Most of the day had dragged on, slower than my fast-paced norm. But suddenly I looked up and two hours had passed without my knowledge. Instead of tired and restless, I felt energized by the task at hand. I had just spent time doing something artistic. I had offered to take head shots of a friend and had lost myself in getting it ready. While I can’t quantify it, the pursuit of art for its own sake transcends my mind from tasks and deadlines into the realm of infinite possibilities. I’m convinced that an artistic endeavor will make you a better professional, no matter your field.

I shot this portrait of my friend Mitch Ebie for his blog

I remember dreaming up what became The A Group during a week-long beach vacation. I had purchased 5 business books and was ready to start on my first one when a stranger walked up to me and said, “you’re not going to read this on vacation, are you?” Shamed,  I decided to pick up a nearby stick and build sand sculptures. I began with a simple turtle and five days later and five sculptures later, I was up to the elaborate 7 feet long mermaid with Medusa-like hair. These sculptures took 4 to 6 hours to make, but I was lost in time. Somehow during the course of that week, the idea for my new venture was formed.

I did this head shot for my friend Billy Williams is for his board picture at the Jenn-Air Advisory Board

I’m certain science can make a correlation between how people use their right brain activities (creative, conceptual) to impact their left brain decisions (processes, systems). I just know that whenever I find myself lost in photography, painting, sculpting or even cooking, I seem to have my best ideas.

What’s your artistic outlet?

Is there an art form you’ve always want to try?