The INKspired Life

Listen HERE on this page  LISTEN ON  SPOTIFY  LISTEN ON APPLE PODCASTS   Hello and Welcome to another episode of : The INKspired Life I’m your host, Jason Nicholas. Artist. Architect. Teacher.  The INKspired Life podcast about sketching and creative mindset. I'm so excited to be your host, as we embark on a journey of creative discovery. During this podcast, you'll learn how to nurture your creative spirit and become an artist who is confident in their ability to create beautiful things. We’ll also talk about overcoming creative blocks and turning failure into growth opportunities. I’ll give you practical tools for managing stress and staying motivated so that you can stay focused on achieving your artistic goals. So join me on this journey of creative exploration! Every week I'll bring you inspiring stories, practical tips and advice that will help you unlock the artist within yourself and become the most confident version of yourself possible! Today’s episode…. Flower Power - Growing your Creativity As you may know, my favorite sketching subject is architecture.  I have been sketching buildings since way back when (see that, no math to do there) and have never grown tired of it. But, that being said, sometimes our creative brains can get into a rut and need a bit of mixing up - a sort of inspiration infusion.  An infusion to grow your creativity and blossom your confidence. One of the ways I find that helps me to add to this creative growth is by sketching a subject that is out of my comfort zone - something that doesn't have any windows or doors.  Recently I was inspired by my community of art friends to sketch a flower. Flowers are delicate, beautiful, and simply delightful.  Could I sketch 'delightful and delicate'?  Yikes. After getting out of my own way and the "comparison trap", I put pen to paper and started sketching my favorite flower - the iris. My creative intention for this piece was to simply have fun while keeping my loose sketchy style. How did stepping out of my comfort zone and sketching an iris help my creativity to bloom?  Here are my takeaways. SEEING the world a bit differently. My eyes and brain have  been so conditioned to focus on the rectilinear and straight lines of architecture. Now when I'm out and about, I am noticing the world of curves and free-flowing shapes more.  ADDING more curvy lines in my sketches.  I am consciously trying to add more curves into my artwork.  I am finding that they not only help to loosen up my style, but curves help to add a sense of movement to my sketches. Curves are a new tool to add to my creativity bag.  BELIEVING. Stepping out and sketching a totally different subject has helped to up my self confidence a bit.  A confidence to not be afraid to try something new.     ACTION STEP I want to leave you with one action step today. What is something you could sketch or paint today that you have not tried.  Something you feel that might help you to SEE, ADD, and BELIEVE a bit differently when it comes to your creative mindset.  Whatever that subject is, put pen to paper, paint to canvas and just go for it.  Peace and Live Creatively!   LINKS Be sure to visit me at www.TheINKspiredlife.com where you can find PRINTS I have prints for sale of my Iris sketch available on my Fine Art America website. PODCAST Check out my Podcast Page for more inspo on topics such as "The Comparison Trap" and "Setting Creative Intentions". 

The INKspired Life - PODCAST v.10/22 Episode 06 - WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT YOUR ART? Self-critiquing your own art can build a creative barrier without the proper mindset. In this episode, I share 2 ways you can use self-critiquing to fuel your creativity. Action Steps: 1. What Don’t You Like? A.Create a list or note about what you don’t like about your artwork. B. Take your list and write down what you can learn from each item. C.Write down an action step to take what you learned and build off/modify it to continue moving your creativity forward. 2. What do you like about your artwork? A. Create a list about what you do like about your artwork. Is it a color, a pattern, a subject matter, the process itself, etc. B. Continue to use and build off of those things you like in future art pieces. Limited Time Discount I Limited Time DiscountI am happy to be able to offer you a limited time discount code when you shop and buy products from LOCHBY. The code is a one-time use 10% discount and is applicable to regular-priced LOCHBY items only. It will not work for gift cards, non-LOCHBY products, any existing promotions, or on the kits since they're already discounted.DISCOUNT CODE : INKSPIRED1 SHOP LOCHBY LISTEN ON…LISTEN ON SPOTIFYLISTEN ON APPLE PODCASTS If you enjoy the podcast, I would love for you to leave a positive rating and feedback. Thank you!!!! **DISCLOSURE: I only recommend products that I have used and love – just like the ones featured here. Also, I use affiliate links that allow me to earn a commission from things you buy with the links I share. Buying items from my links doesn't cost you any more $.

The INKspired Life - PODCAST v.10/22 Episode 05 - FINDING CREATIVE INSPIRATION Is your creative well dry? In this episode I share 3 tips for finding creative inspiration to replenish your creative soul. Action Steps: 1. In your Creativity Journal or Sketchbook, write down 3 ways that you can refill your creative soul. 2. Share your ideas on our Inklings FB group page. https://www.facebook.com/groups/theinkspiredlifeinklings Limited Time DiscountI am happy to be able to offer you a limited time discount code when you shop and buy products from LOCHBY. The code is a one-time use 10% discount and is applicable to regular-priced LOCHBY items only. It will not work for gift cards, non-LOCHBY products, any existing promotions, or on the kits since they're already discounted.DISCOUNT CODE : INKSPIRED1 SHOP LOCHBY LISTEN ON…LISTEN ON SPOTIFYLISTEN ON APPLE PODCASTS If you enjoy the podcast, I would love for you to leave a positive rating and feedback. Thank you!!!! **DISCLOSURE: I only recommend products that I have used and love – just like the ones featured here. Also, I use affiliate links that allow me to earn a commission from things you buy with the links I share. Buying items from my links doesn't cost you any more $.  

