The Dutch Touch: Entrepreneurial Spirit and Hand-Drawn Brilliance of Don Leon

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 deadlines, building a talented in-house team, and producing cutting-edge work for a host of dream clients for any creative.Dan and I also chat through insights on managing client expectations, pricing, and the impending movement of AI in the post-COVID digital age. Whether you’re an aspiring designer or a seasoned pro, this episode is packed with inspiration and no-nonsense advice straight from the frontlines of the creative industry. 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) 

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 Terenzi. 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 quitting,’ and how he has been rebuilding his life by reconnecting with his old passions, like music. This conversation offers a raw and honest look at balancing creativity, responsibility, and self-preservation. Tune in for an inspiring discussion that’s sure to resonate with many of you. 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) 

Meet Tom Bancroft, 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. For the many that already know and love Tom, this is a definite must-listen - for those that don’t - if you want to learn how an ever-curious creative can successfully carves their own path, then this one too, is for you. 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) 

In 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) 

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 the creative industry. 00:59 Meet Kendrick Kidd: Early Life and Inspirations  06:45 Discovering Graphic Design 09:50 College Years and First Job 16:06 Transition to Advertising 18:08 Joining Shepard Agency 19:18 Balancing Full-Time Work and Freelance 22:56 The Influence of Jim Phillips on Graphic Design 24:15 Early Beginnings in Illustration and Graphic Design 27:01 Developing a Unique Creative Process 38:26 Balancing Work and Family Life 41:16 Reflections and Future Aspirations 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 @trujillomedia Sponsors: MRC & Burny Wild’s @mrcraleigh & @burnywilds

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 the myth of the starving artist. 01:16 Rachel's Journey to Becoming a Working Creative 03:51 The Influence of Family and Early Life 08:40 Transition from Teaching to Full-Time Artist 12:16 First Mural Experience and Learning Curve 21:37 Building a Business and Client Process 28:44 Pitching Creative Ideas 29:29 Navigating the Creative Process 30:58 Children's Book Illustration Journey 34:51 Balancing Work and Family 37:17 The Business of Murals 50:32 Advice for Aspiring Artists 52:27 Conclusion and Social Media 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 @trujillomedia Sponsors: MRC & Burny Wild’s @mrcraleigh & @burnywilds  

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 @trujillomedia Sponsors: MRC & Burny Wild’s @mrcraleigh & @burnywilds  

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 @trujillomedia Sponsors: MRC & Burny Wild’s @mrcraleigh & @burnywilds  

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 @trujillomedia Sponsors: MRC & Burny Wild’s @mrcraleigh & @burnywilds

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 @trujillomedia Sponsors: MRC & Burny Wild’s @mrcraleigh & @burnywilds