I'm celebrating a decade of consecutive daily art!

10 YEARS OF DAILY ART!!!

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10 YEARS OF DAILY ART!!! 〰️

I just completed year 10 of my daily creative habit! Here’s what this past year looked like…

Every year on the anniversary, I share what all the years collectively look like too. And since most days I created more than one piece, it’s probably close to 5,000 images.

I started by creating in the margins. Stealing time here and there.

And soon enough momentum came.

Momentum brings habit and habit bring change.

I went from a 10 year art hiatus, to now 10 years of daily art.

Never underestimate small daily deposits.

What do you want to accomplish?

On episode 132 of Creative Chats podcast, I share some insights on what I’ve learned along the way these 10 years! Give a listen:

https://creativechats.libsyn.com/131-what-ive-learned-in-creating-daily-for-10-consecutive-years

Here’s my collage of all 10 years of daily art… (kinda fun to look at!)

The moment it all changed. And it could for you, too.

It's even a sucky photo...

About 5.5 -6 years ago I picked up a pen and a sketchbook after a 10 year hiatus.

This is what I sketched. A Starbucks coffee cup.

I both hate this drawing, and love it. 

I hate it because it's embarrassing. It's a sucky drawing of a coffee cup. But I love this drawing because it signifies a rebirth. A phoenix moment.  The moment I decided to push past my fear, those voices that told me I couldn't draw because I couldn't draw photorealistic renderings. The moment I choose to get back to my art because I needed it, for my soul.

I showed up that day. And the next. And almost 6 years later, I haven't missed a day of creating art. 

This journey taught me about myself. I found my voice and style along the way. I connected my passions with my talents. I stepped into being an ARTIST, not just a graphic designer.

What is holding you back? What do you want to accomplish? It will never happen if you don't show up, and keep showing up.

Will today be YOUR phoenix moment?

Take a bold step, and leave me a comment on what you want to accomplish. That might be your first step, speaking it out loud!

A Funny Thing happens When You Show Up...

Global Citizen's Word on Stage event at the NYU SKIRBALL CENTER.

Recently, I had the opportunity to attend a private Global Citizen's event, World on Stage. It was an evening filled with a who's who of influential people coming together for world change. Former Prime Ministers, executives of big business, musicians, actors, celebrities of all sorts, and even three NASA astronauts (WHAT?!). But I don't want to write a blog post filled with name dropping (ok, just one, Paul Simon showed up and played two songs...) or take away from the very important world issues that were discussed (poverty, clean water, gender equality...). Instead, there's another story I want to tell. How in the world did I find myself at this Global Citizen's private event in the first place? And How was I commissioned to create art centered on social issues, incorporating major headlining acts like Rihanna and Metallica?

The short answer is that I just kept showing up. Every day, doing the work and putting it out there. 

“Eighty percent of success is showing up.”

— Woody Allen

About three years ago, I was contacted by someone via Instagram, inquiring about commissioning me to do some art centered around a NYC central park event, the Global Citizen's festival. As it turned out, that person was Kweku Mandela (filmmaker, activist and yes, Nelson Mandela's grandson). How on earth did he come across my work? If memory serves me correctly, I had some a series of drawings based on some celebrities and influential people. One of those people was Caitlyn Crosby, singer-songwriter, actress, and founder of The Giving Keys. She loved the portrait I did of her so much she shared it on her own Instagram account. And Kweku follows her. Hence, the connection was made.

So, Kweku commissioned me to create some art for the Global Citizen's event in 2014. Then following year, he commissioned me to create some more art of the headlining musicians like Coldplay and Ed Sheeran, to share on social media. 

This year, Kweku contacted me about creating art of the five headlining acts placed in specific locations related to certain social issues. I created not only digital art to share on social media, but also physical matted prints that were handed to each artist following the main event. 

Five custom digital paintings for the headlining acts: Kendrick Lamar, Major Lazer, Rihanna, Demi Lovato, and Metallica. 

So how did I end up at the World on Stage event? Kweku graciously invited me to be his guest. I was finally able to meet him in person after a few years of working through emails and Instagram. I feel so very fortunate to have been connected to him, and to have been invited into the Global Citizen event, where I continued to leverage my art to help bring awareness. And to be a part of something for the greater good. 

I share this not to call attention to me or my work, but to hopefully encourage YOU. Do you have a dream you are pursuing (or want to)? Keep showing up. Keep sharing your work. Keep connecting to people you can serve with your art. Add value to other's lives. Leverage your creativity to benefit others. Don't just engage your talent, but your HEART. If you do, who know's the lives you might touch and the places you might end up. 

Today is a new day, filled with many opportunities to make an impact on the lives of others who are right around you. Maybe it's just to make someone smile, or bring awareness to an important issue. It probably looks different for each of us. But my challenge to you is to SHOW UP. You just might be able to offer just the very thing someone has been waiting for. 

A live sketch i created during Global Citizen's Word on Stage event at the NYU SKIRBALL CENTER, NYC, Thursday, September 22nd 2016.

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!