Welcome to the Tending Creativity Podcast! Episode 17: Being Published by the LA Times & Fear of Being Honest in Your Art ✿ Solo Episode For this episode I talk about my experience having a comic of mine published by the LA Times, fear and anxiety in creating honest artwork, and give some queer media recommendations. Happy Pride Month! :) Topics discussed: -Amazing news- my comic being published by the LA Times in the Latinx Files -What my comic was about -The process of going to Ciudad Juarez, Mexico for my partner's visa interview -The response to my comic -Fear of judgement -Fear of family judgement and general public judgement -Socialization as a woman affecting my creative practice -Trying to allow myself to be truthful in my art -Not staying small or keeping the peace -Queer media recommendations - 1 queer Latinx film and 1 queer Latinx book Read my comic here! Mosquita y Mari (2012) Las Hociconas by Adelina Anthony Follow us on Instagram Host/Marissa's Instagram Host/Marissa's Tik Tok Tending Creativity Tik Tok Host/Marissa's Youtube Channel www.marissuelena.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/tendingcreativity/message

Welcome to the Tending Creativity Podcast! Episode 16: Starting a Magazine and Proving Yourself Through Art ft. Jaclyn Arellano For this episode I spoke with illustrator, graphic designer, and co-founder of Tasteless Studio magazine, Jaclyn Arellano about her experience at art school, curating a digital magazine, and creating artwork. Click here if you prefer to watch me sketch while listening to the episode Topics discussed: Marissa and Jaclyn chat Jaclyn introduces herself Jaclyn’s experience with creativity and art as a child Being placed in art classes Being exposed to working artists young Proving to parents that art can be more than a hobby Jaclyn’s experience in a private elementary school Transitioning from private to public school Jaclyn’s college experience Changing her plans to go to a Cal State to an art school instead Feeling behind in her freshman year at art school Her expectations for art school Jaclyn’s art style and mediums before art school Refining her style Learning to slow down Starting to post her artwork online Jaclyn’s experience post-grad Her expectations and being crushed by the difficulties of post-grad Quitting her job to go freelance Comparing yourself to others Seeing her friends work freelance and being inspired Trying to self-discipline and get into a schedule Trying different things out Her magazine Tasteless Studio Starting Tasteless Studio with her friend How Tasteless Studio has evolved Their process for putting the magazine together Bouncing ideas around for freelancing Working part-time for an artist Traditional vs digital art Painting a dog portrait Where Jaclyn gains inspiration Using tumblr and twitter to follow artist and see vintage art Nostalgia in her work Historical costume commentary YouTube videos Sewing What Jaclyn likes to do for fun Playing Animal Crossing Advice she has for others Jaclyn’s website: https://jaclynarellano.com/ Jaclyn’s instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jaclyn06 Follow us on Instagram Host/Marissa's Instagram Host/Marissa's Tik Tok Tending Creativity Tik Tok Host/Marissa's Youtube Channel www.marissuelena.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/tendingcreativity/message

Welcome to the Tending Creativity Podcast! Episode 15: Creativity and Depression, Solo Episode For this episode I talk about my experience with depression and anxiety and how that has affected my creative expression. Topics discussed: The “tortured artist” trope You don’t have to be sad to make great art My personal history with depression and anxiety The ebb and flow of depression Learning skills to deal with mental health disorders Anxiety developing as I’ve gotten older The importance of understanding my experience with mental health disorders Changing my mindset to be more compassionate to myself The importance of prioritizing wellness over productivity Patterns I recognize that affect my ability to make art when I’m experiencing depression Increased self doubt and self criticism when depressed Not letting myself pursue creative ideas Growing through attempting “bad” creative ideas Being harsh on myself and ideas or work Lack of motivation for creative work when depressed Motivation is not always needed to create Feeling a lack of care for things I usually care about Shifting the focus from worrying about being productive to wanting to heal Lack of stamina and focus for creative work when depressed Being frustrated when I’m unable to focus or work as hard as usual Trying to force myself to operate at a level I’m unable to Learning to accept a reduced ability to work on art or creative projects The conditioning to hyper-focus on productivity Unlinking my self-worth from my productivity and achievement Focusing on opportunities to care for myself Prioritizing well being and mental health over creativity Your mental health is more important than trying to always create or make art Follow us on Instagram Host/Marissa's Instagram Host/Marissa's Tik Tok Tending Creativity Tik Tok Host/Marissa's Youtube Channel www.marissuelena.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/tendingcreativity/message

