The hottest Creativity Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Art & Illustration Topics

Drawing A Life

DrawTogether with WendyMac • 2122 implied HN points • 29 Oct 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Creativity
  1. Ruth Asawa's drawing practice started on her family's farm, developing her motor skills and creativity.
  2. During World War 2 internment, Ruth Asawa honed her drawing skills with support from animators and using found materials.
  3. Ruth Asawa's consistent drawing practice at her kitchen table, amidst family life, reflects the importance of a creative space and daily commitment.

Letter From Home: April '23

Colin Meloy's Machine Shop • 2319 implied HN points • 20 Apr 23
🎭️ Culture Creativity
  1. The magnolia tree outside Colin's house has been there for over a century, surviving through generations.
  2. The tree's history includes various owners and tenants who watched it bloom in spring each year.
  3. Colin shares a story of the box elder bug infestation in his studio that suddenly disappeared, bringing relief.

Artist's Collections

DrawTogether with WendyMac • 2279 implied HN points • 10 Sep 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Creativity
  1. Artists collect a variety of items and use them as inspiration for their art.
  2. The history of collecting dates back to ancient civilizations and evolved into private collections displayed in Cabinets of Curiosity.
  3. Personal collections often hold sentimental value and can reflect the values and aspirations of the collector.

Keep The Talent Funnel Wide (Part 2)

Range Widely • 1808 implied HN points • 21 Nov 23
🎭️ Culture Creativity
  1. Diversifying entry points in talent development accommodates both fast risers and slow bakers.
  2. Slow and steady development can lead to significant achievements in various fields, like art.
  3. Encouraging diverse entry points into fields like art can help discover talent that may otherwise go unnoticed.
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When does a diary pay off?

Austin Kleon • 2797 implied HN points • 18 Jul 23
🎭️ Culture Creativity
  1. Keeping a diary helps you pay attention to your life. It makes you notice what's happening and appreciate your everyday experiences.
  2. Writing in a diary allows you to track your personal patterns and understand yourself better over time.
  3. Having years of diary entries gives you a chance to look back and reflect on your growth and memories, making it easier to connect with your past.

Entering into the spirit

Austin Kleon • 1998 implied HN points • 31 Oct 23
🎭️ Culture Creativity
  1. To really enjoy something, it's important to let go and surrender to it. When we enter into the spirit of an activity, we can connect deeply and get more out of it.
  2. Creative blocks often come from trying too hard to control the process. Instead of forcing things, letting go and being open can help overcome these blocks.
  3. Finding joy in creative work is about embracing the experience. When we engage fully, we unlock a world of inspiration that can be missed when we stay distant.

Maps of scenius

Austin Kleon • 2178 implied HN points • 12 Sep 23
🎭️ Culture Creativity
  1. Scenius is about creativity that comes from a group, not just individual genius. Joining or creating a supportive community can help boost your creative efforts.
  2. Successful sceniuses have elements like friendly competition and easy sharing of ideas and tools. This sense of connection can lead to more innovation and creativity.
  3. Balancing connection with others and taking time alone is crucial for creativity. Both interacting with a community and having time to reflect can enhance your creative output.

It's Open Mic Day: Tell Us What You're Doing

The Honest Broker • 8145 implied HN points • 12 Feb 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Creativity
  1. It's Open Mic Day at The Honest Broker, a chance for people to share their projects and plans.
  2. The community is encouraged to talk about their creative endeavors, business launches, non-profit work, or anything they need to publicize.
  3. The focus is on supporting each other and spreading the word about various projects and initiatives.

Morning Stretches

CRAFT TALK • 2083 implied HN points • 24 Feb 23
📚 Literature Creativity
  1. This newsletter is about writing and creativity.
  2. The author is working on finishing two books.
  3. To get back into writing, the author is doing morning stretches like reading shorter novels and taking care of their health.

I’m building a cooperative media ecosystem

The Novelleist • 2736 implied HN points • 03 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Creativity
  1. The goal is to create a media platform owned by the writers, not big media companies. This helps ensure that stories and ideas come from creative individuals, fostering a better media environment.
  2. Instead of focusing on problems, the aim is to spark ideas and solutions for a better future together. This will include publishing various themes in print magazines and books, sharing profits fairly.
  3. The plan involves inviting other writers to collaborate on projects, learning from the process, and slowly building a community. It's about teamwork to make meaningful content and potentially inspire change.

The weekly review

Austin Kleon • 3437 implied HN points • 25 Apr 23
🚌 Education Creativity
  1. Scheduling a regular time for a weekly review helps you reflect on what you've done and plan what you want to do next. It’s about taking a moment to think and organize your thoughts.
  2. Using a method that works for you, like making mind maps or lists, can make your review more effective. Visualizing your tasks can help you see connections and prioritize better.
  3. A private weekly review can lead to clearer mind and focus for the upcoming week. It allows you to 'clear your psychic decks' so you can enjoy your time off without distractions.

