The Creative Train Podcast

A more emotionally charged episode with some recounting of my own experience and catharsis.

Brief synopsis: "Your creative mind is not bound by time or place" 

Consider that. 

Let me know what you think, let's have a conversation. 

As a teacher, you are charged with many tasks- delivering information, testing, marking, monitoring class behaviour, and inspiring your students to want to learn. 

The last part is often the hardest; each student has their own learning needs and motivations so how do you as a teacher grab their attention, then retain it?

By making your lessons relatable instead of treating your classes like a sermon! Here's a bit of what I do to do that.

In this episode I'm diving into the question of why we create things.

What inspired us to take up an artistic pursuit?

What do we hope to accomplish with all this investment of time, money, emotion and space in our homes?

I hope that all artists who listen to this will pick up on some new things to think about, new inspirations, motivations and affirmations. 

And if you are considering finally embarking on the artist's journey- let this add some fuel to your creative fire!

I have enjoyed almost three weeks off of work over the Christmas holiday season, I was very productive at home though! 

In this episode I let you in on a few things coming up for the podcast, guests, inspirations and some fun self-observation.

I could talk about this for days, but here's 17.5 minutes of my thoughts on this!

When our goals and inspirations reach far beyond the normal things that day-to-day-life needs us to do, we tend to become dreamers, wanderers and dare I say, a bit weird?!

Artists- if you're struggling, listen to this, I hope this will ease your struggle. And if you have artsy friends, this episode might help you understand those often misunderstood folks in your life! 

Peter saw his teenage hobby turn into a thriving career! As a young man, he experimented with what was "new tech" at the time- hand-held video recorders and massive machines for editing his creations. 

Later in life, Peter found himself working in various aspects of the burgeoning film industry in Toronto, Ontario (Canada) and finally to his current gig as an independent contractor creating promotional and training videos,  captivating documentaries for major corporations, independent films, working  a day job for a major television production company as well as making social media ads for several local mom-and-pop-shops in his hometown.  

In this episode, we run the gamut of everything you might expect to find when you seek to turn your hobby into your career, from drawing up contracts, to negotiations, to working for "the man", nightmare clients and dream gigs. All of this and more as we discuss the ins and outs  of making a living in the arts! 

This is a bit of a "day in the life" of this particular artsie, but also some very do-able stuff for you if you are struggling to get some creative momentum and to do so GUILT FREE!

Your art/craft/passion/hobby takes time and eventually space. Making and allowing time and space is not being selfish, in fact it does a lot to make us better humans as well as artists! 

Here's what I like to do and what I know from experience also works for many others. 

Have a listen, let me know what YOU do for your creative routines and spaces! 

How and why we create, but also the same thought about why we surround ourselves with art. 

Whether it's music, visual art, food, poetry, art brings us comfort, affirmation and energy.

This is for the artists and consumers alike- how do you choose to decorate your time and space?

As a performer and educator in the arts, I have had the joy of riding that frustrating and furious wave of creative inspiration as my job, but also being a "surfing instructor" to more than 50,000 private students over the past 30-something years.

I've heard every excuse for not practicing! But I have also come up with a response to each and every one of them!

Here are a few things to consider if yours, or your students well of inspiration seems to be running a bit dry. 

Little things, daily things, but they all add up to making you WANT to keep at it!

Creativity is much more than "doing art" in much the same way that "Play" is much more than "doing sports".

To me, a creative mindset is one based in curiosity and honed through play and experience. 

Play time is not a reward for good performance, it can be your refuge, your well of inspiration or just for fun. Either way, it is absolutely necessary to not only make your days a little more enjoyable but also more productive!