A T-Shirt Born from Change
This T-shirt marks a moment in my life. “Still Learning.” Two words that carry everything I’ve been wrestling with lately. I want to share the story behind it, not just the how, but the why. This is about the start of letting you into my head, my process, and the shift that’s changing me as an artist.
A Reflection in Type and Color
The word “STILL” sits at the top in a fat, rounded, cartoon-style font. It’s big, solid and immovable. Beneath it, “LEARNING” comes in a rough, horror-inspired font. Jagged, raw and angry like something is unsettled. “Still” feels steady, kind of amateur but permanent, a nod to the skills and experience I’ve honed over the years and the childish but, stubborn force that compels me to keep creating for a living. “Learning” is the isn’t the scary part or what’s makes me feel unsettled. It’s the pulse of the moment, electric and urgent. Like something wild I’m ready to chase and at the same time an atom bomb about to go off it my lap at if I don’t figure out what wires to snip. It’s exciting, uncertain, and could explode in my face at any momment.
The colors matter too. Blue runs through it, calm and cleansing, a symbol of trust in this process. Like I’m washing away what’s not working. The pink accents the design, representing the brain. It’s not poetic but how I’m thinking differently. think = brain = pink lol.
A Pivot I Didn’t See Coming
I’ve spent my career as a graphic artist perfecting the art of working with client’s to bring their ideas to life. Last year, I couldn’t keep up with demand. Every month, my flash kits sold out. I thought I’d cracked it! Deliver the value, pour in creative effort and connect with people. Then, these past few months hit me like a brick wall, months of depression, self doubt and trying my hardest to “work harder” . Clients started disappearing after price talks. I’d raised my rates… not out of greed, but to reflect the time and heart I was giving. It felt fair. But the silence that followed? That was louder than ever.
Financially, it’s been brutal. As an independent creator, there’s no safety net when the work dries up. I’d mastered this rhythm or so I thought. Turns out, the solutions I relied on don’t seem to hold the same weight anymore. Demand shifted, and I was left questioning everything I’d spent years mastering. So I made a racial choice after listening to Seth Godin’s book, “The Dip”( listened to it like 10 times lol ) and Robert Greene’s book “Mastery”. The choice? To discontinue offering my flash kits and creative services. Pausing client work feels like walking away from the only thing keeping me afloat. It’s terrifying to even consider. But staying in a cycle that’s fading? That’s a bigger risk. So I’m quitting… strategically. I’m turning inward, chasing my own ideas, betting on my own vision. Rediscovering what sets me on fire, makes me feel electric and honestly to genuinely smile again. This T-shirt is where that begins.
John Wooden’s Words
There’s a quote from John Wooden that’s been stuck in my mind: “It’s what you learn after you know it all that counts.” He was a basketball legend, sure, but this isn’t about sports, it’s about the accumulation of wins and fails in my life. Wooden knew that thinking you’ve arrived is just the setup for the real lessons. I thought I had my path figured out. I was wrong, not all the way but crucial adjustments became vital. “Still Learning” is my way of owning that and saying I’ve got roots, but I’m not done growing. The “still” is what I’ve built and the “learning” is what’s ahead, scary as it is. His words remind me this isn’t failure. It’s the next step.
Creating for Me, Inspiring You
This isn’t about being a service provider anymore. I’m tired of shaping my creativity to fit someone else’s mold. Even though I love to solve creative problems for others. Probably at an unhealthy level but now it is time to build my universe. I want to build something that’s larger than cool designs for cool people. ( You guys are cool as hell too, 99.9% of you lol. No hard feelings ) Through personal creations that tell stories, experiments with tech, sharing my creative process and making art that bridges the digital and physical I hope to inspire the creative super powers within yourself. lol that was kind of poetic eh? Anyway, “Still Learning” is the first piece of that journey. It’s about my life, my interests, my fire to create and share. I hope when you see it or wear it, it sparks something in you too. Maybe it’s a push to create, to try something new, to step into your own unknown and strategically quit what isn’t working in your life to embolden you to learn with me. I’m not just making a T-shirt. I’m starting a journey to reclaim my creative soul and redefine what success looks like for me.
This is where it begins. I’m still learning and I’m okay with that. Fuck I’m jacked to the tits about it.
You too? Follow me on IG: @housacreates & Youtube @houscreates
