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Your Creative Push

Your Creative Push is the podcast that pushes YOU to pursue your creative passion, even though you have a busy, full-time life. Twice a week, Youngman Brown interviews artists, musicians, writers, photographers, graphic designers, and other inspirational creative individuals in an attempt to get them to inspire you to put aside your excuses and START DOING WORK. Each artist opens up to YOU, revealing the things that hold THEM back on a daily basis, and how they FIGHT THROUGH IT. They then give you one final push, in an attempt to motivate you to start doing work as soon as the episode is over. If you have a full-time job or full-time responsibilities and WISH that you had the COURAGE and MOTIVATION to FINALLY do that thing that has been on your mind, this podcast is for you!
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Now displaying: 2017
Dec 26, 2017

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!

Dec 18, 2017

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 that a truly successful artwork is one that people feel belongs to them more than maybe to you.”

“Location affects us, but it doesn’t have to rule us.”

“You are this new, completely unique thing in the world.  Never forget it.”

Links mentioned:

How to avoid art scams (from Gwenn's blog)

Mark Anthony Martinez

Your Creative Push Episode 26 w/ Gwenn Seemel

Gwenn’s article about discrimination

Connect with Gwenn:

Website / Facebook / Instagram / Twitter / Patreon

On the next episode:

Daniel Reyes : Website

What are you planning to do for Cramuary?  Join the discussion in the Facebook group!

Dec 11, 2017

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 interest in exploring the intersection between science and spirituality and “thin spaces.”

-Some of the frustrations that she encounters when trying to share her work on the internet.

-Her experience with Patreon and how it has encouraged and enabled her to communicate with her audience in a new way.

-The idea of throwing your hat over the fence and then figuring out how to get it.

-Her experience of becoming sick and taking a break from her art (and how she got through it).

-Attending Patrecon and what she learned there.

-The value in following people in other genres and other art forms and gaining inspiration from them.

Shayla's Final Push will inspire you to redefine your notion of success!

 

Quotes:

“I found that the shows that I was throwing for myself were far and away more successful than the shows that the galleries were throwing for me.”

“I loved being my own director and I loved being in charge of my creative vision for my own shows.”

“I’m intentionally experimental in my art and I don’t like to master anything.”

“Go completely nuts.  When you have that opportunity when nobody is watching you, you can do anything.”

“The difference between successful artists and unsuccessful artists is that the successful ones just keep going.  If you stop, you’ve guaranteed that you failed.”

Links mentioned:

Patrecon

The Long Game Part III: Painting in the Dark by Adam Westbrook

Gwenn Seemel on Your Creative Push

Connect with Shayla:

Website / Instagram / Twitter

On the next episode:

Gwenn Seemel: Website / Instagram

Join the discussion in the Facebook group!

Dec 5, 2017

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 harder times that he went through and learning from the mistakes that he made.

-Coming back to the tattoo scene with a new focus.

-His renewed commitment to be teachable in all the things that he had missed out on.

-How rehab changed his life.

-The way in which meditation helped him to maintain focus with his art.

-The experience of meeting Steve Jones and writing his new book, Smile Now, Cry Later.

Freddy's Final Push will inspire you to push past your obstacles… they are supposed to be there!

 

Quotes:

“Ed Hardy’s objective, which became our objective, was to get the world to see that tattooing was a form of art.”

“I came back with this new focus, and I realized that things had really changed.”

“That was the commitment that I made.  To be teachable.”

“It’s almost like a new beginning for me.”

“Nothing comes easy.  Everything requires hard work and determination.”

“Always fight.  Always work hard.  And always push forward.”

Links mentioned:

Smile Now, Cry Later; guns, Gangs, and Tattoos - My Life in Black and Gray by Freddy Negrete and Steve Jones

Connect with Freddy:

Website / Instagram

On the next episode:

Shayla Maddox : Website / Instagram / Patreon

Join the discussion in the Facebook group!

Nov 27, 2017

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 working with Tim Burton and Frank Oz.

-His Academy Award win for Bram Stoker’s Dracula, and his nominations for Ghosts of Mississippi, Schindler’s List, and Albert Nobbs.

-His advice to young people who are considering getting into makeup effects.

-How he took on the “Oscar Curse.”

-The change that occurred in his work and career after he stopped working from home.

-Learning to delegate.

-His advice to always find a way to learn from your mistakes.

-Maintaining a professional relationship with actors and actresses.

-What he’s up to now, including helping James Glavan with the new edition of Richard Corson’s Stage Makeup.

Matthew's Final Push will inspire you to follow your passion and enjoy what you do! 

 

Quotes:

“I never started my career out thinking ‘I’m going to win an Academy Award.’  I just did it because I love this profession.”

