Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Linc Jolly. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Linc, 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?
Creativity isn’t a limited resource—it’s a renewable one. But it doesn’t just survive on paint and paper. It thrives on experience, growth, and the courage to try new things, even (especially) outside of what people might expect from an “artist.”
First off, don’t just be an artist, be everything. You can go to art school, like I did at the University of South Carolina, and proudly carry your BFA—and still pursue an MBA, like I did at UMASS. Or become a licensed massage therapist after. Or then study to become a physical therapy assistant. Or even pick up a camera and travel across Africa as a media director.
None of these things take away from your identity as an artist—they expand it.
Every new skill, every new environment, every new challenge feeds your art. It gives you perspective, depth, and fresh ways to see the world.
Say yes to new adventures. The more things you try, the more the world opens up to you.
Never held a camera? Pick one up. Never edited video? Dive in. Curious about anatomy? Study it. Want to build a garden, learn a language, climb a mountain? Go for it.
These experiences don’t “distract” from your art. They become your art.
Inspiration lives outside of the studio. Being a full-time artist sitting at a desk or easel might sound ideal, and for some it is. But if you’re someone who comes alive through action, exploration, and immersion in the world—you have to live in order to create.
The most powerful creativity often comes when you step away from the canvas and into real life.
Be curious, not contained. You don’t have to choose one path. You can blend, pivot, reinvent. However you want to define yourself, there is no limit… add an “and”… writer and illustrator. Artist and healer. Creator and strategist. Traveler and storyteller.
Why box yourself in when your creativity is asking for more room to breathe?
And lastly… creativity is a lifestyle, not a job description. Being an artist isn’t only about what you produce—it’s about how you see. You can find beauty in anatomy, composition in business strategy, rhythm in physical therapy. Everything is connected if you’re open to it.
Doing whatever interests you is what will keep you alive as an artist.
That mindset doesn’t just sustain creativity—it fuels it, endlessly.
If you’d prefer to spend your days writing and illustrating, that’s a beautiful goal. But it’s clear that the path you’ve taken—rich with movement, change, challenge, and new disciplines—has only sharpened your creative voice, not diluted it.
Keep trying new things. Keep saying yes. The world is full of hidden inspiration—you just have to go live it.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I was born in the Providence, RI on January 16th, 1992, however grew up
in South Dartmouth MA until 2005 when my family moved to the Lowcountry SC. I was formally trained by the University of South Carolina, and received my BFA in 2015. While striving to be a full-time artist and writer, I eventually served active duty within the United States Army’s 82nd Division, 1-504 PIR, until I injured my back during an airborne operation. I like to think my original work stems from an innate personal vision that revels in the creative act itself, exploring the mind and discovering possibilities that the imagination grants me, allowing my inner voice to guide the artistic process. I’ve been told I have the gift of being able to tap into my powerful imagination and turn my visions into detailed, vibrant works of art for others. I’ll spend my free time developing my artistic skills and growing my brand, a platform on which I can share my imagination and creativity. I now resides in his childhood home of the Lowcountry, SC, with my wife and three children, and I’m currently at school to become a PTA.
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?
Looking back, the three qualities that had the most impact on my journey through art were courage, discipline, and curiosity. Courage was the foundation—it meant speaking up even when I felt like an outsider, joining groups that intimidated me, and sharing my work when I wasn’t sure it was “good enough.” It’s uncomfortable, but growth always is. Stepping into those unknown spaces helped me connect with other artists, find opportunities, and, most importantly, believe in the value of my own voice. To those starting out: don’t wait until you feel ready. You’ll rarely feel 100% ready. Show up anyway. Say yes to things that scare you a little. That’s where the real expansion happens.
Discipline, meanwhile, turned my passion into a practice. Inspiration is fleeting, but routine creates momentum. I had to learn to treat art like a job before it ever paid like one—setting aside time, even when I was tired or uninspired, to create something. Build habits around your creativity. Give your art a regular place in your life, and honor that time fiercely. And finally, curiosity kept the whole journey alive. The moment you stop being curious, you stagnate. Always be learning—about techniques, about people, about yourself. Explore mediums outside your comfort zone. Read about artists from different cultures and backgrounds. Try something completely new every week, even if it feels pointless. Because creativity thrives where curiosity lives. If you stay brave, stay committed, and stay curious, the path will unfold—often in surprising and beautiful ways.
As we end our chat, is there a book you can leave people with that’s been meaningful to you and your development?
The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles by Steven Pressfield had a profound impact on my development as an artist. One of the most valuable takeaways was his concept of Resistance—the internal force that shows up every time you sit down to create, manifesting as procrastination, self-doubt, or fear. Pressfield emphasizes that Resistance is not just something to fight against, but something every artist must confront. The real breakthrough comes when you recognize Resistance for what it is—something that exists to stop you from doing the very thing you’re meant to do. This shifted my perspective on the struggle of creative work; instead of viewing resistance as a personal failure, I began to see it as a sign that I was on the right path. It helped me develop the discipline to show up every day and create, no matter how I felt, and to treat my creative practice with the seriousness it deserves.
In short, this book helped me become a better artist by teaching me to embrace the discomfort and resistance inherent in creativity, and to continue pushing through it instead of letting it hold me back.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://lincjollyart.com/
- Instagram: @lincjollyart
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@lincjollyart
Image Credits
Linc Jolly
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