Your Creative Push

Andrew Salgado is a Canadian figurative painter who lives and works in London and has exhibited his work around the world.  His paintings are large-scale and incorporate elements of abstraction and symbolic meaning.  He is featured in books, is the subject of a documentary (Storytelling), and his work will be displayed at his latest exhibit, The Fool Makes a Joke at Midnight, which will be in New York City from May 7-28. Full shownotes: http://yourcreativepush.com/andrewsalgado In this episode, Andrew discusses: -How he fell victim to the clutches of London. -How he incorporates things around his studio and from his life into his artwork and anything that is around him is "fair game." -How he approaches his paintings in a fluid fashion and being as flexible as possible. -The importance of having fun when you paint and to enjoy the creative process. -The dangers that can come when you try to emulate your favorite artists too closely and how it can start holding back your personal style. -The fact that art is a

Philip Ruddy is a Los Angeles-based depth psychotherapist, who previously spent fifteen years as a writer, producer and development executive in Hollywood.   He now works with writers, artists and performers, helping them explore and transcend creative blocks, anxiety, depression, and the unique stressors of the film and television industry.  He can be reached via his website ActivelyImagine.com. If you missed Part 1, you can listen here. Full shownotes: http://yourcreativepush.com/philipruddy2 In this episode, Philip discusses: -The importance of his clients being sober when coming in for treatment so that they aren't "unconscious" during the process. -Why creative people rely on drugs or alcohol to subdue their minds from the constant thoughts, and healthier ways for them to disengage. -An extremely disheartening experience that he went through in the past, which helps him to relate to his clients today. -The journey that he took after having his original screenplay taken, which led him to becoming a psycho

Philip Ruddy is a Los Angeles-based depth psychotherapist, who previously spent fifteen years as a writer, producer and development executive in Hollywood.   He now works with writers, artists and performers, helping them explore and transcend creative blocks, anxiety, depression, and the unique stressors of the film and television industry.  He can be reached via his website ActivelyImagine.com. Full shownotes: http://yourcreativepush.com/philipruddy In this episode, Philip discusses: -His journey getting to the point he is now as a depth psychotherapist. -His explanation of what depth psychology is. -How he is able to tap into his experience as a development executive, screenwriter, and a short story writer in order to understand what other creative people are going through. -How writer's block is a personal thing that differs for every person that he works with. -The notion of befriending your creative blocks. -The idea of Active Imagination. -How we imagine the harshest of critics will judge our work, but

Brooke Shaden is a fine art photographer, author, and motivational speaker from Lancaster, PA.  She grew up near the "Amish Country" until attending Temple University. Brooke was photographically born in December 2008 after graduating from Temple with bachelor degrees in film and English. Self portraiture for her is not autobiographical in nature. Instead, she places herself within environments she wishes to explore, where secrets are exposed, impossibilities are tested, and life is questioned in eras beyond our own. Brooke works to capture fantastic realities within her photographic frame. By using painterly techniques as well as the square format, traditional photographic properties are replaced by otherworldly elements.Full shownotes: http://yourcreativepush.com/brookeshaden In this episode, Brooke discusses: -How photography felt like a rebirth for her because it was one of the first things that she considered herself “good at.” -The story of the first time she picked up the camera and started with self-p

Jessie is an award-winning blogger, screenwriter, and freelancer who just published her first novel DEAD RINGER. She also created and runs the monthly storytelling series, Sunday Night Sex Talks, which features racy tales by real people and offers a No Boys Allowed as well as a Co-Ed version of the show. Full shownotes: http://yourcreativepush.com/jessierosen In this episode, Jessie discusses: -Her background before she got into all of her varied creative pursuits. -How and why she started Sunday Night Sex Talk and the differences between the Co-Ed and No Boys Allowed versions of the show. -How she still gets nervous about having a sex talk show -The "vow of silence" that all of the people at the show agree to take. -How many of the first shows were only attended by a handful of people and how she was able to power through that discouragement. -Her suggestion to people who are starting out with a very small audience, to ask people for help. -The power in asking for specific help and knowing what to ask when r

