Show Up or Shut Up with Wendy Solganik

In this episode of the Show Up or Shut Up podcast, host Wendy interviews iconic Australian mixed media artist Laura Horn. They discuss Laura's journey in the art world, the impact of her online courses, and the challenges of balancing art creation with the demands of running an art business. Laura talks about the transition from art to business tasks, managing stress, and the importance of embracing different life phases. Wendy shares her struggles with space for creating art and the guilt associated with balancing family and work responsibilities. The conversation reveals insights into the evolving roles and expectations of women artists and business owners, touching upon the importance of intuition, adaptability, and self-care.00:14 Meet Laura Horn: Mixed Media Icon01:07 Wendy's Artistic Journey and Inspirations03:11 The Impact of Laura's Work08:58 Balancing Art and Business33:13 Navigating Social Media as an Artist50:13 Struggles with Artistic Self-Criticism51:09 Phases of Intensity and Stress in Business52:11 The Hidden Stress of Running a Tech Business56:34 Balancing Gratitude and Frustration with Technology59:10 The Intersection of Art and Business Metrics01:05:13 Creating a Harmonious Art and Business Life01:08:26 The Journey to Finding a Dedicated Art Space01:20:58 The Challenges of Balancing Family and Work01:25:58 The Importance of Seeking Help and Self-Care01:28:31 Closing Thoughts and Gratitude

In this episode of the 'Show Up or Shut Up' podcast, Wendy Solganik interviews Carrie Smith, an artist and new instructor in Fodder School 4. Carrie reflects on her 12-year teaching career, her evolution into a collage artist inspired by her daughter, and her global travels that deeply influence her art. The discussion covers Carrie's experiences with adult ADHD, its late diagnosis, and its impact on her life and family's dynamics. They explore her journey of teaching world culture art classes to children, and the significant role that Fodder School played in her artistic development. The episode emphasizes the blend of creative freedom and structured guidance, highlighting Carrie's excitement about joining as a Fodder School teacher. This heartfelt conversation showcases the inspiring interplay of art and teaching. 00:37 Carrie's Background and Artistic Journey 04:30 Carrie's Childhood and Family Life 06:52 Growing Up Near the Mexican Border 13:48 College Years and Early Career 16:26 The Life-Changing World Trip 25:53 Teaching Around the World Art Classes 34:06 Homeschooling and Creative Education 52:10 ADHD Diagnosis and Personal Insights 54:08 A Lifetime of Business Ideas 55:01 The Importance of Focus 56:07 ADHD as a Superpower 57:01 Family Dynamics with ADHD 58:05 Challenges in Education 01:02:14 Understanding ADHD 01:13:15 The Journey into Art 01:21:10 Joining Fodder School 01:24:07 The Value of Fodder School 01:36:24 Teaching and Learning 01:41:01 Conclusion and Gratitude

In this episode of the 'Show Up or Shut Up' podcast, host Wendy engages with artist Stephanie Lee in an enlightening discussion about her life, creative process, and personal evolution. Growing up in Southern Oregon, Stephanie speaks about balancing her artistic passion with life on a mini farm, and her unique use of Plaster of Paris. They explore deep themes such as dealing with jealousy, the rewards and struggles of being an artist, and discovering one's true purpose. The conversation also examines the impact of Instagram on artists, emphasizing personal fulfillment and setting goals beyond social media metrics. Stephanie's transition as a jewelry artist, challenges with idea ownership, and contributions to the art world reveal the continuous evolution inherent in an artist's journey. Stephanie's candid storytelling offers valuable insights into both her artistic and personal path. 04:10 Life in Southern Oregon 06:17 Family and Moving Stories 13:45 Early Artistic Influences 18:36 Discovering the Art Community 22:32 Teaching and Artistic Growth 27:23 The Role of Plaster of Paris 42:09 Embracing Newcomers' Success 43:45 Coping with Others' Success 46:18 Jealousy and Self-Reflection 48:51 Navigating Social Expectations 51:44 Understanding Personal Struggles 56:47 The Role of Art in Personal Growth 01:03:42 Instagram and Artistic Authenticity 01:07:18 The Reality of Social Media Algorithms 01:12:41 Balancing Art and Social Media 01:24:14 Deciding What Matters Most 01:24:40 Balancing Art and Social Media 01:26:02 Navigating Personal and Artistic Boundaries 01:27:52 The Impact of Social Media on Creativity 01:29:50 Finding Peace in Creative Practices 01:32:07 The Joy of Gardening and Art 01:43:33 Embracing Imperfection in Jewelry Making 01:52:22 Reflecting on Creative Journeys 02:02:23 Concluding Thoughts and Future Plans

