Thank you Austin! So happy I joined this group of creatives. I liked Wes Anderson’s short movies on Raul Dhaul.... not sure I spelled it right. Too lazy to Google!😊 I picked up the Longmire Series of mysteries. Main character is a sheriff in Wyoming, who thinks he’s all that and a bag of chips, but the pacing is good and story is well told. Well, all the best to everyone in 2024. Let’s rise above the existential angst and keep pumping out art, music, books and whatever you are into!🥳
Please don't risk getting hit by a bus before you read Brian Doyle's Mink River! Also, I love having you as a companion in this life -- thank you for Keeping Going!
Thank you Austin! I look forward to Tuesday and Friday morning and checking my email. I'm so grateful to Mike Lowery for have you as a guest in his Getting Paid to Draw class a couple years ago.
My Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators Group is using Share yoyr work as the theme for our 2023-2024 meetings. It's been a lot of fun.
I'm a creative director and my team expanded significantly this year, with three different creative subteams – copy, design and digital content. As a way of bringing everyone together, I gave each person a copy of one of your books, and encouraged them to swap with another person once they had finished. In order to read all three, they have to connect with people from the other two teams. Everyone's loved them so far, and I'm excited for everyone to work even more closely together in 2024!
Speaking of your list of 100 Favorite Things for 2023 (comment below from Eric Pierce), I see your AI generated link to this day last year (on your webpage) includes your 100 Things for 2022. I made a similar one for 2023 and read it into ChatGPT. Just for fun, I asked AI what it thought of your list and it said: "This list reflects a diverse range of experiences, showcasing a balance between personal, professional, creative, and leisure activities. It seems to capture the essence of a well-rounded and fulfilling year for Austin Kleon." May we all have such a splendid review for what we generate for 2024. Thank you for your awesome inspiration to live a creative life.
Agreed, TotK was and is a wonderful game. And with the hours I’ve put into it, I probably could have painted 10 more paintings than I did, but y’know what, I’m not sorry. 😅
10 BOOKS I LOVED READING IN 2023
LESS IS LOST by Andres Sean Greer
WHALEFALL By Daniel Kraus
WE SHOULD BE FRIENDS by Will Schwalbe
ART OF THE LADYLIKE by Whitney Otto
BLACKOUTS by Justin Torres
HALF-LIGHT by Stephen O' Donnell
FAMILY MEAL by Bryan Washington
THE NEW LIFE by Tom Crewe
TOMORROW, AND TOMORROW, AND TOMORROW by Gabrielle Zevin
CAPOTES'S WOMEN by Laurence Leamer
Thank you for all the inspirational dispatches in 2023.
Ten 2023 Films That I Loved*:
THE HOLDOVERS
ASTEROID CITY
BARBIE
MAY DECEMBER
PAST LIVES
THE WONDERFUL STORY OF HENRY SUGAR
YOU HURT MY FEELINGS
PASSAGES
FLORA AND SON
SHOWING UP
Ten I Am Looking Forward to Watching in January 2024:
ALL OF US STRANGERS
POOR THINGS
IRON CLAW
AIR
AMERICAN FICTION
REALITY
OPPENHEIMER
DREAM SCENARIO
PRISCILLA
RUSTIN
My top film of the year was a reissue, STOP MAKING SENSE (1984)
Thank you for your Tuesday missives and Friday newsletter. I always enjoy going down creative rabbit holes!
Thank you Austin! So happy I joined this group of creatives. I liked Wes Anderson’s short movies on Raul Dhaul.... not sure I spelled it right. Too lazy to Google!😊 I picked up the Longmire Series of mysteries. Main character is a sheriff in Wyoming, who thinks he’s all that and a bag of chips, but the pacing is good and story is well told. Well, all the best to everyone in 2024. Let’s rise above the existential angst and keep pumping out art, music, books and whatever you are into!🥳
Shang Wang's comedy special is amazing! It got some love when it premiered but I think it's been kinda forgotten. He is a total original.
Don't miss Errol Morris's interview with John LeCarre: The Pigeon Tunnel. Or, alternatively, you can read the book.
I saw it!
Please don't risk getting hit by a bus before you read Brian Doyle's Mink River! Also, I love having you as a companion in this life -- thank you for Keeping Going!
Oh thank you for reminding me -- loved his one long river of song collection
The Lion in Winter is one of my favorite movies. The dark humor! The performances! Way ahead of its time, too.
Thank you Austin! I look forward to Tuesday and Friday morning and checking my email. I'm so grateful to Mike Lowery for have you as a guest in his Getting Paid to Draw class a couple years ago.
My Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators Group is using Share yoyr work as the theme for our 2023-2024 meetings. It's been a lot of fun.
Happy New Year!
Thanks for another year of creative inspiration!
I'm a creative director and my team expanded significantly this year, with three different creative subteams – copy, design and digital content. As a way of bringing everyone together, I gave each person a copy of one of your books, and encouraged them to swap with another person once they had finished. In order to read all three, they have to connect with people from the other two teams. Everyone's loved them so far, and I'm excited for everyone to work even more closely together in 2024!
Speaking of your list of 100 Favorite Things for 2023 (comment below from Eric Pierce), I see your AI generated link to this day last year (on your webpage) includes your 100 Things for 2022. I made a similar one for 2023 and read it into ChatGPT. Just for fun, I asked AI what it thought of your list and it said: "This list reflects a diverse range of experiences, showcasing a balance between personal, professional, creative, and leisure activities. It seems to capture the essence of a well-rounded and fulfilling year for Austin Kleon." May we all have such a splendid review for what we generate for 2024. Thank you for your awesome inspiration to live a creative life.
Tears of the Kingdom is a special game, 💯.
Looking forward to your 100 favorite 2023 things. 🤓
Agreed, TotK was and is a wonderful game. And with the hours I’ve put into it, I probably could have painted 10 more paintings than I did, but y’know what, I’m not sorry. 😅
Have a great new year Austin, thanks for keeping me company!