Your Creative Push

Pascal Campion is a prolific French-American artist, illustrator, concept designer, character designer and animator whose clients include: Dreamworks Animation, Paramount Pictures, Disney Feature, Disney Toons, Cartoon Network, Hulu, and PBS. Passionately inspired by his wife and kids, he is best known to his tens of thousands of fans and followers for “Sketch of the Day”, a ritual of drawing a new image first thing in the morning from his home studio in the San Francisco Bay Area. Full shownotes: http://yourcreativepush.com/pascal2 In this episode, Pascal discusses: -How he started his "Sketch of the Day" project. -His advice to anyone struggling to do the work every day, to take it one step at a time. -How if you are impatient with your art, it is something that you can work on with your daily practice. -The importance of finishing a drawing, because your brain starts to recognize the beginning, middle, and end of  creating a piece of art, and if you don't finish the piece, you don't recognize those landm

Amber Kane is an educator, textile designer, entrepreneur, and stellar day dreamer.  She received her Art Education degree from Messiah College, and earned her masters in Creativity Studies from Union Institute and University. She taught high school Art for 8 years in the public school system, while running her textile design business on the side.  While teaching she learned that our schools are teaching creativity and dreams right out of our students, while developing an obsession for empty standards. In 2015, she resigned from her public school position.  She now teaches online AP Art and Art History courses for PA Homeschoolers, works part time at the Pennsylvania College of Art and Design, and creates one-0f-a-kind textiles. Full shownotes: http://yourcreativepush.com/amberkane In this episode, Amber discusses: -Her first years working as a teacher, and the pushback that she was getting from the school. -Her decision to quit her teaching job and move into an abandoned home. -The early process of getting

Paul Adshead is a Hat Wearer, Beard Owner, Crazy Golf Enthusiast, and Peanut Butter Fan.  On the rare occasions he's not doing photography, he loves being outdoors, blind drawing, eating carrot cake and people watching. Paul also uses old, out of date film in even older antique cameras to attempt to capture the past as he attends and photographs World War, Victorian and American Civil War events. Full shownotes: http://yourcreativepush.com/pauladshead In this episode, Paul discusses: -How he never studied photography or take creative courses academically -How he has made his transitions slowly. -How his work is dark and cinematic, and how most clients don’t want that. -The different types of “darkness” in his work. -The thought and planning that goes into his shoots. -How he likes to leave things to people’s imaginations. -The power of brevity. -His love for history and the way that he tries to recreate it in his art. -Using antique cameras and what that does for his process and mindset. -How he uses his Ins

Todd Henry teaches leaders and organizations how to establish practices that lead to everyday brilliance. He is the author of four books (The Accidental Creative, Die Empty, Louder Than Words, and Herding Tigers) which have been translated into more than a dozen languages, and he speaks and consults across dozens of industries on creativity, leadership, and passion for work. Todd is also the host of The Accidental Creative Podcast, which has delivered weekly tips and ideas for staying prolific, brilliant, and healthy since 2005. Full shownotes: http://yourcreativepush.com/toddhenry In this episode, Todd discusses: -How the pressure to be creative all day at our jobs can wear and tear at us. -His discovery in The Accidental Creative that successful people all share many of the same habits and qualities. -His FRESH method for finding and solving your problems quickly, and managing your relationships, energy, stimuli, and hours. -The importance of saying “no” to things that you know will drain your energy from

Born in Brittany (France) in 1976. Virginie Ropars’s figures are in between sculpture, fashion design and illustration, building up visions full of wonders Virginie's work is shown throughout Europe in art galleries and art shows and also in United States and Russia. Her work has been featured in many magazines and publications. Her dimensional interpretation of Brom's main character Jack, in The Plucker novel won the Spectrum 19 Gold Award (in 2012), she also received the Spectrum 20 Gold Award (in 2013) for one of her personal work, Acanthophis III. Full shownotes: http://yourcreativepush.com/virginie In this episode, Virginie discusses: -Working in the video game industry and then shifting to make her own personal work. -How she considers her first doll to be “monstrous.” -Her process for deciding which sculpture to make. -How long each of her sculptures takes and the process that goes into making them. -Where she gets her inspiration. -The struggle of having to finish a project when you actually want to b

