7 posts tagged “artistic development”

What are you truly capable of doing? How far can you take your abilities, skills and intelligence?

This question made me think a bit earlier on what I like to call, "Mastery of Potential". I've always been intensely fascinated by what you can get your mind to do and how far you can push it. I don't think many people come anywhere close to seeing what they can truly get their minds to accomplish.

I coined th phrase, "Mastery of Potential" for myself several years ago. Mastery of potential is an act of expanding your mind's abilities as far as possible in order to see what you can accomplish, thus discovering and mastering your true potential.

For short, i like to call this act "Mopping". If someone wants to train themselves in this manner, then they desire "to MOP" or "mop".

When "mopping" you would be exerting yourself to see and do the same things in as many ways as you can so that many areas of your brain can be developed and stretched.

Let's take an artist as an example. A traditional artist who paints and draws.

This artist is a master in painting and illustrating urban/metropolitan scenes. He or she has become very adept at capturing the common denominator of the general feeling and look of big city environments. Keep in mind that what sets this artist apart from the average person in perception here is that the average person in a such a cityscape takes their surroundings for granted. If this average city person was shown a picture of a city scene, they'd be able to point out that the scene was indeed a typical metropolitan scene with typical city elements and usual city motifs, but they would not be able to reproduce this visual understanding in an art piece like the example expert artist could.
Now although this artist has become an expert in this facet of art, there are still MANY ways that he/she are able to creatively apply their intimate visual familiarity of city environments. Basically, there are a "millions" ways you can apply a knowledge in a given area... if you truly wanted to test yourself.

    
• The artist can look at fashions often on display in urban environments and be inspired to come up with fashions that take on a city vibe. The artist would start to pay attention to even more minute details in city environments which includes what people are wearing and how they wear it.

    
• The artist can look at the type of shapes, objects and colors that are typically thematic of a city and design sculpture, jewelry, furniture that takes on that likeness. This would get the artist to truly know the nature of how furniture is constructed, how forms are three dimensionally built with clay, metal or any other material and how accessories are stylized and created in a multitude of ways.

    
• The artist can come up with theme and plots for stories that are set in urban environments with unique situations, characterizations and conflicts that are totally based on urban living. This might inspire the artist to pay closer attention to events, conversations and actions that happen in a cityscape around him/her more than usual.

    
• The artist can begin to think in animated or motion visuals regarding big city settings. The artist starts to pay closer attention to the way things move and function rather than how they appear statically appear. This will get the artist to think in actions.

    
• The artist can think of making original recipes for foods and drink that capture the quintessence of living in a large city. The artist will start to become more aware of aromas, eateries and foods in many urban places. They will begin to seek out the details for this type of multifaceted sensation.

The artist in this case can use their intimate knowledge and familiarity of cityscapes, normally used in their drawings and paintings, and find many other ways to invent and perceive the -same- area or subject. Each time he/she stretches their mind into exploring other "faces" of the same complex mental diamond, the artist becomes more aware and intelligent; more of a dynamic and profound thinker and creator. They can then function VERY flexibly. They are now riding the path of "mastery of potential".

Of course this is all theoretical. I mean it would take a LOT for someone to live in this fashion. Very -few- people could do it. It would be nonstop learning to the nth degree in the most intense and fully involved manner. You would also need discipline yourself, compel yourself to interact constantly in so many forms and could not be lazy.

You'd have to be fully motivated and highly active. Each person could do less or more than the other but I think most humans are capable of profound expression and expansion. Humans in general are capable of such amazing things and when I occasionally slip into an "alien view" of this truth, it's absolutely astounding.

I then wonder why we are inclined this way as species and I go back to that ever-persistent question, "What is our purpose here as a species?"

I also wonder how we will evolve further over time and what evolution will bring and look like. How much further can we advance collectively on this planet? Where is this all leading to (if you believe that there is a higher purpose in all of this)?

Some might say survival but if that were the only drive, we wouldn't really need to be where we are now regarding technological advancement and industrialization. There are many societies that still live in what we like to call "primitive" fashion and they do just fine surviving. In some cases, they might live less complex and confusing lives than many of us in "first nation" societies. But that's just an argument, a supposition of sorts. Who knows really. But I do know we don't need as MUCH as we tend to want and have in order to "just survive" if that's one's complete answer to my question.

Anyway, going back to "mastery of potential", I'd love the idea of incorporating a bit of that into my life; learning how to see and do things in as many ways as I can...over time of course. I love relaxing too and just being, so I don't feel this need to take it to the extreme and neglect the experience of simple relating and having fun, although I value the idea of "mopping".

In some ways I already ride that wave, but I know I would upgrade my surfboard as well as the waters I choose to surf in if I wanted to. One of my goals is to do just that this year.

Some people might be confused as to HOW to mop. To start, look at something that you think you can do fairly to really well.

