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At Barefoot, my symbol of happiness is “outsider art,” art that’s been created by those who are self-taught and who must overcome mental handicaps of one sort or another, such as autism or schizophrenia. I spend less on other items in order to afford the luxury of owning some outsider art.

Outsider art is a true passion of mine because it speaks to the creative spirit and urge that’s inside all of us, regardless of our social or educational circumstances. I find outsider artists inspiring because they don’t concern themselves with convention or what’s expected. Instead, they express themselves in a pure, uninhibited fashion.

One of my favorite outsider artists is the late Raymond Thunder-Sky. You can get a glimpse of his work and spirit by visiting the website we created for him. Thunder-Sky had a vision of the world and shared it unabashedly with all who would open their minds to it.

I and other advertising creatives at Barefoot can learn a thing or two from these outsider artists. When it comes to “Marketing the Pursuit of Happiness,” we need to be willing to put on our metaphorical hiking boots and trudge through rough terrain to get to the fringe. It’s tough work, but the rewards can be remarkable, whether that be a great print ad, a viral interactive experience or, better still, something not yet imagined.