Debbie Clapper is a Boulder-based artist, muralist, [recovering] designer and mentor.

Drawing nearly every day since the age of 9, she has mastered the art of freehand drawing and painting without the aid of a ruler or straight edge. She has built a lush career around pattern illustration via her passion for abstract optical illusion art. Heavily inspired by M.C. Escher and graffiti, Debbie's work strives to inspire and ignite imagination in all who interact with it. Over the last 18 years, her funky yet sophisticated designs have brought life to brands such as Smartwool, BOA Technology, Hope Hummus, Rickshaw Bags and Pactimo.

Check out Debbie's work: www.gneural.com

And follow her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gneural/

You can create magic. Only to you, maybe it's not magical. To everyone else, they marvel when you do that thing. We all have something we have overlooked that can bring value and help to others, and possibly another income stream. But we need to see it through their eyes. For me, it was sketching at live events. It was something I "just did"... until I have a pivotal conversation with someone. In this episode of Creative Chats, I challenge you to consider what that magical thing you do might be, but is overlooked. And I share the story of how my event sketching came to be, and give you a behind the scenes look into a strategy that has help me get that work in front of people way outside my reach. Show Notes: www.EventSketches.com

On this episode of Creative Chats, my guest is Jim Woods. Jim is the author of three books, and a freelance writer. He is also the founder of StoryCrafting, which combines productivity with the power of story.

We talk about what it means to be a creative person, and how discovering the power of story can impact our work.

Show notes:

http://storycrafting.net/

There are two pieces of advice that I received back in my art school days that still hold true today. They have nothing to do with technique or a certain skill set. But these two insights can help you navigate your creative journey, regardless if you went to art school of not.

Chuck is an extraordinary life expert guiding champs to the 3 summits of wellness, success, and impact. In his 20's Chuck built one of the top real estate teams in the nation. From there, he's built a vast platform of influence and added numerous layers of knowledge and experience in personal development and business! Today, Chuck speaks all over the world to audiences above 100K people in stadiums and conferences. Chuck coaches entrepreneurs, artists and business professionals earning $100K to multiple millions in annual profits, and getting the extraordinary life they want to have. Follow Chuck on everything, and join the conversations. https://chuckbalsamo.com/ Other site mentioned:

www.EventSketches.com

We all know that failure is part of life, and work. But that doesn't make things any easier when we experience it. More than the failure itself, it's what we do with it that can become our defining moment.

On today's episode, I share three big creative failures (and somewhat embarrassing). Maybe you can relate...

Megan Carty is a contemporary painter residing with her family in the beautiful countryside of Massachusetts. Her colorful art has been featured by Anthropologie, Minted, Homegoods, Maine Home & Design magazine, Maine Cottage, the Improper Bostonian, Glitter Guide, The English Room, Loom & Kiln, Sloan Kettering Memorial Hospital and The Boston Daybook. When she's not joyfully slinging the paint you can find her listening to records, hiding from her three young kiddos, indulging in bad reality television (that MAY involve "real housewives") while savoring a delicious hot chocolate. Her awesome husband Chris always adds just the right amount of marshmallow!

Megan is passionate about sharing her journey living most of her life with chronic depression and anxiety...she wants to show it's possible to use art as active therapy for yourself while bringing hope to others.

https://www.megancartyart.com/

As we begin another new year, talk of change, dreams, and resolutions are everywhere. As creatives we need to learn how to leverage dreaming big, but also taking small consistent steps. If the dream is yours, the work is yours, and the sacrifice is yours too.

Olivia Vale is the Creative Director of Photo Fantastico, a "creative odyssey" for photographers. She currently lives in Austin, and is also a UK and Canadian citizen. Olivia's passion for photography started when she was 8, and she's had a camera in her hand ever since. While she loves thrill of shooting weddings, events and portraits, Olivia is also an educator: she is on a mission to reconnect artists with the sense of play they felt when they first discovered art-making. Find out more about Photo Fantastico at www.photofantastico.com

It's the holiday season...

and... no I'm not singing that song, but on this episode of Creative Chats, I talk about how we can leverage our creativity to help and serve the people around us!

Help-Portrait - www.help-portrait.com