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

Kyle , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What do you think matters most in terms of achieving success?

What I think it takes, personally, to become successful in whatever it is you’re passionate about, is doing the work to become the person who’s capable of handling the goal. A person of character, integrity, honesty, and strength to stand true to yourself in a world that constantly tries to break you down.

The process involved with making a dream you have in your mind, into reality, is filled with challenges and failures. Especially if your dream is something that’s never been accomplished before in your family line. But, who you become in the process of pursuing your dream, is far more important than the goal itself.

I remember years ago when I finally decided to pursue my dream of being an illustrator, after spending many years afraid to act on it, I was facing such great uncertainty. And all the while, I had an idea in my head of how things would play out. That it wouldn’t be that hard. But soon enough life slapped me hard and I realized that I was dead wrong.

My art journey up to this point has been riddled with moments like this, where things didn’t go right, and I found myself in stressful situations I wasn’t sure I could make it out of to keep the dream alive. I’ve learned something though about hard times – they don’t come to stop you, they come to test you.

See in order to become the person who can handle the goal, you must be tested first, in the form of uncertainty, financial struggle, anxiety, self-doubt, and lack of support (all very real things I’ve faced in fact). However, these storms are necessary for growth, because growing is painful. You don’t grow in your comfort zone when you’re playing it safe. You only grow when you choose to step out into rough waters and learn to navigate the storm. Only then will you build up the strength of character in order to become who you’re mean to be.

I’ve worked on many awesome projects over the past four years or so, but had I been presented with those opportunities when I was first starting out, I wouldn’t be able to handle them at the time. I had to be tested first before the blessings arrived.

I believe true greatness isn’t just in how many times you win, but in failing so hard, and so often while facing setbacks and delays, for a long period of time and refusing to quit in the process. Instead, you choose to dig deep and find the will to push forward – to Keep Persevering – until a breakthrough happens. On the other side of pain, is greatness.

Kyle , 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?

I’m Kyle Petchock and I’m a freelance illustrator, and I’ve done projects ranging from logo designs, to comics, and most recently, card art for various TCG products. I got into this field because it was always my dream to be an illustrator and to draw for a living, but for many years I was afraid to act on it, and didn’t believe it was possible.

That is, until about 8 years ago when I said, enough is enough, I’m going to go for it. What I believe sets me apart from others is my story behind the art I create, and my use of a personal mantra in my brand – Keep Persevering. Which is also my name initials (KP).

I started out not having any connections, no social media presence, not even a formal education in comic art or illustration. Plus I faced so many personal struggles like anxiety, insecurities, self-doubt, and not feeling good enough. I’m proof that you can make your crazy big dream a reality even if it seems impossible.

I’m blessed and amazed that I am where I am in my art journey so far, because based on where I started from, I shouldn’t have made it. But here I am, I’m doing what I love, while also being a dad to a beautiful 18 month old girl (something else that I never thought would happen either).

I want my story to inspire others who have maybe come from a similar background or are facing similar personal struggles. It is possible, but first you have to fight for it, and believe in yourself even if it’s hard to. When you do, the world will notice and believe in you too.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

Back in 2016 I had been out of college for over a year, living with my parents while also looking for a job doing what I wanted to do – graphic design, which is what I went to college for and thought that’s what I was meant to do. Finally I got something doing in-house design work at a hearing aid company, but on the side I was also working on my true passion – drawing. About a month into this day job, I received an unexpected opportunity with a division of Marvel character licensing, and this is what really sparked the idea that, perhaps I can make it happen as an illustrator full time.

8 months later I took the leap to leave that day job to pursue freelance illustration full time. I had saved up enough to finally move out into my first apartment since graduating college. Fast forward a year later, I was moving in with my girlfriend (now-wife) into an apartment in Maryland where she would attend UMD grad school while I worked on building my career up.

Suddenly, my main and only source of income, unexpectedly ceased, and for about 6 months I really struggled to keep things afloat, all while we had rent to pay and my wife at the time was living on borrowed student loans. After this dry spell, and nearly going broke myself, a new opportunity opened up that kept me going. Those 6 months were hard, but absolutely necessary to help build me up into someone who could sustain the dream.

When you’re facing pressures like that, it’s amazing how much differently you show up, because you can’t afford to slack off. My work ethic is strong now because of situations like that, and I’ve learned that if I can make it through that, I can handle anything that comes my way.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

A lesson that I had to unlearn along the way is the idea that “I’m not good enough.” Growing up I was extremely insecure and unsure of myself, and there weren’t many people around me who encouraged my artistic potential. This was one of the main reasons why I never pursued my dream earlier in life, because I didn’t believe it could happen. Therefore I didn’t even try.

I’ve learned though through experience that if you’re not aligned with who you’re supposed to be, and you continue to avoid your truth by trying to fit in, or not to disappoint anyone (people-pleasing), then life will continue to feel like you’re stuck. The same situations will continue to play out until you finally learn and make different choices.

So I really had to work hard to finally put myself first and go after what I wanted, even though I felt afraid or inadequate, or that I wasn’t good enough. Now I realize, I am good bough to make my dreams happen, and it’s not selfish to do so.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.kylepetchockart.com
• Instagram: @k_petchock_art
• Facebook: Facebook.com / Kyle Petchock Art
• Linkedin: LinkedIn.com / Kyle Petchock
• Twitter: @kyleP_Art
• Other: Behance.com/Kyle Petchock