best work, and that means screening out the stuff that gunks up our system! (I bet a return home to Hawaii every once in a while doesn't hurt either!)
Creating art about creating art is a good challenge for me, Jason! I journal daily in longhand, various colored ink, pencil, words and sketches. In the wake of my dad’s passing, has been literally “scrappy” lately, and I found solace in sticky notes.
So...I took all the sticky notes from the past month, fashioned them in a giant square—a writer’s quilt, perhaps—on my desk, and then snatched various words and phrases from each and created a “found” poem. All this inspired from your post.
That sounds like a cool project! I love the imagery of a sticky note writer's quilt. I never would have thought about making a found poem in this way. What a great way to have your dad's words with you.
I love your creative challenges, Jason. They get me thinking outside the box and often ask me to look at my work and my process in a different way. Sometimes I like to create maps or rough sketches of my story’s setting. I haven’t done this in a while, but it forces me to look through a different lens when considering the “where” and “when” of any given piece. I often have found that when I go through this process, the setting becomes stronger - more layered.
I’ll give this a go before I write my next story. Thanks so much for the idea!
I'm glad to hear that these creative challenges are helpful! I love the idea of making maps and sketches of the settings you're writing about. I remember as kid going to the school library and picking out my next book based only on if the book had a map inside or not. I learned that books with maps were the ones that took me to the most interesting places .
The process of “research “ for creative work is basically Consuming everything in my path… But in a screening sort of way. For instance, I’m avoiding politics like the plague!
As a collage artist, the idea that our art is composed from the fuel of the art we consume is incredible appealing. We need the to burn clean fuel to produce our best work, and that means screening out the stuff that gunks up our system! (I bet a return home to Hawaii every once in a while doesn't hurt either!)
You must follow Austin Kleon! His blog books and Substack are the best! 😀
I love his books. I’ve been a big fan for a long time. His Substack is great. I get a lot of reading recommendations from him
Me too. Have all his books, and regularly buy what he recommends. Even did the calendar one year; so good!
Creating art about creating art is a good challenge for me, Jason! I journal daily in longhand, various colored ink, pencil, words and sketches. In the wake of my dad’s passing, has been literally “scrappy” lately, and I found solace in sticky notes.
So...I took all the sticky notes from the past month, fashioned them in a giant square—a writer’s quilt, perhaps—on my desk, and then snatched various words and phrases from each and created a “found” poem. All this inspired from your post.
That sounds like a cool project! I love the imagery of a sticky note writer's quilt. I never would have thought about making a found poem in this way. What a great way to have your dad's words with you.
I love your creative challenges, Jason. They get me thinking outside the box and often ask me to look at my work and my process in a different way. Sometimes I like to create maps or rough sketches of my story’s setting. I haven’t done this in a while, but it forces me to look through a different lens when considering the “where” and “when” of any given piece. I often have found that when I go through this process, the setting becomes stronger - more layered.
I’ll give this a go before I write my next story. Thanks so much for the idea!
I'm glad to hear that these creative challenges are helpful! I love the idea of making maps and sketches of the settings you're writing about. I remember as kid going to the school library and picking out my next book based only on if the book had a map inside or not. I learned that books with maps were the ones that took me to the most interesting places .