We asked folks we admire to share one piece of conventional advice that they disagree with.

Lindsay van Ekelenburg | Freelance Artist & Plant Enthusiast

The idea that when you are a Talented Artist, you have a job you love and never work a day in your life, is dangerous. I have found these little insidious labels the bane to my career.  What I would say instead to a young artist is yes, you may be talented. But what is more important for you to focus on is that you are skilled. Read more>>

Shanna Dugan | Film Photographer

Narrowing down my target market for my portraits. My target market is women, of all ages, lifestyles, and income brackets. My portraiture is intended to uplift women (and female identifying/presenting humans) and help them feel both seen and loved exactly how they are. Read more>>

Ryan Tesluk | Visual Artists

One piece of conventional advice that I don’t agree with is the notion that one can achieve success through hard work alone. Throughout my life, I have found that such efforts do not lead to favorable outcomes. Rather, what makes or breaks an individual’s chance of success is whether a person encounters at least one individual who likes them and has enough power and influence to give the former the break they need to get ahead. While many have respect for industrious individuals, not every benefactor will. Thus the preferences of the powerful make the world go around. Not love. Read more>>