Don't Create Alone

Being a creative can be a lonely path.

There’s no one keeping you showing up to create but yourself.

Wouldn’t you like to be able to consistently show up to create your art? (Instead of flirting with it)

That’s why I created the Daily Creative Habit community.

The Daily Creative Habit is a private Facebook group where Artists, Makers, and Creatives interested in creating more consistently, and growing in their creative practice gather and share.

I’ve learned a lot after returning to my art after a 10 year hiatus, via embarking on a 365 day daily art making journey that has lasted 8+ years and is still going. (Never missed a day!) When you show up daily, over time you come to discover your voice, style, passion, and unlock key principles for your creative journey.

The goal here is equipping you with ideas, methods and community that help you establish a daily creative habit, so you can gain traction in your creative projects. It’s important for others to celebrate your success, to help others, and to ask questions in the group setting so everyone can gain some clarification and validation.

This community consists of visual artists, writers, performers, makers, hobbyists and professionals, and anyone “creating.” This space was created as a safe place to share thoughts, exchange and explore ideas, and get some encouragement when ya wanna share something exciting in your creative journey. Comment, share your wins, ask questions, learn, and take action! By sharing what’s working for you in your creative practice, you will undoubtedly inspire a fellow creative to take action in their lives.

Simply visit www.DailyCreativeHabit.com where you’ll be forwarded to the Facebook group page. Just answer the 3 questions, and request to join.

I hope to see you there!

3 of My Current Favorite Creative Podcasts – Have You Listened to Any of These?

Everyone needs companions for the journey. But when you are starting a new business or venture (“solopreneur”) it can be pretty lonely.

That’s why I’ve found it so valuable to constantly surround myself with voices that can speak into my journey. We need to hear how others have or are dealing with a lot of the same issues we find ourselves faced with. We need the encouragement that comes with truly being understood, and the inspiration of those who have gone ahead of us.

Hearing these voices can be crucial, especially on days where we feel like giving up (We all have those days!).

In light of that, here are some of my recent favorite podcasts – so whether you’re looking for a fresh source of inspiration, education, or just plain entertainment, consider checking these out. There are tons of great podcasts out there, but these have been really meaningful to me:

Podcast 1: CREATIVE PEP TALK

Andy J Pizza

Episode number #234 9 MARKETING TACTICS TO GAIN THE TRUE FANS YOU NEED TO THRIVE NOW

Andy J Pizza is a super creative with a style all his own. He’s been in the trenches as an illustrator and creative for years. And you can glean some wisdom and insights on his podcast the Creative Pep Talk.

If you make super great creative work, the word will spread. The problem is this: will it spread as fast as you need it to, to keep the lights on? Will you run out of steam before your time has come? The solution is good marketing. In this episode I want to share the 9 pieces of advice I'd give any artist whose work isn't catching on at the rate they want it to.

If you’d like to listen here’s the link.

Podcast 2: DON'T KEEP YOUR DAY JOB

Cathy Heller

Episode #47, Season 3 - How to Overcome Impostor Syndrome

How do you build confidence to take action when you constantly feel like a fraud? Cathy shares how she's dealt with that pesky impostor syndrome, how you can feed yourself with reminders of self worth, and how to replace the unattainable goal of providing "expertise" and "perfection" with empathy and authenticity - so you can start serving the world by being your true self. If you’d like to give a listen, here’s the link.

Podcast 3: The Brand You Podcast

Mike Kim

Episode #173: How I Deal With Rejection, Every Single Day

Ah, rejection. It's inevitable that we'll face it, yet we'll do anything possible to avoid it In this episode, Mike shares a little bit about how he deals with rejection. See, we often take failure as a personal rejection. It's not. If people don't know the real you, it's not possible for them to reject the real you.

Whether you're looking to start a side­-hustle, grow your own business, or just enter into a new phase of your relationships or career -- rejection is something you can not only deal with, but overcome.

Give a listen to the episode- here’s the link.

What are some of your favorite podcasts? I’d love to hear them — especially ones you’ve been creatively challenged by. Leave a comment below!

This one goes out to @pomin8r otherwise known as the lovely Mantis from #gotgvol2

This one goes out to @pomin8r otherwise known as the lovely Mantis from #gotgvol2 - great job 👏🏻 props to @renatocampora too #pomantis #fanart #pomklementieff #marvel #art #artist #actress #hollywood #digitalpainting #digitalart #njartist #mikebone #mikebrennanart #myart #illustrator #illustration #illustrationoftheday #dailydrawing #artwork #creative #guardiansofthegalaxy

The fabulous @karisrenee #style #art #fashion #hat #creative #artist #digitalart #portrait #braids #digitalpainting #aintgottimeforthat

My Secrets to Creating Mixed Media Art

Have you ever wished you could peek over an artists shoulder to watch them work? Ever wondered about the process or tools & supplies used? Or wished for a peek into an artist's working studio space? Lean in closer for some secrets!