Are you an accountant who is good with numbers? If so, how might you apply your skill with numbers in other ways? How about inventing a new equation, using numbers to come up with an innovation financing system for banking and doing taxes, using numbers to learn how to speed add/multiply/subtract/divide big chains of numbers in short time periods, use numbers to come up with a fascinating board game or story or use numbers to invent a personal language? You can do MANY things with your intelligence with numbers and numbers relations. Think about it.

If you are a house painter, start painting pictures, begin creating your own paints and dyes by studying how paints are made, read about the history of paints, use a completely different type of paint for house painting that might just as well or better, come up with a super paint that has winning features, use unorthodox materials for a type of "paint", begin painting with odd objects to see how the painting process can be altered for a new experience or move on to painting other objects other than houses to see how well you do in those areas and how you might see the process differently in those areas.

Mopping can also take you into entirely new areas of ability and make you aware of how related seemingly unrelated subjects or activities are by discovering new connections between things. If you sing, how might you use your singing to inspire writing? If you act, how might you use your acting skills to design clothes or even create sketches for indoor interiors that personify unique "personalities"?

What can YOU do? What does your true potential look like? How many ways can you get your brain to learn and expand?

Try "mopping" and see what happens. See how you develop and discover more about you. The possibilities are endless.

Since I was a little girl, I’ve always been captivated and intrigued by masquerades, carnivals, inventive costumes, surprise soirées, and signature birthday parties.  Additionally, I have a strong interest in concocting recipes for distinctive but tasty drinks and meals with an artistic flair and for sharing various forms of amusement with like-minded individuals.  Simply put, I revel in the art and experience of themed festivities.  All of those interests play a role in creating a themed event.

I’ve attended many carnivals and I often envision and sketch out fanciful costumes sometimes attached to wacky characters. I am also inspired by Edwardian balls, Venetian carnivals and the attire and masks that adorn attendants of these events. Over the years, my hobby in experimental recipes has led to the creation of a large list of original recipes for both food and drink to amuse myself and others. However, I have yet to carry out the fantasy of actively designing and executing a themed event of my own.

I feel that anyone can come up with an amazing and fantastic idea for a themed party. It just takes a willing mindset, a glowing imagination and an entertaining spirit.

I think many people feel very silly thinking about either attending or hosting a stylized event because by their very nature, these types of festivities encourage all involved to be free and inhibited in ways they usually aren’t. A person must be willing to step outside of his/her day-to-day code of behavior and even, dare I say, pretend a little. I think each and every one of us has some level of attraction to make-believe and pretend play, enough to where we’d like to have fun with some of the whimsical ideas that cross our minds or things that inspire us.

I also think that themed bashes can present a coaxing experience to the individuals that are often overcome by shyness. The leveling effect makes me think back to the old trick that speech instructors use when they often tell their students, before delivering an oral presentation, to imagine everyone in the class naked. I always liked to think that the objective was not necessarily about getting the student to solely desire humiliation for others, but rather to bring the presenter’s perspective back down to earth so that he or she could realize the humanity that was shared between everyone.  Decorative get-togethers can offer a similar sensation for those who are socially nervous and rigid thus making the truly intoxicating agent at a get-together not come through in the alcohol served but in the spirit of the party.

A themed party can be designed and hosted  by yourself or with a few creative and motivated friends. You have to make time to plan and gather your resources. You can literally celebrate anything. The purpose of celebration doesn’t have to be traditional or grand. In fact the more mundane, odd, or simple the concept celebrated is, the better and more imaginative a party can be.

The first step in planning for a themed party is to create a list of important planning questions.

These would be some questions that you might ask yourself and/or anyone else involved in the planning process:

What kind of theme would you base your party on?

You can come up with all sorts of ideas and incorporate them no matter how bizarre, plain or unlikely they seem.  Come up with motif and design arrangements that tie into what you choose to base your theme on.

Celebrate the current season, the month, the day of the week or an anniversary for anything you’ve done for more than a year.

Celebrate by honoring a particular film genre such as Asian horror, cult, black comedy, B movie,  film noir, silent movie or 70s vintage flicks. You can also theme a party entirely around a movie series or a single film.

Celebrate by dedicating a theme to Hawaiian cocktail drinks, boba/bubble tea beverages,  Asian or African teas, exotic fondues and wines, original pastry recipes, savory sauces and homemade jams, 50s diner foods, a certain type of fruit or finger foods.

Celebrate by designing the party around Venetian masks, RPG characters, astrological signs, colors, patterns and textures, comic book characters, a random adjective, a subculture, or an art period.

Who would you invite?

Think about people you relate best to; people who would be interested in attending a themed party and would possibly not mind helping out in some way to make the event as exciting as it could be. If you are open to inviting casual friends and other acquaintances, this is fine as well. The machination of the invitation list is up to you.

How would you go about inviting others?

