"You really need to define success for yourself, separately from the reactions of other people. If you are waiting to publish the book or get collected by museum X or all of those things that depend on other people, you need to reframe success for yourself. You can't control them nor should you really want to. You could hope that they would come along for the ride. Define success for yourself and then focus on making sure that happens. You can control that. You can get involved in that and make those things happen."

If you are looking for a technical discussion on Photoshop and cameras to choose this is not the one. We had a fairly philosophical conversation about many subjects including defining a mission in life, being present, nature, spirit of place, creativity, play, and how to find your own way as an artist and a human. I love how thoughtful and specific he is with his words and wisdom. It’s no wonder he is a sought after lecturer and teacher.

Please enjoy this conversation recorded in John Paul’s home gallery located in Cushing, Maine on a beautiful summer day. And be sure to keep up with him and enjoy what he shares by signing up for his Insights enews subscription.

The following biography is used courtesy of John Paul's website.

John Paul Caponigro is one of the most prominent visual artists working with digital media. His art has been exhibited internationally and purchased by numerous private and public collections including Princeton University, the Estée Lauder collection, and the Smithsonian.

John Paul dynamically combines his background in painting with traditional and alternative photographic processes using state-of-the-art digital technology. A form of environmental art in virtual space, his work is about the perception of nature and the nature of perception. His life’s work is both a call to connection with nature and a call for conscientious creative interaction with our environment during a time of rapid change.

Respected as an authority on creativity, photography, and fine art printing, he is a highly sought after speaker, lecturing extensively at conferences, universities, and museums, in venues as diverse as Photoshop World, Google and TEDx. He leads seminars and workshops around the globe.

John Paul’s work has been published widely in numerous periodicals and books including Art News and The Ansel Adams Guide. Author of the video training series R/Evolution and the book Adobe Photoshop Master Class, for over twenty years he has been a contributing editor to a variety of magazines and websites including Camera Arts, Digital Photo Pro, The Huffington Post, and Apple.

John Paul is a member of the Photoshop Hall of Fame, an Epson Stylus Pro, and an X-Rite Coloratti. His clients include Adobe, Apple, Canon, Epson, Kodak, and Sony.

Learn more – visit www.johnpaulcaponigro.com and get a free subscription to his enews Insights.

JP’s mission

My life's work is dedicated to inspiring conscientious creative interaction with our environment.

Authentic creativity is the key to unlocking solutions for the most pressing issues of our times.

Each of us has unique and valuable contributions to make during this important moment in history.

I urge you to make yours now.

And I'm here to help you.

Intro music generously provided by Stan Killian

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Links:

• John Paul Caponigro - Website
• John Paul Caponigro - Facebook
• John Paul Caponigro - YouTube
• John Paul Caponigro (@johnpaulcaponigro) • Instagram
• Caponigro Arts (@caponigroarts) • Instagram
• ‪TEDxDirigo - John Paul Caponigro - YOU'RE A LOT MORE CREATIVE THAN YOU THINK YOU ARE
• John Paul Caponigro - Wikipedia
• Paul Caponigro - YouTube
• James Lovelock – Originator of Gaia theory
• Sebastião Salgado - Wikipedia
• James Nachtwey - website
• Seth Resnick - website