Creative Habits Podcast

Creative Habits Podcast

By Phil & IndigoArtsVisual Arts
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Creative Habits Podcast episodes

  • Consciousness

    are people conscious when they are daydreaming? What about when they are drunk?

    Consciousness is a term meant to indicate awareness. It includes awareness of the self, of bodily sensations, of thoughts and of the environment.

    We use the opposite word “unconscious” to indicate senselessness or a barrier to awareness.

    consciousness is what gives us a sense of self and our ability to reflect upon it; to have an internal dialogue and an understanding of our environment.

    For centuries, scholars have sought to unravel the mysteries behind consciousness. Most reached far-reaching conclusions about its underlying mechanisms and implications.

    At its core, consciousness is understood to be an interaction between sensory inputs and processing of that information in the brain.

    Types of consciousness

    •   Dreams

    •   Hallucinations

    •   Hypnosis

    •   Meditation

    •   Sleep

    •   States induced by psychoactive drugs

    awareness are consciousness and unconsciousness. Altered levels of consciousness also can occur, which may be caused by medical or mental conditions that impair or change awareness.

    Altered types of consciousness include:

    •   Coma

    •   Confusion

    •   Delirium

    •   Disorientation

    •   Lethargy

    •   Stupor

    Understanding different levels of consciousness can help healthcare professionals spot signs that someone might be experiencing a problem. Changes to consciousness also can cause changes to perception, thinking, understanding, and interpretations of the world.

    For example, sudden changes in consciousness might be a sign of:

    •   Aneurysm

    •   Brain infections

    •   Brain tumor or injury

    •   Dementia or Alzheimer's disease

    •   Drug use

    •   Epilepsy

    •   Heart disease

    •   Heatstroke

    •   Lack of oxygen to the brain

    •   Low blood sugar

    •   Poisoning

    •   Shock

    •   Stroke

    Low Awareness

    Although you may not feel as if you are aware of every single detail of what is happening around you, even in a state of consciousness where you have a low level of awareness, your brain is still capable of processing the signals it receives.

    Think about the way a person who is asleep in bed may instinctively grab a blanket when they feel cold. Although they are not actively thinking about being cold because of their current state of consciousness during sleep, their brain received a signal that their body feels cold.

    High Awareness

    A person who experiences a high level of awareness tends to be more in control of their thoughts. The ability to pay attention to detail and analyze the activity around you comes with heightened awareness, but this can typically only be achieved during certain states of consciousness.

    The practice of mindfulness is one example of how heightened awareness of a person's thoughts can be achieved by focusing on the present moment. Meditation is often used to reach this type of awareness because the practice can help individuals achieve an altered state of consciousness.



