I stumbled on Alan Moore's thoughtful contribution to the "DO" series of small, inspiring books. DO/DESIGN: Why Beauty is Key to Everything" had me at the first paragraph:
"I have always been fascinated by beautiful things: architecture, furniture, books. Beautiful things are prepared with love. The act of creating something of beauty is a way of bringing good into the world. Infused with optimism, it says simply: Life is worthwhile."
Try following a line like that! Oh wait, he did:
"The effort to create enduring beauty is not dependent on style but truth...Beauty is life-affirming, it gives back to create more life."
Those of us blessed (or cursed, or both) with a calling to creative work, whatever our discipline or medium, realize early on that it's a search for truth or it's nothing. Moore's insights into that search are penetrating, instructive and inspiring. True to its concept, this little book is also elegant and efficient in its language; it can be read in a single sitting (or two). I recommend picking it up.
Cheers!
