The Art of Experimentation – Stop Playing It Safe!

Listen, if you’ve been doing the same thing over and over and expecting some grand artistic breakthrough, I’ve got news for you: IT’S NOT COMING. You’re just drawing the same stale, predictable stuff, like a baker who only knows how to make plain white bread. You need to throw some jalapeños in there, swirl in some chocolate—GET WEIRD.

This week on the podcast, we’re diving into The Art of Experimentation—breaking out of your artistic rut, trying new mediums, and embracing the glorious mess of creativity. Because if you're not failing, you're not trying hard enough.

Because safe is boring. Safe is a creative dead end. The best artists? They took RISKS. Picasso didn’t stay in his Blue Period forever, and neither should you.

Trying new styles or mediums unlocks parts of your brain that have been asleep at the wheel. You’re going to discover new ways to express yourself, new ideas, and maybe even a little bit of that long-lost joy in creating. Remember joy?

Here are some simple ways to punch fear in the face and start experimenting:

• Draw with your non-dominant hand – It’ll be terrible, but it’ll teach you to let go of perfection.

• Limit yourself to three colors – Forces you to think differently about shading and composition.

• Make an ugly drawing ON PURPOSE – See what happens when you’re not worried about making it “good.”

• Use a tool you’ve never touched before – Charcoal, digital, ink wash, finger painting, crayons, whatever. Just break out of your default.

Now, if you’re bringing this to someone who’s set in their ways (cough your mom cough), you’ve got to make it fun and low-pressure. Here’s how:

• Make it a game – Timed drawings, absurd prompts, blind contour drawing. People forget they’re “bad” at something when they’re laughing.

• Use nostalgia – “Remember doodling in the margins of your high school notebooks? Let’s do that again.”

• Destroy the idea of perfection – Tell them to make something ugly on purpose. Takes the fear right out of it.

• Sneak attack – Leave some markers and a sketchbook on the table. Watch curiosity do its thing.

At the end of the day, creativity is about exploration. So stop playing it safe, grab a weird-ass medium, and make something ridiculous. You might just surprise yourself.

LINKS:

Michael Zulli and his amazing run on TMNT back in the Miarage days, great article

https://youtu.be/dLSzmcA2sNA

https://youtu.be/aIq9h0JnzcM

Website for poses, with timers and everything, a great warm up tool!

Why Experiment?Exercises to Loosen UpHow to Get Older Adults to Join the ChaosGO MAKE SOME SHIT!BE GOOD

Without me, my sketchbook is useless. Without my sketchbook, I am useless.

…and so on

There’s something powerful about a blank page. It’s not just paper—it’s a space to build, reflect, and create. A sketchbook isn’t just for artists—it’s for anyone looking to capture a moment, map out an idea, or make sense of the chaos around them.

This week on FWACATA Podcast, we dive into why keeping a sketchbook (or journal, or whatever you want to call it) is one of the most powerful tools you can have—for your creativity, your productivity, and maybe even your sanity.

Think of it like this: in Dungeons & Dragons, wizards have a spellbook—a place where they collect all their knowledge, ideas, and incantations. Your sketchbook? Same thing. It’s your idea vault, your reference manual, your record of the weird and wonderful things bouncing around in your head.

Inside, you can:

• Sketch out ideas before they vanish.

• Write down those fleeting thoughts that might become something great.

• Paste in ticket stubs, fortunes, photos—anything that captures a moment in time.

It’s a living document of your creativity, and the more you use it, the more valuable it becomes.

We live in a time where everything is digital, yet nothing feels permanent. You can scroll endlessly, save a million bookmarks, and yet… where does it all go?

A physical sketchbook stays with you. It doesn’t get lost in an algorithm. It doesn’t get buried under notifications. It’s always there, waiting for you to flip back through its pages and remember what you were thinking, dreaming, or creating.

It doesn’t matter what kind of sketchbook you have—fancy leather-bound journals, cheap dollar-store notebooks, or something in between. What matters is that you use it. Fill it with whatever feels right to you. Doodles, notes, scraps of ideas—it all counts.

This isn’t about perfection. It’s about process.

So grab a notebook. Start today. This is your sketchbook—there are many like it, but this one is yours.