Dave Roberts is an artist out of Las Vegas, NV who makes fine art using the Etch A Sketch.   He draws landscapes, architecture, portraits and more, preserving all of his work. Full shownotes: http://yourcreativepush.com/daveroberts In this episode, Dave discusses: -His artistic history and how he first started using an Etch A Sketch. -Finding out that other people were using the Etch A Sketch to make art and then learning from them. -Developing a method for preserving his art. -Coming up with a goal to be featured in a gallery. -Entering (and not winning) a Red Robin contest for a gift card. -Trying to not get lost in your own negative thoughts. -Creating accountability by telling people about your goals. -His decision to achieve his goals despite the fact that all of his previous excuses were still a part of his life. -Building resiliency by getting knocked down and getting back up again. -The experience of seeing his dream of being in a gallery come to fruition. Dave's Final Push will remind you that attitu

Daniel Reyes is an award-winning TV producer with nearly 2-decades of experience. Daniel has worked with NBC, FOX Sports, ESPN, DAYSTAR and SYFY networks in the past. The shows he has created have aired on the local, national and international level. Recently, he was in development on a program for HGTV. Full shownotes: http://yourcreativepush.com/danielreyes Links mentioned: Make your own Heirloom Film Story: Substance, Structure, Style and the Principles of Screenwriting by Robert McKee The Screenwriter's Bible by David Trottier Connect with Daniel: Website / Facebook On the next episode: Dave Roberts : Website / Instagram Join the discussion in the Facebook group!

Gwenn is a full-time artist, portraitist, and free-culture advocate. Her beautiful, unique portraits as well as all of her other work is intentionally free from copyright. Full shownotes: http://yourcreativepush.com/gwennreturns In this episode, Gwenn discusses: -Making political art and tapping into the power of anger. -Attempting to make art for an anti-audience. -Being aware and cautious of scams in the art world. -Her tips for promotion and social media. -The power of taking photographs of yourself doing the work and documenting the act of doing the work. -Her promotional calendar and the importance of posting something every day. -How your surroundings and your physical setting affects your art and how you see the world. -Her advice to people who find themselves disappointed when a potential opportunity doesn’t work out. -Discrimination in the art world. Gwenn's Final Push will remind you that you have a unique gift and opportunity to create something completely new in the world!   Quotes: “I believe tha

Shayla Maddox is an artist who uses Light as her medium, along with acrylic, sand, salt, crushed glass, sea shells, garnet, quartz, candle wax, and even cinnamon to create what she calls "light reactive paintings."  These paintings change appearance throughout the day, season, and year, and also react into the UV spectrum so that they continue to glow into the night. Full shownotes: http://yourcreativepush.com/shaylamaddox In this episode, Shayla discusses: -How she decided to make one painting while she was an actress, and how she never looked back. -Her decision to stop showing at traditional galleries and start throwing her own. -Some of the things that surprised her when she decided to throw her own shows. -Her advice for anyone thinking about throwing their own show. -How she started with her “light reactive paintings.” -How she is intentionally experimental in her art and always trying to find new materials and new ways to create in order to challenge herself and keep her feeling uncomfortable. -Her in

Legendary tattoo artist Freddy Negrete is best known for pioneering the black-and-gray tattoo style, honed while serving time in a series of correctional facilities during a youth mired in abuse, gang life, and drug addiction. Freddy was honored with the Tattoo Artist of the Year Award in 1980 and a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Body Art Expo in 2007 and his new book, Smile Now, Cry Later recounts his story. Full shownotes: http://yourcreativepush.com/freddynegrete In this episode, Freddy discusses: -How he was a “troubled youth” and involved in gangs and incarceration. -How the Chicano subculture influenced him from a young age. -His experience at Youth Authority and then at Tamarack. -Working with Good Time Charlie, Jack Rudy, and Ed Hardy and how they influenced his mindset and his art. -How he approached his tattooing career after incarceration. -The experience of winning the Tattoo Artist of the Year Award in 1980. -The mindset of trying to get better with every single piece you create. -Some of the

