I've found myself some creative friends and it's been surprisingly lovely for this lone-ranger! I highly recommend connecting with a person or a group who can be your support, your cheerleader and keep you accountable to your creative practice.

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TRANSCRIPT:

Well, hello everyone. Welcome back to another episode of the joyful creative. And I hope that you're all feeling like you're enjoying some joyful creativity at this late stage of the year where it's starting to get a little busy, a bit frantic. Creativity is so important for our mental health and just to keep us centred and grounded. And I know that when we're busy, sometimes the creative pursuit is the thing that gets dropped off the to-do list first. But I'm here to advocate for creativity becoming or remaining at the top of the list so it's a regular thing that you do for your wellbeing and your mental health and your self care every day, or at least many times a week, just to keep you on that equilibrium, because it just might be the thing that gets you through this silly season.

Today I wanted to talk about creative friends, but before we get into that, I wanted to remind you that I have a studio sale coming up, it's going live on the 24th of November 2024. At 7:00 PM Brisbane time Australia, which is 8:00 PM Daylight savings for the rest of Australia. And, God knows what time it will be around the world. I'm sure you could figure that out if you're not in Australia. And you might be wondering what a studio sale even is. Well, a studio sale is a where an artist or creative will sell the experiments samples, exploratory works that they'd been working on within a medium. They're not fine art, finished works that they would normally put on their website or sell in a gallery So what I'm doing is selling... I've got about 26, small works on paper. And this has been the exploration that I've been doing with watercolor ink, Pen glitter pen, a bit of stitching and they're all works on paper. Most of them are around about A5 size, but some of them are A4. But I'm selling them all for $35 Australian each. And that includes free shipping.

And the reason I'm doing this really is because I do need to clear out my studio because I'm about to move house again. Moving from Brisbane to Canberra. And I look around and you know, I've got this pile of, of works and I just love them all actually, I would love to have them all up in my studio. I might keep a couple. But there they're just so pretty. I just can't bear for them to just be in a pile or in a drawer somewhere just as a memento of what I did this year. I've certainly gained a lot of insight, a lot of wisdom, a lot of skills about how to use watercolor and pen glitter pens in the way that I like to express myself creativity, which is more abstract I guess. A lot of people go to watercolor classes because they want to recreate something that's a bit more realistic, but that's certainly not my experience. I am really an organic artist. Organic artist, is that really even a thing? My way of working is really, I love to let the materials dictate the direction of the work. And then I can apply my creativity to solve the design problems, to make it cohesive. And I find that a really lovely challenge And I'm going to say that usually the solution to any problem is to add sparkles. It's always been the case when I was doing textile artwork, if ever I was in doubt, add sequins was always the answer. And here, when I'm working on paper, It seems that the answer well, for me anyway, is to add sparkles. And that's usually in the form of glitter or metallic pens, or even some metallic stitching. So these are the artworks that I'm selling in my studio sale.

So you will have to be on my mailing list to receive the link to the sale when it goes live on the 24th of November. So sign up to the mailing list through my website, I will add that link to the show notes. So hop onto my website, scroll down to the bottom and there's a form. I promise you that my newsletters that I send out weekly, I will be taking a break over Christmas. And yeah, I think that they're informative and definitely not spammy in any way. I believe. So yeah, I would love for all of my listeners to be able to receive a little piece of my workings for 2024. So, yeah, look out for that on my socials. I'm putting up lots of videos and pictures of what's coming up in my stories and on the grid. So check that all out.

All right. So getting into this episode about creative friends, I wasn't planning this episode, but it often happens, something pops up for me during the week. And I just, feel like it's something to share. And that is that it's important to have somebody around you, at least one person, if not a group, that is supporting you, advocating for you, cheerleading for you in your creative pursuit. And I've really discovered this through my own experience because, recently when I went to Italy and honestly, I feel like such a wanker when I say I went to Italy, because everybody that I say that to rolls their eyes, Because it is a little bit, bougie saying, uh, when I was in Italy. But honestly, I had so many great experiences when I was in Italy that I really can't help sharing them. One of the most amazing things that came out of that trip... I mean, not only was it absolutely divine and so full of memorable experiences and visions. But the reason I went to Italy was to join a group tour type thing it was. Can you call it an artist retreat? It's very hard to describe what this thing was, but we all met in Naples. It was 12 of us. 12 women. And we went over to the island of Ischia. Which is absolutely divine. And we were working with an artist, Camilla Perkins with oil pastels and acrylic paints. So that was the setting for it.