In Season 4, Episode 7 of the Show Up or Shut Up Podcast, host Wendy Solganik sits down with mixed media artist and former teacher Tracey Wozniak. They explore Tracey's extensive background in art, her role as a homeschooling mother, and her re-engagement with Fodder School as an instructor. The discussion covers Tracey's creative evolution towards mixed media and textile art, her dynamics with social media, home renovation projects, and the intersection of her personal and professional life. Wendy and Tracey also share their insights on blending art with business, managing creative shifts, and the importance of community support in the digital art world. The episode provides valuable perspectives on balancing artistic pursuits with family duties and the continuous journey of personal and professional growth. 03:08 Tracey's Instagram Journey 05:23 Life in Florida and Home Renovation 14:07 Tracey's Artistic Beginnings 31:34 Homeschooling and Family Life 39:43 Discovering Instagram and Building Community 54:49 Exploring the World of Color 55:27 Navigating the Shift to Video 56:02 The Fragile Thread of Community 56:27 The Evolution of Instagram 57:29 The Role of Video in Art 01:13:03 Creative Shifts and Personal Growth 01:22:02 The Challenges of Running an Art Business 01:31:42 The Importance of Staying Connected 01:32:09 Home Renovation and Creative Projects 01:40:48 Final Thoughts and Future Plans

In this episode of the Show Up or Shut Up podcast, host Wendy Solganik engages in a deep conversation with artist Amanda Trought, who is joining Fodder School 4 as an instructor. Amanda shares her diverse art journey, encompassing mixed media projects and large sculptural works displayed at Queen's Park Gallery in Barbados. She delves into the therapeutic and emotional aspects of art, recounting her personal experiences and the nurturing of creativity in daily life. The discussion also touches on her ventures in poetry, children's book writing and illustration, and her family life, including her husband's screenplay writing career. Amanda talks about her creative routine and balancing art production with content sharing across various platforms like YouTube and podcasts. This insightful exchange highlights the intersection of art, healing, and self-expression, revealing the profound impact of creativity on well-being and self-discovery. 00:08 Meet Amanda Trought 10:23 Amanda's Artistic Journey 27:52 Discovering Mixed Media 30:06 Art and Health 36:23 Finding Creative Voice 52:42 The Responsibility of Sharing Your Art 54:55 Emotional Intelligence and Creativity Coaching 55:59 The Venn Diagram of Artists 57:52 Art as a Healing Practice 01:01:30 Creating Art for Yourself and Others 01:04:13 Exploring and Experimenting in Art 01:20:27 The Impact of Art on Well-being 01:26:00 Amanda's Creative Routine 01:34:10 Prolific Content Creation 01:37:14 Final Thoughts and Inspirations

In this episode of the 'Show Up or Shut Up' podcast, host Wendy Solganik interviews artist Sally Hirst. They discuss Sally's upcoming role as an instructor in Fodder School 4, and explore her unique artistic journey. Sally shares insights into her life, from her chaotic childhood and self-education in London's museums, to her late arrival at Cambridge University and her prolific career as an art teacher and artist. The conversation delves into her innovative techniques using modeling clay in printmaking, her teaching experiences, and the challenges of balancing art creation with marketing. Sally also reflects on her various living experiences, including renovating a 300-year-old house in Spain. The episode wraps up with an exciting preview of Sally's projects for Fodder School, highlighting her expertise in creating collage papers and artistic coasters. 00:00 Introduction to the Podcast 00:08 Meet Sally Hirst: A New Instructor at Fodder School 01:03 Wendy's Artistic Journey and Podcast Mission 02:27 Interview with Sally Hirst Begins 04:19 Sally's Early Life and Artistic Beginnings 07:42 Navigating School and Self-Education 11:07 Teenage Years and Early Adulthood 14:50 Balancing Art, Family, and Career 18:02 Teaching and Continuing Artistic Pursuits 22:19 The Business of Being an Artist 29:29 The Vulnerability of Seeking Gallery Representation 30:14 The Evolution of Art Marketing 30:49 Exciting Projects in Fodder School 32:03 Innovative Collage Techniques 33:04 The Significance of Found Objects 36:59 A Nomadic Life and Artistic Inspiration 38:55 Spanish Adventures and Renovations 43:56 Navigating Brexit and Relocation 48:01 Current Studio Setup and Teaching 54:04 Balancing Art Creation and Teaching 55:46 Upcoming Shows and Online Presence 56:50 Conclusion and Gratitude

