Two Minutes to Change

          

My mother sent me this video and I thought it was so amazing!  Very inspiring, first of all, and also has a practical application for everybody.  It is totally worth the 20 minutes of your time to learn a 2 minute trick to changing your life.

P.S. Check out my October Song Sketch, if you're so inclined! 

P.P.S.  I made a challenge for myself!  Want to see what it is?

Happy Birthday, Sting!

Photo from here

Today is Sting's birthday.  I know I have never hidden the fact that I consider him my favorite songwriter, my greatest musical influence and the man I want most to jam with.  

There are a lot of great songs that have that casual, thrown-together kind of sound, like the songwriter was really just having a lot of fun and it turned out that the fun lyrics rhymed and the fun tune was singable.  Sting's songs do not sound like that at all. His songs are meticulously crafted so that every metaphor and twist in melody work together.  One of my favorites, Ghost Story, has some of the most exquisite phrases in it along with this sweet, gentle melody.  

You were my compass star, you were my measure

You were a pirate's map of buried treasure

If this was all correct, the last thing I'd expect

The prosecution rests, it's time that I confess

I must have loved you

I distinctly remember talking to my mom when I was twenty-one and a half, telling her I just didn't know what to do with my life.  I said, "I just want to be Sting."  She said, "Well, Sting writes his own songs.  So if you want to be like him, you have to write songs."

Well, I wasn't quite sure what else to do, so that's exactly what I did.  That night, when I went home, I wrote Evening Prayers.

Though stylistically, I'm pretty far from sounding like Sting, his intelligent, intentional approach really inspires me.  

So, happy birthday, Sting.  Thank you for the amazing music and for being the truly wonderful talent you are.

If You Have 20 Minutes to Spare...

I highly recommend watching this video.  It's so inspirational to artists of any type.

Superman Says - or - My Current Favorite Quote

“So many of our dreams at first seem impossible, then they seem improbable, and then when we summon the will, they soon become inevitable.”

--- Christopher Reeve


P.S. I love Superman forever.

One Thing at a Time

Image from here

So... I was watching an inspirational video on YouTube (yes, I do that) and getting inspired (which is why I watch them!) and the guy was talking about how he overcame an anxiety problem.  One of the things he talked about was that Tony Robbins (who I have never yet read) says that you can only think about one thing at a time and...


I actually don't really remember the rest because that one thought was so groundbreaking!  How true! So when I'm thinking about cranky or worried things, I'm not thinking about happy and cuddly things.  And vice versa.  So the last couple days I've been trying it out and when I start to worry and get frustrated or impatient, I remember to think about something, anything, else.  And, believe it or not, it works!  How exciting! 


Any little epiphanies that have come along and brightened up your existence? 


P.S. Happy Leap Year Day!  I hope your extra day is extraordinary.

The Beauty of Beginnings

I am lucky enough to have Sally* of Flying Down to Hollywood as a cowriter for my hit radio show, Rose-Colored Radio.  I always love what she writes but her ending for my latest show, the New Year's show, was so beautiful and inspiring, I thought it deserved, nay, needed to be written out for everyone, even those that (believe it or not) don't listen to the podcast, to read.

...let’s take a moment to admire the beauty of beginnings. Aren’t beginnings beautiful things? New Year’s is a wonderful holiday because it’s a time for a new perspective. It’s a time to do what you’ve always wanted to do, become what you’ve always wanted to become, to decide what it really is you want to do when you grow up. 

Now as we step tentatively into 2012, we take a brief look back at 2011. Goodness! Think of how much you accomplished! Think of all that you did, all of the people you met, all of the wonderful food you tasted, the books you read, the movies you watched, the podcasts you discovered. You deserve a round of applause for all that 2011 brought to you. 

Now we can go boldly into 2012, knowing that we can do anything, we can do everything. We can keep our resolutions or we can break them – either way, we were brave enough to try, to change, to grow. 

--- Sally Flynn

*She did a brilliant guest post for me on Monday!  Please read and be enlightened!  

Reeeaddddy... Get Settttt...

And... watch Cooking Channel. Or research summaries and reviews of movies I have no intention of ever watching (am I the only one who does that?). Or fill up a shopping cart at an online boutique and then close the window.

When I have a huge, massive project ahead of me, getting started is the hardest thing! Focusing on and completing projects isn't that tough, but it's that first step that seems like so much work.

The thing that works best for me is to do a "strategy page." I write out what I'm planning to do, maybe a few details about it, and then count that as the first step in finishing the project. Then my brain thinks, "Oh, yay! We've started! Let's get on with it" and the rest of me can follow in relief.

How about you brilliant readers? How do you get inspired to begin a massive project?

An Interview with artist Brian Demeter and my First Giveaway!

I am so excited to be able to interview a local artist here in central Florida, Brian

Demeter! He has also agreed to do a giveaway of this 5x9 Owl print!

Details of the giveaway are at the end of his interview...

(Q): Your art has such a fantastical and whimsical style - what other artists are your inspirations?

(A): Thanks. I’m a big fan of other illustrators. I’ve always loved the work of Larry Moore, Michael Whelan (Sci-Fi book cover legend), Drew Struzan (Star Wars poster fame), and Mary Grandpre (Harry Potter covers). Jimmy Pickering, Lane Smith, Peter Brown, and Oliver Jeffers jump to mind as well.

(Q): Anything else that's been inspiring you lately?

(A) Believe it or not I’ve just gotten into comic books. Only took me 34 years. I've always been a late bloomer. I’m a fan of many different artistic interpretations of iconographic imagery and well known stories so I dig how you can find that a lot in the world of comic books and graphic novels. I'm presently loving the artwork of Frank Quitely, Tim Sale, and Phil Noto.

