This has nothing to do with what you wrote: But I stumbled on this book reviewed in today's W. Post. And I immediately thought of you. The book: "The Notebook: A History of Thinking on Paper."
Austin, thank you as usual. This excellent post hit a lot of my buttons, and created some new ones. My art is all encompassing in my mind. I imagine things I would or could do. On an amateur level, I've written blogs, poems, drawn and painted portraits, flowers, sea shores, strove too hard for realism and played with abstract. When I became the sole 24/7 caregiver for my husband 12 years ago in July, I quit my unsatisfying day-job, and was able to focus some on making selling art (I realize now I put too much emphasis on making art to sell). But as Parkinson's rapidly took more and more from my husband, I devoted less and less time to art and everything else except the duty of the moment. He died in July, after 25 years total with the disease, and my 12 years of 24/7 caring among other things to do, has left me to attempt to recover at least some sense of my self and my own priorities. Which I will. I do want to add, that during the time of caregiving for my husband which included more intimacy with another human than anyone would want, I was surprised by a sense of fulfillment which I had never felt before in any other job or activity. Maybe parents can related to this, not having children of my own, to me, caregiving as difficult as it was, provided expression of something beautiful inside me that I didn't know existed. I hope to look for that feeling in my art and in whatever comes next for me. thanks again. Austin
Thank you for sharing. I lost my husband last October after an intense period of caregiving. This past year has been full of reconnecting with a profound sense of how art has saved me and opened my heart. And like you I also felt fulfilment and gratitude for such an intimate connection.
A treasure trove today! Thank you! A new interest in William Blake, and wow that TikTok video of calendars was so interesting. So cool to get peeks into how other people’s brains work.
I was lucky to see 32 Sounds live in Portland. What an amazing and touching show. And the lone bird, the recording of its song, looking for a mate… crushed me. Thanks for reminding me of it!
I’m a “new” artist many years experience but in the past 4 years more than a hobbyist. I’m always getting into trouble but I feel afraid I won’t get out of trouble so I avoid going too far. Not sure why I feel things are so precious and I’m afraid to lose them so I stop and shelve them for another time. Ughhhh!!! Any suggestions?
Amy Sillman!! Forgive me if you've already mentioned this book in a past newsletter, but have you read Stacey D'Erasmo's The Long Run? Stacey interviewed a bunch of different creatives about what's kept them going through their careers and how/why they keep making art, and Amy was one of the people she spoke with. We talk about some of the things Amy had to say about artmaking in this interview, which might be of interest: https://writeordiemag.com/author-interviews/stacey-derasmo. I found her so inspiring!
Oh, thanks for this — I wasn't able to get into this book for whatever reason — the description made me think it'd be perfect for me! so I skipped to the Amy section and read that. Will listen to your interview and maybe give it another shot
As a writer who was only a writer, I decided after many published books to switch careers and try collage. In the past two years, I kept at it and would just finish one and start another, placing the finished work in wax paper and shelved in my closet. Then I read SHOW YOUR WORK and low and behold, I did just that this past Friday to the tune of an 80% sellout. Thank you for your book of encouragement and direction for this hitherto intimidated "artist."
Thank you for the introduction to 32 Sounds and also the Allie Esiri poetry compilations.
The mention of Blake makes me want to go back and re-watch Dead Man by Jarmusch.
Dead Man is one of my favorites
Special thanks for the Kris Kristofferson/William Blake bit. This has been on my list of things to explore.
