Your Creative Push

Catherine Moore is a San Francisco Bay Area based artist.  Her work calls the viewer to that marriage of classical and haunting beauty, resembling in subtlety and natural colorings the feeling of another time, when illustration was part information, part poetry. She has exhibited in galleries across the U.S. and in Germany, Portugal, and Australia, and her work is collected internationally.  She is also a member of the Copycat Violence Art Collective, which holds several auctions and group exhibitions throughout the year. Full shownotes: http://yourcreativepush.com/catherinemoore In this episode, Catherine discusses: -How she didn’t go to art school until she was 28. -Her switch from freelance work to showing in galleries and what that transition was like. -How her original intention was to be a computer animator. -Some of the more stressful situations she found herself in as a freelance illustrator. -Her initial struggle with finding her own voice after creating things for other people for so long. -Her advi

Melissa Sue Stanley is a Chicago artist, working in a variety of media to create paintings and soft sculptures.  Her work is collected internationally and has been exhibited in galleries across the US.   Max Bare is a Chicago artist and designer. He creates and self-publishes comic series Mystery Afoot, Sour Milk and the upcoming Scally-Ho! Together Melissa and Max collaborate on fun projects such as handmade zines, murals, and live-painting.  Their current project is a comic book series for local brewery, Revolution Brewing. They also manage and host the Chicago Drink & Draw Social Club. Full shownotes: http://yourcreativepush.com/202 In this episode, Melissa & Max discuss: -How they choose which mediums to work in and how they balance them all at the same time. -The value in your Patreon patron’s opinions as well as your closest fans. -Max’s journey and what it took to get him to quit his job and become a full-time freelance artist. -What led them to create comics for Revolution Brewery. -Hosting th

Ann Rea is a San Francisco-based artist and the founder of Artists Who THRIVE.  Her artistic talent is praised by her mentor, Wayne Thiebaud, an American art icon. She has been featured in Fortune, The Wine Enthusiast, and Art Business News magazines, in The San Francisco Chronicle, in the book Career Renegade by Jonathan Fields, and on HGTV, ABC, and The Good Life Project. She is also a favorite instructor on Creative Live's "Money and Life" channel, broadcasting to over one million students worldwide. Ann is the creator of "The MAKING Art Making MONEY Semester ®," eight foundational online business and marketing courses. Her students study with fellow artists from around the globe via live video calls within a welcoming and supportive community. Full shownotes: http://yourcreativepush.com/annrea In this episode, Ann discusses: -How she became the “artist mentor” accidentally. -How the press she received brought artists to her, seeking help, and that is what set her on the path to helping them sell their art

Are you scared to create some of the ideas that pop in your head? Are they too big?  Too small?  Already been done?  Never been done?  Don't know how to do it?  What will people think of you if you created this scary idea? In today's episode, Youngman takes a look at the reasons why you never seem to get ideas, why you might be too scared to bring the ideas that you do get into existence, and the five EASY steps to change that pattern. Get the courage and creative inspiration to finally start creating those scary ideas! Full shownotes: http://yourcreativepush.com/scaryideas Quotes: "Ideas are fleeting.  They're like dreams -- if you don't have a habit of writing them down, you will totally forget them." "Ideas come with excitement.  You get that idea and sometimes your heart can skip a beat.  That excitement can really spur an idea on, kind of like hitting a ball up in the air with a paddle.  That idea has a life and a movement to it.  So keep hitting that ball and keep it moving before that excitement disapp

Agnieszka Pilat is an award-winning, Polish-born artist who studied painting and illustration at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco, CA.  Her works can be found in public and private collections in United States, Poland, Canada and China.  She currently lives and maintains a full time studio in San Francisco and is represented by numerous galleries throughout United States. Full shownotes: http://yourcreativepush.com/pilat In this episode, Agnieszka discusses: -How The Hills Have Eyes graphic novel played a role in inspiring her to become an artist. -One of her earliest creative moments in which she drew all over her childhood walls. -How she doesn’t believe in the words “inspiration” and “talent.” -Laziness and the difficulty she sometimes has to just start. -How athletes put their sneakers next to their bed so that they can get right into the flow, and how creative people should do the same. -The importance of habits and rituals. -Her fascination with time and how it plays a role in her art. -Th