🎧 Listen to the full episode on FWACATA Podcast and start creating.

#FWACATA #MondayMotivation #SketchbookLife #CreativeProcess #MakeSomething #IndieComics #StayInspired

Your Sketchbook Is Your SpellbookThe Digital World Won’t Save YouMake It Yours

We all know that person. The one who spends more time complaining about their problems than solving them. The one who would rather wallow than take action. The one who insists their life is a mess but rejects every solution you offer.

I can’t do that. I don’t understand the point of sitting in frustration when the fix is right before you. Either solve the problem or let it go. Anything else is just wasted energy.

This week on the FWACATA Podcast, we’re talking about getting out of your own way.

The hard truth? Most problems have a solution. It’s just that sometimes, people don’t like the options.

• Hate your job? Find a way out.

• Stuck in a rut? Change your habits.

• Tired of the same conversations? Surround yourself with different people.

It’s not always easy, but complaining won’t get you there any faster.

Remember when the internet was weird and full of surprises? When you’d stumble onto something new, some bizarre website or an artist you’d never heard of? Now, it’s just an algorithm feeding you the same recycled content.

Creativity, art, life—it all thrives on discovery and sharing. But we’ve let social media flatten everything into one monotonous scroll.

You know what keeps creativity alive? Talking about it. Sharing it. Showing others something new. If you see something cool, pass it along. You never know who might need that weird piece of inspiration at the right moment.

At the end of the day, you can sit in the problem, or you can move forward. And if you’re reading this? You’re the kind of person who moves.

🎧 Listen to the full episode now on FWACATA Podcast. Let’s get things done.

#FWACATA #MondayMotivation #FixItOrForgetIt #StopComplaining #CreativeRebellion #IndieComics #MakeBetterArt #StayInspired

Action Over ExcusesThe Internet Has Made Us PassiveBe the One Who Shares, Not Just Consumes

The Most Rebellious Thing You Can Do? Be Good.

We live in a time where being an outright jerk seems like a fast track to success—where the loudest, meanest voices get the most attention, and stepping on others is just another strategy to get ahead. But here’s the thing: you don’t have to play that game.

This week on the FWACATA Podcast, we’re talking about the quiet, overlooked power of choosing not to be an asshole.

Think about it—how many times have you had the chance to take advantage of someone? To push a little harder to get ahead? To bend the truth just enough to make things easier for yourself?

And yet, you didn’t. Not because you’re weak. Not because you weren’t smart enough. But deep down, you knew it wasn’t the right thing to do.

In a world where everyone is looking for an edge, having a conscience is its kind of rebellion.

The easiest thing to do is get bitter and angry. Start cutting corners and convincing yourself that everyone else is doing it, so why not you?

But the more complex, more rewarding path? Choosing integrity, even when it doesn’t immediately benefit you.

• As an artist, that means respecting your craft and your audience.

• As a creator, that means making work that means something—not just chasing trends.

• As a person, that means refusing to be part of the cycle that’s turning the world into one big, self-serving machine.

If you’ve ever felt like the world is run by people who don’t care about anything but themselves, you’re not wrong. But here’s the trick: their power only works if we let them set the rules.

Every time you choose to be good—to create, to lift others up, to refuse to play dirty—you break their system just a little bit more.

And maybe, just maybe, that’s how we burn the whole thing down.

So ask yourself—what kind of person do you want to be?

Because at the end of the day, the biggest act of rebellion isn’t anger. It’s refusing to become what you hate.

🎧 Listen to the full episode now on FWACATA Podcast.

#FWACATA #MondayMotivation #RebelWithIntegrity #IndieComics #MakeBetterArt #CreativeFire #BeTheLight #NoMoreAssholes #StayInspired

Empathy as a Power MoveThe Art of Not Taking the Easy RoadWhy This Matters More Than Ever

Are You Actually Living, or Just Playing the Game?

Let’s be honest: most of what we deal with daily is just noise. The endless rules, the meaningless procedures, the polite but empty conversations—it’s all designed to keep us occupied, keep us complacent, and most importantly, keep us from actually questioning things.

