The hottest Creativity Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Art & Illustration Topics

Notes not from Cannes

Thoughts on Writing • 179 implied HN points • 24 Jun 24
🎭️ Culture Creativity Purpose Advertising Awards Diversity
  1. Purpose in marketing needs to be rigorously examined to ensure it genuinely makes a positive impact on society, beyond just emotional storytelling.
  2. Judges should be empowered to focus on creativity in awards, ensuring entries are judged based on creativity rather than personal criteria or biases.
  3. There is a concern that the focus on purpose and diversity in awards may be devaluing creativity and leading to work that is detached from what the public actually likes.

A Kid Who Loved to Draw

Shades of Greaves • 727 implied HN points • 13 Feb 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Drawing Creativity Imagination Expression
  1. The joy of drawing as a child can be rediscovered as an adult, allowing for creative expression and fun without a specific purpose.
  2. Taking time to engage in creative activities just for the sake of enjoyment can have positive effects on mental well-being, even if it doesn't directly contribute to professional goals.
  3. Embracing moments of creative 'fuckaroundery' can lead to a more enjoyable life, even if it challenges traditional ideas of productivity and goal achievement.
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The Moment that Made Louis C.K.'s Career

Neckar’s Notes • 150 implied HN points • 09 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Comedy Entertainment Creativity Performance Storytelling
  1. Louis C.K. faced dark times early in his career but kept going despite feeling lost. He learned that persistence is key, even when things seem tough.
  2. He spent years perfecting his comedy, but realized he wasn't happy with the act he created. This shows that just working hard isn't always enough if you're not passionate about what you're doing.
  3. C.K. admired George Carlin's ability to create deep work, which inspired him but also made him doubt himself. This highlights how comparison can drive us forward or hold us back.

The art of forgery

Austin Kleon • 1438 implied HN points • 17 Oct 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Art history Authenticity Creativity Cultural critique
  1. Forging art means giving credit to someone else for work you create, while plagiarism is taking credit for someone else's work. It's about the effort you put into creating something.
  2. Art forgery requires a lot of skill, and sometimes forgers become as famous as the original artists. For example, Han van Meegeren became well-known for his skill in copying famous painters.
  3. Forgers often have their own reasons for their work, sometimes even out of frustration with the art world. This can lead them to excel in their craft, creating impressive forgeries that fetch high prices.

the writer's week ahead 2.4.24-2.10.24

astrology for writers • 746 implied HN points • 03 Feb 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Astrology Creativity Spiritual guidance
  1. Replies to newsletters via email have been turned off by the writer due to unnecessary content in their inbox.
  2. Paid subscribers can't get refunds for previous months, but the writer is offering the week ahead content for free as a gesture of gratitude.
  3. The writer shares astrological insights for the week regarding creativity, relationships, and personal development.

No expectations

Austin Kleon • 3137 implied HN points • 14 Feb 23
📚 Literature Writing Comics Workshops Creativity Diaries
  1. Embrace what you have instead of wishing it were different. Focus on what's in front of you rather than dreaming about an imaginary version.
  2. When reading or writing, ask better questions like 'What is this?' instead of thinking about how to fix it. This helps you appreciate the work instead of getting distracted.
  3. Using old notebooks or diaries to inspire new ideas can be helpful. Often, there are gems in past writings that can spark fresh thoughts today.

Welcome to the age of the late bloomer

The Common Reader • 1346 implied HN points • 26 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Aging Talent Success Creativity Equality
  1. Older individuals are demonstrating remarkable capabilities and contributing significantly in various fields like politics and work, highlighting the value of skills and experience brought by older people.
  2. Late bloomers are becoming more common, with individuals achieving success and recognition later in life, showcasing that age is not a limiting factor for pursuing passions or making significant contributions.
  3. Embracing and celebrating both young talent and older individuals can enrich and diversify achievements and contributions in society, demonstrating the importance of recognizing and nurturing talent across various age groups.

