Dear Jr Creative…Earn Your Place. You'll Be Better For It. — Thoughts on creativity
Dear Jr Creative, I’m a firm believer in earning your keep, starting from the bottom, doing the less than desirable well, before moving up. Prove yourself on what seemingly matters little, and people will notice. At the very least, I promise I’ll notice. I was a rich kid from the suburbs. In High School, and in Gen-X “rebellion” against my white collar family, I worked for the Las Vegas Water District doing underground construction. I dug ditches and changed water lines during the Vegas Summer for 8 dollars an hour. I dug the shit out of those ditches. All I wanted was the respect of these old guys changing water lines in the desert. Eventually, I’d earned a bit of respect. I worked hard…”for a skinny rich kid.” One day I mentioned to the crew lead: “Fuck it. He pulled the truck over to the shoulder of a mountain road, heading North towards Mt. So I did. That was my last of three summers working for the water district. I went to school for business. I was at the bottom of the totem pole.
The 7 Keynote MBA: How to Save 2 Years and $100,000
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been asked, over the years, if I regretted going to law school. The answer is no. It taught me how to analyze scenarios, options and organize thoughts and deal with tremendous amounts of stress. What it didn’t teach me a whole lot about, though, was the actual practice of being a lawyer. I’ve heard a similar theme from many MBAs. 7 extraordinary moments with 7 true visionaries…right here, right now… Guy Kawasaki‘s “10 things” list crushes a bunch of start-up myths, shows you where to spend your time, money and energy when starting and growing a business. Malcolm Gladwell draws a stunning lesson about business, observation, problem-solving and refusing to be bound by the assumptions of others…from spaghetti sauce Gary Vaynerchuck shares what it really takes to “make it,” beyond money, goals, plans and whiz-bang technology Tony Hsieh reveals the driving importance of a company’s culture as the critical factor in lasting growth and success for any business.
Never Good Enough — On life…or death…
I can’t write well enough. I can’t paint well enough. I’m not a good enough speaker. And that’s ok. The day I am completely and wholly satisfied is the day I stop moving forward. But don’t think I’m not happy. Dissatisfaction doesn’t mean you have to hate yourself or what you do. Seeing flaws can lead to paralysis. Because it’s not going to be perfect. We have to push for perfection and be comfortable knowing we’ll never get there. And still we try.
Amazing 3D Drawings
Fredo’s artwork looks like it comes to life from a piece of paper. It is outstanding! See also: “Pencil Art: Turn on the Light.” Photos © Fredo Link via Bored Panda
Timothy Garton Ash :: Homepage
Create more than you consume — Freelance Life
A few nights ago, I did something for the first time in my life. I listened to a full album (Jay-Z’s Magna Carta…Holy Grail), from the first song to the last, without any interruptions. I put on my headphones, closed my eyes, and just listened. I have been working a lot on reading more thoughtfully so I can retain more but this was the first time I tried it with music. After listening to that album (in that way), I seemed to build a deeper connection with the work. That experience of deep connection was rewarding enough, but it led to something more. It inspired me to write this piece. So while I may not have done anything “creative” while listening to the album, it still inspired creation. It’s important to always be creating, but integrating doses of mindful consumption is often an important part of the creative process. What happens in your brain when you consume thoughtfully The importance of getting emotional We all have vivid memories of certain moments in our lives. Take a stance
So You Want My Job: Comic Book Artist
Once again we return to our So You Want My Job series, in which we interview men who are employed in desirable jobs and ask them about the reality of their work and for advice on how men can live their dream. Some people think that growing up means leaving behind all your boyish ways. On the contrary, one of the great things about becoming an adult is that you can take the things you could only imagine and dream about as a boy, and bring them to life. That’s the line of work Francis Manapul is in. He’s a comic book artist for DC Comics who is currently working on The Flash comics that are coming out next month as part of DC’s ambitious re-launch of all 52 of their characters (all the comics are starting back at issue #1). Francis gets to create the Flash’s world and his adventures–pretty cool. 1. I was born in the Philippines, but grew up in Toronto, Canada. 2. When I was a kid my dad used to buy me Superman comic books, so the interest was always there. 3. 4. 5. 6. It’s all consuming.
Bad Science
10 Things...Word List
An early example of many portraits used in my portfolio to specifically get movie poster work. Greg Manchess Rehearse I’ve heard a number of new artists complain that no one wants to take a chance on using them. That clients can’t recognize their potential. As if all their ‘talent’ will come rushing out once someone does. A pro doesn’t wait, they do something about it. Don’t think practice, think rehearsal. This painting was failing right and left in the beginning stages. Persistence Rehearsal forces you to be persistent. Airbrush, pastel, Prismacolors, guache and acrylics...anything to get the painting to the surface. Duality “Holding two opposing ideas in the head at the same time and still able to function is the mark of a superior mind.” It’s just never quite clear cut. In painting, as in life, it’s a both/and world, not either/or. Just a small selection of the many styles I carried in my early portfolio. Determined This is a major aspect for successful paintings. Huh?
