I'm very excited to bring you Alex Crowson, a friend of mine from college. We met in a class called JAM (Journalism Art Media) where we essentially interviewed and told the stories of artists/creatives. It was an awesome class that helped prepare me for creating this podcast. Alex is a very talented guy fusing his love for video production and music to capture and tell incredible stories. Outline: - How got started in video production - met at UO, life of trees in duck tv and Tom Wheeler’s Jan class - The importance of music with his work - food, music, beer and family, production company - Early bands? - Rhyme Zone App - Moment knew that he was destined for this? - Matchbook Music - What does creativity mean to him? - Music and creativity together - Biggest challenges - Advice to others - where can people follow your work, music, etc. References: Life of Trees (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6yBQaKTJBs&list=PL-o2OgEwm2O3cAzGDZLsytbkePXz5fgj1) Susan Lucia - Drummer (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGrP-eQ5R9I) Stephen King's book "on Writing" (https://www.amazon.com/Writing-Memoir-Craft-Stephen-King-ebook/dp/B000FC0SIM)

Thank you for joining us on this journey! Outline: Can't believe it, thanks! Many mornings and days spent untangling wires, batteries, driving to locations Expectations vs. Reality Learned Expectations: Faster to edit Creativity is hard to identify Helped push my creative skills Reality: Took a lot of time, thank you guests, Emily and audience Enjoy interviews + hope this podcast inspires and helps people Learned: Other creatives have similar struggles Creativity takes many forms Hardest part is getting the butt in the chair to focus People are more receptive and supportive than I could ever imagine Appreciate the support, messages and people who have helped me pull this off! If you enjoyed this podcast the way you can help us is by leaving a review or sharing with someone you know! Thanks!

Meet Tyler Carpenter, he is a very talented comic book artist living in Utah.  Tyler is a good friend from highschool. We spent our childhood making songs, videos or just honing in on our creativity abilities while having fun! Tyler Carpenter Social Media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drawandtalk/?hl=en Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/275010993071206/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/tyler_c_world

Meet Jordyn Cooper, a musician and song writer in the Puyallup area in Washington State. Jordyn trekked all the way down to Portland for this interview. With his vast background of experiences of living in Washington and Florida his style fuses the alternative folk sound of the Northwest with that of the southern soul and blues of the South. I'm excited to have Jordyn on the show to discuss some of the challenges and things we do to keep our art alive. At the time of recording this episode Jordyn was living out of his van in pursuits of being able to continue his craft. In this episode we dive deep into mental health and the benefits music and being creative can have on releasing tension and helping one find meaning in life even under the most challenging of times. Listen to his new EP here: Jordyn Cooper - Social Media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jordyncooperrr/?hl=en YouTube: https://youtu.be/x8ese7cio1Q Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jay.teetzz

Justin Vitakis is a good friend of mine from college. We met in the dorms and have stayed in touch ever since. We eventually worked at the University of Oregon Rec Center marketing team and both enjoy living in Portland Oregon. Outline:

We are going to take a not so subtle break from the inspirational stuff and tackle some of my grievances of being a creative and some of the things I wish people would know. 1. It’s easy  - many people only see the finished product - story from picasso drawing in coffee shop - Surround content all the time people think they could do that (tell difference between low and high quality) 2. It’s fun so you shouldn’t get bored  - not the case, can’t just turn creativity on - drawing inspiration from other places 3. Unreasonable about deadlines/Understanding whole process - understanding of every step involve  - slow time and fast times, getting into that flow state - Harder for creatives to work on a project they don't believe in 4.All of it is the same in an industry - photography: portrait, event, landscape - Emily is video editor (think that she can also film, direct, color, audio capture, etc.) 5. Cost - getting paid for my value, not your budget - custom industry  - online is mass produced (licenses for music and stock images/footage) Recap 5 pet peeves, back to the uplifting stuff. Just needed to get it off of my chest. In the comments mention if this is something you struggle with as well.

In this episode Chris and I tackle the infamous writer's block. Chris is an accomplished writer and now podcaster (A Star is Born Podcast). Check out this episode for insights into the mind of Chris and what it means to overcome adversity to create a project you can be proud of. Other notable subjects covered: - NBA, NFL and lots of our favorite movies

Rebecca Ramirez is a photographer in the Portland area. What makes Rebecca's approach to photography is unique as she combines vivid colors and transports the viewer to a new more beautiful, mystical land. You'll often find her using vibrant overtones of pinks and purples in her work. Rebecca brings the business side of photography to this episode explaining some of her early projects and how she would approach client work situations. This episode is beneficial to anyone starting out and trying to determine your ideal client. Questions: - Background: Portland, playing basketball - competitive - How we met - How fell into photography - What gravitated you towards it - Favorite aspect of photography - Business of Photography - ever had any trouble "treating it like a business" - Challenges? - Tips to other photographers? - Where can people find your work Rebecca Social Media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colorfulbecks/?hl=en Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rebeccalynnnr

Outline:  - Misconceptions about creativity - How creativity affects the brain - How to start a creative project - Little examples and stories sprinkled throughout -- - Creativity can be overwhelming and challenging. Why is that? - The original idea myth - Connecting dots and combining a lot of things (Di Vinci combining knowledge of anatomy with art/drawing) - Original ideas (sitting in boardroom, lots of coffee) - not typically how it works - best ideas in the shower, from a movie, anywhere (symmetry with water) - Everyone at one point has been told, this drawing or whatever you created sucks - Have to push through a lot of crap before it turns out okay, then it becomes a little better. - Then you think to yourself I'm awesome, then you find out that you aren't awesome - Where to begin?  - go on walk and do photography (practice seeing the world differently) - pen and paper drawing - video - use your iPhone - Society that doesn't do anything unless it is practical - STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) but need break to be able to enjoy life and the sheer beauty of humanity Spike Lee: "I used to be embarrassed because I was just a comic book writer while other people were building bridges or going on to medical careers.  And then I began to realize: entertainment is one of the most important things in people's lives. Without it they might go off the deep end. I feel that if you're able to entertain people, you're doing a good thing." You know where you will be at if you don't do it, but never know what could happen if you begin practicing - New hobby -> meet new people, and practice a skill, maybe one day make money from it Value in being creative:  - it's a muscle can be strengthened - Maya Angelou: "You can't use it up creativity, the more you use, the more you have" Harvard article: - some studies show it can reduce stress, lead to happiness and fufillment - Flow state My challenge to audience: - draw if you feel like drawing, take photos, design - see the tools to create art as an investment, skin in the game as they call it, use them, build upon it and share with others either individually or on social media. You never know then, who you could inspire! Now for some inspiration check out the rest of the series for inspiration from other artists, where they began and some of the challenges they have had to overcome! References:  https://www.health.harvard.edu/newsletter_article/creative-thinking-and-the-brain

Thank you for joining me on the Creative Q podcast where we search for what makes people creative, the challenges and rewards of the creative industry. My hope is that with each episode you get a better understanding of what makes people want to create and some tips that you can apply to your own life.  Show outline: - Why started podcast - How I first got a glimpse into being creative - What I do for creativity now - Goals and dreams for the podcast