Why We Create

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Apr 2024

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About the show

Why we Create is a podcast brought to you by the team at the Wacom Experience in Portland, Oregon. In this podcast we'll be exploring the behind-the-scenes stories from artists, inventors and the daringly creative. Join us on this conversational adventure while we share stories with artists and creators from every corner of the world.

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43 recent

April 1, 2024Episode 144 min

Why We Create,Szn 4 Ep 1: The creative nature of ergonomics, with Serafine Lilien

🚨New Episode Alert🚨 A special new episode for y’all from the official #wacom podcast, Why We Create. In this episode we sat down (very cautiously I might add) with PDX based ergonomist, artist, and founder of ErgoArts, Serafine Lilien. Serafine’s career started out in the arts, and she now does work to help creatives (and folks of all kinds) stay happy, healthy, and free of any repetitive strain injuries.We got into the weeds on proper posture and the Neutral Posture Principle, the list of ‘helpful’ ergonomic chairs, stools, desks, and more – and also learned about best practices and some practical stretches artists – and anyone that sits all day – can adopt to help prevent injuries in the future. Conversation Topics include:💖 Be kind to your body, we only get one.🫸 Stretches throughout the day are important.👯 The best thing you can incorporate into your day is movement – aka, get up outta that chair and stretch your body and legs🧌 Do what you can to avoid having ‘Shrimp Back’ #wacomXPDX#community #podcast Find and Follow the Wacom Experience Center on all the socials: WacomXPDX#wacomXPDX #podcast ⁠ #creatives #whywecreate #community

October 17, 2023Episode 1419 min

Why We Create - "Best of" a highlight reel from seasons 1-3

As we wrap up season 3 of the official #wacom podcast, Why We Create, we take a look back to our past seasons for some of our favorite highlights and folks reasons for why they do what they do. This “best of” episode features clips from:· Luke McGarry @lukeymcgarry · Dakota Cates aka @wizardofbarge· Colby Nichols @colbynichols· Katie Pryde @bookswpictures· Kyle Webster @kyle.t.webster · Geneva Bowers @gdbeeart· Liz Clayton Fuller aka @ipaintbirbs · Lanny Ho @lan.ny.ho· Mike Golden aka @Droquis · Sarajean Chung aka @theonewithbearWe’ll be off recording more during the winter months in preparation for Season 4, coming to your ears early 2024.Find and Follow the Wacom Experience Center on all the socials: WacomXPDX#wacomXPDX #podcast ⁠ #creatives #whywecreate #community

September 19, 2023Episode 131 hr 2 min

Why We Create, Szn3 Ep13: What If's with Barret Thomson of DeepSky

It’s lucky number 13 for the official #wacom podcast, Why We Create. In this episode we sat down with PDX based Creative Director, Concept Artist and aspiring Improv actor, Barret Thomson of Deep Sky to dish on all things concept art, the influence of traveling, working with musicians and so much more. Barret’s influence at Deep Sky can be seen across their amazing portfolio of work, including their in house project “It’s the Little Things” (which you can watch on YouTube) and their stellar animation for the music video for the five-part animated series called 'In Ashes 'by the Smashing Pumpkins. Barret’s personal work is just as exciting as his professional work and leads you to imagine the most fantastic stories… you know, like how did Medusa’s head get on that shield… and what would happen to you if you forgot to remove your symbiotic lung?Conversation Topics include:⛵ Steering the creative ship via Concept Art 🤷‍♂️ “What if” helps keep the wheels turnings🎭 Improv skills ARE helpful in real life🪄 Animation is Magic🐍 ⚔️ Perseus Killed Medusa (we googled)You can follow Barret on Instagram @barretthomsonYou can follow Deep Sky online at This is DeepSky on Instagram or at their website DeepSky.TV #wacomXPDX#community #podcast #conceptart #digitalart #illustration#spotify #applemusic #googlepodcast ⁠#iheartradio #podcasters Find and Follow the Wacom Experience Center on all the socials: WacomXPDX#wacomXPDX #podcast ⁠ #creatives #whywecreate #community

