The Creative Kind

In part two of end-of-season wrap-up, I delve into the topic of overwhelm again with Laura Horn, Nic Dempster, Rach Mayne, Penny Boyd & Kylie King-Hazel from season four. The discussion covers definitions of overwhelm and burnout, personal experiences with these states, and practical strategies for managing them. We talk about the emotional and cognitive states of overwhelm, insights on finding solace in creative work amidst chaos, the importance of taking breaks and setting boundaries & the guests share approaches schedules, calendars lists and timing! I hope you enjoy these reflections on how goals and expectations evolve over time and the importance of self-care in sustaining a creative practice.See you Next Season!Please sing out if you’ve got a question, you can email me at thecreativekindpodcast@gmail.com, or Dm me on instagram here. Or submit a question online here: Mentioned in the pod:Laura recommended these four podcasts:The CEO Collective PodcastOff the GridThe Amy Porterfield ShowSusan Nethercote Studio Insider PodcastKylie Discussed these two artists:Kehinde Wiley Elisa AnfusoThanks so much for listening! Feel free to rate, review & share if you enjoyed it, this helps other people find the show

In this end of season episode we hear from 5 of this seasons former guests to explore the feeling of overwhelm. The episode features candid conversations where each guest shares their personal experiences, coping mechanisms, and strategies to manage overwhelm. Guests include Fleur Wickes, Sarah Birtles, Andrew Sleeman, Cass Deller & Dr Lou Cooper , who talk about structuring time, setting boundaries. the challenges of balancing multiple projects, dealing with external pressures, mental exhaustion and the importance of self-care practices like meditation and breathwork (and so much more!). Part two coming soon!Mentioned in this episode:Fleur Wickes mentioned : The Art Show by ABC Listen ‘CJ Hendry and who gets to decide 'what is art'Cass Deller mentioned OwakenJulie Mentioned : -The breathwork club Dr Lou Mentioned : “I’m Scared of Therapy”You can find the podcast hereThanks so much for listening! Feel free to rate, review & share if you enjoyed it, this helps other people find the show

In this episode I talk to Cass Deller, a surface pattern designer about her unique approach to business, productivity, and creativity. Cass shares her journey of building a creative practice, she discusses the challenges and rewards of balancing multiple roles, including managing courses, licensing designs, and experimental creative work. Cass also touches on the practical aspects of running a business, such as using administrative help, leveraging social media organically, and trialing new marketing strategies like Facebook ads. She highlights the importance of continuous learning, community support, and embracing her unique way of working for long-term success. I really enjoyed hearing about how Cass has built a successful creative business by following her intuition and playing to her strengths, I hope you do too!You can find Cass’ Website hereYou can find her instagram hereYou can find the podcast hereThanks so much for listening! Feel free to rate, review & share if you enjoyed it, this helps other people find the show

In this episode I interview Laura Horn, an artist, podcaster, YouTuber, and teacher, discussing organisational tools and mindsets. Laura emphasises the importance of a flexible approach and learning from both successes and mistakes. She shares her experiences in building systems for her business, including the use of virtual assistants to streamline tasks and free up creative time. The conversation highlights the value of thinking big, simplifying ideas, and breaking them down into manageable tasks. Laura also talks about strategies for email management, the importance of having a good email provider, and using tools like Flowdesk for segmentation and automation. Additionally, she touches on the balance between business tasks and creative work, suggesting approaches like dedicating specific days for admin or creative activities. Laura discusses the use of social media schedulers and shares her methods for switching between business mode and creative mode and the constant juggle to maintain momentum in an art practice. Finally, she offers insights on how these organisational tools ultimately support more creative freedom and time.You can find Laura’s Website hereYou can find her instagram hereYou can find her podcast hereAnd her vlog hereTools that Laura mentioned in this episode:FlowdeskSaneboxCoScheduleYou can find the podcast hereThanks so much for listening! Feel free to rate, review & share if you enjoyed it, this helps other people find the show

