Math Has One Answer; Art Has Yours

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Creativity isn’t a side dish; it’s the main course for building sharper thinking and genuine confidence. We sit down with Madeline, a homeschooled teen who treats art as both a learning engine and a way to find her voice. Together we unpack why open-ended making exercises different mental muscles than subjects with single right answers, and how that challenge translates into autonomy, resilience, and better problem-solving.

Madeline shares how an unschooling mindset lets her master core subjects through formats that fit—listening, researching, reading, then making—while pursuing passions like public speaking and psychology. We talk about facing stage fright through community theater, turning nerves into fuel, and using performance to practice presence, recovery, and clarity. Along the way we link sketching and mindful doodling to focus and memory, and explore the growing movement to “prescribe art” as preventative care. Art for wellness isn’t fluff; it’s a practical tool for stress regulation, connection, and self-knowledge.

We also dig into originality in the age of AI and remix culture. Your voice is the differentiator, and the only way to find it is to make more—try new mediums, accept critique, and iterate. From micron pens to needle felting to movie-inspired projects and holiday ornaments, the studio becomes a sandbox for curiosity and courage. The result is a class culture where friendships form, ideas travel beyond the room, and students feel safe to speak up and stand out.

If you care about youth empowerment, homeschooling, arts education, mental health, or the craft of public speaking, this conversation delivers practical insights and plenty of heart. Listen, share it with someone who needs a nudge to create, and tell us: what’s the next small, brave thing you’ll make? Subscribe, leave a review, and join the conversation so we can bring more voices to the mic.

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Episode Transcript

SPEAKER_01 (00:05):
Hey everyone, welcome back to Bruttifully
Made.
I am so excited.
I have a special guest on withus today.
This is Madeline.
So Madeline is one of mywonderful homeschool students,
and she does amazing work, andwe wanted to talk a little bit
about why it's important foreveryone to remember to

(00:26):
encourage our youth to expressthemselves with art.
So Madeline, thanks for joiningtoday.

SPEAKER_00 (00:32):
Yeah, thank you for letting me come on.
I think a big important reasonto do art, whether you're
homeschooled in public school,is because it makes your brain
think harder than actually doingsimple original subjects like
your math, language, and scienceand history.
When people say, you know, readthis book and then write about
it and to all of the students,they are all doing the same

(00:54):
thing.
But when you're doing art,you're interpreting it in your
own way.
Even if you say do this way,you're still doing it in your
own way.
So I think that's like the mainimportant reason.

SPEAKER_01 (01:03):
Yeah, I think it's really important to encourage
someone to have autonomy overwhat they do and having their
voice in it.
Because yeah, you're right.
You do a math problem andthere's different ways that you
do it, but everyone comes upwith the same solution.
Exactly.
So when you think about it, ittakes creativity to do some of
those things.
And so if you're encouragingthat in some extracurriculars, I
think it strengthened that logicportion of your brain.

(01:26):
Exactly.
And so we're gonna sketch andwe're gonna doodle while we talk
today.
Uh, just just so we have, youknow, something going on with
our hands, and we'll share thatat the end of the podcast.
But, you know, Madeline, yeah,you bring up a great point about
being now you were homeschooled,you've been in public school
before.
And so you chose to take thehomeschool route.
And they have been educating meon homeschooling.

(01:49):
I had no idea.
There were so many varieties.

SPEAKER_00 (01:52):
There really is.
Yeah.
And I would definitely callmyself more unschooled because I
do what I love and I really takemy time.
Um, but I still do originalsubjects.
I just do a little bitdifferently than others.
Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 (02:03):
Yeah.
And I love how you explore whatyou love and how creative your
parents have been, allowing youto find different ways from
listening to things toresearching things to reading
things to strengthen the lessonsthat you're you're taking, that
you're learning.

SPEAKER_00 (02:19):
I think people um get it wrong a lot.
I think they think, yeah, you'relazy or you're not gonna be
smart in life.
And I think you can be smart anyway you do it in life.
And it's just so important tojust do what you love.
That's I think the real, thereal recipe for how to live.
Yeah, yeah.

SPEAKER_01 (02:35):
And it's really encouraging you to think about
what you want to do after youreducation, isn't it?
Exactly.
Yeah.
So kind of share some of thethings that you've been talking
to me about, like what you'dlike to do outside of school
once you're finished.

SPEAKER_00 (02:49):
Um, I had many ideas.
One was a motivational speaker.
Um, I love that.
I know I love talking to people,and being on this podcast is
really awesome to share ideasthat I've been wanting to, you
know, get out um in the public.
I think I also think apsychologist was another one.
I just want to help people andreally understand um mental

(03:09):
health and certain issues in thebrain.
And yeah, those are pretty muchthe big two.

