I don’t know if it was the ghost of Elvis, denied entry in downtown Nashville, or retracing Tom Cruise’s steps but it was certainly memorable.

I’ve been reflecting on a road trip that I took during my college years. I referred to it as my “Triangle Tour”, as I had three major destinations.

I started at my sister’s house in North Carolina, then headed to a friend in Memphis, TN, over to another friend in Augusta, GA, then back to my sister in North Carolina completing my triangle.

I rented a car, and settled in with my music and snacks to embark upon my solo journey. These were days pre-cell phones and GPS maps, so I had a printed trip via AAA with highlighted routes and stops, and my trusty Rand McNally map that I dared not unfold for fear of never getting it folded back up again.

Although I had major destinations in mind, I left room for exploring along the way.

This was the first time I landed in Nashville, and right in the middle of some major music festival that shut the place down. I had no idea where I was, where I was going, nor did I know a soul. What I did have was a crush on Faith Hill, and an eagerness to try to find her and make her fall in love with me (all this from getting her first CD in a bargain bin, because I thought she looked beautiful. She was unknown at this point.) Alas, I never did find her.

Next, I found my way to Mud Island, the Memphis river museum, and the film location of the Tom Cruise movie The Firm (a clue to the time period). I took in the sights, the history, and the experiences.

Then I got locked out of my car by the ghost of Elvis (kidding… maybe) at Graceland. So I took the tour as I waited for a locksmith to come and bail me out.

I went to a huge drive-in theatre in Memphis and saw The Flintstones movie (bad choice), walked the streets of Memphis to see all the sights like Sun studios, and baked in the sun.

In Augusta, GA, I went exploring a local park, had heart-to-heart convos, and went to a college graduation with my host, and the family party that followed.

I wish I had taken a camera with me as all I have are these fading memories, mental snapshots of the trip.

I remember driving all that time by myself, wishing that I had someone to experience it with. Some things feel more real in the presence of others.

I remember being chatty at a gas station because I was looking for someone to connect with (unlike me as a NYer where you don’t talk to strangers).

Fragments of memories. Of a different time. Of a different me.

Yet, part of my journey, both physically and experientially.

Part of the reason why I was thinking about this road trip from long ago is that I’ve been reviewing my creative journey as I approach eleven years of daily creativity.

My creative journey has been like that road trip at times. I had anchor points and a lot of discovery along the way. Points where I got locked out of my car, creatively speaking. Points where the journey was lonely, wishing for some connection. And then thankful when I found some community among friends.

There were points of following my interests that led to new understandings, and then ones that led to dead ends.

It was a journey of self-discovery as much as it was a journey of destinations.

And for creativity, there is no final destination.

My creativity looks different today than it did when I came back to my art following my ten-year absence. I was broken. Suffering. Searching. I needed my creativity for me. To help me heal. To help me make sense of things.

These days, there’s less angst (thank God!), and I know a larger part of my journey is to help be a guide. To keep creating, and these days, it is much more than visual art. My creativity has enlarged.

And while the tools and technology have changed since my early days (much like gps replacing those paper maps) the desire to make something where there was once nothing has only increased.

I know the difference creativity has made in my life. And so this is why I’m on such a mission to help others step into their creativity, personally and professionally.

I really do believe that when YOU create, we all win.

We’re all on our own journeys, our own road trips. Different schedules. Different locations.

Yet, still so much the same.

Here’s to hoping to meet up at a gas station along the way, to fill up in more ways than one.

I’m glad we’re connected, even if it’s just for a season.

And if we go our separate ways, may we have some snapshots that we fondly look upon and recount the stories of days gone by. As we set out to new places. Creating as we go.

3 Life Changing Insights the Tribe Conference Revealed

I had the privilege of attending this years Tribe Conference hosted by Jeff Goins. 

Now, I've been to my fair share of conferences, but this one lives up to it's name, literally. It is more than speakers on a stage turning on a firehose of information. It's a community, a real "tribe". 

The whole conference is an environment of encouragement, that I believe that stems directly from Jeff. He hasn't set up a conference to sell you more courses and books (although they are made available if you desire them). It's designed to be a real help for the attendees to take their next step in their journey as an author (or artist). 

Besides the incredible opportunity I had to live sketch this event as it unfolded (for more information about my event sketching service click here) I had 3 big take aways:

1. Embrace struggle.

Jeff posed a question to the audience in the beginning of an interview with Natalie Brenner (who just released her first incredible book). He asked "Why doesn't your definition of success include struggle?" I have to be honest, that stopped me in my tracks. So often I feel the struggle of my own journey so deeply. I long for those places of breakthrough (and relief). It never occurred to me that my successes were not being held back by struggle, but perhaps struggle was the vehicle to help me get there.

2. Make your mess your message.

Ishita Gupta shared this from the stage in her talk. And it resinated immediately. I am messy. I finally embraced this in my artistic style years ago. Now, I'm challenged to embrace it in how I live out my life before others. In a world of curated Instagram feeds, it's tough to reveal your mess. But that just might be the very thing someone needs from you. The thing that makes you more approachable and human. 

3. Tell more stories. 

Through my sketching and interactions with the speakers and fellow attendees, I realized I need to tell even more stories with my art. I need to make more art where I invite others in, so my art isn't just about me, but it becomes a place for community and connection. This rings true to my core and my "why". I'm looking forward to how that expression will take shape in new art I create. 

What about you? Are you chewing on any insights lately that are altering the course of your work and life? Id love to hear them! 

Live Sketch during Jeff's interview of Natalie Brenner.

Making messy art while listening to Ishita's message.