Welcome to the Tending Creativity Podcast! Episode 14: Inner Work, Illustration, and Self-Acceptance ft. Allison Filice For this episode I spoke with illustrator, designer, and podcaster Allison Filice about her experience as an illustrator and podcaster becoming a new mom, and the inner journey she experienced while transitioning to becoming an illustrator. In this episode we talk about: Allison introduces herself Her expectations for motherhood and career before having a child Accepting the need to take a step back from work as a new mother Starting her podcast, The Friendly Unknown Her experience with depression at that time in her life Dealing with depression and recognizing it if you have experienced it before The importance with doing things for yourself and not for external validation Healing through following your inner voice The power of others’  stories Her experience working as an editorial freelance illustrator Lacking boundaries with work and time management Basing self-worth on career accomplishments Realizing her relationship with work needed to change Being on a hiatus from her podcast Letting herself just be and waiting until the right timing to start on her next project Her journey with self-development and inner-work Switching paths from being a designer to an illustrator The inner-work required on her path to becoming an illustrator The impact of the media your consume and how it shapes your perspective and reality Letting go of limiting beliefs Her process for creating podcast episodes Struggling with perfectionism Focusing on enjoying the process of creating and not just the end product Allison’s recent/current interests - depth psychology, reading, tarot, and pondering existence Allison’s podcast and book recommendations (links): The Creative Peptalk podcast, Don't Keep Your Day Job podcast ,This Jungian Life podcast, Contact (1985 novel) by Carl Sagan, The Heroine's Journey (1990 book) by Maureen Murdoch The timing of our encounters with ideas, media, and others’ stories and work The importance of being selective with books or media we consume Focusing on what you’re most passionate about and being truly yourself Allison's Website Allison's Podcast, The Friendly Unknown Allison's Instagram On Design podcast episode with Allison Follow us on Instagram Host/Marissa's Instagram Host/Marissa's Tik Tok Host/Marissa's Youtube Channel www.marissuelena.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/tendingcreativity/message

Welcome to the Tending Creativity Podcast! Episode 13: Quitting My 9-5 Job ✿ Solo Episode I'm back! After about 6 months since my last released episode I am back with a solo episode in which I talk about how I recently quit my 9-5 job in education and my plans for the podcast moving forward.  In this episode I talk about: -What caused me to stop releasing podcast episodes -Transitioning from a part time position to a full time position at my day job -The difficulties and stress of working at a school during the pandemic -Not having time or energy to work on creative projects after work -Having to drop a ceramics class I was enrolled in -Trying to get to the end of the year and holiday break -Trying to figure out how to maximize my time and energy to work full time while pursuing creative side projects -Dealing with health and mental health issues -Starting therapy and medication -Returning to work after the holiday break -Deciding to quit -My process of quitting and the privileges in doing so -My plans for the future -What I did right after quitting -Reflecting on my time at this job and my decision to quit -Feeling proud of myself and excited -Being ok even if things don't work out how I want them to -The Great Resignation and teacher/educator resignation -The difficulties and stress of working in education during the pandemic -Making sure I don't set unrealistic goals and expectations for myself -Plans for this podcast Subscribe to the podcast and leave a review on Apple podcasts! Follow us on Instagram Host/Marissa's Instagram Host/Marissa's Youtube Channel Host/Marissa's Tik Tok www.marissuelena.com Recorded and published January, 2022 --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/tendingcreativity/message