And of course, you put 12 women together with creativity in a gorgeous place with food, wine, beautiful experiences. And of course, you know, we bonded pretty quickly. And I bonded particularly quickly with a couple of sisters that were on the trip. And they're both amazing women. I mean, everybody on this trip was very interesting and it was wonderful to meet them all. But these two sisters in particular, They are absolutely dynamite in their own right. They are women in their fifties. They've got a teenage or adult children. So they're busy with that. They have amazing careers, very knowledgeable and so open to the creative process and I just really clicked with these gals and that was such a fun part of the trip. But since then we've kept in contact and with one of them in particular. I didn't realize this while we were away, but she has resumed writing poetry and she's actually sent me some poetry. And some of the pieces are actually about our trip to Ischia and it was just so beautiful to read her poetic take on our trip.

I was really chuffed to see that she's actually put a few of my Australian phrases into her poetry, which. I should give you the background there. Both of these sisters are from LA. very American, but with a Mexican heritage. So Yeah. Some of my Australian-isms were quite foreign and bemusing to them. And this. This gal that's written poetry has actually put some of my expressions in there. So that was really lovely to read.

But we've had a little bit of back and forth messaging about what we're doing creatively and how we're fitting it into our days now that we're back from Italy and back into our normal lives. And I just really can't describe how surprisingly lovely it is to have that connection and have somebody caring about whether I'm being creative or not. I have to admit that I tend to be a bit of a lone range where it comes to my creativity and even in a business sense. I don't know what it is. I'm quite a sociable person. I really do love people, but maybe there's a part of me that's a bit shy to reach out, to be part of groups. I really don't know why that's the case, because actually when I am in a group I'm quite confident, but maybe just sort of breaking into it or reaching out to people. Maybe there's a part of me that feels a bit like I would be imposing or that they don't have the time, or I just don't know.

But these gals, I'm calling them gals. I feel like I don't really want to mention their proper names in case they're not happy with that. These American ladies, they have a Mexican background and they are very much more family focused maybe than I am. I mean, I love my family. There's no problems with my family, but. Maybe it's an American thing. Maybe it's a Mexican thing as opposed to the Australian thing, but they are just very much involved in each other's lives, much more than I am with my sisters. And there's a real sense of community there with them. And I was really chuffed to be kind of adopted as an honorary sister into their family while we were away. And to have that ongoing connection with them has really just given me a little boost of confidence with my own creativity. And it's a boost of confidence that I never thought I needed.

But maybe we all need somebody in our life that is that cheerleader. Somebody that understands that acknowledges that being creative on a regular basis is important to us. And that it's not just a fun hobby or a nice thing to have when we have time. Somebody who is keeping you accountable to your creative project. And that could be one person or it could be a group.

I'm also studying to be a holistic integrated creative arts practitioner. It's quite a mouthful. But yes, I'm in a group of about 12 like-minded women who are all creative in very different ways have come to this cause for different reasons and have different outcomes in mind. But I've even connected, particularly with some of those women who are very encouraging and interested in what I'm doing. And It's lovely to have that reciprocal friendship in a creative way.

There's a difference between having a friend that you go out and have coffee with and you might catch up with, and you're talking about family and work and what's going on in your life. But somebody who's particularly your friend in a creative sense. Is a whole new thing for me. And I'm finding it to be quite different from any of my other friendships.

