The Kindest Artist on the Internet - Interview with Scott Christian Sava

Scott Christian Sava doesn’t want to be famous for his artwork, his millions of followers on social media, his published book, or his Netflix animated film.

His mission is to spread kindness in everything he does.

If we spliced the DNA of Bob Ross with Mr. Rogers, that person would give the same vibes as Scott Christian Sava. It was a pleasure to spend the better part of an hour chatting with Mr. Sava (known as @ssavaart on the socials) about our early artistic influences, whether tracing is illegal, how meeting his fans IRL on the book tour was like a balm to the soul, and what gets him excited to get up every morning and create.

Instead of the usual interview, my conversation with Scott Christian Sava was more like catching up with an friend from art school. You know, the friend that actually makes a living as an artist instead of opting for a steady paycheck and health insurance. It was a therapy session I didn't know I needed.

We skipped the generic art platitudes and dove straight into the real, messy mindfulness of what it takes to protect your creative spark in a hyper-connected world. From the exact tools Scott uses every day to his journaling habits, I wanted to pull back the curtain on how an online creator with millions followers stays grounded. We talked about life after achieving your biggest childhood dream, and yes—I even got the scoop on the exact fountain pen his wife Donna packed for their NYC writing trip. It was funny, deeply honest, and it completely reframed what it means to make art like a human.

 

Highlights from the Interview with Scott Christian Sava

Here is a breakdown of the specific territory we mapped out in this conversation:

  • The Illustrator's Toolkit: A look into Scott's go-to illustration gear and his specific philosophy on using pens (and coveted watercolor paper) in his artwork.

  • The Lost Content: The one burning question Scott wishes he could go back and answer in the pages of Becoming an Artist.

  • The NYC Fountain Pen Mystery: Settling the score on page 16 of his book—which fountain pen did his best friend and wife, Donna, actually take to write notes on their trip to New York City?

  • Life After Spider-Man: What happens to an artist's trajectory and hunger once they’ve already checked off their ultimate, lifelong career goal?

  • The Mirror of the Art Swap: Emotional stories from meeting fans on the book tour, and whether Scott has crossed paths with a "Young Scott" looking for validation.

  • Dethroning the Myths: What the absolute biggest misconception the general public still harbors about being a professional artist today.

"Be kind. And just, if you could do anything, just be kind. I know that's silly to come from an art book...but we're still humans in the world... If you could take something out of that, it is just to be a kinder person and be more forgiving of yourself and of others."

Scott Christian Sava

Becoming An Artist : How to Make Art Like a Human by Embracing Failure, Discovering Your Creative Voice & Finding Joy in the Process

Set to a backdrop of illustrations made during their Scott and Donna's trip to New York City, Becoming an Artist isn't a traditional "how to draw" art book. A thousand other books could teach you about perspective, shapes, values, etc. Scott's book focuses on the mental hurdles involved with creating art, particularly the ones that prevent us from expressing ourselves fully and honestly.

It's a heartwarming read that gives anyone who is looking for that creative spark a guide who leads you through the dark forests of your soul toward the light of acceptance and kindness.

Get the book here >>

The Big Takeaway

Regardless if you're an illustrator, painter, scultor, writer, playwright, poet, cook, singer, or whatever expresses your creative passion, we all share the same drive to find ourselves through our work, enjoy the process, and embrace struggles along the way.

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