David Drebin on Art, Vision & Building an Iconic Brand

0:00You are listening to I Am Refocused Radio with your host, Shemaya Reed. This show is designed to inspire you to live your purpose and regain your focus. And now here's your host, Shemaya Reed. Welcome back to our Refocused Radio. Once again, we are here today and man, do we have a class for you? Today we have a special guest all the way from New York. He is internationally known. He probably seems to work on plenty of things that you probably weren't aware of. I mean, people know about MJ and Getterrey, but there's a story behind that. In the stories of Top of Stories, this guy has been everywhere. He is known with a lot of amazing creative work spanning from photography, light boxes, neon installations, diamond dust works, and limited edition fine art that people have recognized across the globe. And that's how he's from New York, yeah. Well, we know at this time we all are reflecting on 9, 11, 25 years later.

1:02But we're going to focus on this guy for this show. But I had to say that and mention that because it's a special moment right now in the United States of America. It seems like everyone has forgot to argue with each other. And it's a little bit more love in the air. It's a little bit more of peace and just politeness. You know what? Those were the good days, but we could always make those days against. I'm going to cut to the chase and welcome our guests for today, Mr. David Drebden, first and foremost, man, how you doing? Good. Create intro. What a smooth voice you have. I appreciate that, man. Well, I know when you think about creativity, when you think about arts, when you think about just the creative eye, this is something that you know a lot about. This is what you are passionate about. So for our audience, what was your story behind the creative process of where you started to where you are today?

2:03Well, I think the two most important days of anyone's life is the day they were born. And the day they figured out why they were born. And when you have a lot of imagination that needs to get out to show the world the way you think and you have passion to express yourself. I think it's really important to build the band, which is expressing your creativity. And then the next step is to build the audience for the creativity that you express through the band that you created. You have been told that your work feels somatic. So it's an automatic. When you think about how people react to your work and you being galleries all around the world, people appreciate what you do.

3:05And I think how have you been able to develop your signature, if you will, with your style? Just trial and error, really. You just have to start. A lot of people are scared to start. And I moved to New York in 1994 and I went to Parsons School Design. And I knew I had a vision. And the vision was to get all these images out of my imagination onto paper and to figure out who I was. It's almost like a visual diary. It started out as passion. It's an accidental business for me. It started out with really loving to make photographs. I used to develop my own black and white film. And then I would print my own photographs when it was film 15 years before there was ever even digital. So I think the most important thing is to focus on what you believe you believe. And I've been thinking a lot lately about the fact that we have three faces.

4:09The face we show the world, this face, the face we show our close friends and family, and the face that we show no one. And the face that we show no one is the face of creativity. The foundation of creativity comes in the imagination from the face that we don't show anyone but ourselves. You like that one? You like that one? You like that one? I do. I do. It's all about the face that you don't show anybody. The face you show yourself is the face of creativity. And a lot of people have to look at themselves in the mirror because your greatest competition is your own reflection. And show yourself the face that no one else sees but yourself. That's what creativity is. The face that no one sees but you. That's real because my last question is when you reflect on your work and building your craft.

5:16I mean, this is not something that you just turn to life switch and boom, you're in galleries and everyone loves what you're doing is a process. I mean, from everything you learn over a process, what was that process like developing your look, your, if I could say swag. You know, how did you find, you know, what was working with your creativity and your passion? I think it's important to embrace the struggle to figure out who you are as a person and to have self reflection. And so for me, I learned a lot actually by photographing myself to see who I was. And then what I brought out myself, I would bring out into other people, a lot of trial and error. It takes years and years and years to find your own personal style, whether it's through photography, singing, dancing. I mean, look at Harry Styles, look at the way he dances. What a beautiful, original dancing style that didn't come right away.

6:20That came from making a lot of mistakes, a lot of errors and figuring out what works and what doesn't work. A big part of the creative process is figuring out what doesn't work far more than what does work. And so by making so many mistakes is what I learned to not make those same mistakes again. I embrace making mistakes to learn from those mistakes, to not make those same mistakes again. And that's the creative process for me, embracing your mistakes so you learn from them and you don't make them again. But you know, let me tell you about my real passion is now. My real passion is I developed a show on TikTok called Hidden Stars, The Magic of You. And what I do is I go to a park in New York and I put on a top hat. Here, I'll put it on right now for you. Hold on a second. This is my real project, okay? My real passion project. I go to a park in New York, a Washington Square park, okay? And I put on a hat like this, my alter ego, it's my alter ego right here.

7:25And I go to the park with a sign saying, three readings, who you really are. And within about 10 minutes, I have hundreds of people who line up to talk to me. So I could bring out the magic and other people. So my real passion is to help people identify what I identified in myself 25, 30 years ago, which was the ability to express myself and have belief. So the most important thing for me is to help other people believe in themselves and remind them of their own greatness and bring out their Hidden Star. And it's all about the show, Hidden Stars, The Magic of You. I go there, I create my own imaginary stage, I have my content team with me, and we just start to talk to people. And by the end of the day, there's hundreds of people lining up to talk to us to me. Because I actually am just a mirror. I'm just a walking mirror where I help people understand themselves.