You ever sit through a training, a meeting, a briefing, and think: "Why don’t they just say what they mean?" Instead, they dance around the truth, sugarcoat everything, and act like the rules they made up are somehow for your benefit.

That’s because clarity—real, unfiltered clarity—is dangerous. If people started seeing things for what they are, started saying what they actually mean, and—God forbid—started acting on it, well… that would be a problem for a lot of folks in power, wouldn’t it?

You wake up. You start questioning. You start building. You start pushing back. Because the people making the rules? They don’t hesitate. They have their meetings, their strategies, their backup plans.

But you? What’s your plan?

Are you just going along with the script, nodding when you’re supposed to, staying quiet when you know something’s off? Or are you sharpening your own blade—whatever that means to you?

Creatively. Personally. As a community.

This week’s episode of FWACATA Podcast isn’t just a rant (though, let’s be honest, it gets a little fiery). It’s a wake-up call. A reminder that you can either sit on the sidelines or start making things happen.

So ask yourself: What are you actually doing? And if the answer is nothing, maybe it’s time to change that.

🎧 Listen to the full episode now. Let’s talk about what happens next.

#WakeUp #FWACATA #TakeAction #StopPlayingTheGame #BuildSomething #MondayMotivation #CreateAndDestroy #IndieCreator #NoMoreExcuses

So, What Do You Do With That Knowledge?

As we move through life, there’s one undeniable truth—we change. Our energy shifts, our priorities evolve, and the things that once seemed like the center of the universe suddenly don’t carry the same weight. And you know what? That’s okay.

In this week’s FWACATA Podcast, I talked about energy—how we gain it, how we lose it, and how to make the most of what we’ve got.

Remember when you could stay up all night, wake up the next day, and still power through like a champion? Yeah, that changes. As we age, our energy becomes less of a bottomless pit and more like an old phone battery—it still works, but it doesn’t quite charge to 100% anymore.

And that’s where perspective kicks in. Instead of fighting against time, instead of reminiscing about what used to be, maybe the trick is to make the most of where you are now.

Too often, people tie happiness to achievement—the job, the money, the status. But if those things don’t bring you peace, what’s the point? The real goal is finding joy in the simple things—a good meal, an hour of creative work, a well-earned nap.

Happiness isn’t in some far-off dream; it’s in the tiny moments—moments you can create for yourself every single day.

• Recharge when you need to. Don’t let the world guilt you into thinking rest equals laziness.

• Stop chasing empty validation. Create for YOU first, not for approval.

• Find your small joys. A cup of coffee, a sketchbook, a favorite snack—sometimes that’s all you need.

Because at the end of the day, life isn’t about how much you accomplish—it’s about whether you enjoyed the ride.

So go outside. Eat something delicious. Laugh at something ridiculous. Make today a day worth remembering.

🎧 Listen to the full episode on FWACATA Podcast!

#FWACATA #MondayMotivation #EnergyMatters #HappinessFirst #LiveCreatively #ProtectYourEnergy #CreativeLife #StayInspired

Finding Joy in the Simple Things: A Lesson in Energy, Perspective, and Living in the NowEnergy Isn’t Infinite—Use It WiselyThe Secret to Success? Be Happy First.Protecting Your Energy & Living on Your Own Terms

Mediocrity is the Enemy – Why You Should Demand More from Yourself and the World

There’s this thick, suffocating layer of mediocrity that’s creeping into everything. Art, music, schools, culture—people are coasting, playing it safe, afraid to push past the surface. And it’s driving me insane.

This week on the FWACATA Podcast, I dive into why the hell everyone seems okay with "just good enough"—and why you shouldn’t be.

Have you ever looked around and thought, “Is this it? This is what people are hyping up?” That’s exactly how I felt watching the Kendrick Lamar halftime show—not bad, but not the revolutionary, game-changing performance people were acting like it was. Instead of real, raw creativity, it was a wink-wink, nudge-nudge kind of "art"—the kind that hints at making a statement without actually saying anything. Safe. Expected. Forgettable.

This isn’t about one artist or one performance. It’s EVERYWHERE. Go to an art show, check out what’s passing as “deep” music, or watch what schools are churning out. It’s bland, uninspired, and worst of all—nobody seems to care.

