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The Mama Judy and Jill PodcastEpisode 33: Tips for Finding Creative InspirationIn this episode, we dive into the concept that our richest sources of inspiration often come from within. We discuss how creating in your personal space and interacting with your materials can spark significant creative breakthroughs. We also touch on the importance of recognizing what ignites your creativity and how revisiting work you initially dismissed can later serve as a profound source of inspiration. Finally, we talk about the value of documenting moments of insight to pull from later, and moving away from the pressure of what you "should" be doing as a creative. W...2024-03-0620 minThe Mama Judy and Jill PodcastEpisode 32: Fun Updates for the Mama Judy & Jill PodcastMama Judy and I have some fun updates to share with you on the podcast today! Join us as we share the new podcast schedule, what's coming to our Youtube channel, and why we made these changes. We are so grateful you choose to spend time with us each week and we hope the updates will be fun for you and will allow you to engage with us in new ways!Three important things for you to do: CLICK HERE to sign up for our newsletter so you don't miss a th...2024-01-1610 minThe Mama Judy and Jill PodcastEpisode 31: How Flexibility Will Fuel Your Art PracticeThis week, Mama Judy and I unravel the power of flexibility in both art and your daily life to stretch your boundaries and discover a path to personal evolution.Flexibility can allow us to do things that we normally wouldn't do, or we would resist in the beginning -- it's a simple concept, but one that we need to pay attention to in order to flourish in your creative practices.We hope you enjoy our chat today! Episodes mentioned: #30: How to Choose An Inspiring Word for the Year #25: Overcoming Creative Resistance2024-01-1029 minThe Mama Judy and Jill PodcastEpisode 30: How to Choose An Inspiring Word for the YearIn this episode, we offer a simple exercise to choose a single, guiding word for the new year. This is a powerful exercise that I (Jill) have done for more than a decade and serves as an anchor focus to guide your steps throughout the year. Mama Judy also offers an innovative approach to adapting this exercise. She reveals how to leverage it as a tool for evaluating and enhancing your artistic practices, helping to identify what's flourishing and what needs rethinking.We hope this episode guides you in finding YOUR word for the year! A...2024-01-0328 minThe Mama Judy and Jill Podcast#29: Embracing Death in the Creative Process to Let Something New InIn this episode, we talk about the transformative power of 'death' within the realm of creativity. Join Mama Judy and I as we explore the concept of 'death' not as a literal end but as a metaphorical passage - the conclusion of one artistic endeavor and the beginning (or birth) of another. Throughout an artists journey, there will be small deaths that present themselves in the creative process. The death of an idea or a vision... the death or ending of a project...Instead of thinking of this in a depressing way, we encourage you t...2023-12-2724 minThe Mama Judy and Jill PodcastEpisode 28: Best Artistic Advice Given - Our Listeners ShareIn this episode, Mama Judy and I share insights from YOU, the listeners. We posed this question on Instagram>> What is the BEST piece of advice you've received that has influenced your art? We got so many GREAT responses and are thrilled to be sharing them here with you today! Take these nuggets of advice and use them to inspire and guide you in your creative life! We thank the following artists who submitted a piece of advice to share on this episode: Pam at https://www.instagram.com/pamv6820/Wanda at h...2023-12-2024 minThe Mama Judy and Jill PodcastEpisode 27: Self Compassion: a Vital Ingredient to CreativityIn this episode, Mama Judy and I explore the importance of extending compassion to ourselves in order for our creative lives to flourish. We chat about the differences between internal and external criticism and how neglecting self-compassion for both can swiftly dim your creative spark.Tune in for practical tips on cultivating self-compassion daily, unlocking the door to a more resilient and flourishing creative spirit. If you'd prefer to watch this podcast, you can find us over on our YouTube page (The Mama Judy & Jill Podcast).We'd LO...2023-12-0629 minThe Mama Judy and Jill PodcastEpisode 26: The Magic State of FLOW in the Creative ProcessEver wonder why time flies when you're lost in art or how your artistic journey takes unexpected, yet gratifying turns? This is the magical state of FLOW. Join us as we explore the the concept of flow state and its PROFOUND influence on your creativity. While you can't force flow state, we'll share some practical techniques to create a conducive environment to induce flow state. Press play to tune in now! Click here to watch the episode mentioned on creating rituals, routines, and an environment to confidently create more art.If y...2023-11-2924 minThe Mama Judy and Jill PodcastEpisode 25: Overcoming Creative ResistanceHave you ever sat down to create and the next thing you know you're folding laundry or watching Netflix? You're likely encountering RESISTANCE... an invisible force that every single person on earth experiences. Join us, this week, as we explore the subtle force of resistance that