Move

Left to right. Up and down. Forward and backwards. Progress, regress. Advance or retreat.

All of these require movement and have their own reason. Often we look for direction before moving but sometimes you just need to go – figure it out afterwards.

I write these words because I have spent too long sitting still and not in a good, relaxing, peaceful way. In a frozen by fear kinda way. Fear of failure. There it is, I said it, I admitted it. I fear failing because for me being an artist and designer makes up the fabric of my life. It’s more than just identity, it’s how I interact with and make sense of the world around me. Like a small stream can eventually carve its own path through a landscape, my stammer amongst other things growing up was that stream for me. It shut off a key tool in communication and expression for me and that was my voice. I also had hearing issues, leaving me in my own little world. So I drew, painted, built and fixed things. Eventually writing also helped me understand my thoughts and feelings.

Failing at that seems to take my thoughts quickly into a fixed self-loathing mind set. I’ve failed at being a person, a father, brother, husband, friend. If no one reads my articles, or signs up to a newsletter, buys a print or clicks ‘like’ on a post then my mind connects the dots and it spells out FAILURE.

Wow, what a load of bollocks.

IT really is, I feel like throwing down with myself. Are you for real fella?!

Of course I know that none of it is true. But I FEEL it. The truth is, I love it so much that I just want to get my work out into the world. I want to create art and design that is rooted in meaning and helps others to understand, be entertained, learn, celebrate, inspire others to experience life to the fullest they can possibly do. That will look different for each individual. If just one person has a print of mine in their house or has read an article and learnt something new that helps them in some way then I have succeeded. It’s that simple. My aim is to do what I love, enjoy the process, enjoy the feeling.

The world is already a creative masterpiece. Your life is already beautiful. Share the beauty with others.

Going forward you will see articles about everything from creativity, design, art to mental health, wellbeing and the odd typography joke (sorry not sorry). I will also share and promote any new prints, videos, fonts as well.

So you can look my Instagram feed for WIP images, new prints, artwork, designs, found typography and the like. My current portfolio site and I'll be honest not much point following me on twitter, I don't really understand it (should I ditch it?)

The future will bring an online shop, and maybe a new website that focuses more on my art and design as whole rather than just my work as a graphic designer.