Thanks for the video clip. I'm one of those that lost her way from simply sitting down to draw. I'm really enjoying the EDM superBlog and being encouraged by seeing what others are doing.

This looks great, Danny! I how the video of your presentation is available soon – I would LOVE to see it!
I really would have loved to have been at the conference. I've always wanted to go, but there never seems to be the time or the money.
I get ridiculously nervous speaking in public (actually, speaking in front of a small group is quite petrifying enough) and I congratulate you on getting up there and sharing all you have to share. I know everyone there was extremely lucky to have had the experience with you.
Thanks Danny.

I wasn't at the conference Danny - sorry, I live on the other side of the Atlantic! But oh, how I wish I was..... Love your sketching film and am sure I could happily have listened to 88 minutes or so more.

Hey Danny,
It was so nice to meet you in person. I enjoyed talking with you. Maybe next time we meet I won't be working so we chat a little longer. :)

penelope

Danny; I wish I knew where you were in the airport...I spent a good 10 hours being sent from gate to gate and eventually flew to another airport (PHL) where I had to find a ride back to my state (DE). We could have hung out. However, you may have noticed me sitting in various gate areas (6 altogether in 4 different terminals) sketching away. My iPod. My HOW freebie bag. The air traffic tower. Still sketching when I got on the plane...where they bumped me to first class, yay!, they guy next to me commented on my cool sketches. I sketched him sleeping.
Thanks, you were inspiring.
Kris

See? You do have much to impart to the world....professionals, as well as to us, the plain folk. Loved your description of performance anxiety and isn't it the truth that if you can just get your audience to laugh the first time, you're practically in home? Loved the demo movie.I'm proud to know ya.

Hi Danny,

I said so in person, but wanted to post it here: thank you so much for an inspiring and invigorating session-- I rushed away and started sketching all over my HOW conference materials! It's funny, having spent a lifetime as a chronic draw-er, flouting the authority of teachers, parents, camp counselors and the like urging me to "stop drawing and participate" in some math class/game of dodgeball/family dinner or what have you, I wound up caving to my own inner critic and losing my drawing habit when I got cowed by the pressures of "grown-up life." Earning a living and fitting in socially edged out the time I used to spend just doing what came naturally. But I hadn't realized until your session how much vitality I had cut off by stopping that habit, and how much of my own identity I lost when I left it behind. Thank you for inspiring me to just start again!

Best,
Nomi

Your session was great! I'm ordering myself a watercolor book and some water brush pens TODAY and I'm going to get my butt in gear. You've reminded me that I need to draw more from things I see than from what I see in my head. I'm also wanting to organize a sketch crawl with a few friends! Great inspiration. Thanks a bunch for sharing!

Mary

ah Danny, I knew you'd be great! 700 people--WOW. thats a huge turnout. congrats on the success and the new found confidence in public speaking. It proves, again, that you have a message people want to hear, and a drawing habit people want to adopt. Love the little video. Fascinating how you do the negative shapes first then detail. I'm gonna try that!
So, when shall we start planning your SoCal speaking tour?

Heck yes! I would of loved to be there. But I'm a poor college art student who lives in Oregon. I like your little drawing videos, not too often do I see other people draw, but when I do it's very enchanting. Sounds like you knocked'em dead!

Your session was grand, thank you - I love to draw but don't do it often. Your talk grabbed me so much, I was fighting tears at the end, no kidding.

I was there in the front row and enjoyed every second of your presentation. I left feeling energized, inspired. . .with the joy of a child given a crayon for the first time. Thanks for sharing your drawing experience.

I wish I had been there. Your presentation sounded fantastic! Be sure to let us all know when that dvd comes out.

With in the past few weeks I've picked up pencil and watercolorsfor the first time in my adult life- have been listening to the Creative Mom Podcast... and finally decided to give it a try.

Best thing I've heard in response? From my 15 year old... when i asked him if I should keep it up... "You don't get worse when you practice art, mom"

read Creative Liscense in a day (broke all the rules to do it) am drawing/painting everyday. Thnx;) !!!

I would love to see you in action Danny. What an inspiring guy you are...your ideas are absolutely fine!!
What a thrill for those who had the opportunity to see your video and slides. Please inform us when you have information from "HOW" of your presentation on CD. This will maximize your audience
....700 people will seem like nothing.
Keeping up your inspiring ways...to keep drawing is tough. I have a very hard time keeping at it. It seems to go in spurts and starts...and some days are better than others.
Thanks always for your inspiration!!! It has meant a lot to me.

Keep up the fine work...Carole Joy in Illinois

Your presentation was one of the more inspirational ones for me. i've set a goal for myself to do one drawing a day.

thanks!

I've been a HOW subscriber for less than a year and didn't seriously consider attending the conference as I thought it would be for high-tech pros. How exciting that there was something there for others. Maybe next year. You continue to inspire in many ways. Last year at about this time a dear friend's daughter was married, 3 months later she was near death from a quirky brain aneurysm. After months of touch and go she is recovering. Her Mother, my friend, was unbelievably strong, and not only supported her daughter perfectly but showed the rest of us a different way to deal with grief and trauma. I told her about Everyday Matters at the time but she was unable to focus on it. This week I sent it to her and it not only resonated with her but she is sharing it with her daughter on her first wedding anniversary. Art has such power to bring balance, joy, celebration, and many other powerful and positive emotions into our lives. You have really helped many of us express and act on that. thanks a million. dana

