Your Creative Push

Adam Wilber is a world-class magician, author, inventor, and keynote speaker who believes that creativity isn't a finite personality feature -- it's a skill that EVERYONE can master with the right mindset. As a keynote speaker and creative thinking workshop leader, Adam engages, challenges, and inspires audiences with the promise that everyone can learn how to be creative and his five books define the magic formula of creativity and are the must-have manuals for anyone that wants to improve their creative quotient. Upgraded magic tricks and brand-new illusions skyrocketed Adam’s career as a professional magician. The never-before-seen inventions and illusions were highlighted on national television shows, including Penn & Teller, and in front of thousands of awestruck audiences at private and corporate events. Full shownotes: http://yourcreativepush.com/adamwilber In this episode, Adam discusses: -How creativity saved his life. -The response he got about a magic trick pertaining to creativity th

Jordan Hill is an illustrator and storyteller with a focus on characters and connections. She is the creator of The World of Immensum, which was born around seven years ago when an idea for a book series took on a mind of its own. Every short story, novel or illustration she creates take place in the same universe, with their placement in that universe depending on the planet, location on that planet, the time period it takes place in, or even the particular sub-timeline/alternate universe it is a part of. Full shownotes: http://yourcreativepush.com/jordanhill In this episode, Jordan discusses: -Her creativity from a very young age. -How she navigated the “in-between” of being equally left and right-brained but wanting to fully pursue art. -The negative experience she had of paying for college classes but not receiving an education. -How she was able to double down on NaNoWriMo while she was also taking college courses and holding a job. -How she always feels happier and more fulfilled when she is creating a

Marco Bucci began to study classical drawing at age 19, which led him to kindle a love for painting and illustration. He hasn't looked back since.  His experience includes books, film, animation, and advertising. His clients include: Walt Disney Publishing Worldwide, LEGO, LucasArts, Mattel Toys, Fisher-Price, Hasbro, Nelvana, GURU Studio, C.O.R.E. Digital Pictures, Yowza! Animation Inc., Pipeline Studios, and more. Marco is also a passionate teacher, and currently teaches "The Art Of Color & Light" at CGMA, a course specifically designed to build painting fundamentals from the ground up. Full shownotes: http://yourcreativepush.com/marcobucci In this episode, Marco discusses: -How he learned how to learn to draw. -The way in which he pursued art after abandoning it as something that he wasn’t as good as other people who “could draw.” -How the path to your goal is never a straight line and how you should embrace the fact that the path will be curved. -The labor of love that is his YouTube channel. -The wa

Fran Meneses aka Frannerd is a self-taught Chilean freelance illustrator who recently moved from Hastings, United Kingdom to New York City.  She takes a deep interest in her followers and patrons and her work often reflects the things that they want to see. She also has a popular YouTube channel in which she talks about pencils, paper, illustration and her daily life. Full shownotes: http://yourcreativepush.com/frannerd In this episode, Frannerd discusses: -Her recent move from the United Kingdom to the United States. -The way in which she burns herself out before drawing the line and allowing herself to rest. -Her constant battle with feelings of guilt for working too much or too little. -How she needs to give herself more self-love and treat herself and talk to herself the way she would treat her best friend. -How to know the difference between “urgent” and “important.” -The way in which ideas go from one person to another. -How her graphic novel About to Leave came to be. -The way in which the big project

Joshua LaRock is internationally recognized as a preeminent figurative artist. His exquisite paintings are an ode to the past filtered through a contemporary life. LaRock’s portraits and figurative pieces alike are memorable for both their emotive quality and for evoking an eerily present feeling. Inspired by Bouguereau and other masters of the past, Joshua imbues a shade of the timeless, drawing the viewer deeper into his personal interpretation of how the world ought to be. Among Joshua’s most striking works are those of his wife, Laura. In 2012, “Portrait of the Artist’s Wife” was hailed as ‘deserving special attention’ during the historic America China Oil Painting Artists League exhibit at the Beijing World Art Museum. While “Laura in Black” was part of the prestigious BP Portrait Award 2016 exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery, London and is the subject of his premier instructional video “The Layers of Portrait Painting”. Joshua currently lives in North Carolina with his wife and two children. Fu

