Margo is joined by contemporary visual artist and illustrator Melissa Lakey. Melissa is based in Joshua Tree, California, where the windows of her art studio look out into the Mojave Desert. Her colorful work celebrates the landscape and animals of the American Southwest and her love of cowboys, road trips, and summer vacations. Melissa shares on observing others and how it can inspire our own creative processes, the concept of using sketchbooks with specific themes and approaching journaling, overcoming creative obstacles and more.   Topics discussed: [01:32] An introduction to Melissa [05:12] Her unique art journey: finding passions and discovering new possibilities [12:25] Exploring different techniques and materials in vibrant art [13:13] Her love for art supplies and some of her favorite tools [20:21] Her first residency experience and the inspiration and motivation she found in attending  [26:29] First show in Joshua Tree and the feedback she received  [35:39] Thoughts on self-identification and artistic work [39:20] Her sketchbook practice and how it aids in her projects and bigger works [42:42] The value she finds in exploring other artists methods [47:59] Thoughts on teaching   Margo and Melissa also discuss why she took a break from creating and the fears that come up when taking a break, her number one tip for 100-day projects, why social media friends have been pivotal in her career and why she doesn’t live post her work but rather waits a month or so to post.    Mentioned in this episode: Sarah Dyer (https://www.sarahdyer.com/) Sou'wester Lodge Artist Residency (https://www.souwesterlodge.com/art/artist-residency/) Hey There Projects (https://www.heythereprojects.com/) Wyatt Hersey (https://www.wyatthersey.com/) Emma Carslile (https://www.emmacarlisle.com/) Natalie Lundeen (https://natlundeen.myportfolio.com/)   Connect with Melissa: https://www.melissalakey.com https://www.instagram.com/melissa.lakey "Colors of the Sun, Songs of the Moon" in Taos, NM from August 19th - September 20th (https://www.instagram.com/lunojo_gallery/) Sketchbook Workshop (https://inkygoodness.samcart.com/products/sketchbook-workshop-melissa-lakey/)   Connect with Margo: www.instagram.com/windowsillchats www.windowsillchats.com www.patreon.com/inthewindowsill