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 J.D. Holiday

J.D. Holiday is the author and illustrator of two children’s books: Janoose the Goose, picture book and a chapter book for six to eight year olds, THE GREAT SNOWBALL ESCAPADE. A chapbook of her short stories called, Trespasses was published in 1994 and she has had short stories printed in literary magazines and numerous articles about writing and publishing published. She is a member of both The Society of Children’s Writers and Illustrators, (SCBWI) and Small Publishers of North America, (SPAN.) J.D. Holiday lives in the Delaware Valley of Pennsylvania. VS : I want to thank you for being my guest here on The Writing Mama today. It is so exciting because you are my first World of Ink Tour Guest. It’s been a fun couple of days and the tour is only getting started. Okay, so I know your children are grown and out of the house, but I’m sure you’ve had to balance your writing life around them at one time or another. I know being a parent and writer can be hard and I find ...

I'm a Guest Blogger on The Children's and Teens' Book Connection

Picking the Right Words for a Picture Book by VS Grenier First, let me say there are four types of picture books. Story Books: Most of us grew up on this traditional picture book. This type of picture book is by far the most popular and is usually fiction based. You will have a series of events with strong character development. Story books tend to have more text on each page vs. other types of picture books. Concept Books: This type of picture book helps to promote a child’s understanding. You see this type of picture book for toddlers or as a “My First” book series. These books can be fiction or nonfiction and have very few words. The illustrations tend to be the focus. Novelty Books: A great example of this type of book is The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle. This picture book relies on some short of gimmick to tell the book’s story. Modern Picture Books: This type of picture book is a lot like the story picture book, but uses both the illustrations and ...

Guest Post by Author Mary Cunningham

Cynthia's Attic - Inspiring Young Readers and Writers Writers love to write. It's a passion. But, I discovered another benefit writing for children that I didn’t anticipate. Who knew how much fun I’d have visiting schools and interacting with my target audience? I’ve created several slide presentations that are informative and fun, but the question/answer session is most entertaining. For instance, I'm amazed at the number of elementary and middle-school students who not only love to read, but want to know what it takes to become a published author. Questions like, “How did you find your publisher?” or, “Who edits your books?” One of the most asked questions is, “Who did your cover?” I love sharing information about one of the best graphic artists in the business, Nathalie Moore. Although the artist and the publisher have the final say, my ideas are always considered. Naturally, the inevitable questions come up; “How much money do you make?” (Don’t quit your day jo...

VS Grenier ~ Award-Winning Author, Speaker & Podcaster

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