Windowsill Chats

Margo is joined by artist, author, and educator Lisa Solomon to discuss her newest book, Art, Craft, Color—a thoughtfully curated collection of essays, reflections, and creative projects designed to inspire a more playful, hands-on approach to making. Lisa's work explores the intersection of art, craft, and personal history, often blending unexpected materials and techniques to challenge traditional boundaries. Alongside her studio practice, she teaches at the college level and has authored several books on color and creativity.

In this conversation, Lisa offers a behind-the-scenes look at her process while reflecting on experimentation, perfectionism, and the power of community.

Margo and Lisa discuss:

• The origin story behind Art, Craft, Color and how the project came to life
• The collaborative process of curating artists, materials, and color palettes
• Blurring the lines between art and craft, and why that distinction matters less than we think
• Embracing experimentation and stepping outside your creative comfort zone
• Letting go of perfectionism and focusing on process over outcome
• The impact of social media on creativity—both the inspiration and the pressure
• Why working with your hands is more important than ever in today's world
• Building community and connection through shared creative practices

Connect with Lisa: Website: www.lisasolomon.com Instagram: www.instagram.com/lisasolomon

Connect with Margo:www.windowsillchats.com www.instagram.com/windowsillchats www.patreon.com/inthewindowsill

In this replay episode, Margo is joined by tax expert Hannah Cole who specializes in working with creative businesses and mission-driven solopreneurs. A long-time working artist herself, she's helped tens of thousands of self-employed people skill up with accessible tax and money education, through her Money Bootcamp program, speaking engagements from Florida to Alaska, and on the Sunlight podcast. She is the founder of Sunlight Tax. As artists carve their paths through various industries, they encounter a myriad of challenges, yet financial literacy is rarely addressed, leading to feelings of failure and shame. Today's conversation with Hannah sheds light on this systemic failure and turns it into a journey of empowerment and self-compassion (something all creatives should have)!

Margo and Hannah discuss:

• The responsibilities that come with being a small business owner in the US
• Navigating self-employment taxes and optimizing deductions
• Personal struggles that Hannah faced within her own creative career and financial literacy
• What propelled her towards accounting education
• How she acts as a translator between the creative and tax worlds
• Simple advice artists can implement today when it comes to money management
• Her Money Bootcamp program and podcast
• How to save more money
• And more!

Connect with Hannah:

www.instagram.com/sunlighttax

www.sunlighttax.com

www.sunlighttax.com/podcast

Connect with Margo:

www.windowsillchats.com

www.instagram.com/windowsillchats

www.patreon.com/inthewindowsill

Margo sits down with artist, writer, and creator Emily Gaines Demsky for a conversation centered on creativity, perspective, and the quiet power of noticing what's good. Emily makes vibrant floral paintings (symbols of hope and possibility), and is the founder of Tell Me 3 Good Things, a Substack community practice centered on noticing, naming, and sharing simple moments of goodness each day. Through her work, she invites others to shift their perspective in meaningful, life-giving ways.

Emily's approach blends art, writing, and daily ritual into a powerful reminder: even in difficult seasons, we have the ability to choose where we place our attention. From her father's lasting influence to the organic growth of her community, this conversation explores how small, intentional practices can create profound change.

Margo and Emily discuss:

• How perspective is a daily choice—and how it shapes both creativity and resilience
• The origin and impact of the "Tell Me 3 Good Things" practice
• The role of grief, joy, and life transitions in shaping creative work
• How authenticity fosters deep, meaningful community
• The symbolism of flowers as hope, possibility, and light
• Toxic positivity versus building resilience
• How noticing and naming goodness can shift the way we experience our lives

Connect with Emily:

• Website: www.emilygainesdemsky.com
• Tell Me 3 Good Things on Substack: emilygainesdemsky.substack.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/emilygainesdemsky

Connect with Margo:

• Website: www.windowsillchats.com
• Instagram: @windowsillchats
• www.patreon.com/inthewindowsill
• https://www.yourtantaustudio.com/thefoundry

Margo is joined by artist and illustrator Madison Phipps, the creative force behind Madison Phipps Studio. Known for her feminine, timeless botanical artwork rooted in nostalgia and storytelling, Madison shares how she's built a growing art business while balancing motherhood and a full-time job. From painting in the quiet margins of her day to landing dream collaborations and launching collections, this conversation is a refreshing and honest look at what it really takes to pursue creativity in the "messy middle."

Margo and Madison explore the mindset shifts, practical strategies, and courageous decisions that helped her turn a personal creative practice into a thriving business, without waiting until everything felt "ready."

