Creative Ways Podcast

Artist Matthew Burrows MBE started the #Artist Support Pledge initiative when the pandemic first hit in March 2020, he and his family hoped it would reach 1,000 participants, he didn’t imagine it would generate 70 million pounds! Matthew has won lots of awards last year but I’m sure his proudest moment was receiving an MBE at the Queens Honours.

The concept of the artists pledge is straightforward: artist are invited to post pictures of their work for sale for £200 or less on Instagram using hashtag #artistsupportpledge. Every time an artist makes £1,000 in sales, they in turn pledge to spend £200 on work by another participating artist. There are no third parties, payments are made directly from artists to artists.

Listen in to hear Matthews true core values, motivations and beliefs on philosophy's and community's.

Mathews Takeaways

1.Everyone should feel they have access to creativity and the arts.

2.Intellect, Feelings and spirit shouldn’t be taken apart and seen as separate entities.

3.It’s about how we live our lives and what kind of world we create as individuals, it’s no one else’s job, take ownership of how you’re showing up each day and if it matches your core values.

4.Write down what you can offer and bring to the table and refer to it daily

5.Give yourself permission to do it messy and make mistakes

6.Having a mentor group, a safe space to sound out your ideas is vital for your creative business

7.A supportive community helps feed and develop your creative business. Give people the opportunity to support each other and the means and system they will use it. As humans we thrive in villages.

8.It's a good sign if you feel slightly nervous about putting your art out into the World-  it means it’s a new uncertain territory new! Trust that uncomfortable feeling

9.you need to change your money mindset to one that’s more comfortable asking for money, get your art, shift it by saying it’s not an exchange for time, it’s a gift you’re putting out into the world which then gives back and the energy goes on!

(Photos credited to Jonathan Bassett)

(Images of Matthew drawings on ASP credited to Matthew Burrows Studio)

https://artistsupportpledge.com/

https://www.instagram.com/artistsupportpledge/

https://matthewburrows.org/

https://www.instagram.com/matthewburrowsstudio/

How do you switch from designing for your client’s brand and trends to finding your own true creative voice and being briefed to design more of that? Finding your own style is where the real magic happens. Andy J. Pizza, illustrator and host of the ultra-inspiring Creative Pep Talk Podcast talks about it all.

For those of you who don’t know Andy he’s designed for Sony, YouTube, The New York Times, The Guardian, Washington post, Amazon, Google, Smart Car, Urban outfitters, Wired magazine, Nickelodeon. Andy has a couple of really cool Skill-share classes out, he's a speaker too plus he’s got a stunning book out ‘Creative Pep Talk Inspiration from 50 Artists’

Andy’s Takeaways

1.Your creative voice doesn’t find you. You have to do the work.

1. The magic lies in not knowing where you’re going in your work. In the playing part the bit where you're in your intuition and you’re simply trusting your own good taste! 
2. It’s never been more important to find your creative voice as it is right now, in this time in history. The world needs your art more than ever!
3. We all need stories! You the creative are the storytellers
4. Do you love your art enough to risk not winning?
5. Ask yourself this, what’s the thing you’re so passionate about and you’re willing to be bad at?

7.Vulnerability is the not knowing if you’re going to be successful!

8.Survive as a creative you had to find your hiding mechanisms! They helped you cope in the past! However there comes a time when they aren’t serving you anymore!

9.The resilience of an adult artist is unbelievable. Don’t forget this! What it takes to be a creative throughout your life is brave!

10.Split your working week into paid work with what you can make the most about of instant money from and then look at how you can free up the rest for your own business project.

11.You can’t create whilst you’re stressing about money, so put the time and respect into making that dollar or pound doing what you know you can do! Don’t complain about that Mundane job you wish was more creative, has more Freedom etc, instead look at the positives and really remind yourself it's paying your bills whilst you work out your steps and transition. Trust the process!

https://www.andyjpizza.com/

Andy’s Skillshare classes -

Finding your style: Five exercises to unlock your creative Identity

Making creativity your career: Six exercises to create a successful side project!

