Stream of Art

Episode 16 - How We Approach Learning Art and Music

With so many different ways to approach learning art and music (or any craft, for that matter), we decided to share how we each think about it. We explore how our approaches have differed—while still serving us on each of our journeys—and offer some suggestions to help listeners find their own way through art or music. Robyn celebrates a website win and Michelle feels at home being back in her routine. 
Recorded on March 23rd, 2024
Timestamps:
Intro [0:29] Robyn's week [0:45] Michelle's week [9:48] Robyn's approach to learning art [21:14] Learning methodically versus as you go [22:10] Find someone who is in your corner [26:13] How Michelle thinks about learning music [35:23] Rant regrets [36:53] There is no key to unlocking music [40:11] Defining broader categories when learning music [43:39] Proficiency [45:59] The difference between technique and techniques [46:10] Relating to visual art [48:27] Musicianship [49:06] Artistry [52:53] Where to focus when you're starting out [58:08] Make music with others [1:07:27] Developing taste [1:10:16] Building range [1:22:34] Some final advice [1:25:39] Robyn's week ahead [1:38:04] Michelle's week ahead: 1:39:28] Outro [1:40:15]
Resources, references, and further exploration:
Michelle’s blog post, related to this episode, on the three areas of musical development: https://www.michellemonettemusic.com/post/the-three-areas-of-musical-development
How to Listen to Jazz by Ted Gioia: https://www.tedgioia.com/books-and-recordings
What to Listen For in Music by Aaron Copland: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/303445/what-to-listen-for-in-music-by-aaron-copland/
Slow Productivity by Cal Newport: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/722732/slow-productivity-by-cal-newport/
Atomic Habits by James Clear: https://jamesclear.com/atomic-habits
Quotes, ideas, and insights referenced:
“Don’t be overheard complaining…Not even to yourself.” — Marcus Aurelius, 8.9
Links:
Learn more about Robyn at https://www.robynlester.com/
Follow Robyn on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/robynlester.art/
Learn more about Michelle at https://www.michellemonettemusic.com/
Follow Stream of Art on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/streamofartpodcast/
Please feel free to send questions and comments to streamofartpodcast@gmail.com
Connect with like-minded artists and creatives at our Discord server: https://discord.gg/mHa8GSQqsv
Credits:
Podcast art by: Robyn Lester
Theme music by: Michelle Monette
Podcast editing by: Michelle Monette

Episode 15 - Routines

This week's episode is all about routines. We explore the benefits of maintaining a consistent routine, share the routines we’ve built, and offer suggestions for how to build one of your own. Robyn finds a way to enjoy cooking and Michelle rants about misleading YouTube guitar ads. 
Recorded on March 17th, 2024
Timestamps:
Intro [0:29]Robyn's week [0:46]Michelle's week [1:51]The necessity of routines and boundaries [2:49]Building a routine around your goals and trusting the process [4:43]It's easy to let ourselves off the hook [5:52]Not letting our energy levels dictate what we do [7:38]Work smart, not hard [9:01]Building in flexibility [9:28]Managing energy levels [11:55]Sometimes to need to learn the same lesson before it sticks [13:22]Backsliding helps you learn [15:34}Getting back into a routine [17:51]Robyn's routine [19:04]Michelle's routine [35:55]Treating yourself with respect [49:25]The right thing isn't convenient [53:46]Nobody feels good after going to McDonalds [56:11]Addressing what's blocking you from doing the thing [1:02:19]Building a routine through experimentation [1:04:31]Make it so you don't have to think about it [1:05:14]Routine review [1:06:32]The importance of taking action [1:10:39]The routine building process [1:12:53]Working with your chronotype [1:17:30]Stop looking to other people for answers [1:22:50]No life hacks here, folks [1:24:15]Michelle's diatribe [1:24:58]Robyn's week ahead [1:30:35]Michelle's week ahead [1:31:44]Outro [1:32:25]
Resources, references, and further exploration:
Michelle’s blog post on the best routine: https://www.michellemonettemusic.com/post/the-best-routine
Michelle’s blog post on how to recover when your routine is derailed https://www.michellemonettemusic.com/post/regain-your-rhythm
Michelle’s blog post on working with your chronotype: https://www.michellemonettemusic.com/post/larks-and-owls
Michelle’s blog post on how there’s no key to unlocking music: https://www.michellemonettemusic.com/post/there-is-no-key-to-unlocking-music
Masterson Sta-Wet Palette https://mastersonart.com
Make Time by Jake Knapp and John Zeratsky https://maketime.blog/
Quotes, ideas, and insights:
"It's really about building this support system that honours who I am now and where I am now, but also sets me up for the version of myself that I want to be." - Michelle
"It really comes down to just treating yourself with respect. And sometimes respect involves doing things that you really don't feel like doing." - Robyn
Links:
Learn more about Robyn at https://www.robynlester.com/
Follow Robyn on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/robynlester.art/
Learn more about Michelle at https://www.michellemonettemusic.com/
Follow Stream of Art on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/streamofartpodcast/
Please feel free to send questions and comments to streamofartpodcast@gmail.com
Connect with like-minded artists and creatives at our Discord server: https://discord.gg/mHa8GSQqsv
Credits:
Podcast art by: Robyn Lester
Theme music by: Michelle Monette
Podcast editing by: Michelle Monette