In this part of the planning, you can also show your zest for creativity. You might choose to send out invitations in a way that foreshadows the style and intended festive mood for the party.  For example, if your party is going to be cop-themed, you might send out invitations that resemble parking tickets, traffic violation citations or badges.

How big or small do you want your party to be and can people bring guests?

This will be an important area to plan for because the size of your party will determine the details for so many other stages of the planning process. You will be able to figure out the size of space you will need to carry out your party, how much food and drink supply will be needed, how many invitations you will officially be sending out and how much money will be spent overall. Furthermore, if you require guests to also contribute food, drink and decorations, your guest list will let you know how to keep tabs on offerings.  Guests should also be told how many extra people they can bring.

When and where would you hold the party?

Once you figure out how many people will be attending the party and helping out, you can firm up details about where the party will be. If your party theme is based on mermaids and pirates, you might want to look into outdoor or beach venues. You can also research party locations that feature pools such as hotels, neighborhood gyms and certain resort lounges. Take this time during the planning process to also decide on the date and time of the party.  The guest list you devise should give you a clue as to when most people can make the event. Contact everyone on the list after it is firmly made and figure out a time that is workable for everyone.

Keep in mind that whatever location you choose, make sure it is fiscally reasonable for yourself and all invited.  If you create themed parties regularly, consider hosting smaller events in familiar, inexpensive and easily accessible locations.

What types of foods and drinks would be served and do others have to contribute any of the edibles?
As mentioned before, making your guest list will let you know how many people you can rely on if the party requires offerings (whether it is in the form of gifts, food, drink, party supplies and paper ware) from everyone. This is a great way to make a party inexpensive and doable. If everything rests on your shoulders, you might start to feel the idea for a party is overwhelming and unfeasible. It doesn’t have to be. In fact, the best parties usually involve guests bringing stuff in to help set up.

Should people come dressed a certain way according to the party’s theme?

Themed parties don’t always have to involve dress up and costuming although those tend be more entertaining and innovative. For example, if your bash involves marathoning through Twilight Zone films, it would be unrealistic for all of your guests to arrive dressed up as Rod Serling look-alikes. It would be cool if you could actually pull this off, but again this would be impractical in most cases. If you really desire any kind of costuming from your guests, you might require everyone to dress up in 50s and 60s attire since the original Twilight Zone series aired during these time periods.

How much money will you spend for supplies and other resources?

Once you figure out who will donate what, what your guest list looks like and where and when you will hold the event, it is time to create a budget and calculate how much of your own money you will be spending for creating invitations (even if they are homemade), buying some food and drink and getting some of the decorations. If you can afford it, if the party will not be held at your place or someone's house or if others have not been required to chip in, you might also consider expenses for where your party will be. In some cases, you could look into renting a space for the day or for a certain number of hours. If you look around well enough, you can get a great deal that can meet your budget.  If your party will be held at a club, most clubs require early reservation of a room or table which might include the expenses of bartending and kitchen services.

How long will the party last?

How long will your party be? Will it be from 4pm to 8pm, from midnight to early morning on a weekend, for an entire day or will it take place over a full weekend?

Will you take pictures and create a themed party photo album of some kind?

It is best to have a digital camera present at the party. A video camera would be better so that you can record everything taking place at your event. You can later send copies of the videotape or pictures to everyone that attended or you can use an on-line resource for uploading photos and videos. Over the years, the parties can help create a dynamic time capsule for everyone involved.

The point of planning a themed event or party is to create a new and exciting experience, honor friendships and to appreciate life in as many ways as you can. It’s something that I definitely wish to do someday and eventually often and I look forward to sharing these experiences with good friends.

I think if you are unsure about these type of experience, the first place to start is in attending a themed event that someone else has managed. Try it out for yourself and savor what the experience offers.

Let it enthuse.

Historically the muses are typically regarded as nine young goddesses of inspiration who personify and embody the arts, poetry and sciences. They were entities of song and grace that inspired people to exert their best efforts and live to their fullest potential. Additionally, they engendered harmony, prosperity and friendships.

What would it mean to become a muse in today's time? Do you have a desire to become a muse of any sort? If so, what kind of muse would you be? How do you normally find yourself inspiring others? How do you purposefully like to inspire others? My belief is that both men and women can be muses, muses can be of any age and muses can possess a number of visual impressions. The stereotype is that muses look like flawless beauties. I think instead muses possess a unique beauty of spirit; a brand of individuality that is magnetic. This might make an impression upon his/her looks or it might at first not be so aesthetically obvious but would be something that people FEEL when they come into contact with him/her.

When I mention a modern day muse, I very much mean in a real sense. Not paranormally. I also think there are muse qualities in all of us, but my focus is more in being a muse in awareness...in a way that is organically asserted and confidently activated.

I've thought about this for some time, but I'd like to consider myself a muse of sorts and I'd like to be more confidently and actively. I think in asserting yourself this way, you as the muse realize, that by natural rule, living as a muse incites more passionate living.

