Positively Creative

This week we are continuing our series from the Positively Creative Summit with our Keynote speaker Thomas “Detour” Evans. Detour shares his journey to discovering art and how he developed his unique style. From there, he takes us through how he set up his business as an artist. During his presentation, he shares videos and images of his work. Be sure to follow him on Instagram to get a feel for his murals while you listen!   About Thomas “Detour” Evans: Thomas Evans, a.k.a. Detour, is an all-around creative specializing in large scale public art, interactive visuals, portraiture, immersive spaces, and creative directing. His focus is to create work where art and innovation meet. A born collaborator and “military brat,” Detour pulls from every conceivable experience that shapes his landscapes and perspectives. Explaining Detour’s work is no easy task, as ongoing experimentations in visual art, music, and interactive technologies have his practice continually expanding. With his ever-evolving approach to art,

Have you ever felt alone as a creative entrepreneur? On this episode, we bring you another presentation from the Positively Creative Summit back in September. Founders Shelda and Allie share about the Hive Collective and why community is important and can help you grow your business. They also share the ins and outs of the Hive Collective and why you may want to join if you are in the Memphis area.   About The Hive Collective: Shelda Edwards and Allie Mounce are Memphis based designers, each working with local agencies. In 2017, they became the founding members of the Hive Collective, a collective of creative entrepreneurs who aim to improve our industry through education, community, and solidarity.   Website: https://thehiveclctv.com/  

This week we are continuing our series from the Positively Creative Summit. What does fiddling have to do with photography? This is an awesome and inspiring talk from Rachael Boer. She started her creative journey as a musician and soon found herself holding a camera instead of a violin. Rachael shares how she learned the difference between pricing and value and how she began charging more while also growing a business that can support her family.    About Rachael Boer Photography: With nearly a decade of experience in the portrait and wedding industry, Rachael brings creativity and vision to every photography session. Together with a small team of support staff, she has photographed hundreds of portrait sessions and weddings, and her clients are consistently thrilled by her stunning imagery high quality artwork.  Rachael's passion is giving families tangible memories of their most precious days together with the ones they love. She wants each family to leave their session with beautiful images on their wall

We had the amazing privilege of hearing from Sara Trail of the Social Justice Sewing Academy at the Positively Creative Summit. This is an amazing talk on the power of creating to spark conversations that need to happen. She also shares why it’s important to question and put in the work to identify your place within your creative practice. This is a powerful talk and I’m so excited to share it with you!   About the Social Justice Sewing Academy: Founded in 2017, the Social Justice Sewing Academy (SJSA) is a youth education program that bridges artistic expression with activism to advocate for social justice. Through a series of hands-on workshops in schools, prisons and community centers across the country, SJSA empowers youth to use textile art as a vehicle for personal transformation and community cohesion and become agents of social change. Many of our young artists make art that explores issues such as gender discrimination, mass incarceration, gun violence and gentrification. The powerful imagery they cr

Meg Sutton of Belle & Union Co. is on the podcast today! Meg started her business by jumping into wholesale at the National Stationery Show. She shares her journey and what led her to pursue that path into the product world. Meg also shares the decision to open a brick & mortar and the challenges and triumphs she’s experienced since opening her store. She even shares a little but about what is to come for Belle & Union Co.!   From Meg Sutton: A little bit sweet, a whole lot sassy, Belle & Union is the creation of Meg and Josh, two honeys known for cookin’ up all sorts of homegrown goodness with their whimsical writings, wrappings and wares. It all started in 2012 with a relationship: a Southern art student and a Northern soldier fell in love along the sandy beaches of Tybee Island and the shady moss-draped oaks of Savannah, Georgia. But life took us from Georgia to Texas, where we now have our very own brick and mortar in sunny San Antonio. The shop, just like our own collection, only carries

I discovered Dionne Woods while planning my baby’s nursery! Dionne shares how she started her business in furniture artistry, how she discovered DIY paint and how they helped her business evolve. She also talks about how she learned to overcome her fears of doing Facebook lives and how by sharing on social media, she discovered her love for teaching and mentorship. Dionne shares so much wisdom and enthusiasm, you will love this episode!   From Dionne Woods: I am a mom, wife and online creative business owner living in Oklahoma City, OK.  Eight years ago, I decided to open my Etsy store selling vintage home accessories, hand painted furniture and other handmade items. Since then, I’ve shipped several hundred pieces of furniture all over the country. My original artwork consists of a full color palette. I am a lover of all things colorful and find my inspiration in nature. I love to help you find the perfect art or furniture piece for your home. My style can be described as rustic boho with a side of turquoise.