30-day challenge

Austin Kleon • 5875 implied HN points • 01 Nov 22
🎭️ Culture Creativity
  1. Doing something small every day can lead to big changes over time. Just like writing a page a day can add up to a whole chapter or even a novel.
  2. Focusing on daily progress is easier than thinking about long-term goals. Trying to do a little each day keeps you grounded and motivated.
  3. Don't be afraid to start small and accept that being bad at something is part of getting better. The key is to practice regularly and enjoy the process.

5 lessons pop music can teach us about creativity

Make Work Better • 152 implied HN points • 17 Dec 25
🎶 Music Creativity
  1. Creative work comes from showing up and making a lot of stuff; persistent output and practice give you the few big wins.
  2. Being together in person helps creativity because small, quiet cues and half-formed ideas get noticed and built on.
  3. Creativity thrives in messy, relaxed, playful spaces and from outside inputs, so embrace chaos, laughter, and unexpected sources to get unstuck.

Christopher Nolan Reads "Without Purpose"

Range Widely • 1926 implied HN points • 03 Aug 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Creativity
  1. Christopher Nolan reads 'without any purpose' to find stimulation in unexpected places.
  2. Balancing focusing on immediate tasks with staying open to new possibilities is a key challenge of work and life.
  3. Embrace practices, like reading broadly without clear purpose, to invite new ideas and inspiration into your life.

Yours Robotically

Letters of Note • 1906 implied HN points • 28 Mar 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Creativity
  1. The AI-generated sign-offs provide unique and creative ways to end letters or emails.
  2. There are categories of sign-offs for different types of correspondence, like positive, angry, apologetic, congratulatory, romantic, hot, reconciliatory, job-seeking, and holidaying.
  3. The sign-offs range from traditional and professional to humorous and personal, offering a diverse range of options to choose from.

Time is not a butler

Austin Kleon • 3517 implied HN points • 07 Apr 23
🎭️ Culture Creativity
  1. Don't stress about finding your own style; focus on creating instead. It's okay if your style evolves over time.
  2. Learning from others doesn't mean copying them; it’s about using reference images to grow as an artist.
  3. Meeting new experiences, like seeing a screech owl or watching unique movies, can inspire your creativity and add joy to your life.

#150 Just enough design (and no more)

Design Lobster • 259 implied HN points • 10 Jun 24
🪑 Design Creativity
  1. Hodo-hodo is a Japanese concept of moderation and balance applied to design, meaning 'just enough design.' It emphasizes the idea of deliberately holding back in design to achieve an ideal level of completion.
  2. Just enough design can create space for imagination and personal interpretation, as seen in the example of Kinoishi wooden stones that were designed as toys without instructions.
  3. Designing with 'hodo-hodo' philosophy can lead to subtle yet impactful details that might not be consciously noticed but can evoke emotional connections and enhance user experience.

The mantra issue

Subtle Maneuvers • 1827 implied HN points • 24 Jul 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Creativity
  1. Consider trying to incorporate a mantra into your creative practice.
  2. Don't be afraid to explore new ideas, even if they seem unconventional at first.
  3. Finding inspiration from unexpected sources can help break down resistance to new practices.

The Plagiarism Plague

Lit Mag News Roundup • 884 implied HN points • 08 Feb 24
📚 Literature Creativity
  1. Plagiarism in writing is deceitful and can harm an author's reputation.
  2. Being honest and true to your own words is crucial as a writer.
  3. Confronting plagiarism issues can be challenging but necessary for maintaining integrity in the writing community.

Another Exercise

Story Club with George Saunders • 65 implied HN points • 25 Jan 26
📚 Literature Creativity
  1. A book-promotion tour for Vigil is starting in New York, with many book signings planned and an irregular schedule over the next few weeks, but updates will be provided.
  2. An exercise is shared that focuses on choosing and preference as they relate to editing, and it was learned from artist Lou Stovall.
  3. The post is behind a paywall and intended for paid subscribers.

Wiggly Consistency

Seven Senses • 879 implied HN points • 25 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Creativity
  1. Building consistency in your daily habits can lead to positive changes in your life. Small, regular actions can help you feel more secure and grounded.
  2. Starting small with new habits is often better than going all in right away. Even two minutes of a new practice can help you develop a routine without feeling overwhelmed.
  3. Flexibility in your routines is important. Consistency shouldn't feel like a strict schedule; it should allow for moments when you can stray away without feeling like you've failed.