In his twenties and thirties, Leonardo created his share of masterpieces (including the Adoration of the Magi and Virgin of the Rocks), but it was after forty when he designed many of his most famous inventions and painted The Last Supper and The Mona Lisa. So, forget aging gracefully. Let Leonardo teach you how to age creatively.
I’ve never had writer’s block, but ever since my debut novel Oil and Marble: A Novel of Leonardo and Michelangelo has come out (and become a bestseller and received great reviews), a voice in my head has grown louder: “What if that is the best book you ever write? What if the next one sucks? What if readers are disappointed?” I have no choice but to ignore that voice and keep writing, but the voice still haunts me.
Michelangelo was one of the most prolific and successful artists in history, but how did he do it?. How did this notoriously headstrong artist with a terrible temper (NOT from a wealthy, connected family) become arguably the most successful entrepreneur in history? And what can YOU learn from Michelangelo’s extraordinary success?
After studying the Renaissance for nearly 25 years — and writing books about it — I seen striking and strange similarities between our era and that era of exploding art and science from 500 years ago. So, here are my Top 10 Ways Our World is Like the Renaissance
In honor of Leonardo da Vinci’s 565th birthday today (he was born on April 15, 1452), I’m celebrating with 10 of my favorite quotes attributed to the maestro (yes, many of these can be found in my novel, Oil and Marble).
Today, the Slovakian translation of my novel arrived. That’s two translations so far (the first was Spanish), and my publisher says there are more on the way. Oh, if I could’ve shown myself this picture when I was seven… or sixteen… twenty… thirty-eight.
I hear it all the time: To be happy, you must seek balance. “The only way to be a successful human being is to NOT be so obsessed with your work. Be obsessed with balance, instead! Balance between work and family, up time, downtime…” But no artist I admire has EVER sought a “work-life balance.” They work hard. Too hard. That’s what they do. That’s who they are. And that’s why they’re great.
If you enjoyed Oil and Marble or any other book you’ve read, please review it on Amazon, Goodreads, and BookBub.
Every review helps every artist thrive!
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