With my own creative challenge (The 30 Day Sketchbook Challenge) on the horizon in just a few week's time I wanted to dedicate the final episode of 2021 to talking about creative challenges such as this. 

In this episode I explain briefly what the 30 Day Sketchbook Challenge is BUT I delve deep into why creative challenges work, the benefits of undertaking a feat such as this and also provide some top tips for helping yourself to make it to the end of one. This is beneficial to all creatives, not just those taking part in my own challenge. 

Creative challenges are really unique beasts when it comes to creativity and for me are like a special boost that can provide so many more benefits that can be discussed in a single podcast episode... but I give it a good try. 

This is the last episode of 2021, so I will be having a few week's break before I join you again for more episodes in 2022. 

If you are interested in finding out more about the 30 Day Sketchbook Challenge please go to my website here:

www.susanyeates.co.uk/sketchbookchallenge

Thank you for listening and supporting this podcast in 2021.

More Information

For more information about this podcast please visit the Creativity Talks webpage here:

www.creativitytalkspodcast.co.uk

If you have enjoyed this podcast you can support me on KoFi here: https://ko-fi.com/susanyeates

You can also find me online at www.susanyeates.co.uk or on Instagram @learninglinocut

This week in Creativity Talks I speak to writer and photographer Laura Pashby. We had a wonderful conversation about her recent book, her creative process and about the little details. Listen in as we discuss why those tiny details can be so important to the creative process and what she lines up on her stairs and why... and lighting, foggy mornings and lighting! 

This is the final guest interview of 2021 on the shoe and I hope you enjoy listening. In the next episode I will speak about creative challenges such as the 30 Day Sketchbook Challenge and why they can be beneficial for kick-staring a creative practice. 

See you next time. 

About Laura

Laura Pashby is a writer and a photographer. She tells stories using words and photographs on her blog, to her Instagram audience, for brands, and in magazines. Laura spent three years as the deputy editor of 91 Magazine – an independent magazine that covers all aspects of creative living. Across social media, but particularly on Instagram, she has an established and engaged following with an interest in her atmospheric imagery and soulful storytelling.

You can find Laura online here:

http://www.laurapashby.com

More Information 

For more information about this podcast please visit the Creativity Talks webpage here:

www.creativitytalkspodcast.co.uk

If you have enjoyed this podcast you can support me on KoFi here: https://ko-fi.com/susanyeates

You can also find me online at www.susanyeates.co.uk or on Instagram @learninglinocut

In this episode of Creativity talks I have a wonderful in-depth discussion about watercolour and creativity with artist and educator Kolbie Blume. This episode is packed full of inspiring quotes, thoughts and advice for any creative and especially for any 'recovering perfectionists.'

Grab a cuppa, sit back and relax as Kolbie and I discuss all things creativity for your listening pleasure. 

About Kolbie

Kolbie Blume is a self-taught watercolor artist, author, and online educator. A "recovering perfectionist" herself, her main teaching philosophy centers on helping hesitant artists discover and explore their infinite creative potential and joy, emphasizing courage over perfection. Through her simple and encouraging teaching methods, she has taught more than 21,000 students worldwide to love watercolor and art just as much as she does. You can find her first book, Wilderness Watercolor Landscapes, wherever books are sold, and her second, Stunning Watercolor Seascapes, is now available for preorder.

You can find Kolbie online here:

www.thiswritingdesk.com

More Information

For more information about this podcast please visit the Creativity Talks webpage here:

www.creativitytalkspodcast.co.uk

If you have enjoyed this podcast you can support me on KoFi here: https://ko-fi.com/susanyeates

You can also find me online at www.susanyeates.co.uk or on Instagram @learninglinocut

Welcome to Episode 20 of Creativity Talks. In this episode I delve deep into why we should take risks and make mistakes in our creative practice. I talk about pushing ourselves out of our comfort zones and embracing the mess that is our own creative journeys. This episode should help you to break through mental barriers and make big mindset shifts when it comes to overcoming perfectionism and the fear of going wrong. 

I really hope you enjoy this episode and that this helps you in your own personal creative journey. 