Art—real art—is supposed to grab you by the throat and shake you up. It should make you feel something, even if that feeling is discomfort. Instead, we get "art" designed not to offend, not to provoke, not to wake people the hell up. And it’s all because nobody wants to take risks anymore.

People don’t create to challenge or innovate—they create to be accepted. They’re terrified of standing out, of having a real opinion, of saying, “Hey, this is bullshit.” And that’s the problem.

Look, you can either join the herd or fight against it. If you’re an artist, a writer, a musician—hell, if you just give a damn about good work—then stop settling. Demand more. From yourself. From your peers. From the people you follow and support.

🚀 Push your work past what’s "safe." Do the thing that scares you. Make the weird, the bold, the raw stuff.

🚀 Call out the bullshit. Stop pretending everything is deep or meaningful when it’s just recycled nonsense.

🚀 Find people who challenge you. Surround yourself with people who aren’t afraid to tell you the truth and push you forward.

Mediocrity is an infection, and it spreads when people accept it as the norm. Don’t fall for it. Demand better, sharper, harder-hitting work—from the world and from yourself.

Do you see this happening too? What’s the last thing that truly inspired you? Drop a comment or DM me—I want to hear from people who still give a damn.

🎧 Listen to the full rant on FWACATA Podcast. Let’s raise the bar—before we all drown in blandness.

#NoMoreMediocrity #FWACATA #MakeBetterArt #DemandMore #IndieComics #CreativeFire #StayInspired #PushBoundaries

Are We All Just Settling?Creativity Is Supposed to Push BoundariesWhy You Need to Demand More (from Yourself & Others)Let’s Talk About It

Listen up, you magnificent weirdos—no great art happens alone. Whether you're making comics, painting, kitbashing, or building cosplay props, collaboration will take you further than you ever thought possible.

I know, I know—every artist has thatcontrol freak mentality.“It’s my vision! My story! My world!” But let me tell you something: even thebest of the best have someone in their corner. Jack Kirby had Stan Lee (whether he liked it or not), Eastman had Laird, and every single artist out there who’s killing it today? Yeah, they’ve got an inker, a colorist, a writer, a letterer—a squad backing them up.

So why are you out here trying to do everything yourself?

It’s simple:we’re stubborn. Every comic creator, painter, filmmaker, or maker I know has this belief thatonly they can execute their vision perfectly. And while that’s cute and all, it’s alsothe fast track to burnout.

I’ve been there. I’ve tried writing, penciling, inking, coloring, and letteringall on my own. And you know what I learned?That’s a one-way ticket to misery, my friend.

The indie scene is full ofamazing talent, but too many people fall into the trap of doing EVERYTHING themselves because they don’t want to "lose control."But real talk? The best work happens when you trust someone else to bring something new to the table.

Great art is like ajam session—it’s about feeding off the energy of the people around you.

Think about comics:

• Awriter gives an artist a script, and the artistbrings it to life.

• Acolorist takes those lines andadds emotion, depth, and energy.

• Aletterer gives the story itsvoice and rhythm.

It’s ateam sport, and when you find the right people, you’llpush each other to new creative heights.

Think about Kevin Smith and Scott Mosier—Smith thoughtClerks was just a dumb indie flick, but Mosier pushed him tobelieve in his own work and go bigger. That’s what collaboration does. Itchallenges you, hypes you up, and makes you better.

Not all collabs aregood collabs. Some people are lazy. Some people are full of shit. And some people?Will push you to be better than you ever imagined.

So how do you find them?
✅ Look for people whogive honest feedback without being assholes.
✅ Find creatives whochallenge your ideas but respect your vision.
✅ Work with those whoactually do the work—not just talk about it.

And most importantly?Put yourself in the mix. Find fellow creatives at cons, on Discord, Substack, Instagram—wherever your people are.

The best collaborations happen when youshare the love. Stop hoarding your ideas like some kind of goblin sitting on a pile of unused brilliance.Reach out. Connect. Create.

This week, I challenge you—find one person to collaborate with. A writer, an artist, a creator—team up and make something happen.

And when you do? Hit me up. I wanna hear about it.