So I guess what I'm saying here is that if you're somebody who particularly tends to put off your creativity or put it on the back burner or feel that it's a less than the most important thing in your life, maybe you need somebody who reminds you that it's important. Somebody with whom your relationship is purely based on your mutual love for creativity. And somebody who, when you interact with them, the first question is what are you doing? How's your project going? Did you finish that project? What are you up to now? Because that's a relationship that will help you to elevate your creative practice to the importance that you want to give it. Just having somebody else in your life, who is that person... because I understand maybe it's not your partner. Maybe it's not your family. And. It's certainly, probably not your children.

Although I have to say my daughter is, my daughter's an adult and she's got into knitting in the last year or so. And it's been a really lovely interaction that I can now have with her. She's knitting, and also then she's moved into sewing and she's sewing dresses and all sorts of things she's actually wearing. And having creativity as a conversation I can have with my daughter is sort of a new and fun and refreshing subject that we now have in common.

Then maybe if you've got teenagers or little kids, perhaps they're not going to be your biggest support in creativity, even though they might be curious about what you're doing and if you can share creativity with your kids then that is a beautiful thing as well. But in terms of having somebody who is your support person, your advocate, your cheerleader, I highly recommend finding somebody and. Yep. That person might come from an art class or a creative group, or do what I did and go on an art retreat and meet somebody.

Or maybe even in the online space. Obviously you want to be careful that that person's a real person and not a bot. But I would suggest that there are people out there who are probably also looking for somebody like you, who can be the support for them. And wouldn't it be lovely if as creatives, we could start some sort of community, even if it's just a community of two people Even if it's just one-on-one.

So, yes, as I mentioned at the start of the episode, I realize it's coming up to a very busy time for people with Christmas looming, if you're listening to this as it's being recorded. But maybe it's something you want to think about pursuing in the new year. Maybe have a look at what sort of classes or groups are starting in your area. Or have a bit of a look online to see what might be something that you could join.

And even if you're like me and you're all a little bit shy and a bit introverted when it comes to big groups, like I said, the one-on-one thing is, or even one on three thing would be a fun thing to do. And certainly within the realms of keeping your central nervous system from going into overload with a big group.

But yeah, maybe now's the time to think ahead to the future to 2025. And what you might be able to do in the creative friendship space to help you going forward in the new year, to pursue your creative practice on a regular basis, which is so important for you.

So I hope that you found this helpful in some way. If you did, maybe you want to send this episode to your creative friend or somebody that you know.

Also, if you are enjoying these episodes, I would really love it if you could leave a nice review so that more people can find the podcast and benefit from the information. So. My friends. Go forth, be creative and I'll see you in the next episode.

Welcome to The Joyful Creative.

2

I'm Deborah O'Toole.

3

I'm a multi passionate creative

and I believe regular creativity

4

is essential for well being.

5

Whether you love painting, writing,

knitting, music, gardening, or any

6

other creative pursuit, here you'll

find the inspiration and support

7

to make your creative practice a

joyful priority in your busy life.

8

So let's get creative.

9

Well, hello everyone.

10

Welcome back to another

episode of the joyful creative.

11

And I hope that you're all feeling like

you're enjoying some joyful creativity.

12

At this late stage of the year

where it's starting to get a

13

little busy, a bit frantic.

14

Uh, creativity is so important

for our mental health and just

15

to keep us centered and grounded.

16

And I know that when we're busy, Sometimes

the creative pursuit is the thing

17

that gets dropped off the to-do list.

18

First.

19

But I'm here to advocate

for creativity becoming all

20

remaining at the top of the list.

21

So it's a regular thing that you do for.

22

Your wellbeing and your mental

health and your self care every

23

day, or at least many times a week.

24

Just to keep you on that equilibrium,

because it just might be the thing that

25

gets you through this silly season.

26

Um, today I wanted to talk about

creative friends, but before we

27

get into that, I wanted to remind

you that I have a studio sale.

28

Coming up, it's going live

on the 24th of November.

29

2024.

30

At 7:00 PM Brisbane time

Australia, which is 8:00 PM.

31

Daylight savings for

the rest of Australia.

32

And, uh, God knows.

33

What time it will be around the world.

34

I'm sure you could figure that

out if you're not in Australia.

35

Um, and you might be wondering

what a studio sale even is.

