Meet the zorilla, nature’s punk rock skunk. A creature so well-defended, even lions think twice. Its secret weapon? A super stinky spray that sends predators running for the hills! This stinky little beast may look cute and sleepy with its midnight fur and moonlit markings (as seen in my latest “Uncommon Animals of the Alphabet” print), but when it comes to protecting itself, it doesn’t mess around.
And that’s the metaphor we’re going with today.
2 of 10 Limited Edition Hand-Signed Art Print
- Price $100 AUD with free shipping worldwide
- Size 30cm x 30cm
- Gallery-grade print on lightly textured, 100% cotton paper — museum-quality you can feel.
- Strictly limited to 10 prints — each one is hand-signed and numbered by the artist.
- Includes a certificate of authenticity with matching edition number.
- Features a 1–2 inch (2.5–5.0 cm) white border for easy framing.
- Packaged with care in protective materials to ensure it arrives safely.
- Printing and shipping will take 3-4 weeks
- Framing can be arranged at additional cost
Order your limited edition print
Are you seeking security or adventure?
First, Let’s Get Real: There’s No Such Thing as Security
Not really.
Security is an illusion we cling to, like trying to bottle moonlight or plan the perfect weather for your flower crop. Whether you’re an artist, a farmer, or a zorilla, nothing is guaranteed. Your safest bet? Learn how to pivot. Embrace the adventure. Accept the chaos.
Because the only thing we can be certain of… is death. (Okay, maybe also taxes.)
But here’s the twist: the best way to survive long-term, the closest thing to “security”, is to diversify.
The Artist’s Equivalent of a Stink Bomb? Multiple Revenue Streams.
This idea came up in my podcast chat with Jason Sanders aka DrainedEye on Fork in the Road. We talked about the myth of safety, and how the most “secure” artists are the ones who’ve built many pathways to thrive.
You can’t just have one product and hope it’ll keep the wolves at bay. That’s a recipe for burnout and bankruptcy. Instead, think like a zorilla. Arm yourself. But instead of stink bombs, we’re talking:
- Art prints
- Merch (socks, mugs, t-shirts)
- Patreon tiers
- Licensing deals
- Commissions
- Courses
- Podcasts
- Workshops
- YouTube or ad revenue
- Affiliate links
- NFTs (if you dare)
Each one is a whisker in the wind. A scent trail into the unknown.
Farming and Art Are Weirdly the Same Thing
Right now, we’re setting up a permaculture farm. And let me tell you, this has taught me everything I need to know about survival as a creative.
Imagine only growing flowers. Looks pretty. Smells lovely. But one hailstorm, one unseasonal frost, one aphid apocalypse—and boom. You’re done. Now imagine a farm that includes:
- Chickens and ducks (eggs)
- Seed collection and propagation
- Edible weeds and native bush tucker
- AirBnB or farmstays
- Veggie boxes
- Workshops on regenerative living
That’s not just a farm. That’s a living, breathing system with layers of resilience. Exactly what you want for your creative life.
Your Digital Ecosystem: Flowers, Tree, and Roots
Social media is your pollen. Your seeds. Throw it out wide and see what grows. Instagram, Threads, Mastodon, Bluesky, YouTube, TikTok—whatever works for you. Just don’t rely on one. The algorithm gods are fickle.
Your website is your tree. The trunk. The hub for all things you. Sure, someone could come along with an axe, but it’s rare. Maybe a once-in-every-100-years event.
Your roots, now that’s where your security lies. Your email list, your mailing list, your paid memberships. Trees can regrow from roots even if the top gets lopped off. That’s why investing in community, real connection, is your backup plan and your launchpad.
So, Are You Seeking Security or Adventure?
Why not both?
Adventure is what we signed up for. Creativity is inherently risky. But if you build your world wisely, you don’t need to fear the unknown. You’ll have your own version of a stink bomb to ward off predators, algorithms, market crashes, and creative slumps.
Start building your weird, wild, diversified world now. Whether it’s in the form of a permaculture farm, a Patreon page, a limited edition print shop, or all three.
There’s no such thing as secure. But there is prepared.
And prepared artists? They thrive.
Kids Book Illustrator Andy C Marshall 