August 24, 2023Episode 121 hr 5 min

Why We Create, Szn3 Ep12: Finding your tribe with Andre' Luis, founder of T.H.U

For the latest episode of the official #wacom podcast, Why We Create, we caught up with long time friend and collaborator Andre Luis to discuss the power of finding your tribe, cultivating community, and the struggles and successes of being a creative entrepreneur. Andre Luis founded Trojan Horse was a Unicorn (aka T.H.U) back in 2013. Since its conception, it has been a highly anticipated and highly regarded experience for both emerging and professional creatives. Holding tight to their roots, T.H.U. is a space where creatives of all disciplines, skill levels, and backgrounds can come together to experience, and share, the power of creativity. T.H.U. is not just the ‘main event’, but a series of experiences, meetups, workshops, and more that take place all around the globe between a vast array of communities. Conversation Topics include:🥰 Empowering creatives around the world 🎨 Creativity is key to a functional society 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 It’s all about the human connection🧚Shout out to all the mentors out there📖 Storytelling is powerful To stay up to date on what’s happening next at THU, make sure to follow them on social media and also check out their website: https://www.trojan-unicorn.com/#wacomXPDX#podcast ⁠ #creatives #whywecreate #community Find and Follow the Wacom Experience Center on all the socials: WacomXPDX#wacomXPDX #podcast ⁠ #creatives #whywecreate #community

August 8, 2023Episode 111 hr 15 min

Why We Create, Szn3, Ep11: Jammin' with the Portland Indie Game Squad & Rose City Games

For the latest episode of the official #wacom podcast, Why We Create, we’re syncing up with a few of our favorite local gamers, Will Lewis and Marlow Dobbe of PIG Squad and Rose City Games. They share with us what it takes to not only create your own indie game, but also cultivate an amazing community of game developers. From musicians to project managers, we discuss all of the roles involved in making a game as well as the benefits of participating in local (or via discord) game jams. PIGSquad is a thriving community of creatives, programmers, musicians, storytellers and more – and their next jam is just around the corner, you can sign up by heading over to www.pigsquad.com Rose City Games is a game studio based in Portland, Oregon. They’re best known for their games Floppy Knights, Garden Story & World Next Door. Topics include:🤿 Dave the Diver 📂 Project Managers are important🔑 Community is key🎮 Anyone can be a Game Developer 👯 Lil guys love doin’ creative stuff You can find and follow PIGSquad and Rose City Games on social media#wacomXPDX#podcast ⁠ #creatives #whywecreate #community Find and Follow the Wacom Experience Center on all the socials: WacomXPDX#wacomXPDX #podcast ⁠ #creatives #whywecreate #community

July 18, 2023Episode 1052 min

Why We Create, Szn3 Ep10: The Modern Vintage style of Tom Whalen, aka Strongstuff

For the latest episode of the official #wacom podcast, Why We Create, we’re heading into the flat graphic territory of adobe illustrator, discussing all things clean lines, tidy color palettes and the ‘Modern Vintage’ aesthetic. We sat down with the master of flat graphics himself, Tom Whalen aka @strongstuff to dish on everything from layers, to typeface, and how to balance multiple characters in one composition. From his first invite to a gallery show, to his current work with large organizations like Mondo and Disney (to name a few), Tom’s work is iconic, stylistic, and packed with industrial strength illustration skills. Topics include:🍊 Orange based color palettes💕 Designing by feel📂 The importance of Layers, Layers, Layers🔑 Simplicity can capture all the details🎁 Collectibles are cool 📅 Keep a tidy schedule You can find and follow Tom on Instagram and all social media platforms at his aka Strongstuff#wacomXPDXFind and Follow the Wacom Experience Center on all the socials: WacomXPDX#wacomXPDX #podcast ⁠ #creatives #whywecreate #community

