Composting Creativity – Lauren Spangler (painter/singer-songwriter/creativity coach) Ep. 37

Our next guest spent a magical year in London as a singer-songwriter, only to learn of the tenuous relationship between money, music, and burnout.

After having a “breakup” with her music, Lauren Spangler finished grad school and moved back to the United States, becoming an executive strategist in the corporate world. With newfound stability, she was able to start a family. Now a creative coach and strategist, Lauren helps busy professionals reclaim their inner artist and bring more inspiration, flow, and fulfillment into their lives. To reconnect with her own inner artist, Lauren paints both in watercolor and on a digital tablet. She describes her works as “original art for the young at heart.”

In this well-paced episode, we discuss how to build a healthy relationship with your creativity. Lauren shares the story of her album “To London With Love,” which was self-recorded in her flat in London. We talk about balancing creativity and obligations, and Lauren describes the difficulties of finding time for oneself as a parent of two toddlers. She explains how taking precious moments for painting actually fills her cup, allowing her to return recharged to give her best to her kids. Lauren also recounts the first time someone contacted her on Instagram wanting to buy one of her paintings, which she initially thought was a scam. Finally, we explore what can be done with creative work from over a decade ago, borrowing the idea from Permaculture, “Composting” to re-exhibit past creative work.

In “The Graveyard Song,” Lauren says, “We are born with a story to be worn but they have gone to the pages past the binding.” Although the song was written about her late father, I find it a metaphor for how art lives on, what artists leave behind, and what about all the art that maybe never had a chance to be made.

Lauren Spangler holds up “Abundance”

Guest: Lauren Spangler

Website: LaurenSpangler.com
Spark or Sputter Test: https://www.laurenspangler.com/spark 
Instagram: @LaurenSpangler
Spotify: Spotify Artist Profile

Featured Music: 

“To London with Love” by Lauren Spangler – Listen on Spotify
“Hey Little Bird” by Lauren Spangler (lyric excerpt)  – Listen on Spotify
“The Graveyard Song” by Lauren Spangler – Listen on Spotify

Episode References:

Don't Call Us Tori - https://dontcallustori.com/
Amusement Park Studios in Lubbock, Texas - Website
Julia Cameron’s The Artist's Way - View on Goodreads

Design Science Studio
Permaculture Research Institute
Lobate Scarp's debut album "Time and Space" - Listen on Bandcamp
Spark or Sputter self-assessment

About the host

Language of Creativity’s host Steven Leavitt enjoys discussing the ins and outs of all aspects of creating, creativity, and life with his fellow creators: artists, inventors, designers, producers and more. Along the way he hopes to gain perspective and multiply our understanding of what we share in common while creating, living, and learning. www.stevenleavitt.com

Production Credits:

This podcast was produced by I Create Sound
Edited by Sam Levine

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Tags:

#painting #singersongwriter #London #Hammersmith #studyingabroad #parenting #childrensart #executivestrategist #postpartemdepression #creativity #creativecoach #musician #artist #paytoplay #watercolor #digitalart #artforsale #momlife #worklifebalance #selfcare #musicproduction #ScottFerris #selfrecording #independentartist #creativityandparenting #permaculture #arttherapy #artformentalhealth #artinspiration #creativeburnout #corporatestrategy #reclaimyourcreativity #creativelifebalance #artcommunity #artcareer #selfexpression #creativejourney #musicindustry #artresilience #innerartist #creativewellbeing