Willow Talk

The Interview:

In this episode of Willow Talk, we sit down with the fabulous Johnny McDevitt for a conversation on finding art in the simplicities of your everyday existence. A must listen for anyone who doubts that there’s an artist in everyone, we talk about everything from society’s limiting definition of an artist to Johnny’s recent dive into the world of modeling in New York City.

We Also Talk About:

• Why, if you don’t think you’re an artist, you actually are.
• How self expression in any form is art.
• How there’s art in simply living your life.
• Society’s limiting definition of an artist and why many people feel fear in labeling themselves as “artists” or “creative”.
• The bravery in breaking free of boxes and confining labels.
• How creativity and the outlets we chose to express ourselves will always ebb and flow.
• A variety of “non-traditional” art forms (as deemed by the mainstream).
• Johnny’s experience getting into modeling - their fears of trying something new and opening themselves up to the judgements of others.
• The role of our relationships in pushing yourself both creatively and in trying to grow as an individual.
• Finding people in your life who amplify and encourage your creativity.
• Pushing ourselves in uncomfortable situations.
• The importance of authenticity.
• How the hardest part is getting. started.

Where to Find Johnny.

• Instagram: @shark.teeth

Wanna be first?

Sign up for our newsletter to  be the first to know about events, updates and the latest news from our artists!

More here:

Be featured on our Instagram
www.thehouseofwillows.com

Stay connected: @thehouseofwillows | @emmadarpino | @lavenderlilacstudio

The Interview:

Happy Birthday! In this episode of Willow Talk, we sit down 1:1 to celebrate one year as The House of Willows and to reflect on the lessons we’ve taken away from all of our experiences thus far. We chat about everything from our biggest failures to our largest successes to how to keep the momentum going forward even when you’ve hit some of your major milestones.

We Also Talk About:

• Why we’re constantly learning and how that will never change.
• Why when you think you’ve mastered a skill, there’s always room to learn more.
• How to appreciate the small victories on your way to larger ones.
• Why missed milestones are not failures.
• Some real life examples of some of our biggest failures this year.
• The thought process that went into our decision to pause our Patreon subscription model.
• How to make peace with what you can and cannot control.
• How the physical and monetary ability of our friends and family will dwindle, but their support for you will not.

Wanna be first?

Sign up for our newsletter to  be the first to know about events, updates and the latest news from our artists!

More here:

Be featured on our Instagram
www.thehouseofwillows.com

The Interview:
In this episode of Willow Talk, we had the absolute pleasure of chatting with Ezra Cohen. Tackling Ezra’s thirteen year music career in one session, we did our best to get as much insight out of this music industry veteran! We chatted about everything from Ezra’s earliest days in music (and some questionable middle school fashion choices) to what it’s like to be on tour, and why creating meaningful relationships is so important to Ezra (and anyone looking to find their place in their local music scene).

We Also Talk About:

• How Ezra’s passion for music first sparked and the people in his life who supported his interest. 
• His impressive 13 year musical career. 
• Why so many of the important lessons we learn in life come from not knowing and simply jumping into the experience. 
• Changing course when you’re dealt a new hand - in life and in your career. 
• Ezra’s exploration of new facets of the music industry, from singing and songwriting to performing and producing.
• Balancing your passions with your day job. How Ezra balances songwriting, band practice, and a tour schedule with another full time job.
• Why hustle doesn’t equal success and why we’re often happier with our final products when we take the time to slow down and enjoy the process.
• What it’s like to rely on others - friends, family, bandmates, your community - and why it’s so important to your growth and making meaningful connections. 
• How a positive mindset = positive energy and why the genuine, positive energy you give out often comes right back to you.
• Ezra’s take on social media and the relationship he’s had with the outlet over the years. 
• The comparison trap and the feeling of being genuinely happy for the success of other creatives.

Where to Find Ezra:

• Spotify: Ezra Cohen
• Bandcamp: Ezra Cohen
• Instagram: @ezracohen

Resources + Other Mentions:

• Pigeon Pit
• Molly McDevitt / Small Pond
• Drift Art House

Wanna be first?

