Hello! Welcome to the next edition of my weekly habit of sharing.

Five things to share with you this week:

1. I’m really enjoying this new blog project for kids and adults during the pandemic. Keri Smith of Wreck This Journal fame has been posting a fun creative prompt each week day that includes a link for inspiration to an interesting artist who uses that technique or medium. I’m totally inspired by both the prompts, but even if I can’t get to doing those, her links to the artists are great! One good example is the video link of Yayoi Kusama’s Obliteration Room! in the post, House Graffiti Spots!

2. Tim Urban does something with with stick figures and words, humor and heart, that no one else can do.  Maybe that’s why he’s got 600,000+ newsletter subscribers to Wait But Why—and over 37 million views of his Ted Talk!  His latest Covid inspired story is…possible??? Ya never know.

3. . It seems like a no brainer to reopen the economy guided by "science and public health, not politics,” (Governor Newsom). Here’s a sound Global Coronavirus Exit Strategy from the World Economic Forum that relies on testing. And The MIT Technology Review explains the role testing can and should play, Stop covid or save the economy? We can do both. Oh—and here’s the testing science to date: Therapeutic Options for Covid-19. Less politics, more science please!

4. Need some distraction? This is a good list of television shows and movies to watch while sheltering in place. Top of my head I would add Jerry Maguire—they were so young!! And definitely the hilarious three season series by James Corden and Ruth Jones, Gavin and Stacey.

5. I wouldn’t call my creative practice a distraction so much as an obsession. Lately I’ve been developing a new daily journaling and sketching process. Nothing ready to be shared, but I will say I’m hugely inspired by Austin Kleon’s art practice. I’ve also started a new illustration project exploring fairy tales (also in the very early stages).  I like Sara Burnshad’s advice for growing as an artist especially “sit down and define your own version of success.” For me? If I’m spending good time creating and growing as an artist, I’m good. And when I’m creating, I’m not worrying and I’m not sad. Yep, that’s success.

Peace and joy until next week—

Denise

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