The Breakthrough Creative

Paul Katte is the co-founder of MEG, Make-Up Effects Group, in Sydney, Australia. Paul and his partner, Nick, have created make-up FX for The Matrix, I, Frankenstein, Childhood's End and many more films and commercials. Paul shares the details of his creative and professional journey including stories of working with Marlon Brando and John Frankenheimer on The Island of Dr. Moreau, working with To...

Ray Villafane is a master sculptor and pumpkin carver. He shares his journey the mindset it takes to become a highly sought after sculptor. Ray has created toys and collectibles for DC and Marvel, appeared on the Food Network and created sand sculptures across the globe. You can learn more about Ray and his work at: www.villafanestudios.com https://www.instagram.com/villafanestudios/  

Michael Spooner is an Animation World Designer. You can hear more about Michael's career in the previous episode (#79). In this episode Michael shares about: - working on the short film test footage for 'Popeye' - working with an animation director and on the team for Hotel Transylvania 2 - and specific designs for the film. Lots of amazing behind-the-scenes info in this episode. Enjoy! You can le...

This interview first aired in February of 2019. Michael Spooner is an Animation Visual Development Designer for the film and entertainment industry (he is also one of my closest friends). His credits include projects for Disney (The Emperor's New Groove, Lilo & Stitch), Dreamworks (Shrek), and Sony (Hotel Transylvania 2, Smurfs: The Lost Village). He has worked with Ralph Bakshi on 1978's animated...

Mike Brennan is a storyteller who uses spoken work and visual art to bring life to his audience and to fellow creatives.  In this episode Mike shares about his creative journey into advertising design, then into ministry and then back into art as an encourager of other creatives. Mike is the host of the podcast, Creative Chats (Great show! Please find, subscribe and listen to it) and visual artist...

What should you do about your art education? There are so many ways to get from here to there but which is the right one for you? In this episode I share my thoughts on College, Degrees, Trade Schools, Learning online and Learning on-the-job.  You can now support the show on Patreon and receive some amazing benefits! https://www.patreon.com/Thebreakthroughcreative _________________________________...

Catherine Borzym has been making and selling her art and craft since middle school (that's right... middle school). Catherine's journey began by designing and selling jewelry to her friends to help them complete their look and then became a grass roots venture as she booked and sold at fairs and farmers markets in the midwest. Catherine's strong organizational and administrative skills paired with...

We all face rejection and - certainly - as artists running our own business we are going to face it more on a daily basis! But Rejection does not have to stop you in your tracks... I break down the 4 Types of Rejection we face as creative professionals and break down what you can learn from each type and how to turn that knowledge into an advantage. Learn more about John's Business Coaching for Ar...

Donald Walker is a master muralist. His journey has included airbrushing t-shirts, owning and operating a sign shop (from painting letters to printing and cutting vinyl) and painting murals full-time for the last 15 years. Don is a wise and knowledgable creative entrepreneur and we have once of my favorite interview/conversations yet. You can find Don at https://www.facebook.com/donald.walker.165...

I spoke with a potential guest for the show last week (an amazing artist) who questioned whether an artist could really make a living from their art. This was a real surprise to me... so much so I had to do an episode on how an artist can REALLY MAKE MONEY! I offer 3 simple (but not easy) steps and support them with several interviews and personal experience to back them up! Check out these interv...

A few months ago, Craig Burgess (ep 60), interviewed me for his show - The Get Doing Things Podcast. In this episode, we have an in depth conversation about art, design and my professional and creative journey. Thanks for the interview, Craig! You can learn more about Craig at https://getdoingthings.com/ Follow @craigburgess on Twitter. Learn more about John's Business Coaching for Artists: https:...

What is Marketing - Is it Branding? Storytelling? Selling? Marketing expert, Andrew Deutsch of Fangledtech.com, is my guest on this episode that brings some clarity to the tool of Marketing, what it is and how to make it work for your business. You can connect with Andrew on LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3ykQxIq You can find Andrew's show, 'Fangledcast', on YouTube. Learn more about my Business Coachin...

