Welcome (back)!

It’s been a while, but Creative Elixir is back—and we’re starting a whole new adventure! Whether you’re a returning listener or joining for the first time, this episode is your invitation to dive into an exciting new chapter as we explore what it really means to find your artistic voice.

Host Rose Stardust reflects on the wild ride of her own creative journey, from battling blocks and imposter syndrome to uncovering the deeper essence of creativity. In this kickoff episode, you’ll hear about the new framework designed to help us discover, explore, and embrace our unique creative voices—one phase at a time.

Here’s what to expect:

A roadmap for this season’s creative journey, including taste, inspiration, and storytelling.

Why uncovering your artistic voice matters (and how to start).

A sneak peek at upcoming topics, like perfectionism, experimentation, and the art of messy wins.

Whether you’re an artist, writer, musician, or someone just curious about tapping into your creativity, this podcast is for you. So hit play, subscribe, and get ready to uncover your creative voice, one step at a time.

*My socials and website too are in a bit of a transitional stage, so forgive me as I try and streamline things without overwhelming myself.

Currently: Instagram is @brujeria_studios for my art and @thecreativeelixir for the podcast BUT these might be merging or changing soon.*

DISCLAIMER: This episode was originally published in January 2023 - when AI was a very new concept to most. It has been my most listened to episode. My opinions have changed in some ways and remained similar in others. I know that this has become a very divisive subject (isn't everything nowadays), but still I believe that thinking, questioning and debating are more mature responses than yelling at each other. These are philosophical ponderings from two years ago now (now is November 2024), so...

"If you haven't yet somehow caught wind of this new discussion of AI vs. Human Art and the many questions and ethical concerns that have been raised, you were probably just going about your own business and ignoring the general noise generated by social media at all times. It's OK, really... You were doing the right thing and protecting your mind, but you're probably curious or you want to hear what my unqualified thoughts are. Either way, I'm here to catch you up on what the heck AI art is and why everyone's been debating if it's good or evil - in my own way and my own words.

Here's what made me decide to record this a couple days ago: I downloaded Midjourney in July after someone told me about it. A little later, I realized that many were debating everything about AI art. Was it really art? If so, who was the artist? Was it stealing form human artists? Or was it stealing like and artist? Was there a right and wrong way to use it? And so on. I'm far from an expert, but I'm an artist with a true neutral alignment who has a philosophical side and many opinions; and fittingly I don't have a side on the issue.

To stoke the fire, I have made this episode's art with Midjourney again.

Click here to go to the Google search that will bring up a lot of the most recent and interesting interesting reads about whether AI art is real art or not. I didn't read them all. I mostly read REddit threads and a couple other articles I can't find now.

Support the show

SHOW NOTES:

Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/creativeelixir)

Podcast Instagram is @theCreativeElixir

My art Instagram is @Brujeria_Studios (connect with me)

Curious about me or my art ? Find out more at RoseStardust.art"

-Originally published in 2022-

After a loooong break, I have decided it was time to get back to it to prove to myself and to you that I hadn't given up on the Podcast. Where the heck has this year gone anyways? Between wasting time playing with AI and learning relief printmaking, I have done only some of the things I wanted to get done and achieved only about 10% of the goals I had set for myself... I did however, have an art show at the local library, currently have a piece in the Gibsons Public Art Gallery, made my website, got better at a bunch of things and grew as a person ( unfortunately it was more of a waistline type of growth). I can either wallow in self-pity (already doing that daily) OR I can do what I do best and cram some good progress into these last few days of the year. With that sentiment, I'm here to share with you a quick way to make this year feel more productive at the very last minute. What do you say we make this one count? Join me for 15ish minutes to feel better about 2022; the year the plague didn't end.

SHOW NOTES:

Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/creativeelixir)

Podcast Instagram is very new (like the podcast) and is @theCreativeElixir

My art Instagram is @Brujeria_Studios (connect with me)

Curious about me or my art ? Find out more at RoseStardust.art

-Originally published in 2022-

Hear ye, hear ye, I have finally made another episode and it's about HOPE again! Why? You know why... We all need some hope for the future nowadays because cultivating hope is the only way we can:

A) make ourselves feel better

B) make the future better

In this episode I will philosophize about how we can hang onto hope in these even stranger times with a few simple methods and how being/getting/staying creative can help us all.

P.S: There are a couple of small sound quality issues with this episode, but they are isolated. Thank you for your patience and understanding; for I tried to fix them, but this is the best I could clean it up without losing my mind.

NOTES:

I have decided to switch the music to a song I had made myself in 2007 called "Peace It Together" with GarageBand. It seemed like the right theme and also I still like it, which maybe means that's it's not complete crap.

