Comments on: Danny Gregory http://litpark.com/2006/10/25/danny-gregory/ where writers come to play Thu, 20 Nov 2008 11:53:39 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2 By: Alexander Barnett http://litpark.com/2006/10/25/danny-gregory/#comment-18656 Alexander Barnett Sun, 08 Apr 2007 00:53:40 +0000 http://litpark.com/2006/10/25/danny-gregory/#comment-18656 Since you are interested in Vincent’s life and work, you might want to look at the Notes section on www.theeyesofvangogh.com. I am the writer and director of the new independent film on his life. Since you are interested in Vincent’s life and work, you might want to look at the Notes section on www.theeyesofvangogh.com. I am the writer and director of the new independent film on his life.

]]> By: Susan Henderson http://litpark.com/2006/10/25/danny-gregory/#comment-805 Susan Henderson Fri, 27 Oct 2006 12:36:16 +0000 http://litpark.com/2006/10/25/danny-gregory/#comment-805 I wonder if the handsome man in pink will stop by and give us his iTunes shuffle? (This is your cue, Danny!) I wonder if the handsome man in pink will stop by and give us his iTunes shuffle? (This is your cue, Danny!)

]]> By: Susan Henderson http://litpark.com/2006/10/25/danny-gregory/#comment-797 Susan Henderson Thu, 26 Oct 2006 16:00:40 +0000 http://litpark.com/2006/10/25/danny-gregory/#comment-797 Robin - I'd love to know what you drew! Myf - He inspires me, too. Kasper - Hee. Frisky. I like that. Juliet - Yes! Aurelio - Have you gone sketchcrawling with this group? Carolyn - I didn't know this about you. Fascinating. Pia - What better use for a stack of newspapers and magazines. Remember, don't judge how the drawing comes out. Just try a new drawing today. Susan - Welcome! I love your story of re-connecting with an old passion. Sarah - Wow, it's so great to hear som many writers are inspired to draw after Danny's interview! Lance - Yeah, I let Kasper choose all the right adjectives when he's describing an artist's work. Robin - I’d love to know what you drew!

Myf - He inspires me, too.

Kasper - Hee. Frisky. I like that.

Juliet - Yes!

Aurelio - Have you gone sketchcrawling with this group?

Carolyn - I didn’t know this about you. Fascinating.

Pia - What better use for a stack of newspapers and magazines. Remember, don’t judge how the drawing comes out. Just try a new drawing today.

Susan - Welcome! I love your story of re-connecting with an old passion.

Sarah - Wow, it’s so great to hear som many writers are inspired to draw after Danny’s interview!

Lance - Yeah, I let Kasper choose all the right adjectives when he’s describing an artist’s work.

]]> By: Lance Reynald http://litpark.com/2006/10/25/danny-gregory/#comment-794 Lance Reynald Thu, 26 Oct 2006 04:09:26 +0000 http://litpark.com/2006/10/25/danny-gregory/#comment-794 I've always loved the visual artists.... and I often feel so mute when it comes to commenting on them. (but I'm also tone deaf so I keep my trap shut about music too.) yeah, I'm a shower singing scribbler with an interesting way with words. great bits of wisdom in this piece though. xo-LR I’ve always loved the visual artists….

and I often feel so mute when it comes to commenting on them.

(but I’m also tone deaf so I keep my trap shut about music too.)

yeah, I’m a shower singing scribbler with an interesting way with words.

great bits of wisdom in this piece though.

xo-LR

]]> By: Sarah Roundell http://litpark.com/2006/10/25/danny-gregory/#comment-790 Sarah Roundell Wed, 25 Oct 2006 22:23:42 +0000 http://litpark.com/2006/10/25/danny-gregory/#comment-790 Incredible interview! Danny's work and words are so inspiring. I'm thinking some sketching could really get me over those tough times dealing with writer's block and then I'd have those drawings to look back on when the writing is finished. It sounds as though there's lots of fun to be had while in waiting rooms and airports that I never even thought to explore. Thank you for introducing us to Danny, Susan. Incredible interview! Danny’s work and words are so inspiring. I’m thinking some sketching could really get me over those tough times dealing with writer’s block and then I’d have those drawings to look back on when the writing is finished. It sounds as though there’s lots of fun to be had while in waiting rooms and airports that I never even thought to explore. Thank you for introducing us to Danny, Susan.