Limbo is a musician from the Bay/Los Angeles area of California who is interested in creating sounds for your ears, minds and hearts.  While she wears a cat mask to take her identity out of the equation, she opens her heart with her diary-like lyrics and beats. Her new album is called Lonely But Never Alone and is available here. Full shownotes: http://yourcreativepush.com/limbo In this episode, Limbo discusses: -How she taught herself to play guitar and use Ableton via YouTube tutorials. -Why she chose to use a pseudonym and wear a cat mask to hide her identity and the superpowers that it gives her. -How she developed her unique style. -Her creation process and the starting point for each song. -Being self-taught vs. a formal education. -How she finds the motivation when she doesn’t feel like learning or working. -What went into making her new album, Lonely But Never Alone. -Resistances that she deals with such as self-doubt and comparison to others. -What went behind her decision to make the plunge of beco

Fieldey is a professional artist with over 16 years experience in art and design. She specialises in street art murals, portraits, painted surfboards and skateboards, and commercial illustration, all created with a style that combines realistic painting with a cheeky retro old-school tattoo flavour. She is well known internationally for her instantly recognizable iconic style and her popular YouTube channel, Fieldey TV, which features some of the best art tutorials on the web. Fieldey works with brands to create custom illustrations and artworks for their needs. Clients include Coca Cola, Citroën, Iron Fist Clothing and Seven Skates. Full shownotes: http://yourcreativepush.com/fieldey In this episode, Fieldey discusses: -Her initial interest in art and the thing that made her put it off. -The way in which surfing brought her back to art. -How her studies in graphic design helped her to create a brand for herself. -The way in which the limitations and restrictions of surfboards as a canvas helped her to de

Sophie Gamand is a French award-winning photographer and animal advocate living and working in New York.  Since 2010, she has been focusing on dogs and our relationship with them. Sophie travels around the U.S. photographing shelter dogs for free, to help bring awareness to their fate, and help them get adopted. Her most known series are Wet Dog and Flower Power, Pit Bulls of the Revolution.  She has won several prestigious photography awards for her work (including a Sony World Photography Award in 2014), as well as advocacy awards for her dedication to animal rescue and adoption. Sophie's work has been published in the press worldwide, online and in print (Buzzfeed, Huffington Post, Oprah Magazine, ....).  Her first book, Wet Dog, came out in October 2015. Full shownotes: http://yourcreativepush.com/sophiegamand In this episode, Sophie discusses: -How her overly critical father killed a lot of her creative drives. -Her time spent in Art Law, opera singing, and creating a photography magazine. -Moving to Ne

Cat Rabbit is a Melbourne-based textile artist and designer.  She makes plush sculptural works of my imagined characters and the worlds they might live in.  She also makes books for children and other fantastical artworks with her collaborator Isobel Knowles under the name Soft Stories. She have worked and collaborated with clients such as NGV, Soludos, Lunch Lady Magazine, Frankie Magazine, Odd Pears and Bakedown Cakery, and has work in permanent collections at Loreto Mandeville Junior Library and Melbourne Girls Grammar School. Full shownotes: http://yourcreativepush.com/306 In this episode, Cat discusses: -The roundabout way in which the thing that she was doing on the side became her career. -How she had to carve her own path and take the “scenic route.” -The advantages and disadvantages of being the first to market. -How she figured out how to price her work. -Re-purposing her pieces so that they can more effectively work for her. -How and why she first started making her creations. -How her process has

Miss Led aka Joanna Henly is an artist, illustrator and art director based in East London. As an artist Jo works from portrait commissions to large scale complex works, this work is often in public spaces or a live performance as part of an event – or she is the event, also creating portraits of guests of responding to a gallery or theme. In addition she creates personal work which is exhibited globally, as well as selling prints online. Jo is also the author of two new books, Portrait Drawing and Figure Drawing, which are pocket-sized approaches to explaining concepts that will have you looking and learning with step-by-step illustrations.   Full shownotes: http://yourcreativepush.com/missled In this episode, Miss Led discusses: -How each year of her career has been defined by something big. -A look into the highlights of her career from the eight-year gap to workshops to working with agents. -The way in which you think differently when you are teaching others and on the spot having to move quickly. -The dif