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    43 min
  • Christopher "Puma" Smith Photographer & Musician
    Christopher "Puma" Smith
    Christopher "Puma" Smith is a Richmond, Virginia and Washington D.C. based photographer and musician, born and raised in St.Thomas, Virgin Islands. Smith came to photography through documenting his travels with musical group Thievery Corporation, after joining in 2011 as a studio and touring vocalist.
    Smith's focus on portraiture and candid social documentary imagery has lead to assignments with The Richmond Free Press, New York Times, The Guardian, ProPublica and more.
    A highlight of his was to be able to travel and photo document the work of The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, and CHAMPS Ethiopia, throughout several Ethiopian regions in 2019. Smith also had the pleasure to be interviewed by Aperture Foundation by then Executive Director Chris Boot, on his work on the unrest in Richmond, Virginia in 2020 and 2021.
    In 2020 and 2021 he collaborated with 3 time Grammy nominated graphic designer Neal Ashby,  for album artwork on "Symphonic" by Thievery Corporation, "Carry Me Home" by The Archives and an upcoming album by Brian Jackson.
    https://www.eyeneyevisions.com
    1 hr 6 min
  • Ego
    Ego
    What exactly is an ego?
    An ego is a person's sense of self-esteem or self-importance. To have an ego is essential to our being. It will define who we are and how we connect with others. The ego becomes an issue when it becomes overpowering. Everyone has an ego, whether big or small.
    All people have an ego. There are various definitions of ego, but simply put, it is a sense of self-identity and self-satisfaction. It helps you recognize your “identity, assert yourself, and put your plans into action.
    However, it is very important to be conscious of how you’re ego influences your decision-making. If you remember a time when you did or said something that had a negative outcome, it was your misguided ego.
    Being aware of your ego can go a long way in improving your relationships with others and yourself. I have found that when I become more self-aware, I become happier.
    How the ego works
    Your ego's job is to make you feel important. Its survival depends on it. Unfortunately, this means your ego has to fight and defend itself. It seems counterintuitive, but negative circumstances are necessary for the ego to do anything, worry, or change. So when you are happy and everything is perfect, your ego is already looking for topics to create drama or hook.
    The ego does not live in the current moment. It is true that only the present moment exists and the past and future only exist in the mind, but the ego wants to think about the past and the future. This means thinking about things that have gone wrong in the past or that may go wrong in the future. Whenever you take something personally, it is usually the work of your ego.
    How the Ego Can Harm You
    Your ego keeps you out of the present moment. Imagine spending your whole life looking back at the past and the future. Eventually, you realize that everything you've ever been in the present moment. This is how the ego recognizes when it kicks in.
    Have you ever hated a successful person?
    Do you compare yourself to others? Are you in the spotlight?
    Do you think you are better, smarter, or better than others?
    Do you like to talk about people's shortcomings?
    Have you ever thought that you are "showing virtue" (showing how moral you are)?
    Have you ever looked down on someone who didn't try as hard as you did?
    Having an ego and feeling important is perfectly acceptable. However, the ego needs to be controlled. Making you a victim, an outsider, or making you feel superior to others to justify your actions creates problems. These things make you unhappy. Your ego fights this and seeks trouble in the past and future to protect itself. I'd like to combat it. It opposes your ability to find tranquility. Your ego needs an adversary. It's a situation or problem that makes you feel great or makes you feel better. This prevents us from enjoying life and accepting things as they are. But you can learn to accept things by noticing that your ego is getting in the way and gently balancing things out.
    Discussion
    Phil & Hands talk about their experience with Ego, and how it affected their lives.
    Conclusion
    39 min
  • Melissa Alexander “Phyllis iller” (Atlanta Based Photographer)
    “vulnerability and growth form the foundation of her work”
    In particular, she focuses on the inter-relational intimacy that exists within the Black American community, encouraging the model and viewer to lay down their guard. Her work is her protest, her rebellion, her chance to strengthen the Black narrative that has been washed, overlooked, and undervalued.
    She resides in Atlanta’s West End neighborhood with her daughter. She’s a big fan of A Tribe Called Quest, Conan the Barbarian, and Zora Neale Hurston. Currently, she is working on projects related to the evolution of the Black girl into the Black woman.
    https://www.phyllisiller.com/info
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    Instagram: @CreativeHabitsPodcast
    Twitter : @HabitsCreative
    1 hr 3 min
  • Black History is World History
    Black inventions
    In 1787, members of the Constitutional Convention opened the patent process up to people nationwide by drafting what has come to be known as the Patent and Copyright Clause of the Constitution. It allows Congress:
    “To promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts, by securing for limited Times to Authors and Inventors the exclusive Right to their respective Writings and Discoveries.”
    This language gives inventors exclusive rights to their inventions. It forms the foundation for today’s nationwide, federal patent system, which no longer allows states to grant patents.
    Though the language itself was race-neutral, like many of the rights set forth in the Constitution, the patent system didn’t apply for African  Americans born into slavery. Enslaved people were not considered citizens of America and laws at the time prevented them from applying for or holding property, including patents. In 1857, the U.S. commissioner of patents officially ruled that inventions made by black people couldn’t be patented.
