This is wonderful! Thanks for sharing! The chair of our graphic design department (circa 2008) required that all assignments were done by hand. I learned so much about letterforms from painstakingly painting them with gouache. Also learned the delicate balance of drinking enough coffee to stay up late working but not too much so my hands would shake because I definitely could not paint letters with shaky hands.
And now I know something about Lynda Barry! A very curious individual. We need to nurture more of that. Curiosity. It's there, in the kids. And then something happens - life and all that jazz, I guess. And some of us forget to tap back into it. Thanks for sharing. Love it.
i absolutely love Lynda Barry. I hope one day that I can create a music version of her syllabus and classroom for people! Can't believe that you literally teach across the corridor.
Woah a music version of her work would be very interesting and very cool. I wonder if she has ever done any musical things… Yeah I also can’t believe it
Fantastic interview - how lucky that you get to work with her! Early during the pandemic I stumbled across What it Is at the library in the cookbook section, of all places! Clearly the universe meant me to find it. Lynda’s books are my go-to when I’m feeling stuck or unsure how to move forward or just need to laugh.
I keep what I call « throwaway sketchbooks » when I encounter art block. Little cheap sketchbooks that I write BAD ART ONLY on the front. I’ve explained to my students that it gives me a space to create without the pressure of it being my best work, gives me a space to experiment etc. Loved the points about making bad art on purpose.
Me encanto esta ¿¿¿??? entrevista, lo cierto es que siento que amplie mi vision, y es que cuando se trata de crear, ya sea un dibujo o una historia, la practica despierta nuestras neuronas, nuestras ideas, y es que "se aprende haciendo, asi sea un error" , o lo que encontramos erroneo en un primer momento, podemos sacar algo genial. Me encanta esta profe y sus ideas, hasta me inspire para comprar libretas, lapices y colores y empezar a dibujar, voy a hacerlo...
Awesome interview with one of my favorite people!!! Please tell Lynda substack needs her!! Will be eagerly awaiting her arrival!
Oh yes that would be awesome!
I second this. Lynda Barry is a Goddess.
No question.
I feel like I could print off 100 things from this post as inspirational posters - love all of this!
This is wonderful! Thanks for sharing! The chair of our graphic design department (circa 2008) required that all assignments were done by hand. I learned so much about letterforms from painstakingly painting them with gouache. Also learned the delicate balance of drinking enough coffee to stay up late working but not too much so my hands would shake because I definitely could not paint letters with shaky hands.
Oh wow I bet you would learn so much working that way! I could see that being simultaneously frustrating and rewarding.
Thoroughly enjoyed reading this!! Feeling like I should get back and start bad drawing againnn
You should!
And now I know something about Lynda Barry! A very curious individual. We need to nurture more of that. Curiosity. It's there, in the kids. And then something happens - life and all that jazz, I guess. And some of us forget to tap back into it. Thanks for sharing. Love it.
She does a great job of helping people tap back into it.
WELP I love this visit to Lynda Barry's classroom so much! The comics room name as alter ego is particularly great (I pick Knotted Tree!)
ooooo I love Knotted Tree
i absolutely love Lynda Barry. I hope one day that I can create a music version of her syllabus and classroom for people! Can't believe that you literally teach across the corridor.
Woah a music version of her work would be very interesting and very cool. I wonder if she has ever done any musical things… Yeah I also can’t believe it
Fantastic interview - how lucky that you get to work with her! Early during the pandemic I stumbled across What it Is at the library in the cookbook section, of all places! Clearly the universe meant me to find it. Lynda’s books are my go-to when I’m feeling stuck or unsure how to move forward or just need to laugh.
She has an incredible ability to un-stick people
This was fantastic, thank you. I'm going to use "drawing as a way of thinking" on my next batch of nature journaling students.
That video took me all the way back to middle school yearbook!
A delightful read, thanks for sharing!
I keep what I call « throwaway sketchbooks » when I encounter art block. Little cheap sketchbooks that I write BAD ART ONLY on the front. I’ve explained to my students that it gives me a space to create without the pressure of it being my best work, gives me a space to experiment etc. Loved the points about making bad art on purpose.
I love the idea of make bad things on purpose. It's practice with no pressure :)
Loved getting to read this and thank you for sharing!
Me encanto esta ¿¿¿??? entrevista, lo cierto es que siento que amplie mi vision, y es que cuando se trata de crear, ya sea un dibujo o una historia, la practica despierta nuestras neuronas, nuestras ideas, y es que "se aprende haciendo, asi sea un error" , o lo que encontramos erroneo en un primer momento, podemos sacar algo genial. Me encanta esta profe y sus ideas, hasta me inspire para comprar libretas, lapices y colores y empezar a dibujar, voy a hacerlo...
dear mitchell,
thank you for sharing this!
“I was going to think of that!” is incredible.
love lynda barry! love all of this! thank you again for sharing!
love,
myq