Academy Award winner Matthew W. Mungle is regarded as one of Hollywood's premier make-up special effects artists. With over 200 film and television projects to his credit, Matthew has earned accolades and recognition as one of the industry's top masters of makeup effects illusion. He has been nominated four times for the Academy Award for Best Makeup, winning in 1992 for Bram Stoker's Dracula.  He has also received 26 Emmy nominations, winning 6.  In addition to Dracula, he has also received Oscar nominations for his work on Schindler's List, Ghosts of Mississippi, and Albert Nobbs. Full shownotes: http://yourcreativepush.com/matthewmungle In this episode, Matthew discusses: -How he initially became interested in makeup effects and some of his initial inspirations including movies and Richard Corson’s Stage Makeup. -The experience of moving to Los Angeles and his early work in film. -A walk-through of many of his films including The Guardian, Edward Scissorhands, and What About Bob? -His experience in workin

Hannah Faith Yata is half Japanese and  was born and raised in a small town in Georgia. She grew up with a deep love of nature and animals passed down by the beautiful surroundings in the country and her mother. In her paintings, Yata seeks to interweave the parallels of the unconscious with the struggle of the natural environment and how it relates to views regarding the body of the woman and that of nature. Full shownotes: http://yourcreativepush.com/hannahyata In this episode, Hannah discusses: -Her early career as she worked other jobs while doing her own work in her free time. -Doing work for B.o.B. -The role that nature (and human interference) plays in her pieces. -Her process and the amount of planning that goes into her pieces. -Magic and synchronicity. -How you often get rewarded for going after the thing you’ve always dreamed of going after. -The difference between commissions and personal work and striking a balance between them. -The importance of surrounding yourself with other likeminded creat

Nikki Rae is an independent author who lives in New Jersey. She explores human nature through fiction, concentrating on making the imaginary as real as possible. Her genres of choice are mainly dark, scary, romantic tales, but she’ll try anything once. When she is not writing, reading, or thinking, you can find her spending time with animals, drawing in a quiet corner, or studying people. Closely. Full shownotes: http://yourcreativepush.com/nikkirae In this episode, Nikki discusses: -How she started writing when she was 14 and homebound after breaking her leg and having nothing else to do. -The frustrating and fruitless experience of querying her first novel out to publishers for five years. -The differences between indie publishing and traditional publishing. -How independent publishing takes away the gatekeepers. -Being able to interact with and get feedback from her audience as she is writing. -Getting burnt out. -Her strategy of writing for half of the year and promoting for the other half. -How everyone

Megan Carty is a New England-based artist who makes cheerful abstract floral paintings that are uplifting and color-drenched for people who have a flair for bold statements and tailored style. Full shownotes: http://yourcreativepush.com/megancarty In this episode, Megan discusses: -How she always knew that she wanted to be an artist or an art teacher when she grew up. -The seed that was planted in her at a young age to seek praise or to do what her teacher liked rather than what she wanted to create. -The dangers of comparing yourself to others. -Some of the trials and tribulations she went through after college, including sexism, 9/11, depression, layoffs, breakups, and struggling to find the right fit career-wise. -Being appreciative of the negative experiences while you don’t know what brings you joy, because they inform you of what does bring you joy. -Getting involved with Etsy and the double-edged sword of being able to do anything, but also getting frozen by being able to do anything. -The important de

Justin Hopkins is a talented artist, originally from Mukilteo, Washington. Yoshino is a photographer, director, and the creator and host of the Artist Decoded podcast. Together, they created NOH / WAVE, a multidisciplinary creative group located in Los Angeles, Ca. Full shownotes: http://yourcreatvepush.com/nohwave In this episode, Justin & Yoshino discuss: -How Yoshino got into photography and what inspired him to start Artist Decoded. -How Justin and Yoshino met and how they were able to see how they both had similar creative mindsets. -The importance of recognizing individuals and opportunities that come up for you that are in line with your own philosophies. -Finding a tribe (or building your own). -What NOH/WAVE means and what they are attempting to do with it. -How they are balancing their own personal work while attempting to run this large project. -Learning that everyone goes through insecurities and other creative blocks at all points in their career. -Trying to find a way to maintain creative

