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You’ve been drawing for friends. You’ve been posting art online for likes. Maybe, you have taken requests “for practice.” Each piece that you create might take you hours to produce. You’ve been producing work, yet money never changes hands. You tell yourself that you’ve been building your portfolio. You’ve been gaining experience. And, you’ve been […]

You’ve watched 47 tutorials this week. Your YouTube history is a graveyard of “Draw Perfect Eyes!” and “Master Shading in 10 Minutes!” videos. You’ve started three online courses, and finished none. Your sketchbook’s first page is very perfect, the rest of your sketchbook is blank. Does this sound familiar? You are learning art exactly the […]

Cross country isn’t track without the oval. It’s a fall sport where teams of runners run together across natural terrain. The runners may run through woods, over hills, around grass fields, and sometimes through the mud. Most high school races are 5k’s (3.1 miles) and middle school races are 2 miles, but the real challenge […]

Two boys walked onto a Texas high school football field with NFL dreams. One was short but smart, the other even shorter and skinnier. Four years later, one became valedictorian and built a successful legal publishing business. The other, that was me. I spent those years warming the bench, playing only in practice, learning a […]

The art supply industry thrives on convincing beginners that they need everything. That gorgeous 150-piece set. The professional easel. The tablet with 8,192 pressure levels. Here’s what nobody tells you: most professional artists built their skills with less than what’s in your junk drawer right now. Strip away the marketing noise, and you need exactly […]

Every artist wants to draw people. This might be why you doodle in your notebook margins. Maybe, you get frustrated when your drawn faces look wrong. Or, you wonder why “I can’t even draw a stick figure.” These have become the universal non-artist disclaimers. But, here’s the truth: the journey from drawing a stick figure […]

The art supply aisle is a beginning artist’s paradise and could also be a nightmare rolled into one. Hundreds of products promise to unlock your creativity, but sometimes you may get that overwhelming choice that often leads to decision making paralysis instead of decision making progress. Here is the truth: you need just three mediums […]

Starting your art journey as a beginning artist can feel alone can feel a bit overwhelming. The right online community will provide you with feedback, motivation, and some potential friendships that could transform an isolated practice effort into your shared growth. Here are five welcoming spaces perfect for beginner artists: 1. Reddit’s r/learnart This community […]

The space between bookings can feel endless to an actor. One week you are on set living your dream. The next week or next month, you might end up refreshing your email and wondering if you will ever work as an actor again. This can be an emotional roller coaster or whiplash. But, this is […]

Tax season shouldn’t be the first time you think about your tax deductions. Every receipt you toss could be money back in your pocket. And, don’t just toss them in a shoe box and think that you’re doing something good. A licensed accountant told me that they don’t want to see that either. Whether you […]