As it's far too easy to set up permanent camp in a creative rut, most of us could use a gentle prod — if not a jump-start — from time to time.
Noah Scalin, perhaps best known for his Skull-A-Day project and founder of the local design house Another Limited Rebellion, offers a tow truck of ideas to pull you out of any artistic ditch in his new book, “365: A Daily Creativity Journal” (Voyageur Press, $16.99).
“A daily creative project is like a marathon,” writes Scalin, a veritable triathalete in the world of do-it-yourself. He supports the book's core idea (make something every day and change your life) with concrete examples of how he changed his. But while your project might not land you on the “Martha Stewart Show” like Scalin, it will certainly help you work out your creative kinks. Why not add quilling, tangrams and making your own clay to your creative exercise regime? Interspersed with interviews with other artists who have completed year-long projects involving everything from robots to their own fingernails, this interactive book serves as equal parts idea log, reference manual and support group.
Scalin encourages you not to go it alone, but to update him on your progress, which he will add to his blog, MakeSomething365.com. “The only rule is: There are no rules!” he writes. But even if he doesn't crack the whip, he does offer enough ideas and inspiration to get you into stellar creative shape — for one year, at least.
Noah Scalin will appear at Chop Suey Books, 2913 W. Cary, on Dec. 15 at 6 p.m. for the book release of “365: A Daily Creativity Journal.” For information, call 422-8066.
