Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Dan Moon. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Dan thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights 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?

The first time I can remember learning to draw was when I was about four or five years old. I had a babysitter who was an artist and I would have her draw pictures and then trace them. I wasn’t thinking about it at the time but that was the foundation for my future drawing. Copying her linework helped me develop the motor skills to start producing my own illustrations. As far as the music, I think I started learning how most people do, by consuming. I was listening to music all of the time. All different kinds of music. When I was a freshman in college I met a friend named Chris who would make beats in his dorm room. I would sit and watch him put these instrumentals together and he was kind enough to explain the theory behind what he was doing. One day, he told me to start rapping over them. It was on from there.

It’s been a constant learning experience since then. I’m fortunate to be someone who can learn from watching other people. My ability to absorb information is one of my most essential skills. If I’m told or shown how to do something, I can usually pick it up and apply it quickly. One obstacle was realizing learning the craft means much more than just learning how to rap, draw, or write. It’s everything else that goes with it. How to perform, how to book shows, how to get your art in front of the right people. Some of these things take continuing education because the methods and tools for doing them are constantly changing. Where I am now in my artistic career, I feel very confident in my abilities to produce quality work, it’s the other stuff that I’m still working on.

Dan , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

First and foremost, I’m an emcee. A performer. I love being in front of people and creating a space where people feel comfortable feeling. I’m also an illustrator/cartoonist/designer/writer/t-shirt salesman. My brand is One Small Step. It’s a play on my last name, Moon, as well as a reminder that everything starts with a single step. My ultimate goal is to make people smile. I have been at this for some time now. Some people think a thing is a hobby if it doesn’t pay the bills so, to some, what I do is a hobby, but I can assure you that the passion with which I create is much greater than any hobbyist can muster.

My work is about connecting, about seeing ourselves in one another. I think that recognition of ourselves in others and others in ourselves is fundamental for compassionate survival.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

I think the best thing society can do to support a thriving creative ecosystem is to support what you like regardless of its current popularity. I’ve seen people ignore shows because they didn’t know anyone on the bill or judge artists based on the number of followers they had without even giving the work a chance. If you like something, and you have the means, buy it. if you like something, and don’t have the means, share it with everyone you know. Support doesn’t have to be monetary. Talk about the artists in your community like you do the ones who you’ve never met.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

I think the biggest driving force behind my creative journey is that it’s what makes life tolerable for me. I’ve gone through significant stretches of time where I wasn’t producing anything creative and, when I look back on them, they are some of the darkest times of my life. I have to create or I am not whole. If I’m not creating it means I’m not fully in the world. I think part of my artistic creativity comes from allowing myself to be affected by the world and everything in it. As soon as I feel blocked or unable to produce, it’s a reminder that I need to get back into life. I take lots of walks. I like to move slowly. I like to observe and listen. Some of my favorite moments have come from just sitting quietly in random places for extended periods of time. I like watching people, animals, and trees, I love trees.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.alunarlanding.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/alunarlanding
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/alunarlanding
• Youtube: www.youtube.com/alunarlanding
• Other: https://www.etsy.com/shop/aLunarLanding?ref=seller-platform-mcnav

Image Credits
artist photo: Kaitlin Toto