"Read, every day, something no one else is reading. Think, every day, something no one else is thinking. Do, every day, something no one else would be silly enough to do. It is bad for the mind to continually be part of unanimity."
–– Christopher Morley (1890-1957), American writer
Source: Shigehiro Oishi. Life in Three Dimensions: How Curiosity, Exploration, and Experience Make a Fuller, Better Life. New York: Double Day, 2025; p. 43.
via: Sketchbook M 13 2024, 2025, p. 16.
"There's no mystery in art. Do the things you can see, they will show you what you cannot see."
–– Isak Dinesen, pen name of Baroness Karen Christenze von Blixen-Finecke (1885-1962), Danish writer
via: Sketchbook N 14, 2025, p. 46.
"Do stuff, be clenched, curious. Not waiting for inspiration's shove or society's kiss on your forehead. Pay attention. It's all about paying attention. Attention is vitality. It connects you with others. It makes you eager. Stay eager."
"Don't just do something, sit there."
–– Thích Nhất Hanh (1926-2022), Vietnamese Buddhist monk, writer, teacher and peace activist
via: Commonplace Book 2022, 2023, p.113.
"Even if you're on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there. Opportunity rarely knocks on your door. Knock rather on opportunity's door if you ardently wish to enter."
–– Will Rogers (1879-1935), American Cherokee actor, writer, cowboy
Source: Faire Magazine Issue 9, July 2023, p. 61.
via: Aboveground Art Supplies Sketchbook 2020, 2024, p. 32.
"Try not. Do or do not. There is no try."
–– Yoda the Jedi Warrior to Luke Skywalker.
Source: Star Wars.
via: Art Alternatives Knapsack Sketchbook 2019 g, 2019, p. 6.
"Do something. Start with pleasure. Make a list of all the things that are pleasurable in your life and then make an art form out of one of them. And if you're courageous, make a list of all the things that are difficult in your life and make an art form out of one of them."
–– Paulus Berensohn (1933-2017), American dancer and and craftsperson (ceramics, book arts, textiles)
Source: Paulus Berensohn speaking in the film To Spring from the Hand, 2013
via: Art Alternatives Knapsack Sketchbook 2017-2018 d, 2018, p. 36.
"To do things differently, we must see things differently."
–– John Thackara (b. 1951), British writer, adviser, public speaker, & curator of Doors of Perception conference (re: design)
Source: Elle Decoration UK, March 2016, p. 19.
via: Sketchbook 28, 2016, p. 91.
"A lot of good things don't get made because of too much thinking."
–– Agnes Martin (1912-2004), Canadian-born American abstract painter
via: Sketchbook 27, 2015, p. 104.
"The reward of a thing well done, is to have done it."
–– Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882), American philosopher and writer
via: Sketchbook 23, 2014, p. 80.
