Windowsill Chats

Creating Joy on Purpose: Kate Smith on Reinvention, Creative Courage & Making People Smile

Margo is joined by artist and joy-maker Kate Smith, the creative force behind Kate Smith Co.™, a brand dedicated to finding "the happy that's already here" in everyday moments. Kate has built a thriving career in greeting cards and art licensing, working with beloved partners in the U.S. and U.K. to create products that make people smile. From early success with her first brand, From Frank, to a full reimagining of her creative path, Kate's journey is filled with bold decisions, reinvention, and a commitment to following what feels joyful. She also spent seven years living and working full-time in an Airstream, a chapter that deeply shaped her artistic voice and philosophy. Margo and Kate discuss: * Kate's early beginnings—from advertising to accidentally launching a greeting card line that landed in Target within a year * The rise of From Frank, her wildly popular first brand inspired by her French bulldog, and what it taught her about licensing, growth, and creativity * The pivotal decision to sell everything, hit the road in an Airstream, and shift her business fully into licensing * How travel, imperfection, and "found letters" influenced her signature design style and approach to joyful, approachable art * Navigating the fear phases of a creative career and learning to make decisions from hope instead of worry * How she thinks about long-term partnerships in licensing, staying authentic, and evolving her brand without losing its heart * What reinvention looks like now—new art prints, new mediums, and giving herself permission to embrace being an "artist" Submit Your Questions for Margo Tantau & Emily McDowell [https://tinyurl.com/7yzt368u] Connect with Kate: www.katesmithcompany.com [http://www.katesmithcompany.com] www.instagram.com/katesmithcompany [http://www.instagram.com/katesmithcompany] Connect with Margo: www.windowsillchats.com [https://www.windowsillchats.com/] www.instagram.com/windowsillchats [https://www.instagram.com/windowsillchats] www.patreon.com/inthewindowsill [https://www.patreon.com/inthewindowsill] https://www.yourtantaustudio.com/thefoundry [https://www.yourtantaustudio.com/thefoundry]

The Art of Exchange: Risk, Rebellion & Connection with Edgeworth Johnstone

Margo sits down with Edgeworth Johnstone — a musician, painter, printmaker, and the unconventional creative force behind The Camden Market Free Art Man. With deep roots in the raw and gritty culture of Camden, Edgeworth has built a life around instinct-driven art, spirited collaboration, and connection through creativity. He shares how a childhood love of music evolved into multiple bands, how discovering painting later unlocked a new artistic identity, and why giving away his work in exchange for stories has become one of his most meaningful projects yet. From working with the Black Ivory art collective to dreaming up a future artist commune in Thailand, Edgeworth reminds us that creativity thrives when we allow it to take us somewhere unexpected. Margo and Edgeworth discuss: * Camden's role in shaping underground music culture * The beauty and honesty of demo recordings, cassettes, and physical media * How falling into painting later in life opened a new world of creative expression * Joining the Stuckist art movement and experiences with outsider art at Tate Modern * Collaboration as a life-force: bands, collectives, and finding your people * The origins and growth of The Camden Market Free Art Man project * Trading art for connection — and what you learn from strangers * Unexpected adventures in Thailand and the dream of an artist commune * Trusting your gut, embracing risk, and following the path that feels alive * Why imperfection is often the truest mark of creativity Connect with Edgestone:Website: https://edgeworth.blog [https://edgeworth.blog]Instagram: www.instagram.com/edgeworth.blog [https://www.instagram.com/edgeworth.blog] Inspired by lately: Ron Throop, Emma Pugmire Connect with Margo: www.windowsillchats.com [https://www.windowsillchats.com/]www.instagram.com/windowsillchats [https://www.instagram.com/windowsillchats]www.patreon.com/inthewindowsill [https://www.patreon.com/inthewindowsill]https://www.yourtantaustudio.com/thefoundry [https://www.yourtantaustudio.com/thefoundry]

The Power of Creative Expression & Living Life in Full Color: Amy Lohr on Creative Healing and Finding Your Voice

Margo sits down with artist, writer, and creative director Amy Lohr to talk about the nonlinear, magical, and sometimes messy journey of reclaiming your creative voice. Amy shares how a personal "creative awakening" helped her move through body dysmorphia and social anxiety, and how painting, writing, and photography became tools for healing and deeper self-understanding. They explore the spiritual and practical sides of creativity—from living off-grid in Hawaii, to writing her book Like the Sun at Midday, to embracing curiosity in all its unexpected forms (yes, including papier-mâché and xylophones). Amy also dives into the power of branding and storytelling, and how she helps entrepreneurs and visionaries express the heart of their work with clarity and soul. Margo and Amy Discuss: * Amy's personal creative awakening and how it reshaped her life * Moving through body dysmorphia and social anxiety via self-expression * Following odd, intuitive creative pulls (like new mediums and playful experiments) * Her time living off-grid in Hawaii and the spiritual experiences that shaped her artistry * The influence of mentors—including a counterculture elder with childhood ties to Bobo the gorilla * Writing Like the Sun at Midday and what it taught her about listening, presence, and surrender * The real "soft skills" behind creative confidence: courage, slowness, vulnerability, being seen * How branding and storytelling help creatives express their essence and connect with their audience * Why your art matters not just for you, but for the world Connect with Amy: Website: www.amyinfullcolor.com [http://www.amyinfullcolor.com]Book: www.likethesunatmidday.com [http://www.likethesunatmidday.com] Instagram: @amyinfullcolor [https://www.instagram.com/amyinfullcolor/] Connect with Margo: www.windowsillchats.com [https://www.windowsillchats.com/]www.instagram.com/windowsillchats [https://www.instagram.com/windowsillchats]www.patreon.com/inthewindowsill [https://www.patreon.com/inthewindowsill]https://www.yourtantaustudio.com/thefoundry [https://www.yourtantaustudio.com/thefoundry]