Sign up for our newsletter to  be the first to know about events, updates and the latest news from our artists!

More here:
Join our Patreon
Be featured on our Instagram
www.thehouseofwillows.com

The Interview:
On this episode of Willow Talk, we share how time management has evolved for each of us over the past few years. Reflecting on our old routines, we get deep into how empathy and redefining productivity has been a catalyst for our work and passion as creatives - with The House of Willows, and our own mediums.

We Also Talk About:
- Stories about how we’ve personally and professionally been struggling with time management and how this impacts our work and mental health
- How we have improved our our time managements skills
- The importance of the environment we work and spend our times in
- Prioritizing self preservations with breaks and boundaries
- Work management platforms: Asana, TeuxDeux, day planners, prioritization matrices



Wanna be the first?
Sign up for our newsletter to  be the first to know about events, updates and the latest news from our artists!

More here:
Join our Patreon
Be featured on our Instagram
www.thehouseofwillows.com

Ready to start marketing your art business? In this episode of WillowTalk, we discuss a few of the strategies we took to get both of our art businesses up and running, how those strategies have changed over time, and what you can do today to start (or scale) your marketing efforts.

We also talk about:

• Active versus passive marketing channels.
• How to identify what strategies work for you.
• Why it’s critical to pivot your marketing strategies when needed.
• The resources we’ve used in our own marketing efforts.
• Free marketing channels and platforms you can use to get started.

Resources.

• Weight Inclusive Innovators Podcast
• Bonfire
• Daily’s Workshop
• Stickermule

Connect with us:

@thehouseofwillows
www.thehouseofwillows.com

The Interview.

In this episode of Willow Talk, we sat down with Kelly Stück - the owner and artist behind Stück in the Studio - and got real about what it means to make pivotal choices in your career and the societal pressures that challenge those on “non-traditional” career paths.

We also talk about.

• Why all of our choices bring us to our present moments.
• Kelly’s career journey and the choices she made to get there.
• The fear of stepping into something new.
• What it means to risk your “security” when transitioning to the arts full time.
• Getting off of the “conveyer belt of life”.
• Why people need to be comfortable being good at things.

Find Kelly.

Instagram: @stuckinthestudio
Website: www.stuckinthestudio.com

Find Kelly’s work in stores:

• Eight Legged Octopus in Dover, NH
• The Daily Brew in Falmouth, MA
• Wish Gift Co. in Sandwich, MA

The Interview

In our first minisode of Willow Talk, we talk about the need to adapt as artists when it comes to our work, our routines, and our ultimate goals. We each speak to our own creative mediums along with our goals for The House of Willows – keeping in mind product, client expectations, and creating for ourselves.

We Also Talk About

• The importance in realignment of our goals
• Reflection on how our art has evolved over the past few years
• The need to adapt and the feelings that could surface with this
• Last month’s Art Expo – opportunities to see what our audience resonates with
• How choices that stem internally with us lead us to more success within our artwork
• The challenge in comparing our own work with our artists within our medium
• How burnout can happen quickly when we create solely for our audience in mind

The Interview

In this episode of Willow Talk, we break down our personal experiences as part time artists; what that looks like, what that feels like, and all of the ups and downs we’ve experienced thus far.

We Also Talk About

• How mistakes we’ve made have been catalysts for change
• Why we can’t do it all (no matter how hard we try)
• The biggest challenges we’ve faced by “having our hands in so many buckets”
• How we remain purposeful and avoid simply going through the motions
• Boundaries we’ve set to protect our energy
• Why people feel entitled to our free work (they aren’t)
• How we may not always love the work, but we believe in the work
• Why you need to lean on someone

In this episode of Willow Talk, we sat down with Madeleine Nossiff - ceramic artist, mind-body practitioner and liberation coach - to get real about what it means to take radical ownership of your own identity, how to give yourself the space and permission to grow and why the plan is no plan.

This is a fun one, y'all! In this episode, we sat down with sculptor and artist, Ryan Kelley for an incredibly candid conversation about life as a full-time artist, how to turn your dreams into realities and - OF COURSE - the power of community and how we are more supported than we may even know. Treat your ears to a good time and have a listen!