Subtle Maneuvers

Subtle Maneuvers focuses on the intricacies of creative life, highlighting routines, rituals, and the struggles of artists and writers. It explores perspectives on productivity, inspiration, and the artistic process, offering insights from historical and contemporary figures in the arts.

Creative Process Productivity Techniques Artistic Inspiration Creative Blocks Writer's Life Art and Money Historical Artists' Insights Routine and Ritual in Art Creative Motivation

The hottest Substack posts of Subtle Maneuvers

And their main takeaways

Jason Polan, artist of the everyday

157 implied HN points • 01 Feb 21
  1. Jason Polan embodied enthusiasm, collaboration, and fun in his art practice.
  2. His work was characterized by delight in the visual world around him, especially everyday people in New York City.
  3. Polan's projects were challenging and ambitious, showcasing his dedication and playfulness.

Niki de Saint Phalle’s secret jealous lover (her work)

137 implied HN points • 19 Apr 21
  1. Niki de Saint Phalle's sculptures and paintings exhibit exuberance and larger-than-life quality.
  2. Saint Phalle's work envisions experimental societies and promotes freedom and imagination.
  3. The artist's background includes a challenging childhood, modeling career, and later transition to painting.

Alice Neel on painting, money, and Russian caviar

137 implied HN points • 12 Apr 21
  1. Alice Neel's art exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art showcases vibrant portraits of faces and bodies.
  2. Neel's daily painting life is of interest, but not fully explored in previous writings.
  3. To learn more about Neel and her working life, readers can subscribe to the post for paid content.

James Baldwin on the role of the artist

216 implied HN points • 08 Jun 20
  1. Artists disrupt peace and challenge individuals to see reality as it is for societal change.
  2. James Baldwin emphasized self-examination to uncover truth and dismantle systems like white supremacy.
  3. The artist's role is to break barriers hindering self-awareness and to provoke individuals to confront uncomfortable truths.
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On wriggling through a creative life

235 implied HN points • 18 Feb 20
  1. The newsletter shares mini-biographies of creative people's working days.
  2. Readers can find inspiration and comfort in learning how others navigate creative work.
  3. The challenge of sustaining creative work requires individuals to develop their own strategies and compromises.

Duke Ellington's hungry ear

117 implied HN points • 03 May 21
  1. Duke Ellington found city hotel rooms with noise productive for his composing.
  2. Ellington appreciated mental isolation for his creative process.
  3. Ellington's composing habits involved seeking out unique environments for inspiration.

Iris Murdoch on making your unconscious work for you

176 implied HN points • 20 Jul 20
  1. Iris Murdoch emphasizes the importance of spending time looking out the window.
  2. She acknowledges the continuous sense of failure in her writing process.
  3. Despite facing challenges, Murdoch finds joy in writing and emphasizes the enjoyment of working.

Byron composed on horseback, Shelley gnawed a hunch of dry bread

117 implied HN points • 05 Apr 21
  1. Lord Byron and Percy Bysshe Shelley were legendary Romantic poets.
  2. Edward John Trelawny provided insights into the daily lives of Byron and Shelley in Pisa.
  3. Trelawny described Byron's lazy habits and Shelley's simple diet.

Emily Carr: brilliant painter, terrible landlord

117 implied HN points • 01 Mar 21
  1. Emily Carr, a famous Canadian painter, struggled financially during her lifetime.
  2. Carr tried to support herself by being a landlord but faced challenges due to economic depressions.
  3. Despite her difficulties, Carr's legacy as a painter has endured and she is considered a national icon.

Advice on insomnia

98 implied HN points • 24 May 21
  1. Insomnia is a common issue among creatives throughout history.
  2. Some individuals find that insomnia can lead to moments of great insight and productivity.
  3. Various coping mechanisms, both physical and psychological, exist for dealing with insomnia.

Rei Kawakubo on the “energy of anger”

137 implied HN points • 14 Sep 20
  1. Rei Kawakubo works hard every day and night to keep her creative momentum and move forward.
  2. Kawakubo channels her anger into her creations as a response to the injustices and absurdities she sees in the world.
  3. Individual creative efforts can combat lazy thinking and dishonesty, pushing forward values of creativity, intelligence, and whimsy.

