May 23, 2025 • 14 mins
Authenticity is your superpower in a world of cookie-cutter content. This episode dives into how giving ourselves permission to simply be who we are transforms not only our creative work but every relationship and community we build.
Drawing from my experience at the ColoriFlori Art Summit with Este MacLeod, I explore what happens when we adapt instructions rather than feeling constrained by them. It's not just about art supplies – it's about the liberation that comes when we stop trying to do things "perfectly" according to someone else's standard. Those moments when we hear "it's okay to do it your way" often trigger a sigh of relief that reveals how much we've been holding back.
The connections we form when we show up as ourselves are profound. I share how my casual clothing choices in-store videos unexpectedly resonated with viewers who tune in specifically to see what I'm wearing – reminiscent of watching Dolly Parton's shows as a child and guessing what colors she'd wear. These authentic expressions create bridges between people in ways we can never anticipate. Even my embarrassing story about avoiding gouache paint because I didn't know how to pronounce it demonstrates how our vulnerabilities connect us more than our perfections ever could.
As AI increasingly produces flawless but soulless content, your authentic human expression becomes more valuable, not less. Your weird, imperfect creative voice is exactly what the world needs. So paint your plants looking ridiculous, wear what makes you smile, share your unpolished work, and embrace your authentic self – we're all desperate to see it.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:06):
Hello, good morning everyone.
Welcome back to Brutally Made.
I'm very happy to be back withyou all.
It is continuing to be a verybusy time for me as I wind down
my tenure with my currentemployer.
I have six weeks left nowofficially and just got my
(00:29):
retirement picture taken andshared that on social media and
just it's been super busy.
But I've been havingopportunities to catch up and
see people that I haven't seenin years because when the
pandemic hit things kind of gotsplintered and I went home to
(00:51):
work from home full time and Ididn't get to see a lot of my
friends that I work with on adaily basis except through
videos like Zoom.
So, yeah, so it's just beenreally busy.
So happy to be back.
I haven't been doodling as we'vebeen talking, so maybe I will
share some of the work that I'vebeen doing in the last two
(01:12):
weeks now with Estee McLeod.
She arranged a curