Windowsill Chats

Margo is joined by color-obsessed illustrator and joyful creative spirit, Andrea Campos. Known to many as the talent behind Drea's Doodles, Andrea shares her unconventional journey from a decade-long career in marketing to becoming a full-time visual artist and New York Times bestselling illustrator. What started as a personal art challenge during the pandemic turned into an extraordinary pivot—leading to illustrating a bilingual children's book co-authored by none other than Jennifer Lopez and Jimmy Fallon.

Margo and Andrea talk about the magic of starting before you're ready, the power of creative challenges, and how community can shift your entire trajectory. Andrea shares on embracing her playful voice, navigating imposter syndrome, and showing up authentically as a first-generation Mexican American artist. Margo and Andrea discuss:

• Andrea's path from corporate marketing to full-time creative work

• How an art challenge sparked a major publishing opportunity

• Embracing a joyful, playful art style despite industry expectations

• Building creative confidence and community on Instagram

• Illustrating Con Pollo and being featured on The Tonight Show

• The value of representation and storytelling through a bilingual lens

• Using art to invite empathy and spark connection

• Her upcoming solo book project and the character that inspired it

• The importance of creative "side quests" and making art just for fun

Connect with Andrea: https://instagram.com/dreasdoodles

dreasdoodles.com

https://www.tiktok.com/@dreasdoodles

Tips for Kids Books!

https://dreasdoodles.substack.com/p/new-to-kidlit-here-are-my-favorite Connect with Margo:

www.windowsillchats.comwww.instagram.com/windowsillchats

www.patreon.com/inthewindowsill

https://www.yourtantaustudio.com/thefoundry

Margo is joined by photographer, slow stylist, and storyteller Katie Howie. Based in Saint Paul, Minnesota, Katie brings a thoughtful, refined eye to everything she touches—whether she's capturing a family in motion, styling a cozy and intentional home, or consulting with small businesses on creative strategy. Katie shares her journey from studying psychology and women's studies, to a decade in retail marketing, and ultimately to finding her creative footing as a visual storyteller. Margo and Katie explore the power of slow living and how Katie's "slow styling" philosophy helps people reconnect with what truly matters in their homes and their lives. Margo and Katie discuss:

• Katie's transition from psychology studies and retail marketing to creative entrepreneurship

• The origins and meaning of "slow styling" and bringing personalized, accessible touches to home design

• The power of storytelling in both portrait photography and interior styling

• Building authentic creative businesses through community engagement rather than paid advertising

• The importance of staying true to your unique style over following trends

• How family legacy, history, and personal objects inspire and shape creative work

• Katie's community photo projects, including her "By a Thread" series profiling downtown Saint Paul residents

• Working with families and real people to capture genuine moments rather than posed perfection

• The therapeutic value of using and repurposing family heirlooms in daily life

• Practical advice for creatives on finding their voice, sharing their work, and creating from authenticity

Connect with Katie: http://katiehowie.com/ https://www.instagram.com/_katiehowie https://www.instagram.com/by_a.thread_saintpaul

Connect with Margo:

www.windowsillchats.com www.instagram.com/windowsillchats

www.patreon.com/inthewindowsill

https://www.yourtantaustudio.com/thefoundry

Margo is joined by Jennifer Orkin Lewis and Gayle Kabaker—two powerhouse painters, illustrators, authors, and beloved art teachers whose friendship and creative partnership has taken them (and their students) around the world. Jennifer and Gayle each spent years in fast-paced industries—Jennifer as a textile designer in NYC, Gayle as a fashion illustrator and editorial artist—before embracing slower, more intuitive practices rooted in daily sketchbooking, storytelling, and teaching. Together, Jennifer and Gayle lead collaborative retreats and online workshops that encourage creative exploration and self-expression. Their work is joyful, bold, and filled with heart—and they're deeply committed to helping others find their voice. In this rich and honest conversation, they talk about letting go of "shoulds," walking away from stale opportunities, and trusting their own timing—whether that meant leaving agents behind, stepping into teaching, or creating space for personal transformation. Margo, Jennifer, and Gayle discuss:

