The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand

This is a great book about staying true to what you are passionate about.

Faith vs Feelings

The days where your heart is cold and lacks feeling toward the things that your minds says is right–are very long days.

Why should I do good?

www.KurtAspland.com.
This morning I was reading from the book of Titius. This book reminds me to continue doing good works for all of those around me.

This caused me to think. What is the motivation to go out and do good works? It is very different for the Christian. If a friend were to give me $50 out of the blue, I would feel indebted to them. I might return the favor by baking them a cake or cutting their grass out of thankfulness. In the process of baking or cutting I would expect nothing in return because these acts were out of thankfulness. When a christian comes to a greater understanding of what God has done for them in salvation, we would feel most indebted to God and want to do all the good works we could get our hands on out of thankfulness to Him. Doing good things for others or giving of our money should spring from a heart of indebtedness, not out of some hope of a future blessing that we might gain.

Illustration Conference?

I have attended a couple of design conferences over the years. They were very helpful. Does anyone know of some good illustration conferences?

Illustration: Getting Back To Basics

www.KurtAspland.com.
It has been over a year since my last drawing session with a live model—way too long. Next saturday I am looking forward to starting the practice of life drawing once again. For the illustrator this must be the foundation of everything we do. Understanding how God has made the human body (old, young, fat, thin, male, female, short or tall) and how it moves in space is the pinnacle of drawing itself. Mastering this form makes everything else a piece of cake.

The Secret (of good works)

www.KurtAspland.com.
My neighbor across the street has begun to read the book The Secret. I have not read it and at this point I have no intention of reading it. But what I have heard is that it is about having a positive outlook on things and visualizing in things so much so that they actually come to pass. I find this to be a bit disappointing, cause if we would only put our dependance on God and not is some rehashed idea, we would then find the real peace that passes all understanding—that is no secret.