turn pain into art

Painting of the eyes of an artist who turned pain into art

We all hurt. We all feel pain. I sure know I do, and if you’re reading this and you think you’re not, then you’re kidding yourself. (Or you’re enlightened, but then why the heck would you be reading this?) That’s not to say that life can’t be beautiful. I love life. But the pain is … Read more

charlie kaufman on being yourself, finding your own voice, and wanting to be liked

charlie kaufman drawing black and white

Charlie Kaufman has written movies like Adaptation, Being John Malkovich, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Anomalisa, I’m Thinking of Ending Things, and others. What I love most about Charlie Kaufman is the depth of his thinking, and how his art expresses truth. The following are quotes from a BAFTA lecture he gave on 30 … Read more

rick rubin on staying open to creative clues (and the making of system of a down’s chop suey)

It was the year 2001, and System of a Down were working on Chop Suey—which would become one of their most iconic songs. Serj, the songwriter, didn’t have words for a certain section of the song. He was in the library of his producer at the time, Rick Rubin, and Rubin told him: ”Pick some … Read more

how to let go of resentment & stop feeling bitter

photorealistic image of 2 dandelions with dramatic lighting, black background, representing resentment

When you resent someone, your brain produces a constant stream of negative thoughts that are toxic to your own well-being, and hinders your creativity. It’s time to get real. Yeah, you ended up with the short end of the stick. Yeah, you didn’t get what you deserved. Yeah, someone disappointed or mistreated you. But holding … Read more

cutthroat by imagine dragons

I really got into this album by Imagine Dragons, and the song Cutthroad is another amazing song, very unique, raw and original in its own way. It’s violent and aggressive. Here’s what Dan Reynolds said about the song: This is a song about the desire I’ve had over the past few years to rid myself … Read more

giants by imagine dragons

Another deeply moving song by Imagine Dragons from the album Mercury Act 1. This one is about Dan Reynolds’ struggles with addiction: Giants. There’s a rawness to the song and the lyrics are beautifully poetic. There’s the gentle, loving care of a father in there that you here in his voice in the verses ”If … Read more

Wrecked by Imagine Dragons

Every once in a while I like to post a song here that I came across and that moved me. Wrecked by Imagine Dragons felt so real and raw, and I think anyone who lost a love one will feel it. Days pass by and my eyes stay dry, and I think that I’m okay‘Til … Read more

stephen pressfield & ryan holiday on creative work, writing, and resistance

Steven Pressfield and Ryan Holiday at The Painted Porch Bookshop

Ryan Holiday recently published a conversation between him and Stephen Pressfield. Right from the get go, they touch on an interesting subject: Ryan had a day where he wasn’t feeling well, and struggled to get into a writing groove. But he sat down and wrote anyway, and it turned out to be one of the … Read more