We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Joe Gergley a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Joe, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Are you happier as a creative? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job? Can you talk to us about how you think through these emotions?

I’ve had every type of job that I can think of while chasing my art career. Until recently I sometimes had multiple jobs, on top of juggling my artistic pursuit. There was never a time I didn’t give my all into these jobs. However, there was always a point of realization that I’m giving so much time and effort only to be a number on a spread sheet. There is no soul or passion in living pay check to pay check trying to escape on the weekends.

Always knowing in my gut that there is more than a 9-5 or the crutch of. I constantly earned for bigger things and continued the push forward into my passion. There is always the financial wall you hit but that also creates drive. It puts you into positions that force progress and creates spaces you never wish to return. If you juggle your passion along side the 9-5 it helps but also hurts. Once I decided to give my passion all of my energy. Financially it followed.

I’m grateful that Ive worked so passionately towards the life I currently live.
I get to wake up everyday and create a life that resinates with people around the globe.

I believe that my passion can also be my paycheck, for the rest of my life if I give 100% effort.

What if it works out exactly how you imagined?

Joe, 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?

My name is Joe Gergley. Im the artist and owner behind Strange Human Studios. Everyone has a purpose in this world and creating art is mine.

I started my brand/career by attending local music festivals and selling screen printed t-shirts along side original art.
That network allowed me to start designing logos and other merchandise, for several vendors.
It snowballed from a 10x10ft tent…

Im passionate about what I do and believe in high quality work. Im not stuck on one particular way of producing art. I love the act of creating and the process of. I draw, paint, screen print, laser engrave, do graphic design, create murals and so on. One drawing might snowball into a whole other line of projects and thats what makes me happy.

“Sometimes you can’t wait for creativity to find you. You must seek it out and hit it, with a bat”

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

“The Alchemist” by Palo Coelho

Chasing you personal legend. Ones only true obligation, in this life.

We’d love to hear your thoughts on NFTs. (Note: this is for education/entertainment purposes only, readers should not construe this as advice)

Im not against the future and the technological advancements of society. However, No Fu*king Thanks. Having ai. create and generate art seems like a rabbit hole I don’t wish to participate in.
Call me old school but I like hand drawn, frame by frame animation. Something more genuine and real about it.

Walking up to a piece of art and really getting into it will never be the same feeling as this Jpeg. purchased online.
Finding a Banksy in the wild vs. this graphic design on my cell phone…..Its not even the same conversation.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.strangehumanstudios.com
• Instagram: Strangehumanstudios
• Facebook: StrangeHuman
• Other: www.strangehumanstudios.bigcartel.com