Margo is joined by founder of Lonesome Pictopia, Melanie Nead. Rooted in American tattooing, the wild spaces of the Pacific Northwest, and the belief that all work should be a force for good, Lonesome Pictopia is a woman-owned design collective creating magical worlds with original wallpapers, textiles, and murals. After fifteen years as a custom tattoo artist, Melanie turned her love of plants and pattern to creating one-of-a-kind, hand-painted murals, with an eye on releasing a house line in the spirit of historic wallcoverings. Their deeply designed wallpapers are traditionally printed in the UK by a sustainable manufacturer of some of the finest wallpapers in the world. Her work has appeared in Architectural Digest, Luxe Magazine, Casa Vogue Brazil, and the Business of Home podcast, among many others.   Margo and Melanie discuss: Her creative path and the transition from tattoo artist to surface pattern designer navigating the balance between tradition and innovation within her art How to manage project expectations, setting clear boundaries and communication with clients Infusing personal values and making a social impact into her work The difficulty that comes with shifting career paths Discovering a passion for design after tattooing The impact of design and creativity on mental health The magic that comes from authenticity and experimental drive Business systems for creative entrepreneurship and how platforms like Instagram can still be a powerhouse for business growth Balancing the need for creative mental space with the business demands of schedules and deadlines Maintaining and revitalizing historic crafts and artistic expressions Cinema as a design inspiration   Connect with Melanie: www.lonesomepictopia.com www.instagram.com/lonesomepictopia   Connect with Margo: www.windowsillchats.com www.instagram.com/windowsillchats www.patreon/inthewindowsill  

Margo is joined by listener favorite guest Beth Buffington. Beth is a licensed illustrator, and an online digital illustration instructor, creative coach, and podcaster. Like most creatives, she has been drawing since she was old enough to hold her favorite red crayon. After graduating with a degree in art and graphic design, Beth began her creative career working for “in-house” corporate art departments. 
After years of corporate communications, she decided to focus on her personal creative passions, by starting her own business. Her work has grown into several facets including home decor products, course creation and her latest creative outlet, adventure exploring and podcasting.   Margo and Beth discuss: Beth’s creative path from in-house designer to entrepreneur The importance of making time for self-improvement and finding joy in learning something new Benefits of using technology, like Procreate, to create art anywhere Challenges of rejection and finding a supportive community in pursuing creative work How she discovered her passion for teaching Balancing creative pursuits with other responsibilities The power in consistent creativity and its effect on health Her upcoming course, free workshops and podcast And more!   Mentioned in this episode: Your Brain on Art: How the Arts Transform Us by Ivy Ross and Susan Magsamen   Connect with Beth: https://www.bdi-create.today/windowsill https://bdi-celebrate.today/ Create Today Podcast https://www.instagram.com/b.b.buffington_celebratetoday/ https://www.facebook.com/BDIcreatetoday https://www.linkedin.com/in/bbbuffington/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFNR_jaR-CnBXIHC5RVTnQg https://www.skillshare.com/profile/Beth-Buffington/4859209   Connect with Margo: www.windowsillchats.com www.instagram.com/windowsillchats www.patreon.com/inthewindowsill  

