We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Joshua Small a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Joshua, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?
Honestly, a big part of me wants to say I was born with it! And most might think that’s a “cop-out answer,” but I really do believe it! I feel like we’re all born as who we are and with purpose; some may know who and what that is early on, and others come to figure it out as they grow to discover themselves. But for as long as I can recall, I was always creating. At any given moment, you could find me drawing, making some sort of craft, story, or comic with my cousins, my brother, or friends! I know those would probably be considered “typical” things for kids to do, but for me, that want—that feeling to draw and tell stories and express myself and share them—just never left me, and as the years went by and I learned more about what was out there within that and what I do, it only ever expanded right along with me into what I love doing as a comic artist, illustrator, and writer today.
But I will say that if it weren’t for my brother and his interests in games, anime, and manga, I never would’ve discovered those interests so early on. I always thank him for leading me to my purpose, as I would say. All those days after school and long summers dedicated to spending time with him just watching him draw and later drawing with him are some of my favorite memories growing up, and I’m very thankful for that.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
The most exciting thing for me, I’d say, is the act of creation itself. Something I don’t think many people mention about art is that so much of creating is problem solving—especially with comics, you have to wear so many hats! So there’s always a challenge, good and bad, and that requires you to use your brain. And even more so when working with others. The feeling of a project or idea growing and changing into something new and sharing that with another creator is very beautiful to me! Now, the big payoff is when you finally get to share that idea with everyone and enjoy yourself! Hearing people’s genuine reactions and thoughts about the characters and stories I create. To me, there’s nothing more fulfilling than that, and that’s why this is so important to me—knowing someone feels seen in my work!
Specifically with my comic The Others (read at tapas.io/series/theothers), the outpour of love that I received from everyone on that and its buildup were unimaginable. So many “she looks just like me” or “it’s about time for some black witches” or “I needed this,” etc. comments over the years push me to keep going, and the fact that I get to do that over and over again with so many new stories and I hope to be able to do this for as long as I can and hopefully expand on it into other forms of media like television in the future!
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
The best thing I can say, and this is something I’m truthfully still learning myself, is to truly bet on yourself! If you want it, go after it, even if that means you’ve got to be a little delulu sometimes, because at the end of the day, it’s YOUR dream, and you need to have crazy faith in that!
Reach out to your friends, family, and resources around you; you are not alone in this. Network, make friends, work together, and support each other. Something Issa Rae said in an interview once that really stuck with me was how she loved “working across” from you. It’s the best way to build up!
Make attainable and reasonable goals! Those small goals are what add up to the BIG payoff you’re reaching for! So often, I find myself caught up in the bigger picture or future of where I want to be. It gets overwhelming, but if you slow down and plan, even if just a little, the path gets so much better. And lastly, the most important part is to enjoy the journey.
What’s been one of your main areas of growth this year?
Oh man, the past 12 months for me have truly been a whirlwind, but I’ll say the biggest takeaway from all that I learned is don’t be so stubborn!
Having a one-track mind is just as dangerous as it is good—you’ll end up overlooking what is or could be right in front of you; you can become completely unable to hear or see any other options, so be open to change, something new, or a different route to where you want to go. Oftentimes, it is better than you’d imagine!
And FEAR! Dont let that hold you back whatever it is that you want do; Do it scared but definitely go and do it!
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