Category: Shop (Page 3 of 9)

“You cannot swim for new horizons until you have courage to lose sight of the shore.” ― William Faulkner Quote Art

May 30, 2016 / Kevin Chung / 1 Comment

“You cannot swim for new horizons until you have courage to lose sight of the shore.”
― William Faulkner

Print available on Storenvy.

[bctt tweet=”One of the greatest mistakes we make is becoming too complacent” username=”kevin_chung”]

One of the greatest mistakes we make is becoming too complacent. We get stuck in our habits and routines. We rarely drift far from what we know.

The only problem is, if you want to stand out from the crowd, you have to be willing to try something new and different. That doesn’t mean you should give up on what works, but it does mean you need to grow and evolve in your work.

Just look at some of the greatest artists and their artistic evolution:

Leonardo da Vinci

Leonardo da Vinci dabbled in so many disciplines that people dubbed him a Renaissance man. He was not only a great painter and artist, he was also an architect, inventor, and student of science. He did not stick to painting even though that is what he is best known for, he broadened his studies to everything that interested him.

Pablo Picasso

Pablo Picasso changed his painting style so often that his work is classified in periods. His blue period consisted of somber paintings in shades of blue. His rose period was cheery with orange and pink colors. He also went through different styles from cubism, to classicism, to surrealism. Picasso did not let one style define him. He explored art that interested him.

Kanye West

Kanye West might be a controversial person, but his impact on music is undeniable. His first three albums all had a similar sound, but his later music evolved as he did. His albums starting with 808s & Heartbreak all the way to The Life of Pablo have distinct sounds and styles. He does not let critics or fans dictate the way he creates music. He explores the sounds that feel right in the moment.

—

While many artists are content with creating the same work throughout their careers, artists who explore their creativity are far more interesting. If these artists were not willing to explore their curiosity, they would not live up to their true potential.

[bctt tweet=”If you feel stuck in the work you are creating, then you must change it” username=”kevin_chung”]

If you feel stuck in the work you are creating, then you must change it. You never know where your curiosity and creativity will take you. But you will never find out unless you are willing to give up what you know. You must be bold to explore new horizons. The only way to do that is by losing sight of the shore.

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Picture by Boss Fight

There is only one corner of the universe you can be certain of improving, and that's your own self. — Aldous Huxley — Quote by Aldous Huxley

“There is only one corner of the universe you can be certain of improving…” – Aldous Huxley Quote Art

May 22, 2016 / Kevin Chung / 0 Comments

There is only one corner of the universe you can be certain of improving, and that’s your own self.
— Aldous Huxley

Print available on Storenvy.

We worry far too often about the things that are out of our control. We worry about what other people think about us. We worry about what other people think about our work. We worry about how many followers we have or how many sales we get. But we don’t spend much time considering how we can improve ourselves.

Why do we insist on placing the blame on other people? My belief is, we feel insecure, but instead of trying to fix ourselves, we put the blame on others.

Blaming others is easy to do. It takes the pressure off of us. We can’t control what other people say, do, or believe. So instead of figuring out how we can become better, we pass off the work on someone else.

The fix is simple, but not easy. First, we must identify the things that are bothering us. Then we must figure out the best way to tackle them.

[bctt tweet=”If you are worried about what people think of you, ask yourself are you being your best self” username=”kevin_chung”]

If you are worried about what people think of you, ask yourself are you being your best self. If you are worried about what people think about your work, ask yourself if you are doing the best you can. If you are worried about your followers and sales, ask yourself if you are reaching out to the right people.

The hard truth of it is, when things aren’t going right, it’s not because the world is against us. There’s no vast conspiracy out to get you. You just aren’t doing the right things. I know that may be hard to hear, but it is the truth.

We spend so much of our lives trying to please others that we get caught up in their perceptions of us. We can’t control what other people think of us, but we can control what we think of ourselves. If you are in a rut, stop blaming others. Look inside and see how you can improve yourself.

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Universe Picture by Unsplash

Woman Picture by Michael Fertig

“You’re off to Great Places! Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting, So… get on your way!” ― Dr. Seuss Quote Art

May 14, 2016 / Kevin Chung / 0 Comments

“You’re off to Great Places!
Today is your day!
Your mountain is waiting,
So… get on your way!”

― Dr. Seuss, Oh, The Places You’ll Go!

Print available on Storenvy.

My friend Tyler Bel has a way with people. She is able to connect with people on a deep and emotional level. There is one thing she does in particular that had me floored the first time I heard it.

