The Creator Lifestyle

Please note this episode is video and this audio was taken from that please go to our website to see this Season Finale Episode. 

Living in the moment is hard. Working within the moment is even harder.

Yet that’s the key to creating for Harris-Lee Rose.

His paintings ride the wave of right now. His pieces create a time-diary of moments long past, but still harnessed. Each one of his pieces commemorates his moment’s muse—whether it be Basquiat, an artist from Instagram, or reflections on COVID. He doesn’t aim to paint beauty. He paints his current moment—the present vibe—no matter how worthy someone else might think the moment is (or isn’t).

“It’s hard for me to go back to a piece. You have to hold on to that thought you originally felt when you were working the first time.”

For all the CREATORs out there, Harris-Lee says ‘take the step’. Whatever you need to start, start. Make that first mark. You can always return to what you were doing, but you can never return to this moment, so capture it as it calls to you.

To connect with other painters, colorists, and Instagram artists like Harris-Lee Rose, send us an email to join our community.

Submit a

CREATOR for Season 2 here: thecreatorlifestyle@gmail.com

Disrupting the norm is Sam’s norm. Actually, it’s her artistic duty. When you look at her illustrations you’ll see it in the proportion sizing, the hairy legs, the mixed emotions—all the things we’re taught not to acknowledge.

The bright colors and youthful doodles carry messages that need to be heard by all ages: Body positivity, mental health care, and even social activism. But she hadn’t always been comfortable committing to her artistic identity. Like many illustrators and graphic designers, Sam’s digital art is rooted in her early childhood hobby: Sketching.

Sam was working in her first job post-graduation as a teacher when she confirmed that art held a bigger place in her life. She needed to think through ideas via doodles on Post-It notes and scratch paper.

Initially, she didn’t want to go back to school to get a second degree, but her creative spirit urged her. (And we know there’s no use arguing with the creative spirit.)

In this episode, you’ll learn how Sam’s faith in her art grew as she moved through a certificate program and into her second bachelor’s degree. You’ll learn of new digital design apps that take sketches from pencil to vector. If you’re really listening, you’ll hear how Sam’s devotion to challenge the status quo has led her throughout both her creative journey and personal life.

To connect with other CREATORs and illustrators like Sam, send us a message.

If you want to be a featured CREATOR, we’d love to hear and tell your story—Send us an email.

Welcome to the world of The Bohemian Peach.

A big sunflower field and an oak tree. Chickens and a turkey walking about. Walking in, there’s a kitchen with a beautiful huge island, and at the center, Paulina is cooking. She welcomes you into her world, coming from a city to her bohemian, chic country farm life, where she cooks pure honest simplistic food that takes your breath away.

That is the sensation you’ll get from her newest cookbook, The Bohemian Peach.

Paulina is a chef, food stylist and homemaker, with an eye for beauty in mundane places. Her cookbook honors her roots as a Czech Republic native and honors her her current Southern home. In Europe, food was a thing to respect and celebrate while in the US we may have lost its reverence.

Paulina reintroduces us to recipes we thought we knew, but with a bohemian approach. In this episode you’ll learn how bohemia takes its name from the heart of her Czech home and how she welcomes her readers to reconnect. . . With old dishes, with mother nature, and with items at home that might be forgotten and neglected.

As a CREATOR, Paulina is the epitome of how passion meets hard work which equals a creative project that blows your mind. To learn more about her Bohemian revolution in Southern cooking, check out her www.thebohemianpeach.com.

Pit Bulls - Myths vs Truth

This episode of the Creator Lifestyle is a little different. We got the opportunity to interview a Creator with a Cause, Colleen Cruz, Founder of Shine A Light ATL. Colleen started this initiative in January of 2015 to educate & change the perceptions regarding Pit Bull type dogs.  What we love most is how she was creative in her cause through taking images of pitfalls & their families’ and telling their stories to demonstrate that these dogs are just like any other family pet & just like all dogs, should be seen as individuals.

Colleen was inspired to name her initiative by the quote from Dr Martin Luther King Jr.  “ Stereotypes are like shadows, shine a light on them and they disappear”

Colleen lives in Atlanta with her partner of 22 years Dan. They are proud owners of two pit bulls, Charlie Brown & Clementine.

To learn more about Colleen Cruz, how she got started and how you can support or have photos taken of you and your dog visit  www.shineliteatl.com

In our conversation with Deepti, you’ll recognize and respect the art within the makeup artist.

