Getting Through The Dreaded Creative Block-Yuk!

Every artist goes through the occasional dry spell known as a creative block. It's awful. It's painful, actually. It can feel like the end. Seriously. The first time I had a creative block, it lasted a few months. Not days. Months. I was in my early twenties at the time. Not having experienced it before, I was certain I'd never paint again and got really depressed over it which actually resulted in even MORE certainty that I'd never paint again. It was awful but I survived just like every other artist has throughout history. But if you're a young artist, or any age and just starting out, and this happens to you, it really can feel like the end of your world. You might not have the experience to trust that it WILL pass, and believe me, it will, even though you might not think so.

So what to do if you find yourself in the throes of the the evil creative block? If you're freelancing for a living or have been making art for years and years, you've undoubtedly gotten through many blocks and have the experience to plow through. So these tips are mainly for new or younger artists who may feel true despair at their first major creative dry spell.

• Just let it be. Forcing yourself to paint or draw when you're overwhelmed by your creative block can feel just as awful as the actual creative block. Put your paints aside and trust me when I tell you that you will undoubtedly experience a jolt of unexpected inspiration which will make your creative block dissipate in the blink of an eye. It'll happen out of the blue. It'll catch you off guard. You won't expect it to happen and then it does. You may have to wait days or even weeks, but it will happen. You might forget you were ever in a rut, but don't ever forget that you got over it. That little bit of knowledge will come in handy for future reference, since creative blocks can more than once during your lifetime as an artist. Hopeufully it won't , but it might. It's just a reality.

• Get out of the studio and into nature- fast! Nature can be such a huge inspiration for art. There's something about the smell of pine, the sound of leaves crunching under your feet (or bicycle tires), the sounds of a stream, and the general calming effect of being in nature that really brings me back to myself. Every time. I'm immediately less stressed out. When you're out in nature, it's almost impossible to be stressed. And you might have a sensory experience that you don't normally have in your studio that will re-charge you, perhaps even sub-consciously. Those sensory experiences are ones you won't get in your studio (unless you're lucky to have a studio in the woods somewhere- a goal of mine). They are like the life force of creativity. Listen and feel for them, and use them wisely.

• Expect this not to be your first and only creative block. Some artists may never experience a dry spell. I'm not one of those lucky few. Chances are if you've read this far, you're not either. There are times when my ability to pick up a pencil and sketch something I actually like just flies right out the door. And there have even been times I can't muster the energy to pick up a pencil, let alone actually sketch. I can't explain why it happens, what triggers this sudden aversion to my own inherent gift. But from time to time it happens. And thankfully after twenty years of making a living as an artist, I've learned to rely on the fact that I can get through. Experience has taught me as much, and it will teach you as much. Have faith. "Chin up", said Charlotte.

• Try something you've always wanted to do when you just can't draw.. I'm big on this one. When I find myself cursing the art gods for another untimely creative rut, I start thinking about things I've always wanted to learn and wow, have I learned a lot of new skills over the years. Luckily, I live in Chicago, a city over flowing with cool opportunities to try new things. One time, about 10 years ago, I was in such a rut that I decided to try figure skating. I was instantly hooked and kept with it for another seven years. I have since moved on from that sport (thanks in part to an ankle injury), but I have a lot of material for a picture book if I ever decided to write one about figure skating. So my point is, the time you spend exploring other interests can often lead to future material for your stories or illustrations.

•Be forgiving of your creative block. Creative blocks can really suck. It really can feel like your world is imploding, exploding, and imploding again. And it can cause chaos with your self-confidence. Please don't let it. You are a wonderful artist, otherwise you wouldn't be having a creative block in the first place. Ride it out with patience and grace. You will draw again! You really will. Trust me. I know.

If you have tips for getting through a creative block, please leave a comment. Share your stories. What do you do when you just can't draw?

Push Your Comfort Zones Any Chance You Can.

As I write this, I'm two hours from stepping through the doors of the world famous Second City for an improv class. I've never done a class like this before but have always wanted to. I'm nervous with slightly sweaty palms even as I think about what I might be asked to do. But honestly, I'm more than ok with pushing my comfort zone tonight. I welcome it and embrace the opportunity actually. In the past, when ever I've stepped outside my comfort zone, I've NEVER regretted it.

