It’s where courageous creators like you come to feel seen, stirred, and maybe even spiritually high-fived. Because let’s face it, creativity isn’t all sunshine and glitter bombs. Sometimes, it’s messy. Sometimes, it’s terrifying. And sometimes… it requires you to walk straight into the unknown, armed with nothing but a shaky idea and a stubborn heartbeat. But that’s why we’re here. To remind each other that creativity requires courage. Every bold stroke, every unfinished thought you dare to share, every weird little idea you bring into the light, that’s bravery. That’s the heartbeat of what we do. So grab your favourite beverage, light that scented candle if you’re feeling fancy, and let’s get into today’s episode. 

Now, if you’ve been riding this alphabet rollercoaster with me, you know we’ve already broken a few rules together. B was for Breaking Boundaries, and oh, did we smash a few mental walls with that one. But today? We pivot from rebel to raw. From defiant to deep. ... ... The kind of low-key heroic stuff that doesn’t always get applause but deserves a standing ovation. Because creating? Real creating? It’s not just putting paint on canvas or notes on a page. It’s standing in front of the world naked, metaphorically speaking, and saying “This is what I see. This is what I feel. This is what I made.” And oooh, doesn’t that just make your armpits tingle a little?

Let me tell you a story. A few years back, I had a set of photographs, deeply personal, moody, sort of haunted in the way that real honesty can be. I’d taken them during a really raw chapter of my life. And I knew—knew—they were powerful. But man, I was terrified to share them. You know that feeling? That moment when your finger hovers over the “publish” button, your brain spirals into overdrive, and suddenly you’re convinced that the entire internet is going to collectively point and laugh? Yeah. That. I’d been invited to include them in a local exhibition, and everything inside me screamed, “Nope. Don’t do it. Too vulnerable. Too exposed. Too… you.” But then this little voice—somewhere in the back of my brain, wearing bell-bottoms and probably smoking something herbal—whispered, “But what if someone needs to see this? What if your truth unlocks someone else’s?” And that stopped me. Because that’s what creating with courage really is: it’s generosity disguised as vulnerability. 

It’s saying, “Here. This is a piece of me. And maybe, just maybe, it will help you feel less alone.” So I said yes. I submitted the photographs. And when the exhibit opened, I stood awkwardly in a corner, pretending to sip champagne while silently panicking. But then something amazing happened. People came up to me. Total strangers. And they told me how those photos made them feel seen. One woman even said, “It’s like you took a picture of a part of me I’ve never been able to describe.” That, that connection? That was worth every second of fear. Because here’s the truth, darling: when you create from a place of honesty, people feel it. They don’t just see the product, they see the person. And that is where the magic happens. It’s not about perfection. It’s not about polish. It’s about presence. About putting your whole messy, marvelous self into your work. So whether you’re sketching, singing, podcasting, pottery-making, or penning poetry on your lunch break, don’t wait for it to feel safe. It probably won’t. That’s okay. Do it anyway. Do it scared. Because on the other side of that fear? There’s freedom. There’s connection. There’s someone saying, “Thank you for making this. I needed it.” 

... ... You showed up. You listened. You opened your heart just a little wider, and that’s a victory. The truth is, every single courageous act, no matter how small it feels, plants a seed. And from that seed? Grows confidence, creativity, and maybe even a few wildflowers of self-belief. So keep planting. 

... .... And as always, be creative, be you, and be groovy!

Pssst... Have you heard of James Price, The Groovy Creative. He is an artist, creativity coach, and your guide through the messy magic of creative life. Every week, James shares a solo pep‑talk, mixing personal stories, playful prompts, and real talk to help you stay grounded, weird, and wildly creative. No hustle. No perfection. Just soulful inspiration to reconnect with your spark. Whether you’re a painter, poet, educator, or everyday doodler, this is your permission slip to color outside the lines and embrace creativity as a lifeline. Follow the links on The Groovy Creative website at dub dub dub dot the groovy creative dot com too listen to all the episodes!! Now, go be creative, be you, and be GROOVY!

Hey everyone, welcome back to the Groovy Creative. I’m James Price, a curious creative, a lifelong learner, a firm believer that the juiciest, most soul-sparking art happens when you stop asking for permission and start dancing to your own wild rhythm. ...

Whether that conversation is with a fellow artist, your muse, or just that little voice that says, hey, what if we did it differently? All right, my groovy, rule-defying friends, welcome to episode B of our alphabet-inspired creative road trip. Whew, that was it. Last time in episode A, we talked about how art ain’t always pretty, about letting go of perfection and bracing the missy, the glorious chaos that comes with making something real. 