Episode 14 - Fear of Failure

Last week’s conversation about the fear of success inspired us to tackle the topic of fear of failure as well. We look at the ways it holds us back and how reframing the term failure can make us more willing to make mistakes. Robyn heads back to work full time and Michelle begins her Artist’s Way journey.
Recorded on March 10th, 2024
Timestamps:
Intro [0:28]Robyn's week [0:45]Boring updates are a good thing [1:39]100 day project [3:02]Michelle's week [3:31]Starting The Artist's Way [5:00]Losing sleep to the time change [11:11]Fear of failure [13:28]Two stream of fear of failure [14:51]Looking back on core failure with compassion [17:19]Where am I falling short now? [19:37]Fear of failure and the approval of others [20:05]We don't love the word failure [22:27]Failure is a rite of passage [24:31]Live performance anxiety [26:21]Make a lot of mistakes early [30:05]Seeing where you need to improve and making "bad" art [31:28]It should sound bad when you practice [34:25]Knowing how to correct your mistakes [36:03]Avoid the safety net [36:44]Mistakes can be corrected [39:53]Awareness and having the tools to improve [41:47]As you get better, you make different mistakes [44:36]Failure can't be defined until the very end [45:35]Good news, everyone! We've cancelled failure [46:27]No one can just do something without putting in the work [46:39]Don't skip the foundational work [47:57]You don't need a perfect foundation to start creating [52:17]Tips for people who are afraid of failure [54:31]Bent Knee lyric quote [1:00:05]Fear of failing versus fear of not trying [1:00:16]Dealing with other people's opinions [1:02:04]Sharing our first email message [1:05:18]Our future pet picture wall [1:09:06]Robyn's week ahead [1:11:15]Michelle's week ahead [1:11:35]Outro [1:13:04]
Resources, references, and further exploration:
Michelle’s blog post on the fear of failure: https://www.michellemonettemusic.com/post/failure-is-nothing-to-fear
Quotes, ideas, and insights referenced:
“The only thing that matters is not giving up.” Bent Knee, from the song Land Animal
Links:
Learn more about Robyn at https://www.robynlester.com/
Follow Robyn on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/robynlester.art/
Learn more about Michelle at https://www.michellemonettemusic.com/
Follow Stream of Art on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/streamofartpodcast/
Please feel free to send questions and comments to streamofartpodcast@gmail.com
Connect with like-minded artists and creatives at our Discord server: https://discord.gg/mHa8GSQqsv
Credits:
Podcast art by: Robyn Lester
Theme music by: Michelle Monette
Podcast editing by: Michelle Monette

Episode 13 - Fear of Success

We hear a lot about the fear of success, but what is it really? In this episode, we explore how it manifests for each of us and consider how to push forward in spite of it. Robyn has fun playing in Notion and Michelle looks forward to returning to normal after RPM. 
Recorded on March 3rd, 2024
Timestamps:
Intro [0:29] Robyn's previous week [0:47] Michelle's previous week [1:57] Fear of success [22:13] Robyn’s week ahead [1:16:14]Michelle’s week ahead [1:16:37]
Resources, references, and further exploration:
Michelle’s blog post on courage (which includes a discussion on Tim Ferriss’ practice of fear setting): https://www.michellemonettemusic.com/post/cultivating-the-courage-to-answer-music-s-call
Quotes, ideas, and insights referenced:
“We suffer more in imagination than in reality.” - Seneca
“You could leave life right now. Let that determine what you do and say and think.” - Marcus Aurelius
Links:
Learn more about Robyn at https://www.robynlester.com/ 
Follow Robyn on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/robynlester.art/
Learn more about Michelle at https://www.michellemonettemusic.com/
Please feel free to send questions and comments to streamofartpodcast@gmail.com
Connect with like-minded artists and creatives at our Discord server: https://discord.gg/mHa8GSQqsv
Credits:
Podcast art by: Robyn Lester
Theme music by: Michelle Monette
Podcast editing by: Michelle Monette