Ione falls in slow motion.Ben re-considers despair.We attend an illuminati Hollywood party (jk) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ben and Tim Minchin attempt to get to the bottom of a 15 year old unspoken tension. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We celebrate the WEIRD story of how the electro duo ROB & CHAD from Toowoomba reached out to Ben and ended up putting out the single "MONDAY MORNING feat. Ben Lee" TODAY!!! https://open.spotify.com/album/5xruZOATpuw9nYaSoVaAFn?si=-9gUljHdScuZpkGgWUy_lwIone reminisces about her stint playing drums in Nancy Boy and her pipe-smoking era. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ben explores the world of Nescafe Instant Coffee.Ione explores the origin of her charming demeanor. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Double date episode...We chat Sonny Angel Babies, improv, cradle-snatching and being beaten up by your kids with our good pals and brilliant comedy minds Lauren and Mike! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Emma Forrest is a British novelist, screenwriter and director, and joins us to chat about her newest book, BUSY BEING FREE, about her marriage to Australian actor Ben Mendelsohn.Order BUSY BEING FREE here https://www.amazon.com/Busy-Being-Free-Starting-Again/dp/1474620647/Emma is appearing at Vroman's in Pasadena October 23https://www.vromansbookstore.com/Emma-Forrest-discusses-Busy-Being-Free Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Margo is joined by talented artist and writer, Caitlin Metz. Caitlin is an illustrator and designer, cloud-watching feeler, new poetry convert, wayward design professor, and a queer gentle parent. They’re also irreverent, silly, and deeply romantic about what art-making and feeling your feelings can do for oneself and the world. From drawing to photography, poetry to collaging, Caitlin explores various mediums to express themself and invites others to do the same. Throughout the conversation, Caitlin shares about the power of the body map and how it can help us understand and navigate pain and other feelings, as well as how it’s been a transformative practice for themself. They also share insights into their creative process, including the importance of making space to get bored, engaging in activities that fill them back up, and recognizing the value of small snippets of writing and record-keeping. Caitlin has an amazing new book just out, (their second) called Feel Something Make Something; a guide to collaborating with your emotions. Episode Topics: [00:00] Introduction to Caitlin [06:09] How art-making is a gift as well as a form of relief and self-care [14:39] The concept of the body map and its impact on understanding chronic pain [24:42] Finding resilience in personal practices and the power of returning to them over and over again [29:17] Using curiosity, attention, and storytelling to drive creative practices [36:22] How making space to get bored fuels creativity [41:28] Melding their teaching practice with self-care and how they teach their students [47:18 ] Learning the rhythm of their body and using it to their advantage [58:49] Where to find them online, their amazing new book Feel Something Make Something, social media, Patreon, Etsy, and loads more   Mentioned in this episode: Invisible Things by Andy J. Pizza, Sophie Miller  Atlas of the Heart: Mapping Meaningful Connection and the Language of Human Experience by Brené Brown Allison Kunath Art   Connect with Caitlin: www.caitlinmetz.com  www.patreon.com/caitlinmetz www.instagram.com/caitlinhasfeels    Connect with Margo: www.instagram.com/windowsillchats www.windowsillchats.com www.patreon.com/inthewindowsill  

Stand-up comedy legend, actor, scientist, philosopher and writer Charles Fleischer is our guest this week.The voice of Roger Rabbit and the man who originally said "If you remember the 60s you weren't really there" tells all about showbiz, moleeds and inventing musical instruments on this awesome ep.Learn more about Charles at https://charles-fleischer.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Margo is joined by two creative powerhouses, Erin Drews and Leigh Standley to discuss their collaboration of art, words, and working together. Erin Drews is a Michigan based artist inspired by nature and Fauvism. She loves using color to create visual excitement and play, most typically through the subject of flowers. She's been described as "pink lemonade with a shot of whiskey," and when she's not creating, you can find her laughing, connecting, collecting art, immersing herself in nature, and enjoying the people she loves. Leigh Standley is the artist, writer and owner of Curly Girl Design, Inc. where her line of clever and colorful greeting cards and gift items have taken the industry by delightful storm. Focused on the magic of the small moments, her product peeks into the corners of life and taps into the hearts of all.Founded in 2003, the company began with just 12 greeting cards and grew steadily. In 2005, Leigh was the recipient of her first LOUIE award for greeting card excellence and was nominated for 3 more in 2010. Her work and studio have been featured in creative publications like Where Women Create, Stationery Trends, Boho Magazine. Leigh believes firmly in the power of a creative community and the power of that community to unlock our truest selves.  Margo, Leigh and Erin discuss: Their own creative businesses and a beautiful collaboration they’re working on Mental health, adult ADHD, depression, PTSD, and how it has informed their art The loneliness that can come from being a solo creative and how they work through that Some of Erin’s unique art collections Why she currently has a career outside of her art What it means to live in wonder and curiosity The intersection of the creative act and faith or spirituality The very unique funding model that Erin works on through Hope College and how it can be a difference maker in many people’s lives Connect with Erin: www.isntagram.com/drews_barrymore www.erindrewsart.com   Connect with Leigh: https://www.curlygirldesign.com/ https://www.instagram.com/leigh.standley/   Connect with Margo: www.windowsillchats.com www.instagram.com/windowsillchats www.patreon.com/inthewindowsill  