In Season 4, Episode 4 of the 'Show Up or Shut Up' podcast, host Wendy Solganik speaks with artist Rebecca Chapman about her dynamic career in art and art education. Rebecca shares her evolution from a love for collage and her participation in Fodder School to incorporating photography, inspired by her father, into her mixed media work. The conversation highlights her journey from studying and teaching art in the UK to balancing motherhood with her artistic ventures. Rebecca also discusses her creative process, the role of art journals, innovative strategies for managing her art business, and the joys and challenges of maintaining her creativity amidst family life. The episode offers insights into her printing techniques, upcoming projects, and the inspiration she draws from her allotment garden. 00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Guest 01:07 Meet Rebecca Chapman 02:32 Rebecca's Background and Early Life 06:58 University and Early Career 10:05 Transition to Teaching and Living Abroad 21:36 Balancing Art and Motherhood 27:44 Developing a Unique Artistic Style 40:05 Creating Art in Limited Space 41:48 Exploring the Garden Shed 42:38 Balancing Art and Family Life 43:13 Creating Art in the Kitchen 44:07 Involving Kids in Art 45:51 Dream Studio Space 48:28 Managing Art Business 53:16 Seasonal Art Releases 57:10 Inspiration from Gardens and Flowers 01:06:00 Photography in Art 01:11:01 Fodder School Experience 01:17:49 Future Plans and Courses 01:24:19 Summer Plans and Family Time

This episode features Jack Ravi, a Mixed Media Artist and Co-author of the book Artful Memories, who shares his personal journey from Northern Italy to living in Scotland and embracing a life of creativity. Jack reminisces about studying the history of art at the University of Milan, transitioning to London for work, and finally moving to Scotland where they found peace and a deeper connection to art amidst the pandemic. The discussion delves into the challenges and realizations about pursuing art, the contrasting dynamics between being a mathematician and a creative, and the pivotal moment during the lockdown that reignited Jack's passion for collage art using vintage photographs and postcards. Through their story, Jack articulates the meaningfulness of connecting with one's ancestry through art and the evolving concept of artistry that includes embracing marketing as a creative endeavor. The episode further explores the impact of sharing one's creativity on platforms like Instagram, the tangible connection with history through vintage photos, and the deeper philosophical contemplation of life's brevity and memory. 01:26 The Journey of Jack: From Italy to Scotland03:08 Embracing Creativity and Overcoming Insecurities09:51 Transitioning to London and Finding a Path in Art11:53 Exploring Mixed Media Art and Its Challenges22:14 The Power of Vintage Photos in Art30:00 Connecting with Ancestral Memories Through Art34:46 The Impact of Art on Viewers and Personal Reflections

Karen Elaine is a mixed media artist, author, and teacher with a passion for paper crafts and origami. Her passion is inspiring creativity in others. She has been a working artist and instructor for over 30 years, including doing 35 episodes of the Carol Duvall Show in the 1990s! Karen has a wealth of knowledge about art supplies because she has been working in the art supply industry for over 30 years in a wide variety of capacities. Karen is currently the owner of Kumomi Studio, a creative consulting and design company. She is a long-time artist for Yasutomo, a brand ambassador in the art materials industry, and a teacher in Fodder School 2. You can find Karen on Instagram @karenelainestudios and on her website, https://karenelaine.com

Join Wendy and artist Sarah Gardner as they discuss Sarah's new course on Willa Workshops: Love Your {Imperfect} Art Journal. Sarah is a mixed media artist and art journaler who recently had her book, "Share Your Joy: Mixed Media Sharable Art," published. Sarah has been creating mixed media art for almost two decades and she has so much wisdom to share with all of us!