For example, last Fall, I rode a mule down the Grand Canyon. As one who is totally afraid of heights, I thought this would be a great way to get over my fear. I was so excited about the journey, I mean, excited like a little kid at Christmas. My mule's name was Cracker, and she was beautiful. I was sure I wanted this experience, but there's just no way of knowing what it'll be like until you're in the midst of it. Once we started down the first switchback, my excited turned to sheer terror. We sat through a 45 minute orientation before the ride at which point we were cautioned again and again that this wasn't for the faint of heart. No amount of warnings from the wrangler could truly prepare you for the experience if you've never been down the switchbacks of the Grand Canyon let alone on a mule (and Cracker didn't seem the least bit interested that I had never ridden before and that I was scared to death.) There was literally no turning back. All I could do was surrender to this creature, to the experience, and trust her sure-footedness as well as rely on the fact that poor Cracker didn't trust I wouldn't make her jump over the cliff side the way horses can be trained to do. I'll tell you that the experience was life changing and I would do it again in a heartbeat. In that moment of surrender, I learned so much about myself, about nature, about those amazing creatures. I learned how brave I am. And that has transpired into many other areas of my life since then. It also made me a bit of an adrenaline junkie (which I always suspected I was).

So I suppose if I can ride a mule into the Grand Canyon, a beginning level improv class at Second City might be easier than I suspect. I will have pushed my comfort zone yet again. There are only rewards to those experiences. You learn what you're capable of and that's an exciting thing to know. Even better, living life in this way means living without regrets. A very good thing indeed.

I definitely will expand on this topic of comfort zones again in the future, especially in how it relates to my art, and how these adventures provide content for the stories I want to write and illustrate.

So your challenge, if you choose to accept it, is to think about how you can push your comfort zone, and then do it. Or if you have a story of how you've pushed your comfort zones, please share it here. If it helped your art, definitely share it here!

I'm looking forward to hearing your stories! Thank you!!

Women Who Rock! An Interview with Kari Byron

It's time once again for my series, Women Who Rock. I recently spoke with Kari Byron. You might know her as the funky, intelligent red-head from the hit show Myth Busters. I wanted to pick Kari's brain a bit about her fine art so sit back, relax, and enjoy my interview with Kari!


Hi Kari! Many people know you from the hit show Myth Busters but may not know that you’re also a fine artist and that you have exhibited your work in many shows in the San Francisco area. What is your earliest memory of making art and did you always know you wanted to be an artist?

My dad always encouraged me to draw as a kid. If I was sad, happy, excited, scared; he told me to draw it. I have a funny collection of self-portraits where I am crying. I drew them when I was about 4 years old. Since that is about the time when my little sister was born, I guess I was jealous.

I distinctly remember making skulls out Cheerios boxes and tape, dolls out of old pantyhose, and a rocket ship from a refrigerator box. I was always making something.

So becoming an artist was inevitable for you. But I imagine you were probably a very curious, inquisitive little kid.

I set up all sorts of experiments. One time my dad caught me dropping dolls down a laundry shoot onto a pile of pillows. My sister was the next step. She was usually my crash test dummy.


Hopefully she's gotten over that! But I can see how that eventually played into your use of found objects in your art.

I think I am just better at sculpting than drawing or painting. I can make a 3-D representation easier than I can draw anything.

Found objects are just a vestige of the job on Mythbusters. We are always in junkyards and places that are full of rusty, cool, and Wabi-sabi kind of relics. I am a collector. It drives my husband crazy. I have boxes of beautiful useless stuff.

But you've made good use of lots of it! How big do you normally work?
Most of my sculptures are small. I like working in a manageable space where I can see the whole idea at once. I quarantine immense concepts into a small imaginary box .

My favorite from your portrait series is “Sitting”. The figure is very androgynous, and it’s a haunting piece. I also noticed that many of your figures don’t have legs, or the figures are melded together. It leaves me with a sense that these people are trapped, possibly by their hardships and experiences. There's a real sensitivity towards your subjects. Do you find yourself holding back, wanting to reveal more? Do you worry that you might be revealing too much of yourself in the process?

I don’t really think about anyone looking at a finished product or revealing myself. I just make things and they are what they are.

Your dolls with painted hearts are very moving, in my opinion. There’s a lot of soul in them. How do you think you achieve that? Is it something conscious, say for example, the choosing of specific materials?

