Bobby Duke on Optimizing an Artist’s Life

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It’s not easy to put a label on Bobby Duke. Is he an artist? A creator? 1,000 words fit his work, and they all seem to be appropriate. Whether it’s a giant sculpture or turning a normal pencil into a chain link non-pencil, Bobby can envision it and then do it – and it all started with a whittled dagger.

Kevin’s theory of artistic and musical parents continues to be true, which is why Bobby is both an accomplished artist and a capable video editor. Bobby has a lot on his plate though, including juggling an addictive personality that’s affected his work. He goes into fantastic detail not just about how he schedules and segments his work now, but also why he has to do it (and what happens when he doesn’t). 

Matt tells his story about having to work from bed 6 months ago to hauling rocks after a work day now, while Bobby gets down to brass tacks with a dose of reality: things are going to be bad sometimes, and there are constant opportunities to stray from the path you need to be on. Flexibility is a double-edged sword that’s both amazing and ruinous, and Bobby gets a little closer to mastering that each day. Putting your phone down helps.

We recognize that it’s easier to process these tradeoffs and make wiser decisions – and also know when we haven’t – when we’re older, but how do you help a younger creative go about their work and life optimally? Well… it’s not as easy as just telling them. Kevin might have a solution: convince young people to treat themselves as if they’re important, which they are. 

Patrons hop in to ask about forbidden builds, balancing art with its visual presentation, and Bobby’s day to day inspirations. This was a FANTASTIC episode about the reality of being a creator – which, honestly, is usually at the crux of what someone makes. Harnessing talent and creating the conditions for that talent to function might actually be more important.

Thanks to everyone who came out for the live show, and a special thanks to the Patrons who make this show happen each and every week. Next week, Ian Hecox from SMOSH!

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CREDITS: 

Hosts: Kevin Lieber and Matt Tabor 

Produced and Edited by Ben Webster → https://twitter.com/benwebsterTCU 

"Created in the Unknown" theme by Basswaite: https://linktr.ee/Basswaite  

Theme by Mega Drive → http://megadrivemusic.com  

Opening Animation: Kidmograph 

City Animation: Eric Langlay 

"The Create Unknown" is produced by Unknown Media. 

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