In this episode, we dive into the concept that our richest sources of inspiration often come from within. We discuss how creating in your personal space and interacting with your materials can spark significant creative breakthroughs. We also touch on the importance of recognizing what ignites your creativity and how revisiting work you initially dismissed can later serve as a profound source of inspiration. Finally, we talk about the value of documenting moments of insight to pul...

Mama Judy and I have some fun updates to share with you on the podcast today! Join us as we share the new podcast schedule, what's coming to our Youtube channel, and why we made these changes. We are so grateful you choose to spend time with us each week and we hope the updates will be fun for you and will allow you to engage with us in new ways! Three important things for you to do: CLICK HERE to sign up for our newsletter so you don't miss a thing! CLICK HERE to subscrib...

This week, Mama Judy and I unravel the power of flexibility in both art and your daily life to stretch your boundaries and discover a path to personal evolution. Flexibility can allow us to do things that we normally wouldn't do, or we would resist in the beginning -- it's a simple concept, but one that we need to pay attention to in order to flourish in your creative practices. We hope you enjoy our chat today! Episodes mentioned: #30: How to Choose An Inspiring Word for the ...

In this episode, we offer a simple exercise to choose a single, guiding word for the new year. This is a powerful exercise that I (Jill) have done for more than a decade and serves as an anchor focus to guide your steps throughout the year. Mama Judy also offers an innovative approach to adapting this exercise. She reveals how to leverage it as a tool for evaluating and enhancing your artistic practices, helping to identify what's flourishing and what needs rethinking. We hope this ep...

In this episode, we talk about the transformative power of 'death' within the realm of creativity. Join Mama Judy and I as we explore the concept of 'death' not as a literal end but as a metaphorical passage - the conclusion of one artistic endeavor and the beginning (or birth) of another. Throughout an artists journey, there will be small deaths that present themselves in the creative process. The death of an idea or a vision... the death or ending of a project... Instead of thinkin...

In this episode, Mama Judy and I share insights from YOU, the listeners. We posed this question on Instagram>> What is the BEST piece of advice you've received that has influenced your art? We got so many GREAT responses and are thrilled to be sharing them here with you today! Take these nuggets of advice and use them to inspire and guide you in your creative life! We thank the following artists who submitted a piece of advice to share on this episode: Pam at https://www.ins...

In this episode, Mama Judy and I explore the importance of extending compassion to ourselves in order for our creative lives to flourish. We chat about the differences between internal and external criticism and how neglecting self-compassion for both can swiftly dim your creative spark. Tune in for practical tips on cultivating self-compassion daily, unlocking the door to a more resilient and flourishing creative spirit. If you'd prefer to watch this podcast, you can find us o...

Ever wonder why time flies when you're lost in art or how your artistic journey takes unexpected, yet gratifying turns? This is the magical state of FLOW. Join us as we explore the the concept of flow state and its PROFOUND influence on your creativity. While you can't force flow state, we'll share some practical techniques to create a conducive environment to induce flow state. Press play to tune in now! Click here to watch the episode mentioned on creating rituals, routines, and...

Have you ever sat down to create and the next thing you know you're folding laundry or watching Netflix? You're likely encountering RESISTANCE... an invisible force that every single person on earth experiences. Join us, this week, as we explore the subtle force of resistance that often crops up in an artist/creative's journey. Overcoming creative resistance is essential for artists, as it unlocks the pathway to uninhibited expression, allowing your authentic voice and artistic vision...

Wanda Katz creates the most magical miniature books. She's relatively new as an artist, exercising her creative aptitude daily in her wonderful studio in the UK, after an early retirement of translating for the United Nations (she's fluent in Italian!) at the age of 50. Wanda has always had an aesthetic eye, but to call herself an "artist" may have felt like a stretch until she began creating art in book form. Tune in to learn about Wanda's journey from a young girl who loved books to the...