• How daily sketchbook practice became their creative anchor

• Why process is more important than perfection

• How their retreats have opened doors for their students—and for themselves

• The power of artistic community and creative friendship

• Why five minutes a day can change everything

• How their individual journeys led them to a shared mission in teaching and creating

Mentioned in this episode: July 27th Class: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/painting-faces-florals-and-pattern-play-with-gayle-jennifer-registration-1459034243699

Portugal Retreat: https://uptrek.com/retreat/transformative-sketchbook-retreat-artists-jennifer-orkin-lewis-gayle-kabaker-portugal

Chloe Ward Yoga: https://www.chloeward.yoga/

Zig Markers: https://www.markersupply.com/zigartgrtwma.html?srsltid=AfmBOop1y1ZX-zYJX7i3b7ByZnqncJPHQ7NZ9tRDzucQ3KLAc-YukjFU

Tombow Markers: https://www.dickblick.com/products/tombow-dual-brush-pens/?srsltid=AfmBOorG6HNbBOGAP7igbmAxApp9GwjjeT6vqaJn0B7EBkt-IFO7SS5j

Connect with Jennifer:

https://www.augustwren.com/

https://augustwren.substack.com/subscribe

https://www.instagram.com/augustwren/

Connect with Gayle:

www.gkabaker.com

https://gaylekabaker.substack.com

https://www.instagram.com/gaylekabake

Connect with Margo:

www.windowsillchats.com

www.instagram.com/windowsillchats

www.patreon.com/inthewindowsill

https://www.yourtantaustudio.com/thefoundry

Margo and Abby are back with another installment of Creative Current Events, a special segment of Windowsill Chats where creativity, culture, and community collide. This episode spans a range of creative topics—from Beloved Asheville's heartfelt relief efforts in Kerrville, Texas, to the ripple effects of rising postage costs and UPS layoffs on small creative businesses. They dig into a major fair use ruling involving Anthropic that could impact the future of AI-generated content, and explore how tools like Canva's Magic Write are giving small businesses fresh ways to create with confidence. They also spotlight sustainability-minded artists turning trash into treasure—and an unexpected art gallery found in a Texas truck stop bathroom. As always, it's a curious and timely mix of what's happening now and what it means for the creative world. Articles Mentioned:

• UPS offers buyouts to drivers as it shutters 73 sites, laying off 20,000 jobs

• Anthropic wins a major fair use victory for AI — but it's still in trouble for stealing books

• How to use AI as a small entrepreneur

• Summerween - It's back!

• Octogenarian Says Joy Is Contagious

• Turning glass into sand!

• https://glasshalffull.co/

• Visualising Britain's fashion waste problem with cyanotype photography

• A world first in size and scale, V&A East Storehouse immerses you in over half a million works from every creative discipline.

• Texas's Hottest Art Gallery Is the Buc-ee's Bathroom

• Unwasted transforms local waste streams into tiles

Connect with Abby:

https://www.abbyjcampbell.com/

https://www.instagram.com/ajcampkc/

https://www.pinterest.com/ajcampbell/

Connect with Margo:

www.windowsillchats.com

www.instagram.com/windowsillchats

www.patreon.com/inthewindowsill

https://www.yourtantaustudio.com/thefoundry

Margo is joined by Andee Hart, a former Fortune 500 sales executive turned thriving creative entrepreneur, candle maker, and coach who helps women overcome sales anxiety and grow their businesses with integrity. As host of the She Sells Differently podcast and founder of Hart Design Co., Andee brings her bold, heart-centered approach to entrepreneurship—and in this episode, she shares her powerful journey from side hustle to full-time business ownership.

Margo and Andee discuss:

• Making the leap from corporate sales to creative entrepreneurship

• Building a thriving product-based business from the kitchen up

• Navigating fear and perfectionism when starting something new

• Why selling doesn't have to feel "icky" and how to reframe it as service

• The power of email marketing and why it trumps social media

• Strategies for pricing your work with confidence and integrity

• Approaching retailers for wholesale partnerships

• Knowing who your customers aren't (and why that's freeing)

• Andee's counter-cultural approach to sales and marketing

Connect with Andee:

Website: https://andeehart.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andeehart/

Hart Design Co Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hartdesignco/

Andee's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andeehart/

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/shesellsdifferently/

She Sells Differently Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/she-sells-differently-authentic-selling-business-growth/id1731402504

Connect with Margo:

www.windowsillchats.com

www.instagram.com/windowsillchats

www.patreon.com/inthewindowsill

https://www.yourtantaustudio.com/thefoundry

Margo is joined by rising country artist Krystal King, a Nashville-based singer-songwriter with roots in North Carolina and a background in music therapy. With her raw, emotionally laced vocals and vivid, imagery-rich storytelling, Krystal brings a fresh take on a classic country sound—infused with folk, soul, blues, and rock.

