5 Popular posts
Posted by Amy on Thursday December 29, 2011
It has been a rather productive year here on Pikaland, and we’re just talking about the posts! We know that some of you may not have been able to catch up, but here’s a tip – inspiration-based posts and discussions are held every Monday, and it’s something I’d love to continue into the new year.
So without further ado, here’s a top 5 list of posts that gathered quite a few feedback from our readers and is also among my favorites so far:
1. Why artists and illustrators should get a job
Here I share about what I still do to keep food on my table while I keep Pikaland running; and what you can do too.
2. Why artists and illustrators should blog
Keeping a blog is going to change the way you look at your work and connect with others. And no literary-prize winning writing skills needed at all!
I made up a list of 100 things to draw – for fun. Available as a free downloadable PDF!
4. Copycats and lessons we can learn
Take a leaf from the fashion industry and see what you can do about copycats. Hint: it’s a new way of thinking about the issue at hand! See also Creativity, competition and copycats.
5. Illustration and innovation
Don’t just do what’s current – experiment, fail often and throw lots of ideas around!
———
To make sure you don’t miss a post, join our fun & free mailing list for updates and more!
And whoa! Can you believe it’s a mere two more days before 2012 is here? I’ve resolved to draw more, and you can see some of my work in progress over at Instagram (my username is pikaland!)
Comments [5]
If not now, then when?
Posted by Amy on Monday December 19, 2011
If you’ve held back on doing something, whether it’s kickstarting your own business or if you’re hesitant about typing out that first post on your new blog, isn’t it about time you started? December is ending soon, and there’s nothing like the smell of a new year, inching along quickly to kick yourself into gear.
I’m asking myself the same question on a daily basis these days – the question is, are you?
Happy Monday folks!
{Typo+quota+graphy by WordBoner (be warned, there are some profanity in their work!)}
Comments [3]
Free your mind and the rest will follow
Posted by Amy on Monday December 12, 2011
So I lied last week.
I wanted to check into the blog and write a post on Friday, but I decided that it would be nice to not do work at all (since I already told myself to take the weekend off!). It was hard at first – my hands were twitching to go on my laptop and I was going against every bone in my body, but let me tell you – for just those few days, I let my mind wander.
And it was so worth it.
Taking a break, no matter if it’s small or even unexpected, can bring about great things. I’d like to think that I’m good at switching off; and it’s mostly due to necessity because if I don’t do so, I’d probably die of exhaustion. So how do I flip that off switch?
Well, it’s pretty simple – I dump out whatever’s in my head:
- I use a week-by-week calendar, with everything written down – deadlines, projects, timelines, to-dos, etc. And I tick them off when I’m done, otherwise next week I’ll be writing the same thing down until it gets done.
- I use Google Calendar, and I set reminders to let me know when I have events lined up.
- I dump my links and discoveries into Delicious.
- I make notes in my Springpad.
- I have a continuous list of groceries that I add to (on my phone, so that it stays with me wherever I go) so that I won’t forget what to grab at the supermarket the next time I am there.
Freeing up the space in my brain allows it to work better and more efficiently. I liken it to a computer, where if too many applications are open, it crashes. So I make sure not to have to constantly remind myself about things (Google will so that for me), or keep a running list in my mind of things to do (my journal has them). Having more space in my mind allows me to be creative at the drop of a hat.
You should try it – do a brain dump today!
Happy Monday folks!
{Image via Headspace}
Comments [4]
How to challenge yourself
Posted by Amy on Monday November 14, 2011
I’m always up for a challenge.
I didn’t know anything about coding and programming 5 years ago, but I picked it up so that I can build Pikaland and many other projects since. I’ve found that the black and white world of programming (albeit I was merely doing it as an amateur) was an experience that was almost the opposite of creating art – it wasn’t subjective, it either worked, or it didn’t. Learning HTML, CSS and PHP among many other things was a challenge.
But it’s through challenging ourselves that we grow. We change as a result of stretching our capabilities beyond our comfort zone – I knew that I could learn so many new things if I tried hard enough, and if I was determined enough.
So how do you challenge yourself? Here’s how I did it, and how you can too:
Challenge yourself mentally.
How can you be better mentally? You need to do daily creative exercises. Things like drawing a bird 100 ways (or see here for a list of 100 things to draw). Or a face a day. Or list out 10 ways to market yourself better. Things that stretch the mind a little bit each day.
Creativity is a muscle that needs to be stretched constantly – otherwise it withers up and die.
Challenge yourself emotionally.
What are you afraid of? Take small steps that will help you get over the fear. Afraid of that blank piece of paper staring back at you? Make a mark – any mark at all. Just start.
To create great art, you need to be brave – throw out those emotions in your work and let your passion show. Find out what makes you tick. Explore themes in depth and bring your personality to the table.
Own your emotions.
Challenge yourself physically.
When I was in high school, I was juggling taekwondo, gymrama practice, and volleyball. I played hockey, and netball too. I ran, skipped and hopped my way around. In short, I love being active. In fact, when I don’t get to skip or exercise for a week, I’ll be feeling a little antsy. And then the mood swings begin. Which leads to frustration, and a vicious cycle of snacking.
The point is – make a point to exercise. I do it almost everyday. I try to do it once in the morning and another session in the evening. I skip rope, practice mat pilates and walk my four dogs. I follow the Nike Training Club app on my iPhone (I’m now on 1350 minutes!). I swear just a wee bit when I follow the routines, but I do so because it’s my way of venting and pushing my way past the pain. I feel stronger when I’m in control of my body.
So have you challenged yourself lately?
{Illustration by Lydia Nichols }
Comments [3]