]]> By: Susan GT http://litpark.com/2006/10/25/danny-gregory/#comment-789 Susan GT Wed, 25 Oct 2006 21:08:32 +0000 http://litpark.com/2006/10/25/danny-gregory/#comment-789 What a great interview! Thank you both so much. Even as a child, I felt the pressure make perfect pictures and my efforts never met my expectations or those of my teachers. As a result, I left my art behind for some 20 years. I became a commercial writer instead. Then, as my children grew and I supported their artistic efforts, I felt the need to get my art back and went back to 'school'. I took a variety of drawing, painting, fiber and sculpture classes. In one of my favorite classes, we drew by holding two pens in one hand. So, I had to let go and let the fun begin. Dan's approach to creativity and drawing is an inspiring reminder to me once again! Susan GT What a great interview! Thank you both so much.

Even as a child, I felt the pressure make perfect pictures and my efforts never met my expectations or those of my teachers. As a result, I left my art behind for some 20 years. I became a commercial writer instead. Then, as my children grew and I supported their artistic efforts, I felt the need to get my art back and went back to ’school’. I took a variety of drawing, painting, fiber and sculpture classes. In one of my favorite classes, we drew by holding two pens in one hand. So, I had to let go and let the fun begin.

Dan’s approach to creativity and drawing is an inspiring reminder to me once again!
Susan GT

]]> By: Pia http://litpark.com/2006/10/25/danny-gregory/#comment-788 Pia Wed, 25 Oct 2006 19:17:17 +0000 http://litpark.com/2006/10/25/danny-gregory/#comment-788 I bought Everyday Matters when it first came out, and then gave it to my three sisters for Christmas. It removes the old saw - I can't draw - from the excuse pile of why you don't try. So, I'm going to go right now and draw my feet up on the coffee table that's piled high with old newspapers and magazines I raced through this morning for fear that I'd miss something I might be smarter for knowing. And then I'm gonna throw those piles out. I bought Everyday Matters when it first came out, and then gave it to my three sisters for Christmas. It removes the old saw - I can’t draw - from the excuse pile of why you don’t try. So, I’m going to go right now and draw my feet up on the coffee table that’s piled high with old newspapers and magazines I raced through this morning for fear that I’d miss something I might be smarter for knowing. And then I’m gonna throw those piles out.

]]> By: Carolyn Burns Bass http://litpark.com/2006/10/25/danny-gregory/#comment-786 Carolyn Burns Bass Wed, 25 Oct 2006 18:05:30 +0000 http://litpark.com/2006/10/25/danny-gregory/#comment-786 Wow, Danny, I love your work. I'm going to friend you on MySpace. I so agree with Aurelio on this quote: <i>“It’s as if positive judgment can feel as heavy as negative judgment.”</i> I think this happened to me. Among my earliest childhood memories is the praise I got for my drawing. Everyone in my family thought I would be a visual artist when I grew up. I took every art class my high school offered and learned to imitate anything I saw with photographic detail. Even though my favorite artist was Van Gogh, I was obsessed with drawing everything lifelike. My high school art teacher often encouraged me to loosen up, to experience the process, rather than fixate on the product. My first college drawing course was the final stab that killed my love of drawing. I realized that I could imitate, but I couldn’t create. The following semester I took my first creative writing course. With drawing I felt compelled to draw what I saw, exactly as I saw it. But fiction and poetry gave me a canvas for images made of words, rather than lines, shadows, colors, and textures. Aside from writing, my business includes graphic design, which I’ve found tremendously satisfying and freeing. I also studied calligraphy and wrote/self-published an instructional manual which I used in classes I taught in our city education program. Calligraphy is literally drawing words into art. It’s a blissful activity for me. I still love to doodle around with portraits and landscapes, but the camera's eye still dominates my expression. Occasionally I’ll pull my old portfolio pieces to show my kids, who are always amazed by this side of their mother. They are more impressed with my drawings than my writing. I wonder why? Wow, Danny, I love your work. I’m going to friend you on MySpace.

