Natalie Merchant sing poems to life on TED

I found this last week and loved it. It's a beautiful idea- taking poems from many years past and making them into music. It's a hard thing to pull off and I really enjoyed Natalie Merchants take on it. Plus she is so eclectic with these, they have a unique vintage feel. The stories they tell are a compassionate, quirky and bit dark. Just how I like my art. :) enjoy.
http://www.ted.com/talks/natalie_merchant_sings_old_poems_to_life.html

Neil Gaiman's Address for University of the Arts

Check out this inspiring speech by Author Neil Gaiman (found through my FB buddy, Kate Barsotti). It's great...no need to say more. Do great art. period end of story. It helped me "reboot" my thinking today.
http://www.upworthy.com/tis-the-season-for-cool-people-giving-inspirational-speeches-and-this-is-the-bes?c=ie

Sam Webber's podcasts: Your dream, my nightmare.

My new intern, Josie (who just happens to be from my home town of Teaneck NJ! go figure) mentioned a podcast she had been listening to. I always learn so much from my interns, including learning about what young artist think about and are looking at. Well, Josie and I had a good listen to the Jon Klassen interview, it was so inspiring but there are so many others to choose from as well. So for all you illustration and design fans, check out "Your dream, my nightmare". It's a cool podcast by teacher and talent Sam Webber. Here's a link to download each episode:
http://yourdreamsmynightmares.com/

Blank on Blank

I just discovered this fantastic little gem. Lost interviews and great little nuggets of insight. Wander around this little spot...
http://blankonblank.org/audio/

Janine Shepherd on TED

Wow. This story really reminds me that our spirit is always alive inside, nothing can ever take that away. You just have to let it see the sun, allow it to live. Janine Shepherd shares her amazing story with such eloquence a sensitivity. I love the quote she shares "When you let go of what you are you can become what you might be".-Lao Tzu.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bX32U_hfri4

Brene Brown on TED

I saw Brene Brown on OWN a few weeks ago. Man, she's a powerhouse of inspiration. I found two talks on TED recently so I'll post here. "Daring Greatly", her latest book was awesome. It was so insightful, it gave me so much to think about these past few weeks.
http://www.ted.com/talks/brene_brown_on_vulnerability.html

Elizabeth Gilbert on TED

Have you ever wondered about creativity and sanity? Check out this wonderful talk by Elizabeth Gilbert. I love how she describes her process. She is such a lovable speaker, you feel like your her BFF. Writing a poem, capturing something, grabbing a hold of it, it's all feel familiar to the creative process. Get it down at all costs.
http://www.ted.com/talks/elizabeth_gilbert_on_genius.html