TATANKA

“I was kind of a misfit little kid and bullied at school.” – Sara Bareilles Not fitting in with others and feeling weird is a common experience for many of us. A number of artists have found creative work is a way to express their unique personalities and talents, and feel accepted. Singer-songwriter, actress and … Read moreDo you feel like a misfit as a creative person?

(Pompeii Records) Finding solace in going somewhere remote is not a unique endeavor for musicians. As a result, the narrative behind it almost takes precedence over the music itself. In the case of Zach Condon, the brainchild behind Beirut, it was more of a necessity. After experiencing a series of health complications after releasing 2019’s … Read moreMusic Review: Hadsel – Beirut

Some five hundred years ago, mood disorders were considered to be based on an imbalance in four body “humors” or  fluids – yellow bile, black bile, blood, and phlegm. Too much black bile was thought to cause ‘melancholy’ and ‘madness.’ [For more, see the Wikipedia page on Melancholia.] In her article “Clinical Depression Then and … Read moreRethinking Creativity and Depression

It’s a compulsion Toni Collette just wants to be “turned on” as an actor, she notes: “I’ve been doing it [acting] for half my life now and life’s too short to put your energy into something that you don’t believe in, that you don’t find entertaining yourself or doesn’t speak to you in some vivid … Read moreToni Collette on finding meaning in acting

How can being emotionally vulnerable help you be more creative as an actor or other artist? Kerry Washington talks about acting and being vulnerable. “Acting was about really the escapism – it was about loving the idea of being somebody else in some other place and being able to forget about my real life and … Read moreEnhance your creativity – be more emotionally vulnerable and connected

“For an artist, it is a driven pursuit, whether we acknowledge this or not, that endless search for meaning.” Dianne Albin Like passion, meaning is another central element in how we choose which of our talents to develop and express. Finding and making meaning is especially crucial for creative people. Painter Dianne Albin continues, “Each … Read moreMake Meaning To Be More Creative

One movie based on a story by Philip Pullman is “The Golden Compass,” with a talented cast including Dakota Blue Richards (photo), Daniel Craig, Nicole Kidman and others. On his site, he addresses a number of questions about his life and work as a writer: Were you encouraged to be creative? No, I was ignored. When … Read morePhilip Pullman on Creative Inspiration: Write to Please Yourself

Music Reviews (Slumberland / Tough Love) Barely a week goes by without someone, somewhere putting out a decent indie-pop record. From impressively consistent labels like Slumberland to bedroom artists lovingly creating homemade cassettes, the music is out there if you know where to look — and it’s still very good. But while the standard of … Read moreMusic Review: Fairweather Friend – The Umbrellas