Windowsill Chats

Margo is joined by fellow PNW island dweller, Rachel Phillips. Rachel is a mama to three boys, 32 chickens, and a 'robust' amount of art supplies. She refers to herself as a little Anne of Green Gables with a dash of Pippi longstocking and a side of Laura ingalls and holds a master's degree in wildflower picking, a doctorate in smearing paint and has studied extensively under the likes of mother nature, Grandfather Twilight and Bob Ross YouTube videos. Rachel has been practicing heART journaling for over a decade as a way for her to tell her story and the stories of people she meets along the way. They are jam-packed full of art, artifacts (heARTifacts), quotes, lists, collages, illustrations and pretty much everything but the kitchen sink. Her creative niche is joy and she does and makes whatever she feels like, whenever she feels like while giving others permission to do the same.

Topics discussed:

[10:27] Why Rachel was led to journaling and the nostalgia it brought

[16:14] Moving to an island helped me relax.

[22:59] Storytelling: how stories connect generations and spark magical experiences.

[28:30] Fitting your creativity in as it works for you. Why Rachel does pick-up pages instead of morning pages.

[29:33] Rachel's new online course and unique way of sharing creative tips for journaling.

[34:58] How she's manifested her current life and what she hopes to manifest in the future.

[45:06] Living authentically and honestly and the pros and cons that come with it.

[46:29] Being multi passionate

[56:02] Who inspires Rachel

Connect with Rachel:

www.instagram.com/rachelphillips3

www.plantingmarigolds.com

https://plantingmarigolds.teachable.com/p/heart-journal-course

Margo is joined by artist, illustrator and quintessential creative entrepreneur, Becky Dawson. Becky started screen printing t-shirts in her spare bedroom 12 years ago with a little knowledge and a lot of hope (and creativity) and has since evolved into designing and manufacturing her own line of paper and gift products sold in 100's of stores worldwide. She paints, draws, and makes ceramic creations on top of owning and managing a brick and mortar gallery & gift shop that exclusively carries her art and products. Becky's art is a creative world full of mythical creatures, farm animals and pets, plants and flowers and she's inspired by the beautiful, the unusual, joy, and fun.

Topics Discussed:

[00:55] Becky's early creative path going from hairstylist to graphic tee designer and Etsy shop owner

[07:55] Discovering creative potential and consistent income through new endeavors

[18:06] Finding new ways to manage and ship products in order to focus on her art

[20:03] How Becky built her brand locally and why she opted out of most trade shows

[27:48] Finding connection through art and conversations with others

[36:13] Getting into ceramics

[42:29] How slow periods have led to artistic growth and expansion

[44:17] Getting creative during the pandemic and opening her self-serve gift shop

[51:19] Advice for emerging artists and creatives on finding their own path

[54:22] People inspiring Becky

Mentioned in this episode:

Morgen Barrett

Budgie Goods

Connect with Becky:

http://onelaneroad.com/

www.instagram.com/onelaneroad

www.facebook.com/onelaneroadart

Margo is joined by elementary school art teacher Faigie Kobre. Faigie uses a choice based method called TAB (teaching for artistic behavior) and has recently developed a program for schools called Beyond Copycat Crafts that helps other teachers aid in how to give children developmentally appropriate, creative art instead of copycat, cookie cutter crafts. Faigie also has taught adult creativity through mixed media and alcohol inks. She teaches the difference between creativity and artistic ability and how our own thoughts on this subject likely stems from our childhood experiences.

Topics discussed:

[02:53] How a business course unexpectedly sparked creativity in Faigie

[08:34] Why she was initially rejected from a coaching program and how taking initiative changed her coaches mind

[12:02] How perfectionism stifles creativity; art is problem-solving.

[21:04] How and why creativity develops differently in us and when we begin to see self-doubt with our own creative abilities

[22:27] How mixed media art has been both transformational and liberating for Faigie

[27:39] Teaching for artistic behavior. Faigie's choice-based program that teaches drawing, collage, painting and creates an exciting learning environment for kids

[31:36] Guiding kids to embrace challenges in creativity

[33:11] Integration of art in education and curriculum

[37:06] Teaching art concepts with freedom, not restrictions

[47:49] How she got involved with alcohol inks and her course

Connect with Faigie:

www.eduart4kids.com

www.eduart4kids.com/beyond

www.instagram.com/eduart4kids

https://www.pinterest.com/faigie/

https://www.facebook.com/eduart4kids/

Margo is joined by co-founder and creative director of El Extraordinario, Marcus Hurst. El Extraordinario is an award winning creative outfit specialized in audio fiction and podcasts making timeless long form content with high production values and a strong emphasis on sound design. Looking more to music record labels like XL Recordings as inspiration for creating podcasts rather than traditional podcasting, El Extraordinario is anything but traditional.

