One Creative Thing » reading

Finished Art & Fear

minim — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 23:07:23 +0000

For the second time. That’s one powerful book. It totally captures the wonder and massive insecurities of being an artist. I think this should be required reading for anyone who lives with an artist and isn’t one themselves. And even if they are, then I’d probably recommend it. I’m hoping to do a proper book review of it soon, but first need to sort out this house business first – putting in a lease application in the morning, then signing the lease probably on Thursday. Moving in about a month, it seems, so regular posting should hopefully resume after that.

Started to learn (properly) about Subversion

minim — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 23:37:06 +0000

Maybe not hugely creative but necessary knowledge anyway. And with the immininent departure of our resident command-line guru, it’s sort of a self-preservation measure too. Should know it anyway though…

Worked through compound time

minim — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 22:54:29 +0000

Yup, Chapter 5 done & dusted. Quite straightforward really, especially considering the minor scales chapter. Also settled on a text for the choral piece – Edgar Allen Poe’s sonnet on Silence. Yes, I get the irony of writing a piece for multiple voices on ’silence’ but nevertheless, I think it’s the best poem for the task in hand.

Learnt all about minor scales

minim — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 23:44:17 +0000

Understanding a LOT more than ever before, thanks to new book’s approach focusing on pentachord/tetrachord combinations rather than just lonely scale degrees. Trying to hammer in basic info about modes too (Ionian – Dorian – Phrygian – Lydian – Mixolydian – Aeolian – Locrian. ‘Major’ modes are Ionian, Lydian, Mixolydian; ‘Minor’ modes are Aeolian, Dorian Phrygian. See how I didn’t look any of that up? I bet you’re impressed, huh? )

Started hunting for a song text

minim — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 15:08:39 +0000

for the choral piece that’s to be my project to begin this weekend. I’m thinking a psalm, but using both Latin and English versions, mixed up together.

Finished reading ‘The Creative Habit’

minim — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 22:35:31 +0000

Wow! What a book. That’s just totally shaken me up. And I just totally devoured it. I did kind of feel that I should be taking an Artist’s Way approach to it and only doing one chapter a week, to really let it sink in, but I couldn’t let it alone – I couldn’t wait to see what she’d say next, so I made myself keep at least to just one chapter a day so the ideas didn’t get too muddled. I’ll write a review of it sometime soon and post it here.

Too many to fit in a title!

minim — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 22:33:39 +0000

A productive day! I’ve started reading and making notes on Walt Whitman’s essays, via my iPod Touch. I typed up and did a rough edit of an article I’m working on. Spent 25 minutes on the 2nd Whitman song in which I managed to iron out all its rhythmic niggles. Balanced my petty cash. And right now I’m installing the Pro Tools Snow Leopard upgrade so the MBox will be installed so I can set up Hyperscribe to allow me to improvise directly from the piano into Finale. Not bad!

Started reading ‘The Creative Habit’

minim — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 23:00:17 +0000

It’s a book on creativity by Twyla Tharp and I’m finding it very interesting – so many creativity books are written from a writer’s perspective so it’s great to see one coming from the point of view of a performing artist. Looking forward to chapter two!

Took delivery of a new book

minim — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 21:11:43 +0000

Twyla Tharp’s The Creative Habit: Learn it and use it for life which I’ve been salivating over on Amazon for quite some time, and which has made it to my house at long last thanks to an Amazon gift voucher Christmas present from a lovely friend (also Wii Fit Plus which I can’t wait to go on once the wretched sprained ankle is fixed!). First thoughts: Ooh, nice typography!

Bought & devoured a design magazine

minim — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 23:59:14 +0000

No, not literally! The latest issue of Creative Review is dedicated to creative workspaces, which is something that fascinates me, so indulged and have subsequently consumed. Mmmm.