Micah makes art and designs large scale visuals, that are a kind but firm two finger salute to what we usually see in advertising. He has shown his work alongside Turner prize winner Douglas Gordan and global street artist JR at Wembley.

His work life has been full of incremental, consistent courage. Micah's not been swayed by being a big name on social media or running after an agency design career. He's consistently made work in the opposite direction of what most ads rely on: the need for something to increase my intrinsic value.

Micah quotes, "Ads are like friends with ulterior motives." His work celebrates people and he writes pithy one liners that cut through consumerism:

Power in unity
Hope is a catalyst
Wisdom is divine look both ways
Put down your phone and talk to me

He had a dream, imagining every billboard showing a picture just of the sky. He did get commissioned to do one of those. Micah also founded Add-Art: ad spaces he curates showing artists' and designers' work instead of selling stuff.

That's just some highlights of a really interesting and varied 20 year career. See more of his work at: micahpurnell.com

Keep being courageous,
Rachael x

WHO'S BEHIND THIS PODCAST?

I'd ridden pretty high on the creative career rollercoaster. At times it was exhilarating (and occasionally it was terrifying.) It takes stamina, guts and more than a smattering of resilience. Don’t panic, this isn’t another podcast telling you to hustle harder. I’ve been there and got the burnout badge to prove it.

I'm looking to find people who are doing the work they love, but it's been a bumpy ride.

Starting over can be wonderful, agony and pants shakingly scary all at the same time. There are others who did it. Who are right in the centre of figuring that out. I'm trying to find the people, I needed to hear, at the time I felt I was free-falling from the loop-di-loop.

BUILD A CREATIVE LIFE YOU LOVE

I've found creativity + courage = the best storytellers building a life they love.
The stories we tell ourselves are powerful.

I'm looking to find people who are building a creative life but it's not always been easy. Call On Courage posts the conversations I was looking to find when my career dreams were sliding out of view. Your creative life is worth making happen even when doors close or you're dealing with difficult people. I'm in your corner encouraging you to keep going.

I'm not all over the 'Gram or Tik Tok famous. But I am making quality content on Substack. That's where you'll find the best of Call On Courage: podcasts and writing that go in depth on how to push past fear and make the creative life you have in mind.

Go to: calloncourage.substack.com
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