The Creative Independent
Writer, publisher and chainmaille artist Naomi Falk on the creative value of transformation
Musicians feeble little horse on knowing when it’s right
Musician and producer Rostam on friendship and collaboration
Herbalist and author Rachelle Robinette on rebalancing how you work and live
Herbalist and author Rachelle Robinett on rebalancing how you work and live
Artist and filmmaker Glenn Kaino on starting with belief
Actor, writer, and streamer Felicia Day on having something to prove
Musician Charlotte Day Wilson on finding greatness
Artist Sara Cwynar on flowing through it
Writer Annakeara Stinson on learning to find clarity in your work
Filmmaker Jalena Keane-Lee on the power of responsible storytelling
Editor Hillary Brenhouse on emboldening others to take risks
Mo Chara and Móglaí Bap (Kneecap) on shaking the foundations of the status quo
Musician Angelo De Augustine on healing over time
Author and anthropologist Ashanté M. Reese on using ritual to connect to your work
Artist, writer, and chef Nancy Barber on being good at looking
Musician Wendy Eisenberg on finding your way by improvising
Visual artist Michael Haight on the distance it takes to make work from your own life
Visual artist Clips Split on moving into alignment
Filmmaker and music archivist Cyrus Moussavi on remembering that artists are people
Musician Leyla Ebrahimi on giving in to the daydream
Filmmaker Chad Hartigan on sticking it out in tough industries
Musician and GUNK co-founder H. Pruz on opening a new door
Illustrator and podcaster Andy J. Pizza on what to do when motivations and interests change
Chocolatier Sandy Tran on trusting yourself (and your team)
Music duo Dave Portner (Avey Tare) and Brian Weitz (Geologist), aka Croz Boyce, on letting friendship fuel the work
Musician Black Francis (Pixies) on trusting that the good ideas will return to you
Music YouTuber Blustre on taking time to find your voice
Musician Kaina on stepping back when you need to
Musician Candi Jenkins on building it yourself first
Author Mateo Askaripour on eliminating the noise
Musician and writer Drew Daniel on getting rid of guilt
Cartoonist Jeffrey Brown on finding meaning in your process
Painter Ileana García Magoda on the artist’s relationship with time
Musician Ben Gibbard (Death Cab for Cutie) on being able to walk away
Food culture writer and editor Jaya Saxena on starting something new
Artist Sasha Brodsky on capturing moments before they disappear
Artist, technologist, and researcher Matthew Prebeg on prioritizing play
Author Sarah Wang on being ruthless with revision
Musician Sam Beam (Iron & Wine) on always developing and changing
Photographer Polina Ganz on the creative power of vulnerability
Musician Carla Dal Forno on embracing vulnerability
Actor and musician Ella Hunt on the power of honest expression
Founder and mixed-media artist Kelsey Armstrong on knowing when to stop
Visual artist and photographer Yasmina Hilal on telling stories at the end of the world
Musician Andy ‘Red’ PK on not being afraid of hard work
Actor, photographer, and musician Jena Malone on accepting that we’re only human
Translator and musician Max Lawton on making the thing you can’t look away from
Singer-songwriter Suzanne Vega on having a clear vision
Writer Mason Currey on why not knowing what you’re doing is a good sign
Media artist and researcher Roopa Vasudevan on creative resistance in the digital world
Filmmaker Ilya Chaiken and writer Jeanne Fury on maintaining a punk ethos
Musician Greg Mendez on the problem with being comfortable
Filmmaker Ash Goh Hua on putting yourself in uncomfortable places
Multidisciplinary artist and writer Vic Liu on the relationship between love and labor
Civic engagement duo Soft Power Vote (Melissa Sáenz Gordon and Molly Salas) on connecting with community
Musician Ninajirachi on figuring out who you are
Author Avigayl Sharp on loving the process even when it hurts
Illustrator and author Yumi Sakagawa on reframing discipline as pleasure
Illustrator and author Yumi Sakagawa on unlearning the self-punitive model of making art
Illustrator and author Yumi Sakugawa on unlearning the self-punitive model of making art
Artist Hannah Tishkoff on why art is easy
Writer M Lin on working through discomfort
Novelist, filmmaker, and musician Eliza Barry Callahan on developing tolerance for uncertainty
Singer-songwriter Arlo Parks on letting the work reveal itself to you
Artist and technologist Angie Fan on putting in the time and thought
Writer Souvankham Thammavongsa on not filling in what’s missing
Accidental Instagram influencer Ida B on meeting your own standards
Principal ballet dancer Larkin Miller on finding a healthy relationship to validation
Musician Margaret Sohn (Miss Grit) on taking a leap of faith
Book editors and Hagfish co-publishers Julia Ringo and Naomi Huffman on the joy of discovery
Music curator and interviewer Margeaux Labat on growing with intention and integrity
Cartoonist Guy Richards Smit on endurance and the necessity of self-reinvention
Filmmaker, interviewer, and Track Star host Jack Coyne on shaping culture in a positive way
Sculptor Maddy Inez on the power of legacy and community-based practice
Musician Searows on making art in an overwhelming world