It’s more than just contour. Deepti’s highest paying jobs are the ones where she must make the model look natural, flawless, and with perfect skin. Using makeup for a “no makeup look” takes a completely different skill set—one Deepti trained for in school.

Deepti shares the decorum of working on set and shoots. Even in highly controlled environments, her creativity can take shape. She starts with abstract prompts, brushing both color-packed faces and subtle “no-makeup” looks onto her moving and talking canvases.

Her role is more than an artist, but as a comforting face. When working in such close proximity to her models, she must forge trust in both her craft and in her safety precautions (especially during COVID-19).

In this episode, you’ll learn how it’s not always about what’s more fierce, but what how subtle brush strokes and intention can speak louder.

Historically, makeup has been used to celebrate. We celebrate the artists whose media are as dynamic as the artist herself.

If you’re inspired by color palettes or how eyelashes can make the face pop, send us an email so we can connect you with more CREATORs like Deepti.

Fuck it.

That’s the advice Daytime Emmy Nominated Actor, Broadway Performer, Independent Recording Artist and Photographer Sean Samuels was given when he was performing on Broadway. Not the poster of motivation most would expect.

Sean’s learned that the only given in showbiz, is that the work will challenge you every day. On Broadway, Sean is a triple threat as an actor, singer, and dancer. On screen in Hollywood, he has to be more subtle and precise like in his role in Giants (2017).

You know what we respect about performers? Their entire body is their tool. Their voice, walk, mannerisms and face, are all a part of the character they are wearing. It’s all about perspective.

Sean practically grew up on stage—Once cast in his first role in 7th grade, he was sold on the CREATOR lifestyle. His personal perspective and philosophy have been shaped by his creative lifestyle.

Listen to how Sean’s perspective has evolved throughout his life and how his support systems have guided him into unmarked territory. Being a performer can be draining. See how Sean brings heart, soul and new life into every day and every performance.

Supercharge your creative spirit with those like you.
Watch Sean in the series Giants.

Weaving is an age-old tradition.

In the age of fast-fabrics, we find ourselves gravitating back to the heritage of textiles. Just check your Instagram or Pinterest, textile communities are thriving. New and aspiring knitters and macrame artists are learning an old trade in a new way.

For those who dive a little deeper, you’ll find the monk of textiles: Weavers. Modern-day weavers like Kaelin know there are no short-cuts, especially when they come to the loom: The artform is lengthy and meditative. The learning curve is steep and ruled by technical guidelines. The process is mathematical yet expressive.

It took one week in 2018 for Kaelin’s textile journey to solidify.

Surrounded by older ladies in a local fabric store, the one-week weaving class reset Kaelin’s creative spirit. The methodical nature of the process was entrancing for her. The precision pushed her. Three years later, she works with manufacturers to find the perfect natural fibers for her creations. Baby blankets. Rugs. Wall decor.

She’s enjoying her textile journey, experimenting with patterns and finding the perfect color. Her next step is just to keep going. Listen for Kaelin’s love for rhythm and respect for subtlety. The CREATORs talk about how the love for older crafts is breeding a new type of artist.

See all of Kaelin’s work (all of which is a limited edition) on her website.

If you’re a budding weaver or go into BEAST MODE when you talk about fabrics, let us know so we can help connect you with other ardent weavers like Kaelin.

It’s more than just purses or fashion. It’s identity.

Stephanie Hasham always used her clothing to express that she was a “Strange Bird” (a moniker she has adopted as her spirit animal). Why fashion? Because it’s the most recognizable form of self-expression at-a-glance.

Feeling emo? All black.

Ready to turn heads? You know which outfit you’re picking out.

Need a bag for every occasion? Stephanie created it.

The Go-Bag. Wearable one of five ways, it’s designed to be integrated into your outfit. “A bag that’s part of you.” But there are layers to Stephanie and her purses. Each bag is made custom and one-of-a-kind. When an order comes through for one of her Go-Bags, Stephanie gets to know who the purse is for, why they want her purse, what story it needs to tell.

Custom bags made by hand is no small feat. With up to two weeks in her turn-around time, each bag is a labor of love, working with other artisans and learning new trades to produce a purse that is full of craftsmanship.

Why not outsource some of the work? For Stephanie, that’s a part of her story.