Susanne Randers from @mitkrearum on Instagram ("mitkrearum" means "my creative space" in Danish is a flower power soul and mixed media paper lover - always inspired by nature. Susanne rediscovered her creativity in 2013, created 365 mood boards in 2014, made a flower doodle a day in 2015 and ever since she has hosted in person workshops in Denmark (and four in The Netherlands) creating hand bound art journals that she calls “mood books”. Susanne lives in Denmark.

As a mixed media artist and teacher, Chris believes in fostering an authentic spirit of inquiry and exploration to develop rich creative experiences. Chris paints, photographs, assembles, stitches and dyes her way through exploratory processes that weave their stories into her life's journey. Art and life work co-constructively to guide and ground her path. Chris is honored to share these explorations with you. It is her soul's purpose to help light you from within in finding your own woven path of Life through Art. Chris lives in Canada. You can find Chris on Instagram @christinekarpiak.

Shay Michelle Kent is a mixed media artist and teacher living in Tampa, Florida. She loves to teach art workshops that help people use creativity for self-exploration and find freedom while making art. Shay's students say it feels like a spa for their creative souls. She invites you to come to class with her, where you can let go, explore, and have some fun with art. Shay lives in Florida. You can find Shay on Instagram @shaymichellestudios.

Yetunde Rodriguez is a Nigerian-American Printmaker, Abstract, and Multi-media Artist. Her work celebrates her love of color, pattern, texture and detail. These aspects of Yetunde's work pay homage to her Nigerian culture and heritage, while being firmly planted in the privilege of her American life. Yetunde is constantly motivated by the thought of ‘what if.' She does not limit herself to any particular media, methods, or set of materials. Yetunde believes all can coexist to create beautifully. She is a pattern and color enthusiast. Yetunde delights in finding connections in the unexpected, in between spaces, and believes that her work should inspire joy. Yetunde is based in Dayton, Ohio. You can find Yetunde on Instagram @yaytoonday.

Raised in the diverse beauty of South Africa; moving from South Africa to Berlin Germany, to the UK, and now to the USA; Di Venter has always found her feet - and met her tribe -  in her new space through art and creating.  Never one to take the rules as unbreakable, Di likes to learn them, and then challenge them.  She loves playing with fabric in her art, and adding art to her sewing. Di suspects she will be taking classes her entire life, there's always more to learn. 

Kecia Deveney is a published mixed media artist, instructor, and world traveler, living at the Jersey Shore. As a mixed media artist, her eclectic style can be seen in fabric and textiles, jewelry design, sculpture-work, and painting. Creating is pivotal to Kecia and becomes, for her, art therapy. Her imagination comes to life and allows her temporary reprieve from her role as a full-time caregiver. Her work is about ingenuity and playfulness. Kecia travels across the world so she may inspire others to find their own artistic spirits. You can find Kecia on Instagram @keciadeveney.

Alison Bomber chose the name Words and Pictures for her blog and then later for Instagram because those are the two worlds she inhabits.  She is a freelance creative working with both words and pictures. Alison's first creative career was as a text and voice coach in the theatre, specializing in Shakespeare.  She is fascinated by the power of words, and how our voices shape our connection to the world.  And she is passionate to the point of obsession about sharing the profound excitement of speaking Shakespeare.  Alison started out as an actor and singer more than thirty years ago, and then shifted to become a text and voice coach.  She worked full time for the Royal Shakespeare Company for nearly ten years, and is proud to be an Associate Artist of the RSC.  Since going freelance, Alison continues to work with them regularly as well as with theatre companies around the world, including Theatre for a New Audience in New York and Song of the Goat Theatre in Poland. When Alison left the RSC more than a decade ago, a whole new creative form of expression opened up for her in mixed media, crafting and painting.   Alison now works (alongside theatre projects) as a freelance artist and designer, in watercolour and mixed media, collage and assemblage, and she is extremely proud and honoured to design stamps for PaperArtsy.  Her first stamp sets were words (of course!) - collections of quotes, gathered by theme.  Alison's newer stamp plates combine her own botanical sketches with theatrical, historical and personal ephemera, and advice from Culpeper's herbal on the medicinal uses of the plants.    The Pictures part of Alison is still very much about storytelling, about connection, and about communicating emotions and ideas.  And she loves to combine words and imagery in her work.  As she has continued to explore new skills and techniques, nature has become a more and more important part of her visual storytelling, as well as a vital part of her everyday life.  Spending time in the natural world is a constant source of inspiration. Another link between the two creative paths, Words and Pictures, is Alison's passion for sharing the expertise she has developed in these two strands, teaching both one-to-one and in workshops and classes, both in person and online. You can find Alison on Instagram at @w0rdsandp1ctures and @b0hem1anh0me