David Talley is an internationally recognized photographer, director, and producer operating out of Portland, OR. His works exhibit the darkest moment before an explosion of light, a story broken, but changed for the better, and the ability to transform the present problem in to a prospering future. David is the founder and creative director of the world's largest photographic collaboration event, Concept Collaboration. If you missed Part 1, click here to listen! Full shownotes: http://yourcreativepush.com/davidtalley2 In this episode, David discusses: -How sharing your single sentence with people that you care about allows them to hold you accountable for the things that you believe in. -How more than art, he wants to be able to help people. -How he balances his time, working hard and then playing hard, along with the concept of sabbath. -The importance of having some "zest" to your life. -The Pareto principle and how it applies to him and other artists. -His greatest inspirations: God, J.J. Abrams and Grego

David Talley is an internationally recognized photographer, director, and producer operating out of Portland, OR. His works exhibit the darkest moment before an explosion of light, a story broken, but changed for the better, and the ability to transform the present problem in to a prospering future. David is the founder and creative director of the world's largest photographic collaboration event, Concept Collaboration. Full shownotes: http://yourcreativepush.com/davidtalley In this episode, David discusses: -How his personality doesn't lend well with a normal job where he is told what to do. -How many people are afraid of making money with their creative talents because they love it so much and don't want that love to disappear. -His "single sentence" and how it applies to his creativity as well as his life in general. -How if you want bad things to turn around, you have to seek out your "explosion of light." -How his creativity was nurtured from a very young age. -An important first experience photographing

Mattias is an incredible artist and illustrator from Sweden whose drawings feature infectious characters, fantastical worlds, sci-fi elements, and gentle, pleasing colors.  His work has been seen in the New York Times, The Onion, and Spotify, just to name a few.  He has released 4 personal books, and his book “The second in line, from the sketchbooks of Mattias Adolfsson won “Most beautiful Swedish book” in 2014, as well as several other awards. Full shownotes: http://yourcreativepush.com/mattias In this episode, Mattias discusses: -His initial journey in the workforce as he discovered what his true artistic passions were. -How his body physically told him that he could not work at the video game company after only a few days of working there. -How it can be a shock when you start freelancing because you are used to a steady paycheck. -The development and expansion of teams that work on video games going from a close-knit team of a few people to very large teams of hundreds of people. -How his only real hurdl

Rik Garrett is a photographer and artist from Chicago who utilizes analog photographic processes to explore themes surrounding the invisible.  His latest book, “Earth Magic” is a collection of photographs taken with an antique camera that explore witchcraft, the female form, and nature. Full shownotes: http://yourcreativepush.com/rik In this episode, Rik discusses: -How he was influenced by his mother, who was also a photographer. -How he took all of the images in his series "Earth Magic" using the wet plate collodion process. -All of the challenges that come with taking photographs with an antique camera and developing process. -Why he enjoys taking photographs with the wet plate collodion process even if it means more time, planning, and moving pieces. -Embracing the "mistakes" that occur as serendipitous events that can possibly tie the piece together. -How he often publishes "outtakes" on his social media pages. -How he is sometimes caught off guard by what people resonate with, especially if it is someth

Pascal Campion is a prolific French-American illustrator and animator from the San Francisco whose clients include: DreamWorks Animation, Paramount Pictures, Disney Feature, Disney Toons, Cartoon Network, Hulu, and PBS. Working in the animation industry for over 15 years, currently he is the Art Director for the Netflix/Warner Bros “Green Eggs and Ham” series. His feature work includes Visual Development of "Mr. Peabody and Sherman" and "The Penguins of Madagascar." Pascal also has worked with Marvel Comics since 2013 and has steadily posted over 3,000 images of personal work to his “Sketches of the Day” project since 2005. Full shownotes: http://yourcreativepush.com/pascal 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 star