“If you really love what you do, you’re going to be successful.  Because you point yourself in that direction and it’s a positive thing in your life.”

“60% is working with people, listening, being kind, and doing your job.  And 40% is your talent.”

“I had to learn to let go of some of my idiosyncrasies and demands of myself and put that onto others.”

Links mentioned:

Richard Corson’s Stage Makeup

Connect with Matthew:

Website / IMDb

On the next episode:

Freddy Negrete: Instagram / Book

Join the discussion in the Facebook group!

Nov 20, 2017

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 creative individuals.

-Learning from her husband, Jean Pierre Arboleda’s experiences.

-Some of the creative resistances that she faces.

-Not getting too caught up in what other people are doing, but keeping your head down and doing your own best work.

-How to bridge the gap between lack of skill and taste.

Hannah's Final Push will inspire you to stop thinking about money as a measure of success, but rather as a means of creative exchange!

 

Quotes:

“You never want to put yourself in a place that you can’t do your own work.”

“I can’t tell you how many people asked me, ‘Why are you going to college for art?  This is a waste of a degree.”

“I feel like half the time you are making things, you’re in a frustrated state.”

“Do your best work.  Don’t look at anybody else.  Keep doing what you feel is comfortable and right for yourself.”

“I did a lot of work and I sucked at a lot of it, but I kept making it and learning from those mistakes.”

“I really believe in creative people and I think that the world needs more of them.”

Links mentioned:

Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance by Angela Duckworth

Martin Wittfooth on Your Creative Push

Stuart Holland on Your Creative Push

Connect with Hannah:

Website / Facebook / Instagram / Twitter

On the next episode:

Matthew Mungle : Website / IMDb

Join the discussion in the Facebook group!

Nov 13, 2017

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 struggles with imposter syndrome… even Neil Gaiman.

-How she battles her inner editor through word sprints.

Nikki's Final Push will make you realize that the world needs your story!

 

Quotes:

“I feel like when I was querying the story, I was asking for permission for my story to be real to people.  The more I did it, the more I hated the idea of other people being in charge of what I wanted to put into the world.”

“It’s like two-parts writing and a-million-parts promoting.”

“Rejection isn’t an excuse to not put a book out there anymore.”

“Any creative person that’s good at what they do hates half of what they do.”

“Your world is in your head, and it’s up to you to make it real.”

Links mentioned:

Metamorphosis Editing Services

Kelly Killagain on Your Creative Push

Write or Die

The Art of Asking: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Let People Help by Amanda Palmer

Connect with Nikki:

Website / Books / Goodreads / Facebook / Instagram / Twitter

On the next episode:

Hannah Yata : Website / Instagram

Join the discussion in the Facebook group!

Nov 6, 2017

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 decision to not wait until you reach Point B to be happy, but to attempt to experience happiness today and throughout your entire journey.

-How following your joy leads to finding more joy (and also spreading it to others).

-How she battles negative thoughts and even depression.

-How wishing on a star is a skill we have as children that we gradually lose.

-How artists need to take their creative “medicine” or else they start to feel ill.

-Donald Trump in relation to creativity.

Megan's Final Push will remind you to stop fretting and realize that people are looking for your creativity!

 

Quotes:

“I just let all of the roadblocks overcome me.”

“I was on the wrong path and I was doing all the wrong things.  Everything had to blow up in order for me to get on the right path.”

“I had lost the sense of joy of creating.”

“What is it I want to make, and what is it that makes me the most happy while I’m making it?”

“If you have a creative passion that you’re not pursuing, chances are you’re feeling a little bit negative and sad about it.”

“There’s nothing that can stop me except for my own thoughts.”

“If it’s tickling your heart, then that’s the right thing.  Do more of that.”

Links mentioned:

Matthew Miller on Your Creative Push

Ask and It Is Given: Learning to Manifest Your Desires by Esther Hicks and Jerry Hicks

Paul Selig on The Duncan Trussell Family Hour Podcast

Connect with Megan:

Website / Facebook / Instagram / Twitter

On the next episode:

Nikki Rae : Website / Twitter

Join the discussion in the Facebook group!

Oct 30, 2017

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 honesty.

-Being adaptable and not becoming a caricature of yourself by doing the same thing over and over again.

Justin & Yoshino's Final Push will inspire you to trust yourself and to continue to be a good person and help others on their journeys!

 

Quotes:

“We just realized it’s better together rather than competing against each other.”

“There’s something that happens when you push towards something that you feel you are meant to be doing with as much energy and passion as you can.  Things will just start happening.”

“By understanding other people’s creativity, I can understand myself even further.”

“Be honest with yourself and be able to adapt and evolve with the process.”

