Creative Genius

“If more folks recognized their creativity, no matter how small they think it is, it will bring more happiness to them.” -Betty Franks

At 50, Betty Franks made a bold transition from a lifelong career in customer service management, to becoming an internationally celebrated abstract artist whose work can be found in private collections all over the world. And it all started with a wish and an intention. 

Her journey to becoming creative started when she discovered mixed media and fell in love with the medium. She then started attending art workshops which led her to become an abstract artist. 

Creativity is an expression of our truest self. If we allow ourselves to be loose and be vulnerable, to let go - we are rewarded with a deep sense of happiness and contentment. Among other wonderful insights, Betty shares the genius way she developed for getting her rational mind to be quiet so she can sneak off and play with her wild creativity. 

See images of Betty’s work along with the affirmation that changed her life at https://kateshepherdcreative.com/blogs/creative-genius-the-blog/creative-genius-podcast-episode-3-becoming-creative-with-betty-franks

The Magical Path (the book that Betty mentions that changed her life) https://marcallen.com/magicalpath/

Kate Shepherd: website | instagram | facebook

Betty Franks: website | instagram | youtube 

“The rational mind is the home of bad painting.”

Anong Beam is an accomplished artist and founder of Beam Paints, truly gorgeous handmade watercolours. Her father, Carl Beam, one of her great teachers, is an award-winning artist and the first Indigenous artist to have their work purchased by the National Gallery of Canada as Contemporary Art. Anong’s work has been featured in multiple solo exhibitions and public collections throughout Canada and the world. 

The call to become creative is powerful, but can be met with all kinds of limiting beliefs in our own minds, if we let it. A powerful, ineffable force is waiting to meet us when we allow ourselves to play with the materials and create what delights our senses, sometimes, for no other purpose than to connect with the simple, beauty of colour itself. 

Kate Shepherd: website | instagram | facebook

Anong Beam: website | instagram

In the first episode of Creative Genius, we sit down with Amanda Evanston to hear about her own journey of cultivating creativity. She recently launched Insider’s Studio, an online community where she teaches art classes, gives weekly talks, and stewards a supportive, nurturing community focused on painting and creativity. 

Seriously pursuing your creative passion is a big move. Often our biggest obstacle is ourselves. Our doubts, our confidence, our need for external validation, and that little voice within that might be telling us “you can’t do it” can stop us from exploring creativity. Believing in ourselves and finding a way to push past that voice and listen to the voice that’s been telling us “you can do this” instead, is critical in unlocking our creative genius. In this episode, Amanda tells us the one key thing in how she was raised that she credits with her being able to be a wildly free creative person and how even if it was missing in your childhood, it’s not too late to lock it in now to cultivate your creativity. 

“It’s important to know you have this amazing thing inside of you, and that you can shepherd it and let it grow.” 

My favourite Amanda Evanston work tends to be whatever she is working on, but if I had to pick one, you can see it here 

https://kateshepherdcreative.com/blogs/creative-genius-the-blog/creative-genius-podcast-episode-1-cultivating-creativity-with-amanda-evanston

Find out how more about how to join Amanda Evanston’s Insider’s Studio https://www.amandaevanstonlearning.com/

Kate Shepherd: website | instagram | facebook

Amanda Evanston: website | instagram | facebook

Coming Soon: Creative Genius - A podcast about finding & embracing true creativity through the magic of listening to your own heart

Kate Shepherd: website | instagram | facebook