Day 59 - Chapter 7 - Art Thinking

Whitaker begins her last chapter with an overview of art thinking framework, and a reminder to keep a wide-angle view with looking at the creative process.  She shares the story of artist, Christopher Miner who transformed the boarded up Sears distribution center in the heart of Memphis, Tennessee, converting the space into artist studios and galleries, business offices, restaurants, and residential apartments.  His focus was building a community.  The author encourages the reader to chose a metaphor that best describes their interests.  She gives several exercises to help support the reader with incubating their idea.  Whitaker adds that in addition to the metaphor, one needs to be aware of “set of skills that everyone needs to have to be as conversant as possible and as effective as possible in the world that increasingly asks us to talk to each other across large gulfs in understanding.”  While one can become a professional, receive an education, being able to converse with others in connecting ways is essential. She encourages the reader to practice “radical curiosity” with life.  



I encourage you to buy a copy of Art Thinking for a better understanding of your own creative process.  Whether you're a master artist or beginning artist, this is an excellent book.

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