Margo and Madison discuss:

• Using the question "what's the best that could happen?" as a roadmap for growth and decision-making
• How sharing her journey on TikTok helped her grow a community and gain visibility
• Pitching yourself before you feel ready—and how cold outreach led to major opportunities
• The inspiration behind her nostalgic, botanical artwork rooted in childhood memories
• Launching and sustaining a snail mail print club as a recurring revenue stream
• Lessons from collaborations, including her botanical collection with Paloma & Co
• Balancing ambition, creativity, and family life without burning out

Connect with Madison

• Madison Phipps Studio: https://www.madisonphippsstudio.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/madison.phipps.studio/
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@madisonphippsstudio

Connect with Margo:

• Website: www.windowsillchats.com
• Instagram: @windowsillchats
• www.patreon.com/inthewindowsill
• https://www.yourtantaustudio.com/thefoundry

Margo is joined once again by Abby Campbell for a Creative Current Events catch-up episode, and this one is packed. After a short hiatus, the two dive right back into the ever-evolving world of art, design, and creative business—starting with Margo's firsthand experience exhibiting at the Birmingham Spring Fair's new Licensing Lab. She shares what stood out, from booth design trends to the shifting landscape of licensing and wholesale in a post-SurTex world, offering a behind-the-scenes look at where the industry is heading.

From there, Margo and Abby broaden the conversation into a curated mix of resources, trends, and cultural observations shaping creative work right now. They explore everything from artist-friendly AI tools and art competitions to trend forecasting, retail evolution, and immersive brand experiences.

Mentioned in this episode: https://www.entrythingy.com/blog/best-art-calls-2026 https://business.pinterest.com/pinterest-predicts/ https://www.fastcompany.com/91504420/claude-can-turn-your-handwriting-into-a-font https://www.powderartfoundation.org/ http://southernliving.com/michaels-fresh-flowers-11920325 https://www.retaildive.com/news/aritzia-acquires-fred-segal/812686/

Margo is joined by artist, author, and teacher Sam Dion Baker for a conversation about creativity, sketchbook practice, and finding meaning in the everyday. Originally from Philadelphia and now based in Brooklyn, Sam spent over two decades as a graphic designer before returning to drawing in her forties—ultimately building a deeply personal and widely loved sketchbook diary practice. Through her books, teaching, and artwork, Sam encourages others to slow down, observe their lives, and express themselves in their own unique way.

Margo and Sam discuss:

• How a lifelong exposure to art shaped her creative path (and why it didn't follow a straight line)
• The transition from graphic design to a personal, sketchbook-based art practice
• Why sketchbooks can act as a form of therapy, reflection, and emotional processing
• Finding beauty and inspiration in everyday moments, not just big adventures
• Letting go of perfection and embracing messiness as part of the creative process
• Simple exercises to loosen up creatively (like continuous line drawing and using your non-dominant hand)
• How to develop your own unique creative voice through observation and consistency
• Sam's books and upcoming projects, including her new coloring book Color Your World

Connect with Sam: Website: www.sdionbaker.com Substack: www.samanthadionbaker.substack.com Instagram: www.instagram.com/sdionbakerdesign

Connect with Margo:

• Website: www.windowsillchats.com
• Instagram: @windowsillchats
• www.patreon.com/inthewindowsill
• https://www.yourtantaustudio.com/thefoundry

Margo is joined by illustrator, creative community builder, and industry champion Salli Swindell, who has spent nearly five decades in the illustration world. Salli began her career at American Greetings before co-founding several beloved platforms with her brother Nate Padavick—including They Draw, The Illustrator's Circle, and Illustrators For Hire—all dedicated to celebrating and promoting illustrators around the globe. Margo and Salli explore Salli's creative evolution, from decades of client-driven illustration work to embracing a more personal, self-directed creative practice.

Margo and Salli discuss:

• The power of starting small and following curiosity instead of waiting for a master plan
• How Salli and her brother Nate built global platforms from the ground up
• Why partnerships with people who have different strengths can open unexpected doors
• Salli's shift from decades of client-driven illustration work to developing a personal creative practice
• The origin story of Snack + Sketch, a gathering that blends creativity, food, and meaningful connection
• Why community, creativity, and shared meals can be powerful pillars of wellness
• How simple gatherings around your kitchen table can spark inspiration and lasting creative friendships

Connect with Salli:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sallistyle/

Website: https://freshfoodillustration.cargo.site

Illustrators For Hire: https://illustratorsforhire.com

The Illustrator's Circle: https://www.illustratorscircle.com

They Draw: https://www.they-draw.com

Connect with Margo:

• Website: www.windowsillchats.com
• Instagram: @windowsillchats
• www.patreon.com/inthewindowsill
• https://www.yourtantaustudio.com/thefoundry

Margo is joined once again by celebrated illustrator, author, and educator Mike Lowery for a lively conversation about the realities of building a creative career. Mike is the New York Times bestselling illustrator of more than 80 books for children and he's spent decades navigating the ups and downs of freelance illustration and publishing.