In this episode of The Creative Kind, I sit down with Nic Dempster, a painter from Ōtepoti Dunedin, New Zealand, to discuss NZ art fairs. Nic shares his journey of entering the art fair scene, providing insights into how he chooses which fairs to attend and some of the challenges he’s faced. We discuss the different types of art fairs in New Zealand, the importance of exposure, and the logistical aspects of participating in these events. Nic also shares practical advice for artists, including the importance of having business cards, preparing spiels, handling constructive feedback, and staying energised throughout the fair. The conversation delves into the benefits of community and networking within art fairs, highlighting both the opportunities and obstacles that come with this unique marketplace.You can find Nic here:You can also find his artwork at: DeNovo, Flagstaff, Mobile Art, Art on Thames, ArtBox and  Soul Gallery.

n this episode I have a great conversation with Kylie King-Hazel, a self-taught artist from Pōneke, Wellington. Kylie shares her experiences and motivations behind her art, which is deeply influenced by her personal journey and her desire to represent the beauty of Te Ao Māori for her Māori husband and children. We discuss the challenges of being a self-taught artist, including dealing with self-doubt and the importance of mentorship. Kylie highlights the transformative role of AI in her work and the cultural considerations in her art practice. The conversation also touches on the significance of community, patience, and self-belief in this crazy career choice of ours!You can find Kylie here on instagram Mentioned in this episode:David KassanShana LevensonYou can find the podcast hereThanks so much for listening! Feel free to rate, review & share if you enjoyed it, this helps other people find the show

In this episode I chat to Penelope Boyd, a self-taught painter from Canberra. Penny discusses how she came to develop her unique style and the self-reliance and determination it took to get there. She talks about early exposure to blogs and online resources and a long history of trial and error and how this helped her to refine and discover what works for her. Penny talks about some of the challenges she faced, including physical injuries and she also reflects on the freedom of being self-taught, allowing her art to evolve without the influence of formal art education. We discuss some of the challenges artists face in developing their professional skills beyond making art, including writing artist statements, managing finances, and navigating the business side of the industry. This chat with Penny really highlights the value of long-term commitment and practice, in honing one's artistic voice. I really enjoyed this chat and I hope you do too!Penny has an upcoming exhibition 'Lost and Found' at Grainger Gallery in Canberra from the 13-30th of March 2025You can find Penny here on InstagramAnd her website hereYou can find the podcast hereThanks so much for listening! Feel free to rate, review & share if you enjoyed it, this helps other people find the show

In this episode of 'The Creative Kind,' I’m joined by Rachael Mayne, a psychologist and painter based in Aotearoa, New Zealand, to discuss the intersection of anxiety and art. Rachael explains that anxiety is a normal, protective mechanism but can become problematic when it impacts daily functioning. We explore how anxiety manifests for artists, and how tools like journaling, mindfulness, and therapy can help. We touch on issues of imposter syndrome, the impact of social media on self-esteem, and the challenge of staying inspired. We also discuss our personal experiences of navigating the "ugly phase" in paintings, recognizing it as a natural part of the process rather than a sign of failure. Racheal offers practical strategies for managing creative anxiety, including having multiple projects at different stages and recognizing when energy levels allow for experimentation. You can find Rachael here on instagram:And her website hereMentioned in this episode:The links to the books/resources that I mentioned are:- The Centre for Clinical Interventions - Resources for looking after yourself:https://www.cci.health.wa.gov.au/Resources/Looking-After-Yourself- The Happiness Trap - How to stop struggling and start living, By Russ Harris (book)We discuss topics related to anxiety and mental health in this episode, including how these experiences can affect artists. While we approach this conversation with care, some parts may be sensitive for certain listeners. If you find this topic distressing, please take breaks or skip this episode if needed. If you’re struggling with your mental health, we encourage you to seek support from a mental health professional or reach out to someone you trust. 📞 Additional Mental Health Resources:New Zealand: Free call or text 1737 to talk to a trained counselor anytime.Australia: Contact Lifeline at 13 11 14 for 24/7 crisis support.International: Visit befrienders.org to find helplines in your country.You can find the podcast hereThanks so much for listening! Feel free to rate, review & share if you enjoyed it, this helps other people find the show