Grant Snider, the creator of Incidental Comics, has long displayed this imaginative, somewhat surreal approach to life in his work, which captures both its burdens and its moments of lightness. Now we can all see the world from Grant’s perspective through his first book, The Shape of Ideas.

>>>> Read our review of The Shape of Ideas here.

Grant has been kind enough to share a dash of his philosophy exclusively with 203challenges.com:

Grant Sinder| Photo by Mark Woolcott Photography

Who is Grant Snider and what are his dreams?

I’m a 31-year-old cartoonist, author, and orthodontist. My biggest accomplishments are my three children and my first book, The Shape of Ideas. My dream is to continue pursuing new ideas for the rest of my creative life.

I started Incidental Comics… when I had no idea how to make comics! My artistic abilities have grown and changed with me. It seems like a different person was responsible for my earliest work.

The first of my drawings that I remember… were detailed and imaginative worlds of dinosaurs, aliens, and dragons. I drew in crayon, marker, and pencil on old computer paper – early ’90s computer paper was the best.

Photo courtesy of www.incidentalcomics.com

When I started drawing, I couldn’t even imagine that… it would remain such an integral part of my life. Then again, I could never imagine giving it up.

I consider myself… a failed perfectionist. I keep trying to make something perfect, but I’m always coming up short. This dissatisfaction drives me to continually make new things.

I would never… try to draw while riding a bicycle. Too many things could go wrong.

I would always… bring a pen and sketchbook with me. I might need it at any time.

The creative process is… beautiful, mysterious, frustrating. A locked room where the key is hidden in your mind.

Photo courtesy of www.incidentalcomics.com

Ideas are born… at inopportune times. You have to be ready to catch them.

Asking questions is… something we should all keep doing, even when we know there’s no answer.

My favorite place in the world is… on a blanket under a tree in my backyard, on a spring afternoon when everything is in blossom and the mosquitoes haven’t started biting.

I never travel without… a backpack full of more books than I could possibly read during one trip.

Challenges in life are… a good source of artistic inspiration and wisdom – but only after the fact.

One challenge for anyone who is reading this: Go for a long walk with a pen and a notebook. Don’t take your phone. Don’t take your dog. Find something outside of you or within you to write or draw about. Repeat until it becomes necessary.

Photo courtesy of www.grantsnider.com

The post Grant Snider: the cartoonist giving shape to ideas appeared first on 203Challenges.

If social media posts pass in front of your eyes and get immediately lost in the sea of information, Grant Snider’s recently published book The Shape of Ideas is exactly what you need on your bedside table as a constant source of inspiration.

>>> Read our interview with Grant Snider.

The Shape of Ideas is not a book to read from cover to cover, but rather one that makes you flip through the pages out of curiosity, searching for the comic that best matches your current state of mind.

Grant’s unique approach to everyday concepts and objects is so refreshing! It reminds us of a truth that each of us used to believe in as children: that even mundane objects can become important ingredients of magical stories if we dare to invent them. A mere walk in the park or a glance at the clouds drifting across the sky turn into special events when you look at the world through Grant’s eyes.

If you try to predict the next square of any of Grant’s stories, you will fail every time. This is exactly what makes you open the book every time you see it. Take a moment to browse through Grant’s stories and you will recognize your own hopes, ambitions, reflections and inner hustle on almost every page.

Photo courtesy of www.incidentalcomics.com

The Shape of Ideas is perfect for:

– rainy Saturday mornings when you need an excuse to remain in bed (yes, the book contains one!)

– low-spirit Mondays when a reason to smile will be welcomed

– random moments of boredom

– digging in your own imagination

Remember that part about unlocking questions I mentioned at the beginning? Actually, this book provides many answers, too. All you need to do is come up with the right questions.

Photo courtesy of www.grantsnider.com

The post The Shape of Ideas – a book to dive into the world of (self-)exploration appeared first on 203Challenges.