Flawed, clumsy, and crass are a few of the words that came to mind as I dug out as much as I could find of my first illustration portfolio in 2008. But I also saw the fire, the humour, and the strong personality I'd packed into it.

We live in the information age, where everyone has the tools, so we have to tell our unique story in a visual brand. Technical competency is no longer enough.

Join me as I work through all 19 images and reflect on what makes for a strong point-of-view in a brand and portfolio.

Head here to do so! https://www.thecreativecondition.com/articles/my-first-portfolio

Covered in this show:

As ever supported by the show's founding sponsor, Illustration X

Support the Ukrainian Institute here

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Who else wakes up with a sense of existential dread? Maybe it's just my midlife crisis, but it's also nothing new. How can we channel thoughts bigger than us, that wrestle with the nature of existence into something interesting and cathartic?

Covered in this show:

As ever supported by the show's founding sponsor https://illustrationx.com

Support the Ukrainian Institute here: https://ui.org.ua

Coach with The Creative Condition Founder Ben Tallon now

See Ben's art here

The Fax Club Experiment was an idea by the Founder of The Do Lectures, David Hieatt. Once a week for 52 weeks, anonymous members would receive a question via fax. A question that insists on deep introspection, time with inner parts of ourselves that tend to be forgotten in the fever pitch of modern life in the information age. Four of the 32 who saw the project through, Adam, Claire, Judy, and Grace, join me to discuss the project, the book, and slowing down, thinking, and listening for greater life fulfilment and creativity.

Covered in this show:

Get the book: https://thefaxclubexperiment.com/

As ever supported by the show's founding sponsor https://illustrationx.com

Support the Ukrainian Institute here: https://ui.org.ua

Coach with The Creative Condition Founder Ben Tallon now

See Ben's art here

Reflections about the opportunity for better creativity and joy in our lives if we learn how to slow down and communicate properly.

Covered in this show:

As ever supported by the show's founding sponsor https://illustrationx.com

Support the Ukrainian Institute here: https://ui.org.ua

Coach with The Creative Condition Founder Ben Tallon now

See Ben's art here

We reach for the destructive object in our pockets without conscious awareness.

We know the damage it does to our minds and our souls, but we're too far gone.

It keeps us from our peace and our creativity.

Are you Gollum?

Supported as ever by the founding show sponsor, Illustration X. https://illustrationx.com

Support The Ukrainian Institute, fighting for the Ukrainian creative community during a horrific time of war. https://ui.org.ua

Coach with The Creative Condition Founder Ben Tallon at https://thecreativecondition.com/coach

Kevin Murphy taught himself to be an artist. By breaking down the craft into systemic steps, he earned himself a career as an illustrator and artist working with The Rolling Stones, Barnes & Noble, National Geographic, and LucasArts before he started Evolve Artist.

We discuss why the program proves time and time again that talent is a lie, and the story behind it.

Learn more about Evolve Artist here

As ever supported by the show's founding sponsor https://illustrationx.com

Support the Ukrainian Institute here: https://ui.org.ua

Coach with The Creative Condition Founder Ben Tallon now

See Ben's art here

The Gravedigger's Theory is a term in journalism that refers to the story of Jimmy Breslin, a journalist who, when offered the chance to cover JFK's funeral along with the world's media, chose to interview Clifton Pollard, the man tasked with digging the grave.

Creativity depends on thinking differently, and I reflect on this, and a career made of parts for which I wasn't trained.

Supported by The Creative Condition's founding sponsor, Illustration X. 

Consider supporting the Ukrainian Institute's creative community at https://ui.org.ua

For coaching, more podcasts, and other opportunities, head to https://thecreativecondition.com

For my art: https://bentallon.com

Overthinking can be second nature to creative thinkers. A classic downside to empathy and sensitivity. I've battled with anxiety in recent years, and my overthinking has been out of control. Constant rumination, wild and unmanaged responses to news headlines, and an uncharacteristically gloomy outlook leading to sleepless nights and worry spirals.

I'm slowly getting a handle on it, and I want to help others suffering the same barriers to a calmer, more optimistic basis for their creativity.

Nikki Emerton, a therapist, trainer, and coach, joins me to discuss the brain, the patterns of thought and traps we fall into, and how we can help ourselves break this destructive cycle.

As ever supported by Illustration X https://illustrationx.com

Work with me through the 'PIT STOP' one-stop creativity foundational coaching session, or work with me to write your story in the brand new 'The Internal' story coaching program now at https://thecreativecondition.com (https://thecreativecondition.com/)

Access creativity resources, including books, a reading list, and 300+ podcasts at https://thecreativecondition.com

Help the Ukrainian Institute's brave creative community during a horrific time of war at https://ui.org.ua

In this entry of The Creativity Diary:

As ever supported by Illustration X https://illustrationx.com

Work with me through the 'PIT STOP' one-stop creativity foundational coaching session now at https://thecreativecondition.com (https://thecreativecondition.com/)

See the Pit Stop flagship coaching session and an illustrator-specific coaching offer now. Access creativity resources, including books, a reading list, and 300+ podcasts at https://thecreativecondition.com

Help the Ukrainian Institute's brave creative community during a horrific time of war at https://ui.org.ua

Journaling was one of several tools I used to tackle a tough year of anxiety. While reflecting upon a previous entry, I noticed that the list of helpful habits to support my mental well-being was more or less interchangeable with core components of healthy creativity, so I wanted to explore that idea a little more.

I'd love to hear your take on this, so get in touch about it, or anything else at [email protected]

As ever The Creative Condition podcast is supported by founding sponsor Illustration X.

https://www.basedesign.com/about/min-lew

For more creativity resources, including coaching opportunities, reading lists and articles, head to the official The Creative Condition site.

Please consider supporting The Ukrainian Institute, who champion the brave and inspiring Ukrainian creative community during this awful time of war.