I came at this book from the perspective of being a professional creative, photographer in my case, and also a massive Rick Rubin fan from his time as a music producer for my favorite band, the Red Hot Chili Peppers. I was so excited to read it when I heard it was coming out, because I'd seen him in the studio with the Chili Peppers in the documentary "Funky Monks" way back in the 90's, and knew that he was the real deal. The book has been mostly a confirmation of where my mind has been heading in the last few years, along with the help of photography thinkers like Guy Tal and Brooks Jensen. That is, the only thing worth sharing is yourself, not what you think others want from you. It's been a tough road for me, a natural people pleaser and someone who wants to be of service, but I think I've come to the conclusion that I've been being myself all along, and can't really be anything but. Thinking too much about what is original just makes me head spin, since we're constantly influenced by a number of outside factors. That's something I'm coming to peace with. I'm glad to read your blog about it and so glad that you took away some great lessons, too!
It has taken me a long time to believe—to really, deeply, meaningfully believe—that "the only thing worth sharing is yourself." It's the philosophy I'm employing here. I think it's the only path to doing something truly special.
great takeaways. i thought the book was good and great way to reflect on our own practices. my wife and both kids read all or parts as well. the openness thing is HUGE esp in our guarded industry.
I appreciate this article and any positive inspiration is a good thing. I just have to add from a musician prospect Rubin comes off as musical grifter. The comment about not knowing how to use a sound bound is wild, intuition is one thing and ignorance is another. You are a producer learn how to so you can actually make the adjustments you hear. Having a beginners mind can be great for an artist in the trenches, but let’s not romanticize that it’s him and not the musicians and engineers that’s producing these works. He’s basically a record executive that presents himself as some sort of musical taste mystic.
I would say it seems you are certainly not alone in that opinion. And I can relate to the sentiment, and don't know enough about what it takes to make music to know how he should be evaluated. But in theory, at least, I do think there's truth in the idea of expert taste being its own skill.
That said, the idea of him as a record executive with a mystic's branding does not strike me as farfetched either.
I'm excited to have read your post and your gleanings from the book. I'll read more f you. I'm a metal sculptor in retirement after being in rules-based careers (lawyering and city management) and I can say that thinking out if the box or trying to find the "why" behind a rule leads to more success. But as an artist, trying to focus on myself, the development of the thick skin is hard but critical. I see excellent artists who have a definite style, technique or theme that imbue their work, while thus far, my pieces are hugely different from each other, even if a previous piece "worked". This interestingly and perplexingly makes it difficult for it to be categorized, which people want to do. I think they want to categorize so they can feel they won't be surprised in the future. I know that's their issue, not mine, but sometimes it seems to interfere with the continuity of the relationship. Thanks for writing.
I love the idea of differentiating "rules-based careers" and had never thought of it that way. I think a lot of the time when I find myself in creative trouble (i.e. producing poor work, or simply producing too much) it's because I'm trying to follow some "rule" that doesn't exist. Or I'm looking for one to lead the way. Usually not fruitful for me.
I'm working on this theory about logic being the opposite of creativity, and that's troublesome because I know in my own work I struggle with looking for a reason to do something, when so often the reason is more like "why not?"
I do feel somewhat recently empowered by discovering I can frequently unburdon myself from the idea of needing to categorize, or explain. I'm getting more comfortable with just being and doing.
Thank you for reading, and for your thoughtful comment!
Thanks for sharing these Bill. I particularly love Rick's ability to articulate that it's all about: "The confidence that I have in my taste and my ability to express what I feel has proven helpful for artists." It's definitely one thing to know what one wants, it's another thing to have confidence in it, and it's definitely a whole other thing to be able to express it to others.
I think I, like many photographers I know, started with the visual. It was only later that I started considering the idea. And I think the best work often does that the other way around.
