Your Creative Push

Alex Hofeldt is a science teacher, podcaster, yoga & mobility instructor, fitness coach and nutrition enthusiast.  In his podcast, Beautiful Dust Specks, Alex shows the world the wonder and motivation in Science. Full shownotes: http://yourcreativepush.com/185 In this episode, Alex discusses: -The process of starting his podcast after years of putting it off. -How the beginning is always the toughest part, but once you start, you never know what can happen. -Some of the fears that still creep into his thought processes and the way that he gets through them. -The sometimes difficult-to-balance tightrope of being happy with the “tribe” that you already have and wanting to grow it exponentially. -How he is attempting to stop using the word “failure.” -His experience of running a marathon this year. -How you know the outcome if you quit -Neuroplasticity and how it relates to creativity. -The idea of choosing to be in a more positive mindset and at the same time down-regulating negative emotions.   Quotes: “My

Brian Rutenberg is an internationally exhibited painter based in New York City. He received his bachelor’s degree in fine arts from the College of Charleston in 1987 and his master’s degree from the School of Visual Arts in New York City in 1989. Among his many accolades, Brian is a Fulbright Scholar, a New York Foundation for the Arts Fellow, an Irish Museum of Modern Art Residency Programme participant, and has had over 200 exhibitions throughout North America. His popular YouTube series, “Brian Rutenberg Studio Visits,” is viewed daily by thousands of people all over the world and his brand new book Clear Seeing Place is an Amazon Number One Bestseller.  Full shownotes: http://yourcreativepush.com/brianrutenberg In this episode, Brian discusses: -How and why he started his YouTube channel, “Brian Rutenberg Studio Visits.” -His attempt and the attempt of all creative people to “strip naked” and bear your soul in the most honest way possible. -The fear that comes when starting a new creative pursuit, especia

Full shownotes: http://yourcreativepush.com/resolution Do you make a creative (or non-creative) New Year's Resolution every year? Do you keep up with it?  Or do you fail? Don't worry, we all fail. In this episode, Youngman talks about why year-long goals are an amazing way to change your creative habits for the better and can completely alter your mindset. But a year is a long time.  Too long for most of us.  We are already eagerly awaiting December 31st after only a few weeks, and the end of the year seems so far away that we get demotivated and quit. We try it every year, and fail every year. Youngman will attempt to offer a solution to the "But This Year is Different" syndrome so that you can finally say that you accomplished your creative New Year's Resolution.  If you have the willpower to get through it, it might just jump-start your creative career in ways that you never could have imagined.   YCP Episode 63 with David Talley YCP Episode 102 with Mitch Bowler YCP Episode 110 with Picolo YCP Episode 132

Nyki Way is a San Francisco Bay Area illustrator who was born in Boulder, Colorado.  She is inspired by nature, civil rights, psychology, and emotion.  In her art therapy blog, “Painting Your Own Reality,” she offers a glimpse into her struggles with depression and psychosis as well as her new appreciation for life to help others to transform their lives into the exact life they want. Full shownotes: http://yourcreativepush.com/nykiway In this episode, Nyki discusses: -Her creative upbringing. -The fear of not succeeding or not being “good enough.” -Her mental health struggles and how she has been balancing that with pushing herself as an artist. -Using drugs as a means of escape, but finding that art could be equally useful as a coping mechanism. -Her contemplation of suicide and her eventual relocation. -The intention of her blog to connect with people who might feel alone the way she did, so that they can see that they are not the only ones going through it. -The incredible benefits she has seen in her lif

Dan Lydersen is a painter who draws influence from a variety of contemporary and historical sources, from the Renaissance to modern cinema, literature, and popular culture.  Both theatrical and satirical, comical and somber, the paintings pose a view of humanity that is steeped in the existential turmoil that lies between materiality and spirituality, where society trudges persistently forward into the future while the human search for meaning and purpose as mortal animals remains unresolved. Full shownotes: http://yourcreativepush.com/danlydersen In this episode, Dan discusses: -The influence that his mother and theater had on him as a creative person. -His balance between tragedy and comedy that he has found in his paintings. -The lack of authenticity that comes when you are doing things that you think other people want to see rather than what you want to make. -The importance of not being too influenced by your teachers or predecessors. -How you can use older styles to say something about newer ideas. -The