Unbridled passionate living.

I also think a modern day muse feeds off of inspiration in many ways too. They don't just inspire others. Inspiration becomes a fuel of sorts, in both directions. So when a muse ceases to find inspiration and to create or embody it in some manner, the muse identity "dies".

I've exercised my muse powers through Meetup.com recently. I started a group for exercise and fitness which targets women who are curvy, plus-sized and/or plump. I speak to an audience of women who are happy about and find beauty in being thicker and rubenesque in stature but would like to tone up and participate in regular exercise activity so that our fitness levels are heightened as curvy women. Our goal is not to be thin but to be healthy. This inspires a great many of women to redefine beauty for themselves and to see their own loveliness through and through.

Mingling with others, sending messages and speaking up is important in cultivating muse power and spirit. Again the aim of a muse is to live passionately, embrace living and embody inspiration.

How do you wish to do this? It can be done in so many ways:

    
• Join or start a new group based on unique interests, desires and goals
• Cultivate your own sense of style or bring it out again in full vigor
• Explore new ideas and thoughts; challenge old ones
• Define why you are beautiful in your own way apart from what society dictates and begin living in this newfound sense of pride
• Champion a new or long-abandoned cause
• Find a way to help someone realize their potential, their dreams or their value
• Do something new and different each day
• Read, listen to and see curious books, music and film respectively
• Try a brand new cuisine
• Research different lifestyles and viewpoints
• Do something you've always done the same in a completely new way
• Strike up a conversation with a random stranger and ask them thoughtful questions
• Find ways you can make society better, more rewarding and interesting
• Invent something or improve upon an old convention

Be more hands on:

We are a society that is very much out of touch with our instincts. We don't have to use and sharpen then. We live in an automated, highly technical and ever-increasing digital world. I don't put down modern and technical conventions as they have their own appealing qualities, I just think we are greatly handicapped by them through our own ignorance and lack of exploration and awareness.

So how can we really be muses of anything?

How can we really appreciate anything?

How can we really understand and FEEL?

I think it's important to keep old traditions alive because make US feel alive. Our senses remain sharp, aware and functioning. Never at a loss. Never dull.

Rather than go out to eat or buy microwave food, cook sometimes from SCRATCH or learn how to for a particular recipe. The meal will be that much more appreciated. I would even say growing one's own vegetables and fruits gives a different sense of appreciation too. I wonder how many people would consume as much meat as they did if they had to hunt and prepare it themselves.

Rather than typing a letter why not write one. A LONG one...and do it often. Why not a short story or *gasp* a novel?

Instead of drawing something on the computer, why not get the paints, charcoals, pastels, markers, pens or conte out to draw? G further and maybe create and stretch your own canvas, make your own brushes, make and mix your own paints just to see what it feels like? Use natural objects as brushes such as twigs, leaves, flower petals, and hands.

Why not learn how to play an instrument or take some voice lessons for fun to get a different appreciation for music and singing? Even just reading about the history of music can change one's perspective.

Rather than renting a movie for a particular title, why not go read the book?
Rather than seeing a movie, why not go see a theatre production with live actors and music?

Rather than reading about a particular culture, country or city, why not plan a trip someday to visit that region to get a real sense of the area? Learn the language?

Why not look up some craft projects and get busy with them and get your hands dirty? Try to make an article of clothing for yourself, a piece of jewelry, your own sculpture or piece of dish ware or a bath and beauty accessory (creams, lotions, soap, shampoo, perfume)? Include stuff like making your own butter, cheese, wine, spread, jam, jelly or oil?

You get the picture. I love stuff like this. It is important to hone desires for these things and to find ways to incorporate these types of activities and a quality of curiosity into your daily living. Make them a part of your life; necessary, natural and therapeutic rituals to fully activate your muse power and spirit.

Upon further thought, embracing yourself as a muse also inspires more love and appreciation for self. You really start to admire your own brand of beauty in and out and acknowledge how valuable it is in its own right...what it can do, what it means and how it can inspire and compel many.

So my recommendation is to begin embracing yourself as a muse, in the ways it best unleashes and suits the true you regardless of age, gender, sexuality, appearance and so on.

No need to wait.

Begin now. See and explore your beauty in all its glory and OWN and USE it.

My favorite thing to do is to tell a story and to illustrate it in some fashion.

The art piece "Ginger's Song" has gone through a lot of revisions. The character even looked different in the beginning. Not drastically so, but Ginger was less refined. I like that her features remain odd and characteristic so that you know that although she resembles a human, she belongs in the fantasy realm.

Ginger's Song is a short story concept that I have yet to write. The story is about a young girl with a talent for playing the piano. While practicing in her room on her scaled-down piano that her mother purchased for her years ago, she thinks of a new tune that she's quite fond of and wishes to try out on the piano. At first, the tune doesn't sound right. Some notes are off and it's incomplete.

