Tell me what you do– and I’ll nod my head politely while thinking to myself: “so what?”
Tell me how you do what you do– and you’ve got my attention.
Tell me a little bit about why you do what you do the way you do it– and you’ve won my heart and mind forever.
Dana Tanamachi + her signs = coolness squared.
~ • ~
THE SPECTACLED BEAN 
absolutely and i always say don’t tell me what you are going to do – do it… c
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Cecilia, I agree. Pity more people don’t get that.
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Did you love the little films about how peanut butter was made on Mr. Rogers as a kid? Still love the how it’s made type shows? I can get interested in how crankshafts are made if they show me the process and explain why they do it that way. Loved this clip and how and why she makes her signs.
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Zazzy, I liked any & all of those how-to films. Still do. Best part is now that I’m a grown-up there’s no quiz after watching them!
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Talented lady. I love chalk art like that. I agree with Zazzy, I can get interested in how most things work if it’s explained to me how and why it’s done like that.
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Polly, she really is amazing– both her work & her approach to her work.
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Always think of your “NEAT” mom on this day!!!
Becky
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Becky, so do I. We might be the only ones who still remember her BD. Thanks for stopping by to say so. 🙂
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I agree with Cecelia! And Nike. Just do it!
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Robin, I think that’s what I liked about Dana Tanamachi’s approach to her projects. Keep it loose & just do it.
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I guess I always thought that stores with chalkboard signs just had someone on the staff do them. And I’m sure many do. But wow, she does amazing art, and how wonderful that she can make a living at it!
I work as a compliance analyst for a software company. I do it because it allows me the freedom to work from home and a very flexible schedule, which is a good thing for anyone, but especially nice when you have a kid in the house. The work itself I am not passionate about, but I find my joy elsewhere. (That’s my what and why. You don’t want to know the how, too boring.)
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J, I had the same series of thoughts when I saw this video. I never knew that someone did this for a living. But as I heard Dana talk about it, the need for this speciality made sense to me.
And J, you’ve won my heart and mind forever with your explanation of your career choice! Of course, after all these years in the blogosphere, I think that you already had won them– but now I’m very clear about what makes you tick.
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Love the whys–otherwise there is no need to do ANYTHING! And I admire people with talent and passion. (the passion may be more important than the talent)
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Margaret, I find that too many people have no idea why they do what they do. This woman, whose art is delightful, made me smile and start to think about how talent + passion + practicality make for a good life.
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Wow! I’m afraid if I could draw as well as this gal, I wouldn’t want my work erased!
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Beth, I know! But I think that Dana has a good point when she says that all her work [anyone’s work, for that matter] on a chalkboard is, by the medium’s very nature, temporary. [That made sense? Yes?]
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