I choose materials that are recycled. I just like that “used” aesthetic. Thanks for the compliment. I am not good with them. Maybe you are the one with soul since that is how you read it.

Thank you for the complement. How do you choose your subjects for your portraits? Do you have plans to continue the series?

Lately I like subjects that have story to their faces. Beautiful, young people are boring. I am mostly making dolls that portrait homeless, criminals, and elderly people.

I understand what you mean about finding beauty in faces that may not be classically beautiful but have character, a story to tell. Speaking of characters, I have to ask about Mythbusters. What has been your favorite myth so far.

We have done about 150 episodes and over 500 myths. It is so hard to pick. I always loved the “Exploding Pants” episode. The story was so absurd and totally true. By 1933, 6 people in New Zealand had died from their pants spontaneously exploding into flames. The culprit was fertilizer and all the victims were farmers. I guess I just loved that it was actually true.

How about your least favorite myth?

My least favorite are the episodes where I handle raw meat or things that make me want to vomit. The guys tend to take advantage of my delicate stomach.

How was it for you to transition from behind the scenes person working at M5 Industries (where much of the show is now taped) to and up front and center on what has become a hugely successful television show?

It was really hard at first. I hated hearing my voice and seeing how goofy I really look on the show. After a while I just started to forget the camera was there. These days I try to cut myself a little slack as far as the self-criticism goes. It is fun to watch and re-live the crazy experiments we do. It is almost like watching a home movie.

Getting back to your art, do you see your art evolving in the future, especially now as you’re about to become a mother for the first time? And congratulations on that, by the way! Do you plan to keep making new pieces?

Someday soon. I am waiting to see what this whole baby thing is about first. This is my first kid so I have no idea what to expect. Art is just part of my life. I am married to an amazing artist that inspires me everyday. I might not always show it but I will always make it.

If someone wants to purchase or commission a piece from you, how can they contact you?

Right now I am on a break from all that but I will be back in the game soon. It is never hard to get a hold of me on the net. I have a terribly outdated website where you can reach me.

Thank you for chatting with me, Kari.

If you would like to see Kari's fine art, please visit her web site at: www.karibyron.com
And check your local listings to watch Kari on Myth Busters!

Want to meet about other Women Who Rock? Check out my interviews with:
Art Licensing Expert Tara Reed (July 2009)
Illustrator and Poppets™ creator Claudia Hellmuth (June2009)

10 Reasons You Should Use Copic Markers

As an illustrator, I'm used to having to meet deadlines that would make your head spin. Eventually I decided to try markers as an alternative to watercolor and acrylic. Given there's no drying time for markers, I thought it would help me work faster, and I was right! I never considered trying markers before this, and I'm so glad I did. In fact, I even used them for the Star Wars licensed, limited edition print seen here. So here are 10 reasons you might want to try Copic Markers too (in no particular order).

1. They don't have as strong a smell as Prismacolors. I'm sensitive to the odor of Prismacolor markers and can't use them (gives me a headache). Not so with Copics.

2. Copic has different styles of markers for different uses. For example, their Sketch series has a chisel tip on one end and a brush tip on the other.

3. Refills! Yes, you can buy ink refills online! This saves a LOT of money! Not a bad thing since Copics are more pricey than most other markers (the only negative in my book, but worth truthfully, they're worth every penny!).

4. Copics have a good ergonomic design. The barrel is small and slightly flat or square, not round and bulky like Prismacolors. If you work on a slanted drawing table, this shape comes in handy since they won't roll onto the floor. In a recent market research study I did for Copics, artists all agreed that they are comfortable and easy to hold.

5. When nibs wear out, you can easily replace them. You don't have to buy a whole new marker.

6. Copic has an amazing assortment of colors, just go take a look at any art store. I love their E series for skin tones. There's even a whole palette for Manga.

7. Copic inks blend well. I mean, really well. You have to blend while the ink is still wet. But you can definitely push and pull the colors to achieve some really great effects. The inks also layer well, much like watercolors. They have a colorless blender, but I like to blend just using the colors in hand.

8. Copics are great on a variety of papers. I've used them on Bristol Smooth when I want very bright colors. And if you want a bit of texture, they work nicely on Bristol Vellum. They do bleed through slightly. I've also used them on Arches Aquarelle water color paper (color press) as well as illustration board. And, you can also buy Copic marker paper.

