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52 Weeks of Creative Living: Inspiration for Your Creative Soul
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Your creative path is seldom clear. Artists, writers and all creatives face conflicting messages, resistance and self-doubt. This book is written by an artist for artists and creatives who face these challenges. Designed to provide a weekly dose of inspiration or reassurance that this too shall pass. Filled with thoughts, suggestions and ideas to remind you that your art matters. To push through the dark moments and find the light. If you value a creative life then you will find something in this book to inspire, encourage and invigorate your week of creativity.
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Reviews for 52 Weeks of Creative Living
Rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars
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Book preview
52 Weeks of Creative Living - Malcolm Dewey
52 Weeks of Creative Living
Inspiration for Your Creative Soul
__________
––––––––
Malcolm Dewey
52 Weeks of Creative Living – Inspiration for Your Creative Soul
Copyright © 2017 by (Linspire 124 CC t/a Malcolm Dewey Fine Art)
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without written permission from the author.
––––––––
Printed in by Linspire 124 CC (www.malcolmdeweyfineart.com)
Discover More:
Also written by Malcolm Dewey:
An Artist’s Survival Guide
The Art of Content Marketing
How to Loosen Up Your Painting
An Artist’s Guide to Plein Air Painting
Painting Courses:
Learn to Paint With Impact
How to Loosen Up Your Painting
How to Solve Painting Problems
Form Acrylics to Oil Painting in 5 Easy Steps
Plus Start a Free Painting Course with Malcolm
Podcast:
An Artist’s Journey Podcast
Dedication
To Kerrin and the boys. Also to my parents.
Contents
Introduction 9
Chapter 1: 11
But I’m Not Ready! 11
Chapter 2: 14
Find Your Sweet Spot 14
Chapter 3: 17
What Art Demands from You 17
(or Every Dog Gets Its Day) 17
Chapter 4: 20
What My Surrealist Cat Taught Me About Acceptance 20
Chapter 5: 23
How Important is Drawing Actually? 23
Chapter Six 26
Reflections on a Modern Master 26
Chapter 7 29
The Rich Folk’s Hoax 29
(The Artist’s Distraction) 29
Chapter 8: 31
On Art, Love and War 31
Chapter 9: 34
Five Beliefs Artists Must Overcome 34
Chapter 10: 37
Wake Up and Live Your Art 37
Chapter 11: 39
Why Art? A Lesson from Mozart 39
Chapter 12: 41
Plein Air or Studio? 41
Chapter 13: 43
These Two Things Give Paintings Maximum Impact 43
Chapter 14: 45
The Obsessive Artist 45
Chapter 15: 48
Your Art is Noticed 48
Chapter 16: Must Artists Sell Out to Make Better Art? 49
Chapter 17: 53
Art, Belief and Magic 53
Chapter 18: 55
Artists Never Retire, They Reinvent Themselves 55
Chapter 19 58
Artist or Regular Job? 58
How to Make Tough Choices 58
Chapter 20 62
Spontaneous Hard Work Delivers Better Results 62
Chapter Twenty One 65
Art Demands Courage from the Artist 65
Chapter Twenty Two 66
SHOCKER! This is Why Collectors Buy Art 66
Chapter Twenty Three 68
Do the Work! Lessons from Van Gogh 68
Chapter 24 72
An Artist’s Sacred Space 72
Chapter 25 75
The Artist Who Conquered Doubt 75
Chapter 26 77
Painting Commissions: Tips for Artists and Collectors 77
Chapter 27 82
The Joy of Pastel Painting 82
Chapter 28 85
Walter Mitty and the Artist Within 85
Chapter 29 87
Britain’s Greatest Artist: JMW Turner 87
Chapter 30 90
See Like an Artist: Notes on Paul Cezanne 90
Chapter 31 92
Know Your Story 92
Chapter 32 94
How to Be a Plein Air Superhero 94
Chapter 33 97
When Your Overthink it You Lose the Essence of It97
Chapter 34 99
Have Fun Today Painting the Clouds 99
Chapter 35 102
Resolutions 102
Chapter 36 104
Do Artists Live in Fantasy Land? 104
Chapter 37 106
Free Your Art Spirit 106
Chapter 38 109
This Artist Will Inspire You 109
Chapter 39 111
Today You Will Discover More Time to Paint 111
Chapter 40 114
Is Art Just a Product? 114
Chapter 41 116
Use Paint as the French Use Butter 116
Chapter 42 118
The Artist’s Path to Mastery 118
Chapter 43 122
Art is not a Balancing Act 122
Chapter 44 124
The Wonderful World of an Artist’s Journal 124
Chapter 45 127
How to Grow Your Creative Career 127
Chapter 46 130
20 Ways to Find More Creativity and Inspiration130
Chapter 47 133
How Painting Saved Winston Churchill 133
Chapter 48 137
Being an Artist Makes You Question Everything137
Chapter 49 141
Is Passion the Key to Success? 141
Chapter 50 144
Artist Paint is Expensive so Use More of It 144
Chapter 51 147
The Simple Answer to Productivity 147
Chapter 52 149
Fourteen Reason Why Art Makes an Excellent Christmas Present 149
About the Author 152
Introduction
There are times in an artist’s life when a well-chosen word can make a big difference. Fact is, artists face a precarious existence. I do not mean financially, although that could be the case too. I do refer to the emotional state of the artist.
