How to solve your problems through drawing (w/ Liana Finck)
Oct 9, 2023
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Cartoonist Liana Finck shares how drawing helps solve life's predicaments, explore self-discovery, and understand ourselves better. She discusses impostor syndrome, doubt, and humor. The chapter also touches on expressing individuality through non-photo-realistic cartoons and the influence of belief systems on artistic work.
Drawing can be a powerful tool for problem-solving and self-expression, helping humans understand themselves better.
Staying true to one's unique style and ideas is more important than comparing oneself to others or seeking external validation in artistic pursuits.
Deep dives
Importance of Being True to Yourself
The podcast episode discusses the importance of being distinctly and uniquely oneself. The host admires artists who stay true to their individuality. The guest, cartoonist Leona Fink, is praised for her distinct style and authenticity. Her cartoons, while simpler than classic New Yorker cartoons, are more impressionistic and convey a great deal of emotion. It is highlighted that the more specific and true to oneself an artist is, the more universally their work resonates.
Using Drawing as a Tool for Understanding
Leona Fink shares how she started drawing more autobiographically after experiencing a breakup. She found that drawing helped her process her emotions and gain better self-understanding. By depicting her own life, she discovered that people could relate to her work. Drawing became a problem-solving tool that allowed her to visually diagram situations and experiences. She emphasizes the benefits of exploring personal struggles and using drawing as a means of self-expression and connection.
Embracing a Simplistic and Symbolic Drawing Style
Leona Fink's drawing style is described as simpler and more direct, using symbols and facial expressions to convey emotions and ideas. She intentionally avoids photo-realism and believes that simplicity makes her work more approachable. By focusing on the essential elements, she can effectively communicate her intended message. Fink also mentions that drawing doesn't require perfection and urges aspiring artists to find their own voice through drawing, embracing their unique style and ideas.
Navigating Imposter Syndrome and Balancing Self-Expression
The podcast delves into the challenges of being in spaces where others may seem more impressive or confident. Leona Fink, who identifies as a small, normal voice among bigger personalities, shares her struggles with self-confidence and occasionally feeling like a 'loser' for not boasting about her work. Despite this, she finds pride in embracing her role as an 'imposter' and avoiding imposter syndrome. Fink acknowledges the uniqueness of her style and emphasizes the importance of staying true to oneself rather than comparing to others or seeking external validation.
Liana Finck’s cartoons explore life’s big predicaments: what to make for dinner, how to leave a party without being rude, how to feel like more than a snack machine once you have a child. In today’s episode, Liana shares how drawing has become a practice for her to answer questions, solve problems, and why creating art helps humans understand ourselves better. Liana also discusses why she’s not bothered by impostor syndrome (okay maybe it helps that she regularly contributes to The New Yorker) and how she navigates the feelings of doubt we all experience with honesty and humor.