Your Creative Push

Mike is a UK based designer specializing in Web/UI Design, Graphic Design, Branding, Illustration & Photography. He has a worldwide client roster and his work is regularly featured in design related publications. Mike is also a regular speaker at design & tech conferences. Full shownotes: http://yourcreativepush.com/mikekus In this episode, Mike discusses: -How he feels as if he was predisposed to become a designer from a young age. -Working as a graphic designer for The Body Shop. -His entrance into the world of web design. -The story of his creative block while trying to design for Carsonified and the “penny drop moment” that cracked the block. -The strategy he employs to avoid creative blocks and to get to the thesis of what he is going to create for a company. -Developing a “single sentence” that encompasses what a company is all about and what his design will attempt to portray. -Being a black sheep in the face of trends. -How he attempts to create a unique identity for each of the companies that

Andreas Preis is a designer, illustrator & artist, currently living and working Berlin.  He was born deep in the Bavarian Forest in the south of Germany and pursuing his lifelong desire to become a painter without a boss, he studied communications design in Nuremberg. Andreas also creates murals, tape art, and live paintings, and also works in different areas of traditional communications design like typography, logo design, icon design, and art direction. He has worked with a variety of brands, including Microsoft, Adidas, Adobe, ESPN, Ford, Nike, and Coors, just to name a few. Full shownotes: http://yourcreativepush.com/andreaspreis In this episode, Andreas discusses: -What it was like growing up in the Bavarian forest. -Why he decided to go with communications design. -How he unintentionally developed his personal style, and how he isn’t even sure if he ever wanted a “style” in the first place. -How it is much harder to change your style once you already have one than it is to develop one in the first

Sandra Busby is a still life artist who paints in a contemporary style using traditional methods.  Inspired by the ordinary, she strives to capture the playful light in glass and other still life with her paints. Feeling stifled by the modern way of teaching, Sandra turned her back on art school, shut herself away and studied the traditional methods of painting. Her work has since been published multiple times, she won her first award in 2016 and her paintings can now be found hanging in private collections around the world. Full shownotes: http://yourcreativepush.com/sandrabusby In this episode, Sandra discusses: -Her creative history, including a long gap in drawing and painting. -The idea of not drawing in your sketchbook because you are afraid of spoiling the pages. -How 100 pages of doodles or bad drawings is much better than 100 blank pages. -How she is able to “scratch her creative itch” before she starts her work day, and how productive that time ends up being. -Finding a slot of time that works best

Benjamin Hardman is an Australian photographer residing in Iceland.  He works to blend digital media with fixed aesthetic principles through textural contrasts and natural obscurities within the landscape.  Channeling between portrayals of stark wilderness and refined conceptual pieces, his work encapsulates the seasonal change that grips Iceland throughout the year. Full shownotes: http://yourcreativepush.com/benjaminhardman In this episode, Benjamin discusses: -How he went from Accounting in Australia to becoming a professional photographer in Iceland. -Some of the difficulties and adjustments that he had to make in moving to a completely new climate and culture. -How he made the move to Iceland much more stable by spending a year saving money and working on his photography. -His advice to have a well-thought-out plan before jumping into a big life change. -How his photographic style has changed since moving to Iceland. -Progressing and looking at the closer details. -The adventures that he takes people on,

Are you upset with who the country chose to be the President of the United States? Does watching the News make you scared? Are you spending all of your time getting into political debates? Do things like poverty, global warming, inequality, and potential war make you want to curl up into a ball and hide? When the world around us seems too big, too depressing, and too scary, creative people can sometimes go into hibernation mode.  Long lulls in our creative output come when we get sucked into all of the problems that the world faces.  Most of them just seem too big for us to try to face, so we simply don't do anything. But it is our duty as creative people to battle these problems by changing culture at its source. Us. In this episode, we listen back to previous guests who have also been overwhelmed by the scary world that they live in and who have battled back to make a positive change.  Youngman will try to make you realize that you don't have to have an enormous audience to make a change with your voice.  B

