Creativity Talks

By Susan YeatesArts Visual Arts

Creativity Talks episodes

August 12, 2021 7 Tips for Sustaining a Regular Creative Practice
In this episode Susan discusses 7 of her top tips to help sustain a regular creative practice. These are things she does herself PLUS things recommended to people taking part in her annual 30 Day Sketchbook Challenge.
Show Notes:
The tips discussed in the episode include:
Tip 1 – Select a small amount of work to do e.g. use a small sketchbook or canvas
It is often quicker and easier to complete a small sketchbook page than a larger one so go small to start with. A small sketchbook is also portable so can travel around with you everywhere you go.
Tip 2 – Keep your materials simple (and use your favourites)
Have a simple pencil or pen and use this if you are sketching as your creative practice – it doesn’t have to be complicated. Oh and if you use materials you enjoy as well this will help too. Sometimes I find that cheap materials help me to get started and at other times I like to use beautiful materials that bring me joy. Use whatever works best for you. And have them readily available...
Tip 3 – Give yourself a time limit
Set yourself a small time limit each day to complete your creative work – this helps to make it short and sweet and achievable on a daily basis. e.g. 5-10 minutes per day.
Tip 4 – Make yourself accountable
Tell people you are doing this creative work and share it. Consider sharing with family and friends, on social media or join a community such as a Facebook Group or even a challenge such as the 30 Day Sketchbook Challenge or the 100 Day Project.
Tip 5 – Create before you consume
I always think it is good to carry out your own practice before you start to look at other people’s work. Instagram, for example, is full of beautiful work, but it can feel overwhelming if you view this first before starting your own creativity for the day. It is very hard to create freely when we are overwhelmed or intimidated. So, create before you consume (eating is fine!!)
Tip 6 – Use your intuition / instincts
Go with you first thoughts and instincts – draw/sketch/paint your very first idea rather than overthinking. If you are not sure on what to draw, just make some notes or doodles on a scrap of paper first to help your brain to come up with something you are happy with or even plan out a rough shape.
Tip 7 – Don’t take it too seriously
No-one is judging you and this isn’t a competition. So don’t take your creative practice too seriously, accept and laugh at your ‘mistakes’ and have a whole lot of fun. If it is fun and makes you happy you are likely to practice regularly.

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
33 min
August 05, 2021 Guest Interview: Gabriela Aguirrezabel (Printherapy)
In this week's episode I speak to Gabriela Aguirrezabel from printherapy.com
Gabriela Aguirrezabal is a social designer with experience in youth care innovation. She just founded Printherapy as a way to help busy heads to come into the here and now with lino printing. Mixing creativity with mindfulness to empower people to create imperfect pieces of art and feel good. Gabriela is originally from Mexico City where she studied industrial design, then moved to the Netherlands to study a Masters in Strategic Product Design.
In the podcast episode we speak about mindfulness and linocut, letting go of perfection, what her business and how it came about, the love of the process, PLUS she provides a simple trick to help you get past the fear of the blank page.
The quote Gabriela refers to in the episode is by Albert Einstein - "Creativity is intelligence having fun."
You can find Gabriela at: www.printherapy.com or on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/printherapy.studio/
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
34 min
July 29, 2021 Tea With Susan: Confidence and Courage
In this episode of Creativity Talks I share a 'Tea With Susan' discussion that was originally filmed as a video in April 2021 as part of my Inspire Creative Membership. These 'Tea With Susan' discussions are creative mindset discussions and this one is perfect for all our listeners as it focusses on building confidence and courage in your creative work. There are several really helpful tips I suggest in this episode to help with boosting confidence. Listen in to find out what they are... 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
27 min
July 22, 2021 Guest Interview: Joanne Hawker, founder of #MarchMeetTheMaker
This special episode is an interview with creative business owner Joanne Hawker.
Joanne is a designer and maker living and working in Somerset. She predominantly creates special occasion greeting cards for life’s special moments, colourful washi tape and project bags. She is perhaps best known for her Instagram challenge #MarchMeetTheMaker.
I asked Joanne about her creative process when creating new products, what creativity means to her and what inspires her. We also discussed exactly what the March Meet the Maker challenge is, what her favourite colour is and discussed jumping about in the rain!
We had a fabulous conversation, so hit play to join us!
You can find Joanne online here:
www.joannehawker.co.uk
Instagram: @JoanneHawker
Show Notes:
https://www.noissue.co.uk - The company mentioned for sustainable packaging
Procreate - is the iPad app for digital drawing.
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
35 min
July 15, 2021 Just Do Something
In this episode of Creativity Talks, Susan discusses the importance of just doing something.
This is all about creativity and that we need to fuel it regularly by small inputs or outputs. Sometimes simply reading, doodling or thinking about creativity is enough. The process and the practice are what are important, in any small little doses that we can fit into our daily lives.
Curious? Then listen in...
Show Notes:
Books mentioned in the podcast include The Practice by Seth Godin and The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron
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
30 min
July 08, 2021 Guest Interview: Sophie Butrymowicz (Search Press)
In this week's episode I talk to a creative individual who works at Search Press, the leading art and craft publisher in the UK. I actually met up with Sophie a few weeks ago when visiting the Search Press offices in Kent to discuss my new book about sketching due due for release in 2022. We chatted then about creativity and thought it would be great to chat on the show here as well.
In our podcast interview Sophie talks about how creativity has helped her personally with mental wellness, about how art and crafts have been so poplar during lockdown and what she gets up to at Search Press and in her own creative activities. We had a great conversation and I can't wait for you to join us and listen in...
About Sophie
Sophie is a marketing assistant at Search Press, the leading art and craft publisher in the UK, which publishes up to 100 of its own titles each year as well as distributing books for other publishers. Sophie’s background is in Psychology with a BSc with honours in Abnormal and Clinical Psychology. They have worked previously with adults and children with learning difficulties including in day service settings where art and craft were at the forefront of daily activities. They’ve also lead peer support programmes in higher education supporting students with mood disorders and eating difficulties. Sophie is a big advocate for the therapeutic benefits of engaging with creativity and in their spare time enjoys papercrafts and given folks the ol’ razzle dazzle by belting out the odd showtune.
You can find Search Press online here:
searchpress.com
twitter.com/SearchPress
instagram.com/searchpress
facebook.com/SearchPress
we're pretty much everywhere under @searchpress!
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
31 min
July 01, 2021 Guest Interview: Sara Funduk (Course Craft)
In this special guest interview I talk to creative business owner and mum Sara Funduk.
We had a fabulous discussion about the two sides to her creative work - her own art and also her e-course platform CourseCraft. I loved this conversation and we talked about the things that make her creatively tick, the importance of colour and also the impact of being a mother on your art and creative practice.
Do have a listen to find out more...
About Sara
My name is Sara Funduk and I live in Ontario, Canada, with my husband Ryan, my son Stanley, and our three crazy cats. I am an art-supply hoarder; I use all the colours when I paint; and I am completely obsessed with patterns. I have been making art since I was old enough to hold a crayon.

