Another week, another monday, another my library post.
Books are enriching, fascinating and inspiring and i’m always really taken with visual learning. The web definition is: “visual learning is a teaching and learning style in which ideas, concepts, data and other information are associated with images and techniques.” Research suggests we retain far more information through visual associations.
It’s so much fun to share my books with you and today i want to introduce you to one of my all time favourites. It’s difficult to introduce danny gregory, so here’s what you’ll find on his website:
“Danny Gregory was born in London, grew up in Pakistan, Australia, and Israel, is a graduate of Princeton University and lives in Greenwich Village with his son and dogs. He is Executive Creative Director, Managing Partner of a major NY ad agency, and has created award-winning campaigns for clients like Chase, American Express, IBM, Ford, Chevron and many others. He is the author of six books (so far) and his illustrations have appeared in the New York Times and many other publications and books.”
Gregory taught himself to draw after tragedy hit in his personal life. It seemed therapeutic and helped him to find meaning in life again. He transformed his entire life by changing his career, his priorities and his view of the world.
The first book i bought from danny was everyday matters. It’s his journal of discovery, recovery and daily life in new york city. It’s funny, insightful and intimate. It was refreshing to come across a book full of inspirational illustrations that also had a deeper meaning. It’s all in the title: everyday matters! It suggests to live life to its fullest.
Then in 2007 i discovered and bought the creative licence, which remains my absolute favourite and a constant inspiration to me. It’s really a handbook for encouraging our creative spirits. It also tells gregory’s own story of how he made the transition from employee to entrepreneur. I cannot recommend this book high enough. It’s not a guide to how to draw. It’s more of an encouragement for us to draw and sketch, embrace life and see the benefits it can have.
Then, a year later, there was the illustrated life. This book shows a sneak peak into the creative imaginations of 50 top illustrators, designers and artists.
Earlier this year, an illustrated journey was published. A sort of sequel to the illustrated life. Here you’ll find inspiration from artists, illustrators and designers, who share their sketches with us taken on travels and excursions. I love seeing parts of the world through their eyes and this is another gem.
The other day, when doing some sketching for a project i was invited to take part in, i realised how much i miss drawing and sketching. Since taking up blogging it seems that my camera gets all the attention. I’m hugely inspired by gregory’s books and will try and sketch more regularly again. It’s truly a most wonderful way to connect to ourselves and the world around us. Try it sometimes.
Gregory says: “creativity is something we are all born with, but somewhere along the way, we convince ourselves we don’t have the right to label ourselves as creative or artists.”
Do you sketch? Do you consider yourself creative?
It’s my Birthday tomorrow (tuesday, 13th) so i’ll be getting spoilt. I love receiving gifts but also love giving them. So, in the spirit of my Birthday, here’s a giveaway of 2 of gregory’s books.
These are the rules: One winner will receive 2 books of their choice. Please leave a comment and tell me which 2 books you would like. The giveaway is worldwide and will stay open until thursday 15th August 2013 at 6pm GMT. The winner will be chosen by random.org
Thank you all for the lovely birthday wishes and your kind comments. Congratulations to Alexandra. Your books will be with you shortly.
Everyone else, thank you for entering! x