Sun's out, birds are singing, and we've officially launched Weirder Together Records!We are joined by Rhys North to celebrate.Check out "The Hollywood EP" by McDermott & North, produced by Ben Lee, OUT NOWhttps://open.spotify.com/album/267sEtua3ABF9ic8JaAm3x?si=IbF73ZsqRBKJVLdDajyzswAnd follow McDermott & North on IG @mcdermott.north Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cafe food is good. But cafe food from a cute af cafe is GREAT. In fact, in Kirk and Lindsey's opinion, if your cafe isn't cozy, quaint, allows for dogs, and doesn't have a unicycle mounted to the wall, what's the point of even eating there? So, on this week's ep, the two not only talk about what vibe and what food makes a cafe great, but they compete head to head in creating their version of the perfect cute cafe. Hosts: Kirk Pynchon & Lindsey Gentile Producer: Kirk Pynchon Theme song by: Kirk “Dad Beats” Pynchon Email us: [email protected] Follow us: instagram.com/thefoodfightpod Follow Lindsey: instagram.com/lindseygentile Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ione has a lot of living to do!Ben rates "cooking" on his time/energy expenditure balance sheet!There's an AirBnb scandal! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Weirder Together; Uncle Michael's a psychonaut, Ione's digging industrial musicals and Ben is an eternal traveling salesman. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

New Years Recap, Ione's supernatural ability to discern the source of strange sounds (except when she's in a car), and a loving tribute to Aussie raunch comedy of the 80s.Happy 2023!!! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ione stole Betty Davis's pronunciation.Ben stole Evan Dando's posture.We eagerly await Uncle Michael's arrival in LA. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ben and Ione host an iconic joint birthday party.Ben reconciles with hippy friends.Ione google researches squirting. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this two part interview, Margo is joined by licensed illustrator, adjunct college professor, and online course digital illustration instructor, Beth Buffington. Like many creatives, Beth has been drawing since she was old enough to hold a crayon. After graduating with a degree in art and graphic design, she began her creative career working for “in-house” corporate art departments. 
After years of corporate communications, she decided to focus on her personal creative passions, by starting her business, BDI-Celebrate-Today, and BDI-Create-Today.   Margo and Beth discuss: Wellness when it comes to working and taking care of yourself as part of the creative process Diving deeper into the four R’s as it pertains to her creative process and what she teaches Mind mapping Giving yourself permission to step away from work  Student accomplishments after taking her course How she removes overwhelm in her own life and within the course Celebrating life everyday   Beth’s work is two-fold. She creates illustrations and home decor products—and she also instructs college and online students how to be curious about trends, color, texture, and materials—through the creation of digital illustration. She is also passionate about sharing with students her thoughts on being a healthy artist who is confident and brave about their artistic skills and their artwork.   Connect with Beth: https://bdi-celebrate.today/ (Illustration & Product Design) https://www.bdi-create.today/ (Learn the ART of PROCREATE) https://www.instagram.com/b.b.buffington_celebratetoday/ https://www.facebook.com/BDIcreatetoday https://www.linkedin.com/in/bbbuffington/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFNR_jaR-CnBXIHC5RVTnQg https://www.skillshare.com/profile/Beth-Buffington/4859209   Connect with Margo: www.tantaustudio.com https://www.instagram.com/mtantau/ www.instagram.com/windowsillchats https://www.instagram.com/relishyourcreativity/ https://www.relishyourcreativity.com/