When working with clients she would give them this scenario: Imagine if I had a fairy wand, and could make any wish come true. “What would tomorrow be like? A miracle happened… your wildest dreams have come true. What does tomorrow look like?”

This question often shakes people to their core. It’s not one of those questions you have a prepared answer for. It really makes you think about what you’re doing. It makes you wonder whether you are living up to your own expectations.

It has affected some people so much that they not only changed their jobs. They changed the industry they worked in completely.

It makes you wonder why we don’t ask ourselves that very same question. Am I living the life I want to live? If I could make any wish come true, what would it be? What would tomorrow look like for me?

[bctt tweet=”We can make our way towards that dream starting today” username=”kevin_chung”]

The thing is, we don’t have to wait for tomorrow. We can make our way towards that dream starting today. Remember, our lives our a marathon, not a sprint.

If we start today, we can achieve our goals. We just have to break our goals down into smaller, more manageable, steps and tackle them one at a time. Just determine the first step you need to take, and do it. Then figure out the next step, and do that. But, you have to start today. Not tomorrow. Not some day. Today.

We can get to those Great Places. We can find the mountain that’s been waiting for us. So why wait? Let’s get on our way.

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Photo by Alana

“And those who were seen dancing were thought to be insane by those who could not hear the music.” ― Friedrich Nietzsche Quote Art

April 30, 2016 / Kevin Chung / 0 Comments

“And those who were seen dancing were thought to be insane by those who could not hear the music.” ― Friedrich Nietzsche

Print available on Storenvy.

“You did what?”

Many people who hear those words become squeamish. We only hear those words when we’ve done something unthinkable. We only hear those words when we do something brave.

Those are the words I want to hear when people learn about my journey. I want people to do a double take. I want people to wonder how I made that leap.

Whenever you hear about someone leaving a cushy job to pursue their dreams, you become skeptical. “You did what?” They tell stories about all the doubters. The haters. The jealous.

Those doubters are the ones who are insecure. They are the ones who aren’t pursuing their dreams. They are the ones who feel like they need a change. They are the ones who feel like they are making a mistake.

Skepticism is often a sign that you are doing something meaningful. When you tell people about your work, do they move on to the next question or do they become curious?

One of the biggest signs you are achieving your dreams is when people look at you like you’re insane. There are many examples of people who were considered insane for leaving their careers behind:

Vera Wang started her wedding business with no experience in the wedding industry. Tim and Nina Zagat quit their legal careers to work on their restaurant guide. Ronald Reagan left his career as a famous actor to become a politician.

You are not the crazy one for pursuing your dreams. After all, you are just dancing. People who think you are insane just can’t hear the music.

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Photo by Florent Chretien

“I’m never any better than my last concert… it’s like an audition each time.” ― B.B. King Quote Art

April 23, 2016 / Kevin Chung / 0 Comments

“I’m never any better than my last concert or the last time I played, so it’s like an audition each time.” ― B.B. King

Print available on Storenvy.

One bad thing about success is, we often rest on laurels. We finally hit our goal and expect everything to magically come together.

You know those moments. It’s the moment when: we get our painting in a gallery, we get published in a magazine, or we hit a five figure month in sales.

It’s exhilarating. We’ve worked so hard to get here. But then we get complacent. We think that just because we are in a gallery or publication that everything will become easier.

While these moments are fantastic and worth celebrating, that doesn’t mean things will become easier. In fact, we aren’t close to being done yet. We are just getting started.

Hitting a milestone alone won’t help you find more success. It’s what you do after you’ve hit the milestone that counts.

Anyone can become a published author. Anyone can get 100,000 views on their website. Anyone can get published in a big time magazine. But what do you do afterwards?

Will you continue on that upwards trajectory or will you become complacent? That is the difference between a professional and an amateur.

B.B. King was one of the most decorated and highly regarded blues guitarists in the world, yet he still approached each concert, each performance, like it was his last. He did not rely on his name or stature to get gigs. He worked hard every time he played to earn his next gig.

If you think one successful moment is good enough to bring you recognition and respect, think again. You have to earn that respect every time you create. You have to treat every piece of art, every performance, every book like it’s your last.

That is how you gain respect. That is how you gain recognition. That is how you find success.

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Photo by Harvey Salvador

“Life Is Either a Daring Adventure or Nothing” ― Helen Keller Quote Art

April 16, 2016 / Kevin Chung / 0 Comments

“Life Is Either a Daring Adventure or Nothing” ― Helen Keller

Print available on Storenvy.

