The moment it all changed. And it could for you, too.
About 5.5 -6 years ago I picked up a pen and a sketchbook after a 10 year hiatus.
This is what I sketched...
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!
Inside Look: Uniform Pets Doctor Labrador Retriever
For this post I’m sharing about the inspiration behind the Doctor Labrador Retriever.
I've thankfully had a pretty uneventful medical history so far. I've never stayed in a hospital overnight, never had to have major surgery, but i've been around loved ones who have. Because of my lack if interaction with doctors and medical staff aside from the routine check ups and hospital visits, I tend to get an uneasy feeling around them. And I get the heebie-jeebies as soon as I small rubbing alcohol.
A quick catch up if you’re just joining in: for the next several posts, I’m going to be giving you an inside look into my new series “Uniform Pets”. I’ll be sharing the insights and inspiration behind each piece. You can see my previous post for my inspiration on the Police German Shepherd, the Girl Scout - Chihuahua, and Firefighter Aussie Shepherd.
The series as a whole came about as I was thinking about how we identify and categorize, specifically, dress code pertaining to jobs/organizations, as well as breeds of pets. We know a police officer in a crowd of people because we’ve identified their uniform.
Most of the time, we don’t think about these connections. They are part of the operating system that runs below the surface. In this series, I hope to make viewers stop and think more about these connections and assumptions.
For this post I’m sharing about the inspiration behind the Doctor Labrador Retriever.
I've thankfully had a pretty uneventful medical history so far. I've never stayed in a hospital overnight, never had to have major surgery, but i've been around loved ones who have. Because of my lack if interaction with doctors and medical staff aside from the routine check ups and hospital visits, I tend to get an uneasy feeling around them. And I get the heebie-jeebies as soon as I small rubbing alcohol.
Somewhere in my mind I always associated Doctors with problems. As in, if you have an health related issue, you need to go see a doctor. It was never preventative really, only reactionary. So I guess it made sense that my uneasiness surfaced. Couple that with the typical doctor jargon and often poor bedside manner, rising health care costs, and that's been a recipe for avoidance.
I suppose that's why I chose to pair this profession with the Labrador Retriever breed. A Lab (besides the punny connection of "lab" and a doctor's office) is my way of tearing down the insecurities and fear surrounding this profession a bit. Because a Lab is a family friendly, loyal, faithful and lovable companion. (When was the last time you used those words to describe your doctor?) The doctors that I have had who I did seem drawn to have been those who would tell it to you straight but were approachable and human. A Lab seems to fit the bill of a Patch Adams type. And I'm more than fine with that! Now take two of these and call me in the morning.
This piece was digitally painted using my iPad Pro, and app called Procreate and Photoshop on my Macbook Pro.
It's available in 3 options:
Do you know someone who would love this? Share it with them. Or better yet, why not get one as a gift to show your appreciation!
Did you ever have a Dream?
“Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future. ”
When I was a kid, all I ever wanted to do was draw, make cards and watch cartoons. I could get lost for hours in the act of creating. Growing up has a way of striping out one of the childhood joys, although I did manage to hang onto small parts of what was inside me in those early days. Even when it came time for college, I knew I had to go to art school, or I wasn’t going at all. It’s debatable as to whether or not I should have majored in graphic design. Some of that decision was guided in response to what kind of art doesn’t leave you as a “starving artist”.
Several design jobs and a career change into ministry, there came an inevitable ache that surfaced and wouldn’t go away. You know what i’m talking about? The kind that gnaws at you over time, always just beneath the surface. No amount of job or career change resolves it. It’s deeper than that. It’s hinged on purpose. This goes way beyond working just so you can pay rent, have a car, provide for a family. Beyond working to pay bills and for possessions and vacations. I think most people may not hate their job, but they’re not loving it either.
What I’m talking about is the stuff of dreams. That place where your very being comes alive, and intersects with your talents. That place where you are fully alive.
I’ve been on the journey towards that place for a long time. There were pit stops and false destinations along the way. But it kept calling.
What’s my dream? To create art that engages people; that connects with their hearts and moves them. Art that is helpful. I want to give myself to this pursuit fully, while being able to “make a living” from it. It’s a dream that is filled with creating in multiple formats utilizing all my talents and abilities. And the more I press into this, the clearer it becomes.
Do you know what I’m talking about? Having a dream and passion so consuming that you don’t have a choice but to lean into it?
Most of us turn back in fear at some point, or hear the “voices” of reason, responsibility, etc. They tell you you can’t do it. And too often so many of us believe them.
For me, as the passion grew, and the dream beaconed louder, all I could do was take the right next step. One after the other.
And now, it feels like my biggest step of all. I’m pursuing my dream. All in. What does that mean?
....I’m going full time into my own art business.
