I Believe In Artists: Dan Radcliffe

I Don't Know Much About Art featuring Holly Cow by Dan Radcliffe

I met Dan Radcliffe through one of my many muses, Holly Cow.  Holly is a kind soul who delights in creativity and all of life's simple pleasures, so I figured any friend of hers would have to be a good person and I was right.  It turns out he's also a pretty terrific artist.  Not only did Dan create Holly Cow but he illustrates many other colorful characters, all of whom express his good-hearted values, intelligence and sense of humor.

I'm so happy to share my friend Dan Radcliffe's creations and thoughts with you below.  Enjoy!

Artist Dan Radcliffe

Question: I know art speaks its own language but if you had to describe your work in only six words, what would they be?

Dan: Only six words?  Fun, friendly, comfortable, silly, happy, feel-good.  (Is that last one a word, or two words?) 

Great Teachers Inspire By Dan Radcliffe

Question: Who is your favorite artist (in any medium) and how do they inspire you?

Dan: There are a lot of artists who inspire me.  DaVinci inspires me, because of the unquestionable genius and precision that shows in everything.  Makes me want to try to achieve that kind of level, although I know that’s a long-shot.  Matisse, because of the bold shapes and bright colors, his work just makes me feel good.  There are tons of others.  As long as the end product shows me that the artist is passionate about the art.  Charles Schulz inspires me.  

Library Invasion Reading Poster By Dan Radcliffe

Question: What inspires you to create?

Dan: Hard to say, really.  I can see a plant in the yard and have an idea for a drawing.  I can see a commercial on television for cat food and it might spark an idea.  My wife inspires me to create.  Or maybe it’s more precise to say she encourages me.  I like when people tell me they appreciate my work, that inspires me to create more.

Holly's Friendship Harvest By Dan Radcliffe

Question: What is your favorite part of your creative process?

Dan:  I like the feeling I get when I start to create.  It’s a feeling of satisfaction, self-worth... positive good feelings.  I enjoy sitting in the middle of my living room floor with my drawing pad and a pencil, a cup of coffee on the table, and just starting to draw.  It’s really therapy for me.  It’s relaxing, the time flies, sometimes too quickly.  Ideas just start to pop.  

Pour By Dan Radcliffe

Question: What is the most challenging part of your creative process and how do you meet that challenge?

Dan: The most challenging part is making the time, or taking the time, to actually create.  Life’s events sometimes make it hard, not enough hours in the day, and all of that.  I’ve had someone tell me, “You have to find the time.  If someone were to pay you a thousand dollars an hour, you would be able to find the time.”  If someone paid me a thousand dollars an hour to draw, I’d certainly find the time... by quitting my day job!  So yes, making the time to create is the biggest challenge for me. 

You Can Never Have Too Many Friends By Dan Radcliffe

Question: And finally, what does "believing in art" mean to you?

Dan: Believing in art, for me, means believing that what you’re creating is important, and that it makes a difference.  Sometimes that importance or that difference is nothing more than bringing a smile to someone’s face.  If someone can look at your art and smile and tell you that they like it, you’ve accomplished something.

Thank you Dan for sharing your art and answers with everyone!

To see many more of Dan's creations on fun products, click here to visit his Zazzle shop.

Dan has also just published a delightful book, entitled "Not So Scary Stuart" that you can find by clicking here.

And a book about my favorite cow, Holly Cow, can be found here.

Until next time, happy creating!

Peace, Love and Art,

Victoria