I came at this book from the perspective of being a professional creative, photographer in my case, and also a massive Rick Rubin fan from his time as a music producer for my favorite band, the Red Hot Chili Peppers. I was so excited to read it when I heard it was coming out, because I'd seen him in the studio with the Chili Peppers in the documentary "Funky Monks" way back in the 90's, and knew that he was the real deal. The book has been mostly a confirmation of where my mind has been heading in the last few years, along with the help of photography thinkers like Guy Tal and Brooks Jensen. That is, the only thing worth sharing is yourself, not what you think others want from you. It's been a tough road for me, a natural people pleaser and someone who wants to be of service, but I think I've come to the conclusion that I've been being myself all along, and can't really be anything but. Thinking too much about what is original just makes me head spin, since we're constantly influenced by a number of outside factors. That's something I'm coming to peace with. I'm glad to read your blog about it and so glad that you took away some great lessons, too!
It has taken me a long time to believe—to really, deeply, meaningfully believe—that "the only thing worth sharing is yourself." It's the philosophy I'm employing here. I think it's the only path to doing something truly special.
Thank you for your comment.
great takeaways. i thought the book was good and great way to reflect on our own practices. my wife and both kids read all or parts as well. the openness thing is HUGE esp in our guarded industry.
I'm glad you agree. And that's a good point about the industry being guarded. In my experience, though, the most successful are often the most open.
I appreciate this article and any positive inspiration is a good thing. I just have to add from a musician prospect Rubin comes off as musical grifter. The comment about not knowing how to use a sound bound is wild, intuition is one thing and ignorance is another. You are a producer learn how to so you can actually make the adjustments you hear. Having a beginners mind can be great for an artist in the trenches, but let’s not romanticize that it’s him and not the musicians and engineers that’s producing these works. He’s basically a record executive that presents himself as some sort of musical taste mystic.
I would say it seems you are certainly not alone in that opinion. And I can relate to the sentiment, and don't know enough about what it takes to make music to know how he should be evaluated. But in theory, at least, I do think there's truth in the idea of expert taste being its own skill.
That said, the idea of him as a record executive with a mystic's branding does not strike me as farfetched either.
Thank you for reading and commenting!
I'm excited to have read your post and your gleanings from the book. I'll read more f you. I'm a metal sculptor in retirement after being in rules-based careers (lawyering and city management) and I can say that thinking out if the box or trying to find the "why" behind a rule leads to more success. But as an artist, trying to focus on myself, the development of the thick skin is hard but critical. I see excellent artists who have a definite style, technique or theme that imbue their work, while thus far, my pieces are hugely different from each other, even if a previous piece "worked". This interestingly and perplexingly makes it difficult for it to be categorized, which people want to do. I think they want to categorize so they can feel they won't be surprised in the future. I know that's their issue, not mine, but sometimes it seems to interfere with the continuity of the relationship. Thanks for writing.
I love the idea of differentiating "rules-based careers" and had never thought of it that way. I think a lot of the time when I find myself in creative trouble (i.e. producing poor work, or simply producing too much) it's because I'm trying to follow some "rule" that doesn't exist. Or I'm looking for one to lead the way. Usually not fruitful for me.
I'm working on this theory about logic being the opposite of creativity, and that's troublesome because I know in my own work I struggle with looking for a reason to do something, when so often the reason is more like "why not?"
I do feel somewhat recently empowered by discovering I can frequently unburdon myself from the idea of needing to categorize, or explain. I'm getting more comfortable with just being and doing.
Thank you for reading, and for your thoughtful comment!
Thanks for sharing these Bill. I particularly love Rick's ability to articulate that it's all about: "The confidence that I have in my taste and my ability to express what I feel has proven helpful for artists." It's definitely one thing to know what one wants, it's another thing to have confidence in it, and it's definitely a whole other thing to be able to express it to others.
Great read and summary!
I recently looked up the definition of art. It made reference to art being "visual."
My own evolution of thinking after taking up photography just over a year ago has led me to see art as simply starting with the idea or thought.
I really like this comment.
I think I, like many photographers I know, started with the visual. It was only later that I started considering the idea. And I think the best work often does that the other way around.
Thanks for reading!
I just bought this too!