After studying music therapy at Appalachian State University and working in psychiatric care, Krystal made the bold move to Nashville in 2017 with nothing but her guitar and a calling she couldn't ignore. Since then, she's self-produced her debut album Pretty Poison, performed on iconic stages like the Bluebird Café, and become a DJ on SiriusXM's Radio Margaritaville.

Margo and Krystal discuss:

• The emotional layers behind songwriting

• How music therapy shaped her creative approach

• Producing her own album + building a supportive team

• Performing across the country and trusting the process

• Courage, creativity, and the nervous system connection

• Staying honest, quirky, and grounded in the country music world

Connect with Krystal: www.krystalkingmusic.com

https://www.instagram.com/krystalkingmusic/

https://www.facebook.com/Krystalkingmusic/

https://www.tiktok.com/@krystalkingmusic

https://www.youtube.com/@krystalkingmusic

Connect with Margo:

www.windowsillchats.com

www.instagram.com/windowsillchats

www.patreon.com/inthewindowsill

https://www.yourtantaustudio.com/thefoundry

This week on Windowsill Chats, Margo is joined by Mary McGreevy, the creative mind behind the viral TikTok account Tips From Dead People. What began as a curious, ironic hobby—reading obituaries for life advice—has blossomed into a meaningful exploration of what it means to live well. With a background in public policy and a penchant for heartfelt storytelling, Mary has built a community around the simple idea that there's wisdom in the words left behind.

Margo and Mary explore how obituaries—whether poignant, irreverent, funny, or achingly honest—reveal what really matters at the end of the day. They talk about how quirks, flaws, and tiny joys shape the legacies we leave behind, why zigzagging through careers and passions can be more fulfilling than following a set path, and how embracing our humanity—mess and all—creates space for connection.

Mary and Margo discuss:

• The beginnings of Tips From Dead People and how it evolved from a personal hobby into a viral phenomenon

• Why traditional career advice like "find your passion" can be misleading

• How reading obituaries illuminates the richness of so-called "ordinary" lives

• The value of quirks, humor, and imperfections in shaping how we're remembered

• Shifting our definition of success from accolades to meaningful details

• Creating inclusive spaces built on shared humanity

• Why being a generalist in life and career can be a strength, not a weakness

• What obituaries can teach us about writing (and rewriting) our own life stories

• How weird, one-off ideas often turn out to be the most impactful

• The healing, grounding power of stories—especially those from unexpected places

Connect with Mary: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tipsfromdeadpeople

IG: https://www.instagram.com/tipsfromdeadpeople/

Substack: https://substack.com/@tipsfromdeadpeople

Connect with Margo:

www.windowsillchats.com

www.instagram.com/windowsillchats

www.patreon.com/inthewindowsill

https://www.yourtantaustudio.com/thefoundry

Margo and Abby are back and diving into mosaic mania, bold color trends, and major shakeups in the creative world in this episode of Creative Current Events, a special segment of Windowsill Chats. This curious and timely conversation covers everything from headline-making news to the creative tools and trends shaping what's next. They unpack the big story of Michaels acquiring Joann Fabrics and what it could mean for artists, crafters, and small-town makers alike. They also explore the surprising team-up between Disney and Universal in a lawsuit against MidJourney that could reshape the future of AI-generated art, along with the rise of biophilic design, the comeback of mosaics, and Sherwin-Williams' new "loneliest" color.