Andy’s Books -

Creative Pep Talk: Inspiration form 50 Artist

Tiff Manuell paints her bright edgy bright edgy abstract pieces onto large canvases sourced from India which then they get cut up sent off to a talented team who make them Into the most amazing one off bags!!

The way Tiff runs her business is equally as magical, her shop is also her huge studio which means customers can go and see her paint and create her latest pieces, and actually speak to her and tell her which bit you would like her to cut or just have a real intimate experience seeing where these pieces were created!

So of course it makes sense Tate Modern London would approach and stock these stunning pieces of art!

Tiff’s Takeaways

1.If a studio or shop isn’t speaking to you what about a warehouse or a large space where your customers can visit👌

2.Show your children your day to day work, get them involved. It's great for them to see how hard we have to work and how serious we have to be. Plus they will see the wins and highs💪

3.Giving college pupils work experience is a great way for them to meet possibly their first successful creative and it’s rewarding for you too! 💚

4.If your business is just reacting or treading water or feeling stuck, schedule in a few days for playing and creating again. ✨

5.If you’re spinning all of the plates and you’re feeling it’s not working as you could have spread yourself too thinly with wholesalers, customers or licences follow your gut, you know really if it’s not working and it’s ok to move from that to make an even wilder business! 💥

6.Having your studio as your shop means customers feel they’ve got something more intimate and there’s a story now with each piece💫

7.Meditation doesn’t have to be in the morning, or a quite building, being consistent is more important, find 15 minutes in bed or another room in the house in the evenings even🌙

8.If you're a curious soul and travel is important try and combine this with your business. It can be a blast! 🌍

https://tiffmanuell.com/

https://www.instagram.com/tiffmanuell/

This week's guest is Jason Williamson from British electronic punk duo band Sleaford mods! Jason was in his mid 40s when his second album hit the charts and it was time to quit his day job. He was married with a daughter and a mortgage.

I went to Jason's home for coffee and a long honest and personal chat. Jason talks about his constant battles with alcohol and personal growth. Staying aligned with the right artists and musicians and always staying true to himself and his wife and family.

We talk about the years of hustle leading up to the Sleafords Mods recognition.

Jason's Takeaways

1. There’s no arrival
2. When you change your lifestyle for the better you’ve got to actually learn to live differently each day.
3. If you’re being featured by another artist make sure you step back and let them do their thing.
4. Apply yourself intentionally
5. The persistent mind work is the ground work -Nothing is an overnight success

Sleafod mods are Currently in Australia, then in US for Coachella and a West Coast tour, then back to the US in September for the East Coast.

Latest album - All That Glue - is released on 15 May 2020 And check everything else out at ​www.sleafodmods.com

Latest album - All That Glue - released on 15 May 2020

www.sleaford​mods.com for tour Australia and US tour dates

Snowy featuring Jason Williams EFFED ​https://youtu.be/e9Dyh0AW2zM

Katie Abey is an illustrator, she has a successful empire, spreading shear joy for others ‘creating positive things for other proud weirdos’ 

Using her adorable fun characters and empowering messages through her books, fashion such as cute fun skirts, T's, Pins, funny cards, and mugs, she has a cup of kindness mug which is just literally happiness in a cup

I say empire because not only has Katie and her gorgeous husband Jeff got a successful online store, they have a brick and mortar shop too, running a team of people plus Katie illustrate books, all the while being true to herself and sharing her vulnerability, and growth through her business and products.

I asked Katie to chat about how important mindset is as a Creative and I asked her to talk about the Circle of influence and concern theory which is a habit we can all do and keep to each week to feel more in control.

Katie’s Take aways-

1.Don’t be afraid to try lots of things with your business and see what works.

2.Different income streams helps relieve stress around money.

3.You can be confident and introverted!

4.Watch how busy you are and if it’s a regular unhealthy pattern to avoid feeling things.

5.Work out and only concentrate on what you do have control over.

6.Protect your energy!

7.You can learn how to Use your bad day to help others through your art. This action can help you no end.

