USG May 8 Reading List Updated

Reading List

Gladwell, Malcolm. Outliers – The Story of Success.

Katie, Byron. Loving What Is – Four Questions That Can Change Your Life. New York: Three Rivers Press, 2002.

Langer, Ellen J. On Becoming an Artist – Reinventing Yourself Through Mindful Creativity. New York: Ballantine Books, 2005.

Levoy, Gregg. CALLINGS – Finding and Following an Authentic Life. New York: Three Rivers Press, 1997.

Pink, Daniel H. Drive – The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us. London, England: Penguin Books Ltd., 2009.

Pink, Daniel H. A Whole New Mind - Why Right-Brainers Will Rule The Future. London, England: Penguin Books Ltd., 2006

Mumaw, Stefan. Oldfield, Wendy Lee. Caffeine for the Creative Mind - 250 Exercises to Wake up Your Brain. Cincinnati, Ohio: HOW Books., 2006

Cameron, Julia. The Artist's Way. New York: Jeremy P. Tarcher/Putnam, a member of Penguin Putnam, Inc., 1992.

Cameron, Julia. The Vein of Gold - A Journey to Your Creative Heart. New York: Jeremy P. Tarcher/Putnam, a member of Penguin Putnam, Inc., 1996

Csikszentmihalyi, Mihaly. Finding Flow – The Psychology of Engagement with Everyday Life. New York: Basic Books, a member of the Perseus Books Group., 1997

Csikszentmihalyi, Mihaly. Flow - The Psychology of Optimal Experience.

Csikszentmihalyi, Mihaly. Creativity - Flow and the Psychology of Discovery and Invention. New York: HarperCollins., 1996

Kimmelman, Michael. The Accidental Masterpiece - On the Art of Life and Vice Versa. New York: Penguin Press., 2005

Maisel, Eric. Coaching the Artist Within. Novato, California: New World Library., 2005

Pagels, Elaine. Beyond Belief - The Secret Gospel of Thomas. New York: Vintage Books., 2003

Pagels, Elaine. The Gnostic Gospels. New York: Vintage Books., 1979

Harris, Sam. The End of Faith - Religion, Terror, and The Future of Reason. New York: W. W. Norton and Company, Ltd., 2004

Gadwell, Malcolm. Blink - The Power of Thinking Without Thinking. New York: Little, Brown and Company, Time Warner Book Group., 2005

Gladwell, Malcolm. The Tipping Point - How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference.
Tharp, Twyla. The Creative Habit - Learn It and Use It for Life. New York: Simon & Schuster Paperbacks., 2003

Baptiste, Baron. 40 Days to Personal Revolution. New York: Fireside., 2004
Sawyer, Keith. Group Genius - The Creative Power of Collaboration. New York: Basic Books., 2007

May, Rollo. The Courage to Create. New York: Bantam Books., 1975

Vincent, Norah. Self-Made Man - One Woman's Journey into Manhood and Back Again. New York: Penguin Group., 2006

Dyer, Wayne W. The Power of Intention - Learning to Co-create Your World Your Way. Carlsbad, California: Hay House., 2004

Artist Date

Last Thursday I had a meeting to set up some Creativity Workshops I'll be diong in October, November, and December sponsored by the Chicago Artists' Coalition and taking place in the Coalition Gallery, of which I am a member artist. So there I was in Wicker Park on a gorgeous, sunny afternoon. I just had to take advantage of the day and I was at that critical hour, nearing 3:00pm when getting on the road to drive to the south suburbs where I live, can turn into a tediously endeavor. Why sit in Rush hour traffic when exploring Wicker Park and all it has to offer is right there in front of me.

I found inspiration through exploring some places I had noticed before; John Fluevog, Eye Want, and Zella Brown. Of course I also went through the Flatiron building and there was plenty to see there while they were setting up for one of their featured art events for the upcomming weekend. There are loads of artists showing all kinds of work and I was also looking for other sorts of inspiration.

John Fluevog is a shoe designer and there was something really great about seeing the unique designs because with fashion, there are of course certain practical limitations on what the design can do. It has to be worn on the body. It has to fit, feel comfortable, wear well, etc. So when designers are still able to find novelty within these limitations, and still avoid the ridiculous, it inspires me. I'm a sucker for a good Loafer/slip on shoe. This one caught my eye.

I had been to Eye Want before when a friend of mine was exhibiting in their gallery. It is an eyewear shop that specializes in vintage and funky designs. The shop is decorated with art and objects that are worth going in to see on their own. They have also converted two rooms in the back of the shop to be used for rotating art shows. And the quality of work is exceptional. Kim Laurel and Fletcher Hayes are currently showing work there. I was particularly drawn to Laurel's mixed media collage where she is stitching into the paper and materials to make lines. Hayes' paired photographs were particularly pleasing to me as they let the viewer consider common place scenes in new ways.

Zella Brown has some great interior design prodects, most hand made, all original designs. The most interesting of them to me was the re-designed and re-purposed shopping cart chase lounge. The store has a fresh and new feel to it although many of the products are recycled. There are clocks made of tea cups and neck ties, original art, clever and cool objects to ponder, purchase, or present as presents.

Rocks and Roots

Nature's Patterns Lichens

Photo shoot in MN - Landscapes

Photo shoot in MN - Waterfalls and Friends

Update on "Ask, Tell" Reworking

I built a small frame/box to hold the broken pieces of the figurines. It was painted red to pick up on the red in the altered book and also to make references to injury, blood, and wounds.





A clear epoxy was poured into the box, over the arranged broken fragments. When dry, the epoxy is like a block of glass, transparent and solid.









Dryer sheets were attached to the sides of the box and at first seem to make reference to lace and ruffles because of their texture and color. Because of the red color of the box a connection to bandages can be made.