Episode 12 - Our Personal Philosophies

It’s tangent time! Our weekly catch-up turns into a discussion about the intersection between creativity and self-improvement,  who are the best people to receive feedback from, and the merging of our former and current artistic selves. For our main topic, we explore the philosophies that have helped us on our journeys. Robyn paints a lot (and shares her paintings on Instagram!) and Michelle prepares for the final week of RPM. 
Recorded on February 25th, 2024
Resources, references, and further exploration:
Michelle’s blog post on how we’re all built to make music: https://www.michellemonettemusic.com/post/we-are-all-built-to-make-music
Samply: https://samply.app/
Learn more about Stoicism: https://dailystoic.com/
Quotes, ideas, and insights referenced:
Kill your darlings: https://slate.com/culture/2013/10/kill-your-darlings-writing-advice-what-writer-really-said-to-murder-your-babies.html
Links:
Learn more about Robyn at https://www.robynlester.com/
Follow Robyn on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/robynlester.art/
Learn more about Michelle at https://www.michellemonettemusic.com/
Please feel free to send questions and comments to streamofartpodcast@gmail.com
Connect with like-minded artists and creatives at our Discord server: https://discord.gg/mHa8GSQqsv
Follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/streamofartpodcast/
Credits:
Podcast art by: Robyn Lester
Theme music by: Michelle Monette
Podcast editing by: Michelle Monette

Episode 11 - Finding Your Artistic Voice - Part 2 - Cultivating Your Voice

In part 2 of our conversation, we dig into what you need to do to cultivate your artistic voice. Spoiler alert: show up and do the work! Robyn has made the last minute decision to do the 100 Day Project. Michelle is rocking RPM and worries if things aren’t just a little too smooth…
Recorded on February 18th, 2024
Resources, references, and further exploration:
The 100 Day Project: https://www.the100dayproject.org/
Michelle’s blog post on developing your musical voice: https://www.michellemonettemusic.com/post/develop-your-musical-voice
Quotes, ideas, and insights referenced:
“In my experience, it’s in the act of making things and doing our work that we figure out who we are.” - Austin Kleon, Steal Like an Artist
Links:
Learn more about Robyn at https://www.robynlester.com/
Follow Robyn on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/robynlester.art/
Learn more about Michelle at https://www.michellemonettemusic.com/
Please feel free to send questions and comments to streamofartpodcast@gmail.com
Connect with like-minded artists and creatives at our Discord server: https://discord.gg/mHa8GSQqsv
Follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/streamofartpodcast/
Credits:
Podcast art by: Robyn Lester
Theme music by: Michelle Monette
Podcast editing by: Michelle Monette

Episode 10 - Finding Your Artistic Voice - Part 1 - Defining Your Voice

Join us for part 1 of our conversation on “finding” your artistic voice. We start by discussing how we define our artistic voices and question whether or not our creative output needs to be stylistically consistent.  Robyn is feeling the benefits of her daily painting practice and finally admits that she does, in fact, need routine. Michelle strains her brain writing lyrics, but is still managing to keep herself (mostly) together.
Recorded on February 11th, 2024
Resources, references, and further exploration:
Michelle’s blog post on developing your musical voice https://www.michellemonettemusic.com/post/develop-your-musical-voice
Links:
Learn more about Robyn at https://www.robynlester.com/
Learn more about Michelle at https://www.michellemonettemusic.com/
Please feel free to send questions and comments to streamofartpodcast@gmail.com
Connect with like-minded artists and creatives at our Discord server: https://discord.gg/mHa8GSQqsv
Follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/streamofartpodcast/
Credits:
Podcast art by: Robyn Lester
Theme music by: Michelle Monette
Podcast editing by: Michelle Monette

Episode 9 - Creating for Yourself vs. Creating for Commercial Appeal

Making art is tricky business, especially when your income depends on the work you create. In today’s episode we talk about creating for yourself vs. creating for commercial appeal. We explore the tension artists might experience when they have an audience they need to satisfy and consider ways to balance making art for ourselves when we rely on our creative output for our livelihood. Robyn continues her daily painting challenge and Michelle begins RPM 2024!
Recorded on February 4th, 2024
Resources, references, and further exploration:
Speaking of Psychology podcast episode - What psychology has to say about art, with Ellen Winner, PhD https://open.spotify.com/episode/5AIxyj8dpb71HTGanHqg1f?si=40766796a92c4926
Seth Godin’s book This is Marketing https://www.penguinrandomhouse.ca/books/600458/this-is-marketing-by-seth-godin/9780525540830
Links:
Learn more about Robyn at https://www.robynlester.com/
Learn more about Michelle at https://www.michellemonettemusic.com/
Please feel free to send questions and comments to streamofartpodcast@gmail.com
Connect with like-minded artists and creatives at our Discord server: https://discord.gg/mHa8GSQqsv
Follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/streamofartpodcast/
Credits:
Podcast art by: Robyn Lester
Theme music by: Michelle Monette
Podcast editing by: Michelle Monette
 

