Full Show Notes at: https://www.pencilkings.com/podcast-home/

“Just let go of any intention towards making a cool drawing, and somehow that cool drawing comes of itself.” ~ Ian Ingram.

Art and mindfulness are closely linked,, but what really happens in your brain when you put pencil to paper and lose yourself completely in your art?

In this interview, hyperrealist artist, Ian Ingram, explains why he swapped the craziness of US city life for the more relaxed surroundings of a seaside town in Mexico…

...and why not being bombarded with advertising and the demands of 21st century culture has helped him find a new inner calm where he’s free to let his imagination roam.

Interview Chapters

[00:49-03:28]

Introduction and Overview

Your host. Mitch Bowler, introduces today’s guest, Ian Ingram, an American hyperrealist artist now based in Mexico.

Having worked primarily in charcoal for the last 15 years, he’s recently started creating highly detailed self-portraits in oils which explore the human condition in deep and incredibly powerful detail.  

[04:18-06:53]

Why Did Ian Move to Mexico?

A few years ago, Ian and his family made the bold decision to swap the hustle and bustle of urban American life for the more serene surroundings of a small coastal town in Mexico.

In this chapter, he explains why he did this, and how escaping the noise of the city has helped him find a new inner calm.

[07:58-10:03]

How Did Moving to Mexico Change Ian’s Life as an Artist?

Since moving, Ian has found it’s not only his lifestyle that’s changed - his new surroundings have also had a positive effect on his creative process as an artist.

In this chapter, he explains how this happened, and reveals why leaving city life behind has helped him discover who he really is as a person.

[10:27-11:50]

What Stage was Ian’s Career at When he Moved?

Do you need to establish yourself as an artist before moving somewhere new?

In this chapter, Ian talks about his career so far, and why big changes regarding his agent and galleries led to him starting afresh in a new town and seeking new inspiration from his surroundings.

[12:42-15:59]

Was Moving to Mexico Easy?

In this chapter, Ian reveals the struggles he faced in adjusting to life in a new country and continuing to develop as an artist.

On one hand, he wasn’t feeling overwhelmed by modern life any more...but, on the other, it took many months of hard work and intense concentration to produce many of his more recent paintings.

[16:41-19:14]

What’s the Reality of Working as an Artist in a new Country?

Many of us have a fantasy about a new life in a different country, but how does this differ from reality?

In this chapter, Ian explains how his vision of life compared to the practical realities of working as an artist in Mexico, and how these changes eventually filtered into the art he started making.  

[20:28-22:38]

Art and Mindfulness. Why Creativity is the Perfect Tool for Meditation.

Ian believes art and mindfulness are strongly linked, and that the creative process is the perfect tool for meditation.

In this chapter, he explains how intense concentration on drawing an object can help unlock parts of the subconscious mind, and why so many people can benefit from this in their daily lives.

[22:52-38:57]

How has Mindfulness Influenced Ian’s Teaching Methods and his art?

In this chapter, Ian explains his teaching methods and philosophy on art in great detail.

You’ll hear why he believes the eye is superior to the brain in how we perceive and interpret things, and why certain works of art resonate with us on a deeper level than others.

If you’re looking for a fascinating insight into the mind of a fine artist, you’ll find plenty of food for thought in this section.

[40:35-42:27]

Conclusion and Where to Find Ian Online

In this final chapter, you’ll hear Ian’s final thoughts on the creative process as he shares some of the biggest insights and advice from his career as an artist so far. You’ll also find out where to see more of his work online.

Full show notes at: https://www.pencilkings.com/podcast-home/

Want to know how to ask for feedback from an artist and take the next steps in your creative career?

This episode will show you how to ask for feedback the right way, so the artist feedback you receive will be as on point as possible.

It doesn't matter if you want to work in a studio or you want to work as a freelancer...

Because, when you follow these key points, the feedback you receive will always be the most helpful it can be:

1. Have a visual quality target example
2. Who are you designing your portfolio for?
3. Have at least 4 pieces that show what you are going for
4. Educate yourself about the market you want to enter

BONUS: How much time per day are you spending on your art?

Interview Chapters

[00:38-01:04]

Introduction and Overview

Your host, Mitch Bowler, talks about the subject of today’s short podcast episode, and reveals what inspired him to put together this handy resource of actionable tips and advice to help you take the next steps in your art career.

So, whether you want to work as a freelance illustrator or in a studio environment, be sure to check out the key takeaways from this podcast. Because the next 20 minutes might just give you all the light bulb moments you’ve been looking for.

[01:05-02:51]

What’s Your Target and Where are you Trying to get to in Your Work?

If you’re wondering how to get feedback from an artist, one of the first things you’ll want to do is make sure you have a specific target in mind.

Why? Because, if the person reviewing your portfolio has an idea of where you’re trying to get to, it’ll make it a whole lot easier for them to offer you their advice.

For example, if you want to become a comic book artist, then it makes total sense to show someone an example of your work that fits this style, along with something by another artist you admire to compare it to.

[02:52-05:47]

Think About who you are Designing or Making art for

Making art is one thing, but it’s going to be difficult to sell this to anybody without a target audience in mind. Therefore, it’s always worth thinking about the kind of people who might like your work.

For example, if pet portraits are your thing, then your target audience is likely to be people who love animals.

After all, you wouldn’t try and sell a stack of smoked ribs to vegetarians, so why take the risk with your own art? Find out where your audience hangs out and reach out them!

And, if you want to work in a studio, you’ll also find all the advice you need to get your work seen by the right people in this chapter.     

[05:48-06:36]

Have at Least 4 Pieces of Work to Show People

Once you’ve established your target audience and have a clear idea of where you want to get to, put the 4 pieces of work which best demonstrate this into your portfolio.

This will help the artist reviewing your work get a better picture of your style and highlight any areas that need a little more work.

[06:38-08:42]

Educate Yourself About the Market You’re Trying to get Into

Having established your target market or audience, it’s also a great idea to do some research on them.

For example, if you want to become a video game concept artist, you’ll want to find out what goes on behind the scenes on a daily basis.

To do this, read books, articles and interviews on the subject, follow artists who work in this field on social media, and generally gather as much information as you can about the industry. If you already know someone who works in your chosen field, ask them what a typical day looks like.

The more knowledge you have, the easier it will be to tailor your portfolio accordingly.

[08:44-12:57]

How Much Time per day are you Spending on Your art?

As with anything else in life, you’ll need to put the time in if you want to pursue a career as an artist. But just how much time should you be spending on your art each day?

In this chapter, you’ll learn how to make the most of your time and make real progress with your art.

It won’t always be easy, and it won’t happen overnight...but if you’re wondering how to get feedback on your art and take the next steps with your career, it’s important for the artist reviewing your work to know you’re serious about it.

[12:58-18:33]

Recap on how to ask for Feedback From an Artist

In the final chapter of this short podcast, Mitch recaps the key points from each section and tells you how to start moving towards your goals as an artist.

You’ll also hear some exciting news about our partnership with Shane Madden’s Illustration Lighthouse, and how artists all over the world are already benefiting from the advice in this course.