Let’s talk about NEW YAAAHHHHHKKKK (said with jazz hands and exaggerated vibrato)

I am going to New York city for the very first time, and while I’m there will be doing these exciting things:

• Helping Ohn Mar Win in her Booth at Blueprint (the original reason for the trip)
• Participating in a Q&A Panel at Skillshare headquarters with four other dynamite lady creatives
• Leading my own (and first) workshop on telling your story through your artwork
• Eating many bagels
• Visiting Dylan’s Candy Bar, Strand bookstore, Mood fabrics, and Central Park

Yeah let’s go back to that third little one there. The one that makes my hands shake and my stomach shimmy, the one that I knew I had to be courageous and say “yes” to because it is my dream (my dream I tell ya!) to work/talk/celebrate/share with and encourage creatives all over the world. So yes, I’m leading a workshop in New York city, next month. (Not in New York? Please read through)

What it is

Although this workshop is about your artwork, it’s really more about storytelling. Workshop participants will be guided through an encouraging and freeing lecture about:

• What a story is (your unique experience as a human)
• Why stories matter (it’s your special sauce)
• How stories are told (subject matter, style, delivery)
• Examples of stories artists and brands have been telling us

After we’ve gotten all excited about what and how to tell your story, we’ll work together with various art supplies to create a self portrait.

Cue the squealing brakes sound effect✋

Asking artists to create a self portrait is one of the most loathed assignments, because we often get caught up in making a piece that looks like us, a feat most of us fail at unless you’re already a portrait artist. But fear not, once you understand the opportunity for story telling in your work, you realize your physical resemblance to the figure has little to do with connecting the work back to yourself in a meaningful way. Which btw, feels like gold. This is the power of storytelling. This is what the workshop is alllll about.

The Details

Who: Me x Skillshare
Skillshare is the reason for this workshop coming together, as they graciously (and alarmingly casually) asked if I wanted to lead a workshop while I was in town, oh and they would host it, and provide snacks, and help market it. All the love to Skillshare <3
What: A 3 hour workshop, split between lecture and play, focused around how and why to tell your story with your art
Where: Skillshare Headquarters (35 E 21st St Fl 5, New York, NY 10010)
When: Saturday, May 19th from 10am-1pm
Why: There’s a lot of information on HOW to make artwork, but not a lot of information on how to make artwork that matters to you, and sets your work apart to your audience. As they say, people don’t buy what you do, they buy WHY you do it, so it’s important to be in tune with what story you’re putting out there (and trust me, your work is already telling a story).
How: Tickets are $75 each and can be purchased here. Tickets include workshop admission, art supplies for the project, and light refreshments.

And Beyond

Most of the above information can be found reiterated in a more eloquent way on the event page, but I’ve exhausted my copywriting skills and just want to talk to you casually, about this HUGE thing. It hasn’t surprised me that teaching has become part of my work, but it is surprising how important the duality of my career is to me: I can’t imagine not being a working artist, and I can’t imagine being a working artist without also teaching. (Sorry for that sentence structure) They are two halves that make up a very fulfilling whole.

My own journey as a working artist has been difficult and fascinating and relatable to so many other creatives. There are times when I have the energy to create but no ideas; a plethora of ideas and no time; plenty of time and no energy. It seems like there are endless lessons to be learned and obstacles to overcome just to get some painting done, and that fricking FASCINATES me. I’m fascinated by our fear and our courage and our urge to create. I love losing track of time talking with other creatives about these obstacles and learned lessons. I love opening a fearful creatives eyes to acceptance, patience, and action. I love moving forward, always forward.

I picture myself in 10 years traveling the world, making art for a living and teaching art making. This starts by saying ‘yes’ to a workshop in New York, in May of 2018, on a topic that although isn’t flashy, is supremely near and dear to my creative heart. This starts by saying ‘yes’ before I feel ready, it starts by trusting that what I find value in, others will too. I say yes, and if you’re in the New York area, I hope you’ll say yes, too.

If you aren’t in the New York area, the second part of this announcement is this is the first of what will be many successful, inviting, encouraging, kick-in-the-creative-butt workshops in cities all over. My schedule and list of destinations is open, so you tell me where you want me to host a few hours of creative gathering; to work on our artwork, but to also talk about the bigger and deeper things that we’re all feeling and experiencing as artists. And when you reach out to tell me which cities you want me to visit (my girl already put in a request for Dayton, OH, so, no city too small, folks), also please tell the best time of year to do so ????

I’m excited. So super excited and ready-but-not-quite-ready, which is always where the magic happens.

Love,
Dylan