This week, Mama Judy and I explore how stepping into the great outdoors not only fuels your creativity but also works wonders for your wellbeing. It's scientifically proven that the calming effects of nature can reduce anxiety, a perfect antidote when tackling new art projects or techniques. Whether it's the sea's soothing sounds or the quiet solitude under a tree, nature can help us feel more relaxed and focused, thereby enhancing our creativity. Join us as we chat about the benefits of b...

Creativity is often a deeply personal and transformative process, but many of us find ourselves held back by fear and self-doubt. In this week's episode, we dive into this critical intersection of creativity and fear with our special guest, Kimberly Mason. A busy wife, mother, and pathologist by profession, Kimberly shares her personal journey of longing for artistic expression and the roadblocks she's faced along the way. One of the biggest barriers to creative expression is fear. Fe...

We’ve got something special to share with you in this podcast episode. It’s a bit different this time because Mama Judy and I (Jill) are together in the same room, and let us tell you, the joy of recording in person was incredible! But here’s the best part – it’s not just about us. This episode is a big shoutout to our amazing creative community. Your love and support mean the world to us, and we wanted to show our appreciation. So, we’re launching our Gratitude Giveaway! We’ve put together a...

Have you ever looked at a piece of art and wondered about the feelings that inspired the artist? Can you imagine how their happiness, sadness, anger, or love influenced every brushstroke and color choice? We’re going to explore how our emotions have a big impact on our creative output. We’ll share our own experiences and talk about how our inner and outer feelings not only guide our artwork but also affect how people see it. We’ll also ask a tough question: is it ever okay to stop working on...

Ever wondered how embracing boredom can fuel your creativity? Join Mama Judy and myself as we redefine boredom. Instead of filling every moment of the day with busyness, we invite you to embrace those idle moments as golden opportunities to declutter your thoughts and let your imagination fuel your creativity. Instead of fearing boredom, let's repurpose it as a catalyst for personal and creative growth! We hope you enjoy! If you'd prefer to watch this podcast, you can find us ov...

In this episode, we dive into an essential part of the artistic process – self-understanding. Mama Judy and I share our personal stories and lend insights on how traits like procrastination, laziness, a get-it-done mindset can greatly influence the creative process. We also chat about how the artistic medium you choose might be influenced by your personal preferences. You'll learn how comfort with certain mediums can guide your choice and influence the work you create. We also explo...

In this episode, Mama Judy and I had the pleasure of chatting with Bee Sieburg and Molly Courcelle, mother-daughter duo who both happen to be successful professional artists in Asheville, NC. Bee and Molly each share their own stories of how they came to be the artists they are today. From where they draw from for inspiration in their art, to what it’s like working in adjoining studios in the River Arts District, to an “origin” story that will give you full body goosebumps! We hope y...

In this episode, Mama Judy and I (Jill) are diving deep into the challenges of perfectionism in the realm of creativity. If you’ve struggled with perfectionism, you know it can take serious hold of your creativity and imagination – acting like a brake – stripping away the joy, spontaneity, and natural flow that fuels the artistic spirit. We talk about the fact that true growth in any art form is a journey, and reaching a point of perceived perfection leaves no room for evolution. We also t...

Mama Judy read something about commitment to art recently that turned the lightbulb up in a way that gave her a renewed desire to be committed to the entire process of a creative journey, NOT just the easy and fun stuff! So this week we decided to explore some different angles of the word commitment – different ways that we hope might spark you to look at how you view commitment, in the general sense, and how you view your commitment to your art. We hope you enjoy today’s chat! Resou...

This week Mama Judy and I are diving into the age-old question of why humans are drawn to create art. We discuss how art provides you with a way to express the inner part of your being – a way that traditional forms of communication can’t express. Mama Judy shares how doing art can physiologically change your body, alleviating anxiety and pain. And we both share how creating art can bring you a sense of joy. We’d love to hear from you… why do YOU do art? Resources mentioned in...