Ben Lopez is an artist/illustrator/tattooer from Melbourne, Australia, who creates amazing, visionary work.  Full shownotes: http://yourcreativepush.com/benlopez In this episode, Ben discusses: -How he tries not to define himself as an artist. -How psychedelics have helped to inspire him and shape his art. -How he tries to let his art do the talking for him, and how he tries to tap into all of his experiences and put it into the art. -How he had already made the decision in high school to make art for the rest of his life. -The importance of finding your own style so that someone can recognize a piece as yours, just by looking at it. -How an injury changed his trajectory as an artist. -How he wishes he had more time for his personal art. -His plan to come to the United States to do some tattooing/traveling. -What Instagram and social media in general has done for his art and for his career. -How art and creativity has brought him out of a lot of dark places and it constantly brings him happiness and a sense of purpose. Quotes: "I tattoo pretty much full time but I don't really like to be labeled as tattoo artist." "I just started doodling in all my books and pretty much failed school because I drew on everything and hated everything else." "I look at it now definitely as a blessing in disguise." "I do have a struggle and that is balancing what I want to do and what I have to do." "When I'm really happy and the client is really happy, that is when I love tattooing." "I want to be better all the time, and that is what's driving me." "I don't know where I would be if it wasn't for social media." Connect with Ben: Website / Facebook / Instagram