This is How We Create

In this soul-stirring episode of This Is How We Create, Townsend takes us behind the lens, sharing how she went from shooting personal projects in Chicago to commanding commercial sets – all while staying true to her roots. Through her surrealist-inspired imagery, Akilah isn't just making pictures; she's rewriting narratives and reclaiming Black stories. "Photography is my form of resistance," Tow...

Some people wait to be chosen, hired, or validated. But others don't wait. They make their own path with determination. They use different tools, like guerrilla marketing, to get noticed. Dr. Fahamu Pecou is one of those people. Today on the podcast, you'll hear his inspiring journey from dreams of working as an animator to becoming an award-winning artist. Dr. Pecou studied painting, when he secu...

Graphic design student Ruby Lee reflects on her creative journey from childhood influences to balancing personal style with commercial design. She shares her dream of creating experiential events, the importance of mentorship, and how tackling untold stories fuel her creativity. Episode Overview: Keep up with your host Martine Severin https://martineseverin.com/ Follow This Is How We Create ⁠ http...

Join us for an exclusive conversation with Byron Risdon, the interior design sensation taking the industry by storm. In this episode, Byron pulls back the curtain on his remarkable journey: From childhood dreams to design stardom: Discover the roots of Byron's passion Crafting a signature style: Learn how he developed his unique aesthetic Client whisperer: Uncover Byron's foolproof formula for dec...

In this episode of This Is How We Create, multidisciplinary artist Courtney Minor reveals how her emotions fuel her artistic process. From reigniting her creative spark in Vietnam to using art as therapy, Courtney also shares practical tips on how to market your artwork, how to use unconventional materials in your creative work and how to find your target collectors. Episode Overview: Keep up with...

In our latest episode of 'This is How We Create,' we dive deep into the world of Joshua Leonard, the creator of Team Supreme. From his early days as a military kid sketching Garfield to pitching groundbreaking inclusive animated series to major networks, Joshua's journey is as inspiring as it is instructive. This episode unpacks: The impact of diverse life experiences on creativity How to create a...

Art director and graphic designer Kendell Burton shares his creative journey, from early influences to building a career at VaynerMedia—Discover the key questions to ask yourself to communicate better with your audience. Hear Kendell's habits for success and his insights on fostering meaningful connections. Finally, if you love the horror film genre, stay for recommendations from Kendell's podcast...

Welcome back. On today's episode, theater producer, photographer and model, Chandra Lynch chats with us about how she turned her childhood passion for arts into a thriving production company. Dive into her world of emotion-driven creativity, from photography to theater. Learn the power of meditation in art and gain insider tips on pricing and branding your work. Chandra also shares her journey of...

Calling all creatives and aspiring illustrators! Tune in to hear the incredible journey of Morgan Bissant, a New Orleans artist who's turning her childhood passion into a thriving career. Discover: • How Morgan's early love for cartoons blossomed into a full-fledged illustration and graphic design career • The power of education in honing your craft (psst... Morgan's got a degree in illustration a...

In this episode of This Is How We Create , Anastassia Whitty, a talented creative, shares her journey from discovering photography to developing her own unique, cinematic style. Stassi shares how she captures raw emotions in her photography. She discusses the challenges of freelancing and offers advice on staying true to oneself in a creative career. Episode Overview: Keep up with your host Martin...

We've all had some interactions with websites that were simple, easy to use and sometimes even fun. On the flipside, we've all visited websites that made things hard to read, hard to find, or even tabs that were frustratingly hard to reach. Elsa Amri, founder of AM Design Studio, managed to craft a creative career in which she lives in her Zone of Genius.   In this episode, Elsa shares her journey...

If you've ever wanted to start a podcast and want tips on how to interview your guests, tune in!  In this episode, our show host Martine Severin shares her journey of becoming a better interviewer on her podcast. Episode Overview: Keep up with your host Martine Severin https://martineseverin.com/ Follow This Is How We Create on IG. ⁠ https://www.instagram.com/thisishowwecreate_/⁠ Follow Martine on...

