Meet Arin Holecek

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Arin Holecek. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Arin, thank you so much for taking the time to share your lessons learned with us and we’re sure your wisdom will help many. So, one question that comes up often and that we’re hoping you can shed some light on is keeping creativity alive over long stretches – how do you keep your creativity alive?

I view creativity as a massive current running through and all around us, and when I’m being really creative it means the conditions are just right for me to perceive it and have the energy and focus to channel it. This means that when the conditions are right, I’m on a creative high and can’t stop producing art and marketing myself comes naturally in terms of social media, my website, meetings, and showings. When the conditions aren’t just right, however, it’s harder to tap into that current and I can feel utterly devoid of ideas and energy to generate them. During these times I honor our natural life cycle of incubation, birth, flourishing, rest, and reflection, only to return to the beginning of the cycle when I’m renewed and strong again. As society views every trade in terms of mass production, this natural cycle isn’t recognized and an artist can be expected to produce a high level of output year round. Some are able to do this, I am not. What I have done most recently is have a blast creating during the birth and flourishing times, then gone into maintenance mode for my business during the rest/reflection/incubation periods. This looks like staying in touch with those shops and art spaces showing my art, thinking in terms of how to market art I already have, and working with a print maker and framer to keep existing art ready to be shown. This way, I am still creatively generating ideas and work but in different ways.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

Currently I am focused on building my brand through marketing recent and prior work, which includes oils, watercolors, acrylics, mixed media pieces of ink and paint, ink and glass, ink and colored pencil, and ink and graphite. I have worked with a lot of different media and I plan to keep experimenting and innovating. For me, art is about a personal expression of joy as well as creating a fun playground for my mind. I love when people connect with my art on a deep level, and I know not everyone will and that doesn’t bother me. I also believe there is room for everyone at the table!! In fact, let’s get rid of the table, throw some cozy blankets and pillows down, and talk about ideas. All the ideas! Right now my art is on display and for sale at Carnelian Coffee in Old Colorado City and at Everyday Girl Adventures, also in Old Colorado City.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Three crucial factors that have been most impactful in my journey are 1) learning to believe my ideas are worthy of expression, 2) implementing trial and error in everything, from a sketch, to a painting, to trying new ideas – don’t be afraid of making mistakes! and 3) having perseverance – realizing that great results come from great effort. In terms of how to adopt these approaches, my main piece of advice is, as I mentioned above, don’t be afraid of mistakes, don’t be afraid to work hard, and share your art early and often. Not every piece is going to be a masterpiece, and that’s ok. The more comfortable you become with sharing your process and your “mistakes” (I don’t believe in mistakes in art), the more resilient you will become.

All the wisdom you’ve shared today is sincerely appreciated. Before we go, can you tell us about the main challenge you are currently facing?

The main challenge I am currently facing is the recent onset of a degenerative nerve disease that causes burning pain, fatigue, and muscle jerks. During flare ups I can’t produce art or participate in meetings, but I can generate ideas and attack plans. Thankfully I think in pictures so I can design paths forward and imagine new artistic experiments while resting physically. I can also network remotely and work on the digital marketing aspects of my business when the fatigue is not too bad. I love challenges so I’m viewing this as a new opportunity for growth. It has been life-changing in that I know now to make the most of the “high” periods because I don’t know how long they will last. Every experience is sweeter and more precious now, and for that I am so grateful.

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Image Credits

Jean Walton

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