I made you some poems

Austin Kleon • 2318 implied HN points • 02 May 23
🎭️ Culture Art Poetry Education Creativity Inspiration
  1. Creating art can be a source of comfort and inspiration. Making blackout poems is one way to express creativity and find joy in the process.
  2. It's important for teachers and artists to keep practicing their craft. Staying engaged in making things helps them grow and inspire others.
  3. Feedback from others can motivate artists to create more. Positive comments can encourage experimentation and exploration in their artistic journey.

My year of releasing differently

The Ideaspace • 39 implied HN points • 31 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Creativity Collaboration Art Media Personal Growth
  1. Taking your time with ideas can make them stronger. It's okay to wait for an idea to develop fully before sharing it with others.
  2. Working with others can lead to amazing results. Collaboration often brings new perspectives and can amplify individual creativity.
  3. Releasing work should be about authenticity and connection, not just seeking approval. Finding the right way to share your ideas can create more meaningful engagement.

GUT Visiting Artist: Gretchen Rubin

DrawTogether with WendyMac • 1257 implied HN points • 22 Oct 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Creativity Senses Drawing Inspiration Community
  1. Gretchen Rubin highlights the link between creativity and happiness, showing how it boosts mood, energy, and social connections.
  2. She shares about her sources of creative inspiration, like reading and visiting the Met museum, and how those experiences lead to new projects.
  3. Gretchen suggests a creative exercise of keeping a Five-Senses Journal to spark memories, ideas, and gratitude through daily sensory experiences.

On this date...

Austin Kleon • 2497 implied HN points • 31 Mar 23
🎭️ Culture Art Music Literature Film Creativity
  1. Curiosity is important, but sometimes we miss things we should be curious about. It's good to reflect on what interests us.
  2. Sharing art can be a fun and engaging experience. It's great to connect with others and see various creative works.
  3. Keeping a journal can be a magical space for thoughts and ideas. It's a good way to explore your feelings and creativity.

Beginnings

The Art of Enchantment, with Dr Sharon Blackie • 1956 implied HN points • 01 Jan 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Reflections Community Creativity Transformation Myth
  1. 2022 was a difficult year for the author, but through hardships, she found a deeper connection to her calling and purpose.
  2. Being aligned with one's unique gift can bring a sense of purpose and detachment from outcomes, allowing focus on meaningful work.
  3. Community and collaboration are essential in working towards a common goal, even for solitary pursuits like writing.

A Search for Vulnerability in Photography

In the Flash • 2038 implied HN points • 20 Jul 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Photography Creativity Intimacy Writing Emotions
  1. Photography can serve as a shield to hide personal fears and insecurities, but writing can bring out vulnerability more easily.
  2. Starting a newsletter allowed the author to express intimate thoughts and emotions that were hard to convey through photography.
  3. Transitioning from amateur to professional photography can lead to a loss of personal storytelling and a shift towards voyeuristic work.

The thing that sticks out

Austin Kleon • 2098 implied HN points • 09 May 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Creativity Gardening Metaphors Art Process
  1. It's important to know what to keep in your work and what to remove. Sometimes, cutting out parts you love can help your overall project grow better.
  2. You can take pieces from your creative work, like plant cuttings, and use them in new ways. This allows you to explore fresh ideas or directions.
  3. Giving things time to settle before you repurpose them can make a big difference. Just like letting cuttings dry before replanting, patience is key in creating something new.

Fail again. Fail Better.

Seven Senses • 1778 implied HN points • 03 Jul 23
🎭️ Culture Art Literature Creativity Philosophy Personal Growth
  1. Failures can lead to new opportunities and personal growth. They often force us to rethink our priorities and can bring us closer to the people we truly connect with.
  2. Caring too much about outside approval can hold us back. It’s important to focus on what we love to do rather than what others expect from us.
  3. Facing failure is a part of the creative process. Embracing it can lead to genuine self-expression and a stronger sense of community.

