Margo and Abby are back with the latest and diving into the intersection of creativity, technology, and community in this episode of Creative Current Events. They share surprising insights, like how 35% of leaders feel most creative early Monday mornings, and explore how routines like the "4 AM club" or late-night bursts can impact productivity. They also discuss Blue Sky, an emerging, community-driven alternative to Twitter, and the fascinating rise of AI art (we’re sensing a theme!), including a million-dollar painting created by a humanoid robot.

Lastly, they highlight the value of community in creative work, featuring initiatives like the Foundry (by Margo, herself), a membership program designed to inspire, how to shop mindfully this holiday season, branding with agencies like Outline, and why gifting Steve and Mary Jo Hoffman's books is a must this season.

Mentioned in this episode:

https://www.fastcompany.com/91227308/the-surprising-time-of-day-youre-most-creative

https://www.charlotteobserver.com/living/article295604429.html

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-11-12/robot-painted-artwork-soethbys-million-dollar-auction/104585102

https://claude.ai

https://gemini.google.com/

https://www.printmag.com/type-tuesday/positype-declares-independence-with-a-refreshed-website-new-typefaces/

https://www.positype.com/

https://www.creativeboom.com/inspiration/outline-ky-allport-of-the-south-carolina-studio-on-xxx/

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/200634843-a-season-for-that

https://www.amazon.com/Season-That-Found-Southern-France/dp/0593240286

https://www.amazon.com/STILL-Noticing-Mary-Jo-Hoffman/dp/1580936334/ref=sr_1_1?crid=BMZ1AKZFDR2W&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.xjtLqEK7CzKM2l-zl3yeLanI1o8KaUW_f6v7vq10V6vwAHA3N06_uB0HqF3NgnuCm73kDgVprJolpL7tLD3lxqAHolkGAgLQAgd2ULsGPxCm_A1AitP3AVS7nqmRWAa6yiKzykBGb5opB-ZZ8OwzEw.4Pr0khKk13_eVTTAWJKo3xJEDqB2gcIth_FgiFPmyfA&dib_tag=se&keywords=still+the+art+of+noticing&qid=1732062346&s=books&sprefix=still+the+art+of+noticing%2Cstripbooks%2C141&sr=1-1

Connect with Abby:

https://www.abbyjcampbell.com/

https://www.instagram.com/ajcampkc/

https://www.pinterest.com/ajcampbell/

Connect with Margo:

www.windowsillchats.com

www.instagram.com/windowsillchats

www.patreon.com/inthewindowsill

Margo is joined by calligraphy artist and educator Shinah Chang. Shinah spent her life following the "proper" path: attending an Ivy League college, graduating from a prestigious law school, and working tirelessly at a top international law firm. However, after countless uninspiring days and sleepless nights under her desk, she decided to reclaim her life. Shinah left her legal career and explored various creative outlets—knitting, woodworking, drawing, and graphic design—until she fell in love with calligraphy.

Over the past nine years, she built Crooked Calligraphy into a million-dollar business, only to intentionally scale it back to create a simpler, more spacious life. Shinah has collaborated with brands like Disney, Anthropologie, and Johnson & Johnson and taught thousands of students how to master calligraphy and launch their own creative ventures.

In this episode, Margo and Shinah discuss:

• Shinah's journey from corporate law to founding Crooked Calligraphy.

• How burnout shaped her decision to leave a high-powered legal career.

• The structured yet expressive nature of calligraphy as an art form.

• Tools she used to challenge societal expectations and reclaim her joy.

• Her innovative teaching philosophy, which prioritizes strategic creativity over technical perfection.

• The pressures of scaling a creative business and why she chose to simplify.

• The importance of mindfulness, self-kindness, and collaboration in personal and professional growth.

• Lessons on balancing practicality with creativity and the power of authentic connections.

Connect with Shinah:

Website: https://www.crookedcalligraphy.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crookedcalligraphy

Free "How to Become a Calligraphy Pro" Workshop: https://crookedcalligraphy.lpages.co/register/

Connect with Margo:

Website: www.windowsillchats.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/windowsillchats

The Foundry: https://www.yourtantaustudio.com/thefoundry

Margo is joined by Sarah Helen More, a Seattle-based artist and designer with a vibrant, kaleidoscopic style rooted in her personal history and love for textiles. Originally from Portland, OR, and Houston, TX, Sarah grew up surrounded by her mother’s handmade quilts—a key inspiration in her colorful work today. She studied textile design at the Rhode Island School of Design and has had a varied creative career, including roles as an art history teacher, studio assistant for Takashi Murakami, and more. In 2023, Sarah received her first public art commission with the Port of Seattle, set to debut at SeaTac International Airport in 2025.

Margo and Sarah discuss:

• Taking on big challenges before feeling “ready”

• Sarah’s creative process: from digital sketches to final painting

• Using change as a creative catalyst

• Finding joy and inspiration, even during difficult times

• The role of nature in her creative process

• Overcoming creative blocks and learning new skills for public art

• Influences of the Pattern & Decoration movement and folk art traditions

• Maintaining joy in creativity during tough times

Take your creativity to new heights and turn your passion into a purpose-driven path by joining The Foundry, a monthly membership for creatives. Visit yourtantaustudio.com/thefoundry today to lock in the Foundry Member rate!

Connect with Sarah:

www.sarahhelenmore.com

www.sarahmore.com

www.instagram.com/sarahhelenmore

Connect with Margo:

www.windowsillchats.com

www.instagram.com/windowsillchats

www.patreon.com/inthewindowsill