Barb Smucker is a mixed media artist who enjoys layering collage papers and paint to create surprising results.  Adding lines, textures, shapes and colors onto a page or canvas allows her to experiment and find enjoyment in the discovery. When you look at her work, she hopes you see the play, the search, and a sense of harmony and spontaneity that she is always after in whatever she makes. Barb is inspired by the beauty found in many of the home arts, including quilting, stoneware pottery and all the gorgeous patterns found in linens and textiles. She is also inspired by nature. Barb has a window in her home studio that looks out toward trees and a stream.  The lines and organic material inspire her daily. Barb has been working at her art making and art practice for many years. Always looking for a way to combine her interest in art and psychology, she has discovered that the practice of art making itself is a wonderful and helpful thing to share.  Barb teaches classes locally out of her studio, with art centers, retreat centers and in galleries.  Whether she is teaching the principles of art, art journaling, collage, card making, abstract art or painting papers, Barb's goal is always the same. She wants to help people discover joy in the process of art making and notice that they have so much to share.

Jennifer Wilkin Penick's introduction to collage was in early childhood, when her mother cut up magazine pages and invited her to make "mosaics" from them, using paste and a small tin brush. Living for decades in Italy as an adult gave her weekly access to the vintage paper vendors of Rome's legendary flea market. She studied studio art and art history and these two interests converge in Jennifer's sometimes whimsical mixed media and collage works that frequently reference her relationship to (and nostalgia for) the artistic heritage of her adoptive country. In addition to being a practicing artist, she teaches art to children and adults and has been a Visual-Artist-in-Residence with MedStar Georgetown University Hospital's Arts & Humanities Program since 2018.

Suzanne is a multi-passionate artist who lives in Eastern Iowa with her husband. She has two adult children (who happen to be twins). Professionally, she has been a multi-talented wizard (aka school secretary), longarm machine quilter, stay-at-home mom, bank technology manager, computer network installer, t-shirt seller, and library page. (She shelved returned library books in high school. Favorite job ever.) Currently, she and her three cats publish Strawberry Moon Magazine, an independent magazine for art journalers. Note: Brush Magazine, mentioned in this episode, was created by Tanyalee Kahler.

Join me and fellow recovering people-pleaser Cynthia Frenette for a lot of reality and laughter. Warning: this episode has a lot of F-bombs! You can find Cynthia and all of her pretty, laugh-out-loud designs, on Instagram @cynthiafrenette and at her website cynthiafrenette.com. You are going to love her style, her story and her sense of humor!

Are you an art journaler, bullet journaler, or mixed media artist that just doesn't feel confidence when writing in your chosen journal? It doesn't have to be this way. Listen to this episode and find out why! For all the information about my new lettering course, Love Your (Imperfect) Letters, please visit HTTPS://Willa-workshops.com/p/love-your-imperfect-letters or go to willawanders.com

I've got big news! Megan Quinlan's first ever solo course, Journal Into Your Art, is now live on the Willa Workshops! Join Megan and me as we discuss exactly what this handmade book and art journaling course is all about. Check out the course at https://Willa-workshops.teachable.com/p/journal-into-your-art-with-megan-quinlan

Are you an artist and art instructor who wonders if it's okay for you to take other artists' courses? Or if it's okay for you to teach something that was inspired by another artist's work or what you learned from them in a class you took? Is it okay to tag another artist while also promoting your own thing? In this episode, Sarah Gardner and I discuss a plethora social media etiquette and intellectual property questions. We are showing up here to have an open conversation about many sticky topics. I'm definitely not going to say that we have the answers, only our thoughts and experiences to share. Sarah is a Mixed Media Artist, art instructor, practicing attorney and soon to be published author of a book on mail art called “Share Your Joy: Inspired Mixed Media Mail Art.” You can find Sarah at her website, https://www.juicy-s.net, and on Instagram @juicy.s.art.

