We recently connected with Paul Reynolds and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Paul, thanks for joining 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?

Well to tell you the truth, I’m not sure if I am aware of what a “creative’ – is. Personally I feel we are all “creatives” and we are all “artists” (Please note the piece I sent titled “You are an Artist” it pretty much explains that last statement). I had a 9-5 gig for over half my life- but I also maintained my art expressions as well. In fact I volunteered for a graveyard shift in the ‘regular’ job – so when things got slow I could continue drawing. (I was the only one on the shift.- Sssh don’t tell…..:)) And looking back, the ‘day’ job (a customer service/complaint department position) fed me invaluableideas about the human condition and it paid the bills and kept me in paper and pens.

Paul, 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?

One of my favorite authors, Anne Lamott said once ” Laughter is carbonated holiness.” And since I was old enough to hold a crayon you would find me with my bowl of cereal on the living room rug – pad of paper, and crayons in hand watching Saturday morning cartoons.

My first ‘guru’ – Alfred E. Neuman and Mad magazine. Since those ‘fledgling’ moments it has been unending ‘fun’ to turn cartoons/illustrations that spark a place of thought in folks to look at themselves, nod their heads and illicit a chuckle, chortle, and even a guffaw or two.

As I developed my craft (college major art and journalism) – I’d submit to anyone I thought could use my work – local newspapers, magazines, businesses, publishers or organizations that were looking for logos or brands with humor as an integral part.

Before the internet, when newspapers were one of the main sources of information and cartoon strips, a high school buddy of mine and I came together to create a strip called “Strictly Classified” (check out https://strippersguide.blogspot.com/search?q=strictly+classified) It was about a family that lived and breathed the Classified section of the newspaper. We were nominated for the the National Cartoonist Society’s Reuben award.

I also partnered up with and amazing watercolorist, Teddy Swecker and we developed an art educational piece called ‘The Splendiforous Spillage of the Cartoon Wizard and the Color Witch’ (https://www.blurb.com/books/11216747-the-splendiforous-spillage-of-the-cartoon-wizard) – – –

This cartoonist’s journey has included teaching the art form under the auspices of the San Francisco Cartoon Art museum, and local colleges in San Francisco and most recently on Kauai where I now reside.

It has been the proverbial roller-coaster including learning (and eventually teaching for cover 20 years) the hatha yoga art form that has influenced much of the subject matter in my ‘other’ art to this day.

I am in major gratitude that I am still on “this ride” and enjoying every time I can put pencil/pen to paper and play.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

Consider for a moment that from the instant we have stepped onto this earth plane our innate nature is of one creating.

We are all artists/creatives. The block that often occurs is when one adopts a definition that sounds like – “Oh I can’t draw a straight line – – therefore – – I am not an artist/creative.

Rather try to adopt the perspective that – “I am the one who creates my life, I am the one that has a unique set of talents that has brought me to exploring the field of – – (fill in the blank) .

All of us have had to accept rejection of one form or another. All of us have had to change perspective (i.e use another set of tools, use another color, take a whole new position/job/relationship – altogether ) to help ‘paint our picture’ as we envision it.

I think it is important to be aware of the way we use words and definitions as they can create a ” you are that and I am this and that’s that” kind of attitude.

When you can even glimpse these precepts the boundary between ‘creative’ and ‘non-creative’ softens as does the ‘struggle’ to understand the artist’s experience.

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

Living with as much grace as possible with questions that I may never answer and using my talent(s) to dance that dance with inspiration, connection, laughter, and love (not necessarily in that order).

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.unlimited-ideas.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paulreynolds5723/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-reynolds-3518061bb/
• Other: https://www.blurb.com/b/12091860-sumos-i-have-known-and-loved

  https://www.blurb.com/b/10629678-hotel-heaven

  https://www.blurb.com/b/11216747-the-splendiforous-spillage-of-the-cartoon-wizard

  https://www.redbubble.com/people/paulreynolds/shop

  http://tee.pub/lic/rrjwLbwrFV4

Image Credits

All images copyright by Paul Reynolds/ A Studio for Unlimited Ideas