Greatest Hits(?)
August 15, 2004
I am off on an extended cross-country trip. I am going to visit my pals, Roz in Minnesota, d.price in Oregon, and Andrea in San Francisco and shall return on the 26th or so.
In the interim, I thought I would do what most sitcoms do and leave you with reruns. Below is a list of the thirty or so favorite essays among the couple of hundred that I have written since starting this infernal blog last year. If you are an irregular or newly arrived reader, you may find something amusing among these dusty thoughts.
Scratchy pens ideals with dip pens and balky nibs and the aesthetics of ink blots and blackened finger tips.
Dealing with turds offers some solace and advice on how to face your 'mistakes'.
All I Really Need To Know I Learned From Drawing: is my attempt to be enshrined on a t-shirt.
Chris Ware is a genius and recently sent me this letter.
All my journals up to Volume 26. Since then I have filled another ten volumes.
The Good Book is a meditation on the whole point of journaling as I see it.
Seeing bread is my version of a 'how to draw good' thing.
Ars longa, vita brevis questions the way artists are seen in our Society.
Bookbinding 101 is a primer that, if followed, will give you a fairly decent hardbound journal book.
Advice from Roz is one of essays I refer back to the most as it's chock-a-block with useful info on materials.
Ideas and the end of the world exhorts you take risks.
If you're so great, why aren't you rich? considers the nexus of art and commerce.
My Name is Mud is about when and how to stop.
"But I don't have time to draw" suggests that maybe you do.
Pigeonholesis my ongoing rant against the limiting effect of categorization.
Anatomy of anatomy features nudity.
The rhythm is gonna get you is all about with all sorts and types and kinds and variations and varities of repetition.
Just add water is about the mystery of shower-taking.
My theory. Theory #1, that is mine. concerns the way we experience and name colors.
Thinking on paper is one of my most commented upon essays.
Jammin' good with Weird and Gilly kicks off my love of the geetar.
Notes on notes describes my emerging aesthetic.
Pendemonium is another crowdpleaser.
Why do I do it? is my equivalent of the Paris Hilton sex tape.
Art supply porn concerns some recent good fortune.
Living well through bad drawings makes the best of a mucky sitiuation.
Miles ahead records more rudimentary musicology.
Just shoot me describes how photopgraphs can improve your journal. Jerusalem Journal is a multipart series documenting my recent trip to the Holy Land.
Summer Time Blues is a nostalgic trip through my resumé.
Flocking together encourages all creative people to make friends and influence people.
I am is another bit of bumperstickery.
A record of my exploration into all aspects of drawing, illustrated journaling, creativity, and the inspiring aspects of art. By the author of "Everyday Matters," "The Creative License", and "An Illustrated Life" and other books.
Comments
Can't wait to see you Danny!
Posted by: andrea | August 14, 2004 06:02 PM
Right so, Sir. Every morning around 9 the process begin: Stop being a dinosaur and start figuring out how to become a bird! The magic remedy is music - and reading Danny Gregory. It's always a pleasure and a great inspiration - I like the way you think and argue in writing and drawing, and I promised my friend Timo to send you his regards too.
Music yes; this windy morning it's the cheerful Swedish Rhapsody No.1, "Midsommarvaka" by Hugo Alfvén. I recommend this composition to all who wants to refresh their mind.
Best wishes from Copenhagen.
Posted by: Jorgen | August 15, 2004 04:53 AM
Mmm, water colours and ink. I want to eat them like chocolate-frosted cupcakes; everything you draw and paint is an idulgence to me. Your art rocks. Just like that.
Posted by: jo | August 15, 2004 10:23 AM
I so enjoyed reading thru your blog this past week. And I just got my copy of Everyday Matters. Its awesome!!! I know you are enjoying your vacation but I can't wait till you come back and post again. Purely selfish --I love your posts :-) Hope you are having fun and a good safe trip.
Posted by: Pat | August 26, 2004 04:16 PM
i miss you and your personal essence spread upon this wonderful planet on your website. Cannot wait until you are back and writing/drawing/being right here where i can always find you(until you travel again). of course i am emerald green with jealousy that you have been off traveling and that you got to hang with andrea, another wonder that i love checking in on everyday.
Posted by: Vickie | August 27, 2004 09:40 AM
I have spent a little time going through some of your greatest hits, and they have made me feel really good. I live in Paris, France (well, for another two weeks at least) and have been on my creative self search for the whole year Sept. 2003 - 2004. I started playing guitar again and writing songs. And in June I realized I really wanted to start drawing again and start doing published illustration. I also write and am working on a novel. My dilemma has been, "What should I focus on? What should I give more of my energy to so that I can 'make it my life?'" But I love all of the creative things I do (photography, too) and I can't help but feel that focusing on any one of them would wind up squelching the others. Drawing helps my writing by helping me see. Images (even just colors) help me compose music (I'm not sure how). It's just nice to see that you also do all sorts of things and it doesn't seem to keep you from being productive or getting published.
So as soon as the dust settles after my return to the States, I will practice my scales and arpeggios, draw my teacups and toothbrushes, write at least a page a day for my novel. And still do my job-job and yoga. I will chop wood and carry water. Thank you for your site and your work and your play. All a much-needed re-affirmation.
Posted by: Rachel | August 30, 2004 09:47 AM