Jason Landry's Blog, page 9

Finding Inspiration

Kevin Van Aelst, Apple Globe, 2007

Finding Inspiration when you think all the good ideas have already been taken.

I’m not sure what to write.

I’m not sure what to photograph.

I’ve been staring at a blank canvas all day.

I feel like I’m writing the same song over and over.

I’m not sure this applies to any of you reading this, but artists sometimes get themselves in a bit of a quandary––low and behold: Artist’s Block. You know, kinda like “writer’s block”, but on a more diversified scale. You, yes you, the artist over there that looks down in the dumps. You’re getting in your own way. You’ve set up roadblocks for yourself. You’ve convinced yourself that there is nothing original to be said––that it’s “all been done before.” Come on now, you’re an ARTIST!

With a show of hands, who hasn’t felt like this? If you find yourself in one of these predicaments, try to remember that “ah-hah” moment you had a few months or days back when you actually had a moment of brilliance––that time when things were clear and your artistic mojo was working for you. Recall that moment, harness it for half a minute, then get back to work. If that doesn’t help, go for a stroll to your nearest bookstore, gallery or museum. Breathe in the art. Let it consume every morsel of your being. Don’t you feel better already. Are you ready to create?

People who define themselves as “artists” have an innate ability that others do not have. Some think that you can learn to be an artist, but I believe you are born with with an artistic genome––schooling just helps you mold and fine tune what is already there.

Artists are gifted, talented and unique individuals. If we didn’t have them in this world, life would be pretty boring. Actually, someone smarter than me once said: “Earth without art would be Eh”

All the inspiration that you need is already inside you. You just have to be determined enough to let it out.

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Instant Connections: On the Nook

Today was the first day that I actually saw my book Instant Connections on a Nook. I knew it was available on it, but I had never seen it with my own two eyes. Thanks Barnes & Noble for not yelling at me for taking a picture of it in your store. (Yes, they actually chastised me in front of my 9-year old niece for trying to take a picture in their store last month…….we won’t get into that here.  I’m all about happy thoughts.) P.S…….supposedly it’s a rule that you are not allowed to take photographs in their stores.

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Liz Steketee via The Huffington Post

Visit The Huffington Post to check out my story, Liz Steketee: Truth, Intertwined and Manipulated. I met her at FotoFest in Houston.

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REMOTE and REWORK

I picked up the book REMOTE: Office Not Required by Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson after reading their first book REWORK.

The title of this book describes exactly what the book is about: working remotely. Now, I’ve worked from corporate offices and remotely from home in my past life. For those of you who haven’t had the opportunity to do so, there is ups and downs to it.

This book talks about the positives and the negatives and how to keep your employees working on all cylinders while also giving them the freedom to work autonomously and not as structured and monitored as if they were sitting in an office 9-5pm.

As a gallery owner, I have learned that if you can control your business and transactions pertaining to your business from practically anywhere, your business has a better chance of succeeding and growing. I work just as hard sitting on my couch at home, from a hotel room in Paris, France, or from a friends home in Tampa, Florida as I do sitting in my gallery.

Many galleries in the last 10 years have closed their brick and mortar locations and opted to just do art fairs. This is as mobile as you can get, and many are profiting from it. Dealers pop up at a different art fairs around the globe, set up a booth filled with work of artists that they represent, then after the event is over, pack it up until the next big event. This is a savvy business model for some, but not all. I do think there is something to be said about having a permanent location, but that doesn’t mean I always will.

REWORK on the other hand, was a much better read. There were a lot of motivating quotes that I pulled out of it that made sense, not just for business-minded individuals. Here’s a few good ones:

“Workaholics aren’t heroes. The real hero is home already because she figured out a faster way to get things done.”

“Be a curator.  Stick with what’s truly essential.”

“The real world isn’t a place, it’s an excuse. It’s a justification or not trying. It has nothing to do with you.”

“Standing for something isn’t just about writing it down.  It’s about believing it and living it.”

Both of these books are easy reads. Start with REWORK, then decide if REMOTE is needed.

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Youngho Kang: The Huffington Post

Visit The Huffington Post to check out my story, Youngho Kang: 99 Variations of a Self-Portrait. This South Korean photographer has been hard at work coming up with all these persona’s.

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The 4-Hour Workweek

I’m a fan of Tim Ferriss, his books, blog, podcast and overall energy. I pull his book The 4-Hour Workweek once in a while from my bookshelf to re-read some important quotes and statements. I heavily underlined, circled and wrote in this book.

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Dream dreams

Samuel Eliot Morison sculpture, Commonwealth Ave Mall, Boston, Mass. Photograph by Jason Landry

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Michael Crouser: The Huffington Post

Visit The Huffington Post to check out my story, Michael Crouser: The Real Deal out on the Mountain Ranch. This photographer has been photographing eight ranching families for the past eight years out in western Colorado.

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Instant Connections: The Photos

I love it when people send me photographs that they took with my book Instant Connections. I am very honored that you are reading it, and in one case, destroying it. Take a picture with the book this summer and send it to me. I’m sure you can find me via email or any of the number of social media sites I’m on.

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Food for Thought: Practice Makes Perfect

Remember the saying, “Practice Makes Perfect?” It is very important to practice whatever craft you want to master. It might not just be the 10,000 hours that Malcolm Gladwell describes in his book Outliers and they discuss in this article.

The last sentence of the article asks, “the important question now is, what else matters?” The fact is, besides practice, you need a solid network and connections. People who will talk about you, confirm your abilities, and help strengthen your brand. Without those so called “Influencers” or “Validators” in your corner, you could be the best at whatever you do, but never be recognized for it.

Read more of this article at Business Insider, or by clicking on the image below.

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