In this episode, Margo and Mike pick up where their first conversation left off—diving into the lessons Mike has learned over twenty years as a working illustrator, what it actually takes to build a portfolio that attracts clients, and why being "good at drawing" isn't always the same as being hireable. They also talk about Mike's new course, Get Paid to Draw, designed to help illustrators create strategic portfolios, understand what art directors are really looking for, and turn their creative skills into real opportunities.

Margo and Mike discuss:

• What Mike's younger self would think of his career today
• The behind-the-scenes work of running a creative business
• Why a strong portfolio matters more than raw talent when it comes to getting hired
• Portfolio tips to help art directors understand how your work fits their needs
• The difference between creating art for yourself versus creating work that attracts clients
• The power of community in a freelance creative career
• Mike's Get Paid to Draw course and how it helps artists build portfolios that actually lead to work
• The upcoming Portfolio Challenge starting March 11 and how creatives can participate

Connect with Mike: Join the Illustration Portfolio Challenge: https://bit.ly/illoportfoliochallenge Website: https://www.mikelowery.com/ Course: https://www.gettingpaidtodraw.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikelowerystudio/

Connect with Margo:

• Website: www.windowsillchats.com
• Instagram: @windowsillchats
• www.patreon.com/inthewindowsill
• https://www.yourtantaustudio.com/thefoundry

Margo Tantau is joined by educator, researcher, and national leader in creativity, arts integration, and STEAM education, Susan Riley. As the founder of the Institute for Arts Integration and STEAM and author of Creativity's Edge, Susan brings a refreshing, deeply human perspective on creativity — not as an artistic gift or innovation buzzword, but as a decision-making skill essential for navigating uncertainty, complexity, and an increasingly AI-influenced world.

Susan shares her journey from growing up as a self-described "farm girl" in Pennsylvania to becoming a pioneer in arts integration. She reflects on the early creative influences that shaped her, the role of music in her life, and the challenges of forging a nontraditional career path.

Margo and Susan discuss:

• Why creativity is a cognitive skill rather than a personality trait or talent
• How uncertainty and complexity actually activate creative thinking
• The hidden cost of optimization, efficiency, and "best practices"
• What "Create Before You Consume" looks like in everyday life
• How curiosity becomes a uniquely human advantage in the age of AI
• The connection between creativity, judgment, and human agency
• Susan's path from educator to national thought leader

Connect with Susan: susanmriley.com

Connect with Margo:

• Website: www.windowsillchats.com
• Instagram: @windowsillchats
• www.patreon.com/inthewindowsill
• https://www.yourtantaustudio.com/thefoundry

Margo is joined by award-winning PR strategist, community builder, and host of the Small Business PR Podcast, Gloria Chou. Known for disrupting traditional PR by helping creatives, founders, and small business owners land top-tier media using AI tools instead of big budgets or insider connections. In this episode, Gloria joins Margo to unpack how PR now fuels AI search visibility, why press and podcasts act as modern trust signals, and how artists, makers, and small brands can use accessible tools like ChatGPT and Perplexity to pitch with clarity, credibility, and relevance.

Margo and Gloria discuss:

• Why visibility—not talent—is often the biggest hurdle for creatives
• Reframing PR as relevance-driven storytelling (not self-promotion)
• Gloria's CPR Method: Credibility, Point of View, Relevance
• How cold pitching works—even without contacts or PR experience
• Using AI tools to research angles and draft pitches in minutes
• Press & podcasts as critical trust signals in AI-driven search
• The shift from traditional SEO to AI shopping and discovery
• Mindset shifts to overcome imposter syndrome and "not newsworthy" thinking

Connect with Gloria:

Website: www.gloriachoupr.com

Instagram: @gloriachoupr

YouTube: @smallbusinesspr

LinkedIn: in/gloriaychou

Connect with Margo:

• Website: www.windowsillchats.com
• Instagram: @windowsillchats
• www.patreon.com/inthewindowsill
• https://www.yourtantaustudio.com/thefoundry