Alex Strohl is a Madrid-born, French adventure photographer whose work is characterized by his extraordinary existence. Instead of creating contrived scenes, Strohl creates authentic moments and captures them as they unfold before him— continually blurring the lines between work and life. Strohl’s photography has been featured in prestigious publications such as Forbes, Vanity Fair, and Gentleman's Journal and his client list includes dozens of household names. He is based in Whitefish, Montana—but spends the vast majority of his time on the road with his partner Andrea Dabene; they often journey to the most remote reaches of the world. Full shownotes: http://yourcreativepush.com/alexstrohl In this episode, Alex discusses: -How he got started in photography. -How he and his wife Andrea approach their creative life as photographers. -The different mindsets and strategies that take place depending on the goals of a particular shoot. -The creative differences that he experiences with his wife, Andrea. -The impo

Jessica is an author and cartoonist with a head for organization and systems, abilities she’s put to very good use as she has explored how to make creative work with less anxiety and more ease. She works with creative professionals (and serious non-professionals) to get a clear, strategic view of their ambitious projects, and help them get through the woods and that creative transformation that comes on the other side of finishing. Full shownotes: http://yourcreativepush.com/jessicaabel In this episode, Jessica discusses: -How the only way out is through. -The difference between children and adults, and how she is surprised that her kids are afraid to fail. -The importance of not hating yourself for not being good at something when you start. -Dealing with the “Should Monsters.” -Speaking to yourself in third person instead of first person in an attempt to treat yourself more kindly, like a friend. -How willpower is a limited resource. -The Creative Focus Workshop and what people can expect from it. -Looking

Lucy is an artist from Melbourne, Australia who specializes in fine pen and ink drawings.  Her work is a light and dark combination of romanticism, fantasy, and natural phenomenon, offering the viewer a contemplation of life’s infinite beauty and mystery. Full shownotes: http://yourcreativepush.com/lucyhardie In this episode, Lucy discusses: -How her parents built a Waldorf school on their farm and how that influenced her creativity and her style. -Her first show at the age of 23 and her decision to make art her full-time career. -The balance between planning and spontaneity. -How it is actually hard for her to make any major mistakes because of how the work is built up in so many fine layers. -Some of the forms of resistance that she has dealt with, including self-doubt and self-criticism. -Dealing with “the gap” between what you know you have the potential to achieve and what you are currently capable of achieving, especially when you are first starting out. -Making your creativity a habit, like going to th

Vic Lee is a wordsmith, a mapmaker, a typographer, a ragamuffin and freestyler.  He has spent 20 years as a professional graphic designer freelancing across London and has worked on major branding, interior and retail design projects with some of the leading design agencies in the world. In this episode, Vic discusses: -The path that he took to get him to the point he is at now in his creative career. -The importance of history, especially when it has to do with your specific neighborhood. -The notion of nostalgia and the role that it plays in the art that we want to make as well as the art that we want to buy. -How he starts one of his larger commissions and how little planning goes into them. -The confidence he gains from huge companies giving him complete creative control. -A story when he got lost in “the zone.” -How he approaches a big job with a panicked mindset, and then slowly relaxes. -How we all start out as children not worrying about what people will think, but lose that carefree attitude over tim

Will Terry is a freelance illustrator and children’s book illustrator who shares his 23 years of experience on his YouTube channel and his blog, where he offers advice, tips and tricks on digital painting, selling work, reps, agents, business, Photoshop, and setting up multiple streams of income.  He also co-owns SVS Learn with (YCP Alum) Jake Parker and Lee White. Full shownotes: http://yourcreativepush.com/willterry In this episode, Will discusses: -A brief summary of his career until today. -How he turned down his first children’s book three times, and how doing it changed his perspective. -How he used to draw for his audience, and now he mainly draws for himself. -The relationship between author, publisher, editor, and illustrator. -Channeling P.D. Eastman’s Go Dog Go in his latest children’s book. -Dyslexia, ADD, and the difficulties many people have learning in a system that rewards auditory learners. -How SVS Learn came to be and what they try to accomplish with it. -The improvements that he saw in his