Welcome to the Tending Creativity Podcast! Episode 12: Going to Art School, Running an Etsy Shop and Living Your Truth ft. Ela Hosp For this episode I talked with artist Ela Hosp all about her experiences as an art student, running an Etsy shop and more. In this episode we talk about:  -Ela introduces herself and her work - illustration, sculpture. -Ela's relationship with art and creativity growing up and in high school. -Ela's experience deciding to go to school for art. -Ela's experience at Kansas City Art Institute and then leaving, taking breaks from college and transferring. -Ela's experience starting with Etsy and deciding to focus on it after losing her other forms of income due to the COVID-19 pandemic. -The stress of having Etsy as her full-time source of income, and focusing on art for the purpose of selling. -Ela's school work vs. personal work and Etsy work. -Ela's creative process. -The importance of sketching and sketchbooks. -Being busy, overwhelmed and bedtime revenge procrastination. -Ela's thoughts on life after graduating college. -The importance of doing what feels right for you and not what you think others expect of you. -Digital tools-iPads, Procreate and scanners. -Using and creating with what you have. -How Ela takes breaks from creating-cleaning and organizing, camping, thrifting, and doing nothing. -The importance of being authentic to yourself. Ela’s Etsy Shop Ela’s Instagram Ela’s YouTube Channel Ela’s Portfolio Full transcript of this interview: www.marissuelena.com/blog/tendingcreativity/episode12 Subscribe to the podcast and leave a review on Apple podcasts! Follow us on Instagram Host/Marissa's Instagram Host/Marissa's Youtube Channel www.marissuelena.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/tendingcreativity/message

Welcome to the Tending Creativity Podcast! Episode 11: Being an Embroidery Artist and the Importance of Rest ft. Sarah Jane (SalutingSoloMagpies) For this episode I talk with embroidery artist Sarah Jane about her experiences and work as an embroidery artist. :) In this episode we talk about: Sarah introduces herself. How Sarah started embroidery and her first pieces. Picking embroidery back up after a couple years away from it. Sarah's creative interests growing up. What Sarah thought of doing for work as a child. Quitting her retail job to explore creative work. Having family support to do and try what you want. Being unsure of what to do with your life. The different subject matter of Sarah's work and how it has evolved. Getting an ego boost from others' positive reaction to your work. The start of selling embroideries. Unique commissions. The perception of embroidery as an art form and devaluation of embroidery as just "women's work". "Crafts" vs "fine art". How Sarah makes work for her Etsy shop. Trying to figure out a work schedule, getting tasks done, etc. Rest and productivity, learning to allow yourself to rest. The impact of the pandemic on her working habits. Helpful Instagram graphics and accounts. Sarah's process for doing an embroidery. The materials Sarah uses and the low-cost investment of embroidery. Focusing on skill, passion, and your eye over materials and tools. Learning how to stitch. What Sarah does if an embroidery isn't going as planned. Dealing with and managing expectations and disappointment for our art. Physical impacts of doing embroidery. Pros and cons of selling on Etsy- visibility and fees. Sarah's other interests. Our love for cooking themed video games. Sarah's Etsy Shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/SalutingSoloMagpies Sarah's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/salutingsolomagpies For transcript of this interview: www.marissuelena.com/blog/tendingcreativity/episode11 Subscribe to the podcast and leave a review! Follow us on Instagram Host/Marissa's Instagram Host/Marissa's Youtube Channel www.marissuelena.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/tendingcreativity/message

