Tag: Inspiration

Be Unique – Be You

I don’t know if I believe in Fate, but I do know when the universe is nudging me in a certain direction. While thinking about today’s blog post for EBSQ I stumbled upon two things: a wonderful calligraphy message from illustrator and designer Fathima Kathrada and a quote by Seth Godin.

Message by Fathima Kathrada

 

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Of course it’s difficult…

Students choose to attend expensive colleges but don’t major in engineering because the courses are killer.

Doing more than the customary amount of customer service is expensive, time-consuming and hard to sustain.

Raising money for short-term urgent projects is easier than finding support for the long, difficult work of changing the culture and the infrastructure.

Finding a new path up the mountain is far more difficult than hiring a sherpa and following the tried and true path. Of course it is. That’s precisely why it’s scarce and valuable.

The word economy comes from the Greek word for scarcity. The only things that are scarce in the world of connection and services and the net are the things that are difficult, and the only things that are valuable are the things that are scarce. When we intentionally seek out the difficult tasks, we’re much more likely to actually create value.

Seth Godin

Both messages essentially say the same thing. Be you. Be unique. I think we all need to be reminded of this from time to time, but artists especially. We are surrounded by other amazing artists and all of us at one time or another have thought, I want to paint like that! But if you want to stand out–make a mark for yourself–you need to be unique. You need to be you.

Friday Five: Words of Wisdom

Kiwi: Polish Pottery LXXXIII by Heather Sims
Kiwi: Polish Pottery LXXXIII by Heather Sims

1. Whether you Make it or Not is Never about Talent by Yuko Shimizu

There are ALWAYS going to be people who are better than you, and that is totally OK. It is an unnecessary distraction you should never focus on.

2. Ten Rules Every Artist Should Live By by Grant Goodwine

The people who don’t give up, no matter what life throws at them, are more likely to make a name for themselves in whichever creative vocation they choose.

3.  Freedom of Sketch by Lauren Panepinto

Freedom of speech is a right that trumps freedom from being offended. Every time.

4. On Managing Time, Insecurities, and the Magic Mirror Gate by Guiseppe Castellano

I don’t know of any artist who wakes up in the morning and says, “Yeah, I’m as good as I want to be.” There will always be room for growth. The key is to keep moving.

 5. “Anything’s possible if you’ve got enough nerve.” — J.K. Rowling