36

Well, a studio sale is a where

an artist or creative will sell.

37

The experiments samples, uh,

exploratory works that they'd

38

been working on within a medium.

39

They're not.

40

Fine.

41

Art finished works that they

would normally put on their

42

website or sell in a gallery.

43

Um, so what I'm doing is selling.

44

I've got about 26, small works on paper.

45

And this has been the exploration that

I've been doing with watercolor ink.

46

Uh, Penn.

47

Glitter pen, a bit of stitching

and they're all works on paper.

48

Most of them are around about a five

size, but some of them are a four.

49

But I'm selling them all

for $35 Australian each.

50

And that includes free shipping.

51

And the reason I'm doing this really is

because I do need to clear out my studio

52

because I'm about to move house again.

53

Moving from Brisbane to Canberra.

54

And I look around and I, you know,

I've got this pile of, of works

55

and, um, I just love them all.

56

Actually, I would love

to have them all up.

57

In my studio, I might keep a couple.

58

But there they're just so pretty.

59

I just can't bear for them to just be in

a pile or in a drawer somewhere just as

60

a, as a memento of what I did this year.

61

I've certainly gained a lot of

insight, a lot of wisdom, a lot of

62

skills about how to use watercolor

and pen glitter pens in the way that.

63

That I liked to express myself

creativity, which is more abstract.

64

I guess.

65

A lot of people go to watercolor classes

because they want to recreate something.

66

That's a bit more realistic, but

that's certainly not my experience.

67

I am really, , an organic artist.

68

Organic artist, is that

really even a thing?

69

My way of working is really, I

love to let the materials dictate

70

the direction of the work.

71

And then I can apply my

creativity to solve the design

72

problems, to make it cohesive.

73

And I find that a really

lovely challenge and.

74

I'm going to say that usually the solution

to any, any problem is to add sparkles.

75

It's always been the case when I was doing

textile artwork, if ever I was in doubt.

76

At sequence was always the answer.

77

And here, when I'm working on paper,

It seems that the answer well,

78

for me anyway, is to add sparkles.

79

And that's usually in the form

of glitter or metallic pens, or

80

even some metallic stitching.

81

So these are the artworks that

I'm selling in my studio sale.

82

So you will have to be on my mailing

list to receive the link to the sale when

83

it goes live on the 24th of November.

84

So sign up to the mailing list

through my website, I will add

85

that link to the show notes.

86

So hop onto my website, scroll down

to the bottom and there's a form.

87

I promise you that.

88

My newsletters that I send out a weekly,

I will be taking a break over Christmas.

89

And yeah, I think that they're informative

and definitely not spammy in any way.

90

I believe.

91

So.

92

Uh, yeah, I would love for all of my

listeners to be able to receive a

93

little piece of my workings for 2024.

94

So, yeah, look out for that on my socials.

95

I'm putting up lots of videos

and pictures of what's coming up

96

in my, stories and on the grid.

97

So check that all out.

98

All right.

99

So getting into this episode

about creative friends, I.

100

I wasn't, I wasn't planning this

episode, but it as often happens,

101

something pops up for me during the week.

102

And I just, feel like

it's something to share.

103

And that is that it's important

to have somebody around you, at

104

least one person, if not a group.

105

That is supporting you,

advocating for you.

106

Cheerleading for you in

your creative pursuit.

107

And I've really discovered this through

my own experience because, recently when

108

I went to Italy and honestly, I feel like

such a wanker when I say I went to Italy,

109

because everybody that I say that to rolls

their eyes, Because it is a little bit,

110

bougie saying, uh, when I was in Italy.

111

But honestly, I had so many great

experiences when I was in Italy that

112

I really can't help sharing them.

113

Um, one of the most amazing

things that came out of that trip.

114

I mean, not only was it

absolutely divine and so full of.

115

Memorable experiences and visions.

116

But the reason I went to

Italy was to join a group.

117

Tour type thing it was.

118

Can you call it an artist retreat?

119

It's very hard to describe what this

thing was, but we all met in Naples.

120

It was 12 of us.

121

12 women.