When she manages to finish composing the tune, something very fantastical happens. One of the walls in her bedroom starts glowing around the edges and eventually breaks away completely to reveal a hidden world. She sees a valley of lush green rolling hills, marbled white fluffy clouds in the sky with a brilliant and crisp sun amid a pale lavender sky tinged with lemon tints and an inviting quaint little schoolhouse with children playfully running around on the grounds not too far in the distance.

Ginger realizes that this special song that she's created is the key to this enchanting world. Anytime she wants to visit, she knows she can play her song, Ginger's Song.

Although, I've decided to showcase my artwork here as well, more of my illustrations can be viewed at:

I’ve had a desire to write since I was very young.  I’ve always had a very active, vivid, wild and expressive imagination. When I told a story to someone, they’d always listen and find what I had to say fascinating because I was skilled with taking people on a journey. I always explored the "what if" and the unusual.  So naturally, I had delightful and entertaining stories to tell.

I can remember all of the poems, short stories and random writings I created in the past.  I wrote my first short story at age 9 which turned out to be nearly 40 pages. I'd written stories before but they were random short writings that I played around with. The short story I wrote at this point in time was for a 4th grade class assignment.  Each student was instructed to write a 4-5 page short story. I decided to write a short story on one of my favorite games at the time: Alex Kidd in Miracle World. It was a game for the now defunct but ever-nostalgic Sega Master System console.

Our teacher wanted each of us to present our stories in front of the class by reading it aloud. I was excited about this and wanted to share what I had written with classmates eagerly. Once it was my turn to take center stage in front of the class and deliver my story, I remember seeing the expressions of several classmates as they listened. Many stopped what they were doing, as if they were in mild trances and their eyes became fixated on me. They were captivated by my Alex Kidd fan fiction story and all of its surreal descriptions and scenes. The teacher was very impressed with my tale and immediately praised my writing after I finished presenting. She gave me an A on the assignment and said that I should write more stories because I had natural talent.

I felt great about her support and very proud of my writing. Toward the middle of that year, I began experimenting with funnies, comic strips and various accompanying illustrations. I would show the same instructor my creations and she continued encouraging me and said she found my strips amusing and humorous.  I was certainly inspired to write further. While waiting to be picked up after-school , I began writing poems with illustrations on blank paper that came in a multitude of colors. I’d go around showing these works to various kids on the playground, after-school counselors and other teachers to see their reactions. I had as much fun revealing my writings to others as I did creating them. It was my own quirky way of entertaining myself.

Writing poetry became an intense habit.  Over the next several years, I wrote many poems and my writing became more sophisticated and expressive. I started to write poetry not only as a way to creatively express myself, but as a form of therapy to explore and purge my emotions. As an eccentric and solitary child, my writing and artwork were my best friends.

Once I got into high school, I took an active interest in expanding my writing into very descriptive scenes, longer forms of poetry, lists of bizarre make-believe diseases and ailments, the development of my own secret language and the creation of a self-philosophy and spiritual belief system I called Jeoydo. I had various notebooks and original pamphlets for my creations. I'd sneak time to go into the computer lab during breaks, when it was empty, to type up and print out as much of my writing as I could. I went around promoting some of my personal philosophies and ideas through self-created booklets with detailed descriptions of beliefs, ideals and principles in the guise of a small organization or social club for people to join.

Of course, many students thought I was strange. They assumed I was on the path of becoming a notorious cult leader and they saw these actions as more validation of my oddness. I roused curiosity and intrigue nonetheless. When I wanted to get away and write further, I’d seek solace in quiet, remote and empty spaces behind the fine arts building, where no one could disturb me with loud noises and other annoying distractions.  

I actually began my scene description projects in junior high as I had always done and carried this habit into high school; I’d show random students, fellow band members and some of my English, creative writing and language instructors during class breaks at nutrition and lunch. I continued on with this throughout the remainder of my high school years. Some of my writings were very morbid with elements of dark fantasy and acute black humor that not everyone could stomach or understand but they were still vastly imaginative and distinctive.  

I considered the reactions of others to be a form of conceptual art. My creative process would begin with my ideas. After that, I began writing out my ideas in some form and I'd present them to others, but the reactions of others would finalize the creative endeavor. My desire to show others might have seemed like an act for approval or attention but for the most part,  it was about entertaining myself.  Others were just spectators in the process. Of course, there were a few instructors along the way that offered me much support and encouragement and they will always be remembered for that.

When I went to college, I continued to write in my spare time or whenever I felt the urge and got a chance to jot down my ideas. My mother purchased a Brothers word processor for me before I left for college. It had a monitor, a keyboard and could accept disks for saving work and loading software. I used it all the time and stored many of my older and new writings in it. However, as the priority of college and the dissonance of young adult life took over, I started to lose touch with my writing rituals.
In my late twenties, I felt an inner calling to get back into writing regularly and that’s when I began thinking about my writing in regards to career development. I had taken many paths during college to decide "what I wanted to be when I grew up” and I eventually got my degree in Visual Communication as a graphic designer and illustrator. I don’t regret the academic decision to ultimately pursue a design degree because it has allowed me to gain many skills and to think expansively on ways I can illustrate my writings as an illustrator.

