In this episode, I sit down with my artist friend Eli to unpack the challenges of 2024 and the creative struggles they revealed. I realize my fear of her stepping away from painting was shaping our conversation, while she simply needed space to heal and reconnect on her terms. We explore creative burnout, balancing spontaneity with intention, and using guiding words for 2025. Listen to Part 1 for more context on Eli’s break from art.

Questions we tackled!

In what ways did creativity help you during tough times?

What changes or realizations about yourself emerged in 2024, and how do you plan to carry them forward?

     5. Have you thought of what your “guiding word” this year will be?

Marketing Experiments & Lessons Learned

Success and challenges with free gift campaign

Managing unexpected subscriber growth

Balancing generosity with business sustainability

Depression, Art & Recovery (00:34:41 - 00:41:08)

Personal experiences with different types of depression

How creativity can be both healing and challenging

The importance of reconnecting with our artistic voice

Looking Forward: 2025 Plans Moving from quantity to quality in creative work

Finding purpose and intention in each painting

Balancing spontaneity with conscious creation

Setting Intentions & Guiding Words

Choosing authenticity as a guiding principle

Creating focused missions for the year ahead

• Supporting each other's creative recovery journey

Mentioned:

Eli’s Website: https://www.elimiklavcic.com/

Wanting to choose your guiding word? This episode will help! Word of the Year: Emerge to Mission | #ArtGoals Ep. 020

I also have a Youtube video covering this here: https://youtu.be/9m04kkaKKaU

Find me on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@miwagardner_art