Your Creative Push

Joey Feldman is a mixed-media artist from Los Angeles, California.  His works are figurative with a frenetic, cartoonish style at their core.  With line art applied to its fullest extent, Joey’s initial, fast-sketched lines play a role in the final piece. Full shownotes: http://yourcreativepush.com/joeyfeldman In this episode, Joey discusses: -How he wakes up early and gets right to work because of the way that his creative energy gets drained as he goes about his day. -DDD and LGD -- The feelings of depression that he gets if he doesn’t create something. -His experiences with drawing O.J. Simpson, Eminem, and Donald Trump. -His advice for people to deal with haters or with criticism. -Dealing with procrastination and distractions. -Freedom (the app) and how it helps to keep him focused. -How he balances his time. -The value of to-do lists. -How meditation helps to energize him and also “clear the slate” in his head. Joey's Final Push will inspire you to do the things you don't want to do, so that you can do

Shawn Coss is an Ohio-based artist who loves to sling ink and paint at paper until it forms some type of creature.  He works for the webcomic and cartoon show, Cyanide and Happiness and also produces his own personal “dark art.”  During the month of October, Shawn is illustrating mental illness and disorders for Inktober. Full shownotes: http://yourcreativepush.com/shawncoss In this episode, Shawn discusses: -How and why he started his Inktober project about mental illness and diseases. -Some of the positive and negative feedback that he has received for his depiction of mental illnesses. -How he handles negative feedback and “haters.” -How he juggled getting a nursing degree and still created art. -How he got involved with Cyanide and Happiness. -His advice for people whose version of success isn’t necessarily gaining monetary independence through their creative passion. -The common advice of quitting your job and just “going for it.” -How he balances his time between work-work, personal work, and family. -H

Karl is a painter from Sweden with a special interest in nature… specifically birds. Karl’s style comes from his interest for the forms of meditation found in Zen Buddhism, and he believes that the first brushstroke is the most important. Full shownotes: http://yourcreativepush.com/karlmartensagain In this episode, Karl discusses: -How zen calligraphy helped to make him understand how he was trying to control his life. -How so many years of looking at birds allows him to paint them by memory. -How the practice of kyudo affects his painting. -Karl takes Youngman through a meditation exercise. -Why thinking too much about how the painting is supposed to look like can interfere with the actual painting of it. -The theory that the first brush stroke is the most important. -To approach the first brush stroke (or any first creative action) full of energy. -To not worry about what other people think about your work. -To embrace "happy accidents," and see where they take you. -How art is a (safe) battle ground for hi

Stuart Holland is a visionary realism artist currently based in Boise, Idaho. Working in primarily charcoal and watercolor, Stuart's work often depicts ethereal figures as they explore and engage with stark landscapes riddled with enigmatic natural and artificial features.  Drawing influence from sources like psychology, various spiritual traditions, psychedelics, and quantum physics, Stuart's drawings and paintings explore the timeless concepts of Light and urge viewers to contemplate their innate relationships with Self, Nature, and the Universe at large. Full shownotes: http://yourcreativepush.com/stuartholland In this episode, Stuart discusses: -How his recent work has been heavily influenced by ayahuasca ceremonies that he recently took part in. -How his artistic style has changed since his experiences. -His reason for using charcoal. -The experience of telling his parents about his transformative experience. -Self-doubt and how to deal with it as a creative person. -The importance of having a creative s

Gary Taxali is an award-winning muli-media artist from Canada who draws inspiration from vintage comics and advertising, producing an assortment of graphic design, fine art, and street art, all rolled into one.  His work has been seen not just in print and in museums throughout North America and Europe, but on toys, wine labels, coins for the Canadian Mint and clothing. Full shownotes: http://yourcreativepush.com/garytaxali In this episode, Gary discusses: -The experience of designing coins for the Canadian Mint. -A very serendipitous story relating to coins and his ancestry. -The relaxation that can come from being aware of the serendipitous nature of existence. -His experience with clients wanting to control his creativity and how he dealt with it. -His process of creating a design for the marriage-themed coin. -How he gets through the creative struggle of not being able to pin down the perfect iteration of an idea. -His advice for people who have a difficult time “going for a ride” with their art as oppose