Margo is joined by artist, fabric + surface pattern designer, and mother of two creative beautiful kiddos, Jessica Swift. Jessica creates colorful, uplifting artwork that inspires others to live colorful, unique, and hope-filled lives. She creates and manufactures her own products in her studio and also licenses her artwork to others for branded products such as fabric, stationery, puzzles, books, and more. Her online classes include pattern design, color, and intuitive art-making.   Margo and Jessica discuss: Her creative journey and how it’s evolved Mindset shifts and fears she’s worked through around burnout and taking breaks How she uses her intuition in art and life How her husband’s unexpected death plays a role in her creations and work Valuing her own thoughts, opinions, and self as much as she does others Managing multiple income streams and projects at once Giving yourself grace and figuring out what works for you Comparing current self to past self: finding radical acceptance and learning to trust yourself Finding belonging exactly as you are   Jessica makes things because when she does, she feels more hopeful, happy, and alive. Simple as that. She believes that art that speaks to your heart is not frivolous; it's vital. Sometimes we all need a hand, a reminder that we’re not alone in this big crazy world. When you start to see that we've all got some version of messy truth alive and kickin' in our own lives, you start to realize you're not actually alone. In fact, other people get what you're going through! Making art and sharing her own real + imperfect life reminds Jessica that life is hard for everyone and we're all in this together. It comforts her to know that her work might make you feel a little more connected, too.   Connect with Jessica: https://www.jessicaswift.com https://www.instagram.com/jessicaswift https://www.jessicaswift.com/pages/subscribe https://www.skillshare.com/user/jessicaswift Jessica’s Animal Allies Oracle Decks

This week, Margo chats with Minneapolis-based mixed media artist Amy Rice. Amy’s nostalgic, subtly street-art influenced works are deeply defined by her Midwestern roots and growing up in a rural area, she found inspiration in the surrounding flora and fauna. Over the course of her career she has developed an appreciation for the simplistic yet beautiful things in life. While exhibiting her work extensively at galleries in the US and beyond she has received multiple grants and commissions.    Margo and Amy discuss: How 4-H and the family farm has impacted her creative path and influenced her work and life Why she doesn’t have a lot of rules within her process How etsy and a printing press she paid $200 for helped her quit her job How her goals are displayed in the form of her artwork Art constipation and how she finds time to manage different projects  Her love for gardening, hiking, and exploring nature Thinking creatively and being creative when you have limited resources What she learned from working with artists with disabilities   Amy’s artwork has really become a manifestation of her stretch goals which can be seen in her work presented in Root Down. She says “I’m not satisfied anymore with a big garden; I want acres of stripes of living colors. I want my fields to be my canvas and flowers to be my paint. Slowly, year by hard-working year, it's happening. My paintings are just a few steps ahead of my reality.”   Connect with Amy: http://grovelandgallery.com/artist/amy-rice/ http://amy-rice-qvit.squarespace.com/ https://lanesboroarts.org/calendar/a-few-steps-ahead-exhibition/ https://www.instagram.com/amyriceart/ https://www.instagram.com/countylinegardens

In this episode Margo is joined by Tamisha Anthony. Tamisha is an illustrator working for various clients such as Penguin Random House, Macmillan Publishers, Little Brown, and Chronicle Books. She finds that educating little ones or the young at heart always inspires her art. She has been an educator for the past several years teaching at institutions such as the New-York Historical Society and the Harlem School of the Arts. Currently she is teaching an art history + illustration class called Redrawing Black History with Lilla Rogers for Make Art That Sells.   Margo and Tamisha discuss: Her exploration and discovery of many creative mediums before landing on illustration work How creative projects allow her to embrace herself Personal stories of racism and overcoming adversity  What it was like being the first black valedictorian in her town Her love for black history and how she incorporates it into her art How she approaches creativity Her illustration class, Redrawing Black History And so much more!   Originally from Texas, Tamisha received her Bachelor's degree in Psychology and Visual Arts from Rice University and moved to New York City for her Master’s Degree in Computer Art from School of Visual Arts. She is currently a member of Black Creators in KidLit, Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, and the Children’s Book Illustrators Group. When she isn’t illustrating, you can find her enthusiastically and joyfully swing dancing with her husband! She adores vintage clothes, gardening, and singing sweet jazz standards.     Connect with Tamisha: www.tamishaanthony.com www.instagram.com/tamisha.anthony https://twitter.com/tamishaanthony  

In this episode of ExtraVirgin Postcards, we visit Nice, on France's beautiful Côte d'Azur. Our guest, Madelyne Prowse takes us on a colourful and delicious tour of her adopted home town; from the seaside promenade to hiking trails in the hills; secret beaches to the best beach bars.  She shares with us her favourite places to eat, drink and how to best experience Nice like a Niçoise.