Episode 8 - Self-Compassion

In this episode we explore self-compassion. What does it involve? How can we work more of it into our lives? What role has it played in our creative journeys? A couple of tangents lead us to discuss our creative “fingerprints” and developing character skills through engaging in art. Robyn abandons her painting and starts fresh - she’s much happier with it! Michelle battens down the hatches in preparation for RPM. 
Recorded on January 28th, 2024
Resources, references, and further exploration:
Michelle’s blog post on practicing self-compassion https://www.michellemonettemusic.com/post/practice-self-compassion
Brad Stulberg’s book The Practice of Groundedness https://www.bradstulberg.com/books
Shane Parrish’ book Clear Thinking https://fs.blog/clear/
Adam Grant’s book Hidden Potential https://adamgrant.net/book/hidden-potential/
Charlie Mackesy’s book The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, and the Horse https://www.harpercollins.com/pages/charliemackesy
David Gilmour performing “Red Sky At Night” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HiliWUh9jZ0
Ben Levin’s YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@BenLevin
We Can Do Hard Things podcast episode featuring Dr. Becky Kennedy https://open.spotify.com/episode/7zidfGzuncI01bLgcpFfuc?si=6f3005de025e4cdc
Art Juice podcast episode with Sara Dalrymple (and Robyn was wrong, she is an artist. She’s a photographer!) who wrote More Sales Please! https://open.spotify.com/episode/2gTNDXj7MluOX9rdhVt3Kq?si=3c8003caff364a03
Tom Quayle’s two-point interval system and course https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UE69N3yVbVU
Quotes, ideas, and insights referenced:
“What progress, you ask, have I made? I have begun to be a friend to myself." - Hecato quoted in Seneca's Letters from a Stoic
“Don’t be ashamed of needing help. You have a duty to fulfill just like a soldier on the wall of battle. So what if you are injured and can’t climb up without another soldier’s help?” - Marcus Aurelius (source: https://dailystoic.com/dont-be-ashamed-to-ask-for-help/)
“[Raj] Chetty was able to predict the success that students achieved as adults simply by looking at who taught their kindergarten class. By age 25, students who happened to have had more experienced kindergarten teachers were earning significantly more money than their peers. … When students were taught by more experienced kindergarten teachers, their fourth-grade teachers rated them higher on all four of these attributes [proactive, prosocial, disciplined, determined]. So did their eighth-grade teachers. The capacities to be proactive, prosocial, disciplined, and determined stayed with students longer—and ultimately proved more powerful—than early math and reading skills.” Adam Grant, Hidden Potential, pages 7-9
Links:
Learn more about Robyn at https://www.robynlester.com/
Learn more about Michelle at https://www.michellemonettemusic.com/
Please feel free to send questions and comments to streamofartpodcast@gmail.com
Connect with like-minded artists and creatives at our Discord server: https://discord.gg/mHa8GSQqsv
Follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/streamofartpodcast/
Credits:
Podcast art by: Robyn Lester
Theme music by: Michelle Monette
Podcast editing by: Michelle Monette

Episode 7 - Perfectionism

Oh perfectionism! Where would we be without you? This week we chat about the ways perfectionism can manifest in our lives and in our art. We consider how it might serve us and explore possible solutions for when it gets in our way. Michelle catches herself just before burnout takes hold, and Robyn convinces Michelle that she should play more video games (she’s an enabler!).
Recorded on January 20th, 2024 
Resources, references, and further exploration:
Michelle’s blog post on excellence over perfection https://www.michellemonettemusic.com/post/aim-for-excellence-rather-than-perfection
Michelle’s blog post on progress over perfection https://www.michellemonettemusic.com/post/look-for-progress-not-perfection
Adam Grant’s book Hidden Potential https://adamgrant.net/book/hidden-potential/
Shane Parrish’s book Clear Thinking https://fs.blog/clear/
Musician James Blake explaining why he enjoys playing video games https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjsr9Sq6-F8 - "I like video games because they use a different part of my brain. I think I spend so much time in the kind of creative part of my brain... it's nice to pay a visit to the other side of it and just turn the creative part off for a second.”
Quotes, ideas, and insights referenced:
“Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans.” - John Lennon, from the song “Beautiful Boy (Darling Boy)”
“The fool, with all his other faults, has this also—he is always getting ready to live.” Seneca quoting Epicurus (source: https://dailystoic.com/dont-be-a-fool/)
Links:
Learn more about Robyn at https://www.robynlester.com/
Learn more about Michelle at https://www.michellemonettemusic.com/
Please feel free to send questions and comments to streamofartpodcast@gmail.com
Connect with like-minded artists and creatives at our Discord server: https://discord.gg/mHa8GSQqsv
Follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/streamofartpodcast/
Credits:
Podcast art by: Robyn Lester
Intro music by: Michelle Monette
Podcast editing by: Michelle Monette