SPEAKER_01 (03:14):
Yeah.
And I was just sharing withMadeline, I was able to attend a
wellness discussion with Artsand Stark this week, and it
really focused on how art can bea part of your wellness journey
and how we need to encourageinsurance companies and
facilities to promote art as away to heal and even be

(03:36):
preventative medicine.
And they've talked, they talkedabout prescribing art and for
you to recognize that at yourage.
I don't want to, yeah, how oldare you?
214.
Thinking about that already, Imean, that's tremendous and how
important that is to focus on.
And I love the fact that youwant to public speak.
There are a lot of young adultsthat are terrified to talk in

(04:01):
public.
And I love that you want toshare what you love through
public speaking.

SPEAKER_00 (04:06):
Yeah.
That's one of my favoritethings.
I just love talking to people,and I do get nervous, but I I
like that fear, it makes mecontinue.
And just to know I'm sharingideas really makes I think the
situation better.
Because if you know what youwant to stand for, it you really
want to get to it and you wantto speak it out.
I think when you get to thatpoint.

SPEAKER_01 (04:24):
Yeah, and I love how you explore different ways to
practice your public speaking.
You shared with me that you weredoing um some acting in the
community.
Can you talk a little bit aboutwhat you were doing?

SPEAKER_00 (04:35):
So, pretty much at Players Guild, um, I was doing a
wicked program and a four-weekprogram where we explore the
songs, um, the dancing, and thenwe do a performance at the end.
And I learned a lot about justlike what not to do and what to
do when you're on stage.
And I think it really does helpI think um just getting outside

(04:57):
and just yeah, exploring how tostand up in front of people
because that takes a lot ofcourage, especially for young
kids, to get up and sing a partthat's not, you know, your own.
And yeah, yeah, I think it Ithink it's good.

SPEAKER_01 (05:09):
Yeah.
I think that that's wonderfulbecause honestly, when you go
into college, for example, youhave to take a public speaking
course.
And to be creative and do it inthat realm, that's another way
that you can explore learninghow to public speak and getting
over those fears.
Yes.
And again, that has to be acreative outlet that we present

(05:30):
as an option to people.
And starting at your age andeven younger, I think that
that's so important.
And oh yeah, in reiterating thatyou there's no reason for you to
be afraid.
You know, exactly.
Get out there and say what youfeel and express your opinion
and do it in your own voice.
It has to be done the way weneed what you know how to do.

(05:51):
That's what the world needs.
It doesn't need someone being uhidentical to someone else that's
already out there.

SPEAKER_00 (05:57):
I feel like desperate for that.
I know people do that a lot, andespecially kids figuring out who
they want to be and they're youknow trying to fit into you
know, maybe certain outfits orhow they talk and just being
with the people.
You know, it's you reallyquestion like, like, why are we
doing that?
Right.
I don't think we ever questionit.
I think we just go with whatsociety wants us to do, and we
never stop and think, is thisright?

(06:17):
Or if we just followed somethingthat needs to just expire.
Right.
That's I think a big thing.
Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 (06:22):
I mean, I know creativity, everyone will like
kind of agree that there isn'tanything unique anymore.
It's always like regeneratedfrom something that's a
masterpiece or something that'sbeen done before, but that's not
really true.
I mean, we're building AI basedon what we're teaching it, but
our own interpretation and ourstyles need to be strengthened

(06:46):
through practice and um, youknow, meditating on what you're
learning and doing it in yourown way because nobody else is
going to do it like that.
They're not gonna sound likeyou, they're not going to, you
know, have your um voice in it.
And that's so important tostrengthen that and to do that
and find out what that is.

(07:06):
Yeah, you know, how will youknow if you don't try?

SPEAKER_00 (07:09):
I know, exactly.
Yeah, yeah.
I feel like um, you know, youjust need to try.
I know that it's scary becausewe're all scared of messing up
and we're scared of makingmistakes.
Right.
Believe me, I we all are, youknow, I am too, but I think you
just have to do it.
You know, that's terrible, youknow.
I think a lot of people say youjust have to do, and I think it
lost its meaning, but I reallydo think you just have to go

(07:30):
through it.
And if you don't like it, thendon't do it again.
But then you'll know.
Yeah, you'll know.
And then you don't have to keepworrying about it in the future
because you got it done.
You got the you got checked offthe list, and yeah.
And there's so much to explore.

SPEAKER_01 (07:42):
I know one of the things I'm always saying, okay,
what would you guys like tolearn today?
Exactly.
It's like, um, it'soverwhelming.

SPEAKER_00 (07:48):
There's so many things.
I know.
And I think I'm just startingrealizing that.
Like everywhere I'm looking, I'mlike, I could do that, I could
do that.
And it's it's definitely, youknow, it's just so many options.

