Painting Basics

If you're following along with me on my other blog, you'll know that I just finished the first painting out of this book. I'm working hard to get better at my craft. Come join the journey with me!

Poke the Box

I've read several of Seth Godin's books and have to say that I always feel like I want more. Something always seems to be lacking -- maybe it's organization (as I find he leaps around a lot trying to make a point, not quite getting there, then coming back to it later to still not follow through with a point). Linchpin: Are You Indispensable?was a good example of him trying to prove a point but never telling the reader HOW to do it.

Poke the Box is a much stronger work -- probably one of the strongest I've seen from Seth. While he still needs to work on organizing his thoughts and not just writing out of stream of consciousness, at least this one had a definition of what it means to poke the box, why you should poke the box, and how to poke the box.

Towards the end, he goes back to his usual rant of "get started on a project then ship it," but for most of this book I actually felt like he was talking about me. He talks about people who want to initiate and have a lot of ideas, the difference being that true initiators "start." I often feel unfocused jumping from project to project, starting lots of them usually in a steady stream. Okay, this is where his "ship it" comes in -- you've got to finish what you start -- and I do have to work to overcome my tendency to let projects fall off the face of the earth. I really liked his dandelion analogy -- it spoke to me and I'll have to remember it when I once again feel like I'm doing too much and spreading myself too thin.

I also understand his frustration of watching people walk in repetitive circles waiting to be told what to do -- wanting a map. We both want people to do more, be more. Not everyone wants to though. Must be a personality thing - we're probably both architect types who see the structure of things and want to make it better.

Businesses who are stuck in routine would benefit from reading this book too. Especially if they've had failures within their business, like a merger that fell through or high turnovers. Businesses need to remember what motivates people.

There are a couple nuggets in this that I want to institute in my own art business.

Okay, Seth, you finally got your point across in a good way. This product is complete. What's your next idea?

Evil Plans

The title says it all!

Make your evil plans, rub little plotting hands together, grin and break out with a triumphant "Mah-hahahahaha!" and go forth to take control of your life.

Hugh MacLeod's comics and thoughts never fail to entertain and inspire.

The Success Principles

This book by Jack Canfield is one of my favorites. Whenever I feel stuck, I grab this book and open it to a random section. The principles in this book are so universal that where ever I've landed I can start applying to my life right away and get unstuck. Give it a try in your life.

Miki Falls

I've been watching tons of videos by Mark Crilley lately. The link will take you right to his YouTube channel. His work is amazing! He makes it look so simple. Of course, having worked on my own graphic novels, I know how much work it is. Thank you for the videos, Mark. I'm looking forward to seeing more. I've learned a lot. Now, I just need to get my hands on the books! Can't wait to read Brody's Ghost too.

Draw Medieval Fantasies

While prowling around the children's book section at Barnes and Noble the other day, I happened across this little book. What a gem! I've often said that if you want quick knowledge on a subject, check for it in the children's section because it's such a fast way to get an overview on anything -- from there, if you find you need more information, you can always return to the adult section. I don't know why I haven't thought about searching for drawing books here sooner (except that I'm use to having "kids" books in the adult art section too -- like Christopher Hart's books, of which I can say that I own several as well). Not only are the illustrations in this book adorable, but Damon really breaks them down. Okay, sometimes I added in my own guidelines to get the drawings tweaked so I felt I could reproduce them with better accuracy, but he gave me a lot of things to think about. I'm really glad I purchased this book and I'm sure I'll refer to it often as I get more into the drawings for my graphic novel.

Joyfully Jobless

I have really enjoyed this book. It's a great way to start thinking of ways you can have multiple income streams. I loved her suggestion of the $100 hour, though I have yet to put it into full practice yet -- it is one of my 2011 goals.

Barbara Winter has given me a lot of inspiration.