Links mentioned:

NOH/WAVE

Artist Decoded

Justin Hopkins on Your Creative Push

Connect with Justin & Yoshino:

Justin's Website / Justin's Instagram / Yoshino's Website / Yoshino's Instagram

 

On the next episode:

Megan Carty : Website / Instagram

Join the discussion in the Facebook group!

Oct 26, 2017

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.

-How traveling has influenced her art.

-How she balances her time with being a wife, a mother, and an artist.

-Dealing with self-doubt.

-What Artists Helping Artists is all about and what people can get from it.

-Being brave and reaching out to other creatives that you want to connect with.

Carrie's Final Push will inspire you to reach even further than your wildest dreams!

 

Quotes:

“It’s this friendship and this professional group that has made all the difference in my life.  They keep me focused.”

“I move so often that I have to reinvent this community for myself.”

“I have a clear goal and a clear idea of where I want to be so that keeps me motivated and moving.”

Links mentioned:

Artists Helping Artists

Carol Carter on Your Creative Push

Justin Hopkins on Your Creative Push

Connect with Carrie:

Website / Facebook / Instagram / Pinterest

On the next episode:

NOH / WAVE : Justin Hopkins / Artist Decoded by Yoshino

Join the discussion in the Facebook group!

Oct 23, 2017
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 only thing worth writing was something that would win an award.

-Doing NaNoWriMo for the first time and how it changed her life.

-Her take on getting ideas.

-Her advice for anyone who is considering doing NaNoWriMo.

-How something good can come out of a writing challenge, even if you fall short of your initial goal.

-Being able to meet other people who are doing NaNoWriMo.

-Some of the struggles she initially had with dictation and her advice for writers who want to try it.

-How your first draft is like producing a block of marble, and the later drafts allow you to chisel away at it to make a sculpture.

-Self-censorship and fear of judgment.

Joanna's Final Push will make you realize how much time you might have wasted and get moving in order to achieve your dreams!

 

Quotes:

“If you set your mind to it and then take action, you can live the life of your dreams.”

“There are lots of ways to get information and ideas.  You just have to tune into the things that are most interesting to you.”

“The temptation for creative people is to do those practical things.  It’s much easier to maintain your website or blog or do social media than it is to sit down and do something new.”

“Take that creative push and go create!  Make the time and do it because you can absolutely change your life.”

Links mentioned:

On Writing My First Novel -- The Creative Penn

NaNoWriMo

Dragon Dictation

Writeordie.com

Connect with Joanna:

Website / The Creative Penn / Books / Facebook / Instagram / Twitter

On the next episode:

Carrie Waller : Website / Instagram

Join the discussion in the Facebook group!

Oct 19, 2017

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 Skillshare.

-Her advice for anyone wanting to take Skillshare classes to be strategic with what classes they want to take and to also share their projects.

-Some of the resistances that hold her back, such as putting her face to her art/teaching.

-How she balances her time by noticing the rhythm of her week and having lunch with herself on Fridays to recap how things went.

Amarilys' Final Push will inspire you to spread yourself thin and try multiple things to determine what direction you want to go!

 

Quotes:

“It makes sense to take what you’re really passionate about and simmer in it with whatever your creative with.”

“I just start painting where I’m at, and then I’m able to think deeper and receive anything else that is going to take me further.”

“You don’t know what you’re good at until you try it.”

“The greatest question you can ask yourself is what makes my heart jump up and what is connecting me to what I really am and what I was made for?

Links mentioned:

Amarilys on Skillshare

Racheal Cook's podcast

James Wedmore's podcast

Cloze App

Connect with Amarilys:

Website / Skillshare / Instagram / Facebook / LinkedIn

On the next episode:

Joanna Penn : Website / Facebook / Twitter

Join the discussion in the Facebook group!

Oct 16, 2017

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 creative life.

-Letting ideas percolate until they are ready to be put onto paper.

-Allowing ideas to come to you from your life experiences.

-Getting offered a job at Blizzard Entertainment, working there, and what made him want to leave.

-Dealing with the pressures of other people wanting you to do something that you know isn’t the right fit for you.

-His upcoming TEGN Book 1.

-How he lacks a ruthlessness when it comes to working with clients.

-His advice for young artists.

Even's Final Push will inspire you to work a little bit, always!

 

Quotes:

“I never sit down with the express intent of Alright, it’s drawing time, let’s come up with something to do.

“The drawing process doesn’t start when the pencil meets paper.  It starts when I have an idea that I want to put down on paper.”

“Whenever you see something that appeals to you aesthetically, make a note of it, try to figure out why you like it, try to figure out what aspect of it pleases you, and then figure out how you can use that for the creation of your own ideas.”

“The quickest way to get quicker is to slow down.  To make choices deliberately and with forethought and intent.”