Well, I recently had the opportunity to participate in a Facebook Live broadcast where I did just that, as well as completed a live demonstration finishing a mixed media pet portrait. 

See how it went from this...

...to this! Watch the video below!

And although it will live on in the archives over at the Vango Art Facebook page, I thought it would be great to share with all of you who frequent my blog.

While you might not have the benefit of watching it live, you can still ask me any questions you might have. Just leave your questions in the comment section below!

Like the final piece? It's called "Van Gogh's Dog" and is a mixed media piece on 11 x 9 paper. It's available for purchase.

Creating Art Out of Fear: My Featured Art on AMC's Talking Dead

Nick Clark / Frank Dillane  - Interested in purchasing an art print? Visit my shop.

Back in September of 2015, I had the thought of creating some fan art for the new Fear The Walking Dead show on AMC. I had previously created some Walking Dead Fan Art, so I had a few ideas. 

I created the illustration digitally using a combination of an iPad app called Sketchclub and Adobe Photoshop on my Macbook Pro.  The show was relatively new, and it seemed to have a slow start, as far as a fan base. So my illustration sat in the background as I continued to create more art.

Months later, I saw Chris Hardwick announce that the show was looking for fan art to feature on the show. I copied down the email, ready to shoot off an inquiry, but then I heard that voice. No, not the voice of Chris Hardwick, or even a Walker, but the voice that rises up and says "Really? What makes your art so special that you think they would choose it? Or worse, what Frank Dillane sees it and hates it? Stop your dreaming. Protect yourself and don't even bother. You know what the odds are?..." and on and on it went, until I told it to shut up. Fearing the Walking Dead is one thing. Fearing failure? You won't know unless you try.

So I took a shot and emailed them. They sent back a legal form to fill out and I return it with my art. And then I waited. And waited. The first part of season 2 of Fear The Walking Dead came & went along with it's corresponding Talking Dead. Nothing.

"Oh well", I thought. "I guess they have a lot of submissions". And, honestly, I kind of forgot about it. I just kept moving forward with other projects.

Then the midseason premiere aired and the entire episode was all about Nick Clark. Following Fear The Walking Dead, I started watching Talking Dead as usual, but....

then this happened... 

Now understand, I created this art from a place of authenticity. I'm a fan. I was not creating this art in an attempt to get my art on TV. Did I take steps to send it out there? Yes, absolutely. It's the formula I have been working every day - create and release. Each day, I forget about yesterday and create more art TODAY. I don't put all my eggs in one basket. That's where I think a lot of artists get stuck. They spend so much time, effort and energy on one piece, that either finishing it becomes paralyzing, or the thought of sending it out into the world just seems unbearable, because the fear of what people might think or say. But I'm of the opinion that people need to see your art. When you don't share it, you can miss out on the opportunity for your art to impact another person, even if it's just a fellow fan of a TV show.

Send your art out into the world and see where it lands. You'll never know unless you take action. 

What has been preventing you from taking action today? Leave the FEAR to the Walking Dead!

Create and Release

Create and release.

It sounds simple enough right? 

Just put your head down, work hard, release your art. Don't care about what people think. Don't listen to that internal critical voice. Don't care results. Don't care about sales, opportunity, being understood as an artist or having your art valued. 

Oh.

Yeah, it's not so simple. But the alternative might be worse. Trying to manipulate outcomes or predict events can lead to a high level of frustration. It can cause you to quit too early. It can make us feel like we're not in control. And the hard truth is, we're not. 

So what do we do? 

Create for today, serve people with your art. And for me, it involves my faith, trusting God is bigger than it all. Trust that when I'm creating art from an authentic place, it will find it's way to those who need it most. Trust that if nothing monetarily comes from a certain piece of art, perhaps it yields an invisible dividend of being an encouragement or help to someone who really needs it.

If we learn to create and release, we just might learn to create from a place of freedom. I suspect it takes practice. So, here's to practicing something that's worth it.

“I practice martial arts not to win over other people but to win over my own heart. ”

— Tony Jaa

If opportunity hasn't knocked, start going door to door.

What do you do if you feel like you're doing everything you possibly can to advance in your art and yet there seems a lack of opportunity? You try and try and yet it's like there's no traction. Where is that "lucky break"?

