In this episode, Mama Judy and I talk about something we both love to participate in: what we call artist playdates! There is such connection and creative growth in coming together with other artistic souls, whether it's an intimate session with just one other person or a larger gathering. 

A playgroup is designed to be a nurturing space where you can express your creativity.Whether you're seeking collaboration, accountability, eager to learn from fellow artists or experiment with new techniques, or simply longing for a safe space to engage in what you love (be it knitting, stitching, painting, coloring, etc.), a playgroup offers a meaningful way to connect with your creativity and build lasting relationships with like-minded creatives.

Mama Judy and I discuss how both introverts and extroverts can find a place in these creative gatherings. Mama Judy, as an introvert, reveals how these play dates have added depth to her life and turned creative collaboration into a precious gift.

While I, Jill, the more extroverted of us two share the beauty of my larger neighborhood playdate groups. 

Our goal for this episode is to share our experiences and ideas so you might be inspired to start or join a creative playgroup of your own. 

We hope you enjoy!  

Watch this episode on our YouTube channel here.

If you'd prefer to watch this podcast, you can find us over on our YouTube page (The Mama Judy & Jill Podcast).

We'd LOVE to hear from you! Click here to send us your thoughts and ideas for a future episode.

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>> Mama Judy on Instagram
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In this episode, Mama Judy and I talk about the importance of carving out a personal space AND time for your art practice. By doing this, you lay the groundwork for creativity and help yourself build a consistent routine for engaging with your art.

We share our own tried-and-true rituals and routines and hope that something you learn will inspire a more enjoyable and consistent time in your creative process. 

We hope you’ll tune in!

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Video on needle felting on fabric (I love Tracey’s videos!)
My (Jill’s) felting tool mentioned in the episode. 

If you'd prefer to watch this podcast, you can find us over on our YouTube page (The Mama Judy & Jill Podcast).

We'd LOVE to hear from you! Click here to send us your thoughts and ideas for a future episode.

Send us a direct message on Instagram:
>> Mama Judy on Instagram
>>Jill on Instagram

Remember how we used to make up amazing stories and worlds when we were little? It's easy to lose that magic as we grow up with so many other things going on.

In Episode 11, we're going to talk about how to bring back that sense of wonder and excitement we had as kids. We'll share some fun exercises to help you be more creative, which can also make you feel more confident in your art.

Mama Judy and I both think that a lot of people forget how to use their imagination. We believe it's important to spend time remembering how to dream and play. Like Mama Judy says, sometimes we need to "take the rational mind out of the picture." Our hope is to help you feel like that creative, playful child again when you're working on your art!

Please help us shape upcoming episodes of The Mama Judy & Jill Podcast! What's something you'd like us to talk about?  Click here and let us know (it will take less than one minute). 

If you'd prefer to watch this podcast, you can find us over on our YouTube page (The Mama Judy & Jill Podcast).

We'd LOVE to hear from you! Click here to send us your thoughts and ideas for a future episode.

Send us a direct message on Instagram:
>> Mama Judy on Instagram
>>Jill on Instagram

Our conversation this week is about creating authentic art. Authentic art feels genuine in its creation. It reflects your own, personal style. And it provides a small glimpse into your soul!

In our previous talks on the pitfalls of imposter syndrome and comparison, we described how these stifle our creativity. Similarly, they shield us from our authentic self. We need this self, the truest version of ourselves, to be present in the creation of art that can be seen as genuinely meaningful.

Mama Judy advises us to listen to our hearts to gain access to this self. She suggests authenticity is not a product of our thoughts, but of our feelings. We should pay attention to what we love and explore the areas uncovered by that spotlight. If you’re having fun with your artistic endeavors, you’re on the right track!

Click here to check out the show notes page on our website to see the grungy journal Mama Judy referenced AND for a link to the Gelli Plate Printing tutorial.  

If you'd prefer to watch this podcast, you can find us over on our YouTube page (The Mama Judy & Jill Podcast).

We'd LOVE to hear from you! Click here to send us your thoughts and ideas for a future episode.

Send us a direct message on Instagram:
>> Mama Judy on Instagram
>>Jill on Instagram

In part 2 of Art Can Heal, Mama Judy and I talk with Val Vaganek and look at ways art has helped her overcome trauma and how it continues to.

Using objects from her life that previously triggered painful emotions, Val reshapes their significance with her art. The trauma these “artifacts” represent may not have been thoroughly verbalized, but art has provided the voice and empowered a sense of self in Val to confidently move forward in healing. This safe space is where she allows triggered emotions to surface for examination and where she repurposes them to her design.

Val’s Instagram profile features the quote, “Our issues are in our tissues”, which touches on her understanding of how our traumas are stored in our bodies. She says one of the most powerful ways to experience relief from trauma is through somatic experience. By physically rearranging the items she views as representing pain, her body is engaged in the creative process of rewriting her narrative. So, body and mind are joined in this creativity, which she aptly describes as “cathartic”.

This discussion really opened our eyes to the power of art to overcome. And, while we already appreciated art’s healing influence in our own experiences, that appreciation has been magnified by hearing Val’s story.

(Click here to connect with Val on Instagram)

If you'd prefer to watch this podcast, you can find us over on our YouTube page (The Mama Judy & Jill Podcast).

We'd LOVE to hear from you! Click here to send us your thoughts and ideas for a future episode.

Send us a direct message on Instagram:
>> Mama Judy on Instagram
>>Jill on Instagram

Art can be a powerful force in overcoming pain - both emotional and physical. In Episode #8, Mama Judy and I share our experiences in practicing art as a way to heal from past traumas.