When my son was born, I almost let my creativity dry up. I felt like I had no time to paint and I definitely didn’t have time for all the setup and cleanup work that went into it. One day, during nap time, I pulled out a barely used watercolour palette from my stash and it clicked.

After exploring watercolour for a bit, I was approached by a publisher to write a book about it! It was a massive surprise that anyone wanted me to write a book. It was an amazing project to work on and really pushed my creativity further than I thought possible. Since then, I’ve expanded my artwork to include my first love again: pattern.
Where you can find Sara
https://coursecraft.net
https://sarafunduk.com
Sara's book is called: Playing with Paints: Watercolour
The book recommended by Sara during the podcast is 'The Creative Licence' by Danny Gregory
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
34 min
June 24, 2021Dealing with Creative Burnout
In this week's episode I discuss Creative Burnout. I discuss what it is and ways you can deal with it and get back to creating. This is an essential episode to listen to if you are feeling that feeling of tiredness, artist's block or general funk in your creative activities. I discuss all about filling your cup so the creativity can flow freely again!
Show Notes
Points discussed throughout the episode include:
creative burnout is totally normal

don't be too hard on yourself

Stop the creative work if you notice burnout

Take a break (either from creative work or an actual physical break away)

Go somewhere new

Do something different

Try healing techniques such as meditation or yoga

Do things that make you happy

If it is a deeper / true breakdown seek help (take a look at: https://www.mind.org.uk)

Get some sleep!

When getting back to creative work start small

Build some of these techniques into your routine to help to fill your cup!
Quotes mentioned in the podcast:
“If you get tired, learn to rest, not to quit.” —Banksy
“A moment of self-compassion can change your entire day. A string of such moments can change the course of your life” –Christopher K. Germer
For assistance with Metal Health Issues take a look at https://www.mind.org.uk
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
36 min
June 17, 2021 Positive Language and Creativity
In this episode Susan discusses the importance of positive language on our creativity. Hint: It's super powerful!
She delves into the types of words we may hear ourselves say that are negative and why we may say it. Most importantly though is understanding why it is essential to use positive language, the benefits it has and how this can build our creative confidence and self-esteem. Oh and there are three simple exercises for you to explore the power of positive language yourself. Listen to the full episode for a super-positive dose of creative talking this week.
Show Notes / Exercises:
(listen to the episode for a full explanation):
List of negative words:
bad, wrong, can't, won't, haven't, shouldn't, no, not, not good, failure, sorry, never
List of positive words:
fantastic, good, right, can, do, will, worked, have, excellent, did, good, success, woohoo, always, abundance, succeed, experiment
Exercise 1: Replace Negative with Positive
Over the next week look for negative words that you use and write them down. Notice when, where and how you use them. What does it mean? Try to replace these words with positive ones instead. How has this changed your attitude to your creative practice?
Exercise 2: Reflect on Your Work
Study a piece of your own creative work. Spend 2-5 minutes making negative notes. Then spend double the time making positive notes. How does this make you feel about this piece of creative work.
Exercise 3: Create a Positive Affirmation
Write 1-3 of your own positive affirmations around creating. Use the ones below as examples or create your own. Get creative everyone! maybe you make this into a piece of art in itself. Repeat the affirmation(s) regularly.
Examples:
"I am an artist"
"My creativity flows freely"
"I am confident and skilled in my creative work"
"I am proud of my..."
"I enjoy..."
"My creativity makes me happy!"
Feel free to share your positive affirmations with me.
Listen to the episode to find out more.
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

38 min
June 10, 2021 The Importance of Creative Play
In this Episode Susan shares with you her thoughts on the importance of creative play.
This episode includes one of Susan's 'Tea with Susan' discussions - a previously recorded video tutorial that is part of her Inspire Creative Membership. This discussion specifically discussed why playing creatively is so important and was a 'hot topic' when released.
Susan then shares some listener feedback about this discussion and provides a super-easy (and playful) exercise you can do yourself for creative play.
Listen to the episode to find out more.
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
28 min

About Creativity Talks

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Creativity Talks is a weekly podcast with artist, author and creative entrepreneur, Susan Yeates. Each week the show dives deep into the world of creativity and Susan’s fundamental belief that…

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Creativity Talks

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