Isaac Newton, backstabbing workaholic

137 implied HN points • 10 Aug 20
  1. Isaac Newton was known for being a workaholic
  2. Newton may have discredited his rival, Robert Hooke, to suppress his work
  3. Newton viewed time as an arch-enemy and always made the most of it

Tejal Rao on food writing, aimless roaming, and the joy of deadlines

98 implied HN points • 15 Feb 21
  1. Tejal Rao shares her pandemic routine in Los Angeles with her partner and two dogs.
  2. She continues to write for the New York Times, mixing criticism and reporting, and also writes a monthly column for the New York Times Magazine.
  3. Rao finds joy and importance in deadlines, using them to stay focused and productive in her writing.

Ali Smith’s "quite lazy" writing routine

117 implied HN points • 24 Aug 20
  1. Ali Smith spends time staring into space and wandering around the room when writing.
  2. She goes to bed late, around 2:00 or 3:00 in the morning, and wakes up around 9:00 a.m.
  3. Ali Smith doesn't start writing immediately after waking up.

Filmmaker Erin Lee Carr's quarantine routine

117 implied HN points • 03 Aug 20
  1. Erin Lee Carr is on 8-12 phone calls a day, always working on a to-do list, and making coffee a priority.
  2. She is developing projects for HBO and Netflix, building a team virtually, and emphasizing the importance of collaboration.
  3. Erin's typical day during the pandemic is similar to before, with more capacity for work and a focus on setting daily goals for productivity.

Ennio Morricone's "mysterious process"

117 implied HN points • 13 Jul 20
  1. Ennio Morricone had a reserved persona but was highly productive in composing music for films.
  2. Morricone described his composing process as being like being pregnant with a child that he needed to deliver.
  3. He constantly thought about the music for a film, even when doing everyday tasks.

Judy Chicago's system for "psychic privacy"—plus, advice for a stuck writer

137 implied HN points • 02 Mar 20
  1. Judy Chicago used to work 17 hours a day but now works 7 hours, prioritizing time for exercise and relaxation.
  2. Chicago struggled to balance work and personal life in the past, especially when living and working with her husband, Lloyd Hamrol.
  3. Chicago's routine involves working all day in the studio, exercising, and spending evenings watching movies with her husband.

Hallie Bateman's guilt-free WFH routine

98 implied HN points • 12 Oct 20
  1. Hallie Bateman emphasizes the importance of consistency in her art practice, finding it empowering.
  2. She advocates for letting go of guilt and embracing self-care during stressful times like the pandemic.
  3. Bateman has integrated weed into her creative process and values its ability to enhance her creativity.

Advice on post-project depression

78 implied HN points • 22 Feb 21
  1. Finishing a big project can lead to feelings of depletion and loss
  2. It's common to experience post-project depression after completing a major task
  3. Taking a break and acknowledging the natural dip in creativity and energy can help in overcoming this phase

Joseph Conrad on a truly awful case of writer’s block

98 implied HN points • 21 Sep 20
  1. Some writers struggle with writer's block and find it difficult to even start writing.
  2. Joseph Conrad described a truly awful case of writer's block in a letter to his editor.
  3. Joseph Conrad's experience with writer's block shows that even established authors can face challenges with writing.

Advice on writing and envy

98 implied HN points • 31 Aug 20
  1. Writing is difficult and it's normal to feel discouraged sometimes.
  2. Struggling with writing means you're on the right track.
  3. Don't compare yourself to others, focus on your own progress.

Advice on jumping off the deep end

78 implied HN points • 25 Jan 21
  1. Taking the leap into a freelance career can be scary but exciting.
  2. It's normal to have fears of failure and doubts when transitioning to independence.
  3. Independent creators can benefit from techniques to navigate challenging days working alone.

Susan Chen on painting in a pandemic

98 implied HN points • 17 Aug 20
  1. During the pandemic, Susan Chen had to adapt to painting from home, which meant checking on her paintings at odd hours.
  2. Susan Chen finds her sitters for portraits on social media and engages in conversations with them to create a comfortable atmosphere.
  3. Susan Chen's daily routine has shifted during the pandemic, but she has found a new schedule that includes painting, administrative tasks, and self-care like taking baths.