When a person engages in the act of creation, we often shift our attention away from pain. Diversion is useful in this way and can lessen the severity of our suffering.

But art can also help by taking the opposite approach - by sharpening our focus on our pain. In this episode, we talk about ways to encourage the expression of whatever it is that ails us and making artistic use of that expression.

Not only do we benefit from bringing problems to the light where they can be more easily examined, but our art benefits from the dark and rich texture this beautiful layer provides!

Our goal for this episode is to share our experiences using art as a form of healing from trauma in the hope that you might learn something that will bring you healing, too.

Resources mentioned in this episode:
EMDR Therapy
IFS Therapy
Journal Speak
Soul Collage 

If you'd prefer to watch this podcast, you can find us over on our YouTube page (The Mama Judy & Jill Podcast).

We'd LOVE to hear from you! Click here to send us your thoughts and ideas for a future episode.

Send us a direct message on Instagram:
>> Mama Judy on Instagram
>>Jill on Instagram

Artists often find themselves caught in the grip of what is commonly known as "comparison syndrome," which bears striking similarities to the toxic mindset we discussed just last week - imposter syndrome.

In episode #7, Mama Judy suggests that the reason for these debilitating conditions might be our need for validation from others. When we start feeling jealous, resentful, or doubting ourselves when we look at other artists' work, comparison syndrome may be to blame. 

Today’s podcast reminds us to look inward for an appreciation of our artistic offerings. Even if we can find gratitude for one small detail we like about our own work, it can make a positive impact on how we engage with our craft. When we concentrate on our chosen way of expressing ourselves and appreciate it, the negative effects of comparing ourselves to others become less prominent.

If you'd prefer to watch this podcast, you can find us over on our YouTube page (The Mama Judy & Jill Podcast).

We'd LOVE to hear from you! Click here to send us your thoughts and ideas for a future episode.

Send us a direct message on Instagram:
>> Mama Judy on Instagram
>>Jill on Instagram

As artists continuously aspiring to new creative heights, it’s only natural to question our status along the way. “Am I going the right way?” and “Do I belong here?” are questions worth considering. But if you find yourself struggling to answer these in the affirmative, you might relate to what is known as “imposter syndrome”. We cover this topic in Episode #6.

Imposter syndrome can be debilitating, with feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt. We may feel like we’re posing as an artist and, in spite of our success, fear the imposter within will eventually be exposed.

It’s important to realize imposter syndrome is a normal part of being an artist, or human for that matter. The mindset, though, is generally self-induced, imagined, and unfounded.

If you’ve had thoughts or feelings of being unworthy of the praise your art has delivered, you’re not alone. Mama Judy and I share some of our experiences and how we overcame bouts of imposter syndrome. We hope you find them helpful!

If you'd prefer to watch this podcast, you can find us over on our YouTube page (The Mama Judy & Jill Podcast).

We'd LOVE to hear from you! Click here to send us your thoughts and ideas for a future episode.

Send us a direct message on Instagram:
>> Mama Judy on Instagram
>>Jill on Instagram

In Episode 5, Mama Judy  and I take a look at perceived mistakes which inevitably occur in the creative process. 

Sometimes, when we're working on our art, we're too focused on making everything perfect and following a specific plan. We end up worrying too much about the end result and forget to enjoy the journey. The truth is, these "mistakes" are just a normal part of creating something and should be seen as important lessons we've learned - they're not a waste of time! In fact, they help guide us toward fresh and unique ways to express our art.

In our podcast, we talk about how we can stop being scared of making mistakes, and how to take advantage of them when they happen. We even question if mistakes really exist in art at all! Learning to accept our mistakes makes us less stressed, which allows us to be more freely creative. Surprisingly, it might be even more rewarding to intentionally make a lot of mistakes in our art than trying to keep everything under tight control!

If you'd prefer to watch this podcast, you can find us over on our YouTube page (The Mama Judy & Jill Podcast).

We'd LOVE to hear from you! Click here to send us your thoughts and ideas for a future episode.

Send us a direct message on Instagram:
>> Mama Judy on Instagram
>>Jill on Instagram

It’s vacation season for a lot of us, so in Episode 4, we offer tips for maintaining artistic connection throughout our travels.

Whether venturing by road, rail, or sky, there are practical steps we overlook in preparation for mobilizing our creativity. A bird-watcher would be certain to pack their binoculars before heading to Mexico to witness the migration of a rarely sighted species. We should be no less committed to our interests. If art truly is nourishment for our souls, it would be neglectful to leave the vital ingredients of our sustenance behind at home.

Travel offers unique opportunities to sample new flavors, glimpse a sunset from a fresh angle and elevation, and discover floral fragrances unavailable at home. As artists, these experiences come to life in our works. With the right tools and intention, we can capture these elusive highlights, artfully arranging pieces of our unique perspectives. And, remembering to pack a creative awareness along with other essentials ensures a deeper, more meaningful journey. It’s a win-win!

So, join us in this week’s episode as Mama Judy and I chat about our own traveling-with-art experiences, as well as sharing insight from other travelers.   

If you'd prefer to watch this podcast, you can find us over on our YouTube page (The Mama Judy & Jill Podcast).

We'd LOVE to hear from you! Click here to send us your thoughts and ideas for a future episode.

Send us a direct message on Instagram:
>> Mama Judy on Instagram
>>Jill on Instagram