Resources mentioned:

TEGN Kickstarter

Connect with Even:

Artstation / Facebook / Instagram

On the next episode:

Amarilys Henderson : Website / Instagram

Join the discussion in the Facebook group!

Oct 12, 2017

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 they will continue to come through dedication and determination.

-The difficult task of not judging what you are doing.

-Saving your old work.

-The importance of the encouragement of the people that he loves, like his wife and his sister.

-How he balances his time.

-The beauty of “stop days.”

-Some of his experimentation with drawing blind or drawing with his left hand.

-The importance of realizing that your art is at your mercy, you are not at your art’s.

Bill's Final Push will remind you to have as much fun as you can with your creative passion and to stay out of your own way!

 

Quotes:

“Sometimes the best work happens when you’ve been so damn stubborn that you haven’t walked away.”

“It’s just dedication.  It’s just stubborn determination.”

“There was a period in my life where I tried very hard not to be an artist, but I couldn’t do it.  To feel right and whole and as much like me as I needed to be, I couldn’t walk away from art making.”

“If you’re not making judgments or decisions, then what is directing you?  How do you move?”

“Do what feels right in the moment, and then allow yourself a whole lot of time after that moment before you decide whether what you did was right.”

“How do you be what you want to be, and also be what you have to be?”

Links mentioned:

Bird by Bird: some Instructions on Writing and Life by Annie Lamott

Mad Enchantment: Claude Monet and the Painting of the Water Lilies by Ross King

Connect with Bill:

Website

On the next episode:

Even Mehl Amundsen : Artstation / Instagram

Join the discussion in the Facebook group!

Oct 10, 2017

Scott Listfield is known for his paintings featuring a lone exploratory astronaut lost in a landscape cluttered with pop culture icons, corporate logos, and tongue-in-cheek science fiction references. Scott grew up in Boston, MA and studied art at Dartmouth College. After some time spent living abroad, Scott returned to America and, shortly before the real life, non-movie version of the year 2001, began painting astronauts and, sometimes, dinosaurs.

Scott has been profiled in Juxtapoz, Wired Magazine, the Boston Globe, New American Paintings, and on at least one local television station. He has exhibited his work in Los Angeles, London, Chicago, New York, San Francisco, Miami, Montreal, Boston, just to name a few.

Full shownotes: http://yourcreativepush.com/scottlistfield

In this episode, Scott discusses:

-How he wanted to be an astronaut as a child, and how that would later (greatly) influence his art.

-High school art class, and how it took him some time to realize that college art classes could be similar.

-The experience of travelling abroad and not feeling at home, and how that feeling remained with him after he returned to America.

-Watching Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey and how that influenced him to use an astronaut as his protagonist.

-How he could have never expected the astronaut paintings to last as his subject matter for so long.

-How and when inspiration strikes him.

-The obligation that he sometimes feels to cover current political issues.

-The importance of getting out of your everyday routine if you are lacking inspiration.

-His daily struggle of not having enough time in the day to do everything he wants to do.

-How he was nervous about running out of ideas once he became a full time artist (but found the opposite to be true).

-His advice for balancing a full-time job with your own personal artwork.

-Building a routine out of your creative passion.

-The amazing tool of the internet and social media.

Scott's Final Push will remind you to get back to the FUN you had when you first explored your creative passion!

 

Quotes:

“I felt like I had been tossed into the deep end of American pop culture and I didn’t feel at home or comfortable.”

“There’s this idea of artistic inspiration.  The artist is usually wearing a beret with a pipe in their hands, staring at a blank canvas, saying ‘Aha!’  And that is never the case for me.”

 

Connect with Scott:

Website / Facebook / Instagram / Twitter / Tumblr

On the next episode:

Bill Logan : Website

Join the discussion in the Facebook group!

Oct 9, 2017

Become a patron!  http://patreon.com/yourcreativepush

Just a quick one today, asking you to please consider donating what you spend on one cup of coffee, once a month. 

So much of my time, effort, and money is required to keep this show going, and it is starting to really add up.  And with sponsorship not yet panning out, I need your help in order to keep up the quality and quantity of episodes that you are used to.

If the podcast has helped you to get to your creative passions, please consider becoming a Patron.

It will go a long way to helping out the show, and it will make me love you more than I already do.

Thank you so much for your support, and thank you even more for getting to your creative passion every single day and making the world a better place!

<3 Youngman

Oct 5, 2017

Glen Phillips is an American songwriter, lyricist, singer and guitarist, who is best known as the singer and songwriter of the alternative rock group, Toad the Wet Sprocket.

This episode features songs from Glen's latest solo album, Swallowed by the New, which is available everywhere music is sold (and links below).

Full shownotes: http://yourcreativepush.com/glenphillips

In this episode, Glen discusses:

-The story of how Toad the Wet Sprocket started.