122

And we went over to the island of Ischia.

123

Which is absolutely divine.

124

And we were working with an

artist, Camilla Perkins with

125

oil pastels and acrylic paints.

126

So that was the setting for it.

127

And of course, You put 12 women together

with creativity in a gorgeous place

128

with food, wine, beautiful experiences.

129

And of course, you know,

we bonded pretty quickly.

130

And I bonded particularly quickly with a

couple of sisters that were on the trip.

131

And they're both amazing women.

132

I mean, everybody on this trip

was very interesting and it

133

was wonderful to meet them all.

134

But these two sisters

in particular, They are.

135

Absolutely dynamite in their own.

136

Right.

137

They are women in their fifties.

138

They've got a teenage or adults, children.

139

So they're busy with that.

140

They have amazing careers,

very knowledgeable

141

and so open to the creative process

142

and I just really clicked with these gals

and that was such a fun part of the trip.

143

But since then we've kept in contact

and with one of them in particular, I

144

didn't realize this while we were away,

but she has resumed writing poetry and

145

she's actually sent me some poetry.

146

And some of the pieces are

actually about our trip to Ischia

147

and it was just so beautiful to

read her poetic take on our trip.

148

I was really chuffed to see that she's

actually put a few of my Australian

149

phrases into her poetry, which.

150

I should give you the background there.

151

Both of these sisters are from LA.

152

Um, very American, but

with a Mexican heritage.

153

So.

154

Yeah.

155

Some of my Australian isms were

quite foreign and bemusing to them.

156

And.

157

This.

158

This gal that's written poetry is actually

put some of my expressions in there.

159

So that was really lovely to raid.

160

But we've had a little bit

of back and forth messaging.

161

About what we're doing

creatively and how we're.

162

Fitting it into our days now

that we're back from Italy and

163

back into our normal lives.

164

And I just really can't describe.

165

How surprisingly lovely it is to have.

166

That.

167

Connection and have somebody.

168

Caring about.

169

Whether I'm being creative or not.

170

I have to admit that I tend

to be a bit of a lone ranger.

171

Where it comes to my creativity

and even in a business sense.

172

I don't know what it is.

173

I'm quite a sociable person.

174

I really do love people,

175

but maybe there's a part of me.

176

That's a bit shy to reach

out, to be part of groups.

177

I really don't know why that's the

case, because actually when I am

178

in a group I'm quite confident,

but maybe just sort of breaking

179

into it or reaching out to people.

180

Maybe there's a part of me that feels a

bit like I would be imposing or that they

181

don't have the time, or I just don't know.

182

But, , these gals, I'm calling them gals.

183

I feel like I don't really want to

mention their proper names in case.

184

They're not happy with that.

185

Um, these American ladies, they have

a Mexican background and they are very

186

much more family focused maybe than I am.

187

I mean, I love my family.

188

There's no problems with my family, but.

189

Maybe it's an American thing.

190

Maybe it's a mixed can thing as opposed

to the Australian thing, but they are just

191

very much involved in each other's lives,

much more than I am with my sisters.

192

Um, And.

193

There's a real sense of

community there with them.

194

And I was really chuffed to be.

195

Kind of adopted as an honorary sister.

196

And their family while we were away.

197

And to have that ongoing

connection with them

198

has really just given me a little boost

of confidence with my own creativity.

199

And it's a boost of confidence

that I never thought I needed.

200

But maybe we all need somebody in

our life that is that cheerleader.

201

Somebody that understands

that acknowledges that.

202

Being creative on a regular

basis is important to us.

203

And that it's not just a fun hobby or

a nice thing to have when we have time.

204

Somebody who is keeping you

accountable to your creative project?

205

And that could be one person

or it could be a group.

206

I'm also studying to be a holistic

integrated creative arts practitioner.

207

It's quite a mouthful.

208

Uh, but yes, I'm in a group

of about 12 like-minded women

209

who are all creative in very

different ways have come to this

210

cause for different reasons and

have different outcomes in mind.

211

But I've even connected,

particularly with some of those women

212

who are very encouraging and

interested in what I'm doing.