Welcome to the Tending Creativity Podcast! Episode 10: Becoming a Fashion Designer, Sustainability and Work-Rest Balance ft. Tara Efobi For this episode I got to talk to designer and YouTuber Tara Efobi about her journey and design work. In this episode we talk about: Tara talks about her interest in fashion and creative things as a child and throughout adolescence. Her experience in high school and being encouraged to pursue design. Fear of pursuing your interests. Tara's interest in film growing up and considering that as a career. Her experience starting a YouTube channel in high school. What YouTube was like when we were kids/in middle school (early 2000s). Tara's decision making process when it came to going to and choosing a college. Her college experience and the validity of different college experiences. Her experience studying abroad. Her experience preparing to graduate and post grad- internships, job searching, etc. Learning about and realizing her passion for sustainability. Looking for and choosing a fashion design internship. What it's like advocating for sustainability in a large company. Considering freelancing. How Tara forms her goals for herself. The design process and her creative process as a designer. Tara's experience working from home this past year during the COVID-19 pandemic. Coping with difficult times- goal setting, planning, getting outside. Her experience moving to Colorado and living in Colorado now. Doing YouTube and Instagram while working full time. What Tara does for fun just for herself - cooking, thrifting, relaxing. The importance of rest. Buying and missing out on pieces she designed when they get released. Tara's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taraefobi/ Tara's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/BeautyJunkiessTaraE Tara's Website: https://www.taraefobi.com/ View Full Transcript of the interview: https://www.marissuelena.com/blog/tendingcreativity/episode10 Subscribe to the podcast and leave a review! Follow us on Instagram Host/Marissa's Instagram Host/Marissa's Youtube Channel --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/tendingcreativity/message

Welcome to the Tending Creativity Podcast! Episode 9:  How to Deal, Examining Fear, Anxiety, and Growth Through Art ft. Grace Miceli For this episode I got to talk to artist Grace Miceli about her new book, How to Deal. In this episode we talk about: Grace introduces herself, her work, and her book. When and how the book started. How/Why Grace made the decision to pursue creating a book. Working with a team to publish the book. Fear associated with doing/creating something for the first time. Working on the book during the covid-19 pandemic. Making artwork that fits into a larger project vs. standalone work. The process of creating work for the book-the art direction, organization, and planning. Online shopping and some of the comics in the book that talk about it. Grace's creative process for her artwork- lists, showing up consistently, inspiration, editing. Grace's artistic world and art style- how it has developed, how it allows her to create in a safe space but also expanding outside of her comfort zone creatively. The push and pull of staying in our comfort zone and getting out of it. The falsehood of control. The relationships and interpretations others have with Grace's artwork. Grace's dog Tony and his influence on her life and art. Animals in art and human experiences being represented through them. Grace's journey with self-help, mental/emotional health and communicating that through art. The never-ending nature of processing your feelings. Not using self-improvement/self-help against yourself. Grace's feelings and thoughts about the book being released soon. Pre-order or Purchase How to Deal: https://gracemiceli.com/how-to-deal Grace's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artbabygirl/ Stuff and People Mentioned in the episode: Feel It Out by Jordan Sondler  The Kindly Lion Adam Kurtz Subscribe to the podcast and leave a review! Follow us on Instagram Host/Marissa's Instagram Host/Marissa's Youtube Channel --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/tendingcreativity/message

Welcome to the Tending Creativity Podcast! Episode 8:  Releasing Music and Creating with What You Have ft. Theodora Nickolas For this episode I spoke with singer/musician, actor, and content creator Theodora Nickolas about her recently released songs: "Close for Comfort", "Ghost", and "The High" and many more things relating to creativity and her work. In this episode we talk about: What Thea does-acting, singing, content creation Thea's interest in music as a child and how that's developed Classical training vs taking her own approach in singing The decision making process of moving to and attending college in New York Her transition to New York and NYU Tisch School of the Arts Her family and their creativity Her experience during the COVID-19 pandemic -returning home and attending college virtually The process of creating and releasing all 3 of her recently released songs The idea of a "creative process" The inspiration and meanings behind her songs The DIY aspects of creating her songs and using what you have Working with a team remotely to produce music Processing and healing emotions and life through her music Juggling multiple responsibilities at once Her YouTube channel and content creation on Instagram Working with artists for the visuals that accompany her 3 recently released songs Other interests that are just for fun Thoughts on YouTube, Tik Tok, Instagram Thea's future goals and plans with her music Advice for others wanting to release music The importance of believing in yourself Thea's songs and social media: ♫ Close for Comfort ♫ Ghost ♫ The High Thea's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thnicko/ Thea's YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8znPTwdAOYDHPYptwgwNOA Subscribe to the podcast and leave a review! Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tendingcreativity/ Host/Marissa's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marissuelena/ Host/Marissa's Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/pphafidtl --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/tendingcreativity/message