The Lardner Report

Unleash your creative superpowers!

Creative Collaboration — Yes, At Age 2

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Warhol and Basquiat. Lennon and McCartney. Isabelle and Mackenzie? YES!

Press play.

Meet the most adorable collaborators in modern times. I may be slightly obsessed with this recording of Isabelle and Mackenzie, native New Yorkers, now age 3. With all the research I’ve done on creative collaboration for my executive workshops, I’ve never seen a cohesive partnership emerge from humans who’ve only been on planet Earth for two years.

(Pic #1) Isabelle and Mackenzie in Manhattan, New York

There’s no fighting, no pushing, no conflict. Each girl fearlessly expresses her Twombly-esque improvisational strokes. In their own language, they share chalk sticks, add perfectly-placed scribbles, and hum. And toward the end, you even hear an “excuse me, excuse me” as one tries to politely maneuver into just the right space.

So okay, I may be somewhat biased about this story, since the girls’ father is my cousin, Donal Lardner Ward. But even he told me this may be the first time one twin didn’t try to control the situation. He seemed as excited as I was to watch the pair create together — in this seamless, synergistic way. His hope is to see them “support each other’s ambitions” in the years to come.

Educational experts say collaborative learning has been shown to develop higher-level thinking skills, boost confidence, and foster leadership. But what those studies leave out just might be what matters most: the absolute joy parents feel watching this kind of tenderness between two sisters — just trying to make their marks.

Picasso Was Right

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(Pic #1) “Scuba Doo” drawing by Mickey Goldman, age 5. Los Angeles, Cali.

“Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up.” — Pablo Picasso

I carry on about this all the time in my corporate creativity workshops: consistent artistic expression brings all kinds of creative breakthroughs. But more than that, it’s a chance to feed your soul and experience pure joy.

In times like these (a resurgence in cases of Covid19) we need all the stress relief we can get. Making art —whether in the form of painting, poetry, music, pottery or dance — can offer a way for us to cope, even thrive. So why the heck are we not taking full advantage of the time to create? It comes down to one thing: fear. Fear of not measuring up and fear of letting go. But the big secret is: we didn’t used to be that way.

Mickey’s daily art class / Her Mom Jamie is a supercharged homeschooler right now!

My 5-year-old great niece, Mickey confirmed Picasso’s proclamation again for me today. Fearlessly, when handed some fresh markers, she announced she was going to “draw a scuba diver.”  I’m not sure who she had in mind when she chose that subject, but she totally nailed it. (Pic #1 top). She didn’t stop for second. She conceptualized and executed her vision with chutzpah and complete commitment. No re-thinking, no self-criticism. Pure art from the heart. (And honestly, how brilliant is her concept of being immersed in deep water — represented by all the waves in motion?)

Every time I see Mickey’s artwork I feel a sense of awe. She is making art for herself, freely, and wildly untethered to the insecurities that come with adulthood. I pray the rest of us can find a path to that free expression, and maybe, just maybe, we can reclaim what was once ours.

 

Drive-By Art Shows! Yes, It’s A Thing

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(Pic #1) “Stay Strong 2020” by Joan Wulf, Los Angeles. Featured in the new drive-by “De-Fence Art Show” at the Santa Monica Airport.

Artists find new ways of getting more eyes on their work. Call it Covid Creative.

An artist’s default position typically lands on the fresh and new. It’s what defines him/her as an artist. They think differently, and they act differently. Even corporate America has decided creativity is “more important” than integrity or discipline among the world’s top CEOs.*  So it’s no surprise that artists have discovered fresh ways of showing their art — while keeping us “Covid safe.”

Last weekend, what started in New York made its way to the east side of LA.  This weekend, expect to see streets west of Western (see map here) lined with assorted artwork — by 120 different artists. According to Drive-by-Art (the guys who started the trend on Long Island) the in-car experience creates “a sense of needed solidarity” within the artistic communities. There will be dayside and nighttime showings.

You may know some of the participating artists — established  Los Angeles favorites like Lita Albuquerque and Kenny Scharf — who will show alongside some of LA’s best emerging artists. For more info, visit the Drive-By website: called, Drive-by-Art.

(Pic #2) Featured on KCRW: Painter Eric Dever installed his artwork outside in South Fork, Long Island. Image courtesy of Drive-by-Art.

(Pic #3) “Behind, under, around” Installation for Durden and Ray by Brenna Ivanhoe and Nancy Ivanhoe. Mixed media. Image provided by Durden and Ray.

Through June 20th — a sort of “scavenger hunt” map of a citywide art exhibition around L.A. sponsored by Durden and Ray art collective. The exhibit features nearly 100 artists who have installed public artwork from Santa Monica to the east side, from the valley to Long Beach. Alleyways, front yards, to chain link fences. (Pic #3) (See map here.)

And starting tomorrow, you have a month to check out the art around the Santa Monica Airport. (Pic #1)  It’s an exhibition called “De-Fence Art” — “an outdoor exhibition in the time of isolation.” 12 noon to sunset. Masks and social distancing required. Address: 3026 Airport Drive, Santa Monica, CA 90405.

The impact on participating artists is deep. Many have been apprehensive about the post Covid art market, and rightly so. So the opportunity to share new work and connect with art-lovers in person provides a sense of hope. What’s more, says artist Sean Noyce, “this simply helps us and our community realign our spirits.”

* IBM Creativity study here.