when i paint
my MASTERPIECE:
bob dylan on creativity
a slide set by Chris Landry

On his great blog PREZENTATION ZEN,
Garr Reynolds has written many times
about what jazz, and jazz musicians, can
teach us about the creative process.
That got me wondering what Bob Dylan
could contribute to this discussion. Here
are some things he’s said about creativity
in interviews over the years.

on meaning
Tenough dsongs. t Unlessanysomeone'ssongs. come salong
he worl don' need more gonna There'
withdifaferent stheart and has something to say. That's
a pure ory.

on perspective
TJusts' anotla kihner twaysomebody tinthgat aaisong,there. course.
hat t g o of wri n't of
That's the best way. That's the truest way.

on a place to write
Timheportenvntir.onmenthasto towribringthesomethingis out remelme that
te song ext in y
ato be brought out. It's a contemplative,
It
wantesctive thing.
refl

on getting out of the way
CreativityIti'ss not likheinga thfreighas ttroainbegoicaressed ande
ht ng down th
ttrracks.ed with asomet dealat of respect. . You've got to
eat your brain not to think too much.
program great

on time of day
Awentlot down.theAndsongs likwerestorms,t eIn aftkil eertothestaysunup
of I e wri
during a storm.

on structure
Once thdonearchitanctuendleisss inamountce,ofa ways.
can be e in e re pla song

on listening
Somettiomday,I'I'l mgogoioutg and wrisay, down alel vethre ellisnees
es n to te \"What
Ithatdoseem interesting to me. Either that I think of
or that I overhear.\"

on being an artist
Tthhere say,say? ylThaatn 'snevnoter tthaelks'reason antheartihelts l isis in
ey to 'D . What
front of people.

on writing
Writingf any fromd offriebook and afamiol nelyl ytothfiinng.d tYouat cut
kin nds is
yoursel loffquiet place in your mind. h
necessari y

on what comes out
TAndsih iwho'how thIe feel?thatWhyfeeldos tIhis feel likeI tcoul?dn't
s s me way? hat
tel you that, either.

on artistic risk
Itaybecomes, irif sky. Ire mean,g youin ritshke yourht lifway.to
pl music you' doin it rig e

on intention
Let'rse faceng it,or you'rere einotht erseriousousabout what you're
seri about what
you'ng. And you can't mix the two. And life is short.
doi you'
doi

on learning from others
If you like tsomeone'shinwork,thattheperson has tbeen is to
be exposed.ot o everyt g important hing
exposed

on inspiration
Itv'es s likyou atheghost is and tinitg goessong like Youht at.don'Itt know
e song wri a away.
gi it means. Except the ghost picked me to write
whatsong.
the

on performing
Somedelivsongs iareturmoilt.erOthtersn iarepeace andt equiet
bet wri e n best wri n
andturmoilered ndelivered in a peaceful, quiet way.
in and

free images via fudgegraphics.com
URBAN TEXTURE PACK
free fonts via smashingmagazine.com
GRUNGE SERIFIA
JELLYKA, ESTRYA’S HANDWRITING
interview credits available at
CHRISTOPHERLANDRY.COM/BLOG

need slides?
chrislandry100@gmail.com
www.christopherlandry.com