Thursday, October 15, 2009

#21 - The Artist's Guide: How to Make a Living Doing what You Love

My grandfather was an artist and sign painter, and owned an art shop with which he and my grandmother raised a family of five children. I love art and making art but I have always taken the safe road of technology and a steady paycheck, however my grandfather's passion and ability to do what he loved always nags at me to just go for it. Being the logical and safe creature that I am, and sadly without his guidance any longer, I sought out information online and in books to get some insight on how it is done today. I gleaned a few tidbits here and there but nothing covered the full spectrum, until I stumbled upon this book. It comes highly praised by working artists and for good reason, it covers all of the bases and gives great examples, advice, and templates along the way. Easily the best resource I have found so far in my research. Highly Recommended.

#20 - Where The Wild Things Are

With the upcoming film adaptation I figured I should try re-reading this book again. Admission: I've never seen what all the fuss is about, even when I was a child. I'd take The Berenstain Bears any day. I've revisited it a few times through the years to see if my opinion had changed, it hasn't. I think it is a completely empty tale that is far too short and basic to actually capture the imagination of a child and tells a story that has been told many ways before. Maybe I was a complex kid, but get angry, get sent to bed, have a fantastical dream, wake up, and then the "oh it was just a dream"/"was it a dream?" question just doesn't do it for me. Still doesn't. Not for me.

Friday, October 9, 2009

#19 - The Metamorphosis

A true classic work by Kafka. When you can all-too-well relate with the drudgery of a life of monotonous work and being cooped up in a small room, few books capture the feeling as well as The Metamorphosis. I know this feeling. However, as with most works by Kafka, it is very wide open to interpretation and you can find your own message and relationship within the tale of a man who wakes up one day as an insect and the ensuing trials. Works like this can't be "reviewed" I won't even try, just read it. Even if you were forced to read it for school at some point, read it again without the pressure and with new insight and experiences and see if the story itself doesn't take on a new meaning and look. Highly Recommended!