8.Learn and try to change your perception of a situation.

9.Talking about mental health makes it a friend rather than a beast and you will feel empowered. Bring it out into the light!

10.Showing your vulnerability helps others.

11.Shine your own weird light!

12.We are a work in progress, we are never finished!

You can find all of Katie’s gorgeous products on Etsy

https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/KatieAbeyDesign

They also offer a gorgeous box of happiness with lots of her products packed inside and sent out to your loved one or of course if you’re like me you’ll have ordered one for yourself too!

https://happinesscontagion.bigcartel.com/

Books -

7 Habits of highly effective people with Stephen R Covey

Alan watts - Become what you are

Podcast  Oprah Winfrey - Supersoul Sunday’s

Bam-Bam is a visual storyteller whose work draws on image, shape, colour and narrative to create visionary expressions in paint.  She loves how painting can transform the stuff of everyday life into vibrant and imaginative visual languages. At the heart of Bam-Bam’s aesthetic is a desire to revitalise the spaces and surfaces of the everyday world with vivid patterns and designs.

Whether she’s working on a mural, street art, a commission or collaboration, Bam-Bam embraces each project with an open mind and an appreciation of flow. For Bam-Bam, art-making is an intimate choreography with the movements and rhythms of the world and its inhabitants.  Bam-Bam’s process is meditative and carefully conceived at the same time as it is highly adaptable and intuitive. She fuses traditional and contemporary styles, frequently employing bold geometric patterns. She works across a variety of materials and surfaces, using spray paints, stencils, prints, and pigments, leaving marks and brush-strokes on bodies, abandoned buildings, paper, textiles, and other canvases.

For Bam-Bam, painting is public performance. There is a robust theatricality to Bam-Bam’s painting practice, which involves characters and costumes in the development of each work. Often, these fantastic and fictional personas liberate Bam-Bam from the usual constraints of art-making and allow her imagination to run wild. As a result, many of Bam-Bam’s paintings express vivid psychedelic imagery that evokes a sense of fantasy, wonder, and euphoria.

Bam-Bam has developed many of her designs into wearable art and décor. Now, not only can you look at the paintings… you can become part of them.

Bam-Bams Takeaways

1.We can manifest anything but we have to put the work in

2.Know one is going to do this for you, You’ve got to give yourself a word sometimes and try!

3.It may not go the way you want, it will then be a real lesson

4.You can’t control how you’re going to be received, you can only create

5.Confidence grows it’s practiced

6.Collaborations help bring out a different creative energy it can inspire you into a new found direction

7.Stepping into an Alta ego/ character can really help step into confidence

8.There is no right or wrong decision we make the best we can at either moment, it’s either a moment that elevates you or a lesson. 

Sally Payne is freelance surface pattern designer and Illustrator for the kid’s market.

Sally has designed in many areas over the years including stationary/greeting cards, children’s book illustration, logo and branding designs, editorial illustration, packaging design, surface pattern for childrenswear and fabric design.

You might think because of Sally’s huge following on Instagram and Pinterest, she monetised all those years ago. This wasn’t the case; Sally only left her teaching job 2 years ago. Sally explains what juggling it all is really like and what having multi-income streams has meant for her business.

Sally’s clients includes

Peel cards, Papyrus, Kanopy Baby, American greetings, Hallmark, Bestaroo, Abacus, Gina B designs, Tots to travel, Auzou publishing, Pictura France, Arthouse, Elephant and Bird Publishing, I am a Bookworm publishing, Hinkler Books Australia, Little Korea publishing, Doo Doo Korea, Story Cat Korea, Usborne, Whsmith, Yo – Yo publishing, Dashwood studio, Fabric Editions , Tesco, Sainsburys, Paper Balloon and DDW.

Sally’s Takeaways

1.Freelance transition can work best if its gradual

2.Sally knew she needed to train and develop in digital first

3.Create art just for Instagram, it’s not your brief so put out what you want more of

4.The work that you like leads to more jobs you like

5.Don't be afraid to ask for explanations on statements on your contracts to be changed

6.Ask for parts off your contracts to be explained if you don’t understand them

7.Book illustration are a lot of work but once yours are out there more will come from them.

