I used to hate running. A lot. Then a friend talked me into training for a marathon, which made me hate running even more. Well, at least in the beginning. However, as each training run went by, running got a little easier and a bit more enjoyable. Since then I've run 13 full marathons including Walt Disney World's "Goofy's Challenge" which consists of running a half marathon on Saturday and a full marathon on Sunday. But it all started with...
Never be ashamed! There's some who will hold it against you, but they are not worth bothering with." -- J. K. Rowling I’d estimate that 95% of my art has never been seen… and never will be. For most of my life I struggled with sharing my art with others for fear of rejection. I mean, what if someone hated the work I spent so much time on? As an artist, could there be a worse feeling? So, instead, I packed away most of my drawings - including all of the art from my childhood through my work in art school at UW...
Compassion is the fabric that connects us all. But when compassion for our fellow man ceases to exist, where are we heading as people? Not long ago, my wife was driving home and called me. "I'll be home soon, and I'm bringing Frank with me," she said. "Who?! Who is Frank?" I confusingly replied. The rain was coming down hard that day and, as she drove across I-90, traffic began to back up. Maybe there was a car accident? As she crept closer to cause of the backup, she saw a man staggering down the highway. People honked their horns in dismay as they...
Believe and act as if it were impossible to fail and, eventually, you find yourself at the top. I often set goals that others would deem ridiculous and outlandish. But the thought of failing never enters my mind. It just doesn’t. Once I set a goal, I wholeheartedly believe the goal will be achieved - no matter how large. And, along the way, if things don’t go as planned then I hold myself accountable: I’m 100% responsible for my own failures. Making excusing and/or placing blame on others won’t get you where you want to be. Eliminate that mindset immediately. On the path to...
What is "good" art? To me, good art It pulls you in, and dares you to looks away. And while you’re viewing, it makes you feel: happy, sad, hopeful, angry or a plethora of other emotions - sometimes simultaneously - but it makes you feel *something*. Good art can illustrate a thought or feeling in a way that words simply cannot. It asks questions and, perhaps, even provides answers. In way, good art acts a mirror and teaches the viewer something about themselves that they didn’t know they knew. But most of all good art connect with you. Sometimes we cannot articulate that emotional...
Here's a sneak peek at my magazine cover shoot. You'll encounter many people who tell you that you'll never achieve your dreams. I love those people because they motivate me even more. But I don't work hard for them, and neither should you. Have your own reasons for wanting to achieve, and never compromise your vision. It might not happen overnight, but eventually someone will notice your hard work and resulting talent. Until then, stay focused and keep working to become the best you can be - for you....
The true character of a person is often revealed in the face of adversity. When the odds are against you, how do you respond? Do you make excuses to justify the seemingly inevitable outcome? Or do you fight against all odds? My wife, Ioana, just finished her 1st quarter of grad school. She was working full-time AND pursing her doctorate degree. Bad idea: she failed the 1st midterm. She had to average 80% on the final two tests or she’d be forced to drop out. So, she quit her job to study more. Her 2nd midterm was better, 75%, but now she’s really in trouble. Her professor and...
"Magic is something you make.” A statement that has had a profound effect on me. In fact, I believe in this statement so much that I had it tattooed on my chest (it’s written in Leonardo da Vinci’s handwriting, who was also left-handed and would often write backwards so you’d need mirror to read the text). This tattoo acts as a daily reminder that, well, magic… is… something… you...
When I first started drawing, I was terrible. I practiced every day, and drew terrible drawing after terrible drawing. I mean, these drawings were embarrassingly terrible. However, each day my drawings got a little less terrible. So many people dream of being great at something, but they’re afraid of being terrible. So, they quickly give up. EVERY person who is the best at what they do was once terrible. Michael Jordan: there was once a time that he couldn’t even dribble a basketball. Leonardo Da Vinci: there was once a time he could only draw stick figures. Albert Einstein: there was once a time he didn’t...
Don’t let the desire to be accepted by other people drive your happiness. Not everyone will be happy for your success. Many feel as though we’re all in a constant competition with each other and, if you’re doing well then that means they’re losing. That’s the biggest fallacy. We can ALL win, and I cheer for everyone who is putting in real WORK to get where they want to be. But if you’re constantly searching for external validation then you’ll never truly be happy. Focus on your goals, aim for daily improvement, and do what makes you happy. Ignore the negativity, and don’t let...
