27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Make a commitment to creativity, February 6, 2011
This review is from: 365: A Daily Creativity Journal: Make Something Every Day and Change Your Life! (Paperback)
When I was earning a BFA, I had a painting professor who forced me to severely limit my color palate. I grumbled about it at the time, but I found that the creation of forced guidelines freed me and taught me the significance of self-imposed rules.
Fast forward some years, and I have just completed day 37 of my year-long project using 365: A Daily Creativity Journal. So far this process has given me, through structure, a similar, freeing experience.
Scalin's process, as laid out in his book, has made me accountable for daily, completed creative production and has forced me to let go by midnight. I cannot put it off, and I cannot over analyze my work or give up on it.
I have been forced to work quickly and to accept my work for what it is. The creation of a blog and being a member of the 365 online community created by Scalin have reinforced this. The result has been increased productivity, yes, but more importantly, a new set of eyes for my own work.
The book gives examples of diverse daily projects as inspiration and ideas for daily projects, so one never feels stranded without an idea. However, the book is not imposing, and people can use it in different ways: as a journal, as a place to keep notes, as daily inspiration, or as a jolt of inspiration when it is needed.
The book's suggestions are unconventional and varied. Some are more challenging while some are gentle prods. Nothing requires expensive materials or equipment. Every suggestion is accessible and open-ended, so there are myriad approaches to each one. Scalin approaches projects as puzzles and explorations and not as controlled activities or rigid guidelines.
Does a daily project seem too daunting? Scalin breaks down the process to make it more approachable and gives ideas for other time frames, such as weekly projects. The layout leaves plenty of space to work out ideas or track results, and the good quality, coated paper prevents bleed through, even with a Sharpie. The cover is resilient, so you can carry your book with you, crack the spine, and really use it. It holds up better than most of my notebooks. *cough* Moleskine *cough*
This book is suitable for any age group, from young children to adults, and every skill level. The projects function well for use by an individual or by a group and can take as little or as much time as one can afford.
This book would be a great resource for families, instructors, teachers, home schoolers, classroom aides, senior citizen groups, scouting instructors, Sunday school teachers, VBS instructors, and camp counselors because the book can be applied to nearly any medium or used to inspire activities.
365: A Daily Creativity Journal is a great way to pull yourself, family and friends away from screen time in an inexpensive and productive way while flexing your creative thinking and problem solving. I highly recommend it.
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32 of 34 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Well worth the wait, November 21, 2010
This review is from: 365: A Daily Creativity Journal: Make Something Every Day and Change Your Life! (Paperback)
I have been waiting for this book to come out for awhile and it was well worth the wait. I'm a creative type and this book is very inspiring. If you need inspiration, and even if you don't, this makes a wonderful addition to anyone's library. There are great ideas sprinkled throughout the book and the journal section leaves plenty of room to write ideas and thoughts down. I'm so glad I got this book and I highly recommend it. I normally don't reviews books I buy but this one definitely deserves a review. Buy it and you won't regret it.
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16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Liviing a Creative Life, January 25, 2011
This review is from: 365: A Daily Creativity Journal: Make Something Every Day and Change Your Life! (Paperback)
This book is for the person who may have uttered, "I'm not very creative." We're all creative people; perhaps not all of us are producing, or leading creative lives. This journal is not intended to do your creating for you, or even lead you toward Scalin's idea of the creative life. Instead, like any good teacher, Scalin introduces you to your own creative muscles and shows you how to turn ideas into art, one day at a time. That the process is fun, thoughtful, and often challenging gives this substance beyond other how-to books, which are usually too precious for my liking.
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