The Creative Explorers

How do we take care of ourselves while the world needs changing? How do we work towards change? What even makes a difference?  There isn’t really answers, mostly questions.  Laumee and Rachael discuss the struggles of trying to do more, self-care and preservation and what can be done. 

Resources:

The Way Out Is In: A Zen podcast episode about healing transgenerational trauma and hatred

Changing “should” to “could”.  Laumee and Rachael continue off of the theme of the last episode to share some clarity and ideas for self care. “Calling back your energy” to give focus to your goals and yourself. What is taking too much attention? Setting up routine for the bare minimum.  Rachael shares how her outlook shifted when she brought art into her scheduling challenges. 

Some suggestions discussed:

• A line drawing a day

• Automatic drawing

• Draw what your intention for your day

Q What are 5 things you can do for yourself today to help you shine? 

Book mentioned:

The Glass Castle Memoir

Today we have a guest! Saehee Chang returns to talk a little bit about kimchi but also goals for this year. We’re feeling fresh and ready for exciting possibilities.  Self care is the key to focusing on your passions.  We’re asking the big questions.  What do you really want? What do you deserve? How are you regulating your nervous system and creating time for yourself? 

Recommended resources:

The Book of Korean Self Care

Today we are brainstorming artists that have collabed, are doing community building and cross promoting for art and products.  Get ideas, be inspired, get motivated to build your creative community.  

Questions for you to consider

Where will you show, sell, see your art? 

Where are people already meeting/gathering that your art could contribute to? 

What’s a cause you believe in and would like to influence? 

What lights you up? 

What’s a product that you enjoy? Could you put your art on it? 

Artists and Resources mentioned: 

Erica Helder

Let’s discuss mutual aide, collaboration, community building, world changing ideas.  Laumee and Rachael compare notes, share resources and lessons they have been diving into.  The nervous system co-regulates.  As you heal yourself you can help others heal. There are so many people out there sharing a message, openly learning and growing as an example to others.  How will you show up?  What can you freely give right now? What can you give from abundance?

Resources mentioned: 

RevolutionTV 

This is Rachael's and Laumee's review of celebrations of the week, inspirations, and learning moments.  Have you heard of “underearning” to describe a trauma response and how that can affect a person’s relationship with money? Two broke artists reflect on their belief systems and what parts of this checklist they fit.  Do you resonate with this struggle?

The Tree that set healthy boundaries:

What is your story? What are you passionate to talk about? Connection is about collecting.  This conversation covers gifts, the collections we make, the effort of understanding.  This is your reminder to keep sharing your story.  Your people will find you.  In this episode, Rachael and Laumee talk about their creative plans and how creativity can help us make sense of the world - at least a tiny bit.

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There are so many physical needs for our demanding bodies.  Laumee and Rachael talk about stress, difficult jobs, the little accomplishments and how to nourish ourselves with food and good thoughts.  Be gentle on yourself.  This world is a demanding place.

Ursula K. Le Guin: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ursula_K._Le_Guin

Optional Assignment:  write your perfect world.  Let’s start dreaming up solutions 

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Winter is coming. It’s time to prepare for lower energy.  We are getting selective in where to put our energy.  Laumee and Rachael take a look at the season they are in and give advice for building energy, saving energy, and how to keep creating.

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Do you need a little boost for your dreams and creativity? Laumee and Rachael had a really fun time on this episode, talking about some of their own creative projects, what they’re currently working on, some ideas, some struggles, and the little things that add up to bigger ideas.   We hope you come along and get inspired to look at your work in a new way as artists talk about building community. Let’s relish in the process. How might you collab?  

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Here's your encouragement for the week to go create, find your people, and share what you do.  We make art for ourselves, for our expression, and then some of us are called to share it with the world.  The difficulty is turning passion and self expression into a commodity.  Laumee and Rachael acknowledge the struggle and the questions, offering reminders and tips. Instead of “what pain point are you solving for your audience?” Ask yourself “What space are you creating and who are you inviting?”

Question: How can I be brave today? 

Resources mentioned: 

Kelsey Rodriguez, Artist, making her living on YouTube, teaching artists about social media

What is an artist? What makes a successful artist? We explore this on almost every podcast.  What is supportive to you? Laumee and Rachael are your accountability partner.  Today they talk about what is supportive to you, morning routines, bringing new things into your everyday life to keep the creative mind engaged. 

Resources Mentioned: 

The Struggle Care podcast for low energy days

Laumee and Rachael are here to encourage those that are getting despondent as they try to do art or share art. It can feel lonely, but you are not alone. It doesn’t matter that you don’t have an audience, it matters that you are authentic, even when life doesn’t “play along”. We are built for resonance.  Remember that this is part of your journey.  

Resources 

Peace Pilgrim free audiobook

What question do you have when you share your art?  Artists are sensitive people, often sharing our creations as a way of inviting connection.  Disinterest can feel like rejection. Today Laumee and Rachael are talking about some emotional tools and reminders that they have applied to their own struggles.  We’re here to help artists and everyone else to get out of fear and self doubt.  It’s time to express yourself, in whatever form or medium you choose.  

Some reminders: 

• Conflict is a plea for equal connection and deeper relationship
• Choose where to direct your attention and energy 

Resource: 

Find your family of weirdos.  Laumee and Rachael talk often about isolation as an artist. Today they provide resources, opportunities, and collab brainstorms for their businesses as well as your creative business.  Get inspired and find your people to support and encourage you. 

