Shout-Out Sunday: Don't try to operate heavy machinery while viewing Matthew Warlick's art

I met Dallas illustrator and designer Matthew Warlick through a Facebook post by a friend of mine. She was asking if she should have separate Instagram accounts for her art and her personal life. I put my two cents in and told her she should be one of my Shout-Out Sunday artists (still waiting, Kat...) Anyway, as I perused the other feedback, I thought I'd check out some of her other artist friends. The standout of that endeavor was this gentleman, by far. As a newbie to digital art, his designs impress and inspire me. The creativity seems effortless and the execution flawless. His trippy images are practically dripping with imagination. I don't know what they all mean, but looking at them makes me feel like I'm on drugs...or should be. Don't take my word for it. Check it out for yourself!

Instagram handle @warlick

Email matthew.warlick@gmail.com

Website www.artofwarlick.com

Facebook Page www.facebook.com/matthewwarlick

What's your preferred method for potential clients to contact you or purchase your work? Email or through my Etsy shop at artofwarlick.etsy.com

Q: Who are your favorite artists?

A: Right now I'm really into Moebius, aka Jean Giraud. His work in the original Heavy Metal magazine, and specifically his more surrealist work are big inspirations right now. Other current influences include painter Steven Russel Black, illustrator Jen Bartel and Chiara Bautista.

Q: What advice would you give a budding artist?

A: Make as much art as you can, knowing that you won't be happy with most of it. For every great piece you complete you may have dozens or hundreds of others that didn't quite hit the mark.

Q: How does art influence your life?

A: Art influences almost every aspect of my life. As well as being an illustrator I also run my own design studio, Studio Warlick, where I provide graphic, visual and web design services to clients both big and small. Most of my friends are artists of some sort, be they musicians, performers or other types of visual artists.

Q: What has been your greatest art-related challenge?

A: By far the hardest part is establishing a unique style. It can often feel like you're style is constantly changing or you're chasing the newest trend, so finding a style you're comfortable with can be a challenge. I can't remember who said it but the following quote is something I firmly believe: "Style is what happens when you stop trying to make a style happen".

Q: What's the most important trait a person needs to have in order to make it as a successful artist?

A: Persistence, hands down. Our society undervalues art and design and you'll often hear things like "when are you going to get a real job?" or "How do you pay your bills" and the only way to make it is to not give up. Successful artists are often just too stubborn to quit.

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Saturday Special: Take David Bowie Home With You for Half Price

For today's special, I'm posting this original watercolor painting of David Bowie titled "Bowie 5: Smoke" for half price. I was asking $150, but it can be yours this weekend only for $75 (plus applicable shipping). This is a 8.5"x11" painting on watercolor paper completed February 4, 2018. The special will end Sunday at midnight. First one to message or e-mail me at shellydenning1@gmail.com gets it.

#saturdayspecial #originalartforsale #originalart #watercolorpainting #watercolor #watercolorart #davidbowie #bowie #celebrityportrait #portraitart #portraitartist #purple #smoke #cigarette #smoking #art #artist #artistofinstagram #texasart #texasartist #dentonart #dentonartist

Friday Feature: How I Schedule My Week

I do a lot of stuff. In the past, I've allowed myself to get overwhelmed by the amount of things I have to do to the point that I don't even know where to begin. Being a listmaker, I decided it would be easier if I broke it down into sections. I used to break it down by time, but then my day was thrown off if I overslept or had to run an errand. My new schedule goes like this:

Monday

• One hour to check, respond to, write and organize messages.

• Balance my budget (however long it takes...usually around 10 minutes).

• One hour to work on filing (this could be physical files or digital...trying to streamline my PC files).

• Two hours to address my business to-do list (I have a Google Keep list of all outstanding tasks).

• Four hours of writing. I use this time to write all blog/Instagram/Facebook posts for the week. I schedule them through Hootsuite unless they include more than one image.

Tuesday

• One hour for messages.

• One hour to work on household chores (laundry, dishes, etc.)

• Two hours to address my personal to-do list (usually things like fixing a ripped seem or helping my daughter find scholarships).

• Four hours for art design and production. This is where I work on current commissions.

Wednesday

• One hour for messages.

• One hour to follow up with potential clients.

• Two hours to post completed work. This could include editing videos or adding items to my website.

• Four hours of design and production.

Thursday

• One hour for messages.

• One hour for household tasks.

• Two hours for personal to-do items.

• Four hours of design and production.

Friday

• One hour for messages.

• Balance my budget.

• One hour of work on my website.

• Six hours for education. This could be reading a book or taking an online course. I'm currently taking a Udemy course on how to use Blender (3D modeling software).

Saturday and Sunday

• One hour for messages.

• The rest of the day is "flex" time. I can do personal stuff or do nothing at all. If there were any items that I wasn't able to finish during the week, I add it to the weekend. For instance, last week, our air conditioner broke. Because of that, I wanted to spend as little time in the house as possible. On Friday, I didn't work on my class at all. Instead, I did the entire six hours on Sunday (in my nice, cool house).

I have it printed out and laminated. I use a sharpie to check off items as they are completed (I set a timer on my phone) or to write notes. At the end of the week, a little rubbing alcohol on a paper towel cleans it all away to start fresh.

So far, this schedule has worked really well for me. I'm not much of an early riser, so I often work into the night, but that's OK. As long as I get my work done, I'm happy. This schedule keeps me from getting overwhelmed and has also led to my house and office being a little tidier. I try to be somewhat flexible with it all. I've got several commissions on the books right now, so I may have to add some more design/production work over the next few weeks, which is fine with me because that's my favorite part!

(Maybe someday, I'll be able to hire an assistant to do all the other stuff.) ;)

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