8.When asked about a book and costs, ask an example of a double page to see how much work and detail they need.

9.Don't ignore linkedin the algorithms are more favourable

Connect with Sally

https://sallypayne.com/

Michele Adams left her life in the tiny town in Northern Ireland to pursue her career in London’s Theatre, only to discover the whispers Michelle heard were getting louder to point Michele knew she needed to change path, to a life In Brighton consisting of cold sea swims before teaching her yoga classes.

Michele has studied at one of the Wim Hof companies expeditions in over in Finland and this was of course life changing. Michelle tells us how the breath work helps her Yoga practice and her journaling.

Michele's Takeaways

1.Yoga isn’t about the poses.

2.Yoga isn't all about flexibility.

3.Waking up to a calmer life takes being intentional even if it’s against the norm or after risking it all against family wishes. Listening to those nudges is crucial.

4.Cold water will clear your thoughts and res set you. Try it on a Monday to set the tone of your week.

5.Boundaries are huge make sure you keep them.

6. Journaling isn’t easy to keep as a habit, keep trying and don’t overthink it.

7. You’re mental health is huge, If you’re finding your world to be toxic, feeling anxious or depressed you have to take a step back and change that environment.

https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1030825835/feed-within-eco-journal

https://www.patreon.com/feedwithin

Being an artist was not part of Catherine’s life plan by any stretch of the imagination. Until age 33, she was one of those people who said, "I don't have an artistic bone in my body." (Sound familiar?)

In her family of origin, Catherine was viewed as the unartistic one. she was often told she should be a counsellor or teacher, but artist, definitely not! My parents were talented hobby artists

Catherine’s unexpected path started in the middle of a rewarding-but-very-stressful job as a university career services director, where she was guiding others to find their true callings. Catherine went on to find put she had breast cancer, and get divorced before she still would try art fully and now making it her living!

Catherine’s Takeaways

1.Work out how to  make your day job work around your art and to create

2.Ask yourself, If you could make what you want, what would it be?

3.What’s your joy?

4.Work out your finances, can you ask your day job to work 5 days a month

5.theres no pressure in collage

6.Get children to have a go college, lay it all out on a table

7.Build up your new work on line before you launch your collection.

8.Launches add excitement to your new work

Connect with Catherine 

https://catherinerains.com/

Myres Briggs personality test 

https://www.myersbriggs.org/my-mbti-personality-type/mbti-basics/

Jessica Hogarth is Surface pattern designer and now has her own shop! She’s based in the coastal town of Whitby North Yorkshire coast

So many creatives ask me what the best route is in getting their products in shops?

How do they get their designs in stores?

Jessica's ranges have been stocked on the shelves of Fortnum & Mason, Liberty of London, Oliver Bonas, Paperchase, Daunt Books, Paper Source (USA) and Scribbler, amongst many other independent outlets. She also retails her designs on Etsy, shipping orders to customers worldwide all year round.

We talk about trade shows, the importance of multiple income streams and opening a shop through Covid.

Jessica Takeaways

1.If you’re doing a fair if trade show its cheaper I the long to do a few that season

2.Helping support your creative friends as part of your journey is so rewarding

3.Doing a blog is still 15 years on worth your time - searchable Google content will lead viewers straight to your website

4.Having different income streams is vital for your business

5.Yes covid is scary time to start and open a business but there’s so many positives, just Google how many famous company’s started in rescissions

6.There isn’t a constant balance, it just doesn’t exists so instead of looking for that, after the busy season where you’ve gone all in, why not schedule a down time phase

7.Schedule your creative days each week or month, if we aren’t mindful time can slip by

8.Fill out a weekly time sheet to see where your time is spent so you can know what’s best for scheduling out in the future

9.Get someone to do the jobs you’re not as good at or you don’t want to spending time doing.

Connect with Jessica 

https://jessicahogarth.com/

https://www.instagram.com/jessicahogarth/