Resources mentioned

Brene Brown - check out her talks and books on Belonging

Ashley Rainsbarger has a brand new group for weirdos and a great deal for founding members.

As art reflects life, we are inspired by more messages that creativity can offer. Come and be inspired to look and question your reactions to life around you. Laumee and Rachael share this week’s inspirations.

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We are learning to be aware of energy drains in our life but what about the things that feed your energy? That give you more energy?  Laumee and Rachael review some of their biggest energy drains and offer a list of some possible energy resources.

Come to Instagram and answer this Question

What are some ways we can play?

Laumee and Rachael usually talk about creativity, the mess of the unknown, and a bit of spirituality, but today we’re talking about the grit and mindset of a warrior.  It’s not just about fighting. It’s about protecting. It’s about action.

IG question: what are you fighting for? Come share on our instagram page.

Rachael was in London over the weekend, Laumee is talking about tapping into her inner wisdom. Two artists are taking you through their process of coming to know themselves better. We hope it inspires you on your journey of creating your ideal life, discovering your true self, and sharing your story.  Heal yourself to heal the world.

The Plum Village App

We have a short episode for you today.  Today’s reminder is to make space for your creativity.  Creativity needs playfulness and quiet/boredom to be awakened.  Laumee talks about her win this week and getting back to treating her writing as high value.  Think back to a time when  little change in your environment created a massive change for your peace of mind.

Instagram question:  like a plant, what would your growing instructions be?

Are you big into transformation, self development, passion, play, daydreaming? Are you feeling like a mess? Out of place?  Maybe you just have a creative mind and maybe your mind is just a bit different from others. Laumee and Rachael would like to be your people.  Today, they talk about this week’s lessons and inspirations (resources listed below). Be part of the community of transformation seekers.

Quotes:

“Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” - Howard Thurman

“I never set out to be weird. It was always other people who called me weird.” – Frank Zappa

Share with us on Instagram:

What would you like your gravestone to say?

Are art and art careers going to be ruined by AI? Are we moving into generic creativity and mass-produced art? Laumee and Rachael share their take and expectations and discuss art as a commodity and art as a healing journey.  Art has different purposes and reasons for coming into existence.  Once we look at this, we can see what will enhance production.

Resources:

Come and answer this question on our IG page:

Why won’t AI be able to replace your art?

Let’s take a look at some of life’s metaphors.  Are we peeling back layers to the authentic self? Or is life more like the many messy layers of a painting?  Maybe, we are all trying to make sense of the marks that have been left on our mindset.  Marks by upbringing, experiences, culture.  Building off of ugliness parts and damaged areas of our lives is the healing process that brings transformation. Creativity is that process of sharing our expression, story, over and around the marks that trauma has left on us.

This week’s assignment: Watch the Lego Movie for your inner child.

Question: What am I pretending?

Come share your answer on Instagram

Laumee and Rachael are on a mission this year to put more art into the world and to convince more people to create.  We spent so much time in turmoil and uncertainty, the world has been through big and messy changes.  We have all gotten a little clearer on what we want and what we don’t want.  Do you want to fix the world? Do you want to make a difference? Then start by making something; make a mess, play, explore.  Creativity is the path to solutions. Let’s light this fire.

Instagram Question: What’s does your ideal creative career look like?

Laumee and Rachael take a look at goals in a different way. "What can we say no to?" They share a list of 7 basic human needs by Deirdre Fay and Gabor Mate's 4 characteristics he's observed of people that develop chronic illnesses. How might these affect your goals? They also exchange their "word of the year".

What's your word of the year?

Resources listed:

Gabor Maté

The last days of a rocky and eventful 2022 are here. Laumee and Rachael sip some holiday beverages and reflect on their life changes and lessons over the past year and the new things they learned just last week. They also invite you to join their journey and community.

Resources mentioned:

The Myth of Normal book

We’re coming into the holidays. Laumee and Rachael share some of their wins, a little bit about their work, and more encouragement to keep creating.  The world wants to see your expression. Laumee and Rachael are building an online community.  This episode they debut their discord channel. Come join! How can we support each other?

Join our conversation on Discord:

Rachael and Laumee talk about capitalism and how it has skewed why and how we create.  Art is not just a commodity, it’s a “gatweway to creative problem solving”, and the gateway to expressing/sharing our authentic self. What’s holding you back?

Question:  What’s your 5 value words? Come share your answer on Instagram

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It’s a turmoil of emotions lately.  Laumee and Rachael start this episode off with “Why are we doing this?”  Why do you do art? What are you trying to make with your art? What are you working toward?  Is it the money? Subjects discussed are: Patreon, the power of art, the importance of connecting, and some real life ways to connect. This is your message to do what you were meant to do.  Results are secondary.

Accountability check-up:

Laumee says she will create an Instagram reel with her art and music

Rachael says she will do a live reading of her road trip story on tiktok

Q -What will you put out there to make connections?

Q- What is important to put out into the world?

(come share your answers on Instagram)

Laumee and Rachael talk about ways to show up in your life, from creativity to curiosity. Do you want to be seen? They discuss easy ways to do that. Rachael shares a bit about her story of psychosis and the week she spent in a psych ward.

Questions to reflect on

Q-Is there a cause that’s more important than your discomfort?

Q -What’s your favorite “shine your light” motivating song?

(come share your answers on Instagram)