You have two choices:

1. Complain about the lack of opportunity and become jealous of those around you who seem to be succeeding with such ease. I could so do what they're doing, you think. But you're not. To be honest, you're barely doing what YOU are doing. It's not luck. It's hard work on what is before you right now, no matter how small or big.

2. Make opportunities. Yeah I know. I hear the push back. The truth is though, if you are HUNGRY enough you can take advantage of opportunities all around you. They just aren't those sexy opportunities that thrust you into the public eye with accolades and acclaim. And let's be honest. If we're going to bust our butt, we want it to count for something BIG right?

What I have found is that you might have to redefine your idea of what great opportunities look like.

If opportunity hasn't knocked, start going door to door.

Are you doing work you love? (If not - then get to it. Stop waiting for someone to ask or invite you to do it).

Ok. I'll use myself as an example. Would I like to have my art valued, hung in galleries and sold for a lot of dough, and soak in all that goes along with being a "successful" professional artist? Sure. But I'm not waiting for someone to come knocking. I keep taking the right next step. TODAY (That's my mantra, as you know well if you frequent my blog).

Practically here's what that looks like:

- I committed to a drawing or painting a day for an entire year. April 4th will be an entire year. I have held to that. And even done more some days. Did I do this because some one asked me to? No. I did it to kick to the curb the lie I believed for too long that I because I couldn't draw in a photo realistic style my art was no good. This experience is more valuable than your could possibly imagine.

- I have taken advantage of FREE (and cheap) opportunities. Visit the Sketch book project. Sign up to not only do a sketchbook but every so often they have other projects to join in on. Most recently it was The "Dreadful" Project and it was free to enter. Sign up for a class at a local art center. Take a class from Craftsy.com

- A fellow artist i follow on Instagram decided to do a #100dayproject and asked who might want to join in. (see my previous post) So for the past 21 days I've posted an iPhone sketch of someone else's photo in my Instagram feed. This has been great because I get to keep myself sketching and benefit from brightening up someone's day when I tag them in my post. They often are flattered & think it's way cool. And I even won a t-shirt from one post :)

- A few weeks ago I joined up with the NYC Urban Sketchers group. These are people who just love to draw. They meet up every Saturday in NYC and sketch in various places. Urban Sketchers have groups meeting world-wide. And it's F-R-double-E except when there's an admission to a place they are sketching (like the Central Park Zoo, which was $12 admission).

- Make things for other people. Give your art away. Give some to friends and family. Surprise someone with a handwritten letter and draw on the envelope. You'd be surprised how this could make someone's day. I did a watercolor painting of my daughter as a surprise for her 11th birthday. Your art is a gift, and while you need to make money if this is a career, there are also times when you need to gift it.

- Use social media to share your art. Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Google Plus, Pinterest - you never know who might be exposed to your art, like it or even share it. It's todays networking. And if you're an introvert, this is great news as you don't have to have the personality of a mayor to connect.

- Look for local venues to display your work. In april, I will have one piece in a show at a local library. In August, I'll have my first solo show at another library. While it's not a SOHO gallery in NYC, it's getting your work out there that counts!

I don't say all this to brag. On the contrary, I say it to show that everyone has opportunity. Sometimes you just have to get creative, or change your perspective. And before you tell me it's easy for me because I'm a "creative professional" - all that I mentioned above has nothing to do with my full-time graphic design job. This is extra.

So, still think there's no opportunity? Get to creating...

Art Heist: What I stole from the MoMA

Recently, I had the opportunity to visit the Museum of Modern Art in NYC . I try to go at least twice a year, as it helps refuel me creatively. On this occasion, I was very excited to see the Rene Magritte exhibit. And It did not disappoint. I also found a nice surprise in an exhibit containing some works from Edward Hopper.

But I walked away with more than having just seen some great Art. As I meanedred around the museum drinking everything in, two overarching themes came to mind that I was intent on stealing:

1. Create Powerful Images.

Love him or hate him, Rene Magritte created arresting images that caused you to stop and engage. He played with your expectations and delivered something unique.

2. Tell compelling stories.

Edward Hopper's painting and Etchings are like a snapshot of time. Cinematic in nature, they seem to be telling a larger story that they are inviting you into. Often it leaves you with more questions than answers.

What great insights have you stolen lately?

Empire of Light, Rene Magritte

Principio do Prazer (The Pleasure Principle), Rene Magritte

Not to be reproduced, Rene Magritte

 Night Shadows, Edward Hopper 

New York Movie, Edward Hopper 

Night Windows, Edward Hopper