The Intimate Dance of Creation and Inspiration

Artistry is not just a talent; it's a profound journey through the very essence of what makes us human. In a recent episode of the Language of the Soul podcast, we had the pleasure of engaging with Shelley Finance, a ceramic artist, podcaster, and veteran of Richard Edlund Films. Her narrative painted a vivid tableau of an artist's life, touching upon the nurturing environments of a blue-collar film community and the supportive networks of family that spur the growth of creative seeds.

Shelley's multifaceted career spans the tactile world of ceramics to the auditory domain of podcasting, to the visual spectacle of cinema. This intersectionality provides a unique lens to view the intricate dance between artistic devotion and life's obligations. Artistic pursuit, as we discovered, can be a 'jealous mistress,' with the capacity to influence personal relationships deeply. Shelley's insights reminded us of the importance of respecting each other's 'churches'—the sanctuaries of our creative endeavors.

Moreover, the episode explored the nuanced challenges faced by women in the arts. Shelley's experiences brought to light the transformative power of honoring one's artistic aspirations amidst the confines of societal norms. This led to a broader discussion about how creativity is often fenced in by societal expectations and the importance of carving out a space to let that wild garden of imagination flourish. We considered the potential unleashed if society were to recognize and nurture this creative spirit.

The digital age presents its own set of challenges and opportunities for creativity. We lamented the decline in articulate communication and pondered the impact of digital devices on children's creative development. The physical act of writing was celebrated as a crucial tool for concept formation, a practice seemingly fading in an era of touchscreens and keyboards. This segued into the critical topic of how fear of failure can inhibit the creative process, with Shelley recounting her experience of guiding students to embrace imperfection in their work.

As we delved into Shelley's current projects, including her YouTube series 'Pots and Thoughts,' the theme of embracing one's creative identity continued to resonate. The conversation veered into the metaphysical as we discussed the whispers of heritage that guide the artistic process. We shared how our personal histories inform our storytelling, touching on the significance of regional landscapes and the mythical creatures that inhabit our narratives.

The episode also took an unexpected turn, finding inspiration in the banal setting of an Amway meeting. This anecdote served as a powerful example of how the most mundane moments could ignite the flames of creation, birthing compelling tales from life's most ordinary encounters. Finally, we contemplated the human drive for narrative justice, exploring how storytelling serves as a tool for understanding and conveying the universal quest for order and meaning in a chaotic world.

As we wrapped up our journey, we were reminded that artistry and creativity are not just activities but the threads that weave the tapestry of our lives. Each stroke of the brush, each molded piece of clay, and each penned line of a story are reflections of the multifaceted, complex, and beautiful human experience. We invite you to listen to this episode, which promises to leave you with a newfound appreciation for the depth and diversity of the creative human spirit.

Download the episode at https://www.buzzsprout.com/2267353/episodes/15098245

Interview Friday with Author Maggie Lyons

Maggie Lyons was born in Wales and brought up in England before gravitating west to Virginia’s coast. She zigzagged her way through a motley variety of careers from orchestral management to law-firm media relations to academic editing. Writing and editing nonfiction for adults brought plenty of satisfaction but nothing like the magic she discovered in writing fiction and nonfiction for children. Several of her articles, poetry, and a chapter book have been published in the children’s magazines Stories for Children Magazine and knowonder! VS: I want to thank you for being my guest here on The Writing Mama today, Maggie. To get things started can you share what you do to help balance your writing life with your family life? Maggie: Very fortunately for me, I’m retired and my son left the nest some time ago. That doesn’t mean I have no other commitments, of course. In fact, I’m very busy as a freelance editor, but I do have the privilege of being able to control m...

Interview Friday with Author L.R.W. Lee of the Andy Smithson MG Fantasy Series

From an early age L. R. W. Lee knew she wanted to write a children’s book. Her imagination for such a book was cultivated early on as her family didn’t have a lot of money. She and her older brother were encouraged to use their imaginations to entertain themselves. And use them they did – climbing trees and tree forts, using a quilt for a matchbox car city, making puppets and putting on shows, and much more and her creativity and imagination grew. VS: Mr. Lee, I want to thank you for being my guest here on The Writing Mama once again. You recently just released the 2 nd book in our series, which is a great accomplishment. What do you do to help balance your writing life with your family life while writing a series? Lee: I’m spoiled in that regard. I founded, built and sold a multi-million dollar company in January 2012. Since then, I’ve been free to write full time so I don’t face quite the challenges as many authors. I write while everyone is out of the house and ...

American Chronicle | Get to know Rodger Dodger Dog and His Author, Jan Britland

In 1986, Jan was driving her children in a new town to start school. On their way, they would pass a beagle type dog chained to a huge Magnolia tree. Some days they would see the chain hanging down from the tree. "I think we just assumed the dog was in the house until one day we realized he was up in the tree. From that day on, Rodger Dodger Dog as we called him became a favorite. It was a 45-minute drive, which can become boring so as we passed him, I would start telling a story about Rodger Dodger's adventures up the tree and beyond. Because I am so dyslexic, the stories had to rhyme so I could remember them from day to day. They also started the same to get me going," shared Britland. However, it wasn´t until 2008 when Britland received a phone call from her daughter Kelly, who had young children of her own that the Rodger Dodger Dog started to even think about becoming a children´s book or series for that matter. "My daughter was complaining her son ...

VS Grenier ~ Award-Winning Author, Speaker & Podcaster

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