-How he originally wanted to be a teacher and didn’t think that he had the ego or the thick skin to be a professional performer.

-His thoughts on religion, spirituality, and his desire to reclaim the word “God” for himself.

-The importance of being grateful.

-The singing circles that he is taking a part of and the sense of community that it has brought to his life.

-His take on the purpose of music and how it is not about one person singing and everyone else listening.

-His attempt to be vulnerable and share his pains so that it can act as a tool for other people.

-How he felt miserable for years in the role of provider that he put upon himself.

Glen's Final Push will remind you to do what you do BECAUSE YOU LOVE IT!

 

Quotes:

“In some ways it’s everybody’s dream and it’s everybody’s nightmare because you’re getting up there and bearing your soul in front of people and allowing them to judge you.”

“Life gives you the coursework you need, not the coursework you choose.”

“I just feel a great compulsion to give thanks.”

“Everyone came in here, ready to wake up and the music is serving as this solvent to take away all this stuff that’s secreted over everyone’s soul and kind of free them up for a moment.”

“Music is not about being the star.  It’s about sharing and losing yourself in the song and ceasing to exist for a moment and realizing that you are a part of something larger.”

“The happiest people I know are the hardest working.”

Links mentioned:

Swallowed by the New [iTunes] [Amazon] [Physical]

Connect with Glen:

Website / Facebook / Instagram / Twitter

On the next episode:

Scott Listfield : Website / Instagram

Join the discussion in the Facebook group!

Oct 2, 2017

Jake is an illustrator who has worked for 15 years on everything from animated films to comics to picture books.  He is the creator of the Missile Mouse graphic novel series published by Scholastic, and he has worked for Blue Sky Studios, creating sets and environments for feature films like Horton Hears a Who, Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs, Rio, and Epic.  He now freelances out of his home studio in Utah.

Full shownotes: http://yourcreativepush.com/jakeparkeragain

In this episode, Jake discusses:

-A bit about his personal life and what he is currently up to.

-Why he started SVS School, who his target audience is, and what you can learn there.

-Some of his earlier memories of drawing.

-How his parents and teachers were very supportive as well as his friend's mom, who was a painter.

-How doubt, comparing himself to others, time restraints, and over-committing to things are the main things that sometimes hold him back.

-How sometimes he compares himself to other people who are doing other careers and making lots of money, but then he remembers the freedom and joy that drawing gives him.

-How he gets through negative thoughts and battles through his resistance.

-The influence that both his wife and God play in his life, especially when he feels lost or discouraged.

-One of his hardest moments creatively, which actually came as a result of accomplishing one of his lifelong goals.

-An e-mail that completely changed his perspective when he was feeling like Missile Mouse was not having an impact.

-If you are taking on a large personal project, making sure that you create an appropriate balance with all of the other things that are important in your life, such as family, friends, and work.

-Making a large project into a marathon, not a sprint, and chipping away at it.

-The importance of rewarding yourself as you reach milestones.

-Finding a way to create accountability with self-imposed projects.

-How he balances his time, by making sure that everyone knows what is expected of them and being able to be flexible.

Jake's Final Push will inspire you to COMPLETE SOMETHING, even if it isn't perfect.

Quotes:

"For this little artist kid, there was all this opportunity and I just ate it up."

"If I faced any resistance then and now, it's always been self-imposed."

"I think being an artist as your career choice is probably the hardest thing you can do to make money."

"Yea.  I could be sitting there on the beach, thinking, Man, I wish I was drawing."

"Life is hard enough as it is with everything that people are doing, and I'm happy to provide a place for someone to escape to when they need.  And that's what keeps me going."

"It doesn't work to have accountability to yourself.  Because yourself knows all your excuses and sees the validity in them and will give you a pass."

"You need a final product, you don't need a project."

Links mentioned:

Society of Visual Storytelling (SVS School)

You Need a Product, Not a Project e041 (Jake's YouTube channel)

Connect with Jake:

Website / Facebook / Instagram / Twitter / Pinterest / YouTube / Tumblr / Store

On the next episode:

Glen Phillips : Website

Are you doing Inktober or something similar?  Join the discussion in the Facebook group!

Sep 28, 2017

Shawny Sheldon is an artist who is inspired by nature and quirky whimsical stuff.

She forged a path for herself as a high school art teacher, and she has been teaching for twenty five years.  She is also the creator of Lily the Hedgehog.

Full shownotes: http://yourcreativepush.com/shawny

In this episode, Shawny discusses:

-Her poor eyesight as a child and how it affected her as an artist.

-Some of her other early influences like her father, water, New York City, and the great masters.

-The experience of going to California.

-The decision she made when faced with the choice between the commercial route and teaching.

-Her decision to forge forward with her goals, even when people told her that she couldn’t find a job as an art teacher.

