Windowsill Chats is a podcast for artists and creatives who are curious about what it's like to live, work &amp; walk a creative path. You'll find honest stories, refreshing tips, artistic business advice and real conversations with global artists &amp; makers just like you. Host Margo Tantau, a 30+ year Creative Director, Product Designer &amp; maker, is a cheerleader for your success. Come grab a cuppa &amp; join her in her sunny windowsill.

In this part 2 of 2 episode, Margo is joined by founder of Lonesome Pictopia, Melanie Nead. Rooted in American tattooing, the wild spaces of the Pacific Northwest, and the belief that all work should be a force for good, Lonesome Pictopia is a woman-owned design collective creating magical worlds with original wallpapers, textiles, and murals. After fifteen years as a custom tattoo artist, Melanie turned her love of plants and pattern to creating one-of-a-kind, hand-painted murals, with an eye on releasing a house line in the spirit of historic wallcoverings. Their deeply designed wallpapers are traditionally printed in the UK by a sustainable manufacturer of some of the finest wallpapers in the world. Her work has appeared in Architectural Digest, Luxe Magazine, Casa Vogue Brazil, and the Business of Home podcast, among many others.   Margo and Melanie discuss: <ul> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> How to manage project expectations, setting clear boundaries and communication with clients </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> The power in systems in order to save time and costs </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> How building in a margin of error to the cost of projects has helped her team </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> Infusing personal values and making a social impact into her work </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> Math and knowing your numbers as a creative business owner </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> Positioning yourself and how it can build confidence </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> And more! </li> </ul>   Connect with Melanie: <a href= "http://lonesomepictopia.com/">www.lonesomepictopia.com</a> <a href= "http://www.instagram.com/lonesomepictopia">www.instagram.com/lonesomepictopia</a>   Connect with Margo: <a href= "http://www.windowsillchats.com">www.windowsillchats.com</a> <a href= "http://www.instagram.com/windowsillchats">www.instagram.com/windowsillchats</a> <a href= "http://www.patreon/inthewindowsill">www.patreon/inthewindowsill</a>

Windowsill Chats

From Tattoos to Wallpaper: The Impact of Authenticity and Creative Drive with Melanie Nead (Part 2)

Margo is joined by founder of Lonesome Pictopia, Melanie Nead. Rooted in American tattooing, the wild spaces of the Pacific Northwest, and the belief that all work should be a force for good, Lonesome Pictopia is a woman-owned design collective creating magical worlds with original wallpapers, textiles, and murals. After fifteen years as a custom tattoo artist, Melanie turned her love of plants and pattern to creating one-of-a-kind, hand-painted murals, with an eye on releasing a house line in the spirit of historic wallcoverings. Their deeply designed wallpapers are traditionally printed in the UK by a sustainable manufacturer of some of the finest wallpapers in the world. Her work has appeared in Architectural Digest, Luxe Magazine, Casa Vogue Brazil, and the Business of Home podcast, among many others.   Margo and Melanie discuss: <ul> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> Her creative path and the transition from tattoo artist to surface pattern designer </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> navigating the balance between tradition and innovation within her art </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> How to manage project expectations, setting clear boundaries and communication with clients </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> Infusing personal values and making a social impact into her work </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> The difficulty that comes with shifting career paths </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> Discovering a passion for design after tattooing </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> The impact of design and creativity on mental health </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> The magic that comes from authenticity and experimental drive </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> Business systems for creative entrepreneurship and how platforms like Instagram can still be a powerhouse for business growth </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> Balancing the need for creative mental space with the business demands of schedules and deadlines </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> Maintaining and revitalizing historic crafts and artistic expressions </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> Cinema as a design inspiration </li> </ul>   Connect with Melanie: <a href= "http://lonesomepictopia.com/">www.lonesomepictopia.com</a> <a href= "http://www.instagram.com/lonesomepictopia">www.instagram.com/lonesomepictopia</a>   Connect with Margo: <a href= "http://www.windowsillchats.com">www.windowsillchats.com</a> <a href= "http://www.instagram.com/windowsillchats">www.instagram.com/windowsillchats</a> <a href= "http://www.patreon/inthewindowsill">www.patreon/inthewindowsill</a>

