Stream of Art

In this episode, we give ourselves a chance to mentally regroup. Our conversation touches on multiple topics, including why we feel like we have to fill up all our time with work, the interconnection of art and personal growth, and solving the right problems. 

Recorded on April 20th, 2024

Timestamps:

(0:28) Intro

(1:14) Robyn’s week

(3:50) We don’t have hobbies anymore

(4:54) Emotional cycles

(11:47) Feeling like we have to fill up...

We know all too well how much fear holds us back—both in art and in life.  But what can we do to overcome it? In this episode, we talk about courage. We explore the difference between loud and quiet courage, discuss how courage looks different for everyone, and share ways to cultivate it in our lives. Robyn is feeling the effects of not sleeping enough and Michelle’s cold derails her week.

Recorded on April 14th, 2024

Timestamps:

(...

Imposter syndrome is a frustrating obstacle many of us struggle to overcome. Our conversation this week stretches wide and goes deep as we explore how imposter syndrome has held us back and what we might do to help us move forward in our lives and art. Robyn ups her social media game and Michelle’s artist date plans are thwarted by a sudden cold. 

Recorded on April 7th, 2024

Timestamps:

(0:27) Intro (0:41) Robyn's week (1:52) Miche...

As artists, we often long for the thrilling feeling of being deeply inspired. But are our current ideas about inspiration actually doing us a disservice? In this episode, we share the ways we find inspiration and explore how thinking about it differently might be to our benefit. Robyn practices pushing past her fear of rejection and Michelle realizes how overwhelmed she feels.

Recorded on March 30th, 2024

Timestamps:

Intro [0:28] R...

With so many different ways to approach learning art and music (or any craft, for that matter), we decided to share how we each think about it. We explore how our approaches have differed—while still serving us on each of our journeys—and offer some suggestions to help listeners find their own way through art or music. Robyn celebrates a website win and Michelle feels at home being back in her routine. 

Recorded on March 23rd, 2024

This week's episode is all about routines. We explore the benefits of maintaining a consistent routine, share the routines we’ve built, and offer suggestions for how to build one of your own. Robyn finds a way to enjoy cooking and Michelle rants about misleading YouTube guitar ads. 

Recorded on March 17th, 2024

Timestamps:

Intro [0:29] Robyn's week [0:46] Michelle's week [1:51] The necessity of routines and boundaries [2:49] Buildi...

Last week’s conversation about the fear of success inspired us to tackle the topic of fear of failure as well. We look at the ways it holds us back and how reframing the term failure can make us more willing to make mistakes. Robyn heads back to work full time and Michelle begins her Artist’s Way journey.

Recorded on March 10th, 2024

Timestamps:

Intro [0:28] Robyn's week [0:45] Boring updates are a good thing [1:39] 100 day project...

We hear a lot about the fear of success, but what is it really? In this episode, we explore how it manifests for each of us and consider how to push forward in spite of it. Robyn has fun playing in Notion and Michelle looks forward to returning to normal after RPM. 

Recorded on March 3rd, 2024

Timestamps:

Intro [0:29] Robyn's previous week [0:47] Michelle's previous week [1:57] Fear of success [22:13] Robyn’s week ahead [1:16:1...

It’s tangent time! Our weekly catch-up turns into a discussion about the intersection between creativity and self-improvement,  who are the best people to receive feedback from, and the merging of our former and current artistic selves. For our main topic, we explore the philosophies that have helped us on our journeys. Robyn paints a lot (and shares her paintings on Instagram!) and Michelle prepares for the final week of RPM. 

Rec...

In part 2 of our conversation, we dig into what you need to do to cultivate your artistic voice. Spoiler alert: show up and do the work! Robyn has made the last minute decision to do the 100 Day Project. Michelle is rocking RPM and worries if things aren’t just a little too smooth…

Recorded on February 18th, 2024

Resources, references, and further exploration:

The 100 Day Project: https://www.the100dayproject.org/

Michelle’s blog p...

Join us for part 1 of our conversation on “finding” your artistic voice. We start by discussing how we define our artistic voices and question whether or not our creative output needs to be stylistically consistent.  Robyn is feeling the benefits of her daily painting practice and finally admits that she does, in fact, need routine. Michelle strains her brain writing lyrics, but is still managing to keep herself (mostly) together.

...

Making art is tricky business, especially when your income depends on the work you create. In today’s episode we talk about creating for yourself vs. creating for commercial appeal. We explore the tension artists might experience when they have an audience they need to satisfy and consider ways to balance making art for ourselves when we rely on our creative output for our livelihood. Robyn continues her daily painting challenge an...

In this episode we explore self-compassion. What does it involve? How can we work more of it into our lives? What role has it played in our creative journeys? A couple of tangents lead us to discuss our creative “fingerprints” and developing character skills through engaging in art. Robyn abandons her painting and starts fresh - she’s much happier with it! Michelle battens down the hatches in preparation for RPM. 

Recorded on Janua...

Oh perfectionism! Where would we be without you? This week we chat about the ways perfectionism can manifest in our lives and in our art. We consider how it might serve us and explore possible solutions for when it gets in our way. Michelle catches herself just before burnout takes hold, and Robyn convinces Michelle that she should play more video games (she’s an enabler!).

Recorded on January 20th, 2024 

Resources, references, and...

This week we chat about month-long creative challenges like RPM, Inktober, and NaNoWriMo. Is there value in doing these kinds of challenges? Robyn plays in the snow and Michelle thinks RPM is amazing and that everyone should do it. 

Recorded on January 14th, 2024

Resources, references, and further exploration:

Sign up for the RPM Challenge https://www.rpmchallenge.com/

Will Hatton (Inspired by…) https://www.youtube.com/@WillHatton

...

This week we chat about defining our “why”. What drives us to create? Is creativity in all of us? Robyn starts a daily painting challenge for the month and Michelle (mostly) gets to bed earlier, but struggles to sleep.

Recorded on January 7th, 2024

Resources, references, and further exploration:

Clarifying Your Vision worksheet (the prompts use the words “music” and “musical” but can easily be answered by all artists) https://drive...

In honour of the New Year, we chat about how we’re approaching the year ahead and our plans for 2024. Robyn has a busy holiday week and Michelle stays up late playing Baldur's Gate 3.

Recorded on December 31st, 2023

Quotes, ideas, and insights referenced:

“Well-being is realized by small steps, but is truly no small thing.” – Zeno (Source https://dailystoic.com/zeno/)

“The goal is not to be stable and therefore never change. Nor is...

In this episode, we reflect on 2023 and discuss the role planning and goal setting has in our lives. Robyn has some time off from her day job and is in full R&R mode, while Michelle wraps up her work for the year. 

Recorded on December 23rd, 2023

Resources and references:

Michelle’s blog post on reflecting and redirecting: https://www.michellemonettemusic.com/post/reflect-and-redirect

Cal Newport: https://calnewport.com/

The Da...

In this episode, we explore how we each define success and how those definitions evolve over time. Robyn reconnects with her youth by watching Road to Avonlea (it’s the best!) and Michelle gives herself some rest after a busy week.

Recorded on December 17th, 2023

Resources and references:

Michelle’s blog post on not worrying about what others are doing: https://www.michellemonettemusic.com/post/don-t-worry-about-what-other-musician...