Episode 485 of the CMP, a Creativity Matters Podcast — Inviting the unexpected, the simplicity of deliberate wandering, sketchnoting old shows, 2 books about authors and artists, a Julia Cameron read-along, and more.
In this episode, some updates and vignettes:
-
Some library wander and the value of the wander
-
The importance of finding ways to create those moments and opportunities for the unexpected for yourself
-
Two books — fantastic graphic novels about artists and illustrators
-
A quick note about sketchnoting old shows (a one-a-week old-show goal + I think I should do this digitally/get an iPad)
- Some Hayao Miyazaki talk; after reading the books, I started rewatching the Miyazaki movies, starting with Spirited Away, Kiki’s Delivery Service, and My Neighbor Totoro
-
A Julia Cameron read-along invitation for Write for Life (find all the information on the substack) – I am hoping to read along, track the experience, and open discussions for each of the six “week” chapters
-
A reminder that I’m writing regularly again and sending out a weekly newsletter via the substack space….. I’d love to have you join me there…. illustratedlife.substack.com
There is a Pac-Man moment…. which now I need to look up and remind myself of the visuals of the ghosts and dotted path (so clear, of course, forty years ago) to add to my journal. There was a moment in this show where I also felt like I needed to find an X-Files audio clip, but I just didn’t have time.
The two books reviewed here are both by Elizabeth Haidle. I said I looked at three and then realized I looked at four. The fourth, I think, may be what led me to reserve them all at the same time. The fourth was written by someone else (Deb Olin Unferth) but illustrated by Haidle. That one is I, Parrot. (It’s a very unusual story, and it is, really, about someone taking care of a house full of parrots. But it’s also about families, and “the system,” and parenting, and relationships, and how sometimes things go so wrong even when we are trying so hard.) So, the four books:
- Before They Were Authors: Famous Writers As Kids
- Before They Were Artists: Famous Illustrators As Kids
- I, Parrot
- The Girl Who Named Pluto
Also mentioned: Why Johnny Can’t Read Now; An Elegy (Deanna Kreisel)
Substack!
If you want to keep up with more from the CMP, please consider following the Illustrated Life substack. I’ll be sending new content via the substack (so that it arrives in your inbox). Please consider giving it a try. It’s free to follow, and the substack is completely interwined with the podcast. I definitely see it as the podcast on a page.
Support the CMP
If you enjoy the podcast, I hope you will consider showing support of the Creativity Matters Podcast. There are many ways to help:
- Follow the substack
- Ko-fi (one-time donation)
- Amazon wishlist
- Leave a review of the podcast in your podcast player/app
- Patreon (currently inactive)
Thank you to those of you who have supported the CMP, just as you support other creators and sources of inspiration and guidance when you buy books, sign up for paid workshops and classes, and purchase small works of art from the artists you follow. Support from some of you through the years has made the show possible.
Follow at Instagram and YouTube
Please consider following:
New to the CMP? Here are a few shows you might try:
- Snow Globe (457)
- Gratitude Cup (455)
- Five Minutes (454)
- Summer Series (445)
- When You Want to Quit (440)
- Panning for Gold (290)
- Red Sun (257)
- Here (319)
- Find a Penny (298)
- Teapots in a Tree (383)
- Slice of Life Contour (356)
- Olive Jars (436)
- Love What You Do (244)
- Illustrated Journal (367)
- The Moments within the Moments (197)
- Scroll Your Feed (362)
- View all podcasts
Listen to Episode 485
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts
(This episode is available in many of your favorite podcast players.)
Tools
- Moleskine Art Sketchbook (my most commonly used book for drawing and my illustrated journal)
- Moleskine Art Sketchbook (the REALLY big one — A3 (11.75″ x 16.5″)
- Preppy Fountains Pen 02 – this is one of the best starter/inexpensive fountain pens you can buy!
- Preppy Fountain Pens 03 (multi set)
- Lamy Safari – always a good choice
- TWSBI Eco – my favorite fountain pen in the starter range (although I love my TWSBI Iris Vac even more)
- Dip Pen holder I’ve been using (with maru nibs)
- PILOT Iroshizuku Bottled Fountain Pen Ink (multiple color options)
- Diamine Fountain Pen Ink (multiple)
- Noodler’s Fountain Pen Ink (multiple)
- Monteverde Fountain Pen Ink (multiple)
- Colorverse Fountain Pen Ink (multiple)
- Platinum Carbon Black ink (what’s in my fountain pen)
- Sktchy app for inspiration photos
- Micron 08 (larger nib good for thicker lines or filling in small-medium spaces)
- Micron 01 (favorite for drawing)
- Micron Sampler
- Notes on large format sketchbooks
- ROYGBIV supplies: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet
- Uni-Gel Alpha Shaker pencil (mine is listed as “slightly firm” – but it’s super cushy; they do come in other softness/hardness ratings. I really do love this shaker!)
- Pentel Hi-Polymer Block Eraser, Large, White (these things disappear like socks; you can never have too many white erasers lying around)
Show Information:
- Buy me a Coffee with Ko-Fi (or commission a drawing)
- Start your shopping at Amazon here
- Amazon wishlist
- Patreon
- Start your shopping at Amazon with a CMP link
- Creativity Matters at YouTube (please follow!)
- Creativity Matters Group at Facebook
- oamyoamy at Instagram
- Try Creative Bug with the Living a More Creative Life: 30 Ways in 30 Days class
- Guitar music: Nicholai Heidlas on SoundCloud