    During the 17th and 18th centuries, America was experiencing rapid economic growth. Black inventors were major contributors during this era – even though most did not obtain any of the benefits associated with their inventions since they could not receive patent protection.
    Slave owners often took credit for their slaves’ inventions. In one well-documented case, a black inventor named Ned invented an effective, innovative cotton scraper. His slave master, Oscar Stewart, attempted to patent the invention. Because Stewart was not the actual inventor, and because the actual inventor was born into slavery, the application was rejected.
    Stewart ultimately began selling the cotton scraper without the benefit of patent protection and made a significant amount of money doing so. In his advertisements, he openly touted that the product was “the invention of a Negro slave – thus giving the lie to the abolition cry that slavery dwarfs the mind of the Negro. Quoting When did a free Negro ever invent anything?”
    44 min
  • Lewis Dérogène - Phenomenalewis
    Multidisciplinary artist, who works within disciplines from, photography to sculpture, drawing, painting, video, 3D modeling, performance art, poetry, and installation art. She uses contrasting values created by light falling unevenly on her as the subject of her work.
    "HI THERE! :)
    A little bit about me is that some people call me a photographer and there are some people that don't realize I'm a creative person until they follow my social media accounts.
    To the creative world, and to myself, I’m a multidisciplinary artist.
    At first, I would start my bios off with a “hello, my name is and blah blah blah.” Now I realized that my bio is a reflection of myself so that’s what I plan to do, show you who and how I am.
    ​
    I work with a variety of disciplines from, yes, photography to sculpture, drawing, painting, video, 3D modeling, performance art, poetry, and installation art. You may see all of these throughout my website from artworks in academia to current and collaborations.
    I’ve always felt that sticking to one discipline doesn’t sit right with who I am because my mind is constantly moving. Always having new and different thoughts is hard for me to convey with just one art form.
    ​
    Part of my being creative is based on my inspirations which started with the Dutch painter Rembrandt. Oh, how I love his control of the viewer’s eye on how they look at his paintings through the use of chiaroscuro. I borrowed that technique in my photographs by the way, or at least what I like to think of as the inverted version.
    Another amazing artist I find to be inspiring is Aida Muluneh. Clearly, have you not seen some of my self-portrait photographs? Her works…mhmmm yes!
    Let me not forget the amazing Muholi Zanele whose self-portrait photographs were my trigger to start self-portraiture.
    ​
    That's all I have to say but if you plan to get to know me simply click down below o contact and shoot me an email.
    ​
    THANKS FOR STOPPING BY!"
    https://linktr.ee/PhenomenaLewis?utm_source=linktree_profile_share
    39 min
  • Strange Phenomenon Pt 2 - Mermaid Folklore.
    Today we speak about more strange phenomena, mainly Mermaid folklore. 
    Mermaid folklore is a strange phenomenon that has been around for centuries. It is a strange phenomenon because it is a belief in creatures that are half-human and half-fish. The belief in mermaids is widespread and has been recorded in many cultures throughout history, including Europe, Asia, and Africa. In some cultures, they are seen as benevolent and helpful while in others they are seen as dangerous and malevolent. They are often associated with the sea and its mysteries and can symbolize power and mystery.
    The Sirens of Greek mythology, who were at first half-birdlike but later shown as half-fishlike, may have had an impact on the Western idea of mermaids as attractive, seductive singers. Earlier sightings of manatees or other aquatic mammals may have been mistaken for historical stories of mermaids, such as those made by Christopher Columbus during his voyage to the Caribbean. Even though there is no proof that mermaids exist outside of mythology, claims of mermaid sightings are still reported today.
    Water spirits known as Mami Water, or "Mother of the Water," are revered in regions of the Caribbean, North, Central, and South America and West, Central, and Southern Africa. Although occasionally masculine, they are typically female. They are thought of as evil creatures and frequently act as femme fatales, luring men to their deaths. Mermaid is the meaning of the Persian term "maneli"
    Mermaids are referred to as "njuzu" in Zimbabwe. They are said to live alone in a single body of water. Njuzu might be good or bad depending on the individual. Unexpected catastrophes like terrible weather or sudden disappearances of people may be attributed to angry njuzu. It is believed that benign njuzu live in serene rivers or lakes. A person may have been abducted by the njuzu if they go missing near such lakes or rivers. Local elders will make beer as a propitiatory offering and implore the njuzu to return the person alive in order to secure the person's release. It is not permitted for those requesting the person's release to cry or cry. If the njuzu releases the individual, they will change their status to that of a n'anga, or traditional healer, with knowledge of herbs, medicinal plants, and cures.
    When did mermaids first appear in history?
    about 1000 BC
    The first appearance of mermaids in human culture seems to have occurred about 1000 BC in Assyria (roughly equivalent to present-day Syria plus the northern area of Iraq). In the mythology of Assyria, the beautiful fertility goddess Atargatis became a mermaid after casting herself into a lake.
    36 min
  • Mikki Ma'at singer-songwriter
    Mikki Ma'at is a New York City-based singer-songwriter who makes dynamic, eclectic, contemporary soul-fusion music.
    This sound is both energetic and angelic, created by pairing soulful vocals with stringed instruments and electronic pulses. She is mostly known for her performances in NYC, including Afro-punk 2018, and for taking over local venues.
    Her performances are raw, and mesmerizing. Her goal is to reach the world with her voice and use sound to unify and uplift humanity.
    https://youtu.be/MO0Yl-ZH-pk
    https://linktr.ee/Mikki.Maat?utm_source=linktree_profile_share
    58 min
  • Strange phenomenon