How great is it to receive life-changing advice when you need it the most.? On today's episode, we invite three guests to share the advice they wish they could have given to their younger selves. Jasmine Guillory, a writer, shares advice for aspiring writers. Amanda J. Cain, a photographer, talks about the value of mentorship. Dorian Sylvain, a muralist and activist, challenges us to rethink how w...

Show Notes: How can you cultivate an artistic practice that allows you to create from a place of wonder? Join us on "This Is How We Create" as Dana Robinson shares her how she balances a career in graphic design and how she nurtures her creativity through her growing body of collage work. What's more, Dana walks us through her creative routines, and shares the importance of creating space for curi...

What does it look like to be passionate about preserving and healing Black and Indigenous communities? On this week's episode we sit down with documentary adventure photographer, filmmaker, and conservationist, Chad Brown. Join us as Chad shares the story of how he transitioned from the Navy, to creative director and founder of two non-profit organizations. Chad also helps us discover the healing...

Have you ever thought about working with communities to create public art? Artist Dorian Sylvain shares her journey from working as a set designer in the theater to her transition as a muralist.  Hear how Dorian emphasizes community engagement and inclusivity in her work. Stay to find out the significance color and patterns play in her work. Episode Overview:  Keep up with your host Martine Severi...

Show Notes:   In this solo episode, our host Martine Severin shares five lessons she has learned since starting the podcast. The lessons include the importance of listening to your own voice and following your intuition, the concept that discipline is freedom, understanding the cost of creation, the idea of starting before you're ready, and tips for reducing filler words in conversations.  Episode...

If you ever wondered what it takes to write a gripping and engaging story, this episode with writer, Sherry Thomas is the one for you. Sherry's personal story starts from being a stay-at-home mom to best- selling author. In this episode of "This Is How We Create" Sherry shares her writing and editing process as well as how she created the Lady Sherlock book series.  Sherry's newest book, A Ruse Of...

In Part 2 of our conversation with Mojo Reed, contemporary artist Mojo Reed, II explains how creativity formed a path to healing when the worst happened to him as a child. Mojo guides us through how to make work that is meaningful to you and through the key questions to ask the client before taking on a job. Don't forget to listen to Part 1 of our conversation with Mojo in episode 73. Episode Over...

Have you ever wondered how muralists conceptualize and create large murals? In addition to answering this question, contemporary artist Mojo Reed, II explains how creativity formed a path to healing when the worst happened to him as a child. Mojo guides us through how to choose the right art school, how to negotiate art contracts and much more. Tune in to hear Mojo tell us about the power of story...

Have you ever wanted to be a sports photographer for the NBA or for the NHL? Join us as Amanda J. Cain, team photographer for the Detroit Pistons, shares her inspiring journey to redefining visual storytelling. Amanda shares tips on which equipment she uses to capture her signature shots and expands on how to develop your artistic voice. Whether or not you're into sports, this episode is perfect f...

We're often told to be original. We're told to create work that no one else has ever created. In a world where information travels fast, where thoughts and ideas are generated by AI, where people create echoes of what someone else has done, what is originality? In this episode of This Is How We Create, multimedia artist Stephanie J. Woods shares her unique approach to creating original collaborati...

Show Notes:  Have you thought about how you may include activism in your work? On today's episode, painter Genevieve Ramos shares her journey as a disability advocate and surrealist artist. We explore Genevieve's early artistic exposure, her creative process, and delve into how she came to use surrealism in her work. Lastly, Genevieve opens up about managing pain and her mental health after traged...

In this solo episode, host Martine Severin shares with us the power of the "Micro Sprint" - a 72-hour framework to kickstart your productivity and gain career momentum. If you are struggling with inertia and can't seem to finish the projects you know will spark your career, turns out that dedicating a specific timeframe to complete your work can supercharge your projects as an artist, entrepreneur...

Is it possible to create art works that earns you well? Kamar Thomas, a passionate fine art painter and professor, joins us to speak about how to earn a living through your creative work. Kamar knows the ins and outs of moving beyond the myth of the struggling artist.  Tune in to hear the secrets to making a living as a creative and stay to learn how to create impactful work that resonates with yo...