Steep On This: Creative media to read & watch for inspiration

STEEPED BY SAMIA #27 | 01.17.24
Zines, creative hubs, substacks, youtube series, & more.

Boston Cremes (1962) by Wayne Thiebaud

I’m a consumer of creative media, more than I’m a creator of creative media. Whether it’s zines, substacks, books, or youtube series, I’m always absorbing and looking for creative inspiration, especially during liminal moments these past 2-3 years and virtually due to the pandemic. It occurred to me that I’ve never really put it all together in one place, so I’m bringing you this listicle of different creative media to snack on this year for creative inspiration.

I hope to create different guides like this on Steeped as themes come up — anything from underrated anime to watch, to South Asian women-owned tea brands I love. Think of it as my ‘Steep On This’ section but expanded into full listicle posts with juicy links. ✨

I. Steal Like an Artist, Show Your Work, & Keep Going by Austin Kleon

by Austin Kleon in Steal Like an Artist

🔗 Quick Links:

Austin Kleon seamlessly weaves his experience, advice, and his art work into bite-sized books on the creative process and artist’s life. I refer back to this quote by Austin Kleon in Show Your Work a lot to remind myself that every creative journey is not linear:

“ I spent my first two years out of college working a nondemanding part-time job in a library, doing nothing but reading and writing and drawing. I’d say I’ve spent the years since executing a lot of the ideas I had during that period. Now I’m hitting my seven-year itch, and I find myself needing another period to recharge and get inspired again.”

— Austin Kleon in Show Your Work!

II. Creative Mornings

CreativeMorningsSF field trip to Chronicle Books

🔗 Quick Link: https://creativemornings.com/

Creative Mornings is a creative community hub that I adore. They have different hubs around the U.S. and world, providing both virtual and in-person field trips and workshops. They also have a job bulletin board and weekly newsletter with fun internet links.

In January 2020, I went on a Creative Mornings SF field trip to Chronicle Books, where we got to take a tour of the publishing office and hear editors speak about their work. It was a very memorable moment of my early post-grad life!

Through Creative Mornings, I also learned about Street Wisdom, an organization that creates guides to help you creatively process the world while you’re on a walk. I should actually try this, lol.

III. Cake Zine

by Casey Jong for Cake Zine Vol.I

🔗 Quick Link: https://cakezine.com/ // IG: @cake_zine

I remember when I first encountered Cake Zine in April 2022. I bought the PDF version of volume I and walked to my local Peet’s to read it with a chai latte (with oat milk and coconut syrup, yum). I remember thinking: I wish I could create or be part of something like this!!

Cake Zine remains one of my favorite creative media for its vivid and atmospheric storytelling and stylized photography and illustrations. I love how thoughtful the editorial team and writers are — dreaming up out-of-the box written & visual pieces and delicious recipes based on themes like “Sexy Cake,” “Humble Pie,” and “Tough Cookie.” Anyways, check it out!!

Btw there is an amazing comic book & zine bookstore in the SF Mission district called Silver Sprocket that is a stockist for Cake Zine.

IV. Variety’s Actors on Actors

🔗 Quick Link: https://variety.com/h/actors-on-actors/

Variety’s Actors on Actors series is one of my favorite things to watch while I’m eating breakfast. I love that it’s actors, directors etc. interviewing each other because the answers feel so genuine and forthcoming. I loved this one where Euphoria cast-mates Jacob Elordi and Colman Domingo interview each other. Jacob notes about Colman: “Your career is so unconventional, but when I look at it, it is an actor’s life. Like, you are the actor’s actor.” Swooning! Now I have to watch all of Colman’s filmography, brb.

V. Substacks & Newsletters

Reading substacks in one of my favorite rooms!

🔗 Quick Links:

This is a broad one — and you can imagine I had a lot of trouble choosing my favorite Substacks & newsletters for this. You can also go to my Instagram story highlights titled “reads p.I” and “reads p.II” for an array of recommendations / works that made me feel something.

I appreciate the current blog and personal essay renaissance happening lately. I hope it continues on and allows writers to connect with each other more + get paid for writing on their own platforms.

VI. Maripedia: Marimekko Print Archive

Hattarakukka (2014) by Aino-Maija Metsola

🔗 Quick Link: https://www.marimekko.com/us_en/maripedia

From the 1950s to now, Marimekko has documented all the colorful & kitschy prints they’ve produced with a variety of designers. I bought a postcard set with a selection of these prints, and they are soo fun to look at and to include in gifts to friends.

I think my love for Marimekko started when I went to New York during my senior year of high school. My family-friend Neha took me to the High Line, and there was a Target x Marimekko interactive pop-up that was very cute and whimsical. Anyways, I don’t entirely know why I included this one; but I love the idea of print archives and how design has changed throughout the years.

While we’re at it, you should also check out Letterform Archive, a nonprofit “sharing the joy of letters with design-curious people”!

VII. Biographical Documentaries

Amy Tan: Unintended Memoir (2021)

🔗 Quick Links:

2021-2022 was my biographical documentary era. I watched so many documentaries on prolific writers, actors, directors, and creators — I have the urge to rewatch some right now! Many of them are available on Netflix and (HBO) MAX.

I watched the Nora Ephron documentary during my Kulfi Bites era, and this quote really stuck with me:

“I think at the end of my mom’s life, she believed that everything is not copy, that the things you want to keep are not copy, that the people you love are not copy. That what is copy is the stuff you’ve lost, the stuff you’re willing to give away, the things that have been taken from you.“

— Nora Ephron

VIII. The Creative Independent

The Creative Independent via Instagram

🔗 Quick Links:

I started reading The Creative Independent in 2022 during my own creative renaissance. I love their interviews with all kinds of creatives (from journalists to singer-songwriters) and the amazing nuggets of wisdom and affirmations imbedded in them. I’m always curious to hear how creatives are unpacking the nebulousness of the phrase “creative process.” Above are some interviews that I loved!

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I’m sure there are other creatively inspiring things I can add to this Steeped list, but I hope you enjoyed scrolling through this and clicking into new worlds. Let me know if anything made you feel something!
— S.A.

💫 Catch Up:  

01.04.24 | …Life is happening around you, but not to you

STEEPED BY SAMIA #26: Will 2024 be my year of ‘Yes’?! Who knows, but that’d be cool.

💌 About This Blog:

Steeped by Samia is a space where I can simmer on thoughts & curiosities about life, liminal spaces, digital culture, & more. Far too often, my writing ideas fizzle out in energy; I never get to see them to their full potential. While building my rhythm with writing, I want to share these stories with you. 

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