Shane Madden is an award winning illustrator and cover artist from Toronto, Canada.  He has illustrated for books, magazines, and games including NY Times best sellers.  He participates in workshops, online communities, and he teaches illustration at a college level.  He is also the founder of the Illustration Lighthouse. Full shownotes: http://yourcreativepush.com/shanemadden In this episode, Shane discusses: -His experience in going to art school and being initially overwhelmed. -Technical illustration and what that means. -The false idea of the “Field of Dreams” art career, where if you build it, they will come. -Building a portfolio around the type of work that you want to do, and taking the confusion away from the art directors that will be looking at your portfolio. -How someone like James Jean’s portfolio isn’t something you should try to emulate if you are looking for work, as he is simply showcasing his work. -His advice to not try to do multiple things at once, but instead start with the first thing

Lana Crooks loves the antique, the creepy, the cute and the mysterious. Constructing creatures from fabrics and found objects, she is a purveyor of faux specimens and soft curiosities that are a blend of science and fantasy. Sought after for her pattern-making abilities, she frequently teams up with other artists to breathe three dimensional life into their illustrations, earning her two Designer Toy Awards. Full shownotes: http://yourcreativepush.com/lanacrooks In this episode, Lana discusses: -The “convoluted” artistic path that she took. -Some of the many variables that came together to make her decide that she didn’t want to continue being an illustrator. -How an “escape from people” at her job at Virgin Megastore led to a new creative job. -How she started making her felt creatures and skeletons. -Having two unique styles and not being afraid to pursue both at the same time. -Her advice for people who spend too much time in the “incubation period” and allow themselves too much time to let doubt creep int

Audra Auclair is a Canadian artist whose work has spanned across many mediums.  She has been exhibited locally and internationally in Australia and America.  Although she achieved a Graphic Design degree, she instead specializes in exploring the surreal and beautiful female form with her transcendent fusion of fine art and illustration. She also has a YouTube channel, in which she focuses on art, mentality, and life, within an honest and calm atmosphere. Full shownotes: http://yourcreativepush.com/audraauclair In this episode, Audra discusses: -How she got to the point that she is at today in her artistic career. -Why she decided to move to Thailand to find her style. -How the way to find your style is to let go instead of trying too hard. -How she balances her time with creating art and also managing the business aspects of being a professional artist. -How she schedules her days and weeks. -The importance of trusting your intuition when you feel like you are supposed to do something, even if there isn’t a g

David Luong has been working in the visual effects industry professionally since 2005.  He is currently a Senior Cinematic Artist II at Blizzard Entertainment, doing lighting, compositing, and digital matte painting for Blizzard’s cinematics on games such as Diablo 3, Starcraft 2, World of Warcraft, Heroes of the Storm, and Overwatch. He has previously worked on films such as Night at the Museum, Superman Returns, and Underworld Evolution at Rhythm & Hues, Luma Pictures, and Disney Toon Studios. David also teaches for CG Master Academy and has his own art gallery, Photonic Playground. Full shownotes: http://yourcreativepush.com/davidluong In this episode, David discusses: -How he began his creative journey by teaching himself Photoshop. -A summary of his creative jobs at Disney Toon Studios, Luma Pictures, and Rhythm & Hues. -What it feels like to be at the “pinnacle” in working for Blizzard Entertainment, one of his dream jobs. -The feeling of being in “two worlds” in the cinematic department of the

Martha Beck is an American sociologist, life coach, best-selling author, and speaker who specializes in helping individuals and groups achieve personal and professional goals.  Her books include Expecting Adam, Leaving the Saints, Finding Your own North Star, The Joy Diet, and her newest book, Diana, Herself: An Allegory of Awakening.  She has also been a columnist for O, The Oprah Magazine since its inception in 2001. Her newest project is a revolutionary writing workshop called Write into Light. Full shownotes: http://yourcreativepush.com/marthabeck In this episode, Martha discusses: -The birth of her son and her decision to pursue joy no matter what the circumstances and no matter what anyone else thought. -The comparison between a destructive tsunami destroying long-standing buildings and structures and a surfer taking the ride of his life. -The frightening, but profound decision that people can make to take risks by following their joy. -The “Man Cage” and how men are heavily socially pressured to do wha

