What can creatives make in just five minutes?

We’ve been asking that question — and sharing amazing examples of what’s possible — since the start of the year. We were inspired by our partners, OrthoCarolina, and their new online platform that makes it possible to make an appointment in just five minutes.

Five minutes may seem like no time at all, but we’ve learned that amazing things can come to life in just 300 seconds. Need an example to be convinced? We’ve got one.

“Urban sketch artist” Mike Daikubara takes a sketch pad with him wherever he goes … and he’s always on the go. A short scroll through his Instagram feed reveals sketches of Charlotte landmarks, destinations across North Carolina, food he’s eating and beautiful art he’s seen.

We caught up with Daikubara having brunch at Moo & Brew in Plaza Midwood, and he decided to take on their Large Marge Bloody Mary in five minutes — illustrating it; not drinking it. And, being the consummate professional, he put in another 40 minutes to flesh out his sketch and add details on just what goes into this amazing breakfast cocktail. Watch the show below.

Have Pen. Will Travel.

Mike Daikubara and his wife, Kana, moved to Charlotte in 2018, when he started working with Electrolux as a design manager. Soon after arriving, Mike started exploring his new home — with creative tools in hand.

Thanks to social media, Charlotteans have been able to go along with Daikubara and rediscover the city through his eyes … and his sketchpad. Through his artist’s pen, even aspects of Charlotte some may find mundane take on new life.

The love goes both ways. While Daikubara says it took him a while to find the creative community in Charlotte, it was worth the wait.

“[O]nce you find out what’s happening, I believe we have a very strong creative community here,” he said, “But it’s without the in-your-face arrogance or just that strange weirdness you might find in a larger city. People are so humble here, and the work that comes out is just top-notch!”

Just Start Sketching. Five Minutes a Day.

Daikubara may be relatively new to the Queen City, but not to sketch drawing.

“I first started sketching in 2000 to be able to communicate better and faster at my Industrial design job,” said Daikubara. “I carried a sketchbook and pen and sketched anything and everything I possibly could.”

He knows many people are self-conscious and intimidated to draw. His remedy: Just start doing it.

“What trips people up is thinking you need to be born with artistic talent or you need to have lots of time to do a drawing,” he said, “I believe you don’t need either.”

“As easy as this may sound, the advice I give to anyone wanting to start out sketching is to get a sketchbook and a pen (not a pencil), carry it with you everywhere and sketch anything whenever you have time. It’s better to sketch five minutes every day than to spend a long time just once in a while.”

Sketch with Mike Daikubara

To help new sketch artists take their first strokes, Daikubara wrote a book called Sketch NOW Think Later. He’s even assembled a starter supply list on Amazon.

If you have a subject you’d like Daikubara to consider sketching or would like to hire him, he’s game. “I’ve worked on a number of really fun commissions with people, and I’d love to hear more from people who are interested,” he said.

A Few More Brush Strokes with Mike Daikubara

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This creative sprint was powered by content sponsor OrthoCarolina. Use their new online appointment system here.