Today though, today we’re pulling out our metaphorical leather jacket, slapping some glitter on our boots, and spray painting no rules across the canvas of our minds. 

Welcome to B. Break the rules, baby. If you’ve ever felt suffocated by all the musts, shoulds, and that’s just how we’ve always done it nonsense, whether in your art, your creative practice, or just showing up in the world, This episode is your permission slip to bust out of that creative jail. Let’s be real. Rules aren’t all bad. We grow up with them for a reason. Don’t touch the hot stove. Look both ways before crossing the street. Don’t eat the glue, even if it does smell kinda good. And in art, rules serve a similar purpose. They help us begin. They give us a roadmap when we’re lost, training wheels when we’re wobbly, and the rule of thirds, perspective, grammar, composition, lighting, genre conventions, these rules can be really helpful, especially when we’re just starting out. 

But here’s the kicker, those same rules that once guided us, they can also start to box us in. Creativity isn’t about perfect technique, it’s about expression. And sometimes the rules become those invisible fences that keep us from chasing the wild ideas that want to run free. ... ... ...

... ... ....

Here’s a little creative truth bomb. If what you’re making feels flat, repetitive, lifeless, It’s not because your talent is lacking, it might just be that the rules you’ve internalised are squashing your originality. Sometimes the bravest thing that you can do in your creative work is say, what if I didn’t do it that way? So let’s make this real. This week, I want you to break a rule. Choose one that you’ve been following out of habit. Maybe it’s always writing a full sentence, never mixing mediums in your artwork, using only one kind of light in your photography. Pick one. Break it. Do it on purpose. Don’t just tinker. Shatter it. And then pay attention to how it feels. Does it scare you a little? Good. That means you’re onto something. 

Let’s get even more real. Sometimes the rules we need to break aren’t about art technique. They’re about life. Like I should really have a job by now. I should be more productive. I’m too old for this and the one that I really hate. I’m not talented enough. Let me be clear, those aren’t rules, they’re lies dressed up in polite language. And the more that we let those shoulds run the show, the more our creativity suffocates. So burn them. Toss them to the mental bonfire and dance around it. 

You don’t need to earn the right to create. You just need to say yes to your own weird, wonderful voice. In a world obsessed with algorithms, optimisations, and doing things the right way, let this be your reminder. You are not a machine, you are not a brand, and you’re not here to colour inside the lines unless you want to. You’re an artist, a maker, a groovy human with something only you can bring to the table. Let your quirks be your compass, let your curiosity be your guide, and above all else, break some rules this week. 

... ... ...

Listen to this Episode’s on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Hey hey, welcome to The Groovy Creative, the show where we toss glitter on self-doubt, boogie with big ideas, and get real about what it means to live and breathe creativity. I’m your host, James Price, fellow artist, creative soul, and firm believer that the best art is sometimes a glorious mess.

Today, we’re kicking off our A–Z adventure with the letter A, and a little love note to the not-so-pretty parts of the creative life. This one’s called: “Art Ain’t Always Pretty” Because let’s be real: sometimes your masterpiece looks like a toddler had a tantrum with a box of crayons. And you know what? That might just be exactly what the world needs.

I know we have briefly talked about this before, but I am a big believer in it, so we’ll expand on it today, and here goes… Something we don’t often admit out loud: a lot of people think that for art to matter, it has to be polished. Precise. Flawless. Museum-ready. Social-media-worthy. We live in a culture that LOVES pretty. Pretty sells. Pretty gets likes. Pretty gets put on a pedestal.

But let me ask you: have you ever stood in front of a raw, jagged piece of art — one that’s unfinished, imperfect, maybe even uncomfortable — and felt something in your bones? Because I have. And I’d take that feeling over pristine perfection any day. We’ve been sold the idea that perfection is the goal. But in creativity? I feel perfection is a brick wall. It’s a creativity killer wearing big boots and a fake smile.

Some of the most powerful creative works in the world are not pretty. They’re raw. They’re full of grief, rage, chaos, confusion, longing — things that aren’t tidy or marketable. Think about Frida Kahlo’s self-portraits. Baas kee a’s graffiti-inspired chaos. Van Gogh’s swirling, tortured landscapes. These pieces bleed. They hurt. They confuse. And they connect. Because at the core of real art is honesty. Vulnerability. Humanity.And guess what? Humans are not always pretty.

There’s beauty in that realness. In the crack of the voice. The uneven brushstroke. The first draft full of typos but soaked in truth. Let me take you into the studio for a second — not mine, necessarily, but any space where creativity happens. It’s not always zen music and candles and aesthetic vibes. Sometimes it’s coffee stains, torn paper, frantic scribbles at 2 a.m., and muttered curse words. That is the art!

