Click rates, followers, engagements, opens, subscribers, unsubscribes, likes, laughs, loves. We’re living in a quantitative world. No matter which social media platform you’re using, the numbers supposedly don’t lie. It’s how we measure our success. Every one of these platforms offers ‘analytics’. A way to track your success and effectiveness of what you’re posting. The… Continue reading On measuring success on social media
Author: Matt Shanks
Am I missing out on Art School?
I’m a self-taught professional artist. I’ve only just recently started saying that to myself, and it feels really good. I’m proud of it. I managed my way into an industry by taking a different path; one that’s far less trodden but more accessible than ever. But. I haven’t done ‘official’ training, and that still worries… Continue reading Am I missing out on Art School?
How to: Paint a mural
Having completed my first five-metre mural on glass, I wanted to share this little how-to guide to help other artist and illustrators shortcut the process if they ever want to try this themselves. At the time, I found it very difficult to piece together disparate pieces of information across the internet on how to do… Continue reading How to: Paint a mural
Are you selling art or stories?
As an artist, it’s easy to think you’re selling art, right? That thing you spent hours or months slaving away at. That final piece that someone will hang on their wall in their home and call their own? The layers of paint, expertly placed just so. It’s taken years of experience to get to this… Continue reading Are you selling art or stories?
There’s no such thing as Creative Block
I have a confession to make – I’ve never suffered from creative block. What’s my secret? I think it’s acknowledging that creative block doesn’t exist. “What?!” I hear you say. Please, bear with me. One of my favourite thinkers is Seth Godin. He’s been running a blog for years and posts Every. Single. Day. They… Continue reading There’s no such thing as Creative Block
Fine art inspiration: Richard Musgrave-Evans
What speaks to me in Richard’s work is its apparent simplicity. I’m a minimalist at heart, I’m always looking to reduce complexity in anything I do; in life, work and art. So, the rawness and energy that he achieves with smart use of colour and a simple palette knife have me addicted. Like with most… Continue reading Fine art inspiration: Richard Musgrave-Evans
Vision Australia acquires Eric the Postie
The world of children’s publishing is a constant surprise to me. Never in a million years would I have imagined I would ever experience some things that only writing and illustrating for children has given to me in my short career so far. I’m starting to lose track of the ways in which each and… Continue reading Vision Australia acquires Eric the Postie
Why bother with making art?
Why should I paint? Why should I draw? What gives me the right to ‘waste time’ on either? It’s not productive. No one is buying it. I could be doing something valuable. It’s taking up space in the house. I can’t get rid of this stuff. No one is buying it. What happened to us?… Continue reading Why bother with making art?
How to: sketch with words
I’ve never really identified with being a ‘literary’ person. And yes, I’m aware of the irony given I’m an author/illustrator. I’ve always identified with being a more visual person rather than a wordsmith. As a kid, I remember drawing a lot, but I don’t remember reading or writing very much. To me, the term ‘literary’… Continue reading How to: sketch with words
Vinyl in the studio: Gurrumul, The Shins, Arcade fire and Khruangbin
I don’t know if anyone even listens to albums anymore. Music is a necessity when I’m painting or drawing and whilst I like the idea of things like “artist radio station”, nothing beats 45-70 minutes with the same artist who has painstakingly explored their soul and curated a sequence of songs that take you somewhere.… Continue reading Vinyl in the studio: Gurrumul, The Shins, Arcade fire and Khruangbin