Thomas is a visual artist and photographer based out of Atlanta, Georgia who has developed a style that he calls "painterly photo montage" - a method he employs in editing software in which he crafts elaborately textured pieces that have a very organic, non-digital look to them. Although his artwork resembles paintings, his pieces are entirely photographic in nature, fusing many images into a cohesive whole. Full shownotes: http://yourcreativepush.com/thomasdoddagain In this episode, Thomas discusses: -How he got his start in Mod Clubs, learning techniques to make pictures look "painterly." -How artists should always be looking to learn, and spend free time learning from masters. -How combining your artistic journey with making money can sometimes be soul-crushing, leaving you not enjoying the art anymore. -The importance of setting aside time to do your art, if you are getting burnt out from your full-time job, even if it is just 15 minutes a day. -How he originally got into punk music and then as a harpist

Sarah Kreuz is the host of the Art of the Unknown Podcast, a travel and spirituality podcast about traveling inwards, outwards & onwards. Full shownotes: http://yourcreativepush.com/175 In this episode, Sarah discusses: -How the Art of the Unknown Podcast was born when she decided that she needed to dive into something creative without worrying about the outcome. -Some of the things that held her back from initially creating the podcast and continuing to create and share it. -Where she is physically as well as spiritually. -Her advice for people who might be scared of stepping into the unknown. -How she started eating fish after being a vegetarian for 16 years. -The importance of just trying something new, even if you are going to be bad at it. -The power of one positive comment from someone you trust about your creativity. -One of her toughest creative moments in her “den of sorrow.” -The painful experience of having creativity inside of you, but not knowing the way it is supposed to come out. -Not feel

Originally from Philadelphia, PA, Aimée Rolin Hoover currently lives/works in southern California. Her paintings hang in collections all over the world, from the U.S. and Canada, to Europe and South America. Full shownotes: http://yourcreativepush.com/aimee In this episode, Aimée discusses: -How she got into pet portraiture and how her art has evolved since then. -The importance of being open to trying out new things with your art. -How she achieved such great satisfaction from the positive reactions of her clients, but how she eventually had to concentrate on her own satisfaction. -Ali Cavanaugh and making “micro evolutions” in your artwork. -The importance of continuing to grow and evolve as an artist or creative person. -The origins of her new Fly Mask series. -The joy that comes from having a breakthrough after long periods of trial and error. -Her “30 Paintings in 30 Days” Challenge and the numerous positive outcomes of it. -The power in committing to do something in public and how it holds you accountab

Renée Caouette is a talented fine artist who has lived between Boston and Paris, France for the past five years studying fine art and art history. She has traveled throughout Europe and North America researching artwork ranging from the primitive and ancient to contemporary arts. Renée has exhibited throughout the United States and France, including Paris, New York City, Boston, Vermont, Chicago, and Los Angeles. Full shownotes: http://yourcreativepush.com/renee In this episode, Renée discusses: -How she became a fine artist, even though that was not her original intention. -Making the decision to change her career path. -Getting past fear. -Her mantra “onwards and upwards,” and how it applies to her art and to her life. -How she tries to always have two or three paintings going at a time to remind herself to keep moving forward. -How surprisingly physically demanding painting is. -How she attempts to use her paintings to portray important themes through the eyes of a millennial. -An intimate view into her ne

Cat Rose is on a mission to help other creatives to get over their fears of self-promotion and to get their work seen and shared. She does this through 1-to-1 coaching and an online members community called the League of Creative Introverts. It's a safe, quiet space for creatives to share their work openly, learn from others and get all the support they need on their journey. Cat, first of all thank you for coming on the show, I wanted to let you start out by expounding upon that intro and really getting into what your kind-of personal mission is and what your mission is with the League of Creative Introverts. Full shownotes: http://yourcreativepush.com/172 In this episode, Cat discusses: -How The League of Creative Introverts started and her mission behind it. -How many creative introverts might be comfortable creating their work, but sharing and promoting it is very difficult for them to do. -Some of the “icky subjects” that she helps people to think about. -The value of being able to commiserate and work t

