Two strangers are walking towards each other on the street.They don't make eye contact.They don't make eye contact.Then, just as they're passing each other they both look each other full in the face.What's that about?I see it happen all the time.I think it could be a symptom of a small town - there's a good … Continue reading Strangers in the street →

The homework is due tomorrow so you find something to say. The impending team meeting provides fantastic motivation to source some clear impressive topics to talk about. The inescapable deadline focuses the creative mind like no other. Use it wisely

Ivan is stalling. He finished his novel weeks ago and yet he still hasn't published it to the Kindle. Ivan will tell you it's because the final chapters need just a bit more work but really they're done. The real reason is he's afraid. He's afraid of what his friends and family will say once … Continue reading Ivan’s delay →

The local gazette listed your name wrong in the community theatre production of Hamlet.Instead of Sean Murphy it says Sean Murray.Not just a spelling mistake but a completely different surname.Do you...A) Ring the gazette, demand to talk to the highest authority possible and insist on a reprint with a full printed apology.Or B) Get on … Continue reading Misspelt surname →

Hmm I don't know if I'm cool enough to pull off a leather jacket. But I do like that navy coat. However it is quite expensive. I don't know if I'm the type of person who drops €300 on a coat I don't need. But also I don't want to be the kind of person … Continue reading Am I cool enough for that jacket? →

Unfortunately eloquence is not a skill everyone has and the things left unsaid could be driving you crazy. So let's imagine a highly trained SWAT team captures this person who has been living rent free in your head, forces them to talk and injects them with an articulation aid - What do you want to … Continue reading Conversations imagined →

Andrew Price gave a great talk about the habits of highly effective artists (you can watch the talk here). In this talk, circa 7 minutes 45 seconds, Price discusses his drawings and his estimates for time spent. Price reckons that 60% of his time equated to 90% of his learning. The other 10% of learning … Continue reading That last coat →

"But look at all the fame and riches of the self proclaimed perfectionists in the world. If it worked for them, why shouldn't I develop some perfectionist tendencies?" I won't deny there are some very successful perfectionists out there but let's consider some of the drawbacks to pursuing perfection. You'll have to scream at people … Continue reading I wanna be a perfectionist! →

It's ironic that artists become perfectionists when it's really the human-ness of art that we love. Take Jackson Pollock's drip paintings for example. They aren't famous because they are perfect renditions of beautiful scenery, they look like an angry baby got into your paints! Or how about Superman? The hero with every super power known … Continue reading Interesting v flawless →

Last week I wrote about how CinemaSins showed there was no such thing as the perfect movie. Today's blog post is going to be in a similar vein but focus on other artistic areas. Let's start with music! 'Yesterday' by the Beatles is one of the most famous and covered songs in the world, so … Continue reading Imperfect art pieces →