Efficiency in your creative business gives you an amazing opportunity to experience a really GOOD LIFE! It is a game changer. In this episode, I touch on... Efficiency of SERVICES Efficiency of REGULAR CLIENTS Efficiency of INCOME Learn more about my Creative and Business Coaching service . I can't wait to meet and work with you! Follow John on instagram . Follow The Breakthrough Creative on Insta...

Last week I interviewed Dan Berry in Part I. Today we continue our conversation in Part II.   In this episode, we discuss working on your craft, we learn about Dan's sketchbook (which he uses as a preproduction tool for planning his books), Dan shares about the joy and pain of 24 Hour Comics and we hear about all the things Dan makes.   Dan is a cartoonist, podcaster and educator from Shrewsbury i...

I had a great time chatting with my guest, Dan Berry, in this episode.   In Part I, we learn how Dan became a cartoonist and discuss how criticism is beneficial when used for good, the importance of storytelling (and its structure) and the need for a healthy work/life balance.   I cannot wait to share Part II.   Dan is a cartoonist, podcaster and educator from Shrewsbury in the UK. He is the host...

Andy Strote is a Copywriter who founded two creative agencies and has written a book, How to Start a Successful Creative Agency, that documents his expertise. Andy shares his journey into copywriting as a creative employee, his transition to freelance and then the formation of not one but two agencies. He and his partners sold the first while Andy sold his shares back to his partners after a time...

In Episode 35 I shared 'How I Mad e$11,000 Airbrushing T-Shirts in One Month'. It was one of my most viewed episodes on Youtube. I decided it needed a forensic look and came up with the '3 Reasons WHY' I was able to find financial and creative success... 1. Pick a Target 2. Take Action 3. Build A Systematic Approach to Hitting Your Target (Much simpler than it sounds) To listen to Episode 35 click...

It is so important to find and work with good people. My friend and business associate, Chris Liechti, has been a part of my professional and personal life for the past 24 years! Finding good people to work with who complement your skills and also care about you and your success are one of the most important discoveries you will make in your life. Chris Liechti is a faux finisher, muralist, illust...

In this Q&A Coaching episode, I answer questions from my guest, illustrator, Joe Johnson. We talk about getting noticed by clients, how to find illustration in during COVID and the effects COVID may have on the marketplace moving forward. Joe Johnson is a recent college grad who is building his illustration career. He has a unique style rendering posters and images of jets and other aeronautic mac...

We all have those stories we love to watch, read or tell over and over again. There are 4 particular elements in many of my favorite stories that I see play out in the successful careers of creatives. I unpack them in this episode. Ep 3 - Mentors: Your Secret Weapon! Please subscribe and share with the artists in your life. Email john@thebreakthroughcreative.com with any comments or questions.

Artists crossing into professional territory often struggle with seeing themselves as professionals. Maybe it is because of the stigmas attached to creative work. We often hear statements such as: "You can't make a living from art." "If you do this work for me (for free) you will get exposure." "You'll end up a starving artist..." I think what artists need is permission to succeed - and - more acc...

Craig Burgess is a graphic designer and visualizer who has spent his career developing the skills to become a FULL STACK CREATIVE, partnering in his own design agency, leveraging Twitter to build his following and becoming an author. You can learn more about Craig at https://getdoingthings.com/ Follow @craigburgess on Twitter. Please subscribe to The Breakthrough Creative and share this episode wi...

Catherine and Jeffrey Ross are partners in Ross Creative Works. Catherine oversees the marketing and advertising. Jeffrey handles the commercial photography. We discuss sales and learning how to sell, the importance of coaching and education in the growth of their company, navigating the pandemic and the benefits of partnering together in life and business. You can learn more about Catherine and J...

I met Maggie Capettini several years ago after both of us were selected for a public art event. I was captivated by her work and am so glad to have her on the show to hear her story and learn more about her creative process and business practices. Please subscribe to The Breakthrough Creative and share with the artists in your life! If you had asked 5-year-old Capettini what she wanted to be when...