Faigie Kobre is a former early childhood teacher and director. She developed a passion for art in early childhood and gave workshops for early childhood schools and teachers on helping kids thrive through art that is developmentally appropriate. Faigie also spent 25 years as a high end portrait photographer. She switched careers in midlife to become an elementary school art teacher. This led her in a roundabout fashion to get involved in adult creativity. When starting to learn about adult creativity she became hooked on mixed media and started her website creativityreignited. Her goal was and still is to help women who don't feel creative (often as a result of past creativity scars) to reignite their creativity. Her initiation into adult creativity came through mixed media but then discovered the magical medium of alcohol inks. She now concentrates mostly on alcohol inks and gives in person and online classes on how to use this awesome medium. She likes to start people off by introducing them to alcohol inks makers(sharpies are alcohol ink markers too) which when mixed with alcohol become as fluid as the inks. She has a free 20 minute video showing you 6 different techniques you can use with alcohol ink markers. You can get that at https://www.creativityreignited.com You can also find her at @creativealcoholinking on instagram and https://www.facebook.com/creativealcoholinking

It's August of 2022 and I'm back talking all things Instagram again. Given how much Instagram has changed and the users' outcry over how badly the platform sucks right now, I'm here to offer my thoughts, plus some tips to customize your user experience and try to get back that loving feeling, if even just a little bit.

Join me for this short episode where I have a very impromptu chat with my friend Karen Hilsberg, artist, psychologist and Buddhist about the intersection between healing, creative practice and mindfulness. You can find Karen on Instagram @K_abby7.

Join me as I rant about the Instagram Reels problem and try to figure out how to keep Instagram the happy, inspirational community connection place that it has been for visual artists of all types. You can find out more about me at willawanders.com.

This is the story of Fodder School, from one person's perspective. For even MORE information about Fodder School, please visit willawanders.com or drop me an email at willaworkshops@gmail.com.

In Episode 3 of Season 2 of the Show Up or Shut Up Podcast, I answer the question of “what options do I have if I'm feeling anxious from the collage fodder piling up all around me?”

In this episode, I explore my thoughts on Instagram Reels, and how they have effected both my experience as a user and as a prolific content creator on the platform. I give suggestions for how to manage your own user experience on Instagram and what to be careful not to do if you are creating Reels. Thank you to @tiffanysimplysharpe, @tebeccachapmanart and @susieinmn for input and suggestions mentioned in this episode!

Roben-Marie Smith provides ideas, inspiration and quality instruction for hobbyists and art entrepreneurs. She teaches artists from beginners to those making a living from their art through her blog and her popular online workshops. Both in and out of the studio, Roben-Marie's passion is helping her fellow creatives step into their full potential by creating confident, expressive art and sharing that art with more people through the power of the Internet. She's a huge tech nerd and she loves making technology easy and fun for overwhelmed artists! Her flagship program, Maker's Tech U, guides tech-challenged artists through every step of building their own website and powerfully effective online art presence. As a woman of faith Roben-Marie believes that she is called to serve and support others, so she strives to be accessible to artists who need her help. Seeing other creators embrace their unique voices, build their online art dreams and gain confidence in their new skills brings her great joy. Roben-Marie had been a working artist since 2004, is self-taught and believes that anyone can cultivate their creative spark. She had taught mixed media art workshops and retreats across the U.S. and her work has been featured in countless books and industry magazines.

Ricki Midbrod, prolific mixed media maker and self-acceptance warrior, can be found on Instagram @ricki_ticky_tavy and in her Etsy shop, TheBricolageFactory.

Have you ever wondered what the purpose is in creating mixed media art outside of the joy it brings into your own life? Join us in our 24th episode of the Show Up or Shut Up podcast where Tamara James of @edenscanvas on Instagram shares her deeply meaningful answer to the eternal question of “what to do with my mixed media art pieces?”