Bo is a television writer who got his start and first two scripts on the Disney Channel’s hit show “Good Luck Charlie.”  His next writing job came on the Netflix Original “Richie Rich,” a sitcom remake of the classic comic book. In between those jobs, he raised $12,000 on Kickstarter to produce his own animated show, “Pearly Gates,” which was released in February 2015.  Bo graduated from Fairfield University in 2006 and was born and raised in Portland, Maine. Full shownotes: http://yourcreativepush.com/bo In this episode, Bo discusses: -His creative journey from college until the point that he is at now. -How his first forays into writing were treated like a "secret hobby." -How he had to convince his friend, Matt, to join him in creating writing as a career by using a Fairly Brothers clip. -How he took matters into his own hands while working on "Good Luck Charlie," by giving the showrunners his card and making sure they remembered him. -The idea behind "Pearly Gates" and his reason for creating it. -The pro

Brian D'Ostilio is a two-time Sports Emmy award winning associate producer for ESPN Films. His work includes documentaries like 30 for 30, 30 for 30 Shorts and SEC Storied as well as The ESPY Award Show each year. Brian recently produced "Believeland," a 30 for 30 that will premiere at the Cleveland Film Festival. Brian also happens to be one of Youngman Brown's best friends and former college roommate. Full shownotes: http://yourcreativepush.com/brian In this episode, Brian discusses: -His experience at a camp in which he first learned the basic skills to shoot, edit, and produce short films. -How making his lacrosse team's highlight reels every year really jump-started his creative motivation. -How the skills that he learned at that camp and in college have translated into his work at ESPN Films. -The importance of being able to work in a collaborative effort. -The things that go along with working for a corporation. -How only you are the one who is going to know about the hardships that go into your creati

Michael Vash makes his living by drawing funny cartoons, irreverent greeting cards to be more precise. Vash Designs officially began its foray into the greeting card business at the 2002 National Stationery Show in New York. Vash has found his niche in the mature humor market, servicing a retail demographic that is looking for something different opposed to the saccharin sweet Hallmark Card. Full shownotes: http://yourcreativepush.com/michaelvash In this episode, Michael discusses: -How he started his greeting card company after getting laid off from his job and revisiting the idea of drawing things that make people laugh. -How he is essentially a one-man operation and some of the struggles that go along with that. -One of his earliest creative memories. -What led him astray from a career in drawing. -How he wasn't happy working at Disney even though it seemed like a dream job on paper. -How laziness is one of the big things that holds him back from doing his work. -How it can be very difficult to create work

Bill Carman has worked as a designer, illustrator, and art director at universities, ad agencies, publishers, and large corporations. Since graduating with a BFA in visual communication/illustration and an MFA in painting he has always free-lanced and exhibited with ongoing national gallery representation in New York City, Las Vegas, New Orleans, and Los Angeles. Bill is currently a professor, teaching illustration and drawing, and his new book, “Imagery From the Bird’s Home: The Art of Bill Carman” is currently available from Flesk Publications. Full shownotes: http://yourcreativepush.com/billcarman In this episode, Bill discusses: -His career path that brought him to the Boise State. -How he has always done his "weird" stuff on the side. -How teaching changed everything for him, not just for the financial stability, but because he was able to surround himself with a creative environment. -For people who are thinking of starting to build a side career, how they have to ask themselves if they really want to d

Joel is a 31 conceptual and fine art photographer from Canada, currently living in the United Kingdom.  He has been creating and sharing his conceptual portraiture work for the last 7 years, and his interest in storytelling and self-expression through art is what motivates him to create and share his work with people around the world. Through his photography workshops, he has instructed over 200 students in 7 countries to build their creative portfolios and also set up a photography business and social media presence. Full shownotes: http://yourcreativepush.com/joel In this episode, Joel discusses: -How he fell into photography as a hobby and then went along for the ride in the last seven years. -His experience working for Coca-Cola and FIFA for the Wold Cup Trophy tour, and how he got to fly around the world taking photographs of celebrities and football players. -How when he started taking his conceptual photographs, it was like a secret hobby. -The reason why he is the subject of many of his photographs. -

