7 DEC 2019 · Welcome to today's show! We have Patricia Wood, Karen's friend, and teacher, with us today. Pat is a professor of art at American River College, where she is currently teaching printmaking and drawing. She is also the director of the Kaneko Gallery, which is the campus art gallery. Today, Pat tells us about what she's doing at American River College- the fabulous art shows she's put together for the Kaneko Gallery, and the fun projects she's coordinated with her students. She also talks to us about her background and the kind of art that she creates. Listen in today, to hear all about Pat's creative approach to her life, her art, and her stimulating and multi-faceted job. The Kaneko Gallery is situated at the American River College in Sacramento, California. Pat has been the Kaneko Gallery Director since 2016, and she coordinates and produces all the shows that are held there. Pat is also part of the Permanent Collection Committee for American River College, which oversees the college art collections for the 200 campuses in America that have part of the Andy Warhol estate. Tune in now, for more.    Show highlights: Pat discusses the various art shows she coordinates for the Kaneko Gallery every year. These are massive undertakings. This year, Barbara Range, the curator, and director of the Brickhouse Gallery will be the juror for the annual student art competition. Pat explains why her bookings run way into the future. Coordinating art shows has been a lot of fun! Building an entire room within the gallery. American River College now owns an Elizabeth Catlin linoleum cut print, a Jacob Lawrence silkscreen, and a Simela Lewis woodcut. American River College has some beautiful art. The Warhol Collection, consisting of photographs and silkscreens, was gifted to American River College. Finding the best way to create a map for the art collections. Teaching art appreciation and an introduction to art history. Making a public art piece was an interesting assignment. Pat talks to us about the art that she creates. Pat has been focused on drawing, with a bit of mixed media, for the past couple of years. Pat had some sketches in the recent SMD (Sacramento Municipal District) show. Pat got her MFA from the University of Arizona in 1997 and she later became a double major. Pat talks about the time at the University of Arizona. What Pat has noticed about children and art. Why everyone should create some kind of art. Links: Pat Wood link Patricia Wood Art Pat Wood is correct, American River College is not the only community college that received grants from the Warhol Foundation, but most recipients are universities. For a complete list of recipients, you can go to Photographic Legacy. Links to individuals and places mentioned by Pat Wood in the podcast: Jodie Hooker  Mick Sheldon Kaneko Gallery  ARC Kaneko Gallery Student Show submissions  Barbara Range, Brickhouse Gallery  Shenny Cruces Angela Casagrandes  Rachel Clarke  art new media link to photo at the Rachel Clarke show  Fan Lee Warren  Unity Lewis    Instagram Unity and Samela Lewis  Samela Lewis The History Makers: Samella Lewis 39 Black Arts Movement  Jacob Lawrence  Elizabeth Catlett  Betye Saar  Charles White  Charles White migration series  Crocker Art Museum  Sarah Mattson  Ken Magri  Linda Gelfman  Garr Ugalde  Figurative Angel Sculptures Ruby Chacon  ARC campus painted mural  Randy Schuster  Wayfinder’s map  Dolores White SMUD Gallery  Craig Smith  Lorrie Kempf  Laura Parker  Joy Burtinuson  American River College (ARC)   University of Arizona, Tucson Sacramento City College  University of California Davis  Haleh Niazmand   Stephanie Ryan   Pima Community College   Tucson Arts Foundation  Sierra Community College   San Joaquin Delta College  Rillito River   Mount Lemmon  Rose Canyon  Alan Short Center  Fairytale Town  Art Folsom prison  Rehabilitative Arts CA State Prisons  Davis Art Center  California Youth Authority Arts Programs   

18 SEP 2019 · Are you bursting with creativity or are you perhaps feeling a little under the weather right now? Have you noticed how much your state of health impacts on your levels of creativity? Today, we're starting season three of the podcast with an interview with Dr. David Cornish. David is Karen's friend and he's the author of two terrific novels, 1918: The Great Pandemic, and 1980: The Emergence of HIV. With the current escalation of viral illnesses in the world, this is a really good time for reading these topical novels, so tune in, to learn more about David Cornish and his books.         