The act of wrestling with your own thoughts. Of being unsure, and creating anyway. That moment when something ugly on the page suddenly flickers with meaning — that’s magic, baby. We need to normalize this part of the process. The mess. The struggle. The not knowing. Because the moment you embrace the mess? You unlock creative freedom. You give yourself permission to play. To feel. To fail forward.

Let’s get spicy for a sec. “Pretty” isn’t just a style — it’s often a performance. A trap. A brand. And while there’s nothing wrong with polished, clean, minimal work — we have to ask: is it true, or is it safe? Are you sanding down your edges to be more palatable? Or are you letting your voice — your full, messy, unfiltered voice — come through? Art that pushes buttons, makes us uncomfortable, or challenges norms — it’s not always “pretty.” But it is powerful. It’s real.

... ....

So here’s the takeaway, my groovy friend: Art doesn’t have to be pretty to be powerful. Your mess holds meaning. Your job is not to polish yourself into something acceptable, it’s to express what’s real. So the next time you’re staring at your work thinking, “Ugh, this is ugly,” I want you to ask: “But is it honest?” Because that might be where the gold is.

That’s it for today’s ride on The Groovy Creative. If this episode made you think, feel, or fist-pump the air, I’d love if you’d share it with a fellow creative — and don’t forget to leave a review wherever you’re listening. It helps more groovy people find us.

Episode 3 - Part Two of Two about PlayMay 16, 2025

Hey hey, welcome back to The Groovy Creative Podcast! I’m your host, James Price, and you’ve made it to Part 2 of our two-part creativity series. Last episode, we talked about play. Today, we’re celebrating something just as important: the glorious, chaotic, beautiful beast that is… creative mess. Because let’s be honest, finding your groove? Rarely looks tidy. 

Let me paint you a picture. I’m sitting at my desk right now, sketches everywhere, sticky notes on the wall, coffee stains on my notebook, random sound clips in my editing timeline. And I love it. 

Why? Because that mess means I’m moving. It means I’m exploring, testing, experimenting. Somewhere along the line, we were taught that mess is bad. But in creativity? Mess is momentum. Your desk, your timeline, your brain, it might feel chaotic. But that’s where the gold is. It’s the raw material of your groove. If mess is the medium, then experimentation is the method. Whether it’s in photography, design, podcasting, or even just brainstorming, you only find what works by trying what might not. 

Starting The Groovy Creative was one big experiment for me. I had to learn audio production, branding, planning, editing, none of which I had all figured out. But I showed up anyway. That’s the trick: you don’t find your creative rhythm by waiting for confidence. You find it by doing the thing, badly, awkwardly, beautifully. 

So experiment often. Don’t wait for the perfect idea. Create now, clean later. Now here’s the juicy part: your groove. Your creative groove is your unique rhythm. The flow where things click. The combo of tools, timing, habits, and mindset that feels like you. But here’s the truth, they don’t sell groove at art school. You have to build it through repetition. 

Write every morning. Shoot every weekend. Doodle during lunch. It doesn’t matter when or how, just keep showing up. Groove isn’t about being busy. It’s about being in tune. And that only comes from doing the work. You know I’m big on mindfulness and people centered creativity, and mess plays a role here, too. Having been an educator of three and four year old children, I saw them paint and play without the thoughts the limits us as adults, they didn’t think about what was wrong, only what was right, and that taught me a lot about being in there creative moment. 

Being okay with the mess means being okay with yourself. It means honoring process over perfection. And it makes space for others to be human, too. So breathe. Smile. Let your chaos breathe with you. Your mess is not a mistake, it’s a masterpiece in motion. So, groovy friends, here’s your mission this week: Make a mess. Seriously. Try something new. Break a pattern. Get weird. Don’t clean it up right away. Just do it. And if you want to share it, I’d love to see your chaos, tag me @thegroovycreative. 

You’re not behind. You’re not broken. You’re in it. And that’s exactly where creativity lives. Until next time, keep experimenting, keep exploring, and most of all… stay groovy.

Listen to this Episode’s on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Episode 2 - Part One of Two about Play

This is Part 1 of a two-part series where we explore how to loosen up, get messy, and find your creative groove. So if you’ve ever stared at a blank page, frozen by perfectionism, or felt like your creativity needed permission to come out and play this episode’s for you. Let’s dive in! Let’s be real, somewhere along the way, creativity started to feel like pressure. Deadlines. Deliverables. Likes. Expectations. But creativity? At its core? It’s play. Think back to when you were a kid. Drawing with crayons that didn’t match. Making mud pies. Singing badly but joyfully. None of it had to be good. It just had to be. 