9. Other materials work really nicely with Copic markers. For example, I will often use colored pencil for added detail and texture. I've also used inks and even watercolors with Copics.

10. They have fine liners! You can buy individually or in sets of 10. The fine liners don't bleed with the inks.

For more information about Copics or to purchase, go to www.copicmarker.com And I'd like to know if you've used Copics. Loved 'em? Hated 'em? What projects have used them for? I wanna know!

10 Things to Know If You Want To Be A Freelance Illustrator

I'm just going to give it to you straight! If you're a student who wants to pursue illustration, or an up and coming career artist, here's a bit of wisdom based on my nearly 10 years of working as an illustrator.

1. Be willing to work under tight deadlines. Not only be willing to do it, but be GOOD at doing it. You might have to work weird hours, but on the plus side, you'll be able to go on vacation more freely than you would with a 'normal' job.

2. Learn how to promote yourself online. I've met many an artist who says they don't have time to maintain a site or don't have time for social networking. Yes, time is short, but an online presence is a MUST in this time in humanity. If you don't know how to use Twitter, find someone who can show you the ropes. If you don't have time to build an online portfolio, pay someone to do it for you.

3. Find a way to get in front of the people who will hire you. Sitting anonymously behind your computer will get the job done but only to an extent. With the exception of one or two jobs, every gig I've ever gotten been by showing up to places where I know I can find work. If pop culture or film/television illustration is your thing, get to conventions like San Diego Comic Con or New York Comic Con. Heck, there's even a Chicago Comic Con. All coasts are covered- no excuses! If you're into children's publishing, become a member of SCBWI and get to their annual conferences! Go where your target audience is. And if you don't have a target audience, definite it now.

4. Show your best work. Not all ten thousand life drawings you did in college. I'm sure they're great, but an art director doesn't need to see everything. Personally, I try to show only what I'm confident in showing and I follow the old rule, "When in doubt, take it out".

5. Learn to be resourceful! Freelance illustration is a competitive field, and sometimes there's just not as much work to go around as we hope. So in the dry spells, pick up some extra work doing other artsy things like web design, or illustrating Twitter backgrounds. Open an Etsy store and sell your prints! It's ok to wear other hats if needed. Eventually, you won't have to!

6. Don't bite the hand that feeds you. There's lots of illustration forums and I've been surprised at how many people think it's ok to speak negatively about their employers. Newsflash: Employers lurk! Be professional.

7. Spend some money on promotional items. I've used Vistaprint.com for a few years for things like postcards and business cards. I'd highly recommend them. You never know when you'll have the opportunity to hand a business card may sneak up on you (and in the most inconvenient times, too!). Get in the habit of whipping out your business card at a moments notice. The more you do it, the more second nature it becomes.

8. Work on your skills! Don't stay trapped in your creative comfort zone. Once you get comfortable with your skills, you stop growing. So challenge yourself by taking new classes, and spend some time reading blogs of other artists that you admire, and learn their skills they offer. I'm dying to start working digitally in the next year or so. In fact, I would almost say I HAVE to in order to keep up with the competition as well as to keep growing creatively.

9. Refresh old skills. If you haven't drawn from life in a while, you can get a little rusty. Get back in front of a model asap! Every artist will tell you it's the best thing you can do for yourself.

10. Learn to draw fast. Don't compromise quality, but do learn to draw quickly. This will help you meet your deadlines and you'll have a higher turnover of work. That's a good thing. How can you do that? See #9 above. One of the best things I did to improve my drawing speed was work as a portrait artist at a Renaissance Faire. Artists who have worked as caricaturists at amusement parks have also credited that experience with teaching them how to work quickly, and under some stressful situations too.

Above all, persevere. It's a wonderful thing to be an artist!

I welcome your thoughts on this. What other skills do you think a freelance illustrator needs to have to succeed? Do you disagree or agree with anything I said and why?

Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? I do!

I grew up in a household where money was spoken about rather negatively. The messages I received from well meaning family were things like "Money doesn't grow on trees", "Were not the rockefellers", "What do you want, a house and a lot?" (uh...yes please), and "You better a get a man that has the bucks." (I know you meant well, Grandma, but really, I can make it on my own and have). Anyway, I've been thinking a lot lately about what money means to me, how I treat it, whether I have enough reverence for it, and certainly that I could know much, much more about things like investing. Ooooo, scary!