Painter, runner, and former triathlete Vanessa Raw on the cost of people-pleasing
Musician Yaya Bey on separating what you want from what you’re pressured to want
Musician Yaya Bey on being happy with what you have and who you are
Athletic coach, curator, and founder India Bailey on integrity over clarity
Athletic coach, curator, and founder India Bailey on play as a creative resource
Musician Kelsey Lu on turning inward
Writer and translator Sophie Strohmeier on getting inspiration from unlikely places
Musicians MUNA on leaning into specificity
Singer-songwriter Courtney Barnett on the importance of looking back at your progress
Musician Jana Horn on staying open to interpretation
Documentary filmmaker Viv Li on prioritizing the process instead of the outcome
Photographer Aabid Youssef on keeping it simple
Greg Diemond and Diana Orena (owners of Honore Club) on creating a space to gather
Greg Diemond and Diana Orena (owners of Honore Club + Di’s Corner) on creating a space to gather
Filmmaker Christopher Radcliff on creating with urgency
Puppeteer and musician Tristan Allen on being okay with not knowing what’s next
Songwriter and musician Yea-Ming Chen on giving yourself permission
Author and podcaster Caro Claire Burke on reconnecting with your ambition
Animator and filmmaker Joseph Brett on why slowness makes you see things differently
Artist, filmmaker, and writer Tourmaline on cultivating your intuition
Perfumers Jónsi Birgisson and Lilja Birgisdóttir (Fischersund) on collaborating with family
Musicians Mandy, Indiana on performing through pain
Painter Veronica Fernandez on finding your version of ambition
Author and publishing professional Joel Miller on making an effort
Singer-songwriter Maya J’an on finding your soft side
Musician and DJ Avalon Emerson on the value of sharing space with other people
Visual artist Daniel Arsham on the possibility of endless failure
Composer and musician Laurel Halo on emphasizing process over outcome
Writer Kelly Krumrie on taking language seriously
Mixed media sculptor Brian Rochefort on surrendering to chance
Comedian Lucas Zelnick on voicing the thing you’re not supposed to say
Filmmaker Arielle Knight on making work that cuts through the noise
Musician Aaron David Ross on misusing the tools you’re given
Product designer Simone Giertz on refusing to abandon (most) projects
Writer and musician Dan Wriggins on the necessity of confidence
Writer Larissa Pham on why we should all get over the shame of self-promotion
Game designer Hazel Reynolds on feedback being the best part
Musician Daniela Andrade on keeping your work personal
Musician and visual artist McKenzie Ellis (Mothica) on the importance of enjoying the process
Writer and entrepreneur Glory Edim on cultivating talent in yourself and others
Documentary Director Joshua Seftel on gently parachuting into the lives of others
Documentary Filmmakers Geeta Gandbhir and Christalyn Hampton on the discipline of trust
Songwriter and musician Julia Steiner (Ratboys) on creative honesty
Directors Natalie Musteata and Alexandre Singh on a childlike view of the world
Professional clown Christopher Bayes on finding your feral self
Costume designer and director Nadia Acimi on subverting societal expectations
Musician Bill Callahan on trying to become a better human
Musician Choker on having a point of view
Photographer Roe Ethridge on not letting your expectations get in the way of discovery
Poet Susan Alexander on pushing back against the rules you’re taught
Writer, director and musician Nazareth Hassan on managing fear about a full-time art career
Photographer Ebru Yildiz on never taking your career for granted
Comedian Sindhu Vee on learning to care less
Writer and director Nastasya Popov on why it’s important to keep making things
Author T Kira Madden on making art a place of safety
Game designer Peter McPherson on finding a project’s soul
Musicians Michael Shannon and Jason Narducy on channeling the artists you admire
Dancer and choreographer James Vu Anh Pham on crediting your collaborators
Writer, grief coach, and death care worker Laura Sullivan Cassidy on asking to go slower
Illustrator and designer Joelle Arawjo on learning to do a lot with very little
Violinist and vocalist Sudan Archives on staying connected to community
Artist Jacqueline Kiyomi Gork on why perception is everything
Writer Sophie Strand on the importance of daily creativity
Painter RF Alvarez on how to live with imposter syndrome
Musician Peter Silberman (The Antlers) on rejecting nihilism
Pro soccer player and filmmaker Reina Bonta on choosing honesty over glory
Writer and activist Abigail Milinar Burns on removing beliefs that hold you back
Artist Dain Yoon on relishing a challenge
Writer Naomi Kanakia on embracing the amateur role
Filmmaker and composer Peter Coccoma on day jobs and distraction (and how to tell when a draft is done)
Author Hannah V. Sawyerr on how creative work transforms you
Art critic David Rimanelli on staying obsessed
Poet and writer aracelis girmay on moving toward a stranger version of yourself
Musicians Julien Ehrlich and Max Kakacek (Whitney) on accepting that circumstances change
Researcher César Fieiras on the complex influence of AI in creative industries
Writer and comedian Amy Silverberg on how to take the pressure off the process
