Debbie Millman’s ongoing project “What Matters,” an effort to understand the interior life of artists, designers, and creative thinkers, is now in its third year. Each respondent is invited to answer ten identical questions and submit a nonprofessional photograph.
Mike Tabie is an illustrator and design director at Guerilla Suit in Austin, Texas. He is a maximalist collector of tattoos and bric-a-brac, a cheap beer enthusiast who loves all things skulls, a printmaker at heart, and a devotee of breakfast.
What is the thing you like doing most in the world?
What I enjoy most is the moment when my hard work finally takes shape in the real world. I can hold it and touch it. Creating something tangible and real is one of the most satisfying feelings.
What is the first memory you have of being creative?
My earliest memories of being creative are with my dad in the garage. My dad is an engineer by trade, and the garage was always this magical place filled with tools and materials. He was always building something, fixing something, or tinkering. I loved being in there with him, making shit. My dad would always entertain any wild idea I had. We would look around the garage and find random scraps that we could use to make it. We made all kinds of cool toys and gadgets. The potato cannon was probably one of my favorites.
What is your biggest regret?
Not learning how to skateboard. When I was younger, a few of my friends were amazing. I used to push around a bit, but I never got confident enough with it. Around this time, I got into graffiti and would put up small hand styles and stickers while my friends were skating. To this day, though, I really regret not learning while I could have avoided serious injury. I love skateboard culture and style. There is a simplicity and freedom of movement that seems very pure.
How have you gotten over heartbreak?
I’ve been happily married for 12 years now. It’s been a long time since I have dealt with that kind of heartbreak. When I am experiencing that deep sense of loss, I typically try to engage other areas of my life that bring me joy. I look to engaging with myself, making art, spending time with friends, or just hanging out with my son. Finding joy in other areas of my life helps me to deal with loss.
What makes you cry?
Grief is MF. I’ve unexpectedly lost a number of good friends over the last few years. I think about them a lot – old songs, video games, movies we used to watch, and dumb inside jokes that resurface. I can’t help myself. I shed tears when I think about how much I miss those times, and how much I wish they were still around to be part of my life. I’m crying while I write this.
How long does the pride and joy of accomplishing something last for you?
The pride and joy of accomplishing something usually lasts around one to two days. I sometimes have an unfortunate mentality that I am only as good as my last project. This is, of course, not a very healthy or sustainable concept. I am actively trying to practice being better about this. I recently did a CreativeMornings talk that became a bit of a retrospective of my work. It forced me to look back at everything I’ve done over the past 20 years. It was the first time I had a sense of pride and accomplishment about past work as a whole.
Do you believe in an afterlife, and if so, what does that look like to you?
Nope. Personally, I do not believe in an afterlife, nor any sort of omnipotent being or divine plan. I think this makes life even more spectacular and special. It’s like we all won some cosmic lottery. My behavior and life choices are rooted in the here and now, and not the promise of a life to come.
What do you hate most about yourself?
Where do I begin? If I had to pick just one thing, it would be my struggle with being in the moment. So often, I’m worried and concerned about the future, lost in the doom loop of preparing for what’s to come. I lose sight of all the amazing small things that are happening right now. I feel like I miss out on so much joy that is right in front of me.
What do you love most about yourself?
I’m very comfortable with thinking on my feet and improvising in the moment. I process information quickly, and I can problem-solve in the moment. This usually means I can adapt to unexpected or challenging situations more easily. Over the years, I’ve learned how to apply this and lean into it.
What is your absolute favorite meal?
Breakfast all day, every day. If I could, I would eat breakfast for every meal. If breakfast is the best meal of the day, then a Migas plate is king. It’s one of my favorite things to get when I’m trying out a new spot.
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