Essays
Over the years, I’ve written 100+ essays on creativity and art making. These essays are where I explore my own struggles with working and living as an artist to further discover and develop myself and my art.
I enjoy breaking down the thought processes behind making art, philosophizing about how and why artists think and create, and making connections between it life and art.
Each essay is like an art class, therapy session, and philosophy class all wrapped up in one.
Currently, in the Summer/Fall of 2022, I am serializing and sharing the entire process of making my next picture book, an untitled nonfiction book on jellyfish.
New essays are sent out through my Substack, I Might Could Do That, which has over 15,000 readers. Subscribe to access all my essays or you can read some favorite essays below.
Past Topics and Series
Art + Emotions
Mindset
Why I Focus on Curiosity, Not Critique
Rebellious Anatomy: Ditch the Rules!
Which Creative Mode Are You In?
When Trying Too Hard Backfires
The Hidden Reason You Don’t Have Time to Draw
How to Develop an Artistic Growth Mindset
4 Ways to Cultivate a Better Artistic Mindset
Why Art is Taught Wrong (Mindset vs Technique)
Advice from Other Artists
My Picture Book Process (Live!)
I’ve written recently about the joy of untangling a big knot and the importance of taking insane swings, and it’s become obvious to me what that means for
Making Art to Process Emotions Pt 5: Hope
NOTE: This is Part 5 of a 5-part series. Read more with Part 1 (intro), Part 2 (anger), Part 3 (fear), Part 4 (sadness), or Part 5 (hope). Over the course of this series, I’ve
Making Art to Process Emotions Pt 4: Sadness
NOTE: This is Part 4 of a 5-part series. Read more with Part 1 (intro), Part 2 (anger), Part 3 (fear), Part 4 (sadness), or Part 5 (hope). We’re continuing on this week, exploring how
Making Art to Process Emotions Pt 3: Fear
NOTE: This is Part 3 of a 5-part series. Read more with Part 1 (intro), Part 2 (anger), Part 3 (fear), Part 4 (sadness), or Part 5 (hope). We’re continuing on this week, exploring how
Making Art to Process Emotions Pt 2: Anger
NOTE: This is Part 2 of a 5-part series. Read more with Part 1 (intro), Part 2 (anger), Part 3 (fear), Part 4 (sadness), or Part 5 (hope). As I mentioned in the intro to this
Making Art to Process Emotions Pt 1: Intro
NOTE: This is Part 1 of a 5-part series. Read more with Part 1 (intro), Part 2 (anger), Part 3 (fear), Part 4 (sadness), or Part 5 (hope). So uh… January was kinda tough, eh?
On Having a Miscarriage
Content Warning: This essay deals with pregnancy loss and grief. This isn’t the essay I thought I would be writing today. I thought perhaps I’d write
How Ancient Symbolism Reignited My Inspiration to Draw Again
I’ve been feeling a lack of inspiration or motivation to draw lately. I still feel the drive to be creative, but I’ve been writing more
Should Art Answer Questions Or Ask Them?
The other day I was listening to the song, Home by Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros, thinking about what a wonderful song it is. If you haven’t