Mark and Nick are back, and we return to the topic of real human creativity versus the void of Generative AI. Does AI make more artists, or keep people from the true experience of making something? We explore these topics, and at least make an attempt to find a path forward.

Mark Adams at Mark Adams Pictures

Nick Toga at Design is Blank

Leah Spencer is a graphic designer, creating designs for props and background art needed to make a set come to life in TV and film productions. We go over her path from marketing to working as a designer in the entertainment industry, and more traditional maker projects around her house. Leah discusses the challenges of translating period designs using modern technology.

Check out Leah's work on Instagram and her web site.

Jason from Dark State Forge loves metal working. We trace his path from discovery of metal to continually learning, and finally teaching blacksmithing techniques. Of course we cover the Maker Camp blacksmithing tent, the Blackthorne Group Forge projects, and the New England Blacksmiiths!

Check out Jason on Instagram.

The Catskill Mountain Maker Camp

New England Blacksmiths

This week I talked to Dan Chiaccio founder of First Proof Press, a community print studio in Brattleboro Vermont. We learn about Dan's discovery of printmaking, and how he decided that starting a print shop was the right way to go.

Check out Dan and First Proof Press on Instagram and their web site.

Sean Farbolin - Maker on the Move - has since settled down. He has a maker journey that goes from animation, takes a historical detour into spiral ham and inventing, to freelance set and prop building. We learn about the Fix It Fair, meeting local makers, and what Sean is exploring these days.

Follow Sean on Instagram.

Linsday Liboiron creates fantasy landscapes with creatures that combine elements that make them part of the landscape. Imagine if I tree pulled up its roots and explored the forest, or if a the ground cover combined to become a deer. With color palettes that draw you in, the paintings invite you to explore more deeply. We chat about Lindsay's beginning studying piano and a focus of music, to her discovery of painting, her work at the Ripley's museum restoring wax figures, and how she uses background music in her studio, as well as the combination of sight and sound by playing the sounds inspired by her fantasy landscapes in the gallery.

Follow Lindsay's work on Instagram and her web site.

This week I talk to Angela a sewer and knitter (among other creative pursuits) about the story of her Maker Community Quilt from a simple project to use up scraps to a global collaboration. Along the way we talk about community, creativity, and the value of learning from making mistakes.

Follow Angela's work on Instagram.

This week I chat with Leah Houghtaling, a woodworker from the Finger Lakes region of New York State. We discuss her philosophy of using every scrap as much as possible, out of respect for nature. Leah loves the process of figuring things out and learning from mistakes and sharing what she has learned.

Follow Leah on Instagram for log reveals and a front row seat into her woodworking process.

Leah also has a podcast with Amelia Mighty, Now With More Cheese on Youtube.

This week's I talk to 3 time returning guest Morley Kert about making YouTube videos, and keeping it fun. Morley makes creative projects and focuses on storytelling through the process in his videos. It's all about experimenting and learning by doing.

Check Morley out on YouTube and Instagram.

For the Aftershow and more conversation with my guest check out Patreon

This week is a great conversation with David Picciuto of Makesomething.tv on YouTube, who is all about exploring creativity. We chatted about his recent video with some more creative tips for honing your own personal creativity. We talk about where his creative journey started and a bit about where it might be going next.

Keep up with David on YouTube and check out his 10 Design Hacks video.