(Q): I know you do a lot for animal causes. Do you have a favorite animal? And why?

(A): Yes, hawks. Hard to say really. I've always been attracted to birds of prey and felt a strange connection. I once found a Red-shouldered hawk's wing feather lying right in front of the driver's side of my car, like it was just miraculously placed there. I had raptors at my wedding. When I asked a spiritual guru friend what the hawk symbolized he said: "Hawks are the link between the animal world and the human world." Instant goose bumps (check out my artwork repertoire).

(Q): How can just anyone help out animals?

(A): When helping with anything in life I'm a fan of finding your own unique way of doing so. I do a lot of charity artwork for different animal related organizations for both conservation and rehabilitation... and even education. Use what you're good at as a tool to guide you.

(Q): What is a day in the life of a freelance artist/illustrator?

(A): Every artist is different so I can only speak for myself. I now have a toddler son so each day is different but before he was born I'd usually start the day with a 3 mile walk to get the blood flowing. Then once I got home a showered I'd begin work on whatever projects were going. I can usually only paint straight for about 4 hours at a time before my eyes feel like popping out of my skull. So I'd take a break and check e-mails or work on other business related items. Sometimes run errands. Then come back and work some more. If you have a rep, like I do there's a lot of juggling a bunch of aspects, like providing new samples and designing promotional materials. Plus, there's always websites, blogs, etc to maintain. Being seen is key!

(Q): What is the process that takes place when you create a new piece of art?

(A): It all begins with my favorite part: The Challenge. Once either the client or myself come up with a concept I love the spark of adrenaline that hits me. I'm usually the most creative within the first few minutes of conception. I'll create a pencil sketch and then look it over for any logistical problems. I tend to not be an over thinker in this stage which can be a double edged sword. However I prefer to maintain the initial emotion in the final piece so I don't re-visit the sketch much. Once the sketch is good to go I transfer it to which ever support I choose to work on for that piece. Could be pre-primed board, panel, wood. Then the painting, scanning, varnishing and... finished!

(Q): What would you say to other artists/musicians/creative types that want to have their dream job and work from home?

(A): This is an extremely personal decision for each artist to make. I still consider my self a beginner student in this arena but I did learn one valuable personal lesson recently. It may not be for everyone but may help some. Before taking the leap ask yourself: "Is doing art (or any artistic venture) something I enjoy more as a hobby, one where the most amount of joy comes from personal fulfillment (and perhaps a few bucks here and there, charities, contests, etc) or do I want to turn "fun" (your soul release) into "work". Is there a gray area? Of course. Is finding it easy? Not for me.

(Q): You are an amazing supporter of other independent artists and musicians (thanks!). How can people get involved in their local creative community?

(A): Response is key. If you take time to respond to other artist's work then others will take time to respond to yours when you present it. Whether you're the most famous artist in the entire universe or a child who just made art for the first time, what you truly want is a response. Simple as that.

(Q): Describe your perfect morning/evening/day.

(A): Perfect day, as an artist: George Lucas calls me, says: "Brian, I've have you and four other artist's in mind for a personal commission to hang in my office. Please get me a sketch of your favorite character to me in two hours. Whoever wins gets to be a Jedi Knight in my next production." I frantically tell my wife. She offers to take our son with her to 711 to buy me a Arizona Energy Tea and a Zone Bar (and Fig Netwons). When she gets back she drops the goods and takes our son for a out-and-about day so I can focus. Before they leave she hands me a Papa Johns gift card (for lunch). Hugs. Kisses. I'm OFF to the drawing board. My heart is pounding. I'm searching for reference. Posing in the mirror. Singing theme songs and I have it, the image! I'm sketching. Inking, Eating pizza, Painting. Scanning, E-mailing. Finally George calls me: "Sorry Brian, I've selected another artists." No worries." I respond. "I've already won a perfect day as an artist." :)

(Q): You and your lovely wife have an adorable baby boy. Has your art changed at all since you've been a daddy?

(A): As he gets older (He's 17 months now) I can see his influence coming through more prevalently. It's subtle now though. I foresee him having a big influence as he (or we) grow.

(Q): What are some ways to find art/inspiration in everyday situations?

(A): Take wisdom from a hawk. Seek it. Wait for it. Let yourself, float, glide, and soar within creativity until you spot inspiration... then dive when the time is right.

Thank you for your answers and inspiration, Brian!

Now that you all are crazy for his art and want a print yourselves, all you have to do is click here, sign up for his monthly enewsletter and come back here and comment that you signed up. The giveaway will be open until midnight, December 17.

Good luck!

When I Grow Up, I Want to be Just Like...

Well, I wanted to be just like Sting. His music (oh, so brilliant!), his love life (oh, so sexy), his lifestyle (villa in Tuscany? Sure, I'm in) and his constant expanding of boundaries. He was the reason I began yoga and the reason I started at an early-ish age to be interested in the environment.

I've heard so many people talk about, "Aw, I wish Sting sang just like he was in the Police. That was when he was amazing." Sure, he was amazing in the Police but also equally amazing in his jazz-fusion phase, his intelligent pop phase, his world music phase, his slightly-techno phase and now his classical music phase. When I heard his music for the first time on a bus heading for a field trip, I was smitten; though not in the crush way, in the "When I grow up, I want to be just like ___" way. That was when I decided to be a singer/songwriter.

I would love to know who influenced you! Who was the person that was your role model, your inspiration?