Growing up on the Caribbean island of Curaçao, not everything was accessible. When a limit presented itself to the young Stephanie, she got creative. When the internet was uncharted and new, she and her brother dove into the new space to create something for this new medium. On an island of abundant beauty and community, formal art was more limited. But remember, barriers inspire Stephanie to fly.

Stephanie was never afraid of being a “Strange Bird”, rather she nursed the energy of being different. Embedded in her collections, you’ll find how something as uniform as a purse can be as distinct as the person who wears it.

Learn how our homelands, identity, and devotion are small parts of how we engage with the world. Listen to the episode and start peeling back the layers to Stephanie and your own journey.

Stephanie’s next step in the creative space is finding the right small-batch manufacturer to work with to up her production and maintain the integrity in each unique bag. Send us an email if you’re the right fit to work with a creator who cares as deeply as Stephanie does.

Growing up in Ann Arbor Michigan, Michael found his love for cinema as a projectionist, getting an inside peek at all that cinema had to offer. He followed this passion to Chicago IL, where he studied film at Columbia College. The institution's eclectic, urban environment inspired the creation of his Sci-Fi Short Film “Burden". Upon graduation he moved to Los Angeles with his wife Kristine Lynch to continue his love of filmmaking. He has had the privilege of collaborating with tons of filmmakers performing various roles as Director, Cinematographer, Producer and Editor. Always looking to expand his talents and knowledge in the Film Industry Michael recently joined the Local 600 Camera Union as an Operator and became a licensed Part 107 Drone Pilot.

Ever determined to leave his own mark on the medium, he went on to direct the feature films “Dependent’s Day” and “Victor Walk ” and produce several successful films that had limited theatrical releases. “Between Us” featuring David Harbour, Julia Stiles and Taye Diggs, “Saving Lincoln“ featuring Dave Dastmalchian and Penelope Ann Miller, “This Thing with Sarah” featuring Wes Chatham and “Lucky Number” featuring Method Man and Tom Pelphrey.

Michael is on a mission to tell compelling and socially important stories that can help better the world and bring awareness to the masses.

Everyone has something to learn from each CREATOR’s story.
It’s more than art, it’s life. Imagine More!

In true CREATOR form our first podcast is actually video! We were lucky enough to get Victor Mucio as our first guest. We got a virtual tour inside his world where he is the “King of Crowns” and the designer of a beautiful and symbolic 500-meter gown that has traveled around the world.

Video link: https://thecreatorlifestyle.com/podcasts/victor-mucio-2/

We talked to Victor about what it takes to be a fashion designer, how the market is changing, the importance of supporting local artists, and how COVID has affected business.

We hope you enjoy watching our first podcast (video) and will pull inspiration from it as you pursue your goals. Everyone has something to learn from each CREATOR’s story.

To spotlight Victor’s work, we decided to partner with him on a cause very dear to him: Supporting TRANS life in Mexico and around the world. Victor, the King of Crowns, created 10 rainbow crowns for us. See and purchase them on thecreatorlifestyle.com. Proceeds from sales will go to an organization that supports people in the Trans Community in need of help.

Two friends who love all things creative, with no background in starting a podcast or interviewing but simply have always had a love for creativity and have always been fascinated by the people behind the creations.

We are not curators or judgemental or art experts with “an eye”. We just want to enjoy, learn, share, celebrate, explore, question, be inspired, inspire others, share and create a platform for those who love to create and those who enjoy creativity and the stories, processes, journeys of the CREATORS.

We started CREATOR as a community for people from all platforms, at various stages of their creative journey. We felt artisans needed a safe space where they could gain exposure to the wider creative community, and to patrons looking to be inspired by their creations. In short, we created a platorm for visibility for creations, exposure for CREATORS, and a unique space for our creative community.

We believe creativity is to be shared. It is a self-fulfilling prophecy, the embodiment of all life and we’re here to share it with others.

The CREATOR Podcast invites CREATORS of all media, of every background, and at any stage of their creative journey to share their work, their experiences and their stories about how creativity has motivated them to achieve, and ultimately, imagine more.

Our goal is to share a wide range of stories from CREATORS from all over the world, of all backgrounds: race, genders, sexual-orientation, nations, languages, disciplines, and so much more.

Creator Fam please feel free to nominate recommend or submit people who you think should definitely be on the podcast Link

Expressing ourselves and celebrating creativity has never been easier than with a community like this.

It’s more than art, it’s life. Imagine More!
Let’s do this together.
Shay & Josh