Author: Kevin Chung (Page 11 of 21)

“Be the change that you wish to see in the world.” – Mahatma Gandhi Quote Art

January 17, 2016 / Kevin Chung / 5 Comments

“Be the change that you wish to see in the world.” – Mahatma Gandhi

Print available on Storenvy.

Everyone wants to live in a better world but have you done your part to make it better?

I am by no means better than anyone else. I am fallible to mistakes. I lose my temper. I don’t give as much as I can. Despite all of this, I am still trying to make the world a better place in my own way.

No, I’m not aspiring for world peace or trying to end world hunger, but I am trying to make my own dent in the world. Here are a few ways that I am trying to make a change in the world:

Inspiring Others

[bctt tweet=”The best way to inspire is by example”]

I have always found inspiration an interesting topic. We can’t force someone to be inspired. We can try to inspire people all we want, but I believe the best way to inspire is by example.

Even if you are in the beginning stages of your adventure, you are still farther along than others. If you can show people what is possible, you can become an inspiration to them.

Telling Positive Stories

Every day, we encounter people telling us how horrible the world is. The news mostly shows us the negative side of humanity. In my pursuit to help artists, I try to share the positive aspects of humanity.

I want to show people what is possible if you are dedicated to your craft. I want to show people that success is possible. I want to promote people who are making a difference in this world.

Sharing Knowledge

Knowledge is one of the most important things you can attain towards becoming a better artist, a better creative, and a better person. I am constantly on the quest to find new knowledge.

When you have knowledge, you can make better decisions. You can follow the footsteps of people who came before you , and you can also go off the beaten path.

[bctt tweet=”The more knowledgeable we all are, the better off we will be”]

That is why I want to share my knowledge with all of you. The more knowledgeable we all are, the better off we will be. It can be hard to make it on our own without seeking to become a more informed person.

Knowledge, however, isn’t all that is necessary to succeed in life. You must also take action.

Pushing People Into Action

What separates people who move up in life versus those who don’t? It’s not how smart you are, how attractive you are, or how loud you are. It’s taking the knowledge you have and putting it into action.

You can be smart, and still make nothing of your life. Attractiveness gives you a slight edge, but it can only take you so far. You can be the most vocal person around, but no one has to listen.

[bctt tweet=”It is only when you put your ideas into action that you can succeed”]

It is only when you put your ideas into action that you can succeed. That is why I try to push people into doing something.

If you are feeling stuck in your art practice or in your life, don’t sit around worrying about it. Do something about it.

[bctt tweet=”Taking action provides incredible results”]

Taking action provides incredible results. If I didn’t take action, I would use all my free time watching Netflix. Instead, I choose to take action and make progress on my goals. You should too.

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Jim Hopkinson on Embracing the New, the Importance of a Side Projects, and Tips on Negotiation – Cracking Creativity Episode 34

January 17, 2016 / Kevin Chung / 0 Comments

Jim Hopkinson is an author, speaker, teacher, and, entrepreneur. Jim has worked at startups, big corporations, and for himself at SalaryTutor.com. In this episode, Jim talks about the lessons he learned while working at ESPN and WIRED, why side projects are important, and the best ways to negotiate your salary.

Art Marketing Online – How To Go From Discovering Your Audience to Building a Passionate Fan Base

January 11, 2016 / Kevin Chung / 2 Comments

This is a long article. If you want to read a summary of what is covered in it, you can jump to and read the conclusion.

One of the most commonly asked questions artists ask is “How can I market and sell my art online?” While it can be very beneficial to sell your art online, it is also a lot of work. There is no magic bullet for selling your work online.

Everyone wants a shortcut. We see other people doing the things we want to do and assume they got there overnight. We want success, but are we willing to put in the work?

You are different. You are here because you want to learn exactly what it takes to build an audience. You are willing to put in the work. You want to build a business around your art.

[bctt tweet=”In order to sell your art online, you must first build an audience.”]

In order to sell your art online, you must first build an audience. You might think this is common sense, but many artists overlook this basic fact. If you want to sell your art online and build a lasting business from it, there are some very important things you must do.