Clark Huggins is a visual artist who combines imagery from his 13 years of experience as a theater actor with his lifelong love of fantasy, science fiction, and comics. In addition to his personal work, he has worked on several tabletop gaming properties, including ANDROID:NETRUNNER, CALL OF CTHULHU, and STAR WARS. His work has appeared in SPECTRUM, IMAGINE FX magazine, and INFECTED BY ART. Clark also works as a professional storyboard artist for film and television production, and has worked on them television series TRUE BLOOD, DAMAGES, and AMERICAN HORROR STORY. Clark is the creator of RECKLESS DECK, an idea generating card deck for artists looking to jumpstart their creativity. Full shownotes: http://yourcreativepush.com/clarkhuggins In this episode, Clark discusses: -His journey as an illustrator, storyboard artist, actor, and waiter. -Striking a balance between working for money and working towards personal projects and goals. -His advice for people who have a job that is not only non-creative, but it a

Gwenn Seemel 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/gwennagain In this episode, Gwenn discusses: -How her personal, creative, and professional life merge all into one. -The pros and cons of separating your personal and creative life. -Her battle with endometriosis and the story behind “Crime Against Nature.” -How things like homosexuality within nature are much more prevalent than is reported scientifically, and how things like dressing flamboyantly, not having offspring, and having multiple sexual partners can be connected to animals. -The origins of her decision to free all of her work from copyright. -How creativity and copyright go hand in hand. -How she got over the question of “am I special enough and why do I think I am allowed to do this?” and how focusing on portraiture helped her to put that specialness onto them. -The importance o

Seth and Andrew McMurry (Nukazooka) have been producing high-quality action shorts since 2011.  Their polished films, riddled with special effects bring to life both current and nostalgic characters and worlds, like Super Mario Brothers, Pokemon, Roller Coaster Tycoon, Darth Vader, Buzz Lightyear, Minecraft, and Legos, just to name a few.  To date, they have well over a million subscribers and over 350 million views on Youtube. Full shownotes: http://yourcreativepush.com/nukazooka In this episode, Nukazooka discusses: -Their creative history and what made them to making the Nukazooka channel. -The idea of making shorter videos, knowing that their audience on YouTube tends to prefer shorter content. -The advantages of keeping a small, family-like crew. -How all of Nukazooka’s videos started out as a question of “what if?” -Where the “dark” aspects of their videos come from and their intentional contrast to the happy-go-lucky type of worlds that they use as the setting. -The idea of competition and how it doesn

Nicolás Uribe is a painter born in Madison, WI, currently based in Bogotá, Colombia. He graduated with Honors as an Illustration Major from School of Visual Arts in NY. Nicolás has had numerous solo exhibitions both in the US and South America, and has exhibited his work in Mexico, Spain, and Egypt, among other countries. He splits his time between preparing works for upcoming projects and teaching Life Drawing and Painting at the Fine Arts Faculty of the Pontifical Xavierian University in Bogotá.  Nicolás is also part of the team at Blank Atelier in Bogotá, where he teaches workshops privately. Full shownotes: http://yourcreativepush.com/nicolas In this episode, Nicolás discusses: -Some of his earliest artistic influences. -The realization that he wasn’t good at creating comic books and the shift that he made as a result. -The influence that his teachers have had on him, especially Steven Assael. -How the fundamentals of painting are the same, no matter who is teaching them. -The idea that art is taught with