David practiced gastro-neurology for thirty-three years before retiring last year. He still works part-time, though, to keep his hand in the craft. He has always loved writing and even took some writing courses while studying Medicine at the University of California. About ten years ago, David wrote two non-fiction books about service in medicine. (Evidence In-Service and The Essential 20.) Then, about three years later, he decided to try his hand at writing a novel, and this was followed by a sequel a few years later. In today's episode, David talks about his two novels. He discusses his process of writing and he explores the reasons for reading and writing stories. He also reflects on the seriousness of viral illness, and the emotion behind human stories that are associated with diseases like influenza and HIV. Listen in today, to hear about David's creative approach to writing. Show highlights: David explains how he got into writing books and why he chose these specific topics to write about. The influenza pandemic in 1918 was the worst natural disaster in human history. The main characters in David's books are fictional, but the events are all accurate. David talks about some of the projects he's taken on since retiring. David explains why he likes writing historical fiction. The difference between writing fiction, and writing about something technical, related to medicine. David found fiction a lot harder to write than non-fiction. David's approach to writing historical fiction. David talks about why people read novels rather than non-fiction. The influence that David's mother had on his creativity and his writing. Writing from what you like, and about what you know. David talks about the teachers who inspired him to write. Why you need to keep re-reading and revising what you have written. David explains why you need to have someone edit your work. David shares some observations about the difficulties associated with publishing a book, currently. Why ebooks are here to stay. David shares his thoughts about creativity, and about where his writing comes from. Links: Karen's website: A Creative Approach Podcast David's website: David Cornish Books. This is where you will find his bio and information about his books. All David's books, including the non-fiction ones, have links to Amazon and Barnes and Noble. David's Facebook Page The link to Ursula Le Guin: Wikipedia: Ursula K. Le Guin

8 MAY 2019 · Would you like to know what inspires an artist to create a meaningful piece of work? Today's guest is Catherine Rains. Catherine is an artist and she is an excellent example of how evolution works in collage, her chosen medium of art. Catherine has had a really intriguing art career. In today's episode, she talks to us about her skills, and about her certification in evaluating personalities. She also explains how she lets her art speak to her over time a period of time as she creates it, and how she brings a deep and meaningful spiritual connection to her pieces. Listen in today, to learn more about Catherine and her work. Until age 33, Catherine often said that she didn't have an artistic bone in her body. Catherine discovered her life calling in the middle of an overwhelming day job, where she created her first collage just to relieve stress.  This simple beginning eventually led to quitting her day gig to manage a thriving art business. Then her journey took an unexpected turn when she was diagnosed with breast cancer.  This led her back to a day job for the next 10 years, traveling across the US, creating almost no art. Three years ago she decided to integrate the day job she loved with the art she could not live without, by setting up an art studio in every hotel she visited and following a structured schedule to fit art back into her life. As a result of this self-commitment, she returned to her greatest passion – art – on January 1, 2018. Tune in, to find out about Catherine's creative approach to her life and her work. Show Highlights: Catherine talks about what she does as a collage painter. Catherine's art is mixed media collage infused with spirituality, meaning, and inspiration. Finding relief from a job she did not enjoy with collage. Figuring out how to make a living from art. Quitting her job and focusing on expanding her skills. Coming to realizing that she really loved doing collage and that it gives her incredible joy. What Catherine has discovered about making money from art. What the business of art looks like for Catherine. How posting on Instagram teaches her to be real and authentic. Inspiring people with her art. Speaking to people on a deeper level with her art. The spiritual aspect of Catherine's art. Communicating with her art piece as if it is a living being. Looking for a title that will draw people in. The unique way that Catherine blesses her art. Catherine believes that there is an art to marketing art. Asking for guidance as she creates a piece. in order to allow the magic to happen. Certifying people with Myers-Briggs for the moment, in order to take the pressure off having to make money from art. How Catherine's creative process is set in motion. Catherine really loves teaching. She would like to teach Soul Collage in the next year or two. Catherine has been a breast cancer survivor since 2004. It has transformed her life and only produced good things for her and caused her to grow. Links: Catherine Rains Instagram: Catrains Artist Wikipedia: Myers Briggs Type Indicator The Myers Briggs Emily Jeffords Kelly Raero Berts Beth Kirby Soul Collage Art Of Karen Poirier Brode