John Allison is the writer and artist of the webcomics Bobbins, Scary Go Round, and Bad Machinery.  Having launched Bobbins in 1998, John is one of the true pioneers of webcomics, and he has continued to evolve to remain one of the most popular webcomic producers today. Full shownotes: http://yourcreativepush.com/johnallison In this episode, John discusses: -How he got the point he is today with his webcomics and his career. -The importance of keeping your creative passion fun. -His advice for how to get back to the place of fun with your work. -How and why he started Bobbins as a five-day-a-week project. -The difficult balance of being able to produce a great deal of content, but also maintain social relationships. -A one month gap that he experienced in his work, and how it made him realize the meaningfulness of what he was creating. -The importance of momentum. -The notion of achieving a trance-like state or a flow state when you are creating. -Taking care of your mind and body, and how that positively aff

Peter Draw is an artist from Singapore whose art has touched the lives of people across Asia and around the world.  He has achieved 4 Guinness World Records: Largest Caricature, Largest Art Lesson, Longest Drawing, and Longest Drawing by an Individual.  Peter has devoted his entire adult life to drawing to protect children who cannot protect themselves. Full shownotes: http://yourcreativepush.com/peterdraw In this episode, Peter discusses: -How he uses his art to protect children who cannot protect themselves. -How his mission is less about being an artist but more about what he does as an artist. -What he has learned from the children that he has met and helped in disaster stricken areas around the world. -How the “sweetest gift” is something we all have, and it is the important things we already have in our lives but perhaps take for granted. -The importance of taking the first step of loving yourself more and more every day so that you can love others more. -What his four Guinness World Records mean to him

Saddhasura is an artist, illustrator, and musician who is procuring and creating to then connect creative works to people who love them.  He has also taught meditation and mindfulness for over fifteen years. Full shownotes: http://yourcreativepush.com/saddhasura In this episode, Saddhasura discusses: -His creative upbringing and a brief overview of his life so far. -Why certain creative pursuits have bubbled to the surface and then fallen away. -Doubt and indecision and the role that they can play in pulling you away from your creative passions. -The imposter syndrome and how it especially seems to creep up just as you are about to actually become the thing you are trying to be. -Inconsistencies and how they help to bolster the imposter syndrome. -What the Buddhist teachings can tell us about the ever-changing nature of humanity and how that can relate to creativity. -Starting each day with clear intention. -The idea of writing down nuggets of inspiration to go back to when you are feeling defeated. -Having t

Do you blame your family, friends, and loved ones for your creative shortcomings? If you do this subconsciously or consciously, you are not alone. In this episode, Youngman looks back to past (and future) guests who had something to say about dealing with that difficult balance of pursuing their creative passion or career, while still fulfilling their roles as a husband, wife, mother, father, boyfriend, girlfriend, or any other role that requires their time and energy. You will also learn how you might be taking your role as a parent, spouse, or friend and using it as a crutch to let yourself off the hook from pursuing your creative passion. Finally, you'll see things from the other side of the spectrum and learn what to do if you are spending too much time with your creative endeavors and not enough with your family. This episode has profanity, so don't listen around your children. But don't blame them.   Full shownotes: http://yourcreativepush.com/family   YCP Episode 71 with Suzanna Schlemm YCP Episode 79

Zachary Petit is editor-in-chief of the National Magazine Award-winning publication Print, author of The Essential Guide to Freelance Writing: How to Write, Work, and Thrive on Your Own Terms, and a lifelong literary and design nerd. At one point in time, he was the senior managine editor of HOW magazine, Print, and Writer’s Digest, as well as executive editor of many other related newsstand titles.  His words also regularly appear in National Geographic Kids, National Geographic, Mental_Floss, and McSweeney’s Internet Tendency, just to name a few. Most recently, Zachary has curated the book Treat Ideas Like Cats, which unlocks the secret of creativity as it collects the inspiring and insightful words of artists, writers, designers, and thinkers who have had the courage to create. Full shownotes: http://yourcreativepush.com/zacharypetit In this episode, Zachary discusses: -How his new book, Treat Ideas Like Cats, came to be. -The amount of wisdom that can sometimes come from so few words. -The idea of one quo