Just finished reading Patti Smith’s book Just Kids. It’s been on my shelf for awhile and I’m so glad I finally got to it. The book is very inspiring… she’s a great writer and has had a fascinating life. Her relationship with Mapplethorpe was instructive about how we can truly create space for one another [ Read more … ]
Art
What is ‘good’ writing?
Occasionally I run into someone who tells me that he or she is a good writer, and for whatever reason, this has happened to me recently with two former graduate students. With both of them (bless their hearts), I thought, “huh?” To my mind, neither of these individuals are good writers. Smart, capable, creative, interesting, [ Read more … ]
One of my favorite poems… by Maya Angelou
I’m feeling moved to share one of my favorite poem by Maya Angelou. Although she mentions “my children” in the first line of Elegy, I’ve never felt her poem was to be read literally. This poem is about our creative offspring… whatever they may be. What have we nurtured in our lives? What are we [ Read more … ]
Five key qualities of creative genius
The five qualities below not only contribute to innovative programs and processes, they’re also fundamental for working effectively with others in fast-paced, highly creative environments. They draw on the capacities of both right brain and left brain, and strengthen connection with one’s own inner voice, while also honoring the wisdom of the larger collective group [ Read more … ]
Ten lessons the arts teach…in an uncertain world
In today’s world and political climate, art and artists are needed more than ever. Here are ten qualities of being that they give us…. 1. The arts celebrate multiple perspectives. One of their large lessons is that there are many ways to see and interpret the world. Problems can have more than one [ Read more … ]