Reigniting Creativity: A Heartfelt Chat

🎧 If you prefer you can listen to the blog post too! 🎧 👉

A Heartfelt Chat About Creativity & Healing

Some moments remind us why we create, why we keep showing up to the blank canvas even when life feels uncertain. My recent conversation with Deanna Lee for the Creative Renaissance series was one of those moments. We talked about creativity as a tool for healing, the power of storytelling in art, and the way creative practice can bring us back to ourselves.

Why Creativity is a Lifeline

We all have moments when life feels heavy. In those times, creativity can be an anchor—a way to process emotions, tell our stories, and reconnect with ourselves. I shared with Deanna how mixed media collage became my safe space, a place where I could pour out feelings too big for words. Layer by layer, through handmade papers, old letters, pressed flowers, and paint, I found a way to heal. And I’ve seen this happen again and again with my students, too.

But here’s the thing—so many of us hesitate to create because we think we’re not ‘real’ artists. We tell ourselves we’re not good enough, that we don’t have time, or that it doesn’t matter. I get it. But the truth is, creativity isn’t about making something perfect—it’s about showing up for yourself, listening to that quiet inner voice, and giving yourself permission to play, explore, and feel.

Letting Go and Trusting the Process

One of my favorite moments in our conversation was when we talked about fear—the fear of making bad art, of being judged, of not knowing where to start. I reminded Deanna (and myself!) that the beauty of mixed media is that there’s no right or wrong way to do it. Every torn piece of paper, every brushstroke, every little mistake becomes part of the story.

Mixed media collage, in particular, is a practice of layering and letting go. The magic happens when we stop trying to control the outcome and simply trust the process.

The Stories We Carry

Deanna asked about the storytelling aspect of my work, and I got to share how much I love weaving personal narratives into my art. Whether it’s using old book pages, handwritten notes, or bits of fabric from a loved one, each piece holds meaning. These fragments of the past blend with our own present emotions, creating something entirely new.

We all have stories that deserve to be told, and art gives us a way to tell them. It’s not about making something to hang in a gallery; it’s about expressing what’s in your heart. It’s about giving yourself permission to be seen—even if it’s just by yourself.

An Invitation to Create

WATCH THE INTERVIEW

If you haven’t watched the interview yet, I invite you to watch it here. I hope our conversation sparks something in you—a reminder that your creativity matters, that your voice deserves to be heard through your art.

If you’ve been feeling the nudge to create but don’t know where to start, just start. Gather some scraps, dip your brush in paint, scribble, glue, tear—play. See what happens. Trust that your creativity will meet you exactly where you are.

I’d love to hear from you. What role has creativity played in your healing journey? What stories are waiting to be expressed through your art? Let’s keep the conversation going.

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With love and creative courage,

I live and create on the traditional lands of the Anishinaabeg peoples, lands that remain under their original stewardship. I honor their enduring connection to this place and their care for it over generations.