We lost a dear member of the Your Creative Push family.  Nathan Carson aka Streetarthustle passed away a few weeks ago. In this update, Youngman pays tribute to the artist that made him rethink what it means be open and honest, yet still wonder why not open up? Rest in peace, Nate.  You were an incredibly talented artist and a wonderfully kind person.   Links mentioned: YCP Episode 54: When the path disappears, PIVOT PIVOT PIVOT (w/ Nathan Carson) YCP Episode 100: The Universe wants you to be alive! (w/ Nathan Carson)

Matthew Miller is an artist in Tallahassee, FL who likes to paint natural beauty and human activity from life. Creating live paintings at sports events, music venues, and more, he paints with an energy that can be seen in the final product. Matthew started painting seriously three years ago because it makes him feel at peace and confident. "I started self-medicating with art therapy," he says, "and ended up getting addicted." Matthew is currently finishing a PhD in Philosophy at Florida State University, where he is writing a dissertation about the role of flow states in a good human life. In his free time, he can be seen playing outside, usually without shoes. Full shownotes: http://yourcreativepush.com/304 In this episode, Matthew discusses: -Moving to Tallahassee to finish the PhD program that he had started a few years ago. -How jumping into art full-time jeopardized how special art was to him and it became a stressor. -How he was letting other aspects of his life go to the wayside when he started pursuin

Polly Guo is a storyboard artist, currently working for Dreamworks.  She has previously been a storyboard artist for Adventure Time, and she has produced varied personal works such as Gawain's Girlfriend and the Green Knight and Houdini & Holmes. Polly lives in Los Angeles with her boyfriend, her rat Brown, and her dog Aggie.  Full shownotes: http://yourcreativepush.com/pollyguo In this episode, Polly discusses: -Her creative upbringing, from drawing Pokemon in middle school to storyboarding for Adventure Time. -Realizing that a certain style or method isn’t for her and then questioning why she doesn’t draw like everyone else. -The story behind Gawain’s Girlfriend and the Green Knight. -Advice that Sam Alden gave her to draw in a very tiny space to make decisions very quickly and not be too precious. -How art should be something that you discover as you’re creating it and from as much of the subconscious as possible. -The inspiration that she takes from Paul Thomas Anderson. -The story behind creating Hou

Mike Lowery is an artist and illustrator living Atlanta, Georgia.  His work has been seen on everything from greeting cards to children’s books to gallery walls all over the world.  His illustration clients include Hallmark, Random House, Nick Jr. Magazine, Viking, American Greetings, and Disney, just to name a few.  He is also the co-founder of Paper Ghost, a gallery and studio space in Atlanta, and he is a Professor of Illustration at the Savannah College of Art and Design Atlanta. Full shownotes: http://yourcreativepush.com/mikelowery In this episode, Mike discusses: -The enlightening experience of a client asking him to make his final product feel more like his original sketches. -Why he encourages people to sketch and doodle (and not throw away your sketchbooks). -How Random Illustrated Facts came to be. -Not telling other people your ideas and instead simply making it. -Saving your old work and ideas. -Keeping lists and then attacking them later, piece by piece. -How and why he started his Kickstarter.

Sara Fabel is a Finnish model, illustrator, tattoo artist and actress currently residing in Los Angeles, California. Sara lived her early and late teenage years in Helsinki, Finland.  She worked as a primary school teacher (grades 1-9) until moving to Australia and pursuing a career as an illustrator and later transferring in to tattooing.  Her tattoo work is well know for it's bold lifework and fine lines. Full shownotes: http://yourcreativepush.com/sarafabel In this episode, Sara discusses: -How she went from being a teacher to making her first tattoo. -How she deals with having a large following and how it can sometimes negatively affect her relationships. -Trying to only work with and surround herself with people who are good people. -The difference between highbrow and lowbrow art in terms of social media followers. -The notion of ego and how toxic it can be. -How some A-list tattooers can abuse their power. -How a tattoo is not just the piece of art on your body, but it also comes with the memories o

