Why We Create

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 ...

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’...

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 em...

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 benefit...

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 in...

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...

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

👨‍...

Find us on all the socials: WacomXPDX

Did 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 preferen...

Find us on all the socials: WacomXPDX

You 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, an...

Find us on all the socials: WacomXPDX

What happens when the love for good food, good stories and great art collide? For episode 5 of the wacom podcast, Why We Create, we sat down with Brett Warnock, Chief Editor of Kitchen Table Magazine. 

Kitchen Table Mag combines illustrations, stories and recipies, into a comic/zine like layout that focus on the people behind some of Portland’s favorite restaurants, food carts, and bars. Like a d...

Find us on all the socials: WacomXPDX

You can find ‘Why We Create’ on all major podcast platforms (visit our lnk.bio)

Dust off your art supplies, grab your favorite paint brushes and lets make some marks. For episode 4 of the official #wacom podcast, Why We Create, we’re talking to the brush-master himself, Kyle T. Webster. 

For digital artists and #photoshop enthusiasts, Kyles name will automatically sound familiar. For those not in ...

Find us on all the socials: WacomXPDX

For Ep 3 we spoke with skilled photographer, Joshua Jordan.  Joshua shared with us his love of portrait photography and his humble beginnings capturing images of his grandparents and family.  

We also spent some time nerding out on our favorite gear, photo and studio lighting techniques and the differences, and similarities, between portrait and product photography.  Make sure to listen to the en...

Find us on all the socials: WacomXPDX

You can find our podcast ‘Why We Create’ on all major podcast platforms (visit our lnk.bio)

For our second episode of ‘Why We Create’, we sat down with publisher and artist, Mark Siegel to chat about the creation of his publishing company, First Second Books, the magic behind a collaborative workflow, and the power of sequential storytelling. 

You can find and follow Mark at the links below: 

01Fir...

Find us on all the socials: WacomXPDX

You can find our podcast ‘Why We Create’ on all major podcast platforms (visit our lnk.bio)

We’re kicking off Season 3 of ‘Why We Create’ with one of our favorite artists, twitch streamers and Clip Studio Paint enthusiasts, Sarajean Chung aka The One with Bear.  

In this episode we learn all about the life of a professional freelance artist, the joys of washi tape and the realities behind being an...

Find us on all the socials: WacomXPDX

You can find our podcast ‘Why We Create’ on all major podcast platforms (visit our lnk.bio)

Get ready for the #RoseCityComicCon special of the wacom podcast ‘Why We Create’. For episode 14 we sat down with animator and storyboard artists, Ben Lane and Todd Hoppmeyer. 

From the Simpsons to Inside Job, we got down in the mix of just what does it take to be a storyboard artist. Is it possible to hide...

Find us on all the socials: WacomXPDX

You can find our podcast ‘Why We Create’ on all major podcast platforms (visit our lnk.bio)

For Ep 13 of the wacom podcast ‘Why We Create’ we sat down with the man behind some of the most hyped sneakers in the world, the current head of Donda industrial design, the Godfather of Dad shoes himself, Steven Smith. 

Steven’s influence in the industry can be traced back to 1986 when he started at New Ba...

Find us on all the socials: WacomXPDX

You can find our podcast ‘Why We Create’ on all major podcast platforms (visit our lnk.bio)

For Ep 12 of the wacom podcast ‘Why We Create’ we sat down with Brooklyn based artist, twitch streamer, and all-around awesome guy, Lanny Ho. 

From traditional block prints to tattoos, Lanny is a true multi-disciplinary artist that has the ability to shift from medium to medium without skipping a beat. His ...

Find us on all the socials: WacomXPDX

You can find our podcast ‘Why We Create’ on all major podcast platforms (visit our lnk.bio)

For Ep 11 of the wacom podcast ‘Why We Create’ we had the honor of speaking with artist, inventor, director, fabricator, Rube Goldberg aficionado and who we claim may be the most trusting person on the planet, the talented and brilliant, Bob Partington. 

If you’ve been on this world a while and remember the...

Find us on all the socials: WacomXPDX

You can find our podcast ‘Why We Create’ on all major podcast platforms (visit our lnk.bio)

For Ep 10 of the wacom podcast ‘Why We Create’ we’re diving into the world of events, conferences and the skillful people that make them happen. We’re speaking with the creative mind behind @btconf Beyond Tellerrand, Marc Thiele. 

From his early days as a web developer and creative, Marc had the vision to b...