I explored the path of becoming a writer further as I reached my late 20s. Initially I had some technical notions of what it means to become a writer. The list was very concrete. It started off with these objectives:

1. Revisit and read more fiction works. Read regularly.


2. Participate in writers' groups and events. Network.


3. Keep a writing journal and carry it everywhere to record ideas. Record.


4. Write something daily. Develop praxis.

These are still great ideas and I make sure to incorporate each of them into my life on a daily basis. However, I have been inspired to rethink and expand my list of objectives when I think of what it means to become a writer and in striving to be a great one.

I feel it is very important to focus more on developing spirit, heart and intuition as a writer. To explore and experience the world around you. The technical aspect of the craft is important, but as the late Sloan Wilson stated in a reprinted 1962 article, "How to Become a Writer":

The important thing of course is to learn to live fully, to love with kindness as well as passion, to hate the right things and even right people effectively rather than self-destructively, to worship well...

Once a person learns to live well. he or she is provided with many avenues of self-expression, all of them as good as writing, and some better.

In essence, if a writer can cultivate thinking, feeling and exploring, then he/she can learn how to write, because he/she has something to write about. Writing is more about intuition than it is about being grammatically correct and efficient; basically taking the academic approach.

It is crucial to possess and constantly nurture a curious nature. Curiosity leads to more exploration. Barry Levinson, a prolific filmmaker, director, producer and screenwriter with razor-sharp with, stated, "One of the things about being a writer is you have to be inquisitive and open to things that...rattle in your head."

This is where, as a writer, one can turn theory or concept into something very energetically tangible. As a result, the writing flow kicks in once you allow creative improvisation to work its magic. But again, that openness must be there to begin with.

As writers, we accumulate a great deal of junk. But the thing is that it's not merely junk. It has the potential to be transformed into literary gold. - Thomas E. Kennedy

Aspiring writers need to respect and preserve fragmented legacies of their creative thinking. This means that the foundation to developing amazing writing ideas can be found in random scraps, abandoned terms, phrases and short stories written down in folders and old journals, souvenir collections, photographs and scattered notebooks. These are all items and resources that should never be thrown away. There are many writers, such as Thomas E. Kennedy, who've gone on to create profound and award-winning literary works based on brief notes and writings that they found on scraps of paper in an old chest or drawer from long ago.

This leads me to my next point. I believe it is important to seek inspiration in everyday events and in the most unlikely and unorthodox ways. I am inspired by conversations, music, film, window shopping, purchases, color, texture, tastes, sights, sounds, emotions, trips, emotion, dreams, theoretical thought, gestures, symbols, icons, concepts, other people and much more. I find and see inspiration everywhere. It's necessary to live in and with passion. Passion awakens the senses and our sensitivity to everyday events and we begin to experience the world in ways we were formerly turned off to.

Writing is largely about self-revelation and the best and most established writers understand this and incorporate authenticity and sincerity in their writing. Being authentic comes with courage, a deep understanding about oneself and a strong desire to discover more within the inner folds. Everything we write reveals some element of truth about ourselves not only as writers but as individuals. To write freely is to abandon fear and doubt.

Last but not least, writing should involve great experimentation and adventure. Try many different forms and styles of writing without focusing too much on the mechanics of writing. Remember to have fun and to play. Writing should be your playground.

Inspiration comes from so many sources - experiences, nature, people, events, etc.

Lately, I've been looking at a lot of inspiring websites and businesses. I connect with a kindred energy when I sense and feel it. You can discover a lot about yourself, your true goals and passions when you pay attention to what you are drawn to. Patterns can be acknowledged and analyzed and further clarity becomes a result.

I was talking my fiance Andrew about inspiration and also about competition yesterday. What does it mean for someone to be competitive when they aspire to reach a goal or better define themselves?

I don't necessarily see competition as bad or even destructive, but I do think there are some delusions involved in how some people view competition in themselves. For example, I remember talking with a friend and he mentioned that he hates when others are competitive and that this world would be better off without that kind of drive or focus. I asked him if he saw himself as competitive and he said, "No, I am not really competitive, although I do try to top myself and that's different." I told him that was competition, but just directed in a different sense and I also mentioned that he'd be surprised to discover how that inner sense of urgency is often fueled by external factors. It's impossible to be absolutely free of that as a human being or a life form period. On a very basic level, it's what defines some function of life and also what makes us able to survive through better adaptations.

