We recently connected with Curt Merlo and have shared our conversation below.

Curt, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?

I studied fine art at the University of California Irvine. The school was very conceptual and not very technical. Of course, I was most interested in being a commercial illustrator right out of school so there was a big gap between my education and the craft that I needed to learn. I mostly learned on the job emulating illustrators that I admired and trying to catch up. It was a few years into my editorial illustration career that I realized I needed to be more proactive about learning new things so I incorporated a self education regimen into my daily routine. Now the first thing I do every day when I wake up is grab a book or watch a video on how to draw or whaat ever it is I am trying to get better at. Even now 13 years into my career it has been the single most important aspect of my day and contributes to 90% of my innovation and growth as an artist. I will, most likely, be doing this for the rest of my life.

Curt, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I have been working in the commercial illustration industry for 13 year mostly working for magazines and newspapers. I usually create artwork for articles and occasionally covers and such. I have always made art books on the side but In the last few years I have gotten more into comic book making. My first graphic novel “That Distant Fire” was released last year and was a huge milestone in my career since that was always something I wanted to do. Now I am looking to reinvent myself again. I have been taking online classes and reeducating myself in things I probably should have learned a long time ago. I don’t know what exactly is next but I am very excited for what’s coming because the stuff I am learning now is really opening me up creatively.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

I am getting close to 40 years old and I think there is something that happens around that time in someones life where they ask themselves what they really want to achieve in their life. At least I did. It can be tough because that question goes deep, all the way to the core of who we are. I have been asking myself deep questions not just about what kind of art do I want to make but WHY do I want to make it. I haven’t fully answered that question but I keep coming back to the idea that as humans we are meant to make this place better through our actions. Lately my goal has been to create some amount of value in someones life even if just for a moment. I don’t think art can fix the world but if it can lift someone emotionally or even just give them something to look at that they enjoy that can change someone for a moment. And what are we if not just a series of moments. At its highest level I believe we are meant to create order out of chaos. This might be too lofty but I think it is important to ask these impossible questions every once in a while. I will probably be asking myself these question my whole life.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

In my recent quest to find my ikigai ( a Japanese word for someones motivational force or reason to live) I have stumbled upon two books that have changed me. The first one is “Think and Grow Rich” by Napoleon Hill, which isn’t even about money really, it mostly about how to achieve your dreams. This book has changed the way I think and given me a lot to work in my inner thought patterns and it has refocused me on my goals. A must read for anyone watching to achieve anything in their life.

The second book is called ” The War of Art” by Steven Pressfield. This book is priceless for the creative individual. It is so inspiring. It has really made me understand the creative struggle that we all go through and given me strength to continue especially when I don’t want to. Because that is the whole point of being a working creative. You need to make things everyday no matter how you feel. I am still learning how to do that but reading this book as helped me start that process.

Contact Info:

• Website: curtmerlo.com
• Instagram: @curtmerlo
• Twitter: @curtmerlo
• Other: TikTok: @curtmerlo

Image Credits
Curt Merlo