Yoga pose inspired by @sweat_to_smile #art #yoga #digitalart #fitness #sq

August 14, 2016

August 14, 2016 at 08:33PM

Playing with #adobesketch app -Yoga pose inspired by @yogaandchaigirl #art #yoga #digitalart #fitness #sq

August 13, 2016

August 13, 2016 at 08:56PM

Surfin'. Art inspired by @fran90210 #surf #surfer #art #sq #digitalart

August 10, 2016

August 10, 2016 at 09:08PM

Creating some new art in #procreate Work in progress. #art #guitar #digitalart #drawing #illustration #sq #workinprogress #wip

August 10, 2016

August 10, 2016 at 08:17PM

Did you ever have a Dream?

August 9, 2016

“Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future. ”

— John F. Kennedy

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...

Work in progress. Watercolor and ink sunset surf scene. I've never tried surfing but I think in a different life I would have been drawn to it. #art #workinprogress #wip #watercolor #surf #sunset #color #sq

August 8, 2016

August 08, 2016 at 08:17PM

Experimenting with some patterns in my work too. Yoga pose. Inspired by @fitness_popster #art #yoga #fitness #sq #digitalart

August 8, 2016

August 08, 2016 at 02:33PM

Variety. The spice of life. Here's a few paint tubes in my box o' fun. I've been grooving on cadmium yellow lately. What colors are you drawn toward these days? #art #paint #color #sq #artist

August 8, 2016

August 08, 2016 at 11:18AM

You are going to fail. But YOU are not a failure. What you do after failing is more important. Don't quit. Don't give up. Learn grow. Become better. Change and adapt. Failure doesn't equal death. Become a Phoenix and rise from the ashes. What have you learned through failing? #fail #failure #art #sq #artist

August 7, 2016

August 07, 2016 at 01:26PM

Been thinking a lot about next steps lately. Particularly like how one only appears when you take the first step. Often we know the next step we need to take, just lack the courage to take it. What is standing in your way of taking your next step? Art inspired by @everydaymodish #art #step #sq

August 6, 2016

August 06, 2016 at 09:58PM

Music is the language of the soul. It can express things where words fail. Art inspired by @_ilariasanna / do you play an instrument? I'd love to know #art #guitar #sq

August 5, 2016

August 05, 2016 at 08:17PM

Music is magical. It can transform and transport you. Here's some guitar art inspired by @thetexaskgb I've been grooving on the new @needtobreathe and @switchfoot . What have you been listening to? Leave a comment. I'd love to know. It's always great to discover new music! #art #guitar #sq

August 4, 2016

August 04, 2016 at 08:02PM

Music is magical. It can transform and transport you. Here's some guitar art inspired by @thetexaskgb I've been grooving on the new @needtobreathe and @switchfoot . What have you been listening to? Leave a comment. I'd love to know. It's always great to discover new music! #art #guitar #sq

August 4, 2016

August 04, 2016 at 08:02PM

Are you investing in art from emerging artists? You should be. Here’s why...

August 3, 2016

Around the early 1960’s my mom had a receptionist job for a large bank in NYC. She recalled a time she had the opportunity to buy art from an awkward artist who shuffled into the bank with art tucked under his arm. He laid out several prints and original art that raised a few eyebrows. He had come to see the president of the bank, who my mom worked directly for. As he left, the bank workers commented on this odd fellow, but I don’t believe that anyone was really interested in his art. It seemed too strange.

Can you relate to that experience of buying art? You don’t know if the risk is worth it. You're not sure this will be a good investment. And some Artists sure can be… Odd. Why encourage that behavior right?

It turns out that the awkward artist who was trying to sell his work that day was… Andy Warhol. When my mom told me this, I gasped. WHAT???!!! We could have owned a Warhol??? He was a major influence in my work in art school. Her response was that no one really knew who he was at that point, and had no idea what the value of his art would be.

And that’s just it, right? No one knows. What artist might become really popular, and who might never make it out of the small town they grew up in?

Art is an investment. It’s an investment in the art work that is created, as well as the artist themselves. Buy art that speaks to you. That moves you. Art that is valuable to you regardless of monetary gain.

So I’ll ask again- are you investing in any emerging Artists? You may or may not be investing in an individual, or collection of pieces that increase in value, but you will certainly be investing in beauty, a point of view or a unique style and voice. You will be investing in Art (Capital “A”). What if you were one of the few taking the chance, believing in the artist, ready to be that catalyst that could make all the difference?

Invest in art. Invest in the artist. Is my writing about this a bit self serving? Sure, I have work available for purchase and would love some collectors. If you're interested you can view some of my paintings here. But even if it’s not my art, go invest in something today. It just might make all the different for you and the artist. Who knows, you both might get your 15 minutes of fame too! :)

Guitar goodness. Inspired by @jams247nails Do you play an instrument? If so, which one? #art #sq #guitar

August 2, 2016

August 02, 2016 at 11:43PM

Boston Terrier poolside

August 1, 2016

Our furry pals are always by our sides. Here's a quick digital sketch of @its_me_malbec // interested in a pet portrait? Give me a shout and let's make some magic!

What's your favorite thing to do with your pet? Leave a comment. I'd love to know!