I'm not sure I did this affirmation exercise right, nor am I sure I buy into this idea, but this is what emerged during the class exercise.
Like others, I'm plagued with negative thoughts. Since we believe these negative thoughts so profoundly, I don't get how repeating a forced phrase will change the way I feel. I am trying to keep an open mind.
Guess that's why I went with something practical and less personal.
One of the talks I attended on the weekend that has stayed with me was by Scott Dadich, former editor of WIRED magazine and producer of ABSTRACT (design series on Netflix).
He described how artists, designers, musicians will intentionally add wrong elements to their work.
https://www.wired.com/2014/09/wrong-theory/
Drawing outside by the fire into the night.
Not a typical studio space, but it allowed be to spend the most of the day removed from the neglected house screaming for attention, and the business tasks I have been ignoring.
The immediacy of ink and graphite on paper is incredibly satisfying. I've been able to distance myself from the concept of product and audience. The act of drawing and engaging in the process (while trying to figure things out) is the focus.
Something fruitful will emerge; it has to.
True story. My laptop was locked and I will likely lose everything on it. I'm trying to tell myself that files are just things.
It has stalled business for a couple days until I can even use my computer again.
Reinforces the instinct that I have to go on a break from technology.
Toronto's annual night time festival of art coincidentally took place while I was visiting. Installations and performances peppered the city streets. I saw several works but didn't venture to the core where larger crowds gathered.
Interesting to experience- I even participated in one performance piece- and to see so many people. Maybe that is worth something, but it bothered me to see some people trivialize some somber pieces with the street festivities and yahooing.
A beautiful day for a walk on the waterfront and to visit the Power Plant Gallery. One artist had an ongoing installation project where he invited the public to submit ideas via social media and he is adding theseas the exhibit progresses.
There were a few instances like this one where I was thinking of ways to better engage the viewer.
An unfortunate change of plans where my friend did not join me in Toronto led to me having much more time on my own to explore and to seek out more Art.
I jumped at the chance to go to the EDIT event, organized through the Design Exchange. It was both challenging and engaging. With a focus on innovation and design, there were all sorts of applications for learning.
Missed David Suzuki by about an hour and also missed the first of another talk after being stuck in an elevator.
