Keri Smith Quotes

Powerful Keri Smith for Daily Growth

About Keri Smith

Keri Smith is an American artist, illustrator, and author who has made significant contributions to the fields of art, creativity, and self-expression. Born in 1970 in San Francisco, California, Smith developed a strong interest in art from a young age. She studied Fine Arts at the University of California, Santa Cruz, where she honed her skills as a visual artist and began exploring unconventional methods of creative expression. Smith's career took off after the success of her first published book, "Wreck This Journal," in 2006. The interactive journal, which encourages readers to intentionally destroy its pages through various artistic activities, became an international bestseller and established Smith as a leading figure in the creative world. Influenced by the likes of Marcel Duchamp, Yoko Ono, and Richard Wagstaff, Smith's work often challenges conventional notions of art and creativity. Her other popular books include "How to Be an Explorer of the World," "Guerilla Art Kit," and "The Impossible Book." Smith's works are characterized by their playful, interactive nature and their encouragement of individual expression. They invite readers to question their perceptions of art, creativity, and the world around them, and to engage with their environment in new and unexpected ways. Smith continues to create thought-provoking art projects and books, inspiring countless individuals to explore their own creative potential.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep."

This quote by Keri Smith emphasizes that creativity involves taking risks, making mistakes, and exploring new ideas without fear of failure. It suggests that the process of creating something novel or unique requires experimentation and innovation, which inherently includes errors. The term 'art' in this context represents any form of creative expression. By learning from these mistakes, we can determine which ones are valuable in achieving our desired outcome, thus refining our creativity and enhancing our work.

"Be brave enough to start a project that terrifies you."

This quote by Keri Smith encourages us to take on challenges that push our comfort zones, implying that personal growth and meaningful progress often stem from facing fears and tackling the unknown. The message is about courage, self-discovery, and the importance of embracing new experiences in life despite their intimidating nature. It inspires individuals to act boldly towards realizing their potential and achieving goals that might initially seem daunting or impossible.

"Think like a child: Be curious, ask questions, marvel at the mundane."

This quote encourages us to adopt the simple, inquisitive, and wonder-filled perspective of a child. It reminds us to remain curious about our world, asking questions and seeking answers, even for seemingly ordinary things. By doing so, we can rediscover the beauty and magic in everyday life, fostering an appreciation for the little things that often go unnoticed.

"The best things in life aren't things."

This quote emphasizes that material possessions, although they may provide temporary satisfaction, are not what bring true happiness or richness to our lives. Rather, it is the intangible aspects such as experiences, relationships, personal growth, creativity, and kindness that truly enrich our existence. Essentially, Keri Smith is suggesting that cherishing these non-material values can lead us towards a more fulfilling life.

"Life doesn't come with an instruction manual. It comes with a pen." (This one is often attributed to Smith, but it's actually from a poem by Eleanor Brownn)

This quote underscores the idea that life is a personal journey, requiring us to write our own story rather than following a predetermined path. It suggests that we have the power to shape our experiences, make decisions, learn from mistakes, and grow through self-discovery. Essentially, it encourages individuality, creativity, and resilience in navigating life's challenges.

We're drawn to making our mark, leaving a record to show we were here, and a journal is a great place to do it. Once you start drawing, writing, and gluing stuff in every day, it can quickly become a habit - addictive, even. Your attitude should be: 'I can do this, but I mustn't make it too intimidating.'

- Keri Smith

Every Day, Here, Great Place, Journal

One of the benefits of having an audience is that it requires a regimen, a need to create on a regular basis. I don't believe in waiting for the muse to visit.

- Keri Smith

Audience, Benefits, Having, Regimen

I find the experience of keeping a journal much more creative on paper than on a computer. When I write, I'm physically immersed in the world and slow down, whereas on screen, I use my senses in a less engaged way - and I skim more.

- Keri Smith

Senses, Engaged, I Write, Whereas

A lot of people don't like to spend money on a journal because they're afraid to wreck it, which is understandable. I buy beautifully made leather-bound journals because I have lost my fear of the blank page.

- Keri Smith

Buy, Blank, Lot, Journals

What I'm doing is trying to get kids to pay attention, to look at the physical world more, and to question everything. I am trying to get kids out of the house and away from screens.

- Keri Smith

Doing, Question, Away, Screens

Something different happens to my brain when I put pen to paper: the pace of writing or drawing slows you down and gives you more time for thoughts to come in.

- Keri Smith

Thoughts, More, Pace, Pen

I'm just hoping my children will get enough of a foundation to remember what it was like before technology, how good that feels. Because I remember.

- Keri Smith

Will, I Remember, Feels, Hoping

The virtual world can never be a substitute for real world experience. And the more it takes over our lives, the more we forget to feel the sun on our skin, the more we forget that there is an entire universe to be discovered even during a 10 minute walk to work.

- Keri Smith

Skin, Virtual, Discovered, Minute

I do not see the process of blogging as a separate thing from creating art. This is in part why I do not like to be known for being a 'blogger,' as this is just one form of output for creative ideas.

- Keri Smith

Art, Process, Blogging, Creative

I love the idea of a website/blog being a catalyst for propelling people out into the world, and I enjoy it most when people write me to say that their world looked or smelled or felt a little different because of something that I wrote.

- Keri Smith

Love, Enjoy, Idea, Smelled

In order to be who you are as a human being, you need to be willing to upset people.

- Keri Smith

Need, Human Being, Willing, Upset

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