In today's episode, I'm chatting with Kate Waldo. We met by chance and connected in an Uber on our way to Alt Summit. Kate is an organizer for influencers, bloggers and creatives. She shares how to get started creating systems, why CRMs are so valuable and what some of her favorite tools are for streamlining. Kate also tells us why going paperless is a must! This is a must listen and will inspire you to start working on streamlining your business!   From Kate Waldo: Hi, I'm Kate! As the Professional Organizer to Bloggers and Influencers, I provide the tools for you to streamline & organize the “behind the scenes” admin of your business so you can focus on doing what you love. It lights my fire to help influencers focus on what they actually want to do by eliminating the stress of the stuff that has to get done. I've been organizing, streamlining and automating all the icky admin work since the day I became an entrepreneur. Kate Jones is the Founder and Organizing Cheerleader at Kate Waldo + Co., and the C

Today we are talking about live painting! Jennie sat down with me to share her process for live painting and the types of events she paints for. We also talk about how she schedules these events, what travel looks like and which supplies are her go to's for live painting. If you've ever thought about live painting or wondered what it's like, this is the episode for you!   From Jennie Lou Tucker: While studying graphic design at Baylor University, I began painting to escape the dreaded hours making art with a computer. I had not picked up a paintbrush since elementary art class, but blending colors came easily, and organic shapes appeared before me on my canvas. Since then, painting has become a quiet expression and gentle release from everyday life. After graduating from college, I immediately set out on a grand adventure as a Teach for America corps member teaching middle school world history in a rural town near Charleston, South Carolina. As my short teaching career came to an end, I was not quite ready to

Today I'm in the studio with Whitney Winkler. We talk about how motherhood was the catalyst for starting her painting journey. Whitney shares what inspired her early designs and why partnerships are important. She also shares how she's developed and shared a diverse product line.   From Whitney Winkler: Hey! I'm Whitney Winkler. I hail from the heartland of the US, but currently call Memphis, TN home; and a good home it is! I have a steady, gem of a husband, and three little babies who stole my heart and ran away with it. I have always loved to create. I've been a songwriter since I could talk, and I’ve always been a bit heavy-handed with the glitter, if you know what I mean.  My sister calls me the "more is more" girl, and it couldn't be more true. As I've grown, I am learning that more of most is more, and that sometimes restraint is the loveliest.  I've always been passionate about beauty and truth. To me, the combination of those two elements is unstoppable. Painting has come along later in life. I am fin

Do you ever think about what kind of experience you’re providing to your customers? Today on the podcast, I'm chatting with Kimberly Sundt on how to add value to your customers. We talk about the feeling we want our customers to have and how important it is to share your story as an online shop owner. We even chat about vision boards and how helpful they are in creating a positive customer experience.   About Kimberly Sundt: Based in Atlanta, Kimberly helps hospitality-based businesses bring together marketing, customer experience and execution. In boutique hotels and other spaces, she focuses on customer experiences that affect the way guests feel, lead to stronger relationships, and is seen in customer chatter. This results in a brand that resonates, has a soul, and lives throughout all parts of a business.  Her blog, Pineapple Ponderings, is Thoughts on the Style and Business of Hospitality Website: https://www.kimberlysundt.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kimberlysundt/ Blog: https://www.pineappl