More Information

For more information about this podcast please visit the Creativity Talks webpage here:

www.creativitytalkspodcast.co.uk

If you have enjoyed this podcast you can support me on KoFi here: https://ko-fi.com/susanyeates

You can also find me online at www.susanyeates.co.uk or on Instagram @learninglinocut

In this episode I chat to illustrator and creative, Stacie Bloomfield. We had a wonderful (nearly hour-long) chat about all things creative including her thoughts on why you need to give yourself margin in your creative pursuits. 

Stacie talks about her illustration business, why she takes herself off on creative retreats and shares some truly inspiring quotes on creativity too. 

This really was an inspiring conversation for me and I hope you find it does the same to you too. 

About Stacie

Acclaimed Surface Designer, Author, Entrepreneur and Sought After Teacher.

Spend 5 minutes with Stacie Bloomfield, and you will immediately be ignited by her ENTHUSIASM and PASSION for helping creative entrepreneurs. She is a living idea factory. Her energy is contagious. Best of all, she practices what she preaches: that we were MADE TO ENCOURAGE EACH OTHER.

Stacie has been creating artwork for brands and products around the world since 2009.

Over the past several years, Stacie has traveled and taught to hundreds of students around the country, sharing her passion for design, making, and business growth.

Her journey of being an illustrator began out of necessity: to financially support her husband who was a graduate student and to take care of her growing family. Through hard work, determination, and A LOT of trial and error, Stacie has become a force in the creative world, earning respect from her peers with her transparency, vulnerability, and dedication to the industry.

Her illustration business, Gingiber, is now a thriving company with products sold in over 800 stores and has licensing deals with major brands.

Monthly Membership: Creative Powerhouse Society (enrollment reopens in October) https://www.leverageyourart.com/membership

Products at Gingiber www.gingiber.com

Book: Give Yourself Margin: https://gingiber.com/products/a-give-yourself-margin-book-lya?variant=39433349070936

Free Income Stream Guide: https://learn.staciebloomfield.com/guide

More Information

For more information about this podcast please visit the Creativity Talks webpage here:

www.creativitytalkspodcast.co.uk

If you have enjoyed this podcast you can support me on KoFi here: https://ko-fi.com/susanyeates

You can also find me online at www.susanyeates.co.uk or on Instagram @learninglinocut

In this episode of Creativity Talks I want to discuss a little 'behind-the-scenes' of my forthcoming book: Sketchbook Challenge. I have literally just delivered a stack of sketchbooks to the publisher along with a large text file. So today I wanted to discuss this long process of writing an art book and all the stages I have gone through so far and what is coming up next. I also go through some advice on tackling any long and lengthy creative project. For example working with the ebb and flow of creativity, carving out blocks of free time and recharging the batteries in between. Also the iceberg - tune in to find out about the iceberg! 

This episode is perfect for anyone that wants to tackle and achieve a big creative goal or anyone curious to find out about the process behind writing an art book. 

More Information

For more information about this podcast please visit the Creativity Talks webpage here:

www.creativitytalkspodcast.co.uk

If you have enjoyed this podcast you can support me on KoFi here: https://ko-fi.com/susanyeates

You can also find me online at www.susanyeates.co.uk or on Instagram @learninglinocut

In this episode I talk to illustrator Maizie Clarke. We discuss all about her work as a watercolour illustrator and her thoughts on creativity. 

Listen in to find out what she means by "Solving problems beautifully." We talk about her work in detail and she provides some great advice and tips about building a creative practice. We also discuss how and why she now shares her experiences with others through her new brand 'Learn with Maizie'. 

It's a wonderful chat all about creativity. So grab a cuppa, sit back and relax and let's talk creativity! 

Show Notes

The book recommended by Maizie is Real Artists Don't Starve by Jeff Goins

About Maizie

Maizie Clarke provides gifts that delight both the giver and the receiver. The namesake of the business, Maizie Clarke, has spent years honing her craft through her arts education and practice. Starting as a side business illustrating whimsical, custom house portraits, Maizie has grown and expanded her portfolio to include boutiques, hotels, and museums.  She still finds joy in creating custom gifts, but has brought to life colorful wholesale collections and custom wholesale solutions for many different types of clients.

