Comments for Smrvl: art, music, writing, scattershot http://www.smrvl.com/blog Like a notebook, but also somewhat like a blog Thu, 17 May 2012 13:51:17 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 Comment on Why Helplessness Blues is the most important song of my generation by Michael Somerville http://www.smrvl.com/blog/music/why-helplessness-blues-is-the-most-important-song-of-my-generation/comment-page-1#comment-1215 Michael Somerville Thu, 17 May 2012 13:51:17 +0000 http://www.smrvl.com/blog/?p=1259#comment-1215 Well said, Dave. While I think that these are core questions with which every generation has grappled, I agree that the abstraction of the world we live in makes it harder to find soul-satisfying answers today. That said, they are out there. Keep looking. Well said, Dave. While I think that these are core questions with which every generation has grappled, I agree that the abstraction of the world we live in makes it harder to find soul-satisfying answers today.

That said, they are out there. Keep looking.

]]> Comment on I’d love your suggestions on how to improve my site by Michael Somerville http://www.smrvl.com/blog/notes/id-love-your-suggestions-on-how-to-improve-my-site/comment-page-1#comment-1214 Michael Somerville Thu, 17 May 2012 09:43:42 +0000 http://www.smrvl.com/blog/?p=1774#comment-1214 P.S. See the sketchbook of Leonardo Da Vinci and his "Thoughts on Art and Life" for a comparable 15th century artist's blog. :-). Available for free in iBooks. P.S. See the sketchbook of Leonardo Da Vinci and his “Thoughts on Art and Life” for a comparable 15th century artist’s blog. :-). Available for free in iBooks.

]]> Comment on I’d love your suggestions on how to improve my site by Michael Somerville http://www.smrvl.com/blog/notes/id-love-your-suggestions-on-how-to-improve-my-site/comment-page-1#comment-1213 Michael Somerville Thu, 17 May 2012 09:38:28 +0000 http://www.smrvl.com/blog/?p=1774#comment-1213 To me, a craft is the skillful marriage of art and science. Those who master a craft deeply understand both the art and the science of their discipline. I love studying and learning from craftmasters. You are in the process of mastering your craft. As you mature and master your craft, I think you could more intentionally bring us into your journey. With this core understanding, you could blog about all of your points ... The work you are doing, the thoughts you are thinking, others you are studying, tips and tricks, the "why" behind the "how", etc. You could also sell your work, although I would separate your "shop" from your "studio" to make it clear that you are not simply trying to commercialize a relationship. The emergence of mastery is an interesting storyline, and I think yours is a great contribution to the overall genre. Hope this helps. I remain a huge fan. To me, a craft is the skillful marriage of art and science. Those who master a craft deeply understand both the art and the science of their discipline. I love studying and learning from craftmasters. You are in the process of mastering your craft.

As you mature and master your craft, I think you could more intentionally bring us into your journey. With this core understanding, you could blog about all of your points … The work you are doing, the thoughts you are thinking, others you are studying, tips and tricks, the “why” behind the “how”, etc.

You could also sell your work, although I would separate your “shop” from your “studio” to make it clear that you are not simply trying to commercialize a relationship.

The emergence of mastery is an interesting storyline, and I think yours is a great contribution to the overall genre.

Hope this helps. I remain a huge fan.

]]> Comment on I’d love your suggestions on how to improve my site by David http://www.smrvl.com/blog/notes/id-love-your-suggestions-on-how-to-improve-my-site/comment-page-1#comment-1212 David Wed, 16 May 2012 21:35:53 +0000 http://www.smrvl.com/blog/?p=1774#comment-1212 Alex, you're a champ. If I had to pick someone else to keep the breathless charm while I pulled a mule out of a ditch, it might be you. Alex, you’re a champ. If I had to pick someone else to keep the breathless charm while I pulled a mule out of a ditch, it might be you.

]]> Comment on I’d love your suggestions on how to improve my site by alex t. http://www.smrvl.com/blog/notes/id-love-your-suggestions-on-how-to-improve-my-site/comment-page-1#comment-1211 alex t. Wed, 16 May 2012 21:22:14 +0000 http://www.smrvl.com/blog/?p=1774#comment-1211 1. I enjoy the broad range of topics you comment on, so I would keep that versatility. But you're also a designer, and I'd love to learn more about design; perhaps using it as a dominant theme/trend? For the ignorant like me: show us what you know! 3. A good analysis is always worth posting: a few paragraphs on what you thought of a particular film or book or song/album (like you did for Helplessness Blues and Mylo Xyloto) are always welcome. 4. PLEASE. 6. If you want. I tend to ignore 'em. But I'm also me, and I hate fun things. 7. Why not? As a poor student, I can't say I could buy any, but it's cool to put your work out there. 8. Yeah. I find it interesting to see what other people find interesting. 9. Maybe (see #1). The versatility is half the charm, but you could incorporate a certain structure to it (ie have certain days of the week devoted to certain topics). 10. See #8. 11. I for one, get a thrill just thinking OOOOOOOOF you. 1. I enjoy the broad range of topics you comment on, so I would keep that versatility. But you’re also a designer, and I’d love to learn more about design; perhaps using it as a dominant theme/trend? For the ignorant like me: show us what you know!
3. A good analysis is always worth posting: a few paragraphs on what you thought of a particular film or book or song/album (like you did for Helplessness Blues and Mylo Xyloto) are always welcome.
4. PLEASE.
6. If you want. I tend to ignore ‘em. But I’m also me, and I hate fun things.
7. Why not? As a poor student, I can’t say I could buy any, but it’s cool to put your work out there.
8. Yeah. I find it interesting to see what other people find interesting.
9. Maybe (see #1). The versatility is half the charm, but you could incorporate a certain structure to it (ie have certain days of the week devoted to certain topics).
10. See #8.
11. I for one, get a thrill just thinking OOOOOOOOF you.

