Writer's Block

I continue to run up against writer's block and have struggled to come up with a good solution. Some days it is getting up and walking away yet other days it is turning on the IPod and listening to some great music.

I decided to write down a few of the best and would love to hear about any other suggestions.

1. Exercise - Take a walk, ride the bike, go for a run. Nothing crazy - no marathon's necessary but even a mile or two is a great start.
2. A Hobby - I am an avid golfer. If I take an hour and go hit a bucket if balls or even walk 9 holes, it clears my mind. Make sure to bring a note pad in case the block breaks while you are out there!
3. Phone a Friend - Have a friend/mentor who is willing to be a sounding board. Explain the block and what is leading to it and see if they can mention something that could take you off on a tangent and break the block.

As always, don't be frustrated. It is a part of being creative and being an artist. It is part of why we love doing what we do.

Best of luck and I would love to hear any other great methods to break the block.

Matt Hanson

Writer

303.300.8601

Apes, Art and Dogs

I watched Ape Genius on PBS the other night. Fascinating how much like apes we are, or maybe it is vice versa. Much of the data on the program was research I was familiar with, probably from the Discovery Channel, (hooray for intelligent television) but there was one point that struck me newly.

Human children begin at a very early age to point. We use a finger to indicate a direction to another with the expectation that the other will look in that direction. And the expectation is fulfilled. To point is to communicate, clearly, “look at that!”

Apes pay no attention to pointing. You can point till the cows come home and the ape will not look in that direction, unless by accident. They’ll look at your finger, maybe.

I am intrigued with this. I point, you look. But you don’t look at my finger, you look where I am pointing. Isn’t that what art is? I draw on the cave wall, you look, but you don’t see charcoal marks on the wall, you see animals, the hunt.
I get all lofty with this, and then recall that the other animal that looks where I point is a dog. I’m not thinking that dogs are artistic. I’m thinking that the ability to articulate “look at that!” without words was a survival skill that canines and humans naturally selected for; it made hunting in groups effective.

So, there you go, just wanted to point that out.



Lil Lively - Your Voice in Real Estate
Broker Associate - Your Castle Real Estate
Cell: 303-746-8827 Fax:303-265-9318
http://www.LilLively.com
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Creative Economy

While doing a bit of research trying to see just how powerful our community of artists are here in Colorado I came across some amazing numbers. Check it out.

Within our creative economy, self-employment is particularly important. Let’s face it we artists prefer to work for ourselves. Since 2002 15.7% of us - independent artists, writers, and performers - have gone to work for ourselves as sole proprietors or self-employed contractors. That’s 1.7% higher than the national average!

In this challenging economy have you considered going into business for yourself? If so you need to check out The Other Side Arts (TOSA) up-coming class “Artist, Inc.” You’ll receive training in: professional presentation, business concerns for artists, funding, & exhibition, communication & marketing. As artists we are among the most educated yet undervalued members of our national economy. TOSA’s program will show you how to overcome the obstacles that stand between you and your dreams. Go to www.theothersidearts.com to find out more.