SPEAKER_01 (07:59):
Okay, today she handed it a beautiful scarf.
First time she ever did it.
And it was like she blew meaway.
It picked up on it so fast, itwas phenomenal.
And I just, you're welcome.
And it's just, I love howopen-minded that the students
are here that they want toexplore and try something rather
than nope, this is all I know,and this is what I want to stick

(08:22):
in my, you know, realm and mylane.
And yeah, and I don't wantanyone to feel like they can't
do something, at least try.
And I'm glad that you're veryopen-minded about that.
It makes me really happy.
Yeah.
Oh gosh.
So I I even asked her, I'm like,what would you like to explore?
What would you like to learn?
And so I know that we're gonnado some more sketching and some
more drawing, and even fromreference, which is great.

(08:44):
Yeah.
Um, there's just so much tolearn and so many styles to try.
Yeah.
So I have her draw on withmicron pens today.
No, I was like, have you everdone that?
And we're like, yeah, I said,well, let's doodle while we
while we talk.
That's part of why I have thevideo portion, um, just so we
can share some mindful drawingwhile you talk.
I I've always done that inmeetings and stuff.

(09:06):
I'm always like doodling whileretain things more.
Well, actually, a fact, ascientific fact.
Yeah, yeah.
Uh, that's another thing, man.
This gal, she knows all kinds ofdetails from so many things, and
she's just so willing to share.
And we have great discussions inour classes.
I love it.
Great philosophical aboutsupernatural things.

(09:27):
Yeah, yeah.
Yeah, and why don't you watch iton TV?
And you know, why are you drawnto this?
And you know, things that weread, and it's just uh it's a
great class, it's a greatdiscussion.
It really is, yeah.
And I love the fact that thestudents have even hung out
together outside of the classesbecause they're getting to know
one another, and it's just itmakes me so happy that they've

(09:51):
met through this avenue.
I mean, that was one of thethings that I wasn't expecting
to happen, and that the factthat it has makes me really
happy.
I know.

SPEAKER_00 (09:59):
It makes me really happy too.
I mean, like, you're just anawesome person, and I really
look forward coming and justlooking doing the art and just
talking.
Like you're really sweet.

SPEAKER_01 (10:08):
Oh my gosh, it is just it's great.
And I love the fact that um uhyou share your opinion, like you
know, what we're doing and whatyou want to learn.
And so it makes me think outsidethe box too.
Like, how can I make this moremeaningful?
And you know, I'm always like, Ijust don't want to give you
something to draw and walk away.
I want you to, you know, havesuccess behind it.

SPEAKER_00 (10:30):
Yeah, that's important.
I'm really much so like willingto do anything and everything in
art because I haven't explored,of course, it's you know, it's
unlimited.
I haven't explored uh, you know,everything.
So when she brings up an idea,I'm like, let's just do it.
You know, I don't want to likemake my own idea, I'll just do
what you say.
Cause I I just love like havingyou know new things happen.
So yeah, yeah.

SPEAKER_01 (10:49):
I mean, and and if it's something she's not done,
it's it turns into okay, I'mgonna try it in this style, this
way.
And that's that's what I want.
That that's exactly what I wantyou to explore.
So I love that you're open todoing that.
That's awesome.
Oh my goodness.
So um, are there anything thatyou're looking forward to for
the holidays coming up?
Or is there anything that you'regoing to uh want to do as a

(11:10):
class in here that has any liketradition that I need to like
start focusing on?
Like when my kids were little,we used to do advent calendars.
Oh my gosh.
And that's really popular withthem.
They're in their 30s now.
So if you've never had one, isthat something that you'd be
interested in making?
Or ornaments or anything thatyou know has the meaning behind
it.

SPEAKER_00 (11:30):
I mean, pretty much anything.
I think um just like probablyjust doing anything that's like
Christmas related.
Yeah.
Um, advent calendars, I lovethose.
I think that'd be really cool.
Ornaments too.
I love doing ornaments.
Um, we talk a lot about yeah, wetalk a lot about movies.

SPEAKER_01 (11:45):
So maybe there's some things we can spin on a
movie.
Yeah.
That would be a lot of fun.
That would be a lot.
Yeah.
I know that um when Lily'sanother student that we have,
yeah.
We were talking last week.
Maybe we will do some needlefeldand characters, which you guys
they did needlefeld andpainting, they both have.
So if we do some of thethree-dimensional pieces, maybe
we can do maybe a favoritecharacter from the movie or

(12:07):
something.
So Madeline, you're great tohave.
How's your thing?
How's your sketch coming along?
Just it's a little something.
Okay, okay.
Oh, yeah.
Like I said, just sitting heredrawing a little cheeky little
grandma bird.
I love that.
I love it.

(12:28):
Well, I'm sure Madeline will beback on Instagram again.
And so we just wanted to hop onand say hi and introduce her to
um to everyone.
And if you have a question aboutwhat drives our youth in art,
please let me know, and that canbe one of our discussion points.
So take care.
Have a great weekend.
Thanks for joining us.
Bye.