Strange Ways AI Disrupts Business Models, What’s Next For Creativity & Marketing, Some Provocative Data

Implications, by Scott Belsky • 1159 implied HN points • 21 Oct 23
🕹 Technology AI Marketing Creativity AI Models Innovation
  1. AI will cause major disruptions to traditional business models by optimizing processes in real-time.
  2. Time-based billing for services like lawyers and designers may become outdated as AI improves workflow efficiencies.
  3. AI will reduce the influence of brand and marketing on purchase decisions by providing more personalized guidance to consumers.

The Personalization Wave, A Surge of Wildly Human-Intensive Non-Scalable Experiences, & Ideas Of The Month

Implications, by Scott Belsky • 1198 implied HN points • 07 May 23
🕹 Technology AI Personalization Creativity
  1. The future will be hyper-personalized, catering to individual preferences and controlled data sharing.
  2. AI will shape new roles for humans, allowing for more human-intensive, unscalable experiences.
  3. Increased demand for crafted non-scalable experiences will drive the rise of the experience economy.

The book that changed my life

Austin Kleon • 6074 implied HN points • 15 Mar 22
🎭️ Culture Books Creativity Arts Literature Personal Growth
  1. The book 'Steal Like an Artist' encourages creativity by showing that it's okay to borrow ideas from others. It teaches that creating something new often comes from remixing existing concepts.
  2. The author had a significant life change after writing this book, leading him to quit his job and pursue his passion full-time. This shows how following your creative journey can lead to unexpected opportunities.
  3. The book's unique style and design were influenced by personal limitations and a desire to create something that felt handmade and authentic. It reminds us that constraints can sometimes spark the most creativity.

Let The Espresso Martinis Speak!

Castalia • 619 implied HN points • 27 Jan 24
📚 Literature Writing Fiction Storytelling Expression Creativity
  1. Writing is about taking risks and pushing your limits. It's more meaningful when you explore ideas outside your comfort zone, even if it feels hard and messy.
  2. Every piece of writing starts with an initial idea or feeling. It's important to stay connected to that idea, as it shapes the entire work.
  3. Writing should come from intuition rather than overthinking. It helps to let your subconscious guide you, similar to how a performer relies on instinct during a show.

Monoganimals

Seven Senses • 519 implied HN points • 17 Feb 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Illustration Zines Visual art Creativity Workshops
  1. There's a new mini zine called 'Monoganimals' that features seven animals known for being monogamous. It's a fun way to learn about these unique animal relationships.
  2. The zine is hand-bound and illustrated, making it a special treat for subscribers. If you've provided your mailing address, you should receive it soon!
  3. There's also a creative workshop series happening, which you can join if interested. It's a chance to explore creativity with others, and recordings are available if you missed the previous sessions.

Experiment 1: Daily earnest learning

Public Universal Friend • 19 implied HN points • 02 Sep 24
🚌 Education Learning Self-Improvement Creativity Mastery Mindset
  1. Focusing on learning without distractions can help you improve faster. It's important to set aside time just for practice, away from everyday interruptions.
  2. Having hope while learning makes it more exciting and keeps you motivated. Even if your goals seem unrealistic, believing you can improve is really valuable.
  3. Instead of just learning new things, aim for mastery in what you already know. Realizing that there's always more to learn helps keep your passion alive.

Yes, I'm going to wade into the subject of AI

So Here’s a Thing • 1101 implied HN points • 25 Mar 23
🕹 Technology AI Art Ethics Creativity Imagery
  1. AI is a significant topic in 2023, impacting various industries and raising concerns about job security and creative integrity.
  2. AI-generated art, like that from Midjourney, can produce unique and artistic images rapidly and affordably, though it currently lacks the finesse of human artists.
  3. The rise of AI presents challenges regarding authenticity and truth, as it can replicate artistic styles with accuracy, raising ethical concerns about misattribution and deception.