6 MAR 2019 · Are you dedicated to creating wonderful art? If so you are really in for a treat! Today's guest is April Bey, an exciting visual artist, and teacher. April teaches art at a community college in California. She loves drawing and using her art to explore contemporary themes about current events. In today's episode, April talks to us about her life, her studies, her art, and her career. Tune in now to find out more. April grew up in the Bahamas, and for all her life she's been passionately creating. Art is a very prominent subject in schools in the Bahamas, yet April realized during high school that there were no careers in art to be had there. So she moved to the United States. She did her undergrad in the Midwest, obtaining a BFA in drawing from Ball State University. She then went to LA, to do her master's in interdisciplinary painting at California State University in Northridge, Los Angeles. Listen in today, to find out about April's creative approach to her art and teaching. Show highlights: At the moment, April is doing a lot of sewing that's acting as drawing. April explains how she got to where she is right now with her art. She is currently making art about West Africa and textiles, how women run the trade there, and how their labor is often exploited. The materials and techniques that she uses. Why April loved the freedom of teaching at Art Center College of Design in Pasadena so much. Having overbearing foreign parents is something that April has in common with many of the students at the community colleges. What led April to explore the textiles of Africa. A lot of the fabric in Ghana is imported. All the places in Africa that April went to on her research trip. April's textile works also act as portraits. You can go to April's website to take a look at her awesome art. Go to April Bey. What you can expect to find on April's website. She does a lot of work with feminist themes. Some of the advice that April gives to her art students. April had some really wonderful mentors. Some of the shows that are coming up for April. Links: April's website:  April Bey.

31 JAN 2019 ·   Are you looking for some inspiration? If so, you will really enjoy listening to the interview with our guest for today, the very creative and naturally talented artist, Mou Saha. Mou was born and raised in India. She is an unassuming teacher with a bold spirit of exploration and she uses her mindful approach art to really inspire people to experiment with art media and color. Listen in today, to find out about what Mou, what she does, and how she got to do what she's doing.     Mou, a mixed-media artist, and a storyteller is an intelligent and very courageous woman. Her passionate and straightforward manner is reflected in the easy and pleasurable expression of her work. Despite the number of setbacks and complications she's experienced in her life, she has produced some really meaningful work. Listen in to find out more about Mou's really creative approach to life. Show Highlights: The way that Mou's art classes have evolved over time. Mou's work has been published in a number of different publications. What inspired Mou to start teaching. Faber Castell launched a new brand for the crafting community and they reached out to Mou to do some projects for their launch. After seeing her work, they asked her to join the design team they were putting together. Mou, as a child, really loved to draw- and she would draw everything! Mou was an only child and her really artful family treated as a small adult. This really inspired her! Although Mou was not very good at drawing accurately as a child, she used her drawing to express herself. She won a competition due to this. In sixth grade, Mou was awarded a national scholarship for drawing. And after receiving the scholarship, she began to take her art more seriously. Mou was already interested in doing counseling and psychology in the eighth grade, so she found out what she needed to do in order to do that. How Mou discovered that she could move beyond what her parents had taught her about what was safe, and about what she could and could not do. Everything came full circle for Mou when she moved to Tampa, Florida, after getting married. Mou almost lost everything about herself in the process of coming to America, and she felt really lost. How taking a course really helped her to gain a real perspective. How Mou discovered scrapbooking. How Mou coped with the devastating discovery of a lump in her breast. How winning the grand prize for a scrapbooking competition really helped Mou. Teaching people about what really matters with art. You will receive a free gift from Mou for signing up for her newsletter. Creating the time to do something for yourself that you really love to do. Links:   Mou's website: Mou Saha Mou's Youtube Mou on Facebook Mou's gift for signing up to her newsletter   Shingles

21 NOV 2018 · She is one of the bright and innovative people who is bringing new technologies to work for a sustainable planet, and I am intrigued to learn more. Join me now in my conversation with Molly Morse, to learn more about her passion for positive-impact plastics, the health of the environment and her creative approach. Dr. Molly Morse is the CEO and co-founder of Mango Materials, a San Francisco Bay Area-based startup company, that uses wastewater treatment plant methane gas to manufacture biodegradable materials. Her vision of the future involves the proliferation of anaerobic digestion so that methane can be used to make electricity, fuels, and materials – creating local regions of economic resiliency. Molly received her Ph.D. from Stanford University and her B.S. from Cornell University. Dr. Morse has contributed to multiple patents, publications, and presentations. Along with other Mango Materials team members, she is currently working to upscale the biomanufacturing