A few weeks ago during one of my art shows, I had an experience I've had many times before---but this time it set me off on a train of thought (resulting in a new podcast!).  A festival visitor walked into my booth and took a few moments to look at my work on display. She smiled as she took in the images, colors, textures and stories in my works. After some time, she walked over to me and shook her head, asking "have you ever thought about being an illustrator for children's books? I would love to do something like this, but I don't have a creative bone in my body?" I smiled and thanked her for her kind comments. Minutes, hours, and days after the festival, I found myself stuck on this particular conversation. What had let her, and many other people I've met, to the conclusion that they had NO creativity whatsoever? What is creativity? Is it something that is solely reserved for people who CREATE ART, or is it more than that? 

After a few weeks of pondering this idea, I decided that it was the perfect topic for a new podcast! So, I give you my fourth podcast adventure! I hope you enjoy listening, and if this topic strikes a chord with you, please leave me a comment! I'd love to hear your thoughts :) 

Have a wonder-filled week!

Cheers,

This past week I stumbled upon this excellent quote by Virgil Thomson: 

"Try a thing you haven't done 3 times. Once to get over the fear of doing it. Twice to learn how to do it; and a third time to figure out whether you like it or not."

True to this quote, I am now posting my THIRD podcast, and I must say that I am decidedly enjoying the process. In this week's episode, having just finished having a booth at the Cheyenne Arts Festival, I talk about some of my encounters during the show. Shows like this offer artists the unique opportunity to interact with patrons AS they are viewing the artist's work--an opportunity not afforded by more lengthier gallery exhibits! I absolutely love hearing people explain the meanings and connections they draw from my work. I also talk about the connection between artists and their work and an observation of a moment when that connection wasn't quite right. 

So, I hope you enjoy my musings from the festival! Have a WONDER-filled rest of your week!

Cheers,

A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to attend a conference, during which one of the keynote speakers mentioned the idea of "Surprise & Delight" moments. I don't know about you, but there always seem to be a few ideas that really stick with me after attending a conference or workshop, and this was definitely one of them! So, without giving too much away, I decided that for my second podcast adventure, I would talk out some of my thoughts about "Surprise & Delight" moments--both finding and making them!  So, without further adieu, I give you...my second podcast episode--still very much in it's beginning stages, but a little easier this second time around! 

May your week be filled with little moments of surprise and delight!

​Cheers,

​A few weeks ago, I happened upon a lovely friend's facebook post, where she was introducing her very first podcast attempt!  As I read her post and began listening to her podcast, I began feeling incredibly nervous. My palms began to sweat. Not because I was nervous FOR her (she did GREAT!), but because I had also been wrestling with the idea of creating a podcast since about this time LAST YEAR, and the thought truly terrified me. Why? Because podcasts expose weaknesses. Podcasts require a type of openness that paintings don't require--a LOUD, spur-of-the-moment type of openness. And, unless you have your podcast totally scripted, they allow the speaker to make mistakes. 

After listening to the podcast, I began to more seriously consider the idea...and the root of my fear. The truth is that creating a podcast IS a lot like creating a work of art. In the beginning, there will always be at least some level of fear of judgement and/or failure...and with time, it'll dissipate. But in order to reach that point in time, it is necessary to take that initial step into the unknown. 

So, after taking a deep breath, I took my first step... and guess what? I LOVED it! Sure it's not perfect, but neither am I, and I am okay with that. Full of rookie "mistakes" and recorded in one take, I hope you enjoy my first podcast attempt--and if you don't, that's okay too. :) 

Thanks for listening!

Cheers,