From Tattoos to Wallpaper: The Impact of Authenticity and Creative Drive with Melanie Nead (Part 1)

Margo is joined once again by surface pattern designer, intuitive art maker, and course creator Jessica Swift. As a child, Jessica sported a nearly-permanent Crayola marker stain on her left arm, from pinky to elbows so, naturally, she became an artist. She creates colorful, uplifting artwork and manufactures her own products in her studio in Portland, Oregon. She also collaborates with inspiring companies and publishers to create branded products such as fabric, stationery, puzzles, books, and more. She's the author of 3 books and teaches online classes on topics including pattern design, color, and intuitive art-making.   Margo and Jessica discuss: <ul> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> The pivotal moment that changed the trajectory of Jessica’s career as an artist </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> How she combines outer art mediums with an inner focus for healing </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> Using art making as a portal for personal discovery and self expression </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> How to tune out external noise in order to trust your inner voice better </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> How engaging with art can impact decision-making </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> Jessica’s approach in how she uses art as a vehicle for personal growth and insight rather than just an aesthetic outcome </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> Authentic expression online </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> Her upcoming course, Unleashed: A Creative Journey to Inner Freedom </li> </ul>   Connect with Jessica: <a href= "https://www.jessicaswift.com/">www.jessicaswift.com</a> <a href= "http://www.instagram.com/jessicaswift">www.instagram.com/jessicaswift</a> <a href= "https://www.artforselfcare.com/unleashed">https://www.artforselfcare.com/unleashed</a> <a href= "https://podcasts.apple.com/nl/podcast/trust-your-inner-voice-and-follow-your-heart-how/id1529045232?i=1000577206855"> Windowsill Chats Episode 105</a>   Connect with Margo: <a href= "http://www.windowsillchats.com">www.windowsillchats.com</a> <a href= "http://www.instagram.com/windowsillchats">www.instagram.com/windowsillchats</a> <a href= "http://www.patreon.com/inthewindowsill">www.patreon.com/inthewindowsill</a>

The Creative Journey to Inner Freedom: Using Art Making as a Portal for Personal Discovery and Self Expression with Jessica Swift

Margo is joined once again by artist, metalsmith, teacher, creative business coach, writer, and entrepreneur Megan Aumen. Megan has built a multi-faceted business around her passion for art, design, and creativity. In addition to her eponymous jewelry line and various other creative pursuits (including textile design, painting, and sculpture), she runs Designing an MBA, where she talks and teaches about the intersection of art and business, and Artists and Profit Makers, an online mentorship program for creative business owners. She is the author of four books, including Try It & See and Permission to Be an Artist.   Margo and Megan discuss: <ul> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> The importance of experiential art </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> Understanding the seasonality of a business and why it’s important </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> Her journey with both self-doubt and self-empowerment when it comes to valuing creative work </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> Rest and relaxation for creatives and how she integrates principles into her own life to maintain a healthy creative process </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> Traditional advice that’s often given to artists regarding problem-solving and how it can limit their creative expression and the impact of their work </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> Generative AI: ethical considerations and its impact on creative workers </li> </ul>   Connect with Megan: <a href= "http://shop.meganauman.com/">shop.meganauman.com</a> <a href= "http://instagram.com/meganauman">instagram.com/meganauman</a> <a href= "http://youtube.com/meganauman">youtube.com/meganauman</a>   Connect with Margo: <a href= "https://www.windowsillchats.com">www.windowsillchats.com</a> <a href= "https://www.instagram.com/windowsillchats">www.instagram.com/windowsillchats</a> <a href= "https://www.patreon.com/inthewindowsill">www.patreon.com/inthewindowsill</a>

Margo Tantau

Windowsill Chats by Margo Tantau

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