I so agree with Aurelio on this quote: “It’s as if positive judgment can feel as heavy as negative judgment.”

I think this happened to me. Among my earliest childhood memories is the praise I got for my drawing. Everyone in my family thought I would be a visual artist when I grew up. I took every art class my high school offered and learned to imitate anything I saw with photographic detail. Even though my favorite artist was Van Gogh, I was obsessed with drawing everything lifelike. My high school art teacher often encouraged me to loosen up, to experience the process, rather than fixate on the product. My first college drawing course was the final stab that killed my love of drawing. I realized that I could imitate, but I couldn’t create.

The following semester I took my first creative writing course. With drawing I felt compelled to draw what I saw, exactly as I saw it. But fiction and poetry gave me a canvas for images made of words, rather than lines, shadows, colors, and textures.

Aside from writing, my business includes graphic design, which I’ve found tremendously satisfying and freeing. I also studied calligraphy and wrote/self-published an instructional manual which I used in classes I taught in our city education program. Calligraphy is literally drawing words into art. It’s a blissful activity for me.

I still love to doodle around with portraits and landscapes, but the camera’s eye still dominates my expression. Occasionally I’ll pull my old portfolio pieces to show my kids, who are always amazed by this side of their mother. They are more impressed with my drawings than my writing. I wonder why?

]]> By: Aurelio http://litpark.com/2006/10/25/danny-gregory/#comment-785 Aurelio Wed, 25 Oct 2006 16:26:26 +0000 http://litpark.com/2006/10/25/danny-gregory/#comment-785 Another great interview, Susan. I found this quote to be particularly insightful. "It’s as if positive judgment can feel as heavy as negative judgment." Wise words. As one who believes everyone should be taught the basics of how to draw in our schools (in the same way everyone is taught to spell, write an essay, and add a column of numbers) Danny is preaching to the converted. Not everyone will end up a Rembrandt, but the fact that we will not all end up a Shakespeare doesn't stop us from insisting we learn how to construct a sentence, write a letter or essay, and express our thoughts through words. Support for art in schools is vital. I also agree that it is NEVER too late to start! Sketchcrawl is a great way to challenge yourself to begin. Another great interview, Susan. I found this quote to be particularly insightful.

“It’s as if positive judgment can feel as heavy as negative judgment.”

Wise words.

As one who believes everyone should be taught the basics of how to draw in our schools (in the same way everyone is taught to spell, write an essay, and add a column of numbers) Danny is preaching to the converted. Not everyone will end up a Rembrandt, but the fact that we will not all end up a Shakespeare doesn’t stop us from insisting we learn how to construct a sentence, write a letter or essay, and express our thoughts through words. Support for art in schools is vital.

I also agree that it is NEVER too late to start! Sketchcrawl is a great way to challenge yourself to begin.

]]> By: Juliet http://litpark.com/2006/10/25/danny-gregory/#comment-783 Juliet Wed, 25 Oct 2006 13:33:59 +0000 http://litpark.com/2006/10/25/danny-gregory/#comment-783 It never ceases to amaze me just what it takes in our lives to allow us to give ourselves permission to create. And then, once we give license to that, how quickly the critics of self arise from within to tell us that we are doomed to failure. I think it's beautiful and courageous of Dan to challenge those places of self, and from it, he has arisen to new heights of creativity. His comment on the ego thing left me laughing out loud, as I've thought the same thing of myself many times. It's that sober self-evaluation which allows us to silence the nattering voices, methinks. It never ceases to amaze me just what it takes in our lives to allow us to give ourselves permission to create. And then, once we give license to that, how quickly the critics of self arise from within to tell us that we are doomed to failure.

I think it’s beautiful and courageous of Dan to challenge those places of self, and from it, he has arisen to new heights of creativity.

His comment on the ego thing left me laughing out loud, as I’ve thought the same thing of myself many times. It’s that sober self-evaluation which allows us to silence the nattering voices, methinks.

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