‘Focus on what you can do, not on what you can’t’ – Independent Artist, Guido de Boer

‘Focus on what you can do, not on what you can’t’ – Independent Artist, Guido de Boer

‘Focus on what you can do, not on what you can’t’ – Independent Artist, Guido de Boer

For the Dutch Creativity Awards 2021, Independent Artist Guido de Boer joins our Craft – Animation & Motion Design / Illustration / Typography Jury. Guido’s trademark style is characterised by (almost always) black & white bold lines, taking up the majority of the canvas with thick brushstrokes. Often creating letters, his designs can be seen in museums, venues and agencies. We chat with Guido about what he’s most looking forward to when judging this year, where he seeks inspiration from and learn what his biggest takeaway from 2020 was.

What are you most looking forward to?

Seeing all of the amazing talent in this country. And the talks we’ll have with the Members of the Jury.


Will you be looking out for anything in particular?

First of all, I’m very much interested in work that’s done by hand. Secondly, I think I’ll automatically keep an eye on what the work is communicating or it’s message in general.


What’s your ‘must see’ work from last year?

That would be my work at the Kröller-Müller Museum: Reading, Looking. For the exhibition Not in So Many Words, I made a wall painting and as a performance I finished the painting during the opening.

‘Focus on what you can do, not on what you can’t’ – Independent Artist, Guido de Boer

What’s your biggest takeaway from last year?

At some point after the first semi-lockdown I wrote down in one of my notebooks: "Focus on what you can do, not on what you can’t.” I think that’s a nice message for the year 2020.


Where do you seek inspiration from?

Everyday things, looking around when walking around.


Do you have any creative mantras?

I have (note)books full of them, but at the same time I like to throw them away regularly.


How do you deal with (the fear of) failure? Any tips?

Just start doing. Start with drawing on the first white page of that new sketchbook. If you fear that page, just make a smudge on it and skip to the second page.

How can we, in the creative industry, help to build a better tomorrow?

Stop focusing on the € and likes and start focusing on each other.


Best piece of advice?

Make at least one drawing every day. Just do it. Also when you’re too tired, or too drunk or whatever. For me it was such a revelation to see drawing or sketching not particularly as a thing which brings beautiful results but more as a training practice.

‘Focus on what you can do, not on what you can’t’ – Independent Artist, Guido de Boer

Entries to the Dutch Creativity Awards 2021 are open until 25 June. For more info, check out our website.