-The influence that teachers and professors have and why they shouldn’t be discouraging.

-The fears that she had in starting her Instagram account and participating in Inktober.

-Creating Lily the Hedghog, and how she became a symbol of strength.

-Learning to let go of perfect.

-Her creative relationship with her son.

-Some of the most important messages she attempts to teach her students, not just about art, but about life.

Shawny's Final Push will encourage you to find your bliss station – your space and time to do your artwork.

 

Quotes:

“I was just set in my way that this was what I was going to do.  And I did it!”

“If you are supposed to be doing something, you can feel it in your body.”

“Teachers have great power.  And they can abuse it.”

“When things don’t go right in your life, it’s actually a new opportunity for you to reinvent something or for you to be better at something.”

“Perfectionism is not about being meticulous.  It’s about fear.”

“You woke up in the morning.  You’re here.  You have a gift.  You have the gift of today.”

Links mentioned:

Inktober

Keith Haring

Connect with Shawny:

Instagram

 

Join the discussion in the Facebook group!

Sep 25, 2017

Noah Bradley is an American artist, known best for his work on Magic: The Gathering cards, as well as his The Sin of Man project.

He is also well-known as the guy who told everyone "don't go to art school.  As a supplement to that advice, he founded Art Camp to help art students all over the world learn to make better art.

Full shownotes: http://yourcreativepush.com/noahbradley

In this episode, Noah discusses:

-The list that he made of things he wanted to do with his life, and why he chose “artist.”

-His experience at RISD and VCU.

-How he decided to become a landscape and environment artist.

-The confusion, disappointment, and excitement that he felt when people started responding to his landscape work.

-Being plagued with the desire to move onto another piece as opposed to finishing the one he is working on.

-His experience working for Wizards of the Coast and doing art for Magic: The Gathering.

-Why he gave away free prints at Illuxcon and what that did for his art career.

-The difficulty he has in scheduling his life and knowing where he is going to be the next day.

-Why he believes that people should not pay for art school.

-His advice for people who have difficulty keeping self-imposed deadlines and holding themselves accountable.

-The importance of making your creative passion a habit (especially in the morning) so that you can take the decision-making process out of it.

-Finding an external source to hold you accountable.

-Quitting social media and what has happened since.

-His personal project, “The Sin of Man.”

Noah's Final Push will make you realize that as long as you put the time and hard work in, you can reach your creative goals too!

 

Quotes:

“For my own happiness, I can’t just sit around and not make something.  If at the end of the day I don’t have something tangible in my hands or on a screen that I made, I don’t feel happy about how productive I was that day.”

“Just go for it.  Whatever happens to click for you is the thing that you should be pursuing.  And it’s often not the thing that you originally set out to do.”

“Find ways to make it a habit rather than a decision.”

Links mentioned:

How I Became an Artist by Noah Bradley

Don't Go To Art School by Noah Bradley

Art Camp

The Sin of Man

Connect with Noah:

Website / Art Camp

On the next episode:

Shawny Sheldon : Instagram

Join the discussion in the Facebook group!

Sep 21, 2017

Chrilz is a contemporary artist whose work focuses on human nature -- our experiences, our relationships, and our emotions.

Everything Chrilz creates is in a Neo-Figurative Expressionist style that uses the human form as its vessel.  Through color, line, geometry, and realizm, he is constantly seeking to visually express this severely emotional, dynamic life.  Every pieces is both formal and conceptual in a very intentional way, all of which serving the ultimate goal of expression.

Full shownotes: http://yourcreativepush.com/chrilz

In this episode, Chrilz discusses:

-His experience at college and determining which path he wanted to devote his time and energy towards.

-Getting together with Michelle Tanguay and what that did for his outlook on a creative life.

-What to do when you don’t have a creative framework in your life.

-His grandmother’s advice that you need to stop saying you want to become an artist and just say that you are an artist.

-Being inspired by the talented artists in the Detroit area.

-How you can simply “cold call” someone you look up to.

-How he is so intentional with his art.

-How artists don’t create artwork, they beget it because it is such a big part of you.

-Finding contentment from creating something honest that pleases you, not someone else.

-How he developed his style.

-Being conscious of what he is doing and what he is saying with his art.

-The importance of writing down ideas for later exploration.

-His writing and his “conceptual statements” that go along with his pieces, and how he is often unsure of whether they come from himself, his art, or the figure in his art.

Chrilz' Final Push will force you to ask yourself 'Who am I?  What am I doing?  and Why am I doing it?'

 

Quotes:

“Keep doing it if it’s bringing you that joy and you still feel that passion for it.”

“If you put it off until tomorrow, it’s never going to happen.”

“Be honest with yourself.  Be honest with the artist that was built within you.”