LINKS:

Dickinson TV Show's IMDB Page (available to stream on AppleTV+)

Skillshare (You can get ONE MONTH FREE through my link and if you end up becoming a paid member, I get a free month of membership too)

Domestika is pretty great too!

Legion TV Show's IMDB Page (available to stream on Disney+)

Ira Glass's "The Gap" video on Youtube

Austin Kleon's Show Your Work (Pretty sure it would be available at your local book store)

If I missed anything, please let me know on Instagram by commenting on this episode's post and I will try and answer as soon as possible.

Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/creativeelixir)

Podcast Instagram is very new (like the podcast) and is @theCreativeElixir

My art Instagram is @Brujeria_Studios (connect with me)

Curious about me? Bio is available at RoseStardust.art (also STILL under construction, but I'm finally back at it)

-Originally published in 2021-

Sometimes life gives you lemons and you make lemonade or margaritas ( I kind of love them both). This month, life threw me lemons, pies in my face and a cute little kitten friend, but as much I am taking all (almost) like a champ, I haven't been able to tend to my podcast much. I didn't want you to think I have abandoned this pursuit, so here is my short and sweet episode full of excuses and very loud purrs. Yes, if you are a cat person, you will be happy about that. I'm taking a short break until end of October or beginning of November, so this, folks, is the end of Season 1. Stay tuned for new episodes coming soon!

SHOW NOTES (All are linked if possible):

Podcasts to check out:

Andy J. Pizza's Creative Pep Talk

Cathy Heller's Don't Keep Your Day Job

Lisa Congdon's the Lisa Congdon Sessions

Edward Gorey Stuff:

The Edward Gorey interview

The Edward Gorey talk by Mark Dery

the Edward Gorey biography, Born to be Posthumous, book by Mark Dery

Music is Ladybug Hop by Dresden, the Flamingo, licensed via Sounstripe.com

If I missed anything, please let me know on Instagram by commenting on this episode's post and I will try and answer as soon as possible.

Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/creativeelixir)

Podcast Instagram is very new (like the podcast) and is @theCreativeElixir

My art Instagram is @Brujeria_Studios (connect with me)

Curious about me? Bio is available at RoseStardust.art (also somewhat under construction, so only a bio right now)

-Originally published Sept 21st 2021-

If you want to make better art and are practicing lots, but not quite getting where you want to be, this episode is for you. It expands on the idea that you must strive to match your skill level to your taste and explores how you can analyze your tastes to be more aware of how to bring them into your work. These ideas are not new, I'm just putting my own spin on them. Sounds confusing? Don't worry I'll break it down for you and give you some exercises too!

SHOW NOTES (All are linked if possible):

REFERENCES:

Ira writes: “Several people have taken a quote from that Current TV interview and made short videos with it. This one, by Daniel Sax, is inventive and beautiful.” Click here for THAT VIDEO!

Andy J. Pizza has a Skillshare class on finding your creative identity and it's linked HERE.

Lisa Congdon's book Finding Your Artistic Voice is available at your local bookstore or online.

Music is Ladybug Hop by Dresden, the Flamingo, licensed via Sounstripe.com

If I missed anything, please let me know on Instagram by commenting on this episode's post and I will try and answer as soon as possible.

Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/creativeelixir)

Podcast Instagram is very new (like the podcast) and is @theCreativeElixir

My art Instagram is @Brujeria_Studios (connect with me)

Curious about me? Bio is available at RoseStardust.art (also somewhat under construction, so only a bio right now)

At the end of episode 328 of the Creative Pep Talk (my favourite podcast), Andy J. Pizza says to go reach out to someone that you know is "your people" and make a connection. Since he was a major inspiration for this podcast AND I sincerely think that we are kindred spirits, I decided to reach out to him by making a little episode for him! His podcast came into my life just at the right time and motivates me weekly to stay on my creative path. If you aren't yet listening to it, WHY AREN'T YOU? In the 10 months that I have been listening to /watching to his content, Andy J. Pizza quickly became one of my creative heroes and if you like my podcast, I bet you'd LOVE his.

And for those of you who scoffed at the idea of listening to an episode made for someone specific: This episode also contains the story of how the name "Creative Elixir" came about, but if you insist, you can skip ahead. Yeah, I made a whole other episode that isn't this one, it's episode 11 and it's about how you can make better art. OK? OK...

Click here for Andy's website www.creativepeptalk.com

He also has a few Skillshare classes and some sweet content on Youtube.

SHOW NOTES (All are linked if possible):

Click here to learn more about Co-Loop

Click here for Lauren Hom's Instagram.

Click here for Lisa Congdon's Instagram.