often crops up in an artist/creative's journey. Overcoming creative resistance is essential for artists, as it unlocks the pathway to uninhibited expression, allowing your authentic voice and artistic vision to flourish.Mama Judy and I will draw parallels between resistance and impostor syndrome (as talked about in episode #6), o...2023-11-2229 minThe Mama Judy and Jill PodcastEpisode 24: Art, Instagram, and Inspiration: A Chat with Miniature Book Artist Wanda KatzWanda Katz creates the most magical miniature books. She's relatively new as an artist, exercising her creative aptitude daily in her wonderful studio in the UK, after an early retirement of translating for the United Nations (she's fluent in Italian!) at the age of 50. Wanda has always had an aesthetic eye, but to call herself an "artist" may have felt like a stretch until she began creating art in book form. Tune in to learn about Wanda's journey from a young girl who loved books to the artist that she is today. We also uncover...2023-11-1546 minThe Mama Judy and Jill PodcastEpisode 23: Art and Nature - A Beautiful Intersection That Fuels Creativity and Well-BeingThis week, Mama Judy and I explore how stepping into the great outdoors not only fuels your creativity but also works wonders for your wellbeing. It's scientifically proven that the calming effects of nature can reduce anxiety, a perfect antidote when tackling new art projects or techniques. Whether it's the sea's soothing sounds or the quiet solitude under a tree, nature can help us feel more relaxed and focused, thereby enhancing our creativity.Join us as we chat about the benefits of being immersed in nature, from the mental wellbeing perspective to being able to...2023-11-0826 minThe Mama Judy and Jill PodcastEpisode 22: Unlocking Creativity - A Chat with Kimberly MasonCreativity is often a deeply personal and transformative process, but many of us find ourselves held back by fear and self-doubt. In this week's episode, we dive into this critical intersection of creativity and fear with our special guest, Kimberly Mason. A busy wife, mother, and pathologist by profession, Kimberly shares her personal journey of longing for artistic expression and the roadblocks she's faced along the way.One of the biggest barriers to creative expression is fear. Fear of vulnerability, fear of judgment, and fear of disappointment often stop us from pursuing our creative dreams. O...2023-11-0142 minThe Mama Judy and Jill PodcastEpisode 21: Together At Last: Our In-Person Podcast and Gratitude GiveawayWe’ve got something special to share with you in this podcast episode. It’s a bit different this time because Mama Judy and I (Jill) are together in the same room, and let us tell you, the joy of recording in person was incredible!But here’s the best part – it’s not just about us. This episode is a big shoutout to our amazing creative community. Your love and support mean the world to us, and we wanted to show our appreciation. So, we’re launching our Gratitude Giveaway! We’ve put together a beautiful journal and a...2023-10-2508 minThe Mama Judy and Jill PodcastEp 20: How Emotions Shape Our Creative JourneyHave you ever looked at a piece of art and wondered about the feelings that inspired the artist? Can you imagine how their happiness, sadness, anger, or love influenced every brushstroke and color choice?We’re going to explore how our emotions have a big impact on our creative output. We’ll share our own experiences and talk about how our inner and outer feelings not only guide our artwork but also affect how people see it. We’ll also ask a tough question: is it ever okay to stop working on a creative project if it’s making...2023-10-1831 minThe Mama Judy and Jill PodcastEpisode 19: Embracing Boredom - How Idle Moments Fuel Creative GrowthEver wondered how embracing boredom can fuel your creativity? Join Mama Judy and myself as we redefine boredom. Instead of filling every moment of the day with busyness, we invite you to embrace those idle moments as golden opportunities to declutter your thoughts and let your imagination fuel your creativity. Instead of fearing boredom, let's repurpose it as a catalyst for personal and creative growth! We hope you enjoy!If you'd prefer to watch this podcast, you can find us over on our YouTube page (The Mama Judy & Jill Podcast).We...2023-10-1123 minThe Mama Judy and Jill PodcastEpisode 18: Understanding Yourself - The First Step to Creative GrowthIn this episode, we dive into an essential part of the artistic process – self-understanding. Mama Judy and I share our personal stories and lend insights on how traits like procrastination, laziness, a get-it-done mindset can greatly influence the creative process. We also chat about how the artistic medium you choose might be influenced by your personal preferences. You'll learn how comfort with certain mediums can guide your choice and influence the work you create. We also explore how asking the right questions can help you understand your artistic practices better. For a list of the...2023-10-0434 minThe Mama Judy and Jill PodcastEpisode 17: A Chat with Artists (and mother/daughter duo) Bee Sieburg and Molly CourcelleIn this episode, Mama Judy and I had the pleasure of chatting with Bee Sieburg and Molly Courcelle, mother-daughter duo who both happen to be successful professional artists in Asheville, NC. Bee and Molly each share their own stories of how they came to be the artists they