Chris Reeves is the founder of 2930 Creative, a digital advertising agency in Dallas, Texas focused on helping the nonprofit, medical, tourism, and mortgage industries.  Chris and his team have also began branching off into many new mediums, including a Facebook Live show and two podcasts, "The Creative Block Podcast" and "One-Star Review." Full shownotes: http://yourcreativepush.com/162 In this episode, Chris discusses: -How he and his wife started 2930 Creative and how he is surprised to have made it five years strong. -Not quitting when the going gets tough and continuing to persevere. -How and why he started the new podcasts “The Creative Block” and “One Star Review.” -The fear that comes when you start a new creative project. -Coping with loss and how experimentation with new projects have helped him. -How technology has made things both easier and harder. -His earliest creative moments. -His experiences being in a ska punk band as well performing as a DJ. -The idea of having creative “phases.” -How he a

Stephanie Halligan is a cartoonist and the “art and soul” behind Arttoself.com, where she delivers a daily dose of doodles and notes of inspiration to her subscribers’ inboxes. Full shownotes: http://yourcreativepush.com/161 In this episode, Stephanie discusses: -How Art to Self came to be and what it means to her. -The importance of putting work in on a daily basis and giving yourself goals and deadlines for that. -The notion of making work that you need to see, that will help you out on your daily grind, and how that will most likely resonate with others. -Her six-year old mega-fan! -How it’s not just her cartoons and notes that inspire people, but also the fact that she shows up every day to do it. -Some of her daily resistances that hold her back from putting in the work. -Understanding that creative blocks and self-doubt will always be there, so just recognizing its presence can help to diffuse it. -“The War of Art” by Steven Pressfield and how it helped to inspire her to create daily content via Art to

Kelogsloops is a talented 20-year old artist from Melbourne, Australia who has been drawing since he was five years old.  He has amassed an impressive online following, with nearly 200,000 followers on Instagram.  Full shownotes: http://yourcreativepush.com/160 In this episode, Hieu discusses: -His artistic journey and how he got to the point he is at now. -The decision to go against what everyone else thinks is best for you to pursue the thing that you love. -The notion of being on your deathbed and regretting not doing something you truly cared about. -How to handle your parents or loved ones not being supportive of your passion. -The change that he made so that he could pursue his artistic passion. -The incredible power that comes when you can align the thing that you want to do with the thing that you have to do. -Creating a YouTube channel and putting his face to it. -His passion to help anyone out there who might also be struggling from the same problems that he is, but not have a teacher or a friend to

Jordan Matter is a portrait photographer specializing in actors, models, and dancers.  He is the photographer behind the NY Times bestseller “Dancers Among Us,” and in October, 2016 he is releasing his new book, “Dancers After Dark.” Full shownotes: http://yourcreativepush.com/159 In this episode, Jordan discusses: -How he initially became interested in photography and then how he came back to it. -The black & white printing course that he took at School of Visual Arts in New York City. -The story of what gave him the inspiration to approach photography with a new determination. -How a long period of “alone time” gave him the opportunity to obsess over photography and completely devote himself to it. -How individuals can still keep an open mind to a potential path to making money from their now-casual creative passion. -The difference in results between a defeatist attitude versus an optimistic one. -His books Uncovered and Dancers Among Us and how they led him to eventually create his new book, Dancers A

Chris is a sculptor and a painter of all manner of critter, and has exhibited in galleries and museums throughout the world.  His work has been published in numerous books and periodicals in the US as well as in Europe and Singapore.  Chris is also a toy designer and sculptor of numerous instantly sold-out editions of designer art toys and figures. Amanda’s mixed-media work combines the textures and colors of antique domestic objects, the natural world, and an obsessive attention to detail.  Her fabric creatures evoke ideas of cast-off children’s toys and ill-conceived taxidermy experiments with crooked human teeth.  Her work is highly sought-after by collectors around the globe, and she has exhibited her work in galleries, boutiques, and conventions across the United States, as well as Europe and Japan. Full shownotes: http://yourcreativepush.com/158 Listen to Part 1 here! In this episode, Chris & Amanda discuss: -The “F it moment,” where you have no more time to finish a project and you have to put you

