The Dutch Touch: Entrepreneurial Spirit and Hand-Drawn Brilliance of Don Leon
Release Date: 08/26/2024
Mad Memories: Sam Viviano on Life, Art, and MAD Magazine
The Pencil Pusher's Podcast
Hey Pencil Pushers! Welcome back to the podcast. Today we share my chat with legendary illustrator and caricature artist Sam Viviano. Known for his extensive career with MAD Magazine and work for other notable publications such as TV Guide and Rolling Stone, Sam shares the stories behind his artistic journey. From childhood inspirations and early encounters with comic book giants to his breakthrough at MAD and relationships with iconic artists like Al Jaffee and Mort Drucker, Sam provides an intimate look into his creative process and the family-like bonds formed during his career. Tune in for...
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From Skateboards to Studios: The Evolution of Dan Janssen’s Career
The Pencil Pusher's Podcast
Episode 66, yall!! Join us as we chat with Dan Janssen, the mastermind behind Lincoln Design Co. From his early days surfing and skating in San Diego to leading creative work for brands like Nike and Hot Wheels, Dan’s journey is filled with passion, grit, and talent. He shares how he went from high school design inspired by brands like Santa Cruz and CARtoons magazine to studying at the Art Institute of Colorado, launching his own studio, and growing it into the powerhouse known as Lincoln Design Co. Dan opens up about the highs and lows of running a top-tier studio—balancing tight...
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Quitting’s For Winners - And the Return of Lenny Terenzi
The Pencil Pusher's Podcast
Welcome back, LedHeads, to another episode of the Pencil Pushers Podcast! Today I have the pleasure of sharing a recent chat with my good friend, . Lenny, who many of you know as an illustrator, designer, musician, and single dad, joins us to discuss the crucial topic of mental health for Creatives. Since his last visit in 2019, a lot has changed for Lenny. He stepped down as president of the AIGA Triangle Chapter, closed his screen printing business ‘Hey Monkey,’ went through a divorce and more. We dive into his journey through these challenges, the importance of self-care and ‘healthy...
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One-of Two-of-a-Kind: Tom Bancroft’s Animated Life
The Pencil Pusher's Podcast
Meet , perhaps the busiest man in animation whose illustrious career started at Disney in the late ’80s, contributing to classics like Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin and Mulan. Beyond Disney, Tom has launched ventures like Taught by a Pro and Pencilish Animation Studios, while juggling family, teaching, podcasts, and countless projects. In a heartfelt and humorous chat, he talks about the future of hand-drawn animation, the significance of finishing projects - no matter how imperfect, the evolving role of AI, and teases exciting upcoming projects and his new animation expo in Nashville, TN....
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The Dutch Touch: Entrepreneurial Spirit and Hand-Drawn Brilliance of Don Leon
The Pencil Pusher's Podcast
In this episode of the Pencil Pushers Podcast, host Mike Rosado sits down with Dutch designer and illustrator for a lively conversation about his creative journey. They explore Don’s path from childhood through high school, reflecting on his early struggles to find his passion before ultimately launching his own studio, De Don Leon Designs, in 2017. The discussion dives into the heart of Don’s career, touching on his design inspirations, creative process, and how he’s adjusting to life as a new father while balancing his work. They also chat about some of Don’s notable projects, the...
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The Life & Times of Graphic Artist Kendrick Kidd
The Pencil Pusher's Podcast
Kendrick Kidd, an illustrator, designer, and creative director at Shepard Agency. Kendrick shares his journey from growing up in Merritt Island, Florida, with early artistic influences, to studying graphic design at the University of North Florida. He delves into his early career at a newspaper, his transition to advertising, and his two-decade tenure at Shepard. They discuss Kendrick's creative processes, balancing work and family, and the benefits and challenges of freelancing. Additionally, Kendrick offers insights into mentorship, handling creative ruts, and the potential impact of Ai on...
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From Teacher to Muralist: Rachel Castaneda's Creative Journey
The Pencil Pusher's Podcast
Rachel Castaneda, a muralist, lettering artist, illustrator, businesswoman, and mother of three. Rachel shares her journey from teaching to becoming a full-time artist, discussing the challenges of balancing her creative career with family life. She talks about her initial struggles, the importance of social media in her success, and how she manages her schedule with the help of family support. Rachel also touches on her experience illustrating children's books and gives advice to aspiring artists. The episode highlights the thriving creative community in Raleigh, North Carolina, and dispels...
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Frame by Frame: The International Adventures of Animator Sandro Cleuzo
The Pencil Pusher's Podcast
We go deep into the fascinating career journey and insights of Sandro Cleuzo, a Brazilian animator, including his transition from local studios to working with global animation giants like Disney and Fox, his passion for hand-drawn animation, experiences with different animation styles, and the thrill of creating personal projects like his short film. PS: Don’t forget to take advantage of our Burny Wild’s promo code just for our Pencil Pushers fans. More info on the podcast intro. Host: Mike Rosado @ekimodasor & @mrcraleigh Post-Production: Max Trujillo Sponsors: MRC &...
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Art, Life, and Resilience: Inside Clarence Heyward's Studio
The Pencil Pusher's Podcast
Explore Clarence Heyward's transformation from a midlife crisis to a celebrated artist, highlighting his struggles, artistic growth, and advice for navigating the art business. Gain insights from Hayward on networking, artistic insecurities, AI influence in fine art, and the representation of black artists in the industry. PS: Don’t forget to take advantage of our Burny Wild’s promo code just for our Pencil Pushers fans. More info on the podcast intro. Host: Mike Rosado @ekimodasor & @mrcraleigh Post-Production: Max Trujillo Sponsors: MRC & Burny Wild’s &
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Matt Williames (Supervising Animator and Character Designer)
The Pencil Pusher's Podcast
PS: Don’t forget to take advantage of our Burny Wild’s promo code just for our Pencil Pushers fans. More info on the podcast intro. Host: Mike Rosado @ekimodasor & @mrcraleigh Post-Production: Max Trujillo Sponsors: MRC & Burny Wild’s &
info_outlineIn this episode of the Pencil Pushers Podcast, host Mike Rosado sits down with Dutch designer and illustrator Don Leon for a lively conversation about his creative journey. They explore Don’s path from childhood through high school, reflecting on his early struggles to find his passion before ultimately launching his own studio, De Don Leon Designs, in 2017.
The discussion dives into the heart of Don’s career, touching on his design inspirations, creative process, and how he’s adjusting to life as a new father while balancing his work. They also chat about some of Don’s notable projects, the challenges and rewards of freelancing, and why setting boundaries is crucial when working independently.
For aspiring designers, Don offers some key advice: stay true to your authentic self, be strategic when raising your rates, and remember that limiting work hours is essential for maintaining mental well-being.Guest: Don Shuuring (dedonleon) (instagram.com/dedonleon)
Host: Mike Rosado (mrcraleigh.com) (instagram.com/ekimodasor)
Post Production: Max Trujillo (instagram.com/trujillomedia)
Sponsors: MRC (mrcraleigh.com) and Burny Wild’s (burnywilds.com)