Hi Danny
I was touched by your warm personnality. Loved your subtle sense of humor as well as the freshness and simplicity of your presentation. It made me feel like I could do it: just draw and have fun drawing.As a french speaking person, I must add: your pronunciation was perfect, didn<t miss a word =)
Thanks so much for this moment of inspiration.
PS Congrats on managing your anxiety, I would have fainted in front of such a crowd!

greetings danny,
thanks for signing my negative space sketch of you while giving your presentation about how to develop the drawing habit. very inspired. i want to know what font you used in your slides? i loved the loose handwritten style. please email me the name if you will.

peace, jimmy

-------

Thanks for your comment, Jimmy. As for my 'font', it's called 'pen and ink'. I wrote it all by hand.
your pal,
Danny

Danny,

I thought your presentation was one of the best that I got to see. It is very refreshing to hear presentations that come from the heart and are not just a forum to show off previous work. It was very inspirational to me and has got me to get off my ass and start drawing as well as alot of other things. Thanks for the kick to the coxix!!

Andrew

Danny,

I thought your presentation was one of the best that I got to see. It is very refreshing to hear presentations that come from the heart and are not just a forum to show off previous work. It was very inspirational to me and has got me to get off my ass and start drawing as well as alot of other things. Thanks for the kick to the coxix!!

Andrew

Hi Danny,

Just wanted to say how much I enjoyed your presentation at HOW! Admittedly, I was nervous for you (as I am for most public speakers), but you were wonderful from the start. I was heartened to see that so many others were experiencing what I am - a profound need to reconnect with that inner kid, the one with the crayons and the insatiable curiosity. And it helped immeasurably to have someone with your perspective offer permission to experience the world that way again without fear of failure or judgement. It was a great message and I hope you continue your career as a speaker.

You made my day!

Joy

Of all the sessions I attended at HOW, yours was the one I wanted to experience most. I was so impressed with your presentation and wanted to get right back into drawing every day again. I even ducked out of your presentation a few minutes early to go straight to the book store. I wanted to make sure I got both of your books. It was a pleasure to meet you too. Thanks for signing my copies. Since the conference, I've been drawing every day. It's been great fun. I've ordered a couple of things online. I'm looking forward to my Niji brush to arrive. Thanks for the inspiration and for your beautiful images and writing. I'm looking forward to seeing more of them and to making some of my own.
Kevin

Because of your session, I've drawn more in the past week and a half than I had in the past year and a half. Illustration seems to be all the rage these days in design and I've wanted to get in on the action but never had the guts. Thanks for reminding me that it takes persistence to draw well. Very inspiring, I am in your debt.

Because of your session, I've drawn more in the past week and a half than I had in the past year and a half. Illustration seems to be all the rage these days in design and I've wanted to get in on the action but never had the guts. Thanks for reminding me that it takes persistence to draw well. Very inspiring, I am in your debt.

Your session at HOW was awesome. Very inspiring. When we got back to the office, we instituted a designer's drawing challenge. Every day we post a new subject (ie: your hand, your desk, what you ate for breakfast, etc.) and everyone in the office draws and posts. It's a lot of fun and helps us get back to our creative roots.

Hi!

I went to the how conference but didnt went to your conference. After reading all this posts I think I missed something very, very good.

I am willing to buy your books instead.

Monica

I've purchased several copies of your book for gifts and then life gets in the way and I don't journal. I'm starting again. I love pens, pencils and watercolor journaling. I belong to a group of Tx. collaborative artists that have been working in acrylic - www.canvasbycanvas.com but I've just started a blog and want to add some journal art to it. Thanks for your inspiration. ns

I wish I was at the conference to hear your inspirational speech! I would have brought my Creative License and Everyday Matters books for you to sign!

I wish I was at the conference to hear your inspirational speech! I would have brought my Creative License and Everyday Matters books for you to sign!

hi danny
i have been a believer in the magic of the creative process all of my life. so many people have been rooted out of trying anything creative, believing that they are not "talented". as an educator, i try to encourage all who come into my path, to give it a second chance, and come to my studio and learn something new. i gain so much pleasure from watching their joy when they allow themselves the chance to create in a fun, non judgmental environment. ( i have made my studio into a welcoming, joyous place where it isn't odd to see a mosaic toaster!)

through you, i have found the courage to try to learn to enjoy the process of drawing. your insights have been invaluable and the encouragement that you give is just what i needed. i am drawing daily and i just ordered my set of windsor newton watercolors in the travel set just like the ones that you have. i am still trying to get the needed texture and detail into my work but i do it with awe and not the discouragement that i used to have when drawing.

i would love to share some of my work with you down the road. thank you so much for the courage that you exude in living life to the fullest. you have reached so many people and have made a difference in many lives.

if you are ever in the detroit area please let me know. i would consider it an honor to take you to dinner!
with the best intentions and regards
patti tapper
ps we have a jewelry store if you ever need anything or are looking for a gift for patty-- it is called tappers jewelry

Danny,

A month later and I am still inspired by your presentation. It was by far my favorite session and the one that keeps me refreshed. I am enriched. Thank you.

I wish I could have attended. It looks like it has been a great talk

Watching you draw in the demo is like a long lesson. I draw all the time - whatever I see or intricate textures or themes ie floating people for 9 months - but I never do anything with them. I like the idea of putting them on a blog - just how do you do that? I sketch freehand with Paint - guess I could post that. Have you tried it? You're a great inspiration!

Wow! I wish I could be there to hear you talking about little 88 minutes! Unfortunatelly my home is far away from your country and it almost impossible to travel so far. Thanks gods there are books and internet!
Love your work. It makes me feel there is a drawer sleeping inside me everytime I hear your articles. Thanks a lot for writing them.