Creative Pep Talk Episode 491: Determining Your Current Creative Stage and Shifting Focus with Illustrator Chris Piasek

Release Date: February 5, 2025

In Episode 491 of Creative Pep Talk, host Ryan Reynolds engages in an insightful conversation with illustrator Chris Piasek. The discussion delves into understanding one's current creative stage, the challenges of shifting focus, and strategies to maintain a thriving creative practice. Here's a detailed summary of their engaging dialogue.

1. Understanding Your Creative Season

Ryan Reynolds opens the episode by challenging the traditional questions about creative focus—whether to prioritize grinding out work or to let creativity flow organically. Instead, he introduces a pivotal concept:

Chris Piasek [00:48]: "Everybody has different opinions and I would say they're all wrong because it's the wrong question. It's not about what is the most important thing to focus on in your creative practice. There's a question before that, which is what season are you in?"

Chris emphasizes that recognizing one's current "season" or stage is crucial in determining where to focus efforts. Different stages require different priorities, making this self-awareness the foundation for a balanced creative practice.

2. From Daily Drawings to YouTube: Chris Piasek's Journey

Chris Piasek shares his transition from a rigorous daily drawing project to a more curated YouTube presence. This shift was partly influenced by personal life changes, including becoming a parent:

Chris Piasek [32:40]: "I stopped the daily drawings like three years ago when my kid was like six months old because I was just, if you've ever had a baby, there's a lot to do."

Despite the challenges, Chris found that this transition didn't hinder his creative output but rather opened new avenues for growth and community engagement.

3. Balancing Strategic and Exploratory Creativity

A significant portion of the conversation revolves around balancing structured (strategic) creativity with improvisational (exploratory) approaches:

Ryan Reynolds [10:00]: "I think the more I learned about the strategy side and I got better at that, then I had to really force myself to go back to doing it the way you just described, which I would think more of as the improv improvisational."

Chris adds to this by highlighting the pitfalls of diving into projects without adequate planning:

Chris Piasek [10:42]: "I start changing it, and then it gets so complicated and takes so long and I have no idea what's happening."

They agree that while strategic creativity sets clear goals, exploratory creativity fosters innovation and personal connection to the work.

4. The Influence of ADHD on Creative Practices

Both Ryan and Chris discuss how ADHD can both challenge and enhance creativity:

Ryan Reynolds [09:07]: "ADHD people are naturally creative because they get bored. So they have a natural thing of, like, looking over, like, I wonder, what's that? Like, let me go that way."

Chris Piasek [09:12]: "You hyper focus so you take it more seriously. You don't just dabble in all these different things."

This dialogue underscores the importance of leveraging ADHD traits, such as hyperfocus, to deepen creative engagement and productivity.

5. Time Management and Embracing "Wasted Time"

A recurring theme is the concept of "wasting time" and its paradoxical role in creativity:

Ryan Reynolds [12:05]: "Wasting time is one of the most essential parts of creative practice."

Chris Piasek [13:05]: "I fully believe it's still so hard to not get the feeling like I'm wasting time, even though I know I am."

They discuss the societal pressures against idleness and advocate for creating pockets of time dedicated to exploratory activities, which can lead to unexpected creative breakthroughs.

6. Building Community Through YouTube

Chris elaborates on how transitioning to YouTube has enriched his creative journey by fostering a strong community:

Chris Piasek [39:21]: "The community that I found on YouTube has just been amazing and it's just been incredible."

He highlights the benefits of deeper connections formed through video content, which go beyond the superficial interactions typical of other social media platforms.

7. Transitioning Stages: Challenges and Growth

The discussion touches on the difficulty of shifting creative stages, especially when leaving behind long-standing practices:

Ryan Reynolds [34:19]: "You're the hero of this episode."

Chris Piasek [35:03]: "I don't think I would have left otherwise."

They explore how external factors, like economic changes or personal life events, can force transitions, leading to growth and new opportunities.

8. Embracing Personal Interests to Stand Out

Chris advocates for creating work aligned with personal passions rather than conforming to market demands:

Chris Piasek [18:56]: "I started drawing and illustrating and making stuff about stuff that I was interested in... it would appeal to a broader audience."

This approach not only enhances personal satisfaction but also attracts diverse audiences who share similar interests, as exemplified by his work on bicycles and cars.

9. The Magic of Creative Evolution

Both speakers reflect on how consistent creative practice transforms individuals over time:

Ryan Reynolds [38:11]: "If I wasn't making that podcast, I might be that person today."

Chris Piasek [31:48]: "I have this idea for a video where it's like redoing old drawings to prove that you've gotten better."

They acknowledge that creative endeavors shape their identities and lead to continuous personal and professional development.

10. Practical Tips for Creatives

Towards the episode's end, Chris shares valuable tips for aspiring creatives:

• Draw What You Like: Focus on subjects that genuinely interest you rather than what you think will get you hired.

  Chris Piasek [20:00]: "Do what you love. Just draw stuff you like."

• Revisit and Redraw Past Works: This practice not only showcases improvement but also deepens your connection to your work.

  Chris Piasek [30:00]: "Redraw what you like, go back to a drawing that you like, but you feel like, you know, if I did this again, I'd do it in a totally different style."

• Engage with the Community: Utilize platforms like YouTube and Discord to build and interact with a supportive creative community.

Conclusion and Call to Adventure

Ryan concludes the episode by encouraging listeners to assess their current creative stage and choose an appropriate action:

• For Early Stages: "Draw what you like. Do what you love." Engaging in personal projects can help you connect with like-minded individuals and open unexpected opportunities.

• For Later Stages: "Redraw what you like." Revisiting past works can reinforce your skills and inspire new creative directions.

He wraps up with heartfelt thanks to Chris Piasek and the Creative Pep Talk team, emphasizing the importance of continual growth and adaptation in one's creative journey.

Notable Quotes:

• Chris Piasek [00:48]: "There's a question before that, which is what season are you in?"

• Ryan Reynolds [10:00]: "Strategic creativity sets clear goals, exploratory creativity fosters innovation."

• Ryan Reynolds [12:05]: "Wasting time is one of the most essential parts of creative practice."

• Chris Piasek [18:56]: "Drawing what you love attracts a broader audience."

Final Thoughts

Episode 491 of Creative Pep Talk offers a deep dive into the fluid nature of creative stages and the importance of self-awareness in nurturing one's artistic journey. Through Chris Piasek's experiences and Ryan Reynolds' thoughtful inquiries, listeners gain valuable insights into balancing discipline with exploration, leveraging personal interests, and building meaningful creative communities.

For more inspiration and strategies to enhance your creative practice, visit Creative Pep Talk and explore Andy's work.