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.
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.

I want to read about...
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

Making Art the Wabi-Sabi Way
Last week I came across the concept of Wabi-Sabi, and was immediately enthralled with the philosophy. It’s strikingly similar to many of the thoughts and

This ONE THING Helped Me Draw *Almost* Every Day
Last year, on the bright, shining morning of January 1, waking up in a comfy, warm bed in the North Carolina mountains, with the renewed

How Changing Your Mindset Will Make You More Creative
The First Book In September, I self-published my first children’s picture book. It’s been very well-received with all 5-star reviews on Amazon, more sales than

There’s No One Way to Make Art
If you’ve been a subscriber for a while, you know I taught myself to draw when I was in middle school by copying Pokemon and

How to Step Out of Your Comfort Zone (From a Bona Fide Scaredy Cat)
A couple months ago, I received an email inviting me to read and talk about my book, We Are Fungi, at a local elementary school. At first, I

You Are What You Eat (and We Create What We Collect)
I have a mild confession to share with you guys: I have been accused of being a hoarder. It’s true. I confess. Once, during a

Making Your Unknown Known
If you boil it down, there are two phases in the process of making art: Times when you know where you’re going. And times when you don’t know where

Drawing for Grumps
A trick to get yourself out of a foggy funk and back in a creative state of mind! How are you guys feeling today?

You Need to Be Drawing Consistently
Have you guys heard of Inktober? It’s a drawing challenge developed by fellow illustrator, Jake Parker in 2009. Every October, artists and art-enthusiasts around the world create an ink