technology of using methane gas to produce biodegradable materials. Their current focus is on the production of waste-derived biopolymers that can be used as fibers for the textile and fashion industry. More in this episode ●    Dr. Molly Morse discusses what Mango Materials does to create a new product that is a substitute for conventional plastics that can go into fibers to be made into clothing and other uses. ●    The material that is produced can be used for cosmetic packaging, plastic bags, fibers for clothing and more, that can break down rather than remain in the environment. ●    In the conversation, we discuss the various applications that the product can be used for and how the product could break down after use. ●    We learn more about how Dr. Morse shares her passion for a better environment and bio-composites that would be able to be used within environmentally friendly construction applications through her processes. ●    Dr. Morse shared her journey to becoming a business owner and how her educational path leads her to the present. ●    She discussed how the company is transitioning out of R & D and into application development. ●    Molly shares how she came up with the company name and creativity was significant in that process. Molly Morse says, “How we encourage our children to solve problems, it isn’t something that can’t be undervalued. Those key moments can stick with kids for a really long time. Challenges can lead to lots of solutions. Fostering creativity from a very young age and encouraging it is important.” Molly identifies with this quote, "The creative adult is the child who has survived."– Julian F. Fleron One of the quotes to add to that is Einstein when he said, "Do not grow old, no matter how long you live. Never cease to stand like curious children before the Great Mystery into which we were born.” Links The Green Biz Conference: https://www.Greenbiz.com https://www.greenbiz.com/events/verge-conference/oakland/2018 The Red Cross: https://www.redcross.org Other ways to help victims of Camp Fire: https://www.nbcnews.com/better/news/how-help-victims-california-wildfires-ncna936911 Articles about forest fire management: https://www.eenews.net/stories/1060106627 https://climatecrocks.com/2018/11/19/forests-need-more-than-raking/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MangoMaterials/ Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mango-materials/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/MolMorse & https://twitter.com/MangoMaterials Instagram: https://www.Instagram.com/mangomaterials/ & https://www.instagram.com/mollycmorse/ Website: https://www.mangomaterials.com Subscribe to Our Mailing List: www.acreativeapproachpodcast.com

31 OCT 2018 · Ginger Wiseman is one of the co-hosts (with her sister) Summer Reynolds, of The Outlander Podcast. She has a great story of how her love of the books and then the series, and a passion for Scotland, led them to create a podcast for fans. I always have a great deal of fun learning about how my guests found their creative niche. Today is no exception.  More in this episode ● We learn about Ginger's story and what got her and her sister, Summer into hosting two podcasts. ● How the two sisters connected over literature through the years and how that strengthened their love of the written word in multiple languages. ● She discusses her love of the Outlander series and the events that led to the creation of their fandom podcast. ● Ginger shared what led her and her sister to create The All Souls Podcast and how that helped them broaden their horizons with fans, friends, and travel. ● She shares how she was able to get involved with ComicCon working in press and the benefits that have helped her grow her shows and gain more visibility. ● Ginger shared more about The All Souls Con event and that she follows the book releases and shows coming out with the international networks. ● The sisters planned for the long haul as the main character had not yet been cast. ● Ginger shares how she was able to plan out the podcast episodes in alignment with the books and episodes for content. ● She noticed early on that there was a random invitation to join for an after-show. She felt that guests found more value when they did a live video in their private FB group after-show right after the episode ends. ● Having a sponsor never changed their content, schedule or format. ● She felt empowered to have a podcast through her exploration of what other podcast hosts were offering and her love of the dramatic arts growing up. ● She shares her journey with her sister to Scotland and how they created a group experience trip they do yearly. Ginger says, "While everyone has their own talents or abilities that they've honed, whatever it is that you feel, even if you're not doing it professionally, whatever it is that you feel is a great outlet for you creatively.[SIC] Being creative must be intentional. It's important if you are creative that you have to make time for those things. It is needed and a very important part of life." Resources https://www.outlanderpod.com https://www.allsoulspod.com https://www.podabroad.com https://www.facebook.com/outlanderpod/ https://www.facebook.com/allsoulspod/ https://twitter.com/bookishginge?lang=en Outlander Book Series All Souls Book Series https://www.amc.com