Was Leonardo da Vinci a procrastinator?

117 implied HN points • 30 Mar 20
  1. Leonardo da Vinci was considered a famous procrastinator, despite his extensive knowledge and famous works.
  2. Some believe that individuals of great genius can accomplish a lot even when they appear to be working less.
  3. There are conflicting opinions on whether da Vinci's procrastination habits impacted his accomplishments.

CĂ©zanne on the artistic temperament

58 implied HN points • 07 Jun 21
  1. With just a little bit of temperament, you can be a great painter.
  2. Artistic realization for CĂ©zanne was about bringing a specific sensation to life through the artist's unique perception.
  3. Realization in art isn't just about success but about a deeper union of subject matter and the artist's vision.

Eileen Myles on writing in a pandemic

98 implied HN points • 06 Jul 20
  1. Eileen Myles finds solitude during the pandemic helpful for writing.
  2. Myles struggles with the challenge of too much privacy and isolation.
  3. To overcome writing obstacles, Myles uses physical exercise, phone calls, and varied schedules.

Eleanor Roosevelt's example

78 implied HN points • 09 Nov 20
  1. Eleanor Roosevelt exemplified optimism, pragmatism, stubbornness, and ceaseless effort.
  2. She was an instigator of social change through various activities like lectures, broadcasts, and writing.
  3. Roosevelt's work ethic and dedication to causes led to monumental contributions, such as drafting the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Angela Carter on the pleasures of distraction

98 implied HN points • 11 May 20
  1. Angela Carter believed that distraction is a part of the work process.
  2. Angela Carter's life at 50 was different from what she expected, but more enjoyable.
  3. Angela Carter had a unique daily routine that involved looking after her son and then setting to work.

Advice for a people-pleaser

78 implied HN points • 28 Sep 20
  1. The post discusses advice for people-pleasers on how to have more control over time management.
  2. One challenge highlighted is prioritizing personal needs and projects over work for others.
  3. The post touches on the struggle of balancing work demands with personal desires and the tendency to prioritize external obligations.

Roberto Rossellini on his "absolutely spontaneous" filmmaking process

98 implied HN points • 09 Mar 20
  1. Roberto Rossellini believed in inspiration and improvisation over fixed scenarios in filmmaking.
  2. Rossellini often adjusted scenes, dialogue, and scenography on a daily basis.
  3. Embracing spontaneity was essential to Rossellini's creative process, rejecting detailed scripts and preplanning.

Maxine Hong Kingston on finding "a corner of one's own"

78 implied HN points • 22 Jun 20
  1. Maxine Hong Kingston can write anywhere, from indoors to the beach.
  2. Kingston's main challenge is maintaining discipline in her writing.
  3. Kingston's breakthrough book was 'The Woman Warrior.'

Sarah Kempa on making artwork with a day job (during a pandemic)

58 implied HN points • 07 Dec 20
  1. Sarah Kempa is a cartoonist and illustrator based in Brooklyn.
  2. She keeps her creativity flowing during challenging times by being gracious with herself and taking classes from other creatives.
  3. Her pandemic routine involves working as a UX designer, drawing in the mornings, and focusing on creative exercises to stay inspired.

Audre Lorde's home-office "force field"

78 implied HN points • 27 Apr 20
  1. Audre Lorde found solace and inspiration in her home-office 'force field.'
  2. Lorde felt driven to become a poet because she couldn't find voices that resonated with her.
  3. According to Lorde, two crucial elements for creating strong poetry are essential.

Anne Sexton, "secret beatnik" in the suburbs

78 implied HN points • 13 Apr 20
  1. Anne Sexton was a brilliant and troubled American poet in the 1950s.
  2. She aimed to win a Guggenheim Fellowship while raising her two young daughters.
  3. Sexton's letters offer insight into her challenges and dedication to writing.

Derek Walcott on the necessity of ritual

78 implied HN points • 06 Apr 20
  1. Any serious attempt to do something worthwhile is ritualistic.
  2. Derek Walcott was known for his early morning productivity.
  3. Routines and rituals can contribute to productivity and creativity.