artist With a Little a

This awesome book, by the amazing Danny Gregory, arrived in the mail for me yesterday-

Art Before Breakfast by Danny Gregory

I love good books on the topic of creativity.  Another book of Danny's, (we are  on a first name basis, only he doesn't know mine) Creative License is one of my all time favorites.  So when I saw that he's just put a new one out, I ordered it immediately.  I'll take all the creative inspiration I can get!

I love the title of this book Art Before Breakfast.  I think that idea of getting important things under your belt at the very beginning of each day is so smart.  For me, I've always done my workouts first thing in the morning- That way, no matter how busy my day gets, I've already carved out the time for my health.  Danny points out at the very beginning of the book that,

"Art will make your life richer. And more fun. And better. And cooler. And less stressed. And...."

So I think I need to put a little creativity into my morning mix as well! And according to Danny, that's not as overwhelming as it sounds.  As long as you can think of yourself as an artist with a little a.

This is how he explains it:

"Art with a big "A" is for museums, galleries, critics, and collectors. art with a small "a" is for the rest of us.  

Art is a business, an industry, a racket. art is about passion, love, life, humanity-everything that is truly valuable.

Art is sold, resold, put under the gavel, and insured up the wazoo. art with a small "a" is not a product. It's a point of view.  It's a way of life.

Art is made by trained professionals and experts. art is made by accountants, farmers, and stay-at-home moms at restaurant tables, in parking lots, and laundry rooms.

Art takes Art School and Talent and years of Suffering and Sacrifice. art just takes a desire and 15 minutes a day.

You may not be an Artist. Big whoop. But I know you can make art- with a wonderful, expressive, teeny, tiny a."

Steal Like An Artist ( And From Many!)

I just read this book for the second time.

Steal Like An Artist by Austin Kleon

It's a great little book about creativity.  By the way, I love books on creativity and dream of someday writing one of my own.  It's one of my "go to" areas at the library and at bookstores.  Steal Like An Artist is one of the better ones.  And believe me, I've read many.

One of the points Austin Kleon makes in the book, is that all artists steal from each another.  And it's totally okay to do that.  But rather than copy one artist, steal from many, he says.  And then, stir all those influences up in your warm little pot, and you'll turn it into something that is uniquely your own.

Fermin and I were once listening to a pianist that sounded like a cross between George Winston, and I don't know... someone else...  So when we talked to him, I asked him who his influences have been.  And he said no one.  He went on to say that he tries to not listen to other music because he aims to be unique.  As soon as he said this, I knew he was full of crap and I just wished he would stop talking immediately. What musician doesn't listen to other musicians?!  How could you avoid it even if you wanted to?!

If I knew that lying pianist and were to see him again, I would recommend this book to him.  Just to let him know, it's okay to steal from an artist!  And the more, the better.  I know he's doing it anyway, I just want him to be okay with admitting to it.

Who are your favorite people to steal from?