Nathan Carson aka "Streetarthustle" is a talented artist who has taken fate into his own hands by being creative on his own terms, vowing to fulfill all of his creative desires and never do anything he doesn't want to again.  He is documenting this journey for all to see via his Periscope account, allowing other people to be inspired as well as learn from his mistakes. Full shownotes: http://yourcreativepush.com/nathancarson In this episode, Nathan discusses: -How he was laid off from one of the largest creative agencies, and how he is now just making it work with his "street art hustle." -The story about his podcast and what people can expect to hear from it. -How his podcast morphed into a Periscope adventure. -The differences between Periscope and podcasting. -His love for painting Warhammer miniatures and how he never let himself explore that in his free time because of the notion of getting to the top of the mountain. -How the more niche and strange your idea is, the easier it is for you to rise to the t

J.T. is the New York Times bestselling author of fifteen critically acclaimed novels, including What Lies Behind, When Shadows Fall, and All the Pretty Girls, and is the coauthor of the Nicholas Drummond series with #1 New York Times bestselling author Catherine Coulter. With over a million books in print, Ellison’s work has been published in twenty-five countries and thirteen languages. Her novel The Cold Room won the ITW Thriller Award for Best Paperback Original and Where All The Dead Lie was a RITA® nominee for Best Romantic Suspense. She is also the author of multiple short stories. Full shownotes: http://yourcreativepush.com/jt In this episode, J.T. discusses: -Her time living and working in Washington D.C. and how she thought that was the path she was going to go down. -How reading John Sanford inspired her to get back to her own writing and to give it a shot. -The memory of sitting down to write after eight years of not writing. -Her advice for people who have had a long hiatus from their writing or a

Kelli Klymenko embraces all aspects of art.  He is an artist, storyteller, photographer, teacher, yogi, husband, father, science aficionado and free thinker - experiencing life in one of the most inspiring and picturesque places on earth: Sedona, Arizona, where he lives with his wife and children. Full shownotes: http://yourcreativepush.com/kelli In this episode, Kelli discusses: -How when he was younger, he drew on any surface area he could find. -How he has dabbled in many different forms of art, but he loves photography especially because it is so quick. -His opinion that people should be sharing most of the work that they do, instead of only their best. -How he is sometimes surprised by the photos that are extremely successful in terms of "likes" because of how little time he put into it in comparison to others. -His iPhoneography course and why it is important. -How easy it is to change the way you look at the world in terms of photography, and how easy it is to share your photos. -How growing up, many p

Carol Carter is a painter from St. Louis, Missouri who works primarily in large-scale watercolors and acrylics.  She has been featured in books by RotoVision Press and was voted best St. Louis Artist by The Riverfront Times in September, 2000.  In 2002 her work was chosen for the cover of New American Painting.  Carol also shares her watercolor techniques in workshops throughout the year and throughout the country. Full shownotes: http://yourcreativepushcom/carolcarter In this episode, Carol discusses: -How it took her about ten years to develop her style and find her own voice. -Her advice to people who are struggling to find their own style or voice. -How you have to love your art and you also have to be willing to spend time with self-examination. -The process of creating the painting and how there is always one point where she is dissatisfied with it, but then finds a way to solve it. -How in the beginning of the painting until the middle, you tell the painting what you know, and from the middle until the

Danny Gregory has spent three decades as one of New York's leading advertising creative directors and has created award-winning, global campaigns for clients like Chase, JPMorgan, American Express, IBM, Burger King, Ford, Chevron and many others. Danny has written many internationally best-selling books on art and creativity. He is also co-founder of Sketchbook Skool, an online creativity school that has inspired tens of thousands of students around the world. Full shownotes: http://yourcreativepush.com/dannygregory In this episode, Danny discusses: -The voice in your head that tells you that you shouldn't be working on the ideas that you come up with. -The reason why he wrote the book "Shut Your Monkey." -The role that the amygdala has played in helping humans to survive as we have evolved, but how it now pops up in situations where it is not useful. -The value in recognizing the monkey's voice so that you can differentiate what it tells you is foolish from what actually is foolish. -The importance of sittin