Artist Stanya Kahn on creating work beyond your own direct experience
Photographer duo Guzman (Constance Hansen and Russell Peacock) on learning to see your work objectively
Musician Courtney Marie Andrews on starting now and learning later
Musician and writer cehryl on the value of being true to your own pace
Journalist, editor, and podcaster Zach Stafford on not doing it alone (and doing it for more than yourself)
Musician Courtney Hartman on the creativity of care work
Visual artist Marco Brambilla on agency and the artist’s negotiation with technology
Musician Katie Stelmanis (Austra) on being happy with the career you have
Songwriter and musician Brett McKenzie on knowing when to disrupt your own creative patterns
Musician Carlyn Bezic (Jane Inc.) on managing creative highs and lows
Author M.L. Rio on using all five senses
Artist, writer, and musician Cristy C. Road on finding a home in punk rock
Singer-songwriter and producer Deon Brown on redefining spirituality
Singer-songwriter Clairo on keeping your references close
Illustrator Lauren Martin on the pitfalls of saying yes to everything
Artist and researcher Ari Melenciano on getting to the root of things
Artist Louise Campion on growing as an artist without waiting for inspiration
Filmmaker, writer, and Olympian Alexi Pappas on letting momentum carry you
Musician Allie X on sustaining a career by staying curious (and fighting for creative control)
Experimental musician Daemyan Tang (Industry Standard) on staying self-contained
Painter Claudia Keep on pushing through even when you don’t feel inspired
Director Whitney White on how to lead with passion and foster opportunity for others
Artist Zoe Koke on creating space for reflection
Poet and translator Terrance Arjoon on the value of making productive mistakes
Poet and translator Terrence Arjoon on the value of making productive mistakes
Musician Gelli Haha on getting out of your own way
Musician Paz Lenchantin on making the journey the goal of your work
Artist Sam Linguist on creating your own logic
Musician Esther Rose on questioning your path and forging new ones
Artist Nasim Hantehzadeh on how to connect with your artistic intuition
Artist Nasim Hantehzadeh on how to connect with your artistic intuition
Animator Rachel Larsen on solving problems under pressure
Singer-songwriter, bassist, and sync licenser Pictoria Vark on appreciating raw material
Author Matthew Gavin Frank on trying everything you can
Musician keiyaA on resisting formality
Musician Angela Autumn on being a lifelong learner
Poet Leah Flax Barber on the importance of doubt and devotion
Photographer Josh Aronson on the collaboration between artist intention and audience perception
DJ Dylan Ali on creating success without comparing yourself to others
Fashion designer Hillary Taymour (Collina Strada) on fighting for your vision
Cookbook author Clarissa Wei on shifting your energy
Musician Silvana Estrada on navigating chaos by being kind to yourself
Founder Tyler Bainbridge on making the internet fun again
Writer and filmmaker Harmony Holiday on getting clear about your vision
Musician Andrew Falkous (Mclusky) on only worrying about the things that matter
Author and witch Pam Grossman on using magic to channel your creative force
Cartoonist Tommy Siegel on persistence as praxis
Sculptor, performance artist, and lyricist Michael Biello on the way art can heal you and hold you
Writer Nika Simovich Fisher on getting more from your ideas
Fashion and style editor Mahoro Seward on setting up infrastructures of care for the people who need them most
Musician Enji on music as a mirror for personal change
Publisher and photographer Jesse Feinman on imagining another world
Actor, comedian, and musician Fred Armisen on making work for your friends
Musician Nicole Miglis on sticking to your artistic intentions
Perfumer Trey Taylor on questioning what you consume
Musician Ben Kweller on finding reasons to be grateful
Visual artist Wendy Red Star on collaborating with your ancestors
Filmmaker Bing Liu on trying things over and over again
Musician Billianne on how work evolves with you
Writer Grace Byron on getting out of your bubble
Singer-songwriter, model, and writer Indigo Sparke on abandoning a timeline
Writer Zoe Dubno on the importance of good mentors
Editor/podcaster Erin Yanke and writer Rich Cross on doing what it is you need to do
Comic book artist and writer Sean Chen on thriving outside of your comfort zone
Visual artist Annie Lapin on finding new ways to be an artist
Poet and writer Daniela Naomi Molnar on art as an antidote to loneliness
Painter Zak Prekop on knowing what you have to do
Writer and editor Nicole A. Lamy on amplifying the voices of others
Visual artist Christopher Michael Hefner on letting go of the idea of the tortured artist
Musician Cornelia Murr on letting your work belong to the world
Curatorial duo ATLA (Ryu Takahashi and Jenny Hata Blumenfield) on committing to the creative path as a lifestyle
Poet and writer Diana Arterian on creating mental space to make room for deep work
Musician Colin Miller on focusing on the small things
Artist and concept store curator Cecilia “CC” Doan on realizing a hidden dream
Musician Annahstasia on consuming art with intention