By the way, when I refer to ‘artist’, I include all creative people. The trials faced are similar for all of us, so the emotional state governs everything. How artists see the day ahead, from the moment they wake up in the morning, can make or break the day.
I am no different. By some accounts (like my wife’s) I can be moody, negative, positive and cheerful. In no particular order. All before breakfast. Perhaps you can relate?
An attitude-adjusting event is very important when the day looks perilous. Sometimes a good cup of coffee can do the trick; other times a little more is required.
I have found that a few pages of reading can help too. I especially like a short, sharp read at the beginning of the day. I am a big fan of those books that have a pithy piece of advice or story to illustrate a lesson. All wrapped up in a short chapter.
Even better if it is a big book with plenty of chapters like this. I can then get my quick fix when required. Light bulb! Why not write the book I want to read. And so the idea for this book came about.
Now, I cannot guarantee an epiphany in every chapter. They are rare things indeed. Hopefully I can help you with a new perspective when required. A smile here or there. A shared experience. A crisis survived.
I recommend having this book in the little room for a private moment. Or wherever you can steal ten minutes to get your read.
I do hope that you enjoy this book and have a wonderful creative year ahead.
Thank you,
Malcolm
Chapter 1:
But I’m Not Ready!
Looking back on past New Year’s Days, there are distinct life stages that I have pulled through. The twenties when I was dirt poor, in debt and happy. New Year’s Day would often be welcomed with a slight stagger from overindulgence the night before. A day spent resting and enjoying the moment.
In the thirties New Year’s Day became a frustrating wait for the working year to begin. I had joined the rat-race. I had started a family and it was time to make a future for all of us. This meant working for money basically. Run, run, run. Not a happy decade overall and it passed so quickly. I have to work it out in my mind and picture the good moments with my family. But deep down, there is the icy feeling that I had too many worries clouding my days.
Then the forties. Slowly I realized that a change was required. The connection between art and my spirit had to be restored. I was not an office worker by nature. This lifestyle is fine if it brings you joy, but for me the daily grind and worries of professional work had locked me away. My sense of humor and spirit had been whittled down. I was tired.
Resolution: paint regularly and redevelop my painting style. The goal was to exhibit paintings by the end of the year. With this resolution established I began to follow it through. It was perhaps the first time I had really taken action on my New Year’s resolutions.
To cut a long story short, by the end of 2009 I had exhibited paintings at a Christmas fair. Sales were better than expected. I had made the step required and began to see potential.
Well, that is all history now. I am working full-time painting and teaching art. Writing books too evidently. It all seems so bizarre. But wonderful too. I know it is not a big deal in the scheme of things, but to me it was a massive risk. I never expected to turn what is a hobby for most people into a living.
I will go into this process more in this book, but for now these lessons stand out:
It is never too late - within reason of course. But, if physically and mentally you are able to do what you want to do, then put that process into action.
Focus on the ONE thing you need to do right now. I had one resolution. More than that and I get distracted.
Kick the time-wasting habits step by step. For me, the first action step was to cut down on watching TV. Eventually I got rid of cable altogether. No internet TV either. This gave me extra days in the month. It is huge!
Be patient and make steady progress. Success is a process, not a destination. Stopping because it is taking too long is to guarantee failure. Persisting is to guarantee success - one day at a time.
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