Creative Codex

On May 8th, 1889, Vincent van Gogh checks in to a mental asylum. What begins as a three month stay extends into a year. A period of time during which Vincent paints 141 masterpieces in between bouts of debilitating psychotic attacks. 

On this episode, we dive into Vincent and Theo's letters to finally uncover all of the details about Vincent's yearlong stay in the asylum. 

The original music of this episode features a very special guest, singer & songwriter: L'FREAQ. (Also known as Lea Cappelli.) Follow all of L'FREAQ's music through her Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lfreaq/

Listen to L'FREAQ on Spotify: L'FREAQ Spotify

And enjoy her YouTube music vids (one which I directed!): https://www.youtube.com/user/leacappelli

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Explore the paintings mentioned in this episode by visiting this companion gallery I made: https://mjdorian.com/vincent/

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Watch my video about Vincent's most disturbing painting, done while he was suffering from a psychotic episode: https://youtu.be/EHkm6LMXjiA

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A full transcript of this episode is available here: https://mjdorian.com/transcripts/

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Become a supporter of the show, and receive access to all the Creativity Tip episodes and Episode Exclusives here: https://www.patreon.com/mjdorian

Creative Codex is written & produced by MJDorian.

Let's connect: https://www.instagram.com/mjdorian/

For Merch & News: https://mjdorian.com/

What is the 10,000 Hours Rule? How can you apply it in your life?

I first stumbled on this theory in the book: Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell. The basic premise is this: to achieve mastery in any skill that requires complex cognitive processes, you need to put in roughly 10,000 hours of effort, spread across a 10 year span.

In other words, if you want to become a master at something, you will have to clock in about 10,000 hours into that domain. That could be anything from cooking, computer coding, rapping, martial arts, piano playing, oil painting, and so on.

Since that book, the theory has been a bit more fleshed out by more recent studies, that bring 'deliberate practice' into the equation. In this special Creativity Tip episode I explain and explore the implications of this compelling theory. And most importantly: how to apply it in your life.

Here is a link to the original 1993 research paper by Anders Ericsson: https://psycnet.apa.org/record/1993-40718-001

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If you'd like to become a patron of Creative Codex and gain access to all of the Creativity Tip episodes, as well as Episode Exclusives, head on over to my Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/mjdorian

Thank you for your support!

Creative Codex is written & produced by MJDorian

Let's connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mjdorian/

And Twitter: https://twitter.com/mjdorian

On this special episode, we dive into the full truth about the most infamous event in art history: Vincent van Gogh's ear incident. The 'ear incident' serves as a catalyst event, which signals the onset of a mental affliction which will torment Vincent van Gogh for his final three years. Paradoxically, at the same time his mental health is in decline, his paintings are showing the signs of a creative genius. 

Explore all of the paintings mentioned in this episode at this companion gallery: https://mjdorian.com/vincent/

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Music featured in this episode:

Necro-Future (Featured during the 'Vincent van Goth' section of the episode @9:43 of this episode.)

Song written & performed by Horned Head: https://soundcloud.com/user-86360942

Guitar / Vocals: Michael Pisano / Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/papa_pisano/

Website: https://www.michaeljamespisano.com/

Drums: James Aqua / Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/james_aqua/ 

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If you'd like to become a patron of Creative Codex, and unlock access to all of the exclusive Creativity Tip episodes (and Episode Exclusives), head over to my Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/mjdorian

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A full transcript of this episode is available here: https://mjdorian.com/transcripts/

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Do your own research and explore Vincent's incredible correspondences at: http://vangoghletters.org/vg/

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Creative Codex is written & produced by MJDorian

All music by MJDorian (except as mentioned above)

Creative Codex YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9xwt3hz49VBbgqN80driTQ

Check out my art and follow behind the scenes content about the show on my social media:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mjdorian/

Can madness and genius be contained in one individual? Can psychosis and the rarest artistry be contained in one mind?

These contradictions pervade the story of Vincent van Gogh. And in the final three years of his life, they culminate in a whirlwind.

You may think you know Vincent, you may have heard about him on a TV show or a podcast. But not like this. 

Over the next three episodes, we will explore Van Gogh’s personal letters, doctor’s reports, police reports, and family letters, to paint a vivid picture of Vincent in his three final years, these are the years that produced his most famous and beloved works, and the years in which Vincent’s final tragic descent begins.

Was he actually psychotic or just misunderstood? Did he really cut off his ear and commit suicide? Was he actually a creative genius or is it all just hype? Let’s find out.

Episode Notes:

• Here is a special gallery I made (as mentioned in the episode) where you can view selections of Vincent's paintings from 1880-1887: https://mjdorian.com/vincent/

• If you are enjoying CREATIVE CODEX please share it with someone! Anyone who you think would enjoy it. It is the number one way to help this show grow! And thank you in advance.