Carrie Waller is a watercolor artist working in a realistic, detailed style.  With a background in Interior Design and her studies in Graphic design as well as her time spent living in Europe and Asia have influenced her as an artist.  Her unique works are bold, vibrant and dramatic. She is a signature member of the American Watercolor Society, Louisiana Watercolor Society and the Mid-Southern Watercolorists.  She teaches workshops and private classes.  Carrie is also a co-host and contributor for the Artists Helping Artists #1 blog radio art podcast. In this episode, Carrie discusses: -How she maintained a creative life with a husband in the Air Force. -How the movie Julie & Juliet gave her the inspiration to start a blog in which she would do a painting a week. -Listening to the Artists Helping Artists Podcast and how she eventually became involved as a cohost. -Taking a watercolor workshop with Paul Jackson. -The importance of having accountability partners or groups and her own personal group, WAM. -

Joanna Penn is an award-nominated, New York Times and USA Today bestselling thriller author who has written 23 books and sold over 500,000 books in 84 countries and 5 languages.  She is an independent (indie) author who also runs a small press, Curl Up Press, with her husband. She also writes non-fiction for authors and is the creator of The Creative Penn, which offers information and inspiration on writing, self-publishing, book marketing and how to make a living with your writing through articles, podcast episodes, videos, books and courses. Full shownotes: http://yourcreativepush.com/joannapenn In this episode, Joanna discusses: -How she felt spiritually empty and creatively dead from her job, yet stuck in the “golden handcuffs” of a job that pays the bills. -The importance of taking action after you have determined what you want out of life. -Determining the things that you are going to give up in order to achieve your dreams. -The experience of writing her first book. -How she used to think that the onl

Amarilys Henderson is a watercolor illustrator who graduated from the Savannah College of Art and Design.  After mostly working in illustration and painting commissions, she started to paint for the sake of her own sanity.  By letting go of the finished product, she began creating "Watercolor Devos" -- a way for her to combine her watercolors with her Christian Devotions. Amarilys is also a successful and popular instructor on Skillshare. Full shownotes: http://yourcreativepush.com/amarilys In this episode, Amarilys discusses: -Getting back to her art after having her first child and having no expectations from anyone as to what that art should be. -How she combined her time with watercolor with her time with her Christian devotion to create Watercolor Devos. -How she initially told herself that she wouldn’t show her new creations to anyone. -Starting her Etsy shop and her blog. -Getting started on Skillshare and winning the teacher challenge. -Her advice for anyone wanting to start their own courses on Skil

Even Mehl Amundsen is an illustrator and artist out of Copenhagen.  He is originally from Norway, where he was able to specialize in visual art before living and working in England, Prague, and California, where he worked for such companies as Blizzard Entertainment, Games Workshop, and Volta. Even is currently a full-time freelancer and is soon releasing his TEGN Book 1, the first of three in the series. Full shownotes: http://yourcreativepush.com/even In this episode, Even discusses: -Going to school in Norway and being able to specialize in visual art. -Traveling and working in England, Prague, California, and Copenhagen. -His advice to be aware that your mindset might be incorrect. -Working a little bit, always. -How he eased into a drawing-a-day challenge and what it did for his art and his creative production. -How he purposely sacrificed some of his social life during that year-long challenge in order to find the time each day. -Why it is important to sometimes be self-centered when it comes to your c

Bill Logan is an artist who left his career as a commercial illustrator to devote himself to fine art, with a particular focus on drawing, bronze casting, woodwork, and the creation of very intricate sculpture.  He has participated in over 2 dozen group and juried shows, 4 solo exhibitions, and has enjoyed a very well received New York debut. He is also a passionate writer, writing articles about fly fishing and fly tying in the United States, Japan, and Great Britain. Full shownotes: http://yourcreativepush.com/billlogan In this episode, Bill discusses: -Switching back and forth between multiple creative disciplines. -How he has enough ideas and things that he wants to create to last him for 500 years. -Trying to go in one creative direction, but also trying to take all of the interesting side trips at the same time. -Looking back on work that isn’t even that old and having the feeling that it is, in fact, old. -Those rare moments of creative “genius” that seem to come from somewhere else and trusting that