In this episode, I share a deeply personal moment of opening up to a close friend before leaving Munich. What started as an honest conversation about past suicidal thoughts unexpectedly led to practical support in the form of a unique, grounding technique: spicy candy. I reflects on how vulnerability can bring unexpected help and connects this experience to grounding techniques for emotional regulation. The episode ties these ideas to parenting and creativity, exploring how openness can foster support in both areas.

Mentioned:

On Grounding Techniques: Here

My website: ⁠MiwaGardner.com

Find me on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@miwagardner_art

In this episode of Art, Parenthood, and Beyond, I reflect on the power of 'noticing' and how it's shaped my creativity and life. After my recent move from Germany to Washington, I found myself embracing a 'last time' mentality, which helped me see the beauty in everyday moments—from cycling through familiar streets to sharing final moments with friends. I'll share how this mindset impacts my creative process and how noticing small details can fuel both your art and your life. Stay with me as we explore the beauty in these fleeting moments and how they can inspire us.

Mentioned:

The Artist's Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity -book by American author Julia Cameron.

The Skillshare class on Enso: Enso: Create Japanese Meditative Watercolor

My website: ⁠MiwaGardner.com

Find me on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@miwagardner_art

In this episode of Art, Parenthood and Beyond, I explore how my childhood memories, fears, and insecurities have influenced my parenting and artistic expression. I share a personal story about the transition to a new daycare for my son and how it revealed my instinct to protect him. Through the process of painting, I discover that he is more capable than I ever realized, and I learn valuable lessons about balancing protection with independence.

Mentioned:

The blog on the painting here.

My website: ⁠MiwaGardner.com

Find me on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@miwagardner_art

Mentioned:

The blog on the painting here.

The statistic about parents taking time for their creative pursuits being 35% less likely to experience severe burnout comes from a study conducted by the American Psychological Association (APA).https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s42761-020-00028-4

"The study published in The Journal of Family Psychology found that parents who maintain personal hobbies report a 25% increase in overall life satisfaction. Source." https://www.apa.org/pubs/journals/fam/

My website: ⁠MiwaGardner.com

Find me on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@miwagardner_art

Mentioned:

The blog on the painting here.

Why "What the Heck Moments" are Important in Our Creative Lives-The Laura Horn Podcast I love listening to!

My website: ⁠MiwaGardner.com

Find me on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@miwagardner_art

In this episode of Art, Parenthood and Beyond, join me, Miwa Gardner, as I explore the fascinating—and sometimes surreal—experience of gazing into the eyes of a newborn. With a mix of humor and heartfelt stories, I share my journey through the sleep-deprived nights of early parenthood and the surprising moments that made me feel like I was living with a little alien. From breastfeeding struggles to those precious gazes that connect us on a deeper level, let’s celebrate the wonder of infancy together.

As I navigated those surreal early days, I found inspiration in my son’s captivating gaze. His wide-eyed wonder and mysterious expressions sparked a desire in me to capture that unique, almost otherworldly look on canvas. Join me as I reflect on how these moments not only deepened my bond with my son but also inspired my artistry in ways I never expected.

Mentioned:

The blog on the painting here.

What babies first see: Incredible gif reveals transformation from black-and-white eyesight at birth to full focus color within 12 months 

My website: ⁠MiwaGardner.com

Find me on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@miwagardner_art

Welcome to Episode 4 of Art, Parenthood and Beyond! I’m Miwa Gardner, and in this episode, I dive into those unexpected moments of parenthood that can catch us completely off guard. I share a touching story about my son, who surprised me by expressing empathy in a way I never expected. It made me realize how deeply connected we are and how those little moments can inspire our creativity as artists.

I also explore how my experiences as a parent influence my artwork and vice versa. I want to hear from you, too! Have you had those surprising moments with your kids that made you stop and think? Or as an artist, has an unexpected emotion ever shaped your work? Let’s celebrate those precious moments together, reminding ourselves to embrace the chaos and find joy in it all.

So grab a seat, relax, and let’s reflect on these beautiful connections between art and parenthood!

Mentioned:

The Blog On This Painting
The Song is "“It Hurts Now That You’re Gone” by I Don't Like Mirrors
My website: ⁠MiwaGardner.com

Find me on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@miwagardner_art

In this episode, I dive into the urgency we feel as artists when inspiration strikes—like a bolt of lightning—and how that led me to paint a piece deeply connected to a friend's heartbreaking story. I reflect on whether great art always has to come from pain, or if we can find just as much power in joy, beauty, and the simple moments that make life meaningful. Join me as I explore what it means to create from a place of raw emotion and the importance of seizing those fleeting opportunities to express ourselves.

Mentioned:

The blog on Ophelia painting here.

My website: ⁠MiwaGardner.com

Find me on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@miwagardner_art

In this episode, How Can I Protect You? Exploring Parenthood's Challenging Feelings, I dive into the complex and often bittersweet emotions that come with parenthood. I reflect on the delicate balance between joy and sadness that many of us experience after welcoming a child into our lives.

I'll share personal anecdotes from my journey as both a parent and an artist, and how creative expression has become a powerful tool for self-reflection. You'll hear how each challenge we face can open up new opportunities to appreciate the joyful moments that often follow.

Join me as I explore the dualities of parenthood and creativity, and pose the question: 'How do the challenges you face help you appreciate the joyful moments in your life?' Let's tune in together for a conversation that reminds us that joy can only exist because of pain.

Mentioned:

Check out my blog where I share the painting here.
School of Life Youtube channel (I couldn’t allocate the exact post on their community board within youtube as it only has posts up to a year ago and I am talking about at least 2-3 years ago!)

My website: ⁠MiwaGardner.com

Find me on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@miwagardner_art

In this episode of Art, Parenthood, and Beyond, I dive into the often-frustrating world of creative blocks. I’ll share my personal journey of overcoming self-doubt and rediscovering my passion for painting after not painting at all for 2 weeks. You’ll discover practical strategies that helped me break free from a creative block, like revisiting what I love and embracing playfulness in my art. I’ll also share insightful quotes from renowned artists that remind us that creative challenges can lead to transformative breakthroughs. Join me as we navigate the ups and downs of creativity together!

Mentioned:

Get Unstuck Creative Block Discover Ideas by Danielle Krysa

&

The Creative Act: A Way Of Being by Rick Rubens

My website: ⁠MiwaGardner.com

Find me on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@miwagardner_art