The Creative Explorers

Do you use social media - or is it the other way around? In this episode, Rachael and Laumee discuss how artists can benefit from social media instead of wasting their time and energy by creating an endless stream of content.

Laumee and Rachael share their art and experiences of discovery.  This is a winding episode full of inspiration, resources, and meandering creative ideas.  Enjoy the journey.

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 https://open.spotify.com/episode/0XmhX76zRnYv2RghXxN9Ic Combatants for Peace is a grassroots movement of Israelis and Palestinians working together to bring peace, equality and freedom. https://cfpeace.org/

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 https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7445.The_Glass_Castle?ref=nav_sb_ss_1_16 Instagram https://www.instagram.com/the_creative_explorers_podcast/ https://www.instagram.com/sparrowshand/ https://www.instagram.com/laumee_art/

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 https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Book-of-Korean-Self-Care/Isa-Kujawski/9781800652040 Finch app for habit tracking  https://finchcare.com/ Gentle Pilates https://www.youtube.com/@JessicaValantPilates Book: Myung Sung the Korean art of living meditation https://neobooksandcoffee.com/products/myung-sung-the-korean-art-of-living-meditation Book: Wabi Sabi the gift of imperfection https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/56058947 Free Facebook group for Weirdos https://www.facebook.com/groups/weirdwomen/ Lauren of Love podcast for inner healing and awareness https://www.laurenoflove.com/podcast

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 https://www.ericahelderstudio.com/ Lisa Middleton https://lisa-middleton.pixels.com/ Start a conversation/leave feedback on our latest IG post:  Rachael https://www.instagram.com/sparrowshand/ Laumee https://www.instagram.com/laumee_art/

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  https://www.youtube.com/@RevolutionTV_official/videos Deb Dana - lots of videos on youtube, here’s a 10 min one https://youtu.be/1OajE2e8CDY?si=ZjRKCLeTypDMkw4J Braiding Sweetgrass audio book https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_BYbAshB4A&list=PLfls6OzMkf8KwDszavfbXJWbB4JnTpttT Project Insideout https://projectinsideout.net/getting-started/ Neighbors United https://neighboursunited.org/who-we-are/ Threading Podcast https://open.spotify.com/show/1yHni8CgvD17QgKJvhlrCr?si=102285d3299b4435 Almost Awakened Podcast https://open.spotify.com/show/59vB23bBAvNvdP74vIO3UT?si=507cacb380264173 Start a conversation/leave feedback on our latest IG post:  Rachael https://www.instagram.com/sparrowshand/ Laumee https://www.instagram.com/laumee_art/

Laumee shares a wealth of information based on the newly published German book “Being Human.” It’s a fascinating read about what was natural for humans for more than 300,000 years vs the systems that have recently come into power.  This is a call to creatives to figure out how to bring back the old ways you used to survive - through collaboration, cooperation, and community. It’s time to invest in social connection.  Be open to possibilities.  You’re not wrong that something feels “off”.   In this video, the two authors of the book talk about their research (in German, but there's a setting to automatically translate the subtitles into English.): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FpLob9R3azk

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: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ezH-SnJfxgc  Underearning as a trauma response: https://crappychildhoodfairy.com/2023/11/10/underearning-is-a-trauma-symptom/

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. Follow us on Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/the_creative_explorers_podcast/ https://www.instagram.com/sparrowshand/ https://www.instagram.com/laumee_art/

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  Follow us on Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/the_creative_explorers_podcast/ https://www.instagram.com/sparrowshand/ https://www.instagram.com/laumee_art/

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. Follow us on Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/the_creative_explorers_podcast/ https://www.instagram.com/sparrowshand/ https://www.instagram.com/laumee_art/ Laumee's webseite: www.laumee.net

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?   Follow us on Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/the_creative_explorers_podcast/ https://www.instagram.com/sparrowshand/ https://www.instagram.com/laumee_art/

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 https://youtu.be/srI86rEkxVs?si=ReNI19K9O7WvK-4K  Accidental Gypsy, an artist sharing her life on youtube. Here's a Q&A about how she does it  https://youtu.be/sXGzdJtQaZk?si=YlWiHEqAY31Iqg5n Jonna Jinton wanted to find a way to live in the wilderness in Norway and support herself. She used YouTube to share her life and makes an income from it.  https://youtu.be/3IK17uouSNE?si=RHjKTMojOm1xxGaC Caren Magill is an ADHD coach. Here's how she'd launch her online business. It can apply to artists.  https://youtu.be/OOdGcNx-1Gg?si=odGD8o5NoFJBS4Fn Mimimoo Illustration, an introvert artist teaching us how to be an artist on social media https://youtu.be/Nfc4l_jHqLU?si=oX3XDycUoX1OJcj_ Beckadoodles, supported herself and her son as a single mom with her art https://instagram.com/beckadoodles?igshid=MWZjMTM2ODFkZg== Kim Diaz Holm, another art style and artist making a living from his art, here he talks about being a "crazy artist".  https://youtu.be/1vHnp4hvgeY?si=dGAhXVDVkY6FbMrw Follow us on Instagram:  Rachael - https://www.instagram.com/sparrowshand/ Laumee - https://www.instagram.com/laumee_art/

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 https://open.spotify.com/show/12JQfDpAVaE7MKJ357Ofts?si=ad193775cdfe477e A to Zen Life, a Youtube channel for simple living  https://youtube.com/@AtoZenLife?si=ljcVzx6Tc9NHLplR Artist inspiration: Erica Helder is sharing her life on tiktok https://www.tiktok.com/@erica_helder?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc Follow us on Instagram:  Rachael - https://www.instagram.com/sparrowshand/ Laumee - https://www.instagram.com/laumee_art/ IG Question:  What would you like your healing journey to look like? 

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 https://soundcloud.com/friends-of-peace-pilgrim/sets/peace-pilgrim-her-life-and-work-in-her-own-words-audio-book?utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing You’re Wrong About Podcast - Sinead O’Connor https://www.buzzsprout.com/1112270/12624780-sinead-o-connor-with-allyson-mccabe

Follow along with a list of questions for your journey and shining online. What does your practice give to the world? Laumee and Rachael are here to get you inspired and motivated to share your authentic self.  Give people new perspective, break open their assumptions, and save the world from apathy.  We all have a story to tell. It’s time to tell yours. This episode also discusses ideas of where to share, how to collaborate, and ways to not have to do this alone.   Instagram assignment: Find 13 pieces of flare.  Make a mood board on Pinterest, find 13 items or photos.  What catches your eye? What do you collect? What does that show about you? Share your collage and tag us.   Resources: Shine online course : https://www.landartagency.com/workshops Find us on Instagram: Rachael: @sparrowshand Laumee: @laumee_art

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:  Want regular support and safe place to explore your weirdness? Check out Ashley’s weird woman club https://ashleymarie5587.wixsite.com/weirdwomen

How do you recongize the difference between rest and shut down?  Laume and Rachael share their art blocks and resting and give us some reminders on receiving, creating, and art:  Remember, art is not just risk taking but also healing, play, and not just another task.  Resources Ashley’s weird woman club  Nick Cave newsletter https://www.theredhandfiles.com/

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. https://ashleymarie5587.wixsite.com/weirdwomen Sarah Peyton on youtube, on cultivating self compassion so you can hold it for others. Our Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_creative_explorers_podcast/