The Creating with Beauty Podcast

Be Brave, Curious, & Creative - with Stephanie Lee

In this beautiful and reflective episode, Stephanie Lee shares her journey as an artist, teacher, gardener, storyteller, and creative encourager. Through stories about family, art-making, curiosity, and self-discovery, Stephanie offers wisdom for anyone longing to create more honestly and courageously. Together we discuss: * How curiosity is at the heart of creativity * The connection between creativity, family, and identity * Vintage photographs as storytelling and emotional memory * Gardening as “dirt medicine” and creative restoration * Midlife creativity and continuing to evolve as an artist * Authenticity versus trying to be “unique” * The role of courage in the creative process * Facing the inner critic with truth and logic * Why comparison doesn’t define your worth as an artist * Creating as an act of healing, honesty, and invitation Memorable Quotes “I wasn’t striving to be unique. I was striving to be authentic.” “What do I need to do to be brave and bold in life?” “The biggest gifts we can give are to cultivate authenticity.” “Feel the fear and do it anyway.” “You can do this. Look, I’m doing it. You can do it too.” About Stephanie: Bio - "I believe our creative power is meant to shape not only art, but the life around it. Through plaster, gesso, mixed media, and encaustic, I create luminous, tactile work that invites others to trust their creative instincts and make something—anything—of their own. My online courses and eBooks guide artists through metalsmithing, sculptural plaster, and encaustic with a practical, liberating, & rule-bending approach." Website: stephanieleeart.com [http://stephanieleeart.com] Instagram: @stephanieleemaker [https://www.instagram.com/stephanieleemaker/] Youtube: Make & Grow with Stephanie Lee [https://www.youtube.com/@stephanieleemaker] --- Connect with Melanie: Connect with Melanie Website: www.melaniefaganart.com [http://www.melaniefaganart.com] Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/melaniefaganart [https://www.patreon.com/melaniefaganart] Free Collage Class: Unfolding Joy on the Path of a Beauty Seeker https://tinyurl.com/mrh4mxtd [https://tinyurl.com/mrh4mxtd]

Stepping Into Resilience as God's Beauty Heals

In this beautiful and honest conversation, I’m joined by mixed media and landscape artist Colleen Kastner to explore the healing power of beauty, creativity, and faith. Together, we reflect on the ways in which God meets us in our right where we are in life and how creativity can become a sacred pathway toward restoration. From mixed media art, landscape-inspired wonder, and claiming your figurative resilience, this episode is filled with encouragement for anyone longing to create from a place of peace, healing, and hope. We discuss: * What resilience looks like in the creative life * How God brings beauty out hard seasons * How creating can become a form of prayer and healing * The connection between art, faith, and restoration * Trusting God’s call through every season * Creating with honesty, softness, and hope This episode is an invitation to remember that you do not need to have everything figured out to begin again. God is still creating beauty within your story. --- Connect with Colleen in the links below through her art, online classes, and creative offerings. Free Class in her Art As Healing Series - Sketching Meditations: https://tinyurl.com/yf98k2n2 [https://tinyurl.com/yf98k2n2] Also, go read her bio on her website!! ;) https://colleenkastnerart.com/new-about-colleen/ [https://colleenkastnerart.com/new-about-colleen/] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/ [https://www.youtube.com/] ⁨@colleenkastnerart⁩ [https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UCtlR8OrfKVBkfar98S-HWEw] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colleenkastner/ [https://www.instagram.com/colleenkastner/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Colleenkastnerartist [https://www.facebook.com/Colleenkastnerartist] Website: https://colleenkastnerart.com/ [https://colleenkastnerart.com/] --- Connect with Melanie Website: www.melaniefaganart.com [http://www.melaniefaganart.com] Patreon: / melaniefaganart Free Collage Class: Unfolding Joy on the Path of a Beauty Seeker https://tinyurl.com/mrh4mxtd [https://tinyurl.com/mrh4mxtd]