Episode 04 - Creative Intentions Feeling stuck or don’t know where to start when sitting down to create a sketch or painting (or other creative endeavor)? Setting creative intentions will help to give you a focus for your your creative journey. Creative intentions are great to have in your toolkit to help build habits and mindsets. Action Steps: 1.Create your own Creative Intention Checklist of 5-10 items. 2.Place the checklist in your creative space so that it is easily visible. 3. Choose one item from your checklist as your intention for that creative session. Limited Time Discount I am happy to be able to offer you a limited time discount code when you shop and buy products from LOCHBY. The code is a one-time use 10% discount and is applicable to regular-priced LOCHBY items only. It will not work for gift cards, non-LOCHBY products, any existing promotions, or on the kits since they're already discounted. DISCOUNT CODE : INKSPIRED1 SHOP LOCHBY LISTEN ON… LISTEN ON SPOTIFYLISTEN ON APPLE PODCASTS If you enjoy the podcast, I would love for you to leave a positive rating and feedback. Thank you!!!! **DISCLOSURE: I only recommend products that I have used and love – just like the ones featured here. Also, I use affiliate links that allow me to earn a commission from things you buy with the links I share. Buying items from my links doesn't cost you any more $.

The INKspired Life Episode 03 - The Comparison Trap ”The Comparison Trap”. Have you ever felt intimidated or shy to share your artwork because you feel that other artists are “better” or “more talented”? I know I have. Don’t compare yourself and your talents to other artists. focus on your “Why”..the reason you are creating and the impact it can have on your viewer. You are there to serve them with your art. Put it out there for positive impact… even if it simply to make somebody smile. Peace+ Live Creatively!  ARCHTOBER SKETCHING CHALLENGEWant to join my Archtober sketching challenge? This month, I will be posting a weekly sketch challenge for you to sketch fall/spooky inspired buildings. It's free to join. I will be posting each week's topic on my website on the link below. I would love for you to join in on the inky fun and post your weekly sketches here on our Inklings FB page. Visit the link: LEARN ABOUT SKETCHING CHALLENGE   LOCHBY SPECIAL OFFER I am happy to be able to offer you a limited time discount code when you shop and buy products from LOCHBY. The code is a one-time use 10% discount and is applicable to regular-priced LOCHBY items only. It will not work for gift cards, non-LOCHBY products, any existing promotions, or on the kits since they're already discounted. DISCOUNT CODE : INKSPIRED1 SHOP LOCHBY **DISCLOSURE: I only recommend products that I have used and love – just like the ones featured here. Also, I use affiliate links that allow me to earn a commission from things you buy with the links I share. Buying items from my links doesn't cost you any more $.   SUBSCRIBE AND LISTEN ON APPLE PODCASTS SUBSCRIBE AND LISTEN ON SPOTIFY  

The INKspired Life v.9/22 Episode 02 - Crushing Blank Paper Syndrome: Tip 1 : Med-INK-tations Med-ink-tations are a fun way to shift your overloaded, tired, or stuck brain into  a creative mindset.  After I do a med-ink-tation, my brain is often ready to begin creating a new sketch or continue working on a previous one.  What you need: Blank paper. Pen, pencil, marker or other sketching/writing tool. Music of your choice. Sometimes I will do this in silence.  Timer Steps. Have paper in front of you. Grab pen/pencil. Turn on music. Start timer. Close eyes and let your pen/pencil wander freely around the paper.  You can sketch in one continuous movement or lift your pen/pencil off the paper as you are med-ink-tating. Stop when time is over. Take a look at what you drew.  Turn your paper around.  Look at it from different angles.   Can you see any shapes? Maybe faces? Animals? Patterns? Etc.    Tip for success: Do not pre-plan what you will be sketching. The only expectation you should have is to end up with some lines/scribbles on the paper.  Let this just be a free flow process.     SPECIAL OFFER  I am happy to be able to offer you a limited time discount code when you shop and buy products from LOCHBY.  The code is a one-time use 10% discount and is applicable to regular-priced LOCHBY items only. It will not work for gift cards, non-LOCHBY products, any existing promotions, or on the kits since they're already discounted. DISCOUNT CODE : INKSPIRED1 SHOP LOCHBY **DISCLOSURE: I only recommend products that I have used and love – just like the ones featured here.  Also, I use affiliate links that allow me to earn a commission from things you buy with the links I share. Buying items from my links doesn't cost you any more $.    SUBSCRIBE AND LISTEN ON APPLE PODCASTS SUBSCRIBE AND LISTEN ON SPOTIFY

So, I want to do a podcast to share my positivity and creativity in a different format.What's in my brain as I hit record for the first time?What direction do I want the podcast to head in?Listen as I think out loud about what my new podcast will be about - life, creativity, and the pursuit of ice cream.This podcast will be a work in progress.  Note...after recording this, I saw that there is already a podcast called "Inking Out Loud". So, I renamed the show to The INK-spired Life.  :) Peace and Live Creatively! Jason SUBSCRIBE AND LISTEN ON APPLE PODCASTS SUBSCRIBE AND LISTEN ON SPOTIFY www.theinkspiredlife.com Follow me on Facebook Follow me on Instagram