Having always had a passion for design and all things beautiful, she went on to earn her degree in Interior Design from Marymount University and then her Master in Exhibition Design from the Corcoran College of Art + Design in Washington, D.C.  Maizie genuinely loves her craft and the joy she sees it bring to her family, friends and clients.

You can find Maizie online at www.maizieclarke.com and www.learnwithmaizie.com 

More Information

For more information about this podcast please visit the Creativity Talks webpage here:

www.creativitytalkspodcast.co.uk

If you have enjoyed this podcast you can support me on KoFi here: https://ko-fi.com/susanyeates

You can also find me online at www.susanyeates.co.uk or on Instagram @learninglinocut

In this week’s episode I talk to artist, teacher and author Alison C Board. We discussed things like ‘not putting your paintings on a pedestal’, about creating a ‘stubborn club,’ our thoughts on the art police and the importance of collaboration. We also delve deep into Alison’s experiences as an artist and teacher and her general thoughts on creativity. It’s a great listen and I hope you enjoy.

About Alison

Alison’s expressive mixed media works capture Dorset’s flora and fauna with energy and finesse. She specialises in mixed media with watercolour techniques, a combination that creates textural and ethereal paintings with rich and vibrant colour.

Alison’s ever-growing portfolio includes regular demonstrations and workshops for the SAA, a company who has produced a number of DVD and television tutorials with her. Alongside her digital tuition, Alison runs a comprehensive range of workshops, courses and painting weekends from her home county of Dorset, and she regularly demonstrates for Art Societies.

2020 saw huge changes to Ali’s career, her first book was published for Search Press entitled ‘A Beginner’s guide to Watercolour with Mixed Media’ and the worldwide lockdown set her the task of delivering all of her tuition via virtual platforms. Her PGCert in Online & Distance Education and technical skills came into play and she has relished the challenge of continuing to share her subject and techniques.

www.alisoncboard-fineart.co.uk

The book mentioned in the podcast episode was Keep Going by Austin Kleon

In something a little different, today I wanted to address a question I get asked a lot by friends, followers and listeners - "how do you do so much?" 

That's right, today I want to talk briefly about ways that I personally manage my own time and creative projects. This means that I will share with you the projects that I currently have on the go (i.e. discuss the two separate businesses I run) as well as how and when I set goals, what productivity hacks I use and how valuable time-blocking is for me. 

I hope you find this useful in managing your own time for creating regularly...

More Information

For more information about this podcast please visit the Creativity Talks webpage here:

www.creativitytalkspodcast.co.uk

If you have enjoyed this podcast you can support me on KoFi here: https://ko-fi.com/susanyeates

You can also find me online at www.susanyeates.co.uk or on Instagram @learninglinocut

In this interview I interviewed drama therapist and creative, Lisa Drupstein. We had such a fun conversation and discussed what a drama therapist does, how growth comes from discomfort and also how for her, creativity is her language of communication. We had some fascinating insights into the concept of 'follow your foot' - a term that relates to stepping forwards on a stage to improvise. Plus, the highlight of the show... a song about creativity sung by Lisa on her ukulele. Seriously, do stay tuned to hear this as it's brilliant! 

About Lisa

Lisa comes to us from Toronto, Ontario, Canada. She’s a Drama Therapist by training and has worked in various settings including hospitals, schools, and private practice. Her most notable projects have included launching an Improv for Anxiety program, teaching Improv and Puppetry classes for adults, and running social skills programs in daycares using puppetry and music. Her creative passions include improv, musical comedy, video production, and photography. Recently, Lisa has launched Local Well, an online initiative that celebrates and encourages creativity and wellness.

You can find Lisa online here:

www.localwell.ca

IG: @local_well_canada

Show Notes

The book Lisa referred to in the podcast was In the Company of Women by Grace Bonney.

My favourite quote from Lisa in this episode was "Creativity is my language for communication."

More Information 

For more information about this podcast please visit the Creativity Talks webpage here:

www.creativitytalkspodcast.co.uk

If you have enjoyed this podcast you can support me on KoFi here: https://ko-fi.com/susanyeates

You can also find me online at www.susanyeates.co.uk or on Instagram @learninglinocut