8:25Because it's really important to reinvent and constantly delve into your own meaning and purpose in life. The two most important days of your life are the day you were born and the day you realized why you were born. And also to create this alter ego. This is one guy. This is a totally different person right over here. But when I put this hat on, something happens when I put the hat on because I want to bring out the magic in you. That's the real passion for me. Now that's real because I mean in a world where everything feels polished. I mean we've been on filters, we've been on social media, we've been giving this red pill and blue pill. Like are you going to be this person, that person, or you're going to have a ton of followers? Like is a lot of like we just want to compete with people that we don't even know. And we see their profile and we're thinking all of a sudden, well gee how can I outdo them?

9:28Is a rat race and we're being real. Is something that is poisonous and we're not careful. I don't think that way. I don't think that way. I don't, I think that comparison is the thief of joy. And I only compare myself to myself. There's no rat race. It's about purpose and meaning. There's no rat race. Well I'm not a rat. You know, if you're in a rat race then you see yourself as a rat. I'm a human being with purpose and meaning. There's a great book by Victor Franco called Man Search for Meaning. I actually have it right here on my desk. And I think it's important for people to find their own purpose and find their own meaning and not compare to anyone else but your own reflection. When you start comparing yourself to other people, there's always going to be people with more and that's envy. But if you compare yourself to yourself and you're grateful for what you have,

10:28you'll be a much happier person. Because being happy and being grateful are very important qualities. To like yourself and to be grounded with purpose and meaning. You took it right in my mouth. I was about to go and land that plane in the get to that part. That's what all the girls say. I shouldn't have said that though. I shouldn't have said that. I hope that's not a recording. But that was funny. Anyways, keep going. Oh, sorry. Is that bad? Did I get my stuff? That's not costing me. Did I get my stuff in trouble there? No, you good man. Okay, okay. It was funny. It was kind of funny. It was kind of funny. It was a creative idea. You know what? You know the most important thing for me is I've always felt like I was a wild card. But I always knew that I had a heart of gold. So I kind of balance the combination of being a wild card and having a heart of gold. And that's kind of my motto in my own mind. That I don't really share with people is that I'm just a wild card with a heart of gold. And that's my purpose and that's my meaning and I'm going to stick with it.

11:32Now that's great. I appreciate that. Like this is what we do. We do interviews. So I appreciate what you're bringing to the table. And what I want to ask you next is I'm out with all my questions at this point. When you think about what it takes to get to the level that you are right now success is defined by the person in your own words and thoughts that you see in the mirror. It's not defined by people around you. It's not those who want to put inside of box. It is what you believe that you are willing to commit to achieve what you want to achieve. And you have to rise to the occasion. It's universal. Everyone is planet has an opportunity to chase their dreams. But no one is going to make you have an easy path. You have to make a decision. This is what I really want to do. I want to show you that you are the person who will recognize you and your own words. How are you able to develop yourself to have the type of success you've been able to have and being able to showcase your work and all these different places but also have the respect from people recognizing how much you pour into yourself.

12:43Well, first of all, the respect that I care about is not really respect from other people. It all starts with self respect. And the second thing when it comes to success, the most successful people never really think they're that successful. And that's how I think I've never ever for one moment thought I was successful. But I've always had the wild card inside of me. And I always knew that I had a heart of gold and that the key to life is to making other people feel like they're successful and they're special. Because if you think you're successful, that's ego. And ego is the enemy. I cater to big egos. But it's really important for me to lead with making people feel great and not ego because ego destroys people.

13:45That was good. That was good. When you see the people that you've been able to work with, what have you appreciate the most about those experiences and what did you learn more about yourself, being able to be exposed to different personalities and different assignments. You can't do everything by yourself. I think it's important to surround yourself with the right people because we're all walking spotlights. And then you decide who you're going to lead into your spotlight and then who you're going to kick out of your spotlight. And it all comes down to trust, instincts, how your gut feels about the situation and the people that you work with. That's very important. And then to know when to get into situations. Also, when to get other situations that you once wanted to get yourself into. Once again, this is our refuixer radio and watching this online, talking to our guest today, David Durbin, go to his website, DavidDurbin.com.

14:51And you've got to get the last name right, man. Durbin, as in Frank Durbin from the naked gun, David Durbin. Durbin. Yes, sir. I appreciate you, man. When you think about, I got it down off a little bit, but when you think about how so many people in this world, they want to make it. I mean, let's just be honest with that. Everybody wants to make a lock out and make this claimant. Most people want to make it. Was your advice for those in the creative space who feel like they plateaued? And it's like, when is it going to be my shot? I think if you believe that you've plateaued and you wonder when it's your shot, I think it's important to create your own opportunities. And you become what you expect. So if you believe that you're plateaued, then you plateaued. These are thoughts that have never even crossed my mind. No one's harder on me than me and I am my own first audience.