Living with Your Eyes Wide Open

In this final episode of my conversation with artist Jodie, we reflect on what it means to live with our eyes wide open to the beauty and sacredness woven into everyday life. Together, we explore creativity, curiosity, simple joys, meaningful rhythms, and the ways God gently meets us through ordinary moments. This conversation is filled with encouragement to slow down, pay attention, and rediscover wonder in the life already surrounding you. Jodie shares insights from her creative journey and reminds us that beauty is not reserved for extraordinary moments — it is often found right in the middle of daily life. In this episode, we discuss: • Living with greater awareness and wonder • Finding beauty in ordinary moments • Creativity as a way of noticing and savoring • Curiosity, inspiration, and joyful living • The sacredness of everyday rhythms • Slowing down to experience life more fully This episode is Part Three of a special three-part series: • Part One — Becoming Who You’re Meant to Be • Part Two — This Is the Stuff of Life • Part Three — Living with Eyes Wide Open Jodi also shares where you can connect with her art, online classes, and creative offerings. YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/yc7tf922 [https://tinyurl.com/yc7tf922] Instagram: https://tinyurl.com/4eernume [https://tinyurl.com/4eernume] - @jodene.s Facebook: /jodene.shaw [http://jodene.shaw] Website: https://www.whiteowlwings.com/ [https://www.whiteowlwings.com/] Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/JodeneShaw [https://www.etsy.com/shop/JodeneShaw] Newsletter: Love Notes From The Gravel Road is available by subscribing on her website at the bottom of her home page. --- Connect with Melanie Website: www.melaniefaganart.com [http://www.melaniefaganart.com] Patreon: / melaniefaganart Free Guide: Finally, merge your faith and creativity with passion and purpose! Download the Ask, Seek, & Knock Guide to Creating with Beauty. https://tinyurl.com/548zm6ns [https://tinyurl.com/548zm6ns]

This Is The Stuff Of Life

Episode Title: How God Loves Us Into Purpose and Joy — Part Two Subtitle: This Is The Stuff Of Life In Part Two of this special three-part conversation, artist Jodie and I continue talking about the beauty of living awake to the sacredness of everyday life. This episode is a gentle invitation to slow down, pay attention, and rediscover wonder in the ordinary moments we often overlook. Together, we explore creativity, curiosity, beauty, daily rhythms, and the ways God lovingly speaks through simple things. Jodie shares insights from her creative life and reminds us that beauty is not something reserved for extraordinary moments — it’s woven into the life we’re already living. In this episode, we discuss: • Living with greater awareness and wonder • Finding beauty in ordinary daily life • Creativity as a way of noticing and savoring • Curiosity, inspiration, and joyful living • The sacredness of simple moments • Sharing beauty and encouragement online This episode is Part Two of a special three-part series: • Part One — Becoming Who You’re Meant to Be • Part Two — This is the Stuff of Life • Part Three — Living with Eyes Wide Open Connect with Jodie: YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/yc7tf922 [https://tinyurl.com/yc7tf922] Instagram: https://tinyurl.com/4eernume [https://tinyurl.com/4eernume] - @jodene.s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jodene.shaw [https://www.facebook.com/jodene.shaw] Website: https://www.whiteowlwings.com/ [https://www.whiteowlwings.com/] Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/JodeneShaw [https://www.etsy.com/shop/JodeneShaw] Newsletter: Love Notes From The Gravel Road is available by subscribing on her website at the bottom of her home page. --- Connect with Melanie Website: www.melaniefaganart.com [http://www.melaniefaganart.com] Patreon: https://patreon.com/cw/melaniefaganart [https://patreon.com/cw/melaniefaganart] Free Guide: Finally, merge your faith and creativity with passion and purpose! Download the Ask, Seek, & Knock Guide to Creating with Beauty. https://tinyurl.com/548zm6ns [https://tinyurl.com/548zm6ns]

Becoming Who You Were Meant To Be - with Jodi Shaw

In this beautiful first installment of a three-part conversation, I sit down with artist and creative soul Jodi Shaw to talk about becoming who we were always meant to be. Together, we explore how God lovingly shapes our lives through beauty, creativity, curiosity, everyday moments, and even difficult seasons. Jodi shares pieces of her story, her creative journey, and the precious wisdom she’s gathered along the way. This conversation is filled with encouragement for anyone longing to live more fully awake to beauty, purpose, and the presence of God in ordinary life. In this episode, we discuss: • Becoming who God created you to be • Creativity as a sacred and healing practice • Paying attention to beauty in everyday life • Living with curiosity and wonder • The connection between joy, purpose, and presence • Finding encouragement through simple moments This episode is Part One of a special three-part series: • Part One — Becoming Who You’re Meant to Be • Part Two — This is the Stuff of Life • Part Three — Living with Eyes Wide Open Connect with Jodie: YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/yc7tf922 [https://tinyurl.com/yc7tf922] Instagram: https://tinyurl.com/4eernume [https://tinyurl.com/4eernume] - @jodene.s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jodene.shaw [https://www.facebook.com/jodene.shaw] Website: https://www.whiteowlwings.com/ [https://www.whiteowlwings.com/] Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/JodeneShaw [https://www.etsy.com/shop/JodeneShaw] Newsletter: Love Notes From The Gravel Road is available by subscribing on her website at the bottom of her home page. --- Connect with Melanie Website: www.melaniefaganart.com [http://www.melaniefaganart.com] Patreon: https://patreon.com/cw/melaniefaganart [https://patreon.com/cw/melaniefaganart] Download My Free Guide: Finally, merge your faith and creativity with passion and purpose! Download the Ask, Seek, & Knock Guide to Creating with Beauty. https://tinyurl.com/548zm6ns [https://tinyurl.com/548zm6ns]