One of the things that’s changed for me is that I’m now consuming more media and doing more research. There’s a world of interesting things if you seek them out instead of sitting back and waiting for the next season of Loki to come out. (It’s out!!). There’s also a library card, which gets you pretty good access to Audiobooks and e-books. (FYI, Richmond residents can also get a Henrico County library card, which has access to a different selection of books).
Here are a few select books, audiobooks, podcasts and videos that have left an impression on me over the past couple of months. Many are about Art, some are about Philosophy, some are about Science and Engineering. Maybe you’ll find some of them interesting. Please let me know if you do.
An amazing landscape painter, who doubles as a writer, Rackstraw’s views are clean and simple. I have links to interviews with him below. (Recommendation courtesy of Duane Keiser)
Marshall McLuhan: Understanding Media
McLuhan was introduced to me at VCU in my Communication Arts and Design classes, but I always took it to apply to print and/or video and/or all “interactive media” at the time. I was too young to understand what “the medium is the message” meant. It’s an abstract concept. Today, I asked myself if “oil on canvas” is the medium, what is the message that it conveys regardless of the context of what I paint? What am I telling or expecting of people when I deliver an image through paint vs a photograph or a web browser. It’s a very interesting topic.
Seven Days in the Art World By: Sarah Thornton:
Eye-opener to what the “Art World” really is, sans artist. To be fair, it includes artists getting their MFA, but mostly involves critics, collectors and sellers. It’s pretty naseating stuff, to be honest. Good to know though.
Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals By: Oliver Burkeman :
The Anti-Time-Management Time Management book. Short version: you’re trying to do too much shit. Cut it out and relax. (recommendation courtesy of DJ Cranky Pete)
Sand County Almanac by Aldo Leopold :
This is just wholesome goodness. It’s good for putting you back in touch with nature’s systems instead of all the man-made systems that we get preoccupied with. I like to think of ‘Sand County Almanac’ is a more approachable version of Walden.
The Things We Make By Bill Hammack :
Why Engineers are so cool and not the same thing as scientists. They’re more like artists, focusing on the creation and using rules-of-thumb to get stuff done
Portrait of an Artist: A biography of Georgia O’Keefe By Laurie Lisle :
Mental candy. I love hearing about Georgia O’Keefe’s life. Another role model.
Art Juice: A podcast for artists, creatives and art lovers By Louise Fletcher / Alice Sheridan :
These ladies are simply inspiring. The service of support that they are providing without ads is an art in and of itself.
John Cleese on Creativity In Management
A 30 minute masterclass in presentation and the process of being creative.
Devo’s Mark Mothersbaugh shows Pink Floyd dumpster find - Matato Muzika tour
I want Mark Mothersbaugh’s brain. I just want to borrow it for a few days. I’ll give it back. I don’t want it forever. That might suck.
Roy Johnson: How to Draw a Bunny (dir: John Walter 2002)
This was inspiring when I watched it 20 years ago. It’s especially inspiring now. I like to refer to Roy Johnson as an artist’s artist. His life was his art, literally. Every time I watch this, I want to start mailing art to my friends.
NSE #440 | Catherine Murphy Zoom interview
When I listen to Catherine Murphy talk, I am mesmerized by her clarity of thought. Her paintings are stunningly executed. Unfortunately, this is a terrible example of a Covid-Era Zoom Session, so you may have to skip past some of the “is this thing on …” stuff.
Rackstraw Downes: A Conversation with Robert Storr
This man’s work blows me away. And he writes. I simply had to watch these so that I could understand how someone does hyper-real-multi-day-plein-air and writes so perfectly on the topic of art.
And if you made it this far, I should also throw in this really cool 10 min video on Why Ginger Baker was such a Groundbreaking Drummer Have fun!
I also learned about Mr. Beast of Youtube this past month. No, I don’t know what rock I’ve been under. No, I’m not giving you his link. If you fall down that rabbit hole, promise me that you’ll pull yourself out after 3 videos. You MUST PROMISE ME! He’s tapped into the human psyche and will probably run for president someday. Meanwhile he’s giving away millions of dollars. See … now you want to look it up. Be careful, and remember “Safety Third”.