Aunia Kahn is figurative artist, photographer, creative entrepreneur and inspirational speaker. She has created a hybrid art form combining many disciplines. She designs, builds, and executes characters, non-existent places, dreams, illusions, fears and fables into creations, melding elements of classical and contemporary art. Aunia also runs/hosts the Create & Inspire Blog & Podcast where she helps and inspires creatives to follow their dreams! Full shownotes: http://yourcreativepush.com/auniakahnreplay In this episode, Aunia discusses: -How and why she started the "Create and Inspire" blog and podcast. -How John Lee Dumas of "Entrepreneur on Fire" inspired her to start a podcast (just like Youngman Brown with "Your Creative Push"). -How most artists don't realize that their art can be a business and many of the mistakes they make when trying to sell their work. -Her first creative moments with a Kodak Fisher Price camera as a child. -How even though we are the most photographed era in time, we are g

E.W. Harris and Jo Kruger have come together to form a new ensemble, Caves & Clouds, a collaborative outgrowth of the Big City Folk collective in New York City.  They are currently raising stake funds with Indiegogo for their debut record, The Winter of Our Discontent and the follow-up touring schedule. Full shownotes: http://yourcreativepush.com/cavesandclouds In this episode, E.W. & Jo discuss: -Jo’s story growing up as a musician and how she got connected with the Big City Folk collective. -E.W.’s experience moving to New York, living in Central Park, and meeting new people like Niall Connolly, the founder of the Big City Folk collective. -How each of them has been trying to work with the other for a long time and how excited they are to finally get a collaboration going. -The importance of collaboration in an uncertain political climate and artists’ responsibility to bring something new or positive to the table. -The inciting incident that sparked them to finally collaborate. -Some of the pitfalls

Brian Abbott is a Boston-based writer who has found his stronghold in the world of social media under the moniker of High Poets Society.  His poetry is most recognized for its mesmerizing rhyme scheme and clever wordplay.  Brian has recently published his first book, titled “High Poets Society.” Full shownotes: http://yourcreativepush.com/brianabbott In this episode, Brian discusses: -His history of writing and how he used to hide it from the world, only showing it to his girlfriends. -Using the identity of High Poets Society as a way to give him the courage to post and show a different side of himself that most people in the “real world” don’t get to see. -How your own perceived prediction of what people are going to think about you and your creative passion is always much worse than their actual reaction. -How the validation from the masses helps him to gain the confidence to talk about his poetry and to share it. -The initial experience of amassing a large following on Instagram. -How the number of followe

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/thomasdoddreturns In this episode, Thomas discusses: -Why he started doing animated photos. -His recent year-long creative block and what caused it. -How he got out of his creative block by trying something completely new and unexpected. -The danger that many successful artists encounter in which they become a “one-trick pony.” -How to know when it is actually time to move on to something else as opposed to self-doubt. -The importance of choosing to fill your time with positive messages rather than getting involved in negative, time-consuming arguments on socia

Marty is the creator of the blog Spaghetti Toes, which has been featured on sites such as the Huffington Post, The Today Show, Buzzfeed, and the Daily Mail.  His first book, I Love You with All My Butt: An Illustrated Book of Big Thoughts from Little Kids comes out on April 4th, 2017. Full shownotes: http://yourcreativepush.com/martybruckner In this episode, Marty discusses: -The very moment that sparked the idea for Spaghetti Toes. -His feature in Pleated Jeans and how that helped to spark his journey. -The importance of the name, Spaghetti Toes. -The actual process of creating an image once a quote has been uttered into existence. -The story of when he tried to push Harper into saying something profound for International Women’s Day. -The process of creating the book I Love You With All my Butt and working with Workman Publishing. -His advice to walk away from a project when you are experiencing a creative block. -Some of his other strategies for overcoming creative blocks. -The creative help that he is abl

