Book Art

Book Art

I like books. mostly I like reading them. Although lately I’ve been ordering from Amazon.co.uk at such a torrid pace that it may take me months to get on top of it all. And then the trip to Waterstone’s downtown last Saturday… “Happy shopping Chiara…I’ll just be here, um browsing.”

It’s hard to resist: the real world filtered and explained through the written word. Typography? Home repair? Japanese tattoos? (to use but three recent examples) I don’t know anything about these things… BAM! A book arrives. An instructive, shiny book. With pictures. (In fact, I just ordered another book on typography, as I write this. Why? I’m hooked.)

Fiction? Fuck yeah! The Yiddish Policeman’s Union, by Michael Chabon. You write good.

Non fiction? Uh huh! Shakespeare, by Bill Bryson. Best teacher ever.

Sex, Drugs and Cocoa Puffs, by Chuck Klosterman? Our time has come.

Graphic Novels? Hit me up! Bone v. 7 Ghost Circles, by Jeff Smith Why yes! I’d love a sweeping epic myth narrative with an extra-big scoop of laugh-out-loud funny.

Watchmen, by Moore and Gibsons. I’m sorry Evil Bastard, I should’ve listened to you years ago.

I’ve also got books borrowed, and gifted, all to be digested and absorbed in their time.

More.

While in the bookstore on Saturday, I was struck by how many books there are. (A-fucking-lot!) How many stories, how many authors, how many jacket designs, how many different typesets, publishers, sizes, editions…

It blew my fucking mind apart. Especially for me, in these days. I’m beginning to self-describe as a ‘writer’, and gradually removing the implied air-quotes and apologetic tone as I do so. A book collection of any size represents both a world of opportunity and aspiration, and a wall of futility.
Books are creativity, they are worlds, they are also moments, words, stories and images. Books are art.

No. Seriously. Forget about the words for a minute.

Books themselves as art. Many artists, many different styles and results, all with the same medium: books. There’s a metaphor, or other such literary device in there somewhere… Thanks Weburbanist.

You! reader check them out.

By Liesbeth Smit|2017-09-14T08:44:09+00:00September 11 2008|

“Your Taking It Easy session helped me relax more into the truth of a scene and let it grow more organically instead of pushing too hard to make it funny or dramatic. I loved that you were really clear about what you wanted us to get and how the exercises played into the scene work we did later. I really got a lot from one short session.”

Andrew, Brighton

“Ryan really made the most out of the workshop. No time-wasting. He gets to the point quickly, in a clear and effective way.”

Pedro, Lisbon

“I really admire your energy, creativity and knowledge and I’ve learned a lot from your training sessions.”

Natasha, Amsterdam,

“Ryan seemed to know just what to do to get the best from everyone. I would jump at the opportunity to do another workshop led by him.”

Calum, Brighton

“Thank you for your positive spirit, energy and creativity. Your public speaking sessions really helped me feel more comfortable standing in front of a group of people.”

Serena, Amsterdam

“Ryan is a natural at teaching and you get the feeling he puts his heart and soul into helping others. I look forward to doing more workshops with Ryan.”

Shauna, Tunbridge Wells

“Plenty of energy, enthusiasm, good clear guidance on how to make the scene ‘deliver results’ without killing the improviser… Ryan’s enthusiasm for improv is infectious.”

James, Brighton

“I’ve benefitted immensely from this journey which I would recommend to anyone looking to learn more about themselves in a fun, immersive way.”

Simon, Amsterdam

“I LOVED the fucking GREAT and positive energies in the workshop. They so got me going. Perhaps the highest moment during this festival was laughing in the workshop (to the dances… :)).”

Ben, Tel Aviv

“Ryan’s coaching sessions really improved my public speaking skills and made my presentations much more interesting for my audience.”

Furio S., Berlin

“I thoroughly enjoyed the workshop. I learned how beautiful authenticity is, with such little moments as sharing your breakfast. Being in the moment is so amazing to see and to feel.”

Laura, Amsterdam

“The skills I learned from those two weekends, which were two of the most enjoyable weekends I’ve ever had, have been an invaluable tool I use to this day in my daily life, both at work and in personal interactions.”

Andy, Brussels

“Ryan is an extremely qualified, talented, and professional teacher and coach. I’d recommend Ryan’s services to anyone!”

Derek, Amsterdam,

“Ryan’s improv workshop is incredibly fun but also ruthlessly effective. Participants are taught to drop their inhibitions, let their imagination flow and and embrace the positive attitude at the heart of improv. They are also treated to Ryan’s personal blend of enthusiasm, wit and generosity.”

Jeremy, Brussels

“I loved loved loved your workshop. I liked the way it was structured and meaningful. Time flew unnoticed. I liked the shortness of the exercises, the surprise and fun, and the fact that you gave me so much to explore. I now can be in an empty prison cell or in a desert island and never feel alone or bored anymore. Now I can expand my world.”

Elsa, Lisbon

“Very inspiring and useful workshop. Picked me up from where I’m at and helped me develop strategies to improve developing scenes and my performance skills.”

Anonymous, Switzerland

“Ryan is an incredible teacher. He took a straggling group of beginners and turned us into a viable company of improvisational actors who regularly perform together – in front of actual, paying, repeat customers.”

Carrie, Brussels

“I especially enjoyed the clarity in all of what you were doing – I always understood what it was that you were teaching. I never felt lost. That was really awesome.”

Martin, Tampere

“Ryan is the most enthusiastic, positive workshop leader I have ever had the pleasure of working with. I’ve been to several of his workshops and after each session I came away with a sense of achievement and feeling that I had learnt something new.”

Chris, London

“Because of you my fear of speaking or presenting in front of an audience has lessened a great deal.”

Samora, Amsterdam

“Thank you so much for passing your writing knowledge onto me. I learned a lot and had a lot of fun too.”

Larissa, Amsterdam,

“Absolutely brilliant! Exceptional work!”

Anonymous, Impro Hotel

“Ryan is a great teacher, very serious (and very funny!) gives great coaching during scenes! I had a great time studying with him!!”

Alon, Tel Aviv

“I’ve learned so much from you and thank you for giving me that nudge to get out of my comfort zone.”

Imaan, Amsterdam

“As a coach Ryan’s ability to zone in and identify the main agenda for each sessions was amazing. His coaching helped me reflect, make decisions and make positive changes in my business.”

Tracy, Dublin

“Working with you was an absolute blast! I’ll take your writing advice with me wherever I go.”

Marton, Budapest

How was working with Ryan?

Contact Ryan Millar

Book Art

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How was working with Ryan?

Contact Ryan Millar