Sometimes it takes an event to interrupt your routine. Mine was my previous employer eliminating a few positions (mine included) due to financial difficulties.
I’ve been pondering my next steps for a while now, and it feels a bit like God has pushed me out of the nest. I’ve been doing my own art in the margins, but it feels like God has orchestrated recent events for me to seize this opportunity. To lean in to where He is calling me.
I will be looking to build up my “ARTrepreneurial” business in what has been referred to as the “Portfolio Life”. Think of it as a wheel with spokes (see drawing below). Each spoke represents a different facet of what I will offer.
- Graphic Design services
- Pet Portraits
- Pop Art (Star Wars, The Walking Dead, etc.) and Art Fairs / Cons
- Original Paintings
- Teaching (via online video courses, workshops)
- Communication (public speaking on Art & Creativity / blogging, writing, maybe even a book)
My desire is to use my art to touch people’s hearts, to provide a help or needed service. And I want to share my own journey and learnings with others, specifically artists, who may be struggling in their own creativity. Some of these areas have already been in the works, while others will be built over time. I’m sure things will look different down the road, but this is where i’m starting.
So, why am I telling you all this?
Because you have journeyed with me. You view my daily art that I post. YOU are part of MY story. The truth is, I’m chasing a DREAM. And I can’t do it alone. So I’m inviting you to PARTNER with me.
What am I asking?
- I’m looking for new clients with Graphic Design needs, and those desiring Pet Portraits and/or Original Art and prints. If you know of an opportunity that might be a good fit for my talents, please let me know or pass my info along.
- I would greatly appreciate shares, comments, and likes on social media. The more people who can see my art and know about my services, the better. Please share my website: www.MikeBrennan.me / Instagram / facebook
- Would you consider purchasing a piece of art from me? Take a look around my website or social media posts to see if there is something that speaks to you. This would greatly help me with some startup costs I have. I appreciate your consideration.
Thank you for taking the time to read this, and journey with me. You have been an encourager of my art over the past few years, and I deeply value that. I am excited, nervous, thrilled, scared all the the same time for what comes next. My family and I are placing our complete trust in God, His leading and provision as we set out on this new adventure.
To infinity and beyond...
What Do You Do When You Lack Opportunity?
What do you do when you feel like you're doing everything you possibly can to advance in your art and yet there seems to be a lack of opportunity? Typically, you have two choices...
What do you do when you feel like you're doing everything you possibly can to advance in your art and yet there seems to be a lack of opportunity? Typically, you have two choices:
1. Complain.
Complain about the lack of opportunity and become jealous of those around you who seem to be succeeding with such ease (which is a lie, of course). "What the crap?" you think. "I could so do what they're doing." But you're not. And you don't. Because complaining is easier than ACTION. And action, leads to change, which can be too scary.
2. Make Opportunities.
Yeah I know. I hear the push back. "I don't have time. I have a limited network. I don't know where to start... what's the use?..." The truth is 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 butts, we want it to count for something right?
What I have found is that you might have to redefine your idea of what great opportunities look like. Are you doing work you love? (If not - then get to it.) Stop waiting for someone to ask or invite you to do it. Because that's not going to happen. Pick yourself.
“You might have to redefine your idea of what great opportunities look like.”
Would I like to have my art seen and collected by an ever expanding group of patrons and fans, and achieve all that goes with being a "successful" artist? Sure. But I'm not waiting for someone to come knocking. I keep taking the right next step. TODAY.
Practically speaking what might that look like?
Commit to a drawing or painting a day for an entire year. I have for the past 4 years and counting. I've even done more than one most 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. I did it to keep moving forward on my artists journey. I want to keep discovering. Experimenting. Creating out of a sense of play and wonder.
“If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door.”
There are opportunities all around us. We might just have to use our creativity to see them.
Visit the Sketch book project. Sign up to do a sketchbook. They send it out on a mini tour before it comes back to live in Brooklyn NY at the Sketchbook Library. You never know who might be impacted by your work.
Take part in a 100 Day Project through social media. Search for the hashtag #the100dayproject on Instagram and see all the awesome projects people are involved in. I'm currently doing 100 days of portraits, using charcoal. (Come follow me @mikebone)
Seek out a local art center for opportunities to take part in classes and exhibits.
Look for local businesses that might be willing to display your art. (Note: try to match the audience you're trying to reach though. It probably won't do you much good to have your Sci-fi Steampunk art hung at grandma's fancy tea shop in town.)
If no one is paying you to create the art you long to create, hire yourself. Then keep hiring yourself. Do the work for you. And keep looking for ways to share it. You might be amazed. When you do the work, and open yourself up, sometimes opportunities come from the strangest places. Stop talking about it and put yourself out there!
What's one next step you can do today to move forward?
Why not share it below? It just might help you commit.