The Creative Condition podcast

Ep 173: Dotto’s Dani Molyneux on the vital role of visual communication in turbulent times

Dotto founder, designer, and artist Dani Molyneux joins me to discuss the importance of visual communication's role in turbulent times. During the pandemic, while juggling work and homeschooling, Dani began to make her own work for personal reasons, in response to political and social triggers. The work sets a wonderful example of the power of the personal and offers a timely reminder that our role in inspiring positive change is key.Check Dani out, and sign up for her new Domestika course at: https://www.dotto.studio/The Creative Condition is hosted by Ben Tallon at https://bentallon.comThe show is supported by and Ben is represented by htts://illustrationx.comhttps://twitter.com/bentallonhttps://instagram.com/bentallonhttps://bentallonwriter.com

Ep 172: Personal passion projects. The most valuable compass we have in a creative arsenal?

Why personal passion projects are vital as a creative compass - stylistically, building identity, and stating intent.I have so many stories of unexpected doors opening, unlikely relationships, and even building my identity as an artist in the first place, so here they are, told through a career-to-date worth of personal projects that worked, or didn't work in the best way.If you liked this, episodes 147/8 discuss some stunning passion projects by others.Supported be https://illustrationx.comhttps://bentallon.comhttps://bentallonwriter.comhttps://instagram.com/bentallon

Ep 171: A conversation with a firefighter about crisis psychology and responsive creativity

I'm joined by firefighter Joe Brady to discuss the creative thinking required to succeed in a job action-packed with intensity, unpredictability and high emotions. While not traditionally considered a creative profession, there are many wonderful takeaways and stories that will make you laugh, cry and shudder.https://illustrationx.comhttps://bentallon.comhttps://twitter.com/bentallonhttps://instagram.com/bentallonhttps://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/job-profiles/firefighter

Ep 170: Marketing for creative agencies, freelancers, & more government idiocy with Oliver Duffy-Lee

Agency coach and marketing expert Oliver Duffy-Lee joins Ben Tallon to talk about promotion and marketing for freelancers, agencies, and why the latest government marketing advice is utterly ludicrous to anyone who understands economics and marketing, especially in the creative industry.Visit the Authority Agency website: https://www.authorityagency.co.uk/Oliver Duffy-Lee on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/oliverduffylee/Illustration X, show sponsor home: https://illustrationx.comBen Tallon illustration: https://bentallon.comBen Tallon Author site: https://bentallonwriter.com

Listener help needed! Books to donate to schools and libraries.

Why I'm donating 25 copies of my creative industry book to schools and public libraries, and why I believe the creative industry needs to try counter arts, youth services, and arts education cuts.The show is supported by Illustration X: https://illustrationx.comhttps://bentallonwriter.comhttps://bentallon.comhttps://twitter.com/bentallonhttps://instagram.com/bentallonhttps://instagram.com/bentallonwriter

Ep 169: The ideal workplace. The importance of environment for our creativity.

Working from home. In the office. In the studio. In the pub. Cafe dweller. Out of our minds. Happy days.The environment we put or find ourselves in is a defining variable in our creative flow. But do we really pay enough attention to the effect of our surroundings on our energy, feelings, thoughts, and productivity?I sit down and share some stories about the good, bad, and bizarre of past workspaces as I prepare to move into a newly built garden studio space.This episode is supported by Illustration X at https://illustrationx.comhttps://bentallon.comhttps://bentallonwriter.comhttps://twitter.com/bentallonpodhttps://instagram.com/bentallon

Ep 168: I stole a child’s drawing. A valuable lesson in creativity.

I stole a child's drawing. Here's why.This is an episode about what we can unlearn with the help of children, about what their flippancy, naivety, passion, and curiosity represent. Creativity gets butchered by adults, by industries, by education systems, and our pride - our unwillingness to try and our aversion to mistakes.It holds us back and causes us to get lost in trends, repeats, and replications as we blindly chase perfection in a world that has none.It need not be so.Get your thoughts over @bentallon on socialsShow supported by https://weareillustrationx.com

Creativity. Humanity’s defining asset. An introduction and a new start for the show.

Creativity is humanity's defining asset. I've been observing, studying, and feeling it since my teens, subconsciously taking it in since I was a nipper. Finally, I'm writing it all down in a new book that will share its name with this show. I am also writing a blog over at bentallonwriter.com.Here is the introduction to the book and what you can expect from the podcast moving forward. Let's talk creativity.Show supported by https://illustrationx.comhttps://twitter.com/bentallonhttps://bentallon.comhttps://bentallonwriter.com

Ep 164: Creativity to Cope: Why we need it more than ever

It's getting harder to cope. The pace, ferocity, and sadly, insanity of modern life are out of control. 24/7 we are exposed to terrifying news, and the subsequent arguments on social media, fear winning out every single time.That's why I write, that's why I draw, that's why I make these podcasts.Creativity is a fundamental pillar of human happiness and that's why I wanted to take the time to mark the release day of Stories for the Apocalypse #1: Notes on the New Normal with some thoughts on its vital role during these bizarre times.I share some personal experiences and a few favourite works that embody the lived experience.The podcast is supported by https://illustrationx.comYou can buy both 'Stories for the Apocalypse #1' and 'A Wolf in Sports Clothing' at https://bentallonwriter.com now. Also on all good e-book retailers.

Ep 163: Horror writer Susan Earlam’s winding road to becoming an author

Creativity happens on a different timeline for each of us. Horror writer Susan Earlam takes us on a winding path from a childhood full of artistic encouragement and everyday creativity, to fine art and teaching art, onto lifestyle blogging, and eventually - though not by chance - onto her wonderful horror writing.Her debut eco-horror novel 'Earthly Bodies' and 'Dark is the Water' are two big, unnerving, and distinct steps into a new phase of her creative career.https://susanearlam.com/https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dark-Water-Susan-Earlam/dp/1838379436https://www.instagram.com/susanearlam/https://twitter.com/SusanEarlamhttps://illustrationx.comhttps://theaoi.comhttps://bentallonwriter.comhttps://bentallon.comhttps://instagram.com/bentallonwriter