Tuesday, April 26, 2005

Archibald Prize

The Archibald Prize is Australia's premiere portraiture award. Follow the link to view all the finalists, view previous winners and get a history of the event. I have been to the Archibald twice in the past four years and am always amazed by the entries. They are striking, sometimes confronting, but always impressive. Please take a stroll around the virtual gallery - you'll be glad you did! And if you can - get yourself to Sydney for the exhibition (30 April to 3 July 2005).

Friday, April 22, 2005

Artist Entreprenuer

PA Artist Entreprenuer is a community based resource for artists. It does have some information specific to Pennsylvania, USA, but for the rest of us there are interviews with working artists, web resources, info on developing business and marketing plans, etc. There is some useful "artists in business" type information. It requires registration to access the information, but this is free, quick and your privacy is assured, so I think it's worth it.

Thursday, April 21, 2005

Ask Einstein

This is an article on an Australian entrepreneur who has just released a set of cards designed to help people get their creative juices flowing. The cards sound interesting, and he has also listed his top 10 tips to expand your innovative thinking. They are simple ideas, but having just skimmed over them I already have some fun ideas starting to form.

Tuesday, April 19, 2005

byokal

Just found this cool toy - "byokal-Build Your Own Kaleidoscope" by Ze Frank. It's very clever - have a go!!

Five doorways into brilliance

This is an interesting article on getting the creative juices flowing. It is brief (really just 5 words), straight to the point and very approachable and understandable. It ain't rocket science, but it does pose some questions that we can ask ourselves that may just turn on that lightbulb!

Monday, April 18, 2005

Time Traveler

I just finished reading The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger - it really touched me. I thought it was a unique approach to a love story - beautiful, sweet and sorrowful. Niffenegger succeeded in making a fanciful story seem so believable and real. I laughed, I certainly cried and when I finished the book I felt sad - I didn't want it to end. It was one of those lovely books that comes to a natural conclusion, but you are still left wanting more - what happens to their daughter, how does Clare cope being alone, and on and on...

Friday, April 15, 2005

Creative Tool Kit

This site has some interesting information on creativity techniques and creative tools for problem solving. It is a commercial web site, but drill down from this link and they have some interesting "tools" for releasing creative ideas, some very good quotes and some puzzles to exercise the braincells. There are some great suggestions here that may help you overcome a block.

Thursday, April 14, 2005

Share the sharing

3hive is a blog dedicated to sharing sites that have free music downloads available. It all looks legal as they link to the site of the artist or their record label, this isn't a peer-to-peer, file-sharing type site that will have the record industry heavies knocking on your door. But obviously, do your own research.

If you need to create some atmosphere for your creativity to flow, start here.

Monday, April 11, 2005

Books

I just love books - it's almost a religious thing with me. I always treat them with care and respect, because I feel they can be the most beautiful things full of untapped information and adventure.

I believe they are a great place to start for inspiration, so I thought I'd share a few with you.

Barbara Sher writes straightforward, commonsense books about achieving your best. I have read "Live The Life You Love", and I have just started "Wishcraft", which you can download for free here. The books first help you to determine what it is you really want to do, deep down - not what you think you should do or what you have developed skills at, but what you are inately meant to do. Then you are guided through some steps to move towards your goal. They are achievable because she breaks it up into manageable bite-size tasks.

Julia Cameron's The Artist's Way is a classic when it comes to realising and releasing your creativity. It is a 12 week program with readings and tasks to complete. The core of the program are two habits Ms Cameron advocates - Morning Pages and the Artist Date. Morning pages are "stream-of-consciousness" writing that you start your day with to clear your head and deal with any negative thoughts stopping you from creating. The artist date is just about making time once a week to do something to inspire you - like visit an art gallery, go for a picnic, etc.

A helpful little book that I refer to regularly is the Color Index - when I'm feeling a bit stuck, or can't work out what colours will work well together I flick through this. It is very handy for graphic designers or web developers.

Another book that I am thinking about getting is Twyla Tharp's The Creative Habit: Learn It and Use It for Life. It has received very good reviews on Amazon. If you have read it, please leave some comments about what you thought of it - should I buy it or spend my money on something else!

Anyway, just a few that come to mind at the moment - I'll try to regularly include a review of a book I have read or heard about. Please feel free to suggest some via the comments.

Thursday, April 07, 2005

Art Express

If you live in NSW, Australia you really must try and get to Art Express. It is the display of the highest scoring major art works submitted by students for their HSC (Higher School Certificate). I went in 2003 and it was one of the most amazing art exhibitions I have ever been to. You have to keep reminding yourself while viewing it that all the art was made by 17 and 18 year olds. I still get goosebumps when I think about the quality of the work and the messages many of them carried.

Please go if you can - you will always remember it and there is no better example of the power of youth.

Tuesday, April 05, 2005

10x10

10x10 is a project by Jonathan J. Harris that I am really impressed by. It captures the top 100 news images each hour and creates a single image from them. I think this is a brilliant idea - an electronic time capsule.

One Plus One Equals Three

One Plus One Equals Three is according to the contributors: "an Australian blog dedicated to the discussion of design—principally graphic/communication design and interactive design (from Australia whenever possible). 1=1=3 will reflect upon what it is that designers do and how it impacts on people, our culture(s) and our world. 1+1=3 is intended to be a catalyst for discussion about design and intends to make visible and to make public the thinking, the questions and the issues that confront designers everyday. In the words of Josef Albers, pioneering Bauhaus designer and educator: "In design, one plus one equals three sometimes". Design can deliver more than just problem solving (1+1=2) and is not merely an occupation for fashion-savvy stylists. It's at least both those things and very much more."

I find it an interesting resource on design with clear and insightful discussion. Worth a regular visit.

Monday, April 04, 2005

Louvre Museum Official Website

What could be more inspiring than the Louvre Museum? We are all blessed to have such a collection available for us to appreciate. I like to look at the site and reminisce... Just over 3 years ago I was at the Louvre - I was travelling through the UK and Europe with my Mum and we spent a day here. It was exactly as had I imagined - breathtaking. The scale and importance of the collection is priceless. But, if you can't get there, at least you can take a virtual tour via the web site and imagine you are sitting in the sculpture gallery surrounded by some of the most beautiful things you will ever see.....

Friday, April 01, 2005

I'm feeling a bit MoCo Loco

MoCo Loco is a "web magazine featuring modern contemporary design news and views", but I would just say it is a site full of very cool stuff. I'm always amazed to see the brilliance of some of the objects on this site, and impressed by where modern design is at. This site will make you look at household items very differently!

lion

Hi, I'm back! Sorry things have been quiet around here, but I'm back on board now and I promise to try and post a link to a new inspiring web site everyday.

But first, I just have to share a photo from my trip, because well, it was inspiring! We were very fortunate to be able to spend 3 days at the absolutely amazing Kwandwe Private Game Reserve. On our very first drive we found a pride of lions finishing off a kudu (a large type of antelope). There were 7 in the pride - the lion, 2 lionesses and 4 cubs. The lion had had his fill and was sitting just away from the kudu on a small rise watching over his pride. The lionesses were cruising around watching their cubs and the cubs were trying to get the last few tasty morsels off the carcus - fighting just like kids for the best bits! We just sat quietly for ages and watched them all - we felt very blessed to be able to observe such majestic creatures.


lion
Originally uploaded by Mich M.