Christina Moyer is an elementary art teacher from Pennsylvania.  Her personal work includes oil painting, watercolor and paper art. She is also Youngman Brown's sister and the illustrator of their collaborative children's book, The Adventures of Tidy, Messy & VeryMessy, a project that has been in the works for a decade. Full shownotes: http://yourcreativepush.com/christinamoyer In this episode, Christina discusses: -How she became interested in art. -Starting out as an Art Therapy major in college and the decision to become a Fine Art major. -What led her to decide to become an art teacher. -Not getting to her personal work for a long period of time because she was so focused on developing her skills as an art teacher. -The “false starts” that occurred while creating the illustrations for The Adventures of Tidy, Messy & VeryMessy. -How to determine whether you are dissatisfied with your progress because it isn’t right or because you are a perfectionist. -Her breakthrough in illustrating The Adventure

Alexander Soukas is a contemporary realist painter from Denver, Colorado.  His serious training in the fine arts began upon attending the Walnut Hill School for the arts, one of five high schools in the country dedicated to rigorous training in music, ballet, theatre, writing, and visual arts. Unsatisfied with his studies, and desiring to pursue a career as an artist, he began homeschooling as a way of earning his diploma while undertaking an apprenticeship with realist figure painter Jason Polins.  Soukas studied traditional painting and drawing in Boston with Polins for 4 years, where he now visits as a guest instructor at Polins' atelier, The Boston School of Painting. After high school, Soukas studied with scholarship, at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts in a coordinated program with the University of Pennsylvania for a year before leaving to seek a more rigorous classical training at Studio Incamminati.  While there, he worked for and studied under Nelson Shanks as one of his last apprentices. F

Koosje Koene is an artist, teacher and co-founder of Sketchbook Skool. She has studied graphic design and worked as an award-winning photographer but it was her passion for drawing and painting that became her lifelong mission. Her enthusiasm as an illustrator inspired her to share her learnings online and became the basis for Sketchbook Skool today. Koosje lives in Amsterdam. Full shownotes: http://yourcreativepush.com/koosje In this episode, Koosje discusses: -How she was encouraged from a young age to pursue her creative passions. -Her entry and exit from the world of photography. -How she became interested in drawing. -How a dull job can actually make you more creative. -The experience of creating her own first courses and then meeting Danny Gregory. -The importance of community for creative individuals (and how Sketchbook Skool’s community differs from others). -How Draw Tip Tuesday started and how she has been able to stay so consistent for six years. -How creating Sketchbook Skool and creating instruct

Cassie Stephens teaches art at an elementary school in Nashville, Tennessee.  She spends a lot of her free time sewing wacky outfits to accompany art lessons, thrift shopping and just making stuff. She is also the creator and host of the podcast Everyday Art Room, a podcast that offers a glimpse into the world of elementary art and offers advice, stories and ideas to improve your teaching. Full shownotes: http://yourcreativepush.com/cassiestephens In this episode, Cassie discusses: -Going from a comfortable identity as the “weird artsy kid” in high school to an uncomfortable self-conscious lack of identity in college. -The difference in mentality between her fine art classes and her art education classes and classmates. -The biggest lie she was ever told and how it stayed with her for years. -How she put so much effort into teaching art that she let go of creating for herself for seven years. -The ways in which she got back to her personal creative side. -The ways she tries to align her DIY creative side wit

Alatar is a genderfluid digital artist who creates character-driven adult illustrations. Their work includes both fanart and original content, and attempts to explore a wide range of body types, ethnicities, gender identities and sexualities (with perhaps slightly more attention paid to abs). They are also the host of the podcast Blue Magic, where they interview other creatives in the erotic field. Full shownotes: http://yourcreativepush.com/296 In this episode, Alatar discusses: -Hopping universes. -Feeling like a NPC (Non Player Character) in your own life and taking control of -How the Miracle Morning was a game-changer. -“Voltroning” resources or inspirations together. -Visualization, manifestation and prioritization. -Watching movies through the lens of your favorite character and asking, What can I learn from him/her? -Seeing yourself doing the daily hard work as part of your montage (and even adding a soundtrack to it). -How the “silly” and woo-woo are preferable to the serious. -Gnosticism and how it