Chris is a sculptor and a painter of all manner of critter, and has exhibited in galleries and museums throughout the world.  His work has been published in numerous books and periodicals in the US as well as in Europe and Singapore.  Chris is also a toy designer and sculptor of numerous instantly sold-out editions of designer art toys and figures. Amanda’s mixed-media work combines the textures and colors of antique domestic objects, the natural world, and an obsessive attention to detail.  Her fabric creatures evoke ideas of cast-off children’s toys and ill-conceived taxidermy experiments with crooked human teeth.  Her work is highly sought-after by collectors around the globe, and she has exhibited her work in galleries, boutiques, and conventions across the United States, as well as Europe and Japan. Full shownotes: http://yourcreativepush.com/157 In this episode, Chris & Amanda discuss: -Where the inspiration for their creatures came from. -How they intend to make their art a projection of the way th

Mica Angela Hendricks is a professional illustrator who works primarily in ballpoint pen and acrylics.  She travels the world with her military husband and her talented 7-year old daughter, Myla, with whom she collaborates for A Busy Mockingbird. Full shownotes: http://yourcreativepush.com/156 In this episode, Mica discusses: -How she began drawing with her daughter. -How her daughter has developed as an artist and how they now collaborate with ideas. -The idea of being on equal ground with her daughter in terms of creative control. -Trying not to get too discouraged by the talented artists and creatives that inspire you. -Some of the many ways that she gets through creative blocks. -Her advice for people who have trouble letting go of their creative control. -A practice in collaboration of letting your followers or fans help to decide what you are going to draw. -The friendliness and helpfulness of the people on Instagram. -The value you can provide by posting either works in progress or “mistakes,” to show

Abz is an illustrator from Perth, Australia that is still relatively new to the art world, having been making art for the past 3 years. Much of his work revolves around nostalgic characters and fantasy themes, and he’s currently in the early stages of creating his own imaginary world.  Full shownotes: http://yourcreativepush.com/abz In this episode, Abz discusses: -What he is attempting to create with his “imaginary world.” -How he was initially inspired by Rave Master and then later by his friend. -How you don’t need any authority figure to give you permission to create and share your creations. -How using an alias can potentially help bring confidence to people who are shy or afraid to share their work. -Pushing aside negative thoughts because it doesn’t matter what other people think – the only thing that matters is being true to yourself. -One of his earliest creative moments. -The notion of finding your own “dark hallway,” where it is just you shining a light on your creative focus. -His love for Pokemon

Brooke Rothshank is a painter and illustrator working in watercolor, oil, acrylic, and egg tempera paint since 2002. Her work as a miniature artist has been exhibited around the country and featured in both Miniature Collector and Dollhouse Miniatures magazines.  Brooke has illustrated three children's books for Herald Press, and is currently working on a fourth illustration project that se is pursuing independently. Brooke's panting work has been exhibited at the Penland Gallery, the Andy Warhol Museum, the Chicago International Miniature Show, and elsewhere. Full shownotes: http://yourcreativepush.com/154 In this episode, Brooke discusses: -How she got started with miniature drawings and paintings. -The International Guild of Mini Artisens and what they do. -The issues of perfectionism as well as allowing herself to follow what she’s interested in. -How to battle perfectionism. -The importance of a schedule, deadlines, and getting started right away when it is time to work. -Making small amounts of consiste

Dale Bigeni is a Sydney based artist whose passion is creating, whether it be digital or traditional art.  Some of his clients have included Allday, Converse, Westfield, Sharpie, and Harley Davidson, just to name a few.  Dale specializes in illustration and graphic design, but loves all mediums of art, especially if they involve skulls. Full shownotes: http://yourcreativepush.com/dalebigeni In this episode, Dale discusses: -His fascination with skulls. -How it took him five years to capture his unique style and make it his own. -How he handles the naysayers. -His advice for creative people who are being told to go down more of a mainstream path but who have very niche interests. -One of his defining artistic moments. -How nobody else knows what’s best for you in terms of what you should be creating. -The importance of growing up and also having a strong support system around you. -His best/worst creative moment when he won Australia’s Secret Walls -How his wife helps to keep him level-headed and motivated. -H

