Fwacata

Control the Turn – Feelings Aren’t Facts, But They Still Steer the WheelAnother FWACATA Podcast Episode for People Who Think Too Much and Still Click “Play” Anyway (Apologies for the lateness, but I pressed the wrong thing and hadn’t changed my calendar on my wall, and …. yadda, yadda, yadda. )Let me ask you something:Ever feel like you're going to explode because someone gave you a passive-aggressive comment about your work, your face, your socks—whatever—and you’re just sitting there like, “Do I light the building on fire, or do I go full zen monk and let it pass?”Yeah. Me too.This week on the FWACATA podcast, we get into the dangerous (and sometimes hilarious) dance between feeling something and doing something about it. Because guess what? Not every emotion deserves an action.Sometimes you’ve just got to… control the turn.

A FWACATA Podcast Episode for the Day After You Ate Too Much and Did Too LittleSo, it’s the Tuesday after Memorial Day, and your inbox is screaming louder than a Florida car alarm. You're bloated with barbecue, vaguely sunburned, and trying to figure out if that leftover potato salad is still safe to eat.Welcome back. Let’s talk about why doing nothing might be the best thing you did all weekend.In this latest episode of the FWACATA Podcast, I’m here not with some big motivational speech or self-help checklist, but a gentle reminder that staring at a wall and scratching your HUEVOS might be exactly what you needed. (That’s not just a metaphor, by the way.)

Yeah yeah, I’ve been off the radar for a couple weeks. Life happened. A few things exploded. Some of them metaphorically, some maybe more literally (I’ll let the insurance company figure it out). And let me tell you—it’s hard to hit “record” on a podcast when you’re busy taping the ceiling back to the roof of your life.But here we are, and guess what?It’s another Monday Motivation from FWACATA, baby.This week’s episode isn’t clean or pretty or filtered through an inspirational quote over a misty lake. This one is duct tape and determination. This one is about being too broke to buy gesso, too tired to function, and still too stubborn to quit.Because here’s the thing nobody tells you with a straight face:You have to be belligerent about your goals.Not cute. Not chill. Belligerent.You have to make art like it owes you money. You have to write like you’re on a deadline that’s three days past. You have to keep showing up even when the algorithm ghosted you, your bank account is playing the “let’s see what overdra

Hey folks, it’s time for another round of Love/Hate—that tiny segment in which I tell you about something I’m loving right now, and something I hate with the burning heat of a thousand suns. Strap in.❤️ LOVE: Local Man (Graphic Novel)I finally picked up the Local Man trade paperback—you know, the Tim Seeley book that dropped as single issues while I was behind the counter at the comic shop. I dug that first issue, but holy hell does it read even better collected. It’s equal parts celebration and parody of those over-the-top ’90s Image books—think Youngblood, Brigade, and Next Men—but with modern storytelling chops and a wicked sense of humor.The premise is simple: a washed-up superhero named Bullseye (yes, that’s his power—perfect aim with anything he throws) gets kicked out of the big leagues and ends up back in his hometown. Cue a bizarre string of trouble chasing him around streets that remember him as an asshole. It’s goofy, it’s fun, it’s sharp—and the art for one of the covers by Bill Maus (you remember

Welcome to a new installment of the FWACATA Podcast!If you’ve been waiting for the perfect moment to finally launch your big project, get serious about your art, or just finish that damn thing sitting in the corner of your mind — here’s your Monday wake-up call:Nobody’s coming to hand it to you.You’ve got to start.This week’s episode is a no-holds-barred reminder that while the world might feel like it's tilting sideways (and hey, maybe it is), life, creativity, and hope are still worth the hustle.The Fire’s Still There — You Just Need to Stoke ItSure, things get harder as you get older. You need more coffee. More naps. Maybe a little more yelling into the void. But that flame? It’s still there.It just needs action to stay alive.Movement. Creation. Forward motion.Even if it’s messy. Even if it’s slow. Especially when it’s messy and slow.Planning is Great. Doing is Better.We all love to plan. Sketchbooks full of notes, dreams, and “what ifs.”But without action, it’s all just doodles in a notebook.You want to s

Plant the Seeds, Even if You’re in a Parking LotSome episodes are recorded in sleek studios with soundproof walls. Others are born in the wild acoustics of a car parked somewhere between real life and chaos. This one? Definitely the latter. But that’s kind of the point.This week’s Monday Motivation episode of the FWACATA Podcast isn’t about perfection—it’s about momentum. It’s about the power of planning just enough to get moving, even if everything around you is a mess. It’s about planting creative seeds—whether you’re sketching, writing, filming, building, or just surviving the Monday grind—and trusting they’ll grow.Because here’s the thing: you don’t need the perfect setup. You need intent. You need motion. And above all, you need a system that works even when everything else is on fire.The Sketchbook Is the GardenIn this episode, I talk about the little notebooks I carry, the half-formed ideas I scribble in them, and the ones that come back years later to become something real. Sometimes it’s a design for

