I broke up with Instagram (a graphic essay)
In this experimental graphic essay, I explain why I stopped using Instagram and broke my dysfunctional relationship with the algorithm. Read more...
My personal life musings
Big Mouth: A graphic essay on self-expression
In this navel-gazing graphic essay / sketchbook story / visual journal entry I explore my desire to integrate written and visual communication, why I love the Internet, and highlight one beautiful irony of my life. Read more...
Integrating words and images (my creative journey)
Since I started using sketchbooks in 2006, I alternated between drawing and writing. I occasionally combine the two, but it’s still not completely integrated. It’s like I have a “drawing mode” and a “writing mode”—when I’m using one, the other one is turned off. I want to evolve this part of my practice, so I’m giving myself assignments to integrate words and images. Read more...
Setting goals after a disappointing year
It’s the time of the year when business owners and bloggers flock to reminisce on their past year, highlight their biggest achievements, and plan for the year ahead. I feel that goal-setting can sometimes create pressure that only makes us feel inadequate, instead of inspired. Read more...
What I did during my Summer Social Media Sabbatical 2019
I take regular social media sabbaticals in order to clear my mind and make more time for creativity and proper rest. This year I was unplugged from all social media channels for over two months–from mid-June to the end of August. Here's an update on what I did while I was away... Read more...
The challenge of (re)starting a creative practice
It’s no secret that sometimes I don’t do art for months. There are objective reasons, and emotional reasons, and totally silly reasons, but whatever they are—the result is the same: no new art, guilt and shame because I’m not making art, and overall grumpy feeling and lack of enthusiasm because I need my art. In the interest of documenting my methods for the future when it’s bound to happen again, but also to help others who have the same problem, I’ll talk about what I’ve tried and what helps me start again after a long period of not creating. Read more...
My journey of self-publishing a non-fiction book, part 3: Marketing & selling
Writing a book is one thing, but how do you make sure it sells? In the third part of my series on self-publishing, I explain how I started creating anticipation with my audience, set the book price, created the website, launched the ebook, released the paperback, and used live events to drive more interest. Read more...
My journey of self-publishing a non-fiction book, part 2: Production & distribution
Writing the draft was a huge milestone for me. Now it was time to make the manuscript presentable and format it into the final book. In the second part of this series, I cover: choosing the book title, book editing, ebook design & formatting, sourcing beta reader feedback, administrative tasks, ebook distribution, paperback formatting, and paperback distribution. Read more...
My journey of self-publishing a non-fiction book, part 1: Motivation, planning & writing
It wasn’t easy to create a book, and it took way longer than I thought it would. In this series of articles I’ll talk about the whole process, and why I made certain decisions along the way. It’s not intended as advice, but I hope it provides some insight in case you want to self-publish a book of your own. In the first part I cover: why write a book in the first place, how to decide on a topic, how to find the time to write, and the behind-the-scenes of my writing process. Read more...
Devoted to wholeness instead of pursuing success
A rare person can say “Look at all these things I’ve accomplished, now it’s time I take a well deserved break.” There’s always more to achieve. There’s always a way to become better, and to make a bigger impact. It’s my belief now that pure discipline in the service of success doesn’t lead to a life well lived. Read more...