A Few Follow Ups

Thinking of last Friday’s post, I thought I’d post links as follow ups.

• I think Eric Maisel’s  blog on Creativity Central is interesting. I particularly liked this post by Beth Barany who describes the Artist Entrepreneurship pretty well. Putting the art first is a wise philosophy.

• Todd Henry of Accidental Creative describes the Paradox of Rejection in how it can provide growth for the artist.

• Since he quotes Michelangelo, this is the latest scientific discovery that “unlocks some of the Mona Lisa magic.” It’s no mystery that Michelangelo used multiple layers of glazes called “sfumato” (softening of contour lines) to create his subtle effect of this painting’s memorable smile, but modern x-ray technology shows the precises layers as they are built up as well as the exact pigments that were used.

• If you want to see some wonderful drawings and artwork by Michelangelo, go here — Michelangelo, the Man and the Myth. Although this exhibit is long since over, you can still tour it through a virtual gallery.

• Because my father was a neurosurgeon, I can’t help but be fascinated by science that relates to the brain and this is just in the latest Science News: “Study finds a link between personality traits and the size of certain brain regions.”

— Above-average conscientiousness was associated with a larger region of the lateral prefrontal cortex, which is involved in planning and voluntary control of behavior…The only trait without a significant neuroanatomical relationship, according to the report, was openness/intellect, which researchers said reflects imagination, curiosity, and artistic and intellectual interests…genes and the environment play important roles….When it [personality] does, that change is accompanied by changes in the brain.

— I’m ready to get my brain scan...

Ending with some strange new music to Kick-Start another heat wave of a weekend, “…And the World Laughs with You,” by Flying Lotus from their Cosmogramma Album. Thom Yorke of my favorite band Radiohead sings the lyrics. Another interesting thing about this musical choice is that my son Jackson has told me about Flying Lotus for over a year. We listened to sound tracks on the long, long roadtrip back home from Sewanee last year. Even though, this is not my favorite song on the album, their other work is very interesting and it’s really nice to share musical interests with your children. On another side note: I have to give high marks to David Cameron, the new prime minister of England, who exchanged art gifts with Obama, during his recent visit to the States, including music by Radiohead and the Smiths….Good taste.