This has nothing to do with what you wrote: But I stumbled on this book reviewed in today's W. Post. And I immediately thought of you. The book: "The Notebook: A History of Thinking on Paper."
https://www.washingtonpost.com/books/2024/10/04/notebook-history-roland-allen-review/?pwapi_token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJyZWFzb24iOiJnaWZ0IiwibmJmIjoxNzI4MDE0NDAwLCJpc3MiOiJzdWJzY3JpcHRpb25zIiwiZXhwIjoxNzI5Mzk2Nzk5LCJpYXQiOjE3MjgwMTQ0MDAsImp0aSI6IjNkMWRkOWE3LThmZDAtNDYyNy04MTMwLTQ5MGZjOGQyZDcyZSIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lndhc2hpbmd0b25wb3N0LmNvbS9ib29rcy8yMDI0LzEwLzA0L25vdGVib29rLWhpc3Rvcnktcm9sYW5kLWFsbGVuLXJldmlldy8ifQ.dFg60eav0MpGmiQp_wy1XKkhvoqblwl8OXgT4ueWUHc
reading it right now!
Thank you for introducing me to the work of Amy Sillman!
she's very cool
I’ll say
Ooh, if you ever want sell some of that left over sweet merch, I'm interested.
Austin, thank you as usual. This excellent post hit a lot of my buttons, and created some new ones. My art is all encompassing in my mind. I imagine things I would or could do. On an amateur level, I've written blogs, poems, drawn and painted portraits, flowers, sea shores, strove too hard for realism and played with abstract. When I became the sole 24/7 caregiver for my husband 12 years ago in July, I quit my unsatisfying day-job, and was able to focus some on making selling art (I realize now I put too much emphasis on making art to sell). But as Parkinson's rapidly took more and more from my husband, I devoted less and less time to art and everything else except the duty of the moment. He died in July, after 25 years total with the disease, and my 12 years of 24/7 caring among other things to do, has left me to attempt to recover at least some sense of my self and my own priorities. Which I will. I do want to add, that during the time of caregiving for my husband which included more intimacy with another human than anyone would want, I was surprised by a sense of fulfillment which I had never felt before in any other job or activity. Maybe parents can related to this, not having children of my own, to me, caregiving as difficult as it was, provided expression of something beautiful inside me that I didn't know existed. I hope to look for that feeling in my art and in whatever comes next for me. thanks again. Austin
Sending you all my best thoughts ❤️
Thank you for sharing. I lost my husband last October after an intense period of caregiving. This past year has been full of reconnecting with a profound sense of how art has saved me and opened my heart. And like you I also felt fulfilment and gratitude for such an intimate connection.
A treasure trove today! Thank you! A new interest in William Blake, and wow that TikTok video of calendars was so interesting. So cool to get peeks into how other people’s brains work.
I was lucky to see 32 Sounds live in Portland. What an amazing and touching show. And the lone bird, the recording of its song, looking for a mate… crushed me. Thanks for reminding me of it!
I’m a “new” artist many years experience but in the past 4 years more than a hobbyist. I’m always getting into trouble but I feel afraid I won’t get out of trouble so I avoid going too far. Not sure why I feel things are so precious and I’m afraid to lose them so I stop and shelve them for another time. Ughhhh!!! Any suggestions?
You might find this letter about perfectionism helpful: https://austinkleon.substack.com/p/understanding-perfectionism
Amy Sillman!! Forgive me if you've already mentioned this book in a past newsletter, but have you read Stacey D'Erasmo's The Long Run? Stacey interviewed a bunch of different creatives about what's kept them going through their careers and how/why they keep making art, and Amy was one of the people she spoke with. We talk about some of the things Amy had to say about artmaking in this interview, which might be of interest: https://writeordiemag.com/author-interviews/stacey-derasmo. I found her so inspiring!
Oh, thanks for this — I wasn't able to get into this book for whatever reason — the description made me think it'd be perfect for me! so I skipped to the Amy section and read that. Will listen to your interview and maybe give it another shot
As a writer who was only a writer, I decided after many published books to switch careers and try collage. In the past two years, I kept at it and would just finish one and start another, placing the finished work in wax paper and shelved in my closet. Then I read SHOW YOUR WORK and low and behold, I did just that this past Friday to the tune of an 80% sellout. Thank you for your book of encouragement and direction for this hitherto intimidated "artist."
yay!!
Internet radio ready to boom!! That magazine cover is perfect :)