The Art of Experimentation – Stop Playing It Safe!Listen, if you’ve been doing the same thing over and over and expecting some grand artistic breakthrough, I’ve got news for you: IT’S NOT COMING. You’re just drawing the same stale, predictable stuff, like a baker who only knows how to make plain white bread. You need to throw some jalapeños in there, swirl in some chocolate—GET WEIRD.This week on the podcast, we’re diving into The Art of Experimentation—breaking out of your artistic rut, trying new mediums, and embracing the glorious mess of creativity. Because if you're not failing, you're not trying hard enough.Why Experiment?Because safe is boring. Safe is a creative dead end. The best artists? They took RISKS. Picasso didn’t stay in his Blue Period forever, and neither should you.Trying new styles or mediums unlocks parts of your brain that have been asleep at the wheel. You’re going to discover new ways to express yourself, new ideas, and maybe even a little bit of that long-lost joy in creating. Remembe

Without me, my sketchbook is useless. Without my sketchbook, I am useless.…and so onThere’s something powerful about a blank page. It’s not just paper—it’s a space to build, reflect, and create. A sketchbook isn’t just for artists—it’s for anyone looking to capture a moment, map out an idea, or make sense of the chaos around them.This week on FWACATA Podcast, we dive into why keeping a sketchbook (or journal, or whatever you want to call it) is one of the most powerful tools you can have—for your creativity, your productivity, and maybe even your sanity.Your Sketchbook Is Your SpellbookThink of it like this: in Dungeons & Dragons, wizards have a spellbook—a place where they collect all their knowledge, ideas, and incantations. Your sketchbook? Same thing. It’s your idea vault, your reference manual, your record of the weird and wonderful things bouncing around in your head.Inside, you can:Sketch out ideas before they vanish.Write down those fleeting thoughts that might become something great.Paste in tick

We all know that person. The one who spends more time complaining about their problems than solving them. The one who would rather wallow than take action. The one who insists their life is a mess but rejects every solution you offer.I can’t do that. I don’t understand the point of sitting in frustration when the fix is right before you. Either solve the problem or let it go. Anything else is just wasted energy.This week on the FWACATA Podcast, we’re talking about getting out of your own way.Action Over ExcusesThe hard truth? Most problems have a solution. It’s just that sometimes, people don’t like the options.Hate your job? Find a way out.Stuck in a rut? Change your habits.Tired of the same conversations? Surround yourself with different people.It’s not always easy, but complaining won’t get you there any faster.The Internet Has Made Us PassiveRemember when the internet was weird and full of surprises? When you’d stumble onto something new, some bizarre website or an artist you’d never heard of? Now, it’s j

The Most Rebellious Thing You Can Do? Be Good.We live in a time where being an outright jerk seems like a fast track to success—where the loudest, meanest voices get the most attention, and stepping on others is just another strategy to get ahead. But here’s the thing: you don’t have to play that game.This week on the FWACATA Podcast, we’re talking about the quiet, overlooked power of choosing not to be an asshole.Empathy as a Power MoveThink about it—how many times have you had the chance to take advantage of someone? To push a little harder to get ahead? To bend the truth just enough to make things easier for yourself?And yet, you didn’t. Not because you’re weak. Not because you weren’t smart enough. But deep down, you knew it wasn’t the right thing to do.In a world where everyone is looking for an edge, having a conscience is its kind of rebellion.The Art of Not Taking the Easy RoadThe easiest thing to do is get bitter and angry. Start cutting corners and convincing yourself that everyone else is doing it,

Are You Actually Living, or Just Playing the Game?Let’s be honest: most of what we deal with daily is just noise. The endless rules, the meaningless procedures, the polite but empty conversations—it’s all designed to keep us occupied, keep us complacent, and most importantly, keep us from actually questioning things.You ever sit through a training, a meeting, a briefing, and think: "Why don’t they just say what they mean?" Instead, they dance around the truth, sugarcoat everything, and act like the rules they made up are somehow for your benefit.That’s because clarity—real, unfiltered clarity—is dangerous. If people started seeing things for what they are, started saying what they actually mean, and—God forbid—started acting on it, well… that would be a problem for a lot of folks in power, wouldn’t it?So, What Do You Do With That Knowledge?You wake up. You start questioning. You start building. You start pushing back. Because the people making the rules? They don’t hesitate. They have their meetings, their st