I explained how competition with others, in the realm of individualism rather than collective consciousness and being, is not really about "others"...it IS essentially about oneself; the preservation, survival and betterment of oneself through a mode of vicarious direction which reveals values and self-truths. A competitive target could be anyone and anything...it's just a mirror. So again, it is essentially about self. Some people are more or less external in this mode, but that's just a different mode of how competition functions. I also think that targets of competition can't really take or be given any personal credit given what I just mentioned...because they are mirrors. If it's not that particular situation or person, then it will be another...given that whatever is valued is present.

I thought about this because as I was looking around at sites and profiles of people that I admire, I felt inspiration but I also felt a twinge of wanting to compete. I analyzed that and saw that it came back to the vicarious mode. There are desires inside that create standards and I wish to reach and eventually surpass those standards because it all plays a part of how I desire to define my life. I feel that definition comes from who I think I am as a person and what I think my life purpose is and should be.

If one can look at this process of analysis, one can find out if components in this "formula" create a good result or link up. Look at what makes you respond, compete, feel inspired and so forth. Look at the inner pull involved in these expressions/feelings and see if a set of standards can be realized. Once those standards are realized, think further about life purpose and self-definition and decide whether or not this all really reflects who you think you are or who you think you should be. You might have to do some "retracking" and restructuring and what comes to be realized might not even be pleasant or make sense. This sounds very exact and sequential although the process is more quantum in nature. I think it's an important process to put oneself through. Discovery and epiphanies will come about for sure and it won't necessarily be instant...but it will be progress nonetheless.

On a more show n' tell note, here are few sources of innovation that I feel a connection to and am inspired by:

Illustrators/Designers Vicki Wong and Michael Murphy of Meomi
Illustrator Simone Legno of Tokidoki
Jewelry/Fashion Designer Tarina Tarantino
Illustrator(s) behind Indeepop

There are many more to list, but I'll keep the list brief...for now.

I've been able to read about the history of artistic development and ambition of some of these artists and again I find them so inspiring. I've been working on Pink Laughter Kingdom more actively in the last month, particularly with character development. Character development is central to creating a world identity. The Pink Laughter Kingdom concept has been in my head for so long and it's time to really push it to the next level.

In an effort to further articulate many of my visions in this realm, I will be going into an intense mode of self-education and development. I decided to check back with Gnomon School of Visual Effects for 5 week and 10 week class sessions as I work at home. The classes are 500 dollars each so that's not too bad for 5-10 week sessions. I'd like to develop my skills in gesture, character and figure drawing, by taking some of these classes during the weekend if possible in the middle of the week, because I have a lot of ideas for character development that involve stronger skills in this area of illustration. Additionally, I think Santa Monica College has some interesting weekend classes to look into.

As I mentioned before, I'd like to develop more skills in the area of web development as well. Nothing intense or big as I am not aspiring to be a full-fledged programmer of course. I just seek development that will further help me to be self-reliant in my design projects and as an artist with greater technical skills. I am trying to lessen that chasm I spoke about in a previous entry...between artistic vision and realization.

Cool site (I so love designer toys!)...it is in Japanese, but there are many figures to look at in the products section, once going further into the site.

Good Smile Company

Are you a go-getter or do you wait for things to happen to you?

I've been a bit of both at different times in my life. Over time I see myself functioning more in the former category. I can be very type A and perform with an explosive and enduring amount of energy when I put my mind and heart into something, but then I can be bad at procrastinating in other moments and find it difficult to get started in executing an objective...for a number of reasons. Some of these reasons are ones that I've talked about in previous journal entries.

I truly do not believe in waiting for things to happen. Sometimes, one does get lucky and certain opportunities just fall into place, but even with that being a factor, some preparation must be present. If luck does occur, it would suck big time to NOT be ready to take on a given opportunity because you waited around and didn't invest in any planning. It would pretty much be a case of "being caught off guard".

I was talking to my fiance Andrew last night about ideas and concepts...as well as being in the habit of being overwhelmed by the desire to carry out many ideas and passions. This is common among a lot of creative types, so it's something many can understand and relate to. He also he expressed his experience with this and talked about the long-standing desire of turning his novel into a graphic novel series at some point. We were looking at a lot of sites online for inspiration and this is what originally led to this discussion tangent.

I am seeing that many illustrators are taking their ideas and expressing them three dimensionally. I've always been fascinated with this process and wish to do this myself. I mentioned this to Andrew, and he expressed his desire for taking the characters of his novel into the three dimensional realm, drawing-wise, to create detailed characterization. Afterwards, I asked him if he ever had the desire to work with 3D Studio Max. He said that he briefly used Lightwave in the past, but that was about as much as he experienced with using 3D graphics software. He emphasized that writing is his main focus and he is overwhelmed with how much he'd ideally like to do overall. This is understandable, as he is swamped with work in his master’s program, will soon be gearing up for his internship in Montreal and spends any spare time working on the book drafts for the rest of his novel series for Eden's Heel (and of course talking to me).

