Vitamins: Are You Still Learning?
I began my work day a little differently today - with a photoshop tutorial (rather than an actual project).
It’s often difficult to pull myself away from the work that needs to be done, in order to do the work that should be done for long term creative success - the work of learning.
Are you still learning? Do you spend your days plunging through tasks that need to be done, squeezing out any time that you may have to develop your skills - to hone your craft? When was the last time you learned a new brush stroke or lighting technique? When was the last time you tried to write in a different key, or learned a new scale? How about a new way to memorize your lines or a new form of poetry to experiment with? Learning is that activity that never demands our attention, but beckons to us constantly from the sidelines. “Spend time with me. I am waiting. Come and grow.”
There are many ways to learn, and they will vary depending on what you are trying to learn (of course). The surprising part of all this is that you don’t always have to learn something directly related to what you are trying to grow in. For instance, reading a book on communication may help you as a visual artist. Reading a book on color theory may help you write a new song. A driving tour of small town Alberta may spark a new monologue in your heart. The key is not necessarily, what you are learning, but that you are learning. Constantly.
Just a small “vitamin” for you to chew on. What will you learn today?
Here are some suggestions and websites where you can learn something new …
- Go to the Public Library.
- You’ll be amazed at the wealth of free resources there (it’s a great place to rent movies free, too!). Choose a topic you want to learn more about and get a pile of books on it. Sit down with a coffee and skim the books for an hour or two. Take one home that grabs you and read it.
- Check out iTunes U
- iTunes U is a section of the iTunes store that offers hundreds (if not thousands) of university and college courses for FREE. There are so many things to learn there it boggles the mind. If you work at your computer or drive a lot, you can listen to these lectures throughout the day. Some even offer free video curriculum.
- Subscribe to a Podcast
- There are thousands of podcasts available now, most easily searchable through the Podcasts section of the iTunes store. If you are unfamiliar with podcasts, think of them as a radio show you can download and listen to at any time, that is published on a regular (or semi-regular) basis. Podcasts have a feed, so that any new episodes are automatically added to your podcast reader of choice (like iTunes). You can learn to cook, learn a new language, learn how to take better photos or new trends in arts and crafts - all for free. Many of these, especially tutorial focused podcasts, contain video feeds. One such podcast that I use is ChurchMediaDesign.tv.
- Take a Course
- You’d be surprised the number of arts and creativity programs offered in our fair city (and if you’re not in Edmonton, likely in yours, too. You can take an arts workshop free with Arts on the Ave (http://www.artsontheave.org), or choose from many courses from Edmonton’s City Arts Centre (I took a drawing course last year). Find their courses at http://www.edmonton.ca/attractions_recreation/sport_recreation/recreation_centres_programs/city-arts-centre.aspx. And if you cannot afford it, there may even be public funding available.
- Tutorial Websites
- I subscribe to many websites that offer excellent, free tutorials. PSDtuts.com is my favorite (and the one I used for my tutorial this morning. There are many, many such sites available. Just search for “WHATEVER tutorials” (use whatever theme you like) and watch what you find. Which leads to one more learning mini-tip … GOOGLE IS YOUR FRIEND!
- Learn in Relationship
- I am currently a part of two arts-based small groups, both of which challenge me as a creative person. Getting together with other creatives regularly is likely the best way to grow as an artist. You’ll be amazed what you learn in creativity. Find or start a group around your arts discipline. Or find someone you respect and ask to assist or apprentice under them. Such experiences carry value beyond measure for learning. I once read that we should “not work for money. Work to learn”. If you are able to follow that, it’s great advice.
- Blessed Are the Poor, For They Shall Create
So, what are YOU learning these days? And, do you have any tips for learning of your own? I’d love to hear them.
