Archives for May 2017

- - - | written by Jason on 5/31/2017 | - - -

How to Ensure Your Next Event Stands Out and the Message Sticks

I've always respected the idea that Native Americans who hunted bison would put every inch of it to good use. Meat, bones, hide, everything. As a speaker who just so happens to be an artist (or is that an artist who happens to be a speaker?), I love it when someone makes the most of everything we have to offer. Oftentimes, my art gets used in the printed program and marketing materials that promote the event. Other clients give products featuring my art as thank you gifts to sponsors and volunteers. Sometimes it’s even incorporated into the stage design! A recent client went next level …

- - - | written by Jason on 5/30/2017 | - - -

Jill Fleming, May 2017 Adultitis Fighter of the Month

An Adultitis Fighter is someone who rallies against rules that don't exist and engages in ruthless, senseless acts of silliness that undermine Adultitis and its unadventurous version of adulthood. Once a month, we shine a light upon the most remarkable among us, holding them up as a dazzling example of what we should strive for in this epic battle against a formidable enemy. Jill Fleming is a joy magnet! Like all good Adultitis Fighters, she is SUCH a positive influence on all of those around her. People with Adultitis suck the life right out of you, but Jill is the exact opposite! Her free …

- - - | written by Jason on 5/28/2017 | - - -

The Power of Turning Things Upside Down

Whenever I draw a portrait, I always do something that my wife thinks is weird. After I get the major shapes and outlines blocked in, I turn my reference photos and artwork upside down. Then I keep drawing. The reason I do this I because inevitably, during the course of a portrait, I get to a point where something seems "off." Because I think I know what a nose is "supposed" to look like, I get lazy, and draw what I "know," not what I see. Turning my paper upside down tricks my brain into forgetting this is a "nose" so I can see it for what it really is: areas of shape and form. In order …

- - - | written by Jason on 5/23/2017 | - - -

You Might Be an Art Collector If…

If I have extra time when I am traveling for speaking engagements, one of my favorite things to do is visit art galleries. I love discovering new artists who inspire me. What I don't usually love is the vibe of the galleries themselves, and the so-called "art world" as a whole. Quiet as a museum and serious as a heart atttack, they often ooze pretension and feature prices that only an elite few could afford. Sometimes artists themselves contribute to this snobby, holier-than-thou aura. I believe that art is for everyone, whether it comes to making it or owning it. Art can address serious …

- - - | written by Jason on 5/21/2017 | - - -

What I Learned From Charles Ingalls (This Week)

Our family loves watching Little House on the Prairie. As a homeschoolers, it has been a great way to discuss some pretty big topics with our kids, like alcoholism, racism, bullying, and more. (Confession: I want to be Charles Ingalls when I grow up!) We just finished season four. In the final two episodes (which TV Guide put on its 100 Greatest Episodes of All Time list), the big railroad companies were flexing their muscle to gain more power, engaging in questionable tactics that were putting farmers in rural areas out of business. Walnut Grove, the town where the Ingalls family lived, was …

- - - | written by Jason on 5/19/2017 | - - -

Making a Splash at the First Madison Night Market

Last week we had the opportunity to participate in the first-ever Madison Night Market, which is a celebration of Madison’s unique and inspiring creative culture. It features handmade products, local art, artisan gifts, food carts, and live music. Little Luxuries, which is regularly voted as the best gift shop in Madison, carries some of our stuff. When Amy Moore, the owner, invited us to be a part of her store's booth, we jumped at the chance! It was the first time I'd be showing my new art in a public forum and I was excited (and a little nervous) for the opportunity to see people's …

- - - | written by Jason on 5/14/2017 | - - -

Dealing with Bees (and People Who Have Adultitis)

The other day in the car, our family was talking about bee stings. My daughter Lucy shared her personal strategy: "When I'm around a bee, I just try to stay out of the way." A good strategy for dealing with bees. It occurred to me that it’s a pretty good strategy for dealing with people who have Adultitis, too. A child life specialist came up to me after a speaking engagement in Connecticut. She wanted to know how to deal with people that have Adultitis. She gave an example of putting together a fun themed sports day for the hospital, and being disappointed that so many …

- - - | written by Jason on 5/7/2017 | - - -

5 Rules You Should Totally Break This Week

It's been almost two years since Penguins Can't Fly was published. It features forty of the most common rules that don't exist, but with each passing day, I am even more convinced that there are more like forty million, keeping us enslaved to Adultitis without us even noticing. A few weeks ago, I asked Escape Adulthood Insiders to share some of the so-called rules they most love breaking. I got so many good ones! This week, I wanted to play mild-mannered reporter and pass along a few of my favorites, because I they are great reminders for everyone. Thou shalt only observe morning once a …