]]> Comment on I’d love your suggestions on how to improve my site by David http://www.smrvl.com/blog/notes/id-love-your-suggestions-on-how-to-improve-my-site/comment-page-1#comment-1210 David Wed, 16 May 2012 21:07:47 +0000 http://www.smrvl.com/blog/?p=1774#comment-1210 Carrie and Peter, your cookies are on the way. My CD drive will never spin again, but you've earned them. (In all seriousness, THANK YOU, this is ENORMOUSLY helpful.) If you're reading this and you haven't offered your two cents yet, please please chime in... I'd benefit more than you know from your thoughts on these subjects. Carrie and Peter, your cookies are on the way. My CD drive will never spin again, but you’ve earned them.

(In all seriousness, THANK YOU, this is ENORMOUSLY helpful.)

If you’re reading this and you haven’t offered your two cents yet, please please chime in… I’d benefit more than you know from your thoughts on these subjects.

]]> Comment on I’d love your suggestions on how to improve my site by Peter W http://www.smrvl.com/blog/notes/id-love-your-suggestions-on-how-to-improve-my-site/comment-page-1#comment-1209 Peter W Wed, 16 May 2012 21:04:46 +0000 http://www.smrvl.com/blog/?p=1774#comment-1209 From a artistic layperson's POV... 2. A lot that you focus on, I just don't get. Fonts? Web design? From someone who isn't into the craft, I really need a few perspective shifts before I can appreciate this stuff. But I'm definitely in the out-crowd on this one. 4. Yes please! 6. Pick the one where if you taser the clown, you win a free ipad... but seriously. I read most of your stuff on google reader so I would only even see your ad block once in a blue-moon. 7. "If I were a rich man..." 8. Yup. I've loved browsing the work of the artists you've posted. Definitely emphasis on more original artwork though. Keep us up to date on personal projects (if you have any). Sorta like the whole "Wisdom and Folly" bit you had going back in the days of yore. From a artistic layperson’s POV…

2. A lot that you focus on, I just don’t get. Fonts? Web design? From someone who isn’t into the craft, I really need a few perspective shifts before I can appreciate this stuff. But I’m definitely in the out-crowd on this one.
4. Yes please!
6. Pick the one where if you taser the clown, you win a free ipad… but seriously. I read most of your stuff on google reader so I would only even see your ad block once in a blue-moon.
7. “If I were a rich man…”
8. Yup. I’ve loved browsing the work of the artists you’ve posted.

Definitely emphasis on more original artwork though. Keep us up to date on personal projects (if you have any). Sorta like the whole “Wisdom and Folly” bit you had going back in the days of yore.

]]> Comment on I’d love your suggestions on how to improve my site by Carrie http://www.smrvl.com/blog/notes/id-love-your-suggestions-on-how-to-improve-my-site/comment-page-1#comment-1208 Carrie Wed, 16 May 2012 21:02:08 +0000 http://www.smrvl.com/blog/?p=1774#comment-1208 1. I'd say focus more on design and branding because that's what I like the most. 2. But I think you should still post about other things, too. I like things a bit eclectic. 3. I probably don't have time to read these but if it's enjoyable for you, by all means do it. 4. Yes. I love seeing your art and design. 5. This would be really cool and helpful! 6. Fine by me. 7. I probably wouldn't buy them because I don't have a place to put them, but I think it's a great idea. 8. Fine idea. But I wouldn't cut down on the amount of original content you post on your blog. 9. To be honest, I kind of like the total randomness so far as the schedule and topics go. 10. But I'd enjoy some interview or guest posts in the mix of randomness. 11/12. Other ideas: I'd love it if you posted your about your own journey as a designer, advice to young designers and writers, and more philosophical thoughts about design and communication. But I love your blog! 1. I’d say focus more on design and branding because that’s what I like the most.
2. But I think you should still post about other things, too. I like things a bit eclectic.
3. I probably don’t have time to read these but if it’s enjoyable for you, by all means do it.
4. Yes. I love seeing your art and design.
5. This would be really cool and helpful!
6. Fine by me.
7. I probably wouldn’t buy them because I don’t have a place to put them, but I think it’s a great idea.
8. Fine idea. But I wouldn’t cut down on the amount of original content you post on your blog.
9. To be honest, I kind of like the total randomness so far as the schedule and topics go.
10. But I’d enjoy some interview or guest posts in the mix of randomness.
11/12. Other ideas: I’d love it if you posted your about your own journey as a designer, advice to young designers and writers, and more philosophical thoughts about design and communication.

But I love your blog!

]]> Comment on Ennobling thoughts about the nature of design by Michael Somerville http://www.smrvl.com/blog/design/ennobling-thoughts-about-the-nature-of-design/comment-page-1#comment-1203 Michael Somerville Mon, 14 May 2012 16:00:16 +0000 http://www.smrvl.com/blog/?p=1767#comment-1203 Word. Word.

]]> Comment on My review of “Helplessness Blues” was re-published! by David http://www.smrvl.com/blog/notes/my-review-of-helplessness-blues-was-re-published/comment-page-1#comment-1195 David Fri, 11 May 2012 16:27:58 +0000 http://www.smrvl.com/blog/?p=1756#comment-1195 Hey, you're the one who gave it to me for Christmas. I'd never heard the song before your yuletide boon, so cheers to you! Hey, you’re the one who gave it to me for Christmas. I’d never heard the song before your yuletide boon, so cheers to you!

]]>