Music is Ladybug Hop by Dresden, the Flamingo, licensed via Sounstripe.com

If I missed anything, please let me know on Instagram by commenting on this episode's post and I will try and answer as soon as possible.

Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/creativeelixir)

Podcast Instagram is very new (like the podcast) and is @theCreativeElixir

My art Instagram is @Brujeria_Studios (connect with me)

Curious about me? Bio is available at RoseStardust.art (also somewhat under construction, so only a bio right now)

-Originally published in 2021-

Change is in the air, fall is almost here and Pumpkin Spice Lattes are back! This week, it's all about change and how we can make the best of it. It's another variety show type episode, so we will explore the theme of change through different lenses, talk about a waxing moon ritual for intentional change, throw in some art supply recommendations and lastly do a little Tarot reading. I had fun recording it and truly hope it will inspire you to take the energy of change and turn it into creativity.

Disclaimer: This episode is chock full of philosophical and reflective thoughts on change and is sure to inspire you and make you think, BUT it lacks some of the audio quality of the last few due to technical challenges thrusted upon me by noisy neighbours (hey, life happens, not throwing shade). Hope you enjoy regardless. thank you for listening!

Are you inspired by my Podcast? Does it uplift you and make you want to create? If your answer is yes, and you want to be super awesome and help me pay for the monthly costs of making this Podcast, click here to "Buy Me a Coffee". Every little bit helps!

Podcast Instagram is very new (like the podcast) and is @theCreativeElixir

My art Instagram is @Brujeria_Studios (connect with me)

Curious about me? Bio is available at RoseStardust.art (also somewhat under construction, so only a bio right now)

Links and things mentioned in the episode:

• The Ultimate Guide to Tarot and Understanding Tarot by Liz Dean ( You can get these online or perhaps ask your local bookstore to order them in for you)

• Blackwing Pencils

• En Tour Artist Products Inc., Robert Batemen Cover Series Recycled Sketchbooks

available at art supply stores throughout Canada including The Painted Lady in Gibsons

• Golden SoFlat Acrylic Paints

All above products are available at a variety of small art supply stores throughout Canada including The Painted Lady in Gibsons

Have you been having some existential ponderings due to the state of the world? Yeah, so, I guess, welcome to the club of concerned earthlings? In this episode I will try and help you see how we can still find joy, hope and fulfilment in in seemingly dark times. Join me while I jump into a rabbit hole of philosophical ponderings trying to answer questions such as: Is creativity the elixir that cures all ailments? How can we change our ways and save the future? Is it too late? Is art a frivolous pleasure in a time of crisis?

SHOW NOTES (All are linked if possible):

Music is Ladybug Hop by Dresden, the Flamingo, licensed via Sounstripe.com

Making Art is Good for Your Health Listen or Read on NPR

If I missed anything, please let me know on Instagram by commenting on this episode's post and I will try and answer as soon as possible.

Correction: Infant death rate (before reaching age 1) a few thousand years ago is estimated to be about 25% : Click here for reference

Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/creativeelixir)

Podcast Instagram is very new (like the podcast) and is @theCreativeElixir

My art Instagram is @Brujeria_Studios (connect with me)

Curious about me? Bio is available at RoseStardust.art (also somewhat under construction, so only a bio right now)

Support the show

SHOW NOTES:

Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/creativeelixir)

Podcast Instagram is @theCreativeElixir

My art Instagram is @Brujeria_Studios (connect with me)

Curious about me or my art ? Find out more at RoseStardust.art

How are fear, courage and luck related to each other? In this variety show style episode I will try and entertain and inspire you while philosophizing about these three concepts that can make or break our destinies as humans. There will be inspirational anecdotes from people who have achieved the improbable, quotes and thoughts from one of my favourite books and even a tarot reading!

Are you inspired by my Podcast? Does it uplift you and make you want to create? If your answer is yes, and you want to be super awesome and help me pay for the monthly costs of making this Podcast, click here to "Buy Me a Coffee". Every little bit helps!

Podcast Instagram is very new (like the podcast) and is @theCreativeElixir

My art Instagram is @Brujeria_Studios (connect with me)

Curious about me? Bio is available at RoseStardust.art (also somewhat under construction, so only a bio right now)

Links and things mentioned in the episode:

• The Secret of Luck | Derren Brown's The Experiment

• The Ultimate Guide to Tarot and Understanding Tarot by Liz Dean ( You can get these online or perhaps ask your local bookstore to order them in for you)

Support the show

SHOW NOTES:

-Originally Published in 2021-

Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/creativeelixir)

Podcast Instagram is @theCreativeElixir

My art Instagram is @Brujeria_Studios (connect with me)

Curious about me or my art ? Find out more at RoseStardust.art