When we are children, the whole world is ours. We can blast off in a space ship. We can travel in time. We can build and conquer empires.

Our lives were filled with adventure. Swing sets became our flying machines. Slides transported us from safety to the unknowns of the wilderness below. The back yard was a jungle filled with wonderful plants and animals to explore.

Then it all comes crashing down. We lose touch with our imaginations. We get stuck in reality. We no longer live with that once adventurous spirit.

What happened? Why did life go from a place of wonder to a place of routine and predictability? Can we bring it back again?

The problem is, life happens. We let the burden of our responsibilities take control of our lives. We stop using our imaginations. We stop exploring the world. We stop going on adventures.

The good news is, it’s not too late. We can live a life of adventure again. We just have to be intentional about it. After all, is a life without adventure, really worth living?

Luckily, we don’t have to go very far to live an adventurous life. Contrary to popular belief, an adventurous life isn’t just for people who backpack around the world. It isn’t just snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef or going on a safari in the Serengeti (although those are definitely adventurous too).

To live an adventurous life, you just have to define it. It’s different for every person. While some people might enjoy climbing a mountain, you might enjoy exploring an abandoned building. While some people might enjoy exploring in the jungle, you might enjoy a hike on a trail.

Figure out what makes life adventurous for you, then go out and do it. It’s as simple as that. Just know, you don’t have to travel around the world to be adventurous. What activities light you up inside? What did you do for fun as a child? Go do those things again.

Stop waiting for life to happen to you. Make life happen for yourself. If Helen Keller can live a life of adventure, why can’t you?

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Photo by Dino Reichmuth

“We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing!” ― George Bernard Shaw — Quote by George Bernard Shaw

“We don’t stop playing because we grow old…” ― George Bernard Shaw Quote Art

April 10, 2016 / Kevin Chung / 0 Comments

“We don’t stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing!” ― George Bernard Shaw

Print available on Storenvy.

I remember the days when I would play every day. My neighborhood was built for it.

There was a basketball hoop in the driveway. There was an empty lot in the corner where we would play baseball. Cars had to drive slowly in the neighborhood because we often had impromptu football and street hockey games in the road. And those were just the outdoor activities.

We also held wrestling matches on beds. We tried to unravel the mysteries of Myst. We had Pinochle almost every week.

There is moment this all changes. For me, it was high school. School burdens us with hours of homework. We have to prepare for the future. We stop playing in the yard. We try to do more adult things. We lose the magic of childhood and the element of play.

It is at this moment that we start to feel old. We go from getting good grades in high school to getting into college. We go from college to a job. Then we find a spouse. We buy a car. We get a house with a white picket fence.

Our obligations pile up. Time flies by. Until one day we look back and wonder where all that time went. Why do I feel so old? When did I stop having fun? Why does everything feel like a chore?

It happened because you’ve zapped all the joy out of life. You stopped playing, and it has made you old. It doesn’t have to be that way. You can fix that feeling of time passing you by. All you have to do is add back that element of play.

[bctt tweet=”The people who find the most joy in life are also the most playful” username=”kevin_chung”]

The people who find the most joy in life are also the most playful. Don’t be one of those stodgy old people that never has fun. What brought you extreme joy as a child? Rediscover that. Or find something completely new to enjoy. Either way, if you want to stop the feeling of growing old, go out and play.

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Photo from www.gratisography.com

“The graveyard is the richest place on earth” – Les Brown Quote Art

April 3, 2016 / Kevin Chung / 1 Comment

“The graveyard is the richest place on earth, because it is here that you will find all the hopes and dreams that were never fulfilled, the books that were never written, the songs that were never sung, the inventions that were never shared, the cures that were never discovered, all because someone was too afraid to take that first step, keep with the problem, or determined to carry out their dream.”
– Les Brown

Print available on Storenvy.

We live in an era of untold wealth. The average person in a first world country today lives many times better than sultans and kings of years past.

We don’t have to worry about where we will find our next meal. We don’t have to worry about finding water that’s drinkable enough not to kill us. We don’t have to worry about constant invasions from other countries or kingdoms. We truly live in a time of comfort and stability.

Yet many of our riches go to waste. I’m not talking about a billionaire’s inheritance. I’m not talking about all the things we throw away or the amount of food that goes to waste. I’m talking about the people who lived in such comfort, but chose to do nothing with all the fortunes of the modern world.