Matt Kohr is a concept artist in the game industry and has worked at Motiga Games, Vicious Cycle Software, and Hi-Rez Studios.  He is also the creator of the digital painting resource CtrlPaint.com. Full shownotes: http://yourcreativepush.com/mattkohr In this episode, Matt discusses: -How his path was much less linear than it might seem on paper, and more of jumping in and getting in over his head and figuring it out as he went. -The idea of setting a major goal and working towards it every day, and then being okay if the goal changes over time. -The difficulty that he sometimes has identifying as a teacher. -The value of communication. -How learning to digitally paint for beginners can be difficult even though there is a lot of free information and tutorials out there.  It’s a matter of where to start and in what order to consume things. -Using your frustration for something that isn’t working as permission for you to do it yourself. -How sometimes ignorance is bliss, and how sometimes it is better to not kn

Amanda Stalter is self-taught artist from southern California. She began creating art in the spring of 2014 and shortly thereafter began exhibiting her work in local galleries. Now residing in Brooklyn, New York, Amanda has been featured in magazines, Books, and exhibited her work in both national and international galleries. Full shownotes: http://yourcreativepush.com/amandastalter In this episode, Amanda discusses: -What set her on the path of becoming a visual artist. -The inspiration that can be gained from people who have already walked down the difficult path of a creative career. -Why she went down the path of a musician for so long. -Some of the initial fears that she had upon making the jump to be a painter. -Dealing with aspirations of grandeur. -Handling lack of support from people that are closest to you. -The importance of taking “baby steps” to achieve your audacious goals. -Her best and worst moments as a creative person. -How being a workaholic means that you have to turn down fun activities (

Michael Thomas is the creator and owner of Linkup215, an entertainment, fashion, culture, and artist platform, and a company based out of Philadelphia.  Aside from running his company, he is also a teacher and an author of an upcoming book, which he discusses in the episode. Full shownotes: http://yourcreativepush.com/michaelthomas In this episode, Michael discusses: -How he and Jasmine Anderson had the vision to create Linkup215 -The importance of giving back to the community and to those less fortunate. -Working with Philly Homeless and Sunday Breakfast. -How he finds time to achieve all of his goals while still maintaining a job as a teacher. -His love for writing, stemming from his father’s influence and Encyclopedia Brown. -The vision for his upcoming book, A Boy with a Dream. -Losing his initial outline for his book and how he dealt with it. -The importance of not dwelling on the bad things that sometimes happen, because thinking about them for too long will keep you stagnant. -How he attempts to captur

Kate Shaw is a Melbourne-based artist who creates landscapes that are simultaneously sublime and toxic.  Formed out of ‘paint pours’ and collage techniques, her landscapes capture the transcendent beauty of nature.  She has had many solo and group exhibitions and currently her work is touring to museums throughout Asia as part of the Asialink curated exhibition Vertigo. Full shownotes: http://yourcreativepush.com/kateshaw In this episode, Kate discusses: -How she got to the point she is at today in her artistic career. -The comfort and structure that a part-time job can provide while pursuing your creative passion on the side. -How nothing stifles creativity more than having to worry about necessities like food and shelter. -The power in finding a job that feeds into your creative passion. -The importance of relaxing the body and silencing the mind in order to get to homeostasis.  -Tapping into the creative energy of the universe so that you can more effectively communicate with people around the world. -Gett

Alex Cherry is an LA-based digital artist who blurs the lines between art and design.  He draws his inspiration from film, music, and pop culture to make stunning images that will always make you think. Full shownotes: http://yourcreativepush.com/alexcherryagain In this episode, Alex discusses: -The story behind his piece, "Starman" a tribute to David Bowie. -Art versus design, and how we don't watch design the way we watch art. -How to pursue your creativity by leaning on what you know, and for him that started with music. -His first creative moments and his creative journey from there. -How incredibly amazing the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Nintendo are. -How we are lucky to live in the time of the internet, and we should immerse ourselves in how easy it is to share and find new things. -Kanye West and his polarizing character. -Bret Easton Ellis's idea of "Post Empire." -How many people have separate selves that they put forth on the internet. -How having a character or a persona can give you a confid