    Zimbabwe

    Mount Nyangani is the highest mountain in Zimbabwe at feet. The mountain is located within Nyanga National Park in Nyanga District, about 110 km northwest of Mutare. The summit lies atop a small outcrop of rock around 40 metres or 130 feet above the surrounding area.

    Mount Nyangani is a sacred place and inhabited by the spirits of their ancestors it is also said to be inhabited by spirits and supernatural beings.Locals and tourists when going to Mount Nyangani all report that they have experienced strange phenomena

    -Phones go missing

    -Photos will not display correctly

    -The weather turns strange and unpredictable

    -thick fog appeared anywhere around the pedestrians as if it was stalking them.

    Missing cases

    Most recent Zayd Dada (31 years old), a Zimbabwean tourist of Indian origin. In the early morning of January 4, 2014 Dada went up the mountain with his wife and another couple and since then no one has seen him.

    Similarly, a 20-year-old British tourist named Thomas Gaisford disappeared while exploring Mount Nyanaga in November 2014. Thomas Gaisford himself reached the top of Mount Nyanga, however, around 3pm, Gaisford saw a thick fog descending on the mountain and seemed to want to engulf him.

    I prayed and slept for about 10 hours. Some scary snakes approached me. I didn't do anything to irritate them. I also saw bloodshot eyes staring at me. The 'guests' wanted to measure my nerves. I'm still confident I can handle it. The next day when the fog cleared, I woke up and climbed down the mountain'.

    Most local tribes often tell stories of angry wandering spirits, 'forbidden zones' where souls are confined. The tribal elders have long warned that the mountain's rules must be followed, not to anger the spirits guarding the sanctuary.

    Japan (Mount Fuji , Aokigahara also known as the Sea of Trees)

    Bermuda Triangle -

    32 min
  • Shaïna M. Caceres-Doliny

    Shaïna M. Caceres-Doliny (they/them) is a queer, non-binary, Haitian-American artist and designer from Miami, FL currently based in Greensboro, NC. They are professional creative who is passionate about intentional art, design, and the power of the imaginative process. With a Bachelor of Arts degree from Nuova Accademia di Belle Arti in Milan, Italy, they entered the art & design industry in 2015. After a few years of working for a variety of studios and design houses in both Milan and Miami, they branched out on their own to launch their self-made studio– Mx. Design Studio in 2019 which is the creative hub where they work to produce works through a variety of mediums– from digital design to abstract painting. They are also one of the co-founders of Spring Up, an abolitionist creative collective where they work alongside their other two co-founders Leander S.R. Phoenix (they/he) & Stas S.R. Phoenix (they/them), to build a community of praxis embodying consent and liberation within our relationships, creative practices, and daily lives. Spring Up uses fiction, art, and community education to popularize the skills and frameworks necessary to be free together through our online school platform bluelight academy of the liberatory arts.

    Artist statement: "My paintings represent how I relate to liberation through the healing of my internal and external worlds by practicing deep shadow work. I intentionally use abstraction and intuitive mark-making as a form of resistance to the ways of being that have been previously prescribed to me. Through abstraction, I seek to create a new language that speaks to how I move through my healing process while existing in this world as “other” (Black, queer, non-binary, neurodivergent, & disabled) and invite others to join me in this through their own interpretation and meditation of my work."

    35 min

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