Practice Behind the Page, is component of our SHINE series, a monthly event discussions series that features luminary writers and wellness practitioners. This conversation series that focuses on what kinds of self care practices writers use to facilitate inspiration and creative flow. This month, we are honored to be joined by NH friend George McCalman, author of the new book llustrated Black History: Honoring the Iconic and the Unseen, that celebrates Black pioneers–famous and little-known–in politics, science, literature, music, and more–with biographical reflections, all created and curated by George.
Kindly hop over to our Instagram page to view our live conversation and read below for an original interview with George about where he finds inspiration, his writing practice and more! Order his book anywhere books are sold!
NH: Describe your writing practice? (ie: is movement or meditation a part of your writing?)
GM: I’d say it’s a combination of both meditation and movement. It’s (still) difficult for me to compile my practice into a few words because I think of it as a complex and organic thing. My writing practice is very different from my art-making practice which is diffent than being a graphic designer/art director. They’re pretty different skills. But they all coexist in the same eco system, and I think of them as a continuum. So it requires being flexible and listening to my body to hear what I need to settle into each one. It’s a continually shifting thing.
NH: What surprised you most about the publishing process?
GM: Oh jeez, how many hours do you have? I’ve designed countless books, journals and magazines. But this is my first book as a title author, and it was a different, And more personal experience. There was no distance, and I was doing all aspects of the project. What I got to see very intimately: even though the act of making a book is one of the most fundamental and beautiful human endeavors, the publishing process of making books is deeply flawed.
NH: Where do you find inspiration?
GM: Nature. I live in Northern California, which I consider to be one of the more beautiful places I have ever been. I don’t want to sound corny, but I feel fortunate that I get to live in such a beautiful place. San Francisco is often reduced to its outside perceptions, but I think it is a really stunning place, and I’m surrounded by some really incredible people.
NH: What are you reading?
GM: I read a lot of news. I spent a good deal of time writing, and being in my intense world of production deadlines and design decisions. So I read the news as an antidote. It sounds strange, I know.
To hear more, visit our Instagram to watch an intimate discussion with George and Lisa.
About George
George McCalman is an artist, graphic designer, and creative director. His studio, McCalman.co creates long-lasting brands for clients across arts, lifestyle, food, and mobile media. He is a senior lecturer in graphic design at California College of Art and is the author and illustrator for the San Francisco Chronicle‘s monthly “Observed” column. He lives in San Francisco.
