New York-based artist, educator, and author Samantha Dion Baker shares the profound impact a daily sketchbook practice had on her creative journey. She explains her brave decision to go freelance, and discusses what it means to follow one’s own compass.
Is art a solitary pursuit? Would you make art on a deserted island? Why or why not? This conversation has some good answers.
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⏱ Nishant cites Aristotle’s idea of the passage of time, as read in The Order of Time by Carlo Rovelli.
🗓 On slow productivity, by Cal Newport
📲 How social media has infiltrated not only our lives but also our minds and our innermost thoughts.
“But my point was that it's a very interesting time when you don't have any followers, when nobody is looking at your work, because you're completely free. You can actually do anything you want because no one is looking at you.” - Nishant, on the benefit of having no audience.
👩🎨 Sam talks about growing up in a family of artists around multiple female role models.
🪜 What instinct prompted Sam to change ladders after climbing so high up?
🎙 Listen to the Knowledge Project podcast on setting the right objectives for big ideas, and why greatness cannot be planned (Kenneth Stanley).
📖 The pivotal life events that brought sketchbooks into Sam’s life.
“An artist has never arrived at some place, because once you think you’ve arrived, then you want to get somewhere else… There’s never an end.” - Samantha.
🔁 Accepting that change is essential to the longevity of a creative career.
🏝 If you were stranded on a deserted island, why would you make art? How much of art is solitary and where does society or community fit into this?
📚 The evolution of Sam’s relationship with her sketchbook. How it led to her first book - Draw your Day.
💬 Sam talks about being nervous about words and using famous quotes as a “crutch” for her art.
⚫️ Peter Reynolds’ The Dot
🖼 Robert Hughes’ The Shock of the New
💸 What gives value to art today.
📖 Sam talks about her second book - Draw your World
📚 How does traditional publishing work?
💡 Sam speaks to the challenge of “recreating the magic” of the first book
👔 The perils of design by committee
📕 The Truth Will Set You Free But First It Will Piss You Off! by Gloria Steinem
Did I miss anything? I would love to hear your thoughts about this episode. Let’s talk in the comments!
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Ep 52 Chasing Horizons with Samantha Dion Baker