Money is and has been a challenging topic for me for most of my adult life. As an artist, I find it difficult to ask for higher rates when I need to (though I do manage;). When I was selling fine art, I always found it difficult to price my oil paintings, both because I didn't understand the market at the time, and because I was somewhat timid about asking what I know I'm worth. I think that many parents aren't aware of the impact their words and messages about money, which might be sent both deliberately and not, have on their kids. And when we grow up, it's up to us to get over it, which isn't easy and requires a lot of re-wiring of the brain! Don't I know it;)

Quite frankly, I'm at a point where I want to welcome more of it into my life because dangnabit, I deserve it! So I started asking myself "I wonder what my life would be like if I had all the money I need." Then just yesterday, as I was daydreaming about it, this image popped into my brain. So here's my little drawing depicting what I would do with with ...summoning Doctor Evil...ONE MILLION DOLLARS! Of course, there's about a trillion other things I would do that kind of cash! But here's start:

• I could save a rain forest, or take a leisurely trek through it with family and friends.
• I could climb Mount Everest, or maybe learn how to make some crafts with local artists in Nepal (or teach them about blogging;).
• I could visit Egypt (someplace I've never been) and also financially support archaeological digs.
• I could live on a warm, sunny, remote island location and blog all of this from there!
• I could draw and paint all darn day long for fun without worrying about having to draw and paint all darn day long just to pay the bills!

This is only a smidge of what I might do with ....ONE MILLION DOLLARS!!! What would you do? What causes would you support? How would your life be different? Let's talk about it! It could happen!

Looking for A Free Art Class? Blog About It and Win!

One of the things I LOVE doing is signing up for free e-newsletters from other artists to learn about the methods to their madness. So I was really happy when I woke up this morning and saw my e-newsletter from art licensing expert Tara Reed, which included a link to a blog by artist Laura Bay. Laura is offering a chance to win a free online course about creating multiple streams of income. To be entered to win (and seriously, what's wrong with a free how-to course in art?) you have to blog about her course, which is exactly what I'm doing here! Here's what Laura offers in her online course (I'm particularly in love with the third bullet):

* Learn that creating multiple streams of income is the fastest way to reach your financial goals while making a living a doing what you love.
* Learn how to leverage your artwork and projects to make money for you over and over.
* Learn how to create passive income. You can be independently employed, go on vacation, and still make money!
* Learn from experts in creative income areas such as; online selling, art licensing, children’s book illustration and craft shows.
* Create a personal business plan, outlining your income choices and the steps you need to take to make your plan a reality.

To register for Laura's class, click here. Or, blog about Laura's class like I just did, then post a comment on her blog, and you'll be entered to win. How cool is that?

Star Wars Mighty Mugg for Make-A-Wish

Lucasfilm recently invited me to participate in their first ever Star Wars Mighty Mugg project and of course I said yes! If you haven't seen a Mighty Mugg, you can find them in the toy aisle of Target so take a peek. I was sent a blank Mugg (which is actually a doll, not a coffee mug or anything like that so don't let the name fool you). At first I wasn't sure what I wanted to create. My initial concept was to recreate a Han Solo in Carbonite. I'm glad that I didn't because the idea was already taken (twice). So I went with my second idea of creating a Star Wars fan girl, complete with her own sketchbook and lightsaber. The dolls were completely blank and had to be hand painted. I went to Michaels, grabbed some yarn for the hair, some sticky jewels for her t-shirt, and went to town painting her.

Over 100 Star Wars artists (including the talented arteests over at Robot Chicken) and Clone Wars director Dave Filoni participated. The Muggs were on display at San Diego Comic Con last week. You can now bid on your favorite Mugg in an online auction running through August 14th.

There's a really amazing assortment of inspired Muggs including a Tie Fighter Mugg and an exquisite Amidala. Proceeds from this auction benefit the Make A Wish foundation, which Lucasfilm has long supported. Please be sure to have a look at all the incredible work that went into designing our Mighty Muggs and if you can, place a bid to own one yourself!

Here's where you can bid! Click to see the auction!