I told him that working in 3D Studio Max does not mean he has to focus on becoming a 3D modeler or animator. It would mean that he'd find his skills expanding in a way that might be surprising to him because I've seen this happen with myself in various circumstances. Regardless of where an artist is at, all artists have visions and when the gap between an artist's vision(s) and the artist's abilities is great, it creates more frustration and disenchantment. One of the most satisfying things to do, as an artist, is to be able establish visionary goals by decreasing that chasm...but I believe that in order to do this, we must sometimes seek to find and acknowledge connections in unfamiliar ways.

For example, I remember taking a 2D Design class several years ago as an art/art history major and the first projects in that class were several exercises working with pen and ink. Many of the assignments dealt with stripping down full-color photographs and images into basic shapes composed of values (black and white). All areas of light were displayed initially as white gouache (paint) and all areas of shadow were displayed as areas of black gouache and eventually we started creating a scale between those two values through shades of gray from a 10 step gradation scale. We worked so extensively with these exercises, that I can remember one day looking at my instructor during lecture and suddenly, I saw him completely composed in black and white values...almost to the point of being down right disturbing. My perception switched into a different area and I saw him as a foundation of basic elements.

We see chiaroscuro (shadow and light) everyday, but the average person takes these details in their environment for granted. Shadow and light are seen, but as elements they aren't truly acknowledged by what I call the third eye. Artists with great execution have third eyes that are sharper and more refined. The third eye for everyone is composed of many different segments; often segments that remain undeveloped and as untapped potential. I started to see not only my instructor in values but everything around me. That segment of my third eye had come into further development since I had transitioned into a different visualization process through a series of pen and ink works and conditions.

The average person, in varying degrees, is relatively good at pattern recognition, which leads to clearer and sharper identification and associative cognition, and if a common object is asked to be described, most people can describe it in words and/or draw a very basic sketch of it on a piece of paper. Moreover, they can point it out if they see it in a lineup among other objects.

How well they can draw and describe the object is affected by the strength of their third eye. Some people visualize details of something naturally better than others and will be able to translate this in a number of ways whether it is with sketchbook, words or some other channel and that is often described as talent. However, even people with that advantage need further third eye sharpening. It takes practice, time and creative thinking. I liken this to being able to add up numbers in the mind's eye. When we try to do this, we struggle more or less than others to keep the numbers present within a mental viewpoint. The numbers seem to want to disappear or move around and mess up the process of calculation while we imagine. People who are good (or get to be good) with mathematical calculations can keep a stronger focus of numbers, and their relations with one another, in the mind longer so that it is as functional to get a result as it would be in utilizing paper which provides static reference.

Another striking incidence of visualization shift took place when I started using 3D Studio Max. I became completely fascinated with the program and after class was over, I stayed up many nights experimenting with the program and doing various online tutorials until 5-7am in the morning. I wanted to learn as much as I could because it was a completely new process and there was so much potential to express my creative ideas in a different way than before. I noticed that, again, I started to see everyday objects in a completely different way. I began seeing everything in basic shapes or shape complexes the way I did when I worked in 3D Studio Max. I paid attention to texture and lighting the way I did when working in the program and I eventually noticed that when I went back to creating illustrations in Illustrator and Photoshop, I developed a stronger eye for creating depth through texture, lighting and shape. My technique became better just through using 3ds Max. I didn't have this expectation when I first started using the program but the epiphany was a delicious encounter.

A lot of people would see working in this program and developing better skills, in other facets of illustration, as unrelated...but as a person who loves symbolism, analogy and seeing and making connections, I feel this is no different in gaining the benefits of taking, for example, an acting class and using that to further strengthen the ability to express yourself in other ways, unrelated to a career and pursuit in acting. Taking acting classes is a great tool for a lot of people who are shy, want to be speakers/lecturers, wish to sing and desire a better understanding of themselves and others kinesthetically, especially since this comprises a large segment of communication and relative interpretation. Again, the skills sets developed in this manner aren't advantageous to just actors. There are a multitude of priceless skill development connections here waiting to be unsheathed and seized.

So, as mentioned before, decreasing the chasm between vision and ability can be achieved by seeking, finding and building connections between seemingly unrelated functions and areas.

When Andrew mentioned that he had no time for developing his drawing skills in the realm of character design by utilizing 3D Studio Max, and that it was unrelated to what he wanted to do with his focus in writing, I then disagreed due to the aforementioned thoughts. He might not have time to truly devote himself to character design right now in this manner, but he might find dabbling in a program such as that to be surprisingly beneficial. It might be the missing link in developing stronger skills spatially for the establishment of projects related to sequential art (comics). This isn't the only way he can develop stronger character design skills. He could find other unconventional ways to do this, but it's one of many ideas that could offer some results and progress. It's good to experiment to see what can develop.

Build a ship, grab a pair of binoculars, pack necessities in preparation of your journey...and set out to explore...