Art Bundles for Good is coming and I have a story I'd like to share with you. It involves a couch, the Netflix documentary Daughters of Destiny and a school in India called Shanti Bhavan.

Is creativity all fun for you or is it causing you to stress out? Do you feel as if you are buying too much stuff to the point where it is no longer helpful? Do you feel as if you are “doing it wrong” from the amount of time you spend or don't spend actually creating? Would you like to join a private Facebook Group where we discuss all issues related to creativity that are causing you to be at an uncomfortable place with it. We will discuss it all from a non judgemental lens. The are no prescriptions for how to do it right for any individual person in this group, only discussions on how to unpack what got us here, what keeps us in a less than desirable place, and how to move toward our own joy and ease with all of this. Go to Facebook and search “Conscious Creativity for Mixed Media Artists.” Ask to join the group and answer the question when prompted.

In the 21st episode of the Show Up or Shut Up Podcast, Marie Kirby and I explore the dark side of being a prolific maker during this new time of social media. From the pressure to post on Instagram every day to the pressure to be positive no matter how you are really feeling, and so many more unfortunate pressures many of us have now placed on ourselves, this discussion is one that you will absolutely not want to miss. Marie Hauck Kirby can be found on Instagram @marie.creatif.

Sarah Gardner is a mixed media artist who loves creating in her art journal and sharing her art with others. She has been swapping postcards and ATCs for many years. She has discovered that being creative, that making stuff, is a very fulfilling and beneficial activity, contributing to her well-being. The joy of creative play, and art journaling in particular, has become part of her self-care practice. Sarah is excited to share what she's excited about, and helping others find their own creative practice is something that also gives her joy! You can find Sarah on Instagram @juicy.s.art and at http://juicy-s.net

Tiffany Sharpe enjoys making books and sharing her love of art with others. She learned the joy of crafting at an early age, and continued to quilt and knit as she taught high school chemistry and middle school science. It was not until later in life that Tiffany discovered her love of watercolor and mixed media. Like many others, she found that making and working in art journals was a therapeutic way to express her creativity during the pandemic. Tiffany was born in South Korea and raised in Colorado. She now lives in Minnesota with her husband and two children. They enjoy spending time on nature walks and simple family dinners together. Find Tiffany on Instagram @tiffanysimplysharpe and on the web at http://tiffanysimplysharpe.com

Tania Ahmed is a freelance art and craft content creator, video maker and teacher based in the UK. Over the years, she has blended her multicrafts experience to hone her mixed media and papercraft work. Originally from Pakistan, Tania draws her inspiration from diverse cultures, bright colours, bold graphic design, and eclectic patterns. She has been published in several creative magazines, and currently designs for companies within the arts and crafts industry. She has taught at several independent craft stores and has organised and led art and craft workshops for local charities. Tania has extensively demonstrated at several international consumer and trade art and craft shows. She is very passionate about teaching and sharing her love of craft and creativity! You can find Tania on Instagram @taniaahmed

Julie Fei-Fan Balzer is an artist living and working outside of Boston, MA. Her business, Balzer Designs, is focused on helping others be more creative with more confidence. Julie believes that curiosity is the key to creativity and she shares this philosophy in her art workshops, during creative coaching sessions, and across social media. You can find Julie at http://balzerdesigns.typepad.com and on Instagram @balzerdesigns

Mancunian born Liz Constable made New Zealand her home in 1989. A curious creator known for her love of experimenting, keeps Liz's art practice fresh as she delves into her creativity pushing through boundaries. Teaching has been the one constant throughout her three businesses as an early childhood centre owner, a career/life coach and now a teacher of book arts. Liz is the author of four books and teaches both in person and online to an international audience. Having fun and being playful is the key to ensuring her students enjoy their time with her in the classroom. You can find Liz on Instagram @bookartstudios.