This guide is intended to teach you some of these essential elements. It will help you turn your art from a hobby into a business. It will cover everything from finding your audience to building a passionate group of fans. So, let’s get started.

“Someday is not a day of the week.” – Denise Brennan-Nelson Quote Art

January 2, 2016 / Kevin Chung / 2 Comments

“Someday is not a day of the week.”- Denise Brennan-Nelson

Print available on Storenvy.

We all have excuses built into ourselves. I am as guilty of it as anyone. That excuse is thinking we can hold off on doing something. I’ll do it later, I’ll do it tomorrow, and the dreaded I’ll do it someday.

What would happen if we all decided someday was good enough? How many great inventions or pieces of art would we be missing out on?

Did Thomas Edison wait for someday to create an efficient light bulb, the phonograph, or electricity?

Did Steve Jobs wait for someday to revolutionize the world with the iPhone or the iPad?

Did George Lucas wait for someday to create one the most influential movies of all time in Star Wars?

[bctt tweet=”We love to give ourselves the excuse of someday, but someday may never come”]

We love to give ourselves the excuse of someday, but someday may never come. Tomorrow is not guaranteed. Our lives can be gone in an instant.

I’m not saying this to be morbid. I’m saying this so you’ll get off your ass and do that thing you’ve been waiting to do.

[bctt tweet=”Don’t let your beautiful idea rot away locked up inside you”]

Would you happy with yourself if you left this world without giving it the gift of your work? As artists, we have something beautiful to offer the world. Don’t let your beautiful idea rot away locked up inside you.

[bctt tweet=”Get started today. Not tomorrow, not next week, not someday. Today.”]

Don’t wait for someday. What is the smallest action you can take towards letting that idea free? Release the shackles of uncertainty and doubt. Get started today. Not tomorrow, not next week, not someday. Today.

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Picture by Unsplash

Michael Zaytsev on Mindsets, Coaching, and Starting His Own Venture in High NY – Cracking Creativity Episode 33

January 2, 2016 / Kevin Chung / 0 Comments

Michael Zaytsev is a life coach and founder of High NY. Before taking on his current roles, he was a financial analyst for J.P. Morgan and a sales rep for Google. In this episode, Michael talks about lessons he learned at J.P. Morgan and Google, why coaching is important, and why he took up the mantle at High NY.

Tam Pham on Getting Over Your Doubts, the Importance of Mentors, and the Best Way to Network – Cracking Creativity Episode 32

December 20, 2015 / Kevin Chung / 1 Comment

Tam Pham is an author, speaker, podcaster, and teacher. He has spoken to high school students on networking and entrepreneurship and wrote a best-selling Amazon book How To Network: Build Instant Trust & Respect With Anyone You Meet. In this episode, Tam talks about the getting over your doubts, the importance of mentors, and the key to networking.

“Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep.” – Scott Adams Quote Art

December 19, 2015 / Kevin Chung / 1 Comment

“Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep.” – Scott Adams

Print available on Storenvy.

Creativity and art are two separate yet interconnected pieces of the same puzzle. They exist in a constant ebb and flow. They can, and do, exist separately but they are better when they work together.

People often mistake creativity as a thing only artists have and use. “I’m not creative. I don’t know how to draw or paint.” That sentiment is shared by many people, but it is a mistake to do so.

I have spoken to many people about the topic of creativity and there are a few common things that consistently come up:

Be Open to Play

Creative people have one thing in common. They are open to exploration and play. They are not hindered by pre-conceived notions. They don’t worry about whether something will succeed or fail. Just like children, they are willing and open to try new things.

You Can’t Force It

Creative people do not try to force their ideas onto a problem. They look at problems from multiple angles. They scrape the depths of their mind looking for a solution that fits the problem at hand. They are not hindered by the idea of a single best solution. They don’t let mistakes discourage them. They turn those impediments into action.

Constantly Create

[bctt tweet=”Creative people are constantly creating. They do not wait for the muse to sing to them”]

Creative people are constantly creating. They do not wait for the muse to sing to them. They find the muse through consistent and persistent action. Some of their art will be better than others, but that doesn’t stop them from creating.