🔥Now get off your ass and create—with someone. 🔥

🎧Listen to the full episode on FWACATA Podcast!

Why Creators Struggle to CollaborateThe Magic of Working with OthersFinding the Right People to Work WithGive More, Get More

Have you ever hit that wall where everything you once loved feels like a chore? One minute you’re pumped about your latest comic, cosplay, or kitbashing project, and the next, you’re staring at your workspace wondering why the hell you even started. Yeah, we’ve all been there.

This week on the FWACATA Podcast, we’re diving into how to rekindle your passion for creativity—whether you’re making comics, painting miniatures, crafting props, or just trying to push through that creative slump. It’s time to fall back in love with your craft and remember why you started in the first place.

🔥 Revisit Your Inspirations – Go back to the comics, movies, or games that made you want to create in the first place. Sometimes, a quick dive into your favorite fandom is all it takes to get the energy flowing again.

🛠 Experiment with Side Projects – Step away from the “serious” work and just play. Kitbash a weird mech, doodle nonsense, or paint a mini-figure with zero expectations. Creativity thrives when you’re having fun.

🤝 Find Your Creative Tribe – Join a Discord, hop into a subreddit, or hit up other creatives on Instagram. Surrounding yourself with others who love what you love keeps the passion alive.

📖 Make it a Game – Set small, achievable goals. Finish one panel, one page, one character sketch—then reward yourself. Progress builds momentum, and momentum builds success.

Perfection is a trap. The act of creating—no matter how messy, weird, or imperfect—is more important than the final product. Mistakes? Happy accidents. Ugly first drafts? Just stepping stones to something amazing.

“My piece of shit is better than your perfect nothing.” – That’s the mantra. Keep creating, keep pushing, and most importantly, keep loving what you do.

Want more? Listen to the full episode now, and let’s talk about how to fall back in love with creating. Drop a comment and tell me—what’s YOUR latest project?

🎧 Listen now on FWACATA Podcast!

Get in touch with the DISCORD server!

#CreativePassion #IndieComics #ArtHustle #KeepCreating #FandomArt #NerdLife #ComicArtist #FWACATA #Motivation #MakeStuff

Why We Lose the SparkHow to Rekindle the FireThe Beauty of the Process

Building Momentum: The Power of Small Steps

Welcome to another blog post inspired by the FWACATA Podcast, where we dive into life, art, and the journey of becoming invulnerable in the face of challenges. Today, let’s talk about the magic of starting small and how consistency can turn those small steps into monumental wins.

In the early 2000s, I was lucky to land a spot on GraphicSmash.com. It was my first real foray into publishing comics in a way that garnered some attention. I was part of the early wave of webcomics, and man, it was a grind. For four years, I published two pages of comics every weekend while juggling school, work, and life. It was exhausting, borderline insane—but I walked away with over 200 pages of comics. That experience taught me one of the most valuable lessons: big projects are built one small step at a time.

That’s the theme for today’s Monday Motivation: stop waiting for the perfect conditions and start small. Whether you're an artist, a writer, or just someone with a dream, the secret is consistency. Dream big, but build small.

We often hear excuses like, “I need the perfect tools,” or “I’ll start when the timing is right.” But here’s the truth: those perfect conditions may never come. Sometimes, the key is just to start. Take one small step, then another. In comics, for example, drawing one panel a day can lead to finishing three or more comics in a year. That’s a whole series!

The same goes for writing. Set a manageable goal, like 3,000 words a week. That might sound small, but over time, you’ll have a full novel in your hands. Small wins create momentum, and momentum builds success.

This past week, I finished the second issue of Rez, a project that’s been on my desk since 2013. Finishing it felt like a huge victory. I celebrated with my wife over a birthday dinner, and that moment reminded me of why I keep grinding: the payoff is worth it.

So, here’s the takeaway:

Whether you're publishing a comic, writing a novel, or tackling your next big idea, remember that the journey is built one step at a time. Small habits lead to big changes.

Now, go out there and start your project. Even if it’s messy or imperfect, just start. You’ll thank yourself later.

Until next time, keep pushing, keep creating, and stay invulnerable.

BE GOOD.