I’m living proof that sometimes, in the very weirdest and coolest way, you can connect with someone who just might be famous on Instagram. And keep up that connection. Surreal and so awesome all at once. That connection for me is with a guy named Nick Offerman. Unless you are really not into various forms of entertainment like TV shows, books, podcasts, movies, and even live comedy shows, you probably have heard of him. Nick has a new book out called Little Woodchucks. The live version of his...
29 days ago • 2 min read
I once weighed in at 250 pounds. That number feels strange to type now, and if you know me you might be surprised, but it’s true. At some point in my early thirties, I had let other things take priority over my health, and 250 is where I landed. My friend Aaron is the one who inspired me to change that. He and his crew were climbing Mount Whitney, the highest peak in the contiguous United States, and he invited me along. I was stoked! But there was a pretty decent caveat. He told me I’d need...
about 1 month ago • 3 min read
I wasn’t sure I was ready for this one. Not because of the baseline work itself. I’ve drawn at hundreds of events and I know how to take the markers out when walking into a room. But this event felt different for me, and I wanted to make sure it was done with care. Not just competently, but in a way that was meaningful for this group and what they stand for. Before I left, I told Megan: I just want to do this well. My friend Aja Moon, an amazingly talented artist in DC, settled it for me. She...
about 1 month ago • 2 min read
Draw in a lot of live rooms, and you’ll start noticing things from the front that are hard to unsee. Things like smart and very accomplished people sitting through hour after hour of content. Maybe, taking notes, maybe. Definitely nodding along. And then walking right out the door with a head full of ideas they’ll probably never do anything with. Usually, it doesn’t have anything to do with the content; instead, it’s more because no one gave them a minute at the outset of the meeting or event...
about 2 months ago • 2 min read
I have a suggestion for a great resource and inspiration for drawing. Maurice Sendak’s Where the Wild Things Are. You remember this book, right? It’s iconic and fun and a little fierce. Kids understand it on a base level, even if they’ve never read (or been read) the book. Though so many have. The monsters are approachable. You can actually learn to draw them. They look cool, but they’re not intimidating to attempt. That combination matters. This weekend, I got to see what happens when you...
2 months ago • 3 min read
We were pulling together some tax stuff and doing Q1 planning recently. Very corporate, I know. While reviewing the numbers, something jumped out at me: Over 75% of last year's revenue came from returning clients. In a creative services industry where most engagements often are one-off projects, that number stood out to me. Coming back for visual work month after month and year after year isn’t typically where businesses see themselves early on. But as it turns out, it's really about what...
2 months ago • 2 min read
Every morning when I’m not in a workshop, I draw a quote, illustrated on a post-it note. Then, I take a picture of it and text it to about 250 people. One-by-one. One phone number after another until I get through my list. This isn’t through a bulk SMS service, and it’s definitely not automated. Just going into my contacts and hitting send. Takes about an hour to draw and edit the image. Another 20-30 minutes to send them all out. Going on 5 years now. Megan’s oft-asked question is some...
3 months ago • 3 min read
On video calls, I’m always looking down. Is it because I’m distracted? Checking my phone?! Gasp… bored?!?! Nope, nope, and definitely nope, uh-uh, no way. You see the top of my head on a call because I’m leaning down and drawing what you’re saying in real time. There’s a small notebook right in front of me, like always. Pen is in hand. While we talk, I’m making visual notes of the conversation. Maybe what you need, or think you need. What clearly matters to you. The problems you or your team...
3 months ago • 2 min read
I’ve got to come clean about something. If you walked into my home office, you'd see a mess. A clean working mess (not talking garbage here). But a bit scattered nonetheless. Papers on the floor and the desk and side table. Sketches pinned to walls. Supplies in corners. Pens scattered everywhere. Books books books. My family walks past this room regularly. Bless them. They see the chaos. I'm can’t even pretend it looks good. Some artists keep everything perfectly organized. Good for you. My...
3 months ago • 2 min read