Many of us live in such comfort but never pursue our dreams. We repeat the same two words far too often: someday. “I want to write a book… someday.”, “I’ll learn to play an instrument… someday.”, “I will build my business… someday.”

[bctt tweet=”How do we know we love something unless we do it? “]

It’s as if we are allergic to doing the work today. We tell ourselves we are ambitious, but never actually pursue the thing we say we love. How do we know we love something unless we do it? How do we pursue our dreams?

[bctt tweet=”Stop being afraid…”]

By getting over our fears. Stop being afraid of taking that first step. Stop being afraid of finishing that piece you’ve been working on for years. Stop being afraid of releasing your work into the world. Stop being afraid of putting a price tag on your art.

[bctt tweet=”The world doesn’t just want the gifts you have to share, the world needs them”]

The world doesn’t just want the gifts you have to share, the world needs them. How many people can you positively affect through your work? How many lives can you touch? How many people can you inspire to do greater things?

[bctt tweet=”Make the world a richer place by sharing your talents with it”]

If we want to deprive graveyards of future riches, we must be willing to pursue our creative callings. We must be willing to share our gifts with the world. Don’t live your life filled with regret. Sure, you might fail. We all do. But don’t let that discourage you. Make the world a richer place by sharing your talents with it.

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Photo by jimmy brown

Our Greatest Fear by Marianne Williamson Quote Art

March 27, 2016 / Kevin Chung / 0 Comments

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.

It is our light not our darkness that most frightens us.

We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous?

Actually, who are you not to be?

– Marianne Williamson

Print available on Storenvy.

Fear can be crippling. It shuts us down. It leaves us unable to act.

We believe it’s fear of the darkness that holds us down. After all, we have been programmed to fear it.

Throughout human history people have worked tirelessly to help us see in the dark.

First it was fire. We used it to prepare us for attacks from animals or other people. Then we used lamps and torches, which made it easier to work in the dark. Then it was the incandescent light bulb which has allowed us to thrive in the dark.

Darkness gives us a reason to feel fear. It represents our enemies lurking in the shadow. It represents a lack of progress. It represents the unknown.

We cower from our darkness. We feel inadequate when confronted with it. It looms over us ominously.

[bctt tweet=”Our greatest fear is the light inside of us”]

Even so, the darkness is not what we fear the most. Our greatest fear is the light inside of us.

We all have that light. It allows us to be brave. To be bold. To face our darkness and confront it head on.

[bctt tweet=”Our light shows others the way. It gives them hope”]

Our light shows others the way. It gives them hope. It makes them believe “I can do this too.”

That is why we fear it. It is easy to let our darkness consume us. We can just sit there passively and let it take over. Shining our light, however, takes work.

It’s hard to show others the way. It’s hard to offer encouragement when it feels like there’s no hope. It’s hard to be that shining light when sitting back is so easy, and that is why we must must do it.

We all have the ability to let our light shine. We must overcome our greatest fear and become that beacon of light, despite the darkness.

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Photo from Unsplash

“I am not afraid… I was born to do this.” – Joan of Arc Quote Art

March 18, 2016 / Kevin Chung / 0 Comments

“I am not afraid… I was born to do this.” – Joan of Arc

Print available on Storenvy.

[bctt tweet=”If you want to achieve your dreams, you must not let fear get in your way”]

If you want to achieve your dreams, you must not let fear get in your way. Fear is the unwanted house guest. It’s the giant chasm blocking your path. It’s a pesky mosquito that won’t stop biting you.

Too often, we let that unwanted guest stay in our house. We reach the chasm and turn around in defeat. We let that mosquito pester us. We’re defeated.

It is these moments that define us. You can either give up, like 90% of other people, or you can overcome your fear. No, it will never go away. Fear, whether we like it or not, is a part of life. The sooner you realize that, the sooner you will be able to overcome it.

[bctt tweet=”Life is too short to let fear beat us down”]

Life is too short to let fear beat us down. As artists, we are dreamers. We are doers. We are driven by our passion, our need, to create.

Approach your fear like you would a new painting. Confront it like a blank canvas. Tackle it any way you know how. Even if you don’t know the way, you must forge on.

Tell that unwanted house guest it’s time to go. Find your way across that chasm. Kill that pesky mosquito.

Don’t let fear get in the way of your goals. Remember, you were born to do this.

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Photo by Alex Wong

Category: Shop (Page 3 of 9)

“You cannot swim for new horizons until you have courage to lose sight of the shore.” ― William Faulkner Quote Art