Articles Mentioned:

• Michaels acquires Joann Fabrics

• Disney & Universal sue MidJourney over AI use

• Ariadne AI toolkit for arts education

• Top wall art trends for 2025

• Biophilic design and color drenching

• Sherwin-Williams: The Loneliest Color

• Pantone Color of the Year in review

• Why mosaics are having a moment

• Vermeer's Girl with a Pearl Earring in 108 gigapixels

• Extreme mold threatening museum collections

• 12 traits of creative people

• Traits that will define next-gen creative leaders

• Meta used my book for AI training... and I didn't mind

• Find artist calls and open submissions

• Artwork Archive: Call for Entry

• My Friends by Hisham Matar

• James Clear's 3-2-1 Thursdays

Connect with Abby:

https://www.abbyjcampbell.com/

https://www.instagram.com/ajcampkc/

https://www.pinterest.com/ajcampbell/

Connect with Margo:

www.windowsillchats.com

www.instagram.com/windowsillchats

www.patreon.com/inthewindowsill

https://www.yourtantaustudio.com/thefoundry

Carolyn Gavin returns to Windowsill Chats for a joy-filled conversation about painting, purpose, and the evolution of her creative life. Based in Toronto by way of South Africa, Carolyn is a painter, illustrator, designer, and teacher known for her joyful use of color and pattern across mediums from watercolor to acrylic. She's also the principal designer for Ecojot, her family's eco-friendly stationery brand, and a beloved teacher to students around the world.

In this episode, Carolyn shares the winding path of her creative journey—from childhood painting sessions to licensing her artwork for textiles and books, designing products, and leading retreats in beautiful locations. She opens up about the meditative power of painting, how travel and nature influence her process, and what it means to show up again and again for your art with playful curiosity.

Margo and Carolyn Discuss:

• Transitioning from advertising to co-founding Ecojot, a sustainable stationery brand

• How travel and living across cultures shaped her creative perspective

• Embracing bold, joyful color and large-scale experimentation

• The meditative power of painting as daily grounding Overcoming creative ruts and finding flow again

• Her playful balance between structure and spontaneity in art-making

• Translating flowers, landscapes, and real-world inspiration into distinctive work

• Building community through teaching—both online and at global retreats

• Advice for artists pursuing teaching, licensing, and product-based careers

• Navigating the business of art while maintaining personal joy and family life

• The ongoing importance of learning, evolving, and being inspired by others

Connect with Carolyn:

www.carolyngavin.com

www.instagram.com/carolynj

https://www.facebook.com/carolynjennygavin

https://ca.pinterest.com/carolyn_gavin/_saved/

https://www.threads.com/@carolynj

Connect with Margo: https://www.tantaustudio.com

https://www.instagram.com/windowsillchats/

https://www.patreon.com/c/inthewindowsill

https://www.yourtantaustudio.com/thefoundry

Margo is joined by Swedish designer, illustrator, and educator Tina Backman for an inspiring conversation about creativity, self-discovery, and the winding path of a creative life.

From a shy childhood filled with drawing, journaling, and music, Tina shares how creativity became her truest language—and how that expression evolved into an international career in design, education, and branding. Margo and Tina explore the realities of navigating a creative career: the pressure to pursue "practical" paths, the challenges of freelance life, and the courage it takes to follow your inner voice.

Tina also opens up about rebuilding her creative presence after losing her Instagram account, the magic of physical creative spaces, and why gathering with other women has been essential to her journey. It's a rich, vulnerable, and empowering episode filled with lessons on resilience, reinvention, and reclaiming creative joy.

Topics discussed by Margo and Tina:

• Using creativity as a safe space and communication tool in childhood

• The tension between societal expectations and following an artistic path

• Tina's experiences studying in the UK vs. Sweden—and how that shaped her work

• Transitioning from international freelance work to teaching design

• How to recognize when a project isn't the right fit (and why that matters)

• Why Tina created her own studio—and how it reignited her inspiration

• The importance of community and local creative gatherings for women

• Balancing creative work with full-time roles, like branding for a Swedish municipality

• Tips for presenting creative ideas in a way that resonates with clients

• Honoring your past creative work, even when life gets busy

Connect with Tina:

https://tinabackman.se/

https://www.instagram.com/tinabackmandesignstudio/

Connect with Margo: https://www.tantaustudio.com

https://www.instagram.com/windowsillchats/

https://www.patreon.com/c/inthewindowsill

https://www.yourtantaustudio.com/thefoundry