Finding Joy in the Simple Things: A Lesson in Energy, Perspective, and Living in the NowAs we move through life, there’s one undeniable truth—we change. Our energy shifts, our priorities evolve, and the things that once seemed like the center of the universe suddenly don’t carry the same weight. And you know what? That’s okay.In this week’s FWACATA Podcast, I talked about energy—how we gain it, how we lose it, and how to make the most of what we’ve got.Energy Isn’t Infinite—Use It WiselyRemember when you could stay up all night, wake up the next day, and still power through like a champion? Yeah, that changes. As we age, our energy becomes less of a bottomless pit and more like an old phone battery—it still works, but it doesn’t quite charge to 100% anymore.And that’s where perspective kicks in. Instead of fighting against time, instead of reminiscing about what used to be, maybe the trick is to make the most of where you are now.The Secret to Success? Be Happy First.Too often, people tie happiness to achieve

Mediocrity is the Enemy – Why You Should Demand More from Yourself and the WorldThere’s this thick, suffocating layer of mediocrity that’s creeping into everything. Art, music, schools, culture—people are coasting, playing it safe, afraid to push past the surface. And it’s driving me insane.This week on the FWACATA Podcast, I dive into why the hell everyone seems okay with "just good enough"—and why you shouldn’t be.Are We All Just Settling?Have you ever looked around and thought, “Is this it? This is what people are hyping up?” That’s exactly how I felt watching the Kendrick Lamar halftime show—not bad, but not the revolutionary, game-changing performance people were acting like it was. Instead of real, raw creativity, it was a wink-wink, nudge-nudge kind of "art"—the kind that hints at making a statement without actually saying anything. Safe. Expected. Forgettable.This isn’t about one artist or one performance. It’s EVERYWHERE. Go to an art show, check out what’s passing as “deep” music, or watch what scho

Listen up, you magnificent weirdos—no great art happens alone. Whether you're making comics, painting, kitbashing, or building cosplay props, collaboration will take you further than you ever thought possible.I know, I know—every artist has that control freak mentality. “It’s my vision! My story! My world!” But let me tell you something: even the best of the best have someone in their corner. Jack Kirby had Stan Lee (whether he liked it or not), Eastman had Laird, and every single artist out there who’s killing it today? Yeah, they’ve got an inker, a colorist, a writer, a letterer—a squad backing them up.So why are you out here trying to do everything yourself?Why Creators Struggle to CollaborateIt’s simple: we’re stubborn. Every comic creator, painter, filmmaker, or maker I know has this belief that only they can execute their vision perfectly. And while that’s cute and all, it’s also the fast track to burnout.I’ve been there. I’ve tried writing, penciling, inking, coloring, and lettering all on my own. And

Have you ever hit that wall where everything you once loved feels like a chore? One minute you’re pumped about your latest comic, cosplay, or kitbashing project, and the next, you’re staring at your workspace wondering why the hell you even started. Yeah, we’ve all been there.This week on the FWACATA Podcast, we’re diving into how to rekindle your passion for creativity—whether you’re making comics, painting miniatures, crafting props, or just trying to push through that creative slump. It’s time to fall back in love with your craft and remember why you started in the first place.Why We Lose the SparkBurnout is real – When creativity turns into deadlines and obligations, it starts feeling like work.Comparison kills passion – You see amazing work from others and suddenly, your stuff doesn’t feel good enough.Repetition fatigue – Grinding through the same creative routine can drain the excitement.How to Rekindle the Fire

Building Momentum: The Power of Small StepsWelcome to another blog post inspired by the FWACATA Podcast, where we dive into life, art, and the journey of becoming invulnerable in the face of challenges. Today, let’s talk about the magic of starting small and how consistency can turn those small steps into monumental wins.In the early 2000s, I was lucky to land a spot on GraphicSmash.com. It was my first real foray into publishing comics in a way that garnered some attention. I was part of the early wave of webcomics, and man, it was a grind. For four years, I published two pages of comics every weekend while juggling school, work, and life. It was exhausting, borderline insane—but I walked away with over 200 pages of comics. That experience taught me one of the most valuable lessons: big projects are built one small step at a time.That’s the theme for today’s Monday Motivation: stop waiting for the perfect conditions and start small. Whether you're an artist, a writer, or just someone with a dream, the secret

Lone Wolf No More: Finding Your Pack as an Artist or CreativeHave you ever felt alone on an island, carving out your art, work, or creative identity with no one to share it with? It's time to dispel the myth of the Lone Wolf—the idea that greatness comes from isolation. The truth is, we thrive when we find our pack. Whether you're a painter, writer, musician, or any creative, connecting with others can elevate your craft in ways you never imagined.In this podcast, we delve into the necessity of community for creatives. We'll explore how collaboration, feedback, and shared experiences fuel our growth and how even the most solitary artists have networks that support them. Through stories, tips, and guest interviews, we'll guide you on how to seek out and build your creative pack. Because together, we create better.