213

And.

214

It's lovely to have that reciprocal

friendship in a creative way.

215

There's a difference between having a

friend that you go out and have coffee

216

with and you might catch up with, and

you're talking about family and work

217

and what's going on in your life.

218

But somebody who's particularly

your friend in a creative sense.

219

Is a whole.

220

New thing for me.

221

And I'm finding it to be quite different

from any of my other friendships.

222

So.

223

I guess what I'm saying here is that if

you're somebody who particularly tends to.

224

Put off your creativity or put it on the

back burner or feel that it's a less than.

225

The most important thing in your life.

226

Maybe you need somebody who

reminds you that it's important.

227

Somebody with.

228

Whom your relationship is purely based

on your mutual love for creativity.

229

And somebody who, when you

interact with them, the first

230

question is what are you doing?

231

How's your project going?

232

Did you finish that project?

233

What are you up to now?

234

Because that's a relationship

that will help you to elevate

235

your creative practice.

236

To the importance that

you want to give it.

237

Just having somebody else in

your life, who is that person?

238

Because I understand maybe

it's not your partner.

239

Maybe it's not your family.

240

And.

241

It's certainly, probably

not your children.

242

Although I have to say my daughter

is my daughter's an adult and.

243

She's got into knitting

in the last year or so.

244

And it's been a really lovely

interaction that I can now have with her.

245

Uh, she's knitting.

246

And also then she's moved into sewing

and she's sewing dresses and all sorts

247

of things she's actually wearing.

248

And having creativity as a conversation

I can have with my daughter is.

249

Sort of a new and fun and refreshing.

250

Subject that we now have in common.

251

Then maybe if you've got teenagers or

little kids, perhaps they're not going

252

to be your biggest support in creativity,

even though they might be curious about

253

what you're doing and if you can share.

254

Creativity with your kids then.

255

That is a beautiful thing as well.

256

But in terms of having somebody

who is your support person,

257

your advocate, your cheerleader.

258

I highly recommend finding somebody and.

259

Yep.

260

That person might come from an art

class or a creative group, or do it.

261

I didn't go on an art

retreat and meet somebody.

262

Or maybe even in the online space.

263

Obviously you want to be careful that

that person's a real person and not a bot.

264

But I would suggest that there are

people out there who are probably

265

also looking for somebody like you,

who can be the support for them.

266

And wouldn't it be lovely if as creatives,

we could start some sort of community,

267

even if it's just a community of two

people . Even if it's just one-on-one.

268

So, yes, as I mentioned at the

start of the episode, I realize

269

it's coming up to a very busy time

for people with Christmas looming.

270

If you're listening to this

as it's being recorded.

271

But maybe it's something you want to

think about pursuing in the new year.

272

Maybe have a look at what sort of classes

or groups are starting in your area.

273

Or have a bit of a look online to see what

might be something that you could join.

274

And even if you're like me and

you're all a little bit shy and a

275

bit introverted when it comes to big

groups, like I said, the one-on-one

276

thing is, or even one on three thing.

277

Would be a fun thing to do.

278

And certainly within the realms

of keeping your central nervous

279

system from going into overload.

280

With a big group.

281

But yeah, maybe now's the time to.

282

think ahead to the future to 2025.

283

And what you might be able to do.

284

In the creative friendship space.

285

To help you going forward in the new year.

286

To pursue your creative

practice on a regular basis,

287

which is so important for you.

288

So I hope that you found

this helpful in some way.

289

If you did, maybe you want to send

this episode to your creative friend.

290

Or somebody that, you know,

291

Also, if you are enjoying these

episodes, I would really love it.

292

If you could leave.

293

A nice review so that more

people can find the podcast and

294

benefit from the information.

295

So.

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My friends.

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Go forth, be creative and I'll

see you in the next episode.

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I hope you enjoyed this

episode of The Joyful Creative.

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If you did, be sure to subscribe

so you catch them every week.

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And if you can, please take a moment

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friend so the podcast can reach more

people who need support and inspiration.

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Thanks for listening and keep creative.