Marcus shares his experiences in the world of blogging, journalism, and now podcasting, and how he's found success in being adaptable, assembling a solid team, brand partnerships, how he manages social media personally and professionally and much more.

Topics discussed:

[02:23] Blogging and its impact on journalism

[06:57] The monopolization of blogging

[11:49] Developing a different approach to journalism

[19:08] The importance of high production values and audio engineering with the types of content he produces

[23:16] Creating a successful sponsored brand podcast in partnership with Switzerland Tourism

[25:48] Coming up with new ideas and how to execute them. Exploring the freedom and risk-taking that comes into play at El Extraordinario

[33:13] Spanish elegance and politeness with ground rules.

[38:26] Benefits of having a small team and understanding each person's unique values

[39:45] Connections and creativity within the podcasting realm

[48:07] Spanish speaking markets versus English speaking markets

[50:03] Upcoming podcast projects

[54:22] People and things currently inspiring Marcus

Connect with Marcus:

https://www.instagram.com/elextraordinario.wtf/

https://twitter.com/marcushurst/

Margo is joined by certified empowerment coach, Sheila Kamuda. Sheila was inspired to become a coach through her own healing journey after the loss of her husband, and leadership experience where she directed a team of 20 creatives and eventually started Live Out Loud Coaching. She is passionate about helping professionals value who they are and what they "bring to the party" and recognize they have not been put here to just take up space but to realize their full potential.

In this episode, Sheila opens up about her own healing journey and how it led her to create her coaching company, her creative practices that helped aid in her healing journey, how to embrace your own brilliance, the power of gratitude, her books and a whole lot more.

Topics discussed:

[04:31] How grieving led to writing letters to her husband and where she received the message to become a coach.

[09:23] Boosting your own confidence and recognizing your accomplishments.

[22:25] Her innovative journal with empowering and simple prompts.

[23:49] Choosing happiness, gratitude, kindness, and self-love. Magical, life-changing principles in a gratitude journal.

[29:20] Overcoming self-doubt, releasing blocks, and trusting intuition.

[32:55] The power in reflecting on past actions and seeking improvement.

[37:39] Her book and how it helps individuals embrace being alone and heal.

[48:41] Who inspires Sheila

Mentioned in this episode:

Sydney

Connect with Sheila:

https://www.liveoutloudcoaching.com/

www.instagram.com/liveoutloudcoach

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheila-kamuda-a056882/

Connect with Margo:

www.instagram.com/windowsillchats

www.windowsillchats.com

www.patreon.com/inthewindowsill

Margo is joined by contemporary visual artist and illustrator Melissa Lakey. Melissa is based in Joshua Tree, California, where the windows of her art studio look out into the Mojave Desert. Her colorful work celebrates the landscape and animals of the American Southwest and her love of cowboys, road trips, and summer vacations. Melissa shares on observing others and how it can inspire our own creative processes, the concept of using sketchbooks with specific themes and approaching journaling, overcoming creative obstacles and more.

Topics discussed:

[01:32] An introduction to Melissa

[05:12] Her unique art journey: finding passions and discovering new possibilities

[12:25] Exploring different techniques and materials in vibrant art

[13:13] Her love for art supplies and some of her favorite tools

[20:21] Her first residency experience and the inspiration and motivation she found in attending

[26:29] First show in Joshua Tree and the feedback she received

[35:39] Thoughts on self-identification and artistic work

[39:20] Her sketchbook practice and how it aids in her projects and bigger works

[42:42] The value she finds in exploring other artists methods

[47:59] Thoughts on teaching

Margo and Melissa also discuss why she took a break from creating and the fears that come up when taking a break, her number one tip for 100-day projects, why social media friends have been pivotal in her career and why she doesn't live post her work but rather waits a month or so to post.

Mentioned in this episode:

Sarah Dyer (https://www.sarahdyer.com/)

Sou'wester Lodge Artist Residency (https://www.souwesterlodge.com/art/artist-residency/)

Hey There Projects (https://www.heythereprojects.com/)

Wyatt Hersey (https://www.wyatthersey.com/)

Emma Carslile (https://www.emmacarlisle.com/)

Natalie Lundeen (https://natlundeen.myportfolio.com/)

Connect with Melissa:

https://www.melissalakey.com

https://www.instagram.com/melissa.lakey

"Colors of the Sun, Songs of the Moon" in Taos, NM from August 19th - September 20th (https://www.instagram.com/lunojo_gallery/)

Sketchbook Workshop (https://inkygoodness.samcart.com/products/sketchbook-workshop-melissa-lakey/)

Connect with Margo:

www.instagram.com/windowsillchats

www.windowsillchats.com

www.patreon.com/inthewindowsill

Margo is joined by talented artist and writer, Caitlin Metz. Caitlin is an illustrator and designer, cloud-watching feeler, new poetry convert, wayward design professor, and a queer gentle parent. They're also irreverent, silly, and deeply romantic about what art-making and feeling your feelings can do for oneself and the world. From drawing to photography, poetry to collaging, Caitlin explores various mediums to express themself and invites others to do the same.