15:52So I show myself before I show the world. And I don't really look for opportunities. I generate my own opportunities by making other people feel special. I'm not looking to be chosen. I decide who I want to choose. That's the difference. Don't choose me. Let me choose you. Don't love me. Let me love you. Okay? That's what I think. I don't care what you think of me. But I think about what you think of you. That's what I think about you with you. Because I'm already with me with me. At this stage of your career, what are you still chasing after as far as, you know, your goals or as far as what you want to do next in your next chapter and was next free? I'm not really chasing anything. It's like a butterfly. You can't catch a butterfly if you chase a butterfly.

16:52You have to attract. So I'm in the business of attracting and making people feel special. And the more people you make feel special and the more you give, the more you get. You see, most people think the more you get, the more you get. But it's actually the more you give, the more you get. It's actually the more you give, the more you get. It's such a simple, common sense concept. The more you give, the more you get. Not the more you get, the more you get. So I like to give people and make people feel special. That's my motivation in life, whether it's through making photographs, neon, diamond dust prints, sculptures, or just going to the park and bringing up the magic in people and putting on a top hat, suspenders and reading vibes and making people feel special and having fun. It's one of fun, man. Who doesn't want to have fun? It's fun. Fun. How much of your work is based on observation versus imagination?

17:59I don't think it's about observation or imagination. I think that it's best not to analyze it and just to do it and make it happen. I think the more you analyze, the more paralyzed you are. That's when people can think that it's not happening for them. It's plateaued. I think it's really important that you make other people feel special and then great things will happen to you. If all you do all day long is just go meet people feel good all day long. Watch how your life changes. If you think people, you tell people that they're great, find qualities about other people that are special. Remind them of their greatness. How can you have a bad day if you walk around all day long trying to make other people feel special? It's not possible to have a bad day. But when you make your entire day about yourself and what you need and what you're going to get, then generally you have a bad day because life's about being self-less and not selfish.

19:03And you create value in the world by making other people feel great about themselves, their dreams, their purpose, and their internal meaning about why they're here in this crazy world. And being this crazy world, what have you been able to appreciate from all walks of life for those who have been able to experience your art? For me, I always go back to the same thing. I want to make you feel good. How about you make me feel good? And then I'll make you feel good and then make me feel good. It's all about emotional reciprocity and treating people right, building trust with people and treating people right. That's always been my motto. And if people treat me badly, I don't ever take it personally actually. I never take anything personally because it is nothing to do with me.

20:03I stand by the river long enough. All your enemies' dead bodies are going to pass you because the river stops moving. But eventually, karma is karma. You know, when birds are alive, birds eat ants. And when birds die, ants eat birds. That's karma. This is an episode for the ages on I mean, folks, radio, talking to our guests, David. If you have one last message that you want to give to people who listen and watch this, what would you want that message to be to them? At the moment, the message I have for anybody listening. If I can be half a stylus here, half the stylus was here with that beautiful tie with the lighting, you know, six lights you got going on. I realize for my next podcast with you, I'm going to have a lot more lights around me.

21:06I'm going to have a tie and I'm going to be just like you. That's my message because you know, you look like you feel great. And because you feel great, you look great. So I think it's really important to feel great and look great because if you look great, you feel great. And if you feel great, you look great. You know what I mean, my man? Yeah. You're a stylus guy with a really, really soothing voice and you make people feel special. And that's what you and I have in common. I'm just met you 25 minutes ago. But what we have in common is we like to make people feel seen and heard and special. And that's what life's all about. Making other people feel great. That's the message. Make people feel great. Make it about other people. The most interesting people are the most interested people. Yeah.

22:08And I lied. We got about two minutes left. So in these two minutes, I threw my questions away if anyone has noticed. And that's not typical for this show, but you know what? A different is good. The same is crazy. So it's okay to be different. When you think about the opportunity to make an impact on someone's life, a lot of people got hurt that they carry with them, you know, their own life. And sometimes that hurt prevents them or try to say sometimes that hurt distracts them from seeing the greatness inside themselves. If you had a wars and encouragement to tell someone to believe in their dreams, believe in what they can achieve, what would you tell that person and remind them their greatness? I would tell everybody, including myself, that we all have three faces. The face we show the world, the face we show the world. Let me say that again.

23:09I would tell you, I would tell myself and I would tell everybody I know that we all have three faces. The face we show the world, the face we show our friends and family, and the face that we don't show anybody. And the face that we don't show anybody but ourselves is the foundation of creativity. And it's really important to understand what your purpose and meaning is for life. So there's nothing to do with anybody else except your own reflection and the face that no one sees except you when you look in the mirror. And that said, for our viewers and our listeners, give us your website again. DavidReben.com, D-I-E-B-I-N.com. And my TikTok is DavidReben.com, Hidden Stars, The Magic of You.

24:10Just come see me in the park. I show up when I feel like it. And it's wild. It's wild. Because I'm the wild card with the heart of gold. And with that, like always, David, I want to say to you, thank you very much. Thank you.