“As an artist, you don’t create artwork, you beget artwork.  It is such a large piece of you.”

“Make something honest and then put it out there.”

Links mentioned:

Chrilz' Art Prize Page

Michelle Tanguay

Francis Bacon

Jean-Michel Basquiat

Connect with Chrilz:

Website / Instagram / Art Prize

On the next episode:

Noah Bradley: Website

Join the discussion in the Facebook group!

Sep 18, 2017

Amanda Giacomini has dedicated her life to uplifting people and creating more beauty in the world through yoga and art. From teaching yoga at the White House to presenting at some of the biggest yoga festivals, conferences and Asian Art museums in the world, Amanda infuses the ancient teachings with creativity and joy. Her journey in yoga began in 1994, and she continues to study with many great Indian and Western masters.

In 2001, along with her husband, MC YOGI, she founded Yoga Toes Studio in Point Reyes, CA. She has been featured in Yoga International, Origins, Marin Magazine, Happiness + Wellbeing as well as appearing the cover of Yoga Journal and Mantra Magazine. As an artist, she created an award winning series of children’s books, called Mo's Nose, that feature her beloved rescued pit bull, Mo, as the main character. She has a catalog of paintings inspired by her yoga and spiritual practice. Currently she is working on a project to paint 10,000 Buddhas. 

Full shownotes: http://yourcreativepush.com/10000buddhas

In this episode, Amanda discusses:

-The story of how her massive 10,000 Buddhas project started.

-How committing to a large project helped to creatively anchor herself down and thus get to a flow state more easily.

-How her painting is similar to rehearsing for a dance performance, where she doesn’t have to think about the movements after doing it so often.

-The experience of completing her ten-thousandth Buddha.

-Her practice of yoga and how it relates to her art.

-How she has now developed (and embraced) a new identity of “10,000 Buddhas.”

-How she avoided repetition by changing the scale, medium, and colors.

-Her creative relationship with her husband, MC Yogi.

-Some of the synchronistic things that have happened in her creative life.

-How she used to start projects and never finish them, and her advice for people who might struggle with a similar experience.

-How a creative journey is a cyclical one, with many ups and downs.

Amanda's Final Push will remind you that your creativity is an integral part to you having a well-rounded life.

 

Quotes:

“It started with a little seed of curiosity.”

“I think there was something about committing to a big project and a big number that helped me get to that flow state.”

“I had tears of joy that day that I made a commitment to the goal and I had kept it.”

“That sense of curiosity is important to me as an artist.”

Links mentioned:

Book Tour / Events

MC Yogi

Youngman Brown on The Pawprint Podcast

Connect with Amanda:

Website / Facebook / Instagram

On the next episode:

Chrilz : Website / Instagram

Join the discussion in the Facebook group!

Sep 14, 2017

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/jtellison

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 art, to just do it.

-For people who have full-time gigs, to find an hour of time to put towards their calling.

-How people know how to budget their money to save up for a vacation, but they don't think of their time with creativity the same way.

-How her thesis advisor told her she "wasn't good enough" to get published, and how that voice remained in her head for years (and still does).

-Her advice for anyone who has received negative feedback and can't get that voice out of their head.

-The importance of having a critique group or some friends or colleagues that will give you honest feedback without tearing you down.

-One of her hardest times creatively, when she actually thought she was going to quit, and how "The Artist's Way" brought her out of it and realized that she needed to pivot and write something different.

-How you should not leave behind "half-eaten sandwiches," or half-finished stories.

-How it is important to be honest and explain to loved ones why you need to spend time doing your creative passion and what it brings to your life.

J.T.'s Final Push will inspire you to approach your creativity with reckless abandon!

Quotes:

"I think everybody goes to D.C. thinking they're going to change the world."

"I sat down and I started to write.  I wrote a paragraph, hit period, and I started to cry.  Because that was it.  I had come home."

"Something was wrong.  I was good at what I did but I hated every minute of it.  I hated getting up in the morning.  I hated going to work.  I hated going to sleep at night because then I had to get up and do it the next day.  If you are feeling that, you need to step away.  Life is just too short to be miserable in your work and in what you do."

"Writing is not easy.  It is not an easy path.  There are a lot of obstacles in the way, but any creative outlet whether you're a writer, a painter, or a poet... you have to just do it."

"You can find an hour to do anything."

"Fifteen minutes a day, write 250 words.  You will have a novel by the end of the year.  It's totally doable."

"That's why I didn't write for eight years.  Because somebody told me I wasn't good enough."

"If you can understand why a story is appealing on a broad level, you can fix your own."

"Voice can't be taught.  Voice is something unique to every writer.  And Voice is something that comes when you trust yourself."

"Learn how to structure and build a story and then let yourself go.  The voice will come."

"A bad day writing is better than a good day doing anything else."