Throughout the conversation, Caitlin shares about the power of the body map and how it can help us understand and navigate pain and other feelings, as well as how it's been a transformative practice for themself. They also share insights into their creative process, including the importance of making space to get bored, engaging in activities that fill them back up, and recognizing the value of small snippets of writing and record-keeping.

Caitlin has an amazing new book just out, (their second) called Feel Something Make Something; a guide to collaborating with your emotions.

Episode Topics:

[00:00] Introduction to Caitlin

[06:09] How art-making is a gift as well as a form of relief and self-care

[14:39] The concept of the body map and its impact on understanding chronic pain

[24:42] Finding resilience in personal practices and the power of returning to them over and over again

[29:17] Using curiosity, attention, and storytelling to drive creative practices

[36:22] How making space to get bored fuels creativity

[41:28] Melding their teaching practice with self-care and how they teach their students

[47:18 ] Learning the rhythm of their body and using it to their advantage

[58:49] Where to find them online, their amazing new book Feel Something Make Something, social media, Patreon, Etsy, and loads more

Mentioned in this episode:

Invisible Things by Andy J. Pizza, Sophie Miller

Atlas of the Heart: Mapping Meaningful Connection and the Language of Human Experience by Brené Brown

Allison Kunath Art

Connect with Caitlin:

www.caitlinmetz.com

www.patreon.com/caitlinmetz

www.instagram.com/caitlinhasfeels

Connect with Margo:

www.instagram.com/windowsillchats

www.windowsillchats.com

www.patreon.com/inthewindowsill

Margo is joined by Brandi Kincaid for a chat on finding inspiration, the power of journaling, and the art of sending extravagant hope by mail. Brandy, a tiny treasure seeker and paper lover, shares her experiences as a designer, creator, and curator of monthly hope packages as they delve into the creative process behind these packages, the importance of personal connections, and the impact they have on both the sender and the recipient. Brandy's passion for journaling and her thoughtful, empathetic approach to her work shines through as she shares insights, tips, and glimpses into the art of finding meaning in the world.

Margo and Brandi discuss:

• Showing up unapologetically

• What it means to bring your tender self to the table

• Why she keeps a commonplace book and notebook with her everywhere she goes

• How she customizes her Extravagant Hope designs for what her community needs each month

• Gentle softness and quiet vs. motivation and a call to action

• What her journal pages reflect

• Her different art supply preferences

• Creating and sharing work as personal expression, not for validation or commercial purposes

• Why she still sends physical products instead of going 100% digital

• Her process of designing, making, packaging for Extravagant Hope package Her internal battles when it comes to marketing and promoting

• Sourcing inspiration

Mentioned in this episode:

Words in Air: The Complete Correspondence Between Elizabeth Bishop and Robert Lowell

The Habit of Being: Letters of Flannery O'Connor by Flannery O'Connor and Sally Fitzgerald

Quilts of Gee's Bend

Connect with Brandi:

https://www.instagram.com/brandi_kincaid

Www.theshinybits.com

Www.Brandikincaid.com

Connect with Margo:

www.instagram.com/windowsillchats

www.windowsillchats.com

www.patreon.com/inthewindowsill

In this episode, Margo is joined by her very own Social Media Manager, Mackenzie Jones. With a diverse and fascinating creative journey of her own, she has become an invaluable resource for artists and makers seeking to harness the power of social media marketing to propel their artistic careers. She dives into her own creative experience and how she became a self-taught social media expert, fostering authentic connections through different platforms, fostering authentic connections and tons of tangible tips for using social media in your own creative business.

Margo and Mackenzie discuss:

• Understanding the social media landscape

• The challenge of self-promotion that many creatives face

• How to choose which platforms to use in your business

• Creating an impactful online presence

• Brand voice and exposure

• Common pitfalls she sees creatives (including herself!) make

• Content pillars

• Aligning with your audience

Send Mackenzie a DM that says "1:1" @socialcreativebrand to get all the details on her special offering!

Connect with Mackenzie:

https://www.instagram.com/socialcreativebrand/

Connect with Margo:

www.instagram.com/windowsillchats

www.windowsillchats.com

www.patreon.com/inthewindowsill

In this episode, Margo dives into the habits of successful creatives - the habits that she's navigated herself and what she sees in the many other creatives she's both worked with and learned from. Finding consistency in practices, embracing failure and iteration, collaborating and networking through different mediums and experiences, and building genuine relationships, explore with Margo what sets creatives apart!

Learn more about Shared Studio Sessions with Margo and get on the waitlist!