Victor Mosquera is a concept artist working in the entertainment industry. He currently works at Ubisoft Toronto and his list of clients include companies such as Universal Music, Tor Books, Orbit Books, Volta and One pixel brush. In this episode, Victor discusses: -How he forged his own path, even though becoming an artist in Colombia is difficult. -The experience of learning from Nicolás Uribe. -The idea of building your own tribe, learning from the people around you, and finding new opportunities along the way. -Working with Seven Lions for his album art. -How his style developed. -How important his personal work is for him to detox. -Having a “fuck it” mentality when it comes to creating your own personal work and wondering what other people are going to think. -How sometimes it is okay to be the “master of none,” and to just experiment with new things – you never know what doorways will open up to you. -The difference between having a carefree attitude and an attitude without cares. -Becoming obsessed wi

Courtney Brooke is a photographer and conceptual artist who explores the ties of the feminine to nature and spirituality through the lens of nostalgia.  Her works focus on the concrete questions that grapple with our existence and by emphasizing aesthetics, she creates work through the labor-intensive processes as a personal exorcism ritual. Full shownotes: http://yourcreativepush.com/courtneybrooke In this episode, Courtney discusses: -What she means when she says that her art and photography is like a personal exorcism. -How she ended up sharing her photographic work and building an audience accidentally. -How her Instagram started as a personal account, and then eventually she started sharing her work on there. -The importance of having your own website or your own “domain” where you make the rules. -The notion of separate identities as an artist and as a person. -Having an “elevator pitch” prepared so that you can describe to people what it is that you do. -The importance of being selfish and making sure

One year after the launch of Your Creative Push, Youngman looks back to the very first Introduction Episode to see what he got right and what he got wrong. Even though it embarrasses him.  To the core. He also looks towards the future and shares plans for the show's second year. Take a short survey about your listening experience.  It will only take five minutes and it will go a long way in helping to make the show more helpful to you in the future!

Kelly Killagain is a South Jersey-based tattoo and fine artist specializing in line and dotwork.  Among the many things that Kelly draws, tattoos, and sculpts, she focuses closely on the various relationships between humans and animals and how they can be used to understand human psychology. Full shownotes: http://yourcreativepush.com/kellykillagain In this episode, Kelly discusses: -Attempting to balance two different creative passions, and at the same time attempting to balance personal work and commissioned work. -Her advice for pushing past the feelings of not wanting to get the work done in the limited time that you do have for your personal work. -The importance of remembering that even a creative session in which you don’t produce something tangible is not a waste. -The power of deadlines, even if it takes tricking yourself with “fake deadlines.” -Setting a timer and going at your work for that full time, distraction free. -Her fascination for the interaction that humans have with animals. -The differe

Tom Harold is an Indiana artist who combines the precision of mechanics with the feel of a Dr. Suess book to create exciting, fascinating custom kinetic metal art that soothes even as it entertains.  His rolling ball sculptures offer the viewer the sights and sounds that can mesmerize and entertain them for hours. Full shownotes: http://yourcreativepush.com/tomharold In this episode, Tom discusses: -How he was inspired by a George Rhoads rolling ball sculpture. -How he let his lack of knowledge in welding hold him back from starting to create rolling ball sculptures. -The power that comes from talking about something you are passionate about. -How marketing is nothing more than sharing your story with your people. -His advice for people with full-time jobs who are still trying to pursue their creative endeavors. -The importance of finding a job in which you can either learn things about your creative pursuit or have free time to pursue it on your own. -His struggles with perfectionism. -Christopher Moore and

Andrew T. Kearns is a freelance photographer/videographer based out of Washington. His career is spent behind a camera whether that's filming or taking photos, and it seems his free time is spent the same way. His latest project has been traveling and living on the road out of his car all while documenting his experiences through photography, social media, and more recently his vlogs. With a crowd reach of 450,000 he has built a significant influence behind his name and continues to grow his audience rapidly, alongside working with well known and respected brands. Full shownotes: http://yourcreativepush.com/andrewtkearns In this episode, Andrew discusses: -How he got started as a professional photographer and videographer. -Meeting Samuel Elkins and the influence he had on him. -His New Year’s Resolutions. -The importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle with healthy food and exercise. -Springing into action with your ideas instead of thinking and romanticizing about them. -How everyone shows their highligh