Lisa Congdon is back in the windowsill with Margo to share all the fun details on her Rockefeller Center Christmas Art Installation as well as a bit of reflection on 2021 and what she hopes to accomplish in 2022! This installation is part of Art in Focus, a series of art exhibitions produced in partnership with Art Production Fund and is on view around the Rockefeller Center campus through January 9th, 2022. When people open her holiday map or encounter her artwork in the gilded art deco halls of the campus, Congdon aspires for her artwork to spark a sense of wonder, curiosity, and joy that will encourage visitors to explore and discover all the magical places illustrated on the map. “My hope is that people will open the map and squeal, the way you would when you open a children's book,” she said. “I hope that everyone who adventures over there takes away — not just from my decorations and my map, but everything at Rockefeller Center — a sense of warmth and coziness, because we all need that right now.” Lisa and Margo discuss the timeline for this project and others that she works on, the logistics, the satisfaction of quick turnaround times, some ways in which her style has evolved yet is still clearly hers, why delegation has been such a key part in her business this year, how hiring a coach has immensely helped her in her work, and why we should all be taking time to rest during the holidays.  Lisa’s art installation, which expands upon the festive imagery of her map, can be spotted throughout the campus. Approximately 30 vinyl murals are installed inside 10 Rockefeller Plaza, 30 Rockefeller Plaza, and the street and concourse levels of 45 Rockefeller Plaza.   Connect with Lisa: Read more about the Rockefeller Art Installation https://campsite.bio/lisacongdon https://www.instagram.com/lisacongdon/ Art in Focus

This week Margo sits down with lettering artist Lynn Giunta. Lynn has been with Hallmark Cards for 37 years and discovered her fascination for cutting letters by hand during her tenured journey. She has always been drawn to positive phrases and never tires of seeing kind messages come to life. Lynn is also a graphic designer and children’s book illustrator and she and Margo discuss finding inspiration, stepping out of comfort zones when called to, and finding joy in opportunities you maybe didn’t see for yourself.   Margo and Lynn also share in: Lynn’s family history of creating things by hand The art teacher that changed things for her and the lightbulb moment that began her career path Calligraphy and the art of making words How she lost her creative practice because she wasn’t doing creative work outside of work (and then found it again) The importance of getting good at listening and understanding the voice inside your head How she got the opportunity to illustrate a children's book Building confidence through repetition And more   Lynn is a maker of things, creating happy art and positive words with scissors and cut paper. She is always looking for the magic in the scraps and unexpected pieces left behind and she hopes her art inspires and encourages you.   Mentioned in this episode: Morgan Harper Nichols Poppy Dodge Terry Runyan   Connect with Lynn: Follow Lynn on Instagram Follow Lynn on Etsy

This week Margo chats with the lovely Annabella Sardelis, the founder of INDIGO & SNOW an atelier dedicated to zero waste in Minneapolis. Annabella is a multidisciplinary artist and designer whose working mediums include calligraphy, natural dyes and textiles. Her focus aesthetically is on the creation of functional items, and seeing the beauty in utility. She launched INDIGO & SNOW in 2013 and specializes in hand-dyed and painted accessories, apparel and décor.    Margo and Annabella discuss: Her winding path and the crossroads she’s currently at Being open to possibility and giving yourself and your business permission to evolve Intersectional environmentalism: what it means and why it’s important Her commitment to zero waste in her business Recognizing the toxicity in hustle culture Ways you may be playing small without even realizing it Being open to receiving and operating a creative business on your own terms And so much more   Annabella is also a surface design instructor and enjoys teaching natural indigo and snow-dyeing workshops. She exhibits nationally and her work has been featured by the NYT, ELLE, and Apartment Therapy among others. Her goal is to make the world a more beautiful place.   Connect with Annabella: https://www.indigoandsnow.com/ https://www.instagram.com/indigoandsnow/