are today. From where they draw from for inspiration in their art, to what it’s like working in adjoining studios in the River Arts District, to an “origin” story that will give you full body goosebumps! We hope you enjoy today’s chat! Click here to fi...2023-09-2743 minThe Mama Judy and Jill PodcastEpisode 16: The Perfection Trap: Why Seeking Perfection in Your Art Can Hold You BackIn this episode, Mama Judy and I (Jill) are diving deep into the challenges of perfectionism in the realm of creativity. If you’ve struggled with perfectionism, you know it can take serious hold of your creativity and imagination – acting like a brake – stripping away the joy, spontaneity, and natural flow that fuels the artistic spirit. We talk about the fact that true growth in any art form is a journey, and reaching a point of perceived perfection leaves no room for evolution.We also touch on the difference between the healthy pursuit of excellence and th...2023-09-2023 minThe Mama Judy and Jill PodcastEpisode 15: The Power of Commitment in Your Art Practice: Exploring Dedication, Balance, and FreedomMama Judy read something about commitment to art recently that turned the lightbulb up in a way that gave her a renewed desire to be committed to the entire process of a creative journey, NOT just the easy and fun stuff! So this week we decided to explore some different angles of the word commitment – different ways that we hope might spark you to look at how you view commitment, in the general sense, and how you view your commitment to your art.We hope you enjoy today’s chat! Resources mentioned in th...2023-09-1327 minThe Mama Judy and Jill PodcastEpisode 14: Why Do We Do Art?This week Mama Judy and I are diving into the age-old question of why humans are drawn to create art. We discuss how art provides you with a way to express the inner part of your being – a way that traditional forms of communication can’t express. Mama Judy shares how doing art can physiologically change your body, alleviating anxiety and pain. And we both share how creating art can bring you a sense of joy. We’d love to hear from you… why do YOU do art? Resources mentioned in episode: 2023-09-0627 minThe Mama Judy and Jill PodcastEpisode 13: The Power of Getting Together to Make Art with Other CreativesIn this episode, Mama Judy and I talk about something we both love to participate in: what we call artist playdates! There is such connection and creative growth in coming together with other artistic souls, whether it's an intimate session with just one other person or a larger gathering. A playgroup is designed to be a nurturing space where you can express your creativity.Whether you're seeking collaboration, accountability, eager to learn from fellow artists or experiment with new techniques, or simply longing for a safe space to engage in what you love (be it knitting, stitching, p...2023-08-3025 minThe Mama Judy and Jill PodcastEpisode 12: How to Create Rituals, Routines, and an Environment to Confidently Make More ArtIn this episode, Mama Judy and I talk about the importance of carving out a personal space AND time for your art practice. By doing this, you lay the groundwork for creativity and help yourself build a consistent routine for engaging with your art.We share our own tried-and-true rituals and routines and hope that something you learn will inspire a more enjoyable and consistent time in your creative process. We hope you’ll tune in! Resources mentioned in this episode:Video on needle felting on fabric...2023-08-2336 minThe Mama Judy and Jill PodcastEpisode 11: Enrich Your Imagination to Fuel CreativityRemember how we used to make up amazing stories and worlds when we were little? It's easy to lose that magic as we grow up with so many other things going on.In Episode 11, we're going to talk about how to bring back that sense of wonder and excitement we had as kids. We'll share some fun exercises to help you be more creative, which can also make you feel more confident in your art.Mama Judy and I both think that a lot of people forget how to use their imagination. We believe it's...2023-08-1624 minThe Mama Judy and Jill PodcastEpisode 10: Authentic Art From the Authentic SelfOur conversation this week is about creating authentic art. Authentic art feels genuine in its creation. It reflects your own, personal style. And it provides a small glimpse into your soul!In our previous talks on the pitfalls of imposter syndrome and comparison, we described how these stifle our creativity. Similarly, they shield us from our authentic self. We need this self, the truest version of ourselves, to be present in the creation of art that can be seen as genuinely meaningful.Mama Judy advises us to listen to our hearts to gain access to...2023-08-0933 minThe Mama Judy and Jill PodcastEpisode 9: Art Can Heal (Part 2) - An Interview with Val VaganekIn part 2 of Art Can Heal, Mama Judy and I talk with Val Vaganek and look at ways art has helped her overcome trauma and how it continues to.Using objects from her life that previously triggered painful emotions, Val reshapes their significance with her art. The trauma these “artifacts” represent may not have been thoroughly verbalized, but art has provided the voice and empowered a sense of self in Val to confidently move forward in healing. This safe space is where she allows triggered emotions to surface for examination and where she repurposes them to her desi...2023-08-0242 min