Quick Fix: Slow Down (and Try This Art Exercise)

How To! with Mike Pesca

In this bonus episode for Slate Plus members, two How To! producers follow Oliver Burkeman's advice and head to the art museum to stare at some art. The challenge originates from Harvard professor Jennifer L. Roberts, who assigned her students a task in deep observation… and patience.

Leland Bell, "Temma in Orange Dress"

Wendell Castle, "Walking Cabinet"

Tony Oursler, "MMPI (Self-Portrait in Yellow)"

Stuart Davis, "The Outside"

New York Times, Test Your Focus: Can You Spend 10 Minutes With One Painting?

If you liked this episode check out: How To Draw Outside the Lines

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The show is produced by Rosemary Belson, with Kevin Bendis. Our technical director is Merritt Jacob and our supervising producer is Joel Meyer.

This episode is for Slate Plus members. Join now to unlock it—plus other exclusive How To! bonus episodes and ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe from the How To! show page on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Or, visit slate.com/howtoplus for access wherever you listen.

2025-07-08 27 min

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