Greetings from the vibrant world of Hatefulcrawdad!

I’m going to try to write a little more going forward, sharing my journey, learnings, and fun ways to make your own life more creative.

I hope this newsletter finds you brimming with inspiration and ready to embark on a creative journey.

As we navigate through the ever-changing tides of life, it is essential to take a moment and ponder the magical essence of creativity itself.

Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about the creative process. What exactly ignites the spark of creativity? Is it an innate gift or a skill that can be cultivated through dedicated effort?

While some individuals may have a natural inclination towards artistic pursuits, I firmly believe that creativity can be nurtured and learned. It is an infinite resource that resides within the depths of our imagination, awaiting our curiosity to awaken its dormant powers.

​

The creative process is not merely about creating visually stunning masterpieces or producing awe-inspiring performances. It is a dynamic journey that begins with a state of mind, embracing curiosity, and embarking on an exploration of uncharted territories. It thrives on the interplay between inspiration and perspiration, where ideas are born, refined, and transformed into tangible forms of expression.

So, how can one tap into this wellspring of creativity?

​

5 insights for living a more creative life

1. Embrace Curiosity

Cultivate an insatiable thirst for knowledge, explore diverse fields, and engage in thought-provoking conversations. Curiosity expands the mind and opens new avenues for inspiration.

2. Step Out of Your Comfort Zone

Challenge the boundaries of your artistic comfort zone. Experiment with different mediums, techniques, or styles. By daring to take risks, you will discover unexplored facets of your creative prowess.

3. Seek Inspiration Everywhere

Inspiration can be found in the minutest details of everyday life. Observe the world around you, immerse yourself in nature, explore different cultures, and find beauty in the simplest of things.

4. Dedicate Time for Creativity

Just as a garden needs nurturing, creativity demands dedicated time and space. Set aside regular intervals to engage in creative pursuits, whether it's painting, writing, dancing, or any other form that resonates with your soul.

5. Embrace Failure as a Stepping Stone

Remember that we all face setbacks along our journey. Embrace failures as valuable lessons, allowing them to guide you towards growth and improvement.

​

I am passionate about nurturing creativity in every individual.

​

I’m thinking about starting some 1:1 tutoring sessions focused on aspects of the creative process.

Do you want to learn how to establish a creative process in your life, how to convey ideas visually, or how to design a good logo? If so and you are interested in being part of the pilot, shoot me an email at h8c@hatefulcrawdad.com​
​

It took me over 130 hours to paint a mural

If you’ve been following me on Instagram or Facebook over the last couple of months, you'll know that I just finished my first mural.

The City of Kingsburg added five new murals this year and mine was the last one to wrap up (it was the largest too). Sitting at a whopping 350 square feet, full of vibrant shades of green gold and so many straight lines, this Kingsburg mural turned out beautiful!

​

The idea for the mural started as a phrase written on my iPad, “Birds-eye view of crops”. From there, I went through sketches, vectorizing, making outlines to project and trace, figuring out paint ratios and making a spreadsheet to make it easy to mix quantities on the fly, approvals, planning, and execution.

From the initial sketch to the last protective coating, I spent 146 hours on this project, making this the most time invested into any artistic project I’ve ever done. Wow…

Now that I’m done, my brain isn’t quite sure what to do. And I know it won’t be long before I’m onto my next project. I’m already working on a video that captures the mural creation process in its entirety.

​

It’s your turn to be creative

If you aren’t feeling creative or might be looking for a way to jumpstart creative thinking, try this simple exercise I call, “Circular Thinking”. The idea is to doodle as many things as you can think of to fit within a shape. The easiest shape to start with is a circle.

Here’s how it works:

1. ​Download this worksheet that has 30 blank circles on it
2. Print the worksheet out
3. Grab something(s) to draw with
4. Start a timer for 5 minutes and start doodling as many recognizable objects as you can. One inside for each circle.
   ​

The key is to not overthink and focus on the core parts of what make the object recognizable.

The forced shape can help you make new visual connections, see things like you might not have before, and give you the constraint necessary for creativity. I use this type of exercise quite a bit when I start a new illustration, logo, or painting. It helps me get a lot of ideas out of the way quickly without wasting a lot of time.

One interesting thing I’ve noticed after years of doing this is how each little doodle opens the door to an idea you didn’t even think of before. It’s like a journey and you are discovering the path along the way.

​

Crawdad Crew, let us embark together on a voyage of self-discovery, where creativity knows no bounds. Join me on this incredible journey, as we learn, grow, and create wonders that inspire and uplift the world around us.

​

Wishing you endless inspiration and boundless creativity,
Chris​

 

Latest IG Posts​