I remember taking photos when I first started, not to impress anyone, but because the light looked cool. Or I’d just wander around with a camera, no agenda, no shot list, just curiosity. That’s what we lose as adults. We swap wonder for strategy. But creativity flourishes when we drop the performance and rediscover the fun. So today, I want you to remember: you don’t need permission to create. You just need to remember how to play. Here’s the thing: rules are helpful until they start becoming walls. Somewhere in our creative development, we start worrying about what’s “right.” We try to stay in the lines, creatively, socially, even emotionally. 

But here’s a radical truth: the magic often lives outside the lines. You don’t have to be perfect. You don’t even have to be good. You just have to start. Write the bad poem. Paint with your fingers. Use that weird filter. Whatever. It’s not about being rebellious for the sake of it. It’s about letting go of the fear of being wrong. Because wrong in creativity? Often means original. So colour outside the lines this week. Make something that breaks your own “rules.” And see what happens. Now let’s zoom out a little, because this is bigger than art. When we give ourselves permission to play, we actually become more human. We become more present, more compassionate, more connected. 

That’s the heart of people-centered living. When you embrace your own messy, playful, beautifully imperfect self, you create space for others to do the same. And when creativity becomes a mindful practice, it becomes more than self-expression, it becomes self-connection. You slow down. You listen. You remember who you are. So today, give yourself grace. And extend that same grace to the people around you. That’s what groovy creativity is all about. 

Alright, groovers, that’s Part 1. Next week in Part 2, we’re getting our hands dirty. We’ll talk creative mess, experimentation, and what it actually means to find your groove. It’s gonna be fun. Until then, your creative challenge: Make something this week just for the joy of it. No rules. No pressure. Just play. And if you feel bold, share it and tag me @thegroovycreative I’d love to see what playful mess you come up with. You’re doing amazing. Keep going. And as always, stay groovy, my friend.

Listen to this Episode’s on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Welcome to The Groovy Creative Podcast, fuelling creativity one conversation at a time. 

Hosted by James Price, this show dives deep into the journeys, passions, and souls of fellow creatives. Whether you’re an emerging artist, a seasoned professional, or a creative hobbyist, tune in for inspiring stories, valuable insights, and entertaining conversations. Now, get ready to explore the creative world. And let’s get groovy. At 53 with a day job that’s definitely not creative, studying an advanced diploma in art and creativity, which definitely is, and trying to be a good husband to my beautiful wife, Wilma, taking on this project is great fun, but way more work than I thought it would be. 

Anyway, let’s rewind a bit. Growing up, I was always the curious one, tinkering with gadgets, pulling stuff apart, and just being too imaginative for my own good. My interests led me to pursue a career in IT, then graphic design. and in 2006 I got bitten by the photography bug. Each discipline offered a unique lens to view the world and I immersed myself in learning and creating. However, as I ventured into the professional world, I often felt like a jack of all and a master of none. I questioned my path, wondering if I should focus on one area or continue exploring multiple avenues. As I navigated my career, I faced numerous challenges. There were moments when projects didn’t go as planned. Clients were hard to please or creative block seemed insurmountable. 

These experiences chipped away at my confidence. Imposter syndrome became a constant companion. I’d ask myself, am I good enough? Or do I truly belong in this creative space? Despite positive feedback and successful projects, self doubt lingered. A significant shift occurred when I decided to confront these feelings head on. I started a level four course in creativity at the beginning of COVID and working my way through completing the level seven advanced diploma in just a few weeks from now. So all of that I began journaling, reflecting on my experiences and seeking inspiration from others who face similar struggles. I realized that many creators grapple with self-doubt and it’s a natural part of the journey. This introspection led me to embrace mindfulness and people-centered living. By focusing on the present moment and connecting deeply with others, I found a renewed purpose in my work. Instead of viewing my varied skills as a hindrance, I began to see them as my strengths. 

 My IT background allowed me to understand the technical aspects of podcasting. Graphic design helped with branding and creating visual content. And photography enabled me to capture compelling images for promotion. By combining these skills, I crafted a holistic approach to creativity, allowing me to express myself authentically and connect with a broader audience. With newfound clarity, I wanted a platform where creators could share their stories, challenges, and triumphs. Thus, The Groovy Creative Podcast was born. 

This podcast aims to be a safe place for artists, designers, writers, and anyone on a creative journey. Through candid conversations, we can explore the highs and lows of the creative process, offering insights, inspiration, and a sense of community. As we embark on this podcasting journey together, I invite you to join me in embracing authenticity, vulnerability, and growth. Whether you’re a seasoned creative or just starting out, there’s a place for you here. Let’s celebrate our unique past, learn from each other and keep the creative groovy!