July 3, 2023Episode 958 min

Why We Create, Szn3, Ep 9: The Surrealist Art of Nicolas Barrome Forgues

Listen in while we drift into the magical, delightful, and surrealist worlds created by none other than international artist Nicolas Barrome Forgues in our latest episode of the official #wacom podcast, Why We Create. Speaking to us from his home in France, Nico shares with us behind the scenes stories from some of his largest projects, his early day as an aspiring artist, and his love for Spielberg, Lucas, Spongebob and surrealist art. Topics include:🌲 Surrealist landscapes👹 Mischievous creatures🥰 Loving your creations😎 Being Unique🤝 The power of collaboration🖌️ Trying as many techniques as possible🤖 Love for Sci-fi, Kaiju and amazing creaturesYou can find and follow Nicolas Barrome Forgues on Instagram and all social media platforms #wacomXPDX#podcast ⁠ #creatives #whywecreate #community Find and Follow the Wacom Experience Center on all the socials: WacomXPDX#wacomXPDX #podcast ⁠ #creatives #whywecreate #community

June 19, 2023Episode 81 hr 0 min

Why We Create, Szn2 Ep. 8: Discussing the Tomes with the Wizard of Barge, aka Dakota Cates

We’re studying the tomes and channeling all our strength for episode 8 of the official #wacom podcast, Why We Create. Listen in while we journey through the world of wizards, goblins, and trolls (oh my!) with So.Cal based artist Dakota Cates, better known as the Wizard of Barge. Dakota shares with us his insights into living a magical life and just what it takes to become the Stepfather of Fantasy. Topics include:🧙‍♂️ Wizarding👨‍🍼 Daddies and Step-Daddies📖 Studying the Tomes🥰 Daily Affirmations🛹 Skateboarding✨ Magic the Gathering🐸 Muppets🙏 The importance and appreciation of great Mentors👕 Super rad Merch You can find and follow Wizard of Barge on Instagram and all social media platforms at #WizardofBargeIf you want to support and purchae his rad merch - head here to his WEBSITEFind and Follow the Wacom Experience Center on all the socials: WacomXPDX#wacomXPDX #podcast ⁠ #creatives #whywecreate #community

June 5, 2023Episode 754 min

Why We Create, Szn3, Ep7: Collaborative Greatness with Colby Nichols

Find us on all the socials: WacomXPDXDid you know that being a skilled Dungeon Master can also translate to becoming a skilled Creative Director? In episode 7 of Why We Create, we sat down with the brilliant and talented Illustrator, Creative Director and storyteller, Colby Nichols. From his work at Portland, Oregon design studio Jolby, to his current endeavors in the gaming industry, we get the full story and more on his preferences on everything from Metallica and Mario, to Coffee or Beer. We hope you enjoy the ep. You can find and follow Colby on Instagram #wacomXPDX#podcast ⁠ #creatives #whywecreate #community Find and Follow the Wacom Experience Center on all the socials: WacomXPDX#wacomXPDX #podcast ⁠ #creatives #whywecreate #community

May 22, 2023Episode 658 min

Why We Create, Szn3, Ep 6: Comics are for Everyone, Katie Pryde of Books w. Pictures

Find us on all the socials: WacomXPDXYou can find ‘Why We Create’ on all major podcast platforms (visit our lnk.bio)What makes your city, town or neighborhood so great? For us here in Portland, one of our greatest poitns of pride is the iconic and Eisner award winning Comic Book store, Books with Pictures. For episode 6 of the official @wacom podcast, Why We Create, we sat down with founder, neighborhood historian, avid reader, and comics afficionado, Katie Pryde. Katie shares with us her amazing journey in creating and running the 2022 Eisner Award winning comic book store, Books with Pictures. From consulting start ups to crafting curated lists of what to read, Katie is the go-to person for finding new and exciting reads in Portland. We stand firmly with Katie and the entire team at Books with Pictures in saying that Comics are for Everyone. You can find and follow Books with Picture here: https://bookswithpictures.com/https://www.instagram.com/bookswpictures/?hl=en #wacomXPDX#podcast ⁠ #creatives #whywecreate #community #spotify #applemusic #googlepodcast ⁠#iheartradio #podcasters Find and Follow the Wacom Experience Center on all the socials: WacomXPDX#wacomXPDX #podcast ⁠ #creatives #whywecreate #community