finding your creative voice

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“You can't believe everything you think”   

When Wendy McWilliams was 49 years old, she felt like she needed a hobby. What started as a search for a simple past-time hobby, quickly evolved into her life’s passion - a thriving art career her work sought after for private collections around the globe. After working through 22 different jobs including for Calvin Klein & Revlon in Europe, she finally landed on what she was meant to do in life - painting. 

It’s hard to not be skeptical about ourselves and our abilities. Art allows us to channel a source of energy, of inspiration, and opens us to become a vehicle for creativity to create beauty through our hands. We are meant to create, to allow creativity to flow through us. Our job is to remain open and to make sure we do not believe everything we think - especially when it comes to limiting beliefs. 

“You hate your own creations because you think they look too much like you made them. You think if you keep trying you can make your work look like some other, better person made it. But there is no level of skill where you transcend yourself. The thing you hate about your art, is the most valuable thing about it”  (paraphrased from Elicia Donze) 

In this encore presentation, the episode revisits Wendy McWilliams' inspiring journey, originally featured in Season One. Wendy, who started seeking a simple hobby at the age of 49, eventually discovered her life's passion in painting. Despite going through 22 different jobs, including roles at Calvin Klein and Revlon in Europe, Wendy found fulfillment and success as an artist with her work sought after for private collections worldwide. The central message of the episode is encapsulated in the phrase "You can't believe everything you think," emphasizing the importance of overcoming limiting beliefs.

EPISODE NOTES:

• Wendy McWilliams, a guest from Season One, is reintroduced in this encore presentation.
• Wendy's journey began as a search for a hobby at the age of 49, ultimately leading to a thriving art career.
• Despite navigating through 22 different jobs, Wendy found her true calling in painting.
• The episode highlights the skepticism we often harbor about our abilities and the role of art in channeling creativity and inspiration.
• The quote "You can't believe everything you think" serves as a guiding principle, encouraging listeners to challenge their limiting beliefs.
• Wendy's story reinforces the idea that we are meant to create and be open to the flow of creativity.
• The episode emphasizes the importance of remaining open, having fun, and being curious in one's journey.
• Wendy's transformative experience occurred when she allowed herself to be guided by what would be fun and enjoyable.
• The episode underscores the power of letting go of self-imposed limitations and allowing enjoyment to guide one's path.
• Wendy's journey is described as a powerful reminder of the significance of remaining open and lighthearted in pursuing one's passion.

In this brand new episode, Kate Shepherd engages in a captivating conversation with the incredible Bibby Gignilliat, an artist whose journey navigates through self-doubt, career transitions, and a harmonious fusion of art, business, and spirituality.

We kick off diving into Bibby's early struggles with doubt and how those challenges shaped her artistic path. From leaving a successful career to returning to art later in life, Bibby opens up about blending her artistic flair with some serious business skills.

Ever wondered about selling art without the awkward "salesy" vibe? Bibby spills the beans on leveraging email, social media, and the power of community. Plus, she takes us on a journey into the mystical realms of spirituality and intuition in art.

But here's the gold: Bibby shares the secret sauce—embracing uncertainty. Yep, surrendering control can be the gateway to your creative jackpot. She dishes on being present, noticing life's signs, and starting small on your creative odyssey.

Throughout our chat, we uncover nuggets of wisdom, like how to tackle those sneaky limiting beliefs and finding joy even amidst uncertainty (cue the furry caterpillar story!).

And hold onto your paintbrushes for Bibby's evening ritual with her artwork—this bedtime activity might just inspire your own creative rituals!

So, if you're ready to unlock your creative potential, embrace uncertainty, and blend art with business wizardry, this conversation with Bibby Gignilliat is your ticket! Trust me, you don't want to miss this artistic rollercoaster! 🎨✨

Sign up for the Creative Genius Patreon Membership, Monthly LIVE WORKSHOPs, bonus episodes, behind the scenes content, guided meditations, and truly so much more. 
 

What We Talked About - Top 3 Takeaways:

• Overcoming self-doubt and childhood experiences fuels creative passion.
• Artistic success merges artistry with business skills.
• Surrendering to uncertainty maximizes creative potential.

Show Notes:

• Introduction and Background
  • Early experiences with art and battling self-doubt.
• Pursuing Art and Career Transition
  • Finding courage to pursue art and transitioning from a successful career.
• Artistic Journey and Business Skills
  • Embracing a career in art and the importance of business acumen.
• Marketing Art and Building a Community
  • Insights into using email, social media, and nurturing a community.
• Spirituality, Intuition, and Creativity
  • Exploring spirituality's role and the significance of intuition in creation.
• Embracing Uncertainty and Surrender
  • Letting go of control, embracing uncertainty, and surrendering to creativity.