On today's episode, I'm sharing a very special recording of a panel we did at Tuesdays Together for Memphis’ Rising Tide Society. Our topic was mentorships and mastermind groups and it was such a great conversation, I knew I had to share it with you. You can find out more information about all the panelists below!   About Linda Steele: I help cities integrate arts and culture into economic and community development. I also help artists, musicians, and creatives turn into small business owners and entrepreneurs.  Website: http://www.weartup.org/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/weartup/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pg/WeArtUp About James Dukes:   Website: http://www.weareunapologetic.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IMAKEMADBEATSMusic/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imakemadbeats/ About Edward Newby: Conventional coaching wisdom says beware of a coach that says they can coach everybody. Conventional coaching bias leads people to believe that only "experts" in their topic can coach.That's

Welcome back to Season 3 of the Positively Creative Podcast! I'm so excited to be kicking off this season with Kat Popova. Kat is a painter, founder of Create Magazine, and the host of the Art & Cocktails Podcast. In today's episode, we chat about what it's like being a multi-passionate creative and the projects we are currently working on. I loved having this chat with a fellow kindred spirit and know you will enjoy it too!   About Ekaterina Popova: Ekaterina Popova was born in Vladimir, Russia. After moving to the United States, she fell in love with painting and received a BFA from Kutztown University of Pennsylvania. Her work has been exhibited internationally, including Art Miami Fairs, Affordable Art Fair New York and London, Delaware Contemporary, A.I.R. Gallery and more. She has been featured by multiple media outlets and publications, including The Philadelphia Inquirer, The Jealous Curator, Iceview, Professional Artist Magazine, and more. Ekaterina is currently based in Delaware and Philadelphia

On today's episode, Amy Kinslow walks us through her journey of transitioning her side hustle to a full time career. She shares why being slow and steady has been so important to her growth as an entrepreneur. Amy also gives us some great tips for selling at a craft and barn market and the difference between a showroom booth and her craft booth. She goes over how she's decided what products to develop and what made her decide to go beyond stationery. This is a jam packed interview loaded with great takeaways.   About Amy Kinslow: Southern Fried Design Barn is a full-service design studio and southern-inspired gift company based in Nashville, Tennessee. Owned and operated by graphic designer, Amy Kinslow. Amy offers graphic design services including logo design, product design, social media graphics and much more. SFDB’s gift company ranges from stationery products, art prints, gift tags, zipper pouches, shirts, and kitchen towels. Sold retail and wholesale, SFDB is currently carried in over 250 stores nationw

Today on the podcast I am joined by fine artist Jess Franks. We talked about her creative childhood, the winding journey she took to becoming an artist and why she is drawn to her current artistic style. Jess also shares the power of layers and changing subjects as well as her personal opinion about painting with acrylic vs. oil.   About Jess Franks: Jess Franks is known for vibrant acrylic paintings that dance the line between real and abstract. As a magazine graphic designer by trade (including work for Greenville Magazine, South Carolina Magazine, and Mechanical Engineering Magazine), she has spent countless hours on her computer poring over photography. A few years ago she discovered that painting not only allows her to delve back into a more tactile world, but also to create scenes in radical colors that no photo could capture. She uses the familiar structures of the natural world around her to explore new palettes, resulting in paintings that are at once both unexpected yet accessible. In between painti

On today's podcast, Kimberly Zukley and I dive deep into how we are inspired to use new mediums and resources we use to learn new techniques. Kimberly also shares her journey to become a full-time artist and her creative life as a mom and artist. Links: Skillshare Jerry’s Artarama Instagram Donald Robertson’s Instagram Steve Waterval’s Instagram   About Kimberly: Kimberly is a fine artist based in Mobile, Alabama, where she creates collections of animal hide and reptile skin motifs using various mediums and processes. Her work showcases bold colors and refreshing marks in an abstract yet slightly representational manner.   Kimberly earned a B.A. in Liberal Arts from The University of Mississippi where she studied traditional art and graphic design.   Connect with Kimberly:Website | Instagram | Pinterest   To get 50% off your first year with Honeybook, go to positivelycreative.net/honeybook!   About The Positively Creative Podcast: The Positively Creative Podcast was created by Dorothy Collier, artist of Dorot