Out of the Ashes: Poetry, Resilience & Reclaiming Your Voice with Courtney Peppernell

Margo sits down with internationally bestselling poet and storyteller Courtney Peppernell. Known for her Pillow Thoughts series and many other beloved poetry collections, Courtney has spent nearly a decade writing about love, healing, and the resilience that carries us through life's hardest moments. Her words have reached millions across the globe, offering comfort and connection through the power of honest storytelling. In this conversation, Courtney shares how her creative journey has evolved—from "accidental poet" to global literary voice—and how her newest book, Out of the Ashes, explores rising after trauma, recognizing emotional abuse, and learning what healthy love truly looks like. She and Margo also discuss community, vulnerability, and the whimsical characters (yes, jellyfish!) that make her work so unique. Margo & Courtney Discuss: * How Pillow Thoughts went from Tumblr blog to international bestseller * Recognizing emotional abuse and reclaiming your voice * Why vulnerability in storytelling fosters connection and healing * Building a creative career rooted in authenticity * The importance of community — online and IRL * Using anger and grief as catalysts for growth * The charming characters that have become symbols throughout her books * What's next: fiction, exciting new projects, and a whole lot of dogs Connect with Courtney: Instagram: www.instagram.com/courtneypeppernell [http://www.instagram.com/courtneypeppernell] TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@courtneypeppernell [http://www.tiktok.com/@courtneypeppernell] Website: www.peppernell.com [https://www.peppernell.com] Connect with Margo: www.windowsillchats.com [https://www.windowsillchats.com/]www.instagram.com/windowsillchats [https://www.instagram.com/windowsillchats]www.patreon.com/inthewindowsill [https://www.patreon.com/inthewindowsill]https://www.yourtantaustudio.com/thefoundry [https://www.yourtantaustudio.com/thefoundry] Join the Confident Creative Workshop (November 17th-20th) [https://www.yourtantaustudio.com/products/the-confident-creative-workshop]

It Starts With You: Claiming Your Creative Identity, Building Confidence & Community with Martina Flor

Margo welcomes internationally acclaimed lettering artist, illustrator, author, and creative mentor Martina Flor to the show. Originally trained as a graphic designer in Argentina, Martina took a leap of faith that led her to Berlin — and eventually to building one of the most recognized lettering studios in the world. Through bold choices, ongoing experimentation, and a belief in the power of claiming your identity, she has carved out a career filled with artistry, entrepreneurship, and community. Martina opens up about what it really looks like to follow your passion before the world has validated it — from printing "lettering artist" on her business cards long before she had clients, to trusting that the right environment and relationships can transform everything. Margo and Martina discuss: * Martina's journey from Argentina to Berlin and how a new environment shaped her career * The moment she claimed the title "lettering artist" — and the ripple effect it created * Why community, mentorship, and visibility are essential for creative growth * How to charge confidently and build a financially sustainable art career * Key business strategies for finding clients and marketing your work authentically * The importance of a supportive team behind any thriving creative business * Balancing commercial work with personal projects and ongoing learning * Using storytelling to build a magnetic brand that attracts aligned clients * Navigating transitions and creative risk with curiosity and courage * Her advice for artists who want to turn passion into profession — without burning out Connect with Martina: Website: https://www.martinaflor.com [https://www.martinaflor.com] Instagram: www.instagram.com/martinaflor [http://www.instagram.com/martinaflor] The Golden Secrets of Lettering [https://www.martinaflor.com/goldensecretsoflettering?utm_campaign=skedlink&utm_medium=button&utm_source=skedlink] Book Make It [https://www.martinaflor.com/makeit?utm_campaign=skedlink&utm_medium=button&utm_source=skedlink] Book Connect with Margo: www.windowsillchats.com [https://www.windowsillchats.com/]www.instagram.com/windowsillchats [https://www.instagram.com/windowsillchats]www.patreon.com/inthewindowsill [https://www.patreon.com/inthewindowsill]https://www.yourtantaustudio.com/thefoundry [https://www.yourtantaustudio.com/thefoundry]