Speo is an upcoming producer hailing from Austria, focusing on bass-heavy, funky, chill and melodic electronic music. Full shownotes: http://yourcreativepush.com/speo In this episode, Speo discusses: -How he got started creating music. -What it was like creating his first track and how your perception of good and bad changes and advances as you go along your creative journey. -How his software crashed and he lost his first creative “masterpiece.” -The notion of just jumping right into a creative endeavor and having fun without any expectations. -How he had so much fun when he first started out that he didn’t notice the lack of attention he was getting. -What kept him motivated to continue posting to a blank Twitter feed. -The differences in the creative process now that he has an audience. -How if you try to emulate other artists, you will make something that is, at best, slightly worse than what they created. -How a structured and efficient schedule can sometimes lead to a less-fun and unsuccessful creative

Martin Wittfooth is an illustrator and fine artist living in New York City.  His surreal oil paintings are much more than simply depictions of animals – they are emotional self-portraits that demand to be seen as a timestamp of our place here on Earth – where we have come from and more importantly where we are going. Full shownotes: http://yourcreativepush.com/151 In this episode, Martin discusses: -The importance of remembering why you started doing this creative endeavor in the first place. -How some artists and musicians have the curse of becoming too successful and then losing the initial passion that made them so good in the first place. -His love for the surprises, or “Easter eggs” that come from his art. -His next show, based off of Terrence McKenna and The Archaic Revival. -How podcasts like The Joe Rogan Experience and The Duncan Trussel Family Hour are evidence of a shift in the power of expression and information. -More details about his upcoming show in October 2016. -How mistakes can often end up

Martin Wittfooth is an illustrator and fine artist living in New York City.  His surreal oil paintings are much more than simply depictions of animals – they are emotional self-portraits that demand to be seen as a timestamp of our place here on Earth – where we have come from and more importantly where we are going. Full shownotes: http://yourcreativepush.com/150 In this episode, Martin discusses: -What he attempts to accomplish with his paintings. -How his style has developed over time and the experience of looking back at his old work. -One of his earliest creative memories when he realized that his art could cause a reaction in people. -How he sees his paintings as “emotional self-portraits.” -His fascination with the way that the human species communicates with one another on many different levels. -How young adults have to make decisions on what they want to do for the rest of their lives at too early of an age. -The difficulty of trying to find a marriage between painting and the business of painting.

Jake Heilbrunn is a 19-year old writer who just published his first book, Off the Beaten Trail, a true story about his journey dropping out of college at eighteen and solo-backpacking through Central America with no phone or knowledge of Spanish. Full shownotes: http://yourcreativepush.com/149 In this episode, Jake discusses: -How a rare skin condition started him on his journey just three days after moving in to college. -How his journey began with an Ex-Hostage Raid & Recovery Vet. -The incredible experience of being able to trek through ancient Mayan ruins. -How he started writing the book the day after he got home from his journey. -His daily writing process and how he was able to finish the first draft of his book in just three months. -The idea of starting your day in an uncomfortable way (like with a cold shower) to prepare you for the next thing that you might not want to do (like write). -Detaching yourself from what you wrote that you thought was gold so that you can “kill your darlings.” -How h

John Dalton is a painter, podcaster, and writer from county Kerry in Ireland.  He has been a therapist, a carpenter, a scriptwriter, a trainer, a cameraman, a TV presenter, a driver, a factory worker, a photographer, and a laborer.  His podcast, "Gently Does It," is a must-listen for any fans of Your Creative Push. In this episode, John discusses: -How he got started as an artist and the many different careers he had before. -The decision to go from a craniosacral therapy to become a full-time writer. -Details about his new book, “The Gentle Snap." -The great mystery surrounding sleep and how it is much like death in the fact that we disappear for a time. -The role that sleep, dreams, and meditative states play in the world and in his art and writing. -How he started his podcast, “Gently Does It.” -What he attempts to accomplish with his podcast, and the ability for anyone else to accomplish similar results. -The most important lesson that he has learned in his podcasting journey. John's Final Push will inspi