Chapters & Highlights:

• Overcoming Doubt & Pursuing Art: Early experiences and battling self-doubt.
• Transitioning to Art: Leaving a successful career, returning to art later in life.
• Art and Business Fusion: Balancing artistic prowess with business skills.
• Selling Art & Community Building: Using email, social media, and nurturing community.
• Spirituality & Creativity: Exploring spirituality's role in the creative process.
• Embracing Uncertainty: Surrendering to uncertainty and its impact on creativity.
• Finding Clarity in Moments: Being present and noticing life's signs.
• Starting Small & Building Habits: Initiating creative journeys with minimal resources.
• Facing Limiting Beliefs: Overcoming obstacles to make a living as an artist.
• Surrendering for Creativity: Balancing surrender and actively creating.

Top 3 Things You'll Gain:

1. Strategies to overcome self-doubt and leverage past experiences in art.
2. Insights into blending business skills with artistic pursuits.
3. Techniques to embrace uncertainty and maximize creative potential.

Resources Mentioned:

• Academy of Intuition Medicine
• Artists: Nick Milton, Andrew Faulkner, Michael Cutlip
• Books: "Untethered Soul" by Michael Singer

Kate's Highlight Questions:

• Introduction to Artistic Journey: Sharing experiences and battling self-doubt.
• Key Strategies for Selling Art: Overcoming the discomfort of selling art.
• Creative Surrender & Uncertainty: Embracing uncertainty and its creative impact.

This episode is a transformative journey through the intersections of art, business, spirituality, and surrendering to the creative process. Gain valuable insights into overcoming obstacles, embracing uncertainty, and igniting your artistic passion. Tune in to unlock your creative potential!

FULL TRANSCRIPT available at KateShepherdCreative.com

About Kate Shepherd

Kate Shepherd, Founder of Morning Moon Nature Jewelry and Creative Genius Inc., is a celebrated artist and podcast host, making waves in the world of creativity. Her jewelry has appeared in Netflix's "Yellowjackets" and Disney's "Once Upon a Time," while earning recognition from stars like Andie Macdowell (a repeat customer) and Meghan Markle, who once called her on the phone to tell her how much Kate’s jewelry meant to her. 

But Kate's story is not just one of artistic achievement; her true passion and calling is for supporting the human spirit to return to its creative roots. Kate believes Humanity is Glitching™ because we have collectively become disconnected from our inner creative gifts, and through her podcasts, meditations, writing, and workshops, she dedicates herself to helping as many people as she can to find and activate their intuition and creativity. 

Despite a challenging childhood and discouragement from early “teachers” Kate forged her own path with creativity at the helm. Her podcast, "The Creative Genius Podcast," empowers others to find their creative voices, too, it ranks among the top 1% of podcasts, globally.

Kate resides in North Vancouver with her two kids and rescue dog, Maggie. Join her newsletter for art classes, workshops, exclusive content, and a chance to win a piece of her work. 

Amira Rahim, a successful commercial abstract artist who founded Better Than Art School™, shares her journey of finding her creative voice and creating a successful art business around it. Growing up in Newark, New Jersey, where other legendary talents like Queen Latifah and Lauryn Hill also grew up, Amira felt the pressure to live up to the place's artistic standards. She overcame the two things that were stopping her from finding her voice, which she shares with us inside the episode, along with the methodical method she developed for finding one's creative voice. 

So many valuable insights inside this episode, for artists struggling to find their creative voice and build on it. 

This episode is an excellent resource for anyone who wants to be an abstract artist but has struggled with finding their voice. Amira seems to have truly cracked the formula for finding your voice, and inside this episode, she gives you the week-long assignment she gives to all her students who are ready to find their voice.

IN THIS EPISODE

Living up to the pressures of creativity

Amira's method for finding her voice as an artist (that she teaches inside Better Than Art School ™) 

The biggest challenge she thinks we are all facing as artists is the act of creating.

Amira gives us an assignment that will help anyone feeling stuck and not able to find their creative voice, and she says all it takes is a week.

Practical pointers for artists struggling with composition and finding their color palette

Why finding your style is so vital - valuable insights and practical things you can do inside a week that can catapult you forward in finding your voice, especially as an abstract painter.

What is behind our reluctance to let our paintings go, the ones we really love, and the journey to selling your work consistently as an artist.

Are you struggling to find your creative voice as a photographer or artist? Do you want to learn how to unleash your creativity and produce stunning and unique imagery that resonates with your audience? Well, you’ve come to the right place because this week’s special guest is conceptual portrait photographer and photoshop expert GILMAR SMITH.

In this episode, Gilmar shares her journey as a photographer and educator, her approach to creative portraiture and personal brand photography, and her secrets for using Photoshop to elevate your images to the next level. You'll learn practical tips and tricks for finding inspiration, overcoming creative blocks, and developing your own style and vision.

Gilmar's insights and expertise will inspire you to explore new horizons, experiment with different techniques, and express your unique voice through your art. So grab your camera, get ready to be inspired, and join us for this must-listen conversation with one of the most talented and passionate photographers in the industry!

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