• If you'd like to become a patron of the show, and receive access to all of the exclusive patron-only Creativity Tip mini-episodes, please head over to my Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/mjdorian

• Thank you for your support!

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A full transcript of this episode is available here: https://mjdorian.com/transcripts/

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Creative Codex is written & produced by MJDorian.

All music in this episode was written & produced by MJDorian.

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Follow me on social media to stay up to date on all the new releases:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mjdorian/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mjdorian

All rights reserved. 

Is there a line between genius and madness? What is the difference between the madness of artists and the madness of genius? This is a brief opening lecture which I presented for an event called The Madness of Genius, which was held on April 20th, 2021, on the Clubhouse app. This was the first event held by the Creative Codex Club, and featured two special guest speakers: Emily Dickinson scholar, Justin Horm, and holistic psychiatrist, Dr. Kelley O'Donnell. 

If you have Clubhouse, follow Creative Codex Club and myself (MJ Dorian), to join the community and enjoy future conversations! Here is a link: https://www.joinclubhouse.com/club/creative-codex-club

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...To be an artist means to be possessed by something unreasonable; to be devoted to something entirely impractical...

...Artists are the only people in the world whom we give the rare permission to be — strange. We expect them to be bold. In fact, we even need them to be. Because when we see an artist embodying something strange and bold, it gives us the permission to be ourselves. It presents us an opportunity to accept the parts of our psychology we often keep in the shadows...

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Thank you for your support!

Creative Codex is produced and written by MJDorian

In 1948, Salvador Dali wrote a notorious treatise with the intention to "save modern art from chaos and laziness". On this feature length episode, we explore Salvador Dali's 50 Secrets of Magic Craftsmanship. 

We focus on ten essential secrets from this bizarre treatise including: the secret of the painter's pointed mustache, the sleep technique known as the 'slumber with a key', rules for lovemaking, the secret of having a spider as a pet, pigments to rely on and those to banish from your palette, and many more! So did he succeed in saving modern art with Dalinian magic? Let’s find out! 

Learn more about Salvador Dali's artwork and life in episode 7 of Creative Codex. To listen: scroll down in the podcast feed to '7: Salvador Dali (Saint of Delusion)'.  

If you are enjoying the show and would like to leave a tip, you can now do so on Venmo! Just open your Venmo app and search: @creativecodex 

If you would like to become a patron of the show and receive access to all the patron-exclusive Creativity Tip episodes, head over to: https://www.patreon.com/mjdorian 

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All music in this show is written and produced by MJDorian. 

Creative Codex is written & produced by MJDorian 

https://mjdorian.com/ 

Follow my art, music, and updates on Instagram, where you'll also find my email: https://www.instagram.com/mjdorian/

How do you find the ideas that excite you? How do you encourage inspiration within a fixed structure of habit?

Ideas thrive in the unfamiliar. Take your expertise and engage it through something related but unfamiliar.

This is a Creativity Tip mini-episode. If you found it helpful or interesting, please share it with someone you think will enjoy it!

If you would like to listen to all of the Creativity Tip mini-episodes head over to my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mjdorian

Thank you so much for your support! Make sure to Follow / Subscribe to CREATIVE CODEX in your podcast app, and click the notification option so you get the upcoming episode right when it publishes.

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Creative Codex is written and produced by MJDorian

https://mjdorian.com/

Join us for a special Listener Q&A episode of Creative Codex, where the spotlight is on you, and your thoughts and questions.

Questions covered on this episode include such gems as: How do you decide on a creative figure for your next episode? What's up with NFTs and thoughts on digital art? Could you discuss Austin Osman Spare and his theory that art and magic are somehow linked? Why do more intelligent people tend to be atheists? How closely do you think mastery is related to reclusiveness?

Head over to the Creative Codex YouTube channel to watch me wrestle with three special questions not included in this episode: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9xwt3hz49VBbgqN80driTQ/featured

To become a patron of Creative Codex, and gain access to all the exclusive Creativity Tip mini-episodes head over to: https://www.patreon.com/mjdorian

Thank you for your support!

Creative Codex is written and produced by MJDorian

Join us as we dive deep into the enigmatic mind of Emily Dickinson. In this episode, we explore her creative process, her most intimate letters, the mysterious details about her illness, and the secret to her creative genius: solitude.

Episode Guide including the featured poems is available here: http://mjdorian.com/emily/

The voice of Emily Dickinson is performed by: Frances LaVette. Follow Frances and her projects on social media here: https://www.instagram.com/l.a.d.y_l.a.z.a.r.u.s._/

Support Creative Codex at our Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/mjdorian

Continue the conversation on our subreddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/CreativeCodex/

Thank you for all your support!

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Creative Codex is written & produced by MJDorian.

All music written & recorded by MJDorian.

All Rights Reserved.