"The problem with being a writer is that it takes a lot of introspection."

"All creatives are selfish.  And you have to be selfish and you have to be able to respect your time."

"It's very threatening for the spouse or parent of a creative person to see you finding satisfaction in something that's not them."

Links mentioned:

"No One Knows" by J.T. Ellison

"The Artist's Way" by Julia Cameron

Connect with J.T.:

Website / Facebook / Instagram / Twitter

On the next episode:

Amanda Giacomini : Website / Instagram

Join the discussion in the Facebook group!

Sep 11, 2017

Megan Auman is a designer, metalsmith, educator, and entrepreneur who has built a a multi-faceted business around her passion for art, commerce, and visual content creation.

Megan splits her time between running her eponymous jewelry line and teaching the intersection of art and business on Designing an MBA.

A best-selling CreativeLive instructor, her designs have been featured in Elle Decor, Better Homes & Gardens, Cooking Light and on top-rated blogs like Design*Sponge.

Full shownotes: http://yourcreativepush.com/meganauman

In this episode, Megan discusses:

-Her creative education in metalsmithing.

-How platforms like Instagram and Pinterest are tailor-made for visual artists.

-Some of the mistakes that people make on Instagram and Pinterest, like being overly promotional (or not promotional enough).

-Her tactic of using professional images alongside conversational dialogue.

-The ratio you should be sharing of personal pictures versus pictures of your work.

-How you should feel free to repost old work as well as share things that are sold out.

-Why so many creators get frustrated and give up on Pinterest (and why they shouldn’t).

-How you can utilize Instagram and Pinterest in tandem.

-Thinking about Pinterest as a search engine.

-How to turn your followers on Instagram and Pinterest into customers and sales.

-The importance of having an optimized website.

-Getting into a mindset as a businessperson if you are looking to make money from your art.

-Starting a mailing list.

-How she balances her time between her business, her art, and her teaching by separating them.

-“Marketing mornings.”

-Designing an MBA and her Creative Live courses.

Megan's Final Push will remind you to treat your creativity like an athlete would treat their sport!

 

Quotes:

“My motto is ‘professional images, conversational copy.’”

“If you’re not consuming a lot of the visual culture that’s happening online, it’s hard to turn around and create your own.”

“On Pinterest, it’s about reaching critical mass.”

“You don’t know if it’s going to sell unless you put it up for sale.”

“Selling online is hard and if you are struggling you are so not alone.”

Links mentioned:

What you need to know about the Pinterest lag (and how to get past it to find success on Pinterest)

What to post on Instagram when you're a maker, artist, or designer (and how to share your work without feeling overly promotional)

Viraltag

Tailwind: Pinterest & Instagram Marketing, Scheduling & Analytics Tool

Connect with Megan:

Website / Facebook / Instagram / Pinterest / Twitter

On the next episode:

Amanda Giacomini : Website / Instagram

Join the discussion in the Facebook group!

Sep 7, 2017

Martin Thomas Smyczek II is a sustainability advocate/entrepreneur, musician, and an all around creator of things who aims to positively change the world.

He is a Reuse Artist who uses societies discarded, wasted, and over-consumed trash as his medium in an attempt to inspire others to RETHINK how we live.

Full shownotes: http://yourcreativepush.com/martins

In this episode, Martin discusses:

-How he became initially inspired to be a reuse artist.

-Some of the struggles that he has to deal with as a reuse artist that other artists don’t have to worry about, such as sourcing materials.

-What his living situation is like with all of his materials and current work.

-How he is inspired by having his recycled materials around him, “staring at him.”

-“Project Z” – the portrait that he is making of Zaria Forman using her discarded latex gloves.

-The initial intimidation that he felt in reaching out to Zaria, and the slight panic he felt when she actually responded with an enthusiastic “yes.”

-Some of the daily resistances that he faces.

-His advanced glaucoma and how that affects the way he looks at his art and his life.

-Advice for people who want to incorporate more re-use in their own lives or in their own art.

Martin's Final Push will inspire you to JUST DO IT!

 

Quotes:

“I really want what I do – art, life, business, work – to all incorporate some sort of positivity.”

“It’s the most challenging piece that I’ve done to date.”

“There’s a privilege that I have to be here and do what I’m doing.  Hopefully what I do is a positive and inspires other people to rethink how they live.”

“It’s not like you’re taking one massive step.  You have to take a hundred small steps to get there.”

“If you just force yourself to start doing something, you’ll find that once you start doing it, you’ll want to do it more and you won’t want to stop.”

Links mentioned:

Zaria Forman on Your Creative Push

Connect with Martin:

Website / Facebook / Instagram

On the next episode:

Megan Auman : Website / Instagram / Facebook

Join the discussion in the Facebook group!

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