My Dog Sighs: Paint, Pigeons and Passion. Inside: We Shelter Here Sometimes.

This is Disruption

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I was so delighted to speak with an artist I greatly respect and admire in this episode. Street art legend My Dog Sighs kindly joined me to share the story of his creative evolution, from primary school teacher to internationally celebrated artist.
We chat about the birth of Free Art Friday, which evolved into it's own cultural movement with artists leaving free pieces for passersby to discover. This emerged from My Dog Sigh's desire to participate in street art without risking his teaching career. What began as canvases left on streets evolved into painted found objects, such as his iconic painted tin cans that have now traveled across continents with their new owners and inspired other artists to do the same.
At the heart of this episode is a discussion exploring My Dog Sigh's recently released documentary "Inside: We Shelter Here Sometimes," chronicling a two-year project that saw him transforming an abandoned 1920s ballroom into an immersive installation during the pandemic. The vulnerability he displays in sharing the creative process is super refreshing. All too often we see the highlights and successes but in this raw and vulnerable film we see the struggles, doubts, and moments of pure inspiration and flow. This is a rare insight into the emotional journey of artistic creation and it is so beautifully shot with a gorgeous soundscape. From developing a unique language for his creatures little voices, to navigating health and safety concerns in a decaying building, the documentary captures a once-in-a-lifetime creative endeavour that nearly broke him.
I loved this film, it's truly a story of creative persistence and determination. As My Dog Sighs says, "If you've got this idea, just invest in it. Just invest in yourself and your time and your skill base, and get out there and get it done, because it's worth it. In the end it really is, and you're all the better person for doing it."
You MUST watch this documentary, it is truly it's own work of art. Find it at:
My Dog Sighs website: https://mydogsighs.co.uk/
Link to the documentary: https://vimeo.com/1058981776
My Dog Sighs Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mydogsighs/
My Dog Sighs TED Talk (Lost and Found): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xaTNwJL0BiA

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Chapters

1. Welcome to the Disruption Podcast (00:00:00)

2. Meet Street Art Legend My Dog Size (00:01:52)

3. The Journey from Teacher to Artist (00:04:16)

4. The Birth of Free Art Friday (00:09:46)

5. When Your Art Isn't Yours Anymore (00:17:25)

6. Inside the Documentary Project (00:22:49)

7. Creating a New Language for Art (00:36:42)

8. The Power of Encouragement (00:43:08)

9. Life After a Major Creative Project (00:54:21)

10. Work Hard, Be Nice, No Excuses (01:04:23)