The Perennial Colloquy : Recent Episodes
The Perennial Colloquy
On each episode of The Perennial Colloquy, we break down iconic quotes from the greatest artists of all time.
"Without great solitude no serious work is possible." - Pablo Picasso
Silence and Solitude is a multi-layered discipline. It has spiritual, physical, and creative benefits. In order to create and reach your peak performance, you need space to be alone and focus.
As we’ve said already many times, it’s our creative disciplines that dictate how good we are at our craft.
NITTY GRITTY TAKEAWAY
Schedule 30 or 60 mins of silence and solitude.
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Turn off your phone (completely)!
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Focus all attention in the moment for the allotted time
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Take notes on the location, amount of time, and breaks necessary to create an optimal creative atmosphere
We aren't in control of it all, but we are responsible for a lot. It's so easy to let life happen, quietly meandering along.
Today's episode is a call to intentionality. It's a call to not let things just "happen." Set goals. reverse-engineer a plan to achieve them. Take action and then get some rest.
NITTY GRITTY TAKEAWAY: Carter and I (Colby) talk about how we schedule our, days, weeks, and long-term plans. Colby breaks down how the Bullet Journal system has been instrumental to his productivity.
"An artist must be a warrior."
Warriors prepare for battle in times of peace. Artists prepare for creativity by consistently training in their craft. That's why we practice our scales, hone our writing on personal projects, develop screenplays and create short films when nobody is paying us. To practice.
But more than that, art is a conduit of something greater. We did not create ourselves, and we are not the ultimate source of our own creativity.
NITTY GRITTY TAKEAWAY: Try using getpocket.com (not a sponsor) and Instapaper (not a sponsor) to create a "swipe file" of things that inspire you so that you can quickly access them when you're feeling in need of some creative energy!
"Every artist was first an amateur.” (Ralph Waldo Emerson)
Carter and I (Colby) think this one of the most empowering quotes about the creative process. Being an artist is a journey, not something you just wake up and earn in a single moment.
With that in mind, we have to follow the process of (1) creating a long term vision for our art, (2) developing a consistent creative discipline, and (3) releasing that art into the world so we can observe how it impacts others and grow.
NITTY GRITTY TAKEAWAY: Enjoy the freedom that amateurism gives and think outside the box this week. Use time to push the boundaries and create something new!
One of the most accomplished artists in history, Michelangelo, said "If people knew how hard I had to work to gain my mastery, it would not seem so wonderful at all."
What's the point? If Michelangelo had to put in some sweat, maybe we should too!
NITTY GRITTY TAKEAWAY: Spend 5 minutes at the beginning of your creative session to write out your long-term vision, and then put in 30 solid minutes of focused work.
Always work with the end in mind.
Is your art eternal? Does your art pursue the transcendent?
We believe you have to chase the transcendent to create lasting art, so we're seeking to infuse our own art with the eternal.
NITTY GRITTY TAKEAWAY: Take a particular personal experience from your day and ask yourself “what is the universal principle, feeling, emotion behind this.”
By training ourselves to identify the universal principles in our particular personal experiences, we inevitably become better artists!
Where will your art end up? In the trash or in the museum? On a word doc or on a bookshelf? On a hard drive or a Spotify playlist? The choice is yours. Share your work and grow, or work in secret and stay unknown.
This episode of the TPC Podcast is CALLING ALL CREATIVES to actually let go of some of their work and start sharing it with the world.
NITTY GRITTY TAKEAWAY: Make something today, revise revise revise, and SHARE IT!
Rise and grind! Episode 5 of the TPC Podcast! Here's the deal, inspiration appears when you least expect it, but you should be at your desk when it strikes. Translation: Creative routines are the path to success!
NITTY GRITTY TAKEAWAY: Find a time of day where you are optimally creative (AM or PM, light or dark space, music or silence) and consistently execute a creative discipline at that time/place, regardless of how you feel.
Taking from one person is plagiarism, taking from multiple people is research. This is stealing like an artist.
When you fail to become your creative heroes you might just become your own creative self. It may sound silly, but this is the method that has been used for eons to develop a unique artistic voice, stand out in a crowded market, and artistically thrive.
NITTY GRITTY TAKEAWAY: Be a better burglar. Find out who your creative heroes were inspired by, study them, and then find your creative self by failing to be someone else.
On episode 2, Carter and I break down a quote from one of my 3 favorite books on creativity, "Culture Making" by Andy Crouch. Here's the deal, it's easier to gossip than to confront your friend. In a similar way, it's much easier to critique than to create.
Moreover, what we consume affects what we create. Are we "eating" the right inspiration for our work?
NITTY GRITTY TAKEAWAY: Create the art that you want to consume. Sit down for 20 minutes today and take the next step!
Episode 1 is a blast! Carter and I (Colby) break down our favorite quote from Michelangelo, the 15th century Italian artist who painted the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, and sculpted the Pieta, and so much more. We share the quote, conversate, and then give you 1 nitty-gritty takeaway to boost your creativity.
The Perennial Colloquy podcast is snack-sized conversation about culture, the creative process, and everything else. We started this podcast in 60 seconds and episode one drops next Wednesday!