Creative Recommendations for August
Creative Recommendations for August
What I'm reading, listening to, and making art with!
Hi friends,
It’s time for my Creative Recommendations for August! These are just for my lovely ~patrons~ aka my paying subscribers.
Each month, I curate my favorite things I’ve been reading, learning, and making art with. If you want to upgrade to get these 1x/month, you would make my day!
In July, I stopped watching TV. While living and working alone, I usually play my favorite TV shows in the background while making art. Most of the art I’ve made has been narrated by New Girl, Parks and Rec, or Gilmore Girls.
I had a very hectic June and saw my July schedule looking the same. I decided to make a dramatic change to make sure the free time I have with myself is quality time.
One of my favorite things I started is “Solitude Sundays.” I don’t check social media or use my computer on Sundays. I go for walks, read, doodle, meditate, write, cook and clean. I feel so refreshed and ready to start the week.
Reading
As a result of cutting out TV, I’m reading a LOT right now.
When I was in Vermont, I found a cute used book store. I thought of how fun it would be to go to a library or bookstore with a friend and pick out a book you think the other would like. As I had that idea, Bird by Bird appeared in front of me. This is one of my best friends’ favorite books and it felt like she was right there picking it for me!
Its description is “a book with some instructions on writing and life.” This truly sums it up. I’m preparing to write a children’s book in 30 days in September with my Climate Art 101 class and want to soak up as much advice about writing. She has such a clear voice that makes me want to savor every sentence.
“I took notes on the people around me, in my town, in my family, in my memory. I took notes on my own state of mind, my grandiosity, the low self-esteem. I wrote down the funny stuff I overheard. I learned to be like a ship's rat, veined ears trembling, and I learned to scribble it all down.”
Some action items I’ve taken since reading this include:
When I go to the library to research children’s books, I take notes. I write out the key plot points, structure, and my favorite phrases
I started creating a comic book about mental health. I have no plans to share it publicly and it feels so sacred to make art just for myself again
After months of reflecting on which platforms/mediums I want to invest my time in, I decided that writing feels the most authentic to me. So this Substack getting lots of my love 💖 I started writing a second newsletter for you each week about Sustainable Storytelling!
Learning
I’m taking my art practice outside my apartment by learning how to Urban Sketch. I read “Everyday Sketching and Drawing: Five Steps to a Unique and Personal Sketchbook Habit” by Steven Reddy and got very inspired. There are Urban Sketcher meetups all around the world and I want to go to a NYC chapter soon. Find your local chapter here. Read the book here.
I’m doing mini daily comics as a form of journaling. This is practice for the live art I’m doing at a very cool event with Canary Media featuring John Kerry during Climate Week!
I’m thinking about taking a class at the School of Visual Arts (SVA) through their Continuing Education program this fall. I’ve wanted to take a class with them for years, but was scared to commit to a weekly schedule. After loving the Vermont class so much, I’m feeling called to do an IRL class in the city. They offer online courses as well. More info here.
Listening to
So. Many. Audiobooks. I’ve swapped the funny TV background noise with audiobooks. The best thing I’ve done is discover fluffy + flirty summer books. I’ve gone down a major Emily Henry and Abby Jimenez spiral. Please send any adjacent recommendations! I also mix in business + memoir + educational books as well.
I wasn’t kidding when I said I got into reading this summer… I’ve read 20 books this year. In July and August I’ve listened to the following books: