Getting Schooled by Kool and The Gang

You're at a wedding. Or family party. Suddenly that sound starts. Everyone on the dance floor. Now. Because Kool and the Gang knows how to celebrate.

The other day I was talking with a fellow artist friend saying how hard it is to remember to celebrate. I paused for a moment wondering why that is. 

You see, when you live constantly in the tension of what you want to see realized and where you actually are, it creates intense drive (or depression, but that's another post for another day). And that drive and hunger, while good at propelling you forward, is terrible for remembering to stop and celebrate. Because the hungry voice says, "Who has time to celebrate? Look at how much more has to be done."

The problem is that if we don't stop and celebrate, we'll feel a constant sense of never measuring up. We forget that there are great things that have and are happening today. Because we let the demands of tomorrow overshadow them. 

Call it a strive for excellence. Call it hunger to achieve. Call it what you want, but unless we balance it with celebration, we can collapse under the weight and pressure. 

Celebrating causes you to be thankful. Grateful. Joyful. And it can help you remember why you're doing what you're in the first place. 

Write a list of the things that are going right. Tell a friend about breakthroughs you've had this week (no matter how small they may seem). Reread that encouraging email or Facebook comment about your work. 

Are you starting to feel it?

Yahoo! This is your celebration!

Celebrate good times! Come on! 

Well, Kool and the Gang are calling me to the dance floor. It's time to celebrate!

Felicia Day Kicked My Ass

If you’ve been following any of my adventures as of late, you’ll know there’s been some mention of Felicia. I know, you're like, “Dude, I know already… you gave her a painting you did of her… You’ve had some connection and contact online (that sound’s creepy now that I write it)… blah, blah, blah... what is she you new best friend?” (No. actually she hasn’t returned my calls yet. ...Yet. …Ok then, back to creepy).

So I’ve been reading Felicia’s new book “You’re Never Weird on the Internet (almost)” (which is on the NY Times bestseller list, so congrats Felicia)… Anyway, then it happened. Right there on the bottom of page 137. Felicia Day kicked my ass. (“Butt” doesn’t do it justice). Speaking about a time of depression and struggling to write creatively, she states: “…I was a fraud, Who was I to pick up a pen and expect anything good to come out of it? I expected perfection as soon as the pencil hit the paper…”

There it was. Her words just hung there. Stinging. “I EXPECTED PERFECTION AS SOON AS…”

I’m no stranger to battling Perfection. I’ve tangoed a few times in my life (all in the name of "pursuing excellence” of course) and every time got my toes stepped on. 

In the past, I told myself that I couldn’t really draw or paint because I wasn’t any good at photo realism. So I stopped. I didn’t draw or paint for 10-15 years. Until about 3 years ago. When I uncovered that lie and kicked it to the curb. Perfection wasn’t going to rob me of my art any more. And as a result I embraced my “mess”, which led to my loose, organic style.  I've created over one thousand works over the last few years with my daily paintings and drawing. Art that would never have seen the light of day had i continued to believe the lie.

So I thought I was done. But as I read Felicia’s words, I realized Perfection shifted focus from my art creating to my art sharing. Call it marketing, PR, sharing… it’s what follows the act of creation. The desire to get my art out there for people to see, engage with, hopefully be moved by (and even purchase).

So I do what I’m supposed to do - I post to Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, a blog post, an email newsletter.... the list goes on. Perfection say "send it out there and just watch." And then… crickets. Perfection then jumps on the other side of the table and says “Who are you to think anyone really cares about your art. No one want to buy it. No ones even noticed it.” So discouragement settles in. And truthfully, it’s all so tiring.

I EXPECT PERFECTION AS SOON AS I… post about that new painting for sale. People will be clamoring to buy it. But they don’t. 

I EXPECT PERFECTION AS SOON AS I… post that new image. Just watch the likes and follows and reposts and… it floats by in everyones feed until it quietly disappears. 

This might feel a bit "Dear Diary" but if I can be honest and authentic for a moment here (I think it's popular to say it's ok, but really it makes some people uncomfortable, so they fuel the image that you have to have it all together, in public at least... but that's another blog post, for another day), somewhere I let Perfection tell me the lie that if “success” was to come, it was going to come instantly. And if it doesn't, it’s FAILURE. But there are no overnight successes. They’re only overnight to us because we haven’t known about the hard work they’ve been putting in for years in obscurity. 

No, I cannot expect perfection. And if you relate, you shouldn’t either. We need to allow ourselves some GRACE. Some Room. Some Time. As we continue to work hard at our craft.

It makes me have to face another uncomfortable question: What if no one ever notices me or my art? Is the only reward of “success” recognition, sales, shares, and fame? What if i’m destined to create my art in quite, no one watching. No crowds. No money. No applause? Would I still create? Thankfully I know my answer is YES. because to not create would cause a part of me to die. I HAVE to create. It’s part of who I am. But all the other trappings are not guaranteed. 

So while I may have to go apply some BenGay to my hind-quarters, Felicia, I want to thank you. Thank you for being transparent and vulnerable with your story. I needed it. And in turn, I hope that someone benefits form my transparency and vulnerability. Let’s keep kicking ass.

My 100 Day Project Completed

This image represents the last 100 days of my life. 100 Days of sketching photos from my Instagram feed using only my iPhone and a stylus as part of the 100 Day Project with Elle Luna and The Great Discontent.

What a journey. I would choose a photo, sketch it (using an app called Sketchclub), upload and tag the original Instagram user who posted the photo. 

Friends. Social Media buddies. New friends. Organizations. Other artists. And celebrities. 

Fun moments happened. Like when Emily Kinney (from the Walking Dead) repost my art. Or my portrait of fellow artist Jon Burgerman shared my sketch in the official 100 Day Project email sent out to the thousands of participants. Or people I don't know expressed gratitude and said they were honored to be sketched. Or friends who I made smile because I captured them in sketch format.

I may take some of these sketches and use them for some other projects. As a matter of fact I already started to turn a few into actual physical paintings.

And perhaps I'll continue to do smaller 30 day sketch projects. What do you think? What themes should I explore? This time I reached to include surfing, yoga and some underwater sea life. Leave a comment if there's a subject matter you'd like to see me tackle.

So farewell for now. Until next time 100 Day Project!

Time-lapse Drawing of Concert

Here's a quick pen, watercolor and pencil sketch of a concert photo. Enjoy! 

Sketchclub video: Drawing my Daughter

This time around, I'm going to show you my process in an app for the iPad called Sketchclub. One of the great features of Sketchclub is the ability to add layers and gives you a host of options for brushes and pens. I combine some of my analog drawing techniques with some of my photoshop design background. The result is a very fluid, organic process and feel that takes advantage of the tech side as well. Hope you enjoy this recording straight from Sketchclub itself. https://youtu.be/xIYaRU_VUFM

Sketch process: an old woman

Here's a quick video of me sketching of an old woman. Enjoy! 

A Quick Sketch

A quick time lapse video of me sketching in my Moleskine watercolor sketch book. 

365 Days of Art: Year Two

I have completed another year with at least one or two drawings / paintings a day! Most days I created at least two works. A years worth of art. Not 365 pieces, but 608 pieces!

Year one I created close to 380 pieces bringing my total work to almost 1,000 pieces over the past two years!  On to year three...

Are you for Hire?

Let's face it, we all have our fair share of work that is uncreative. Pushing pixels. Work that doesn't tap into our full potential. Work that's dictated by someone else. And honestly it can leave us feeling rather flat (and frustrated).

If I had one pearl of wisdom to share with the next generation of artists (or maybe some in this generation too), it would be to hire yourself. Yes, take yourself on as a pro bono client. Every day.

Now before you start slinging the excuses (trust me i've used them all), understand that you NEED to do work that maters to you. Work that pleases you. That's where the good stuff comes from. Your voice. Your style.

You might not be in a place where you can only do this, but that's not the point. The point here is to take steps to create work that matters by hiring yourself, then keep rehiring. Become your own best client.

Wish you could do a certain type of work that you're currently not hired to do? No problem. Hire yourself. Your portfolio of work doesn't display your true abilities or interests? Hire yourself.

If you need to, set up a contract. Spell out hours & expectations. Are you someone who feels like they need permission? Then hear me - YOU HAVE PERMISSION! You know yourself and how you operate and what you need to do to get around the internal nay-saying. Do what you need to. Trust me. Something in your soul will come alive again. And when your soul is alive, it affects all of what you do and how you do it.

So what are you waiting for? Go HIRE YOURSELF!

Stand on a Ledge

Previously, I posted about my first two of "3 rules of creating" - #1 Show Up and Work, #2 Dare to be Stupid, And now for my 3rd and final rule...

#3 Stand on a Ledge

Last year, while on a missions trip to Nicaragua, I faced a fear of mine. Everyone wanted to go zip-lining. I'm really afraid of heights. But instead of letting my fear dictate what set of memories this trip would hold, I decided to push past and literally stand on the ledge. The experience was terrifying (height + speed + uncertain safety regulations in a foreign country = gulp). I don't remember the last time my body was that physically wracked with terror. But on this side of it, I can say I did it. And I have a few photos even. I will NEVER forget the experience. And it's highly unlikely that I will repeat this. But I faced my fear.

zipline

As artists, we all have those looming fears too. The ones that stop us, divert us, cause us to choose another route, or just plain procrastinate or give up. That's why I've listed standing on a ledge as my number three rule. It's only on the edge looking over to what may seem like certain death do we gain a new perspective, even if it's an uncomfortable one. And some of our most interesting art can come from uncomfortable places. Because it's real. And relatable. Or it's in pushing into those places where we cross a barrier that's been holding us back. We take new ground. And in the process prove to ourselves we can actually do it.

"Each of us must confront our own fears, must come face to face with them. How we handle our fears will determine where we go with the rest of our lives. To experience adventure or to be limited by the fear of it." ~ Judy Blume

I've got a few things even right now that I need to crawl out on the ledge with. I feel the paralyzing presence of fear. Want to know one of them? I am doing a 4 foot by 4 foot live painting during my church's worship service. It was one of those things that when i was asked I immediately had several excuses: My comfort zone in painting is 11 x 14 inches usually. I've never painted like that in public. What if it looks crappy when I'm done and I have 200 plus people stating at me & my art scratching their heads. But that's why I knew this was a "ledge" moment. So I said yes. And then I'd just figure it out as I go. (I'll let you know how it goes..)

What's that thing you need to bring out on the ledge? If you keep it in it's safe confines, the only certainty is more of the same of what you've already experienced. Go on. Crawl out there. And watch that first step. It may be a doozy, but it's also the first step into something larger.

Dare To Be Stupid

(Image available here for purchase)

Last time, I introduced you to one of my "3 Rules for Creating" - Show Up and Work!

Today, let me introduce you to my next rule...

#2 Dare To Be Stupid

Yes my friends, Weird Al Yankovic had it correct back in 1985 when he released a song by this very title. He's been doing stupid for a really long time. With no signs of slowing down. As a matter of fact he's in the height of his career with having nabbed the number one slot for a comedy album on the Billboard charts. Now before you click some other link to leave this page, hear me out...

This rule is about loosing you inhibitions. Every time you sit down to create something, you start hearing "those" voices. You know the ones.

"You can't do it that way. You'll look foolish".

"What on Earth are you thinking? No one is going to {buy, read, watch} that. You'll just prove to others that you really aren't that good and don't have a clue what you are doing."

By adopting Rule number 3, you kick those voices in the teeth and actually do something "stupid" just to spite them. It's not just for stupidity's sake. But it's in doing something stupid that we experience the sense of PLAY. And that my friends, is where the good stuff is.

Last week, I decided to try something stupid. Instead of using a paintbrush, I used a stick. Yes, from my backyard. And I made a video Instagram post of me using it. Stupid. But you know what? It was also freeing and playful. And I really like the results. Results, I might add, that I would never had come upon if I had not dared to be stupid.

What stupidity should you be chasing? Odds are you know. It's that thing that the "voice of reason" is trying to stifle right now.

What are you waiting for? Go for it. You never know what breakthrough might be just beyond stupid. Take Al's advice. Watch his video if you like, then muster up all the stupid you can find and have FUN!

...Get your mojo working now I'll show you how You can dare to be stupid...

...Come on and dare to be stupid It's so easy to do Dare to be stupid We're all waiting for you Let's go...

...You can be a coffee achiever You can sit around the house and watch Leave It To Beaver The future's up to you So what you gonna do...

Dare to be stupid

~ Weird Al Yankovic, "Dare To Be Stupid"

http://youtu.be/SMhwddNQSWQ

If the 80's style is a bit much for your sensibilities, try this one on for size.

Show Up And Work

Over the next week, I'll be sharing "3 Rules for Creating". Rules? Yeah, maybe they are more like guidelines (because rules are meant to be broken right?).

Only 3? Honestly, there's probably more, but let's face it – that's the number that made you land here to read this. That's what we all want - "3 easy steps to..."

And while I'm not "selling" you anything here, I hope these thoughts challenge you where ever you find yourself on this journey. So on to #1...

#1 Show Up And Work

I know. Sounds basic, but you might be surprised how many people, when it gets down to it, really just don't want to work at "it". They want to get paid (well, I might add), get fame and recognition, but all while traveling the path of least resistance.

While I'm all for working smart, there is no substitute or shortcut for putting in the work. That's where the magic happens though. As an artist, that's where you explore, find your voice & style, and grow. Why would you want to short change that process?

I have been told repeatedly that I am so lucky to be able to paint so well. Funniest thing, the more I paint, the luckier I get. ~ Anonymous

If you are going to be an artist who has something to say, and the ability to say it in a skilled way - plain and simple – SHOW UP & WORK! 

It's the ol' one-two-punch. One: SHOW UP. Schedule it. Get out of bed. Go to that specific place. Two: WORK. Sweat. Then sweat some more.

Rinse. Repeat.

No on with it! Dive into your craft!

Fertile Ground

I'm please to announce that one of my pieces will be part of the Artist 2 Artist Network show "Fertile Ground" at the Printmaking Center of New Jersey. If you're local come join us for the show's opening on Saturday, January 17th from 1-4 PM, 440 River Rd, Branchburg, NJ 08876 As a bonus you can view some collaborative pieces that were worked on by several artists including myself. The show runs from January 17 - March 7, 2015.

Let There Be Light

When I was a kid one of my prized possessions was a Disney light desk from the 1970's. Although it came with pose sheets of different Disney characters I loved to trace over Sunday Comic Strips (remember those?), my marvel Comic Books (yes ruining any value because of indents from tracing) and anything else I could get my hands on (advertisements, junk mail, etc). Mostly I traced Hagar the Horrible, Bloom County (Opus was my favorite), and anything Star Wars related. The act of tracing taught me how to draw lines and form. It was glorious. Unfortunately, I have no idea what happened to that light desk. I suppose it was a victim of growing up.

Enter my second light table. Nothing flashy. As a matter of fact, you had to try to lay things over the hot spot the bulb inside produced. It served me well, but I didn't use it nearly as much as the original of my youth. Truth be told, I have two of these still. I let me kids use them.

And now? I recently upgraded to a fabulous Autograph 12 x 17 LED Light Pad - bright consistent light (The first time I turned it on I felt like I was staring at the sun). I've combined that with my new art table to give me the dream work station. The light pad sits under the glass table top held in place. Always ready at the flick of a switch.

What do I do with it?

Here's an example: I take some digital line drawings I have created on the iPad and print them out. I then take the print out and place it on the Light-pad and trace over on top of whatever painted background I have previously created. Pretty simple, yet very effective.

So now you know. And knowing is half the battle. Now where have I heard that before?

30 Paintings in 30 Days Complete Project

Here's a look at the 30 days all together in one collage. Enjoy!

30 in 30: Day 30

Day 30 of my 30 paintings in 30 days challenge. I'm using sketches i created from Instagram photos on my iPhone I did as part of a 100 day project and turing 30 of them into paintings. User: @popesaintvictor

Original Instagram photo:

100 Day iPhone Sketch:

30 in 30 day painting:

Acrylic & Ink. 8 x 8 on 140 lb. watercolor paper.

30 in 30: Day 29

Day 29 of my 30 paintings in 30 days challenge. I'm using sketches i created from Instagram photos on my iPhone I did as part of a 100 day project and turing 30 of them into paintings. User: @bammerjoy

Original Instagram photo:

100 Day iPhone Sketch:

30 in 30 day painting:

Acrylic & Ink. 8 x 8 on 140 lb. watercolor paper.

30 in 30: Day 28

Day 28 of my 30 paintings in 30 days challenge. I'm using sketches i created from Instagram photos on my iPhone I did as part of a 100 day project and turing 30 of them into paintings. User: @kwick

Original Instagram photo:

100 Day iPhone Sketch:

30 in 30 day painting:

Acrylic & Ink. 8 x 8 on 140 lb. watercolor paper.

30 in 30: Day 27

Day 27 of my 30 paintings in 30 days challenge. I'm using sketches i created from Instagram photos on my iPhone I did as part of a 100 day project and turing 30 of them into paintings. User: @_cherishthemoment

Original Instagram photo:

100 Day iPhone Sketch:

30 in 30 day painting:

Acrylic & Ink. 8 x 8 on 140 lb. watercolor paper.

30 in 30: Day 26

Day 26 of my 30 paintings in 30 days challenge. I'm using sketches i created from Instagram photos on my iPhone I did as part of a 100 day project and turing 30 of them into paintings. User: @mediapeople

Original Instagram photo:

100 Day iPhone Sketch:

30 in 30 day painting:

Acrylic & Ink. 8 x 8 on 140 lb. watercolor paper.