We were lucky to catch up with Aaron Dietzen recently and have shared our conversation below.

Aaron, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

Over the years I have tried many different medium, but regularly come back to painting. About a year ago I decided to focus on abstract paintings. I wanted to challenge myself to try to make people feel movement in still paint or see a flavor in colors. I decided to lean into illustrative practices I had developed by bringing line work into my paintings, on top of acrylic paints. I wanted to create a style of painting that I had never seen before, but that I would like and hang in my own house. I imagined that if I was walking down the street and looked into a window of a gallery, what sort of artwork would stop me and have me considering, “Should I buy that?” Of course, I needed to also make art that I enjoyed creating, otherwise I knew that I would not stick with it. While I would say I am still developing my style (and I hope I never stop developing it) I can say that I do love my paintings and I have created something that I have not seen before.

Aaron, 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 would first and foremost call myself a creative. I love creating things. I love designing things. I love that I can have an idea in my head and, through a series of actions on my part, make that thing exist in the real world. In pursuit of this process of turning thought into reality I have spent time drawing, painting, sculpting, 3D modeling and 3D printing. I have been lucky enough to work for a software company where I get to create videos showing off the 3D modeling software SketchUp. Lately, though, I have been painting and I am so proud of the style that I have developed. Unlike painting realism – which my natural perfectionism will never allow me to succeed at – abstract painting allows me to express myself in a way that can only be correct. I love showing someone a painting and hearing what they see in my lines. I love that others can look at what I created and tell me instantly that it makes them feel happy, or sad, or scared. The thought that I can use paint and color and lines to generate emotion from nothing is the most incredible feeling in the world.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

“Artistic pursuits are nice for a hobby, but make sure you have a plan for a real career.” This was a belief that I operated under for most of my life. I worked so hard to get my “professional” legs under me at the start that I had no choice but to put artistic endeavors off to the side. I believed that if I worked hard enough at my job, eventually I would be so secure financially and in my career that it would be a snap to hop over and start creating art. Instead, I put art to the side and it was always a thing that I would get to “some day.” I have no regrets about the time I spent working at some amazing jobs and learning from so many wonderful people. If I had not followed the path I followed I would not have the amazing family I have now. I do wish, however, that someone would have told me decades ago that the perfect time to step out and do what you love is right now; “some day” never comes.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

I am lucky enough to work as the head of creative services at a software company where I am privileged to lead a group of amazing creatives. I believe that only as a creative myself can I possibly lead my team in a way that really gets the best out of everyone involved. I believe self-labeled “non-creatives” struggle with the idea of a “need” to create. When we talk about “creatives,” people who make things like images, videos, stories, or dream up new ideas, this need is very real and very powerful. I believe that creatives MUST create. I believe that when someone creates something, that is a part of themselves that they have served up into the world. It’s like exhaling. The creatives I know create because it is in them to create. It is not a choice, it is just who we are.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.aaroninspired.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aaroninspired
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaron-dietzen-a5622529/

Image Credits

All taken my me