Kristin Malone is on the show today and we chat about her creative journey from hobby, to brick and mortar, and to expanding locations. Her shop Home Malone is located in New Orleans and features local and southern artists. We also chat about the importance of customer communication and why finding your unique perspective as an artist is important.   About Kristin: Home Malone began in 2011 as a need to get back to creativity. It grew from refinishing furniture at night and during the weekends in a carport and slowly graduated to selling rustic wood signs with hand painted creole tomatoes. oysters and other New Orleans influenced items. As demand and passion grew for the small business, Kristin quit her near decade long industrial sales career in Jan 2014 to pursue Home Malone full time. Her wholesale and customer base grew as she participated in countless outdoor art markets and painted custom house caricatures for locals. In 2015, she added paint parties to her portfolio as she worked together with local bu

I am so excited to bring this episode to you! For a year and a half, I have been working along with my cofounder Abby Phillips of Memphis Fashion Design Network, on Arrow at Overton which is a one-roof creative district in the heart of Memphis. This has truly been a labor of love that started with seeing a need in our community. In this episode, Abby and I discuss the catalyst for starting this project and our vision for the space and community. We cannot wait to bring this project to life! You can find out more about it at arrowcreative.org.   LinksArrow at Overton 017 - Abby Phillips of Memphis Fashion Design Network on Creating Memphis Fashion Week, Building a Collaborative Design Studio, & Education Courses for Designers Rising Tide Society Memphis   To get 50% off your first year with Honeybook, go to positivelycreative.net/honeybook!   About The Positively Creative Podcast: The Positively Creative Podcast was created by Dorothy Collier, artist of Dorothy Art, for creative entrepreneurs. When Doroth

Amy Smith of the Joy Junkie and I have such an insightful conversation on today's show. We chat about how Amy started the Joy Junkie and her new e-book: Stand Up for Yourself without Being a Dick. We dive into how to stand up for yourself, why you should take stock of how you talk to yourself and how to change your self-talk from negative to positive.About Amy: Amy E. Smith is a certified confidence coach, masterful speaker, and personal empowerment expert. Founder of TheJoyJunkie.com, Amy uses her roles as coach, writer, podcaster, and speaker to move individuals to a place of radical personal empowerment and self-love. With acute focus on helping people “find their voice”, she is highly sought after for her uncommon style of irreverence, wisdom, and humor and has been a featured expert on Fox 5 San Diego and YourTango.com. Grab Amy's FREE eWorkbook, Stand up for Yourself without Being a Dickhttp://thejoyjunkie.com/freeJoin Amy's FREE Facebook Community with Bonus Trainings, Camaraderie, and Freebieshttp://t

Sarah Hartley the Creator and Editor in Chief of Holl & Lane Magazine is on the show today. We chat about how she created this amazing magazine and community from the desire to share the stories no one was telling. We also dive into being vulnerable and sharing your story, to how she manages as a work from home mama of two! Grab your free mini issue at hollandlane.com/signup   About Sarah: Sarah Hartley is the creator and editor in chief of Holl & Lane Magazine, a magazine dedicated to showcasing real life from real women.  Searching for a magazine that featured honest life in a beautiful way, that would give women a voice and a platform, Sarah set out to create that magazine.  She publishes stories on infertility, miscarriage, mental health, body image, self-care, love and loss, and so much more. She wants to show women that they are not alone.  She is also a wife to Brandon, a mom to Henry and Harrison, and lives near Pittsburgh, PA. In her (minimal) spare time, she loves to read, have dance parties

We were so lucky to have Elizabeth Heiskell of The Debutante Farmer as our keynote at the Positively Creative Summit. In this episode, we hear Elizabeth's story, her ups, and downs and how she got to where she is today. We laughed and cried during her speech so I hope you enjoy it! You can find the Positively Creative Series here: http://mca.edu/community/community-education/positively-creative-series/   Website: http://debutantefarmer.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/debutantefarmer/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DebutanteFarmer/   To get 50% off your first year with Honeybook, go to positivelycreative.net/honeybook!   About The Positively Creative Podcast: The Positively Creative Podcast was created by Dorothy Collier, artist of Dorothy Art, for creative entrepreneurs. When Dorothy started having a positive outlook on every aspect of her life, including her art career, the creativity and opportunities started overflowing! Join her as she chats with other small business owners, discussing the