—

Art, on the other hand requires discernment. When you are creating art, you use your creativity to come up with ideas, but you also have to decide what to keep and what to leave out.

Art allows you to express your feelings in a way that makes sense. It takes your ideas and brings them to life.

As artists, we all want to be perfectionists, but if you want to keep your sanity, you will know when to stop. That moment of finality is the difference between creativity and art.

Art is the end result of all that creativity. It is the final product that of all that experimentation.

[bctt tweet=”Creativity is an endless cycle. Art is what you have to show for it”]

Creativity is an endless cycle. Art is what you have to show for it.

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Photo by Andrew Phillips

Colin McCann on Productivity, Taking on an Ambitious Project, and the Power of Beliefs - Cracking Creativity Episode 30

Colin McCann on Productivity, Taking on an Ambitious Project, and the Power of Beliefs – Cracking Creativity Episode 31

December 14, 2015 / Kevin Chung / 0 Comments

Colin McCann is a web developer who is trying to revolutionize the way we view productivity. In this episode Colin talks about his take on productivity and how he approaches his goals, taking on such an ambitious project, and how beliefs can have a huge impact on self-improvement.

“Do not wait to strike till the iron is hot; but make it hot by striking.” – W.B. Yeats Quote Art

December 12, 2015 / Kevin Chung / 0 Comments

“Do not wait to strike till the iron is hot; but make it hot by striking.” – W.B. Yeats

Print available on Storenvy.

For a long time, I believed in the myth of sudden and instantaneous inspiration. I believed that an apple would hit me while sitting under a tree. I believed that lightning would strike my key while flying a kite in a storm. I believed that a tiny lightbulb would appear above my head when I had an insight.

The biggest myth about creativity is that you will have these moments of clarity. That you don’t have to do any work for inspiration to strike. That you just have to wait for the muse to descend upon you.

[bctt tweet=”If you want great ideas to come to you, you must seek them first.”]

What I’ve learned through a lot of reading, some interviews, and a lot of effort is inspiration doesn’t work like that. If you want great ideas to come to you, you must seek them first.

Creativity is a muscle, just like any other muscle. You must put it to use or it will atrophy. If you want to be creative, you must follow the stages of creativity.

According to psychologist Scott Barry Kaufman, creativity comes in four basic stages.

Preparation

In order to come up with new solutions, you have to first learn a lot about the subject you are tackling. This is the information gathering stage.

Incubation

Then, you must walk away. This is the stage many people neglect. They pour over the problem until they can’t think anymore. But, you must let your mind wander if you want it to come up with a creative solution.

Illumination

This is the spark of inspiration many of us have been looking for. It is that moment when all those ideas you were exploring come together and finally make sense.

Verification

Most people will stop once they have that eureka moment, but creativity doesn’t end there. Your idea must be put into action. Anyone can have a good idea, but true creativity is harnessing your ideas and putting them to use.

—

[bctt tweet=”Far too many people wait for the right moment before they take action”]

Far too many people wait for the right moment before they take action. They want the benefits of success without the work required to achieve it. Luckily for you, you now know better.

[bctt tweet=”If you want to find success for your art, you have to do the work”]

If you want good ideas to come to you, you must seek them. If you want to find success for your art, you have to do the work.

Taking action is the only way to make your dreams come true. Don’t wait around for someone or something to give you an opportunity. Make your own opportunities.

Buy W.B. Yeats Quote Art

Photo by TiBine

Photo by Unsplash

Natalie Kim on Choosing Yourself, Being Vulnerable, and Dealing with Mixed Reactions – Cracking Creativity Episode 30

December 6, 2015 / Kevin Chung / 0 Comments

Natalie Kim is an actress, writer, and artist. She also hosted It’s a Draw With Natalie Kim, where she interviewed comedians and cartoonist while they drew. On this episode, Natalie talks about why you need to work on your own projects, lessons she’s learned from stand-up and improv, and why vulnerability helps with acting and in life.

Author: Kevin Chung (Page 11 of 21)

“Be the change that you wish to see in the world.” – Mahatma Gandhi Quote Art