A client recently said to Laurie, “Everyone should have a Laurie Jacobsen in their back pocket!” Laurie loves being that for people…their back-pocket business advisor. Every product she creates is designed to make make small business owners' lives easier, to remove technology stress, & help them find ways to easily grow their business. Her goal for every client's website she builds, is to create something that is professional, beautiful, and designed to convert. Laurie lives in the desert, but dreams of the beach, where she grew up. She has been married to the love of her life, Wayne, for 17 years. They have three dogs that most days equal parts drive her nuts and makes her fall in love with them all over again. Laurie makes art every day and it brings her a sense of play and creativity that carries over into all aspects of her life. It makes her a better designer and a more creative thinker. Laurie's design products can be found at themakerjake.com and Her design services can be found at lauriejacobsen.com Her Instagram is @thelauriejacobsen.

Caylee Grey is the host of Get Messy and a South African perfectionist currently pursuing imperfection. More often than not, you’ll find her nurturing creativity as the resident Fairy Artmother for her growing community of artists in Get Messy, swapping bad puns with her very patient husband, wrestling her son’s snacks away from her tiny but determined dog, and emptying her thoughts onto the page. You can find Caylee at http://getmessyart.com and on Instagram @cayleegrey.

Roxanne Padgett has been creating stuff and making messes since she was 4 or 5 years old using whatever materials she could find around the house. Usually it was paper, magazines, old books, tape, glue and items collected from nature. She does the same thing today but now we call it "Mixed Media". She believes that everyone is creative and she loves to support her as well as others' creative process. Roxanne’s personal motto is "Fear No Color.” The play and process is more important to her than the product. Roxanne is the Creative Director at the Museum of Children's Art in Oakland, Ca. She teaches adult art classes in the San Francisco Bay Area and throughout the United States. She is also the author of "Acrylics techniques in Mixed Media: Layer, Scribble, Stencil, Stamp” published by North Light books. Find her on Instagram @roxpadgett.

Melanie April is a curious, creative thinker who likes to tinker with water and color. She enjoys a quiet life in southwest Florida. Nature and the mystical are constant inspirations for her paintings and life. Color is her guide. She aspires to have her work and classes make people feel good and remember the simple and beautiful things that are all around us. In this way, she considers it her life's work and calling. Find Melanie at www.MelanieAprilArt.com Instagram: @MelanieAprilArt

Creativity has always been a large part of Leaca’s* life. She believes that everyone is a creative, some people just have not discovered their passion yet. Her goal is to share the message, “Go Forth and Create!” Mixed media is her love. She thrives on the freedom of working in any Leaca combines watercolor, ink, acrylics, fabrics-everything is fair game. Living in Alaska, Leaca is surrounded by beauty. She finds the scenery and the people equally inspiring. The world is endlessly providing inspiration and her mission is to take full advantage. Leaca’s favorites include color, nature, family, books, people and so much more. *Pronounced Lisa Find Leaca on Instagram @leacayoungart

Ali has been blogging about paper crafts and book arts since the internet dark ages of 2007. Teaching others to express their creativity through handmade books is her greatest joy. She believes that anyone can create a handmade book and it shouldn’t require expensive tools or equipment. Her students appreciate the way she breaks down the most complicated bookbinding projects into manageable and easy steps. Working from her studio in a converted textile mill in Massachusetts, she has taught thousands of students via her blog, Vintage Page Designs, in person and with her latest online adventure, The Handmade Book Club. Her work has been featured in Somerset Studio, Take Ten, Paper Crafts Magazine and Cloth, Paper, Scissors. https://www.handmadebookclub.com/ https://vintagepagedesigns.com http://instagram.com/vintagepagedesigns/

Aimee is a lifelong creative and maker. Finding solace and healing within the pages of her own journal she decided that sharing this most precious process with others was one of her greatest passions. She has hosted in person gatherings and workshops, taught online and built 2 beautiful and nurturing public studio spaces where people could come and explore mixed media art and community as a healing modality. A self professed “art cheerleader” she is gifted at making art accessible to all. Aimee believes Art is a sacred form of self expression and in its purest form it is your truest emotion and a most powerful act of self love. Find Amy on Instagram @aimeeirel Facebook https://www.facebook.com/aimeeirel/ Website https://aimeeirel.com

Join Wendy and Seth as they discuss Seth’s 20 year journey as a prolific mixed media artist and then traveling instructor. You can find Seth at http://Seth Apter.com and Wendy at http://willawanders.carrd.co

My thoughts and on a letter I received from a listener who is in a real artistic funk.