Jon deMartin is among the leading figurative artists working today and has taught life drawing and painting for more than twenty years at the most prestigious academies and ateliers in the country.  His work has been reproduced in many publications, and he has exhibited at Hirschl & Adler Galleries, the John Pence gallery, and the Beijing World Art museum, just to name a few. In his book Drawing Atelier – The Figure: How to Draw in a Classical Style, Jon does just that by sharing techniques and approaches for drawing the human form. Full shownotes: http://yourcreativepush.com/jondemartin In this episode, Jon discusses: -His artistic history, which included a mixture of graphic design, fine art, and baseball. -How he began to create a path for himself to be a fine artist while he was a graphic artist. -Why fine art was so attractive to him and why he always kept that passion throughout his life. -Some of the initial Resistances that he faced when starting his figurative drawing. -How teaching was the thing

Derek Rodenbeck is an artist, photographer, travel blogger, entrepreneur, a proud dad of two massive dogs, a current student at the University of Pennsylvania, and an Army veteran. Currently, he is taking a break from it all, traveling across the United States with his girlfriend and two massive dogs, and that’s where we are catching up with him today. Full shownotes: http://yourcreativepush.com/derekrodenbeck In this episode, Derek discusses: -How he struggled in high school and his teachers told him that he wouldn’t amount to anything. -His epiphany in the Army that he wanted to be an artist. -The Kubert School and the success that he found in college. -How he balances his time with all of the many projects he has going on at once. -How to determine when it is time to abandon a project that isn’t giving you satisfaction anymore or taking you to the place you thought it would. -Why he took a break after finishing his latest commission. -What led to his decision to leave on his adventure with his girlfriend.

Julian Calor is a Dutch wunderkind with talent that exceeds beyond his years. At just 22-years-old, Julian has already set the scene alight with his unique sense of melody and chord progressions that have continued to send his presence surging forward. Sending his early demos into Revealed Recordings, the sound of Julian has since shot through the stratosphere, his #3 Beatport smash ‘Typhoon’ garnering millions of stream plays online and capturing the attention of those that matter. With Revealed label boss Hardwell being a supporter of his from the start, it seemed only fitting that the World #1 DJ offered him the chance to construct a spellbinding debut album titled ‘Evolve’ that presents itself as a release of eclectic beauty. Full shownotes: http://yourcreativepush.com/juliancalor In this episode, Julian discusses: -How he first started to create music. -How he experimented with sounds until it eventually started to sound like music. -When he knew it was the right time to send demos out to labels, includi

Justin Hopkins is a talented artist from, originally from Mukilteo, Washington.  After graduating from high school, Justin was hired by legendary illustrator Charles White III and he also created works for Google, Red Bull, Wired Magazine, Pabst, and ESPN.  Now, Justin works almost exclusively with oils and divides his time between New York and California. Full shownotes: http://yourcreativepush.com/justinhopkins In this episode, Justin discusses: -The influence that his parents had on him growing up as an artist. -The difference between having technical skills and being able to say something of substance via your voice. -How he started to work as an illustrator at the age of 14, and how he grew to hate it. -His experience as a musician. -The idea of needing to cleanse your creative palette with different mediums. -The experimentation that he pursues in his art. -Aphex Twin and his style of experimentation that allowed people to explore a new type of music that they wouldn’t otherwise. -How every piece he doe

Angela Hoover is a comedian, celebrity impressionist, and a mother of 2.  She was a semi-finalist on Season 8 of NBC’s America’s Got Talent.  She has guest-starred on the Emmy nominated Hulu series, Casual, been a talking head on TLC and Nickelodeon, improv’d opposite Dana Carvey on TBS’s First Impressions, and is currently a recurring cast member on Disney’s Walk the Prank. She has also written and performed 2 sold out one-woman shows at the Lex and the Comedy Central Stage at the Hudson in Los Angeles. Full shownotes: http://yourcreativepush.com/angelahoover In this episode, Angela discusses: -How from a very young age, she was always interested in other people’s dialects and impersonating them. -A “lightbulb moment” when her father took her to a musical. -Working for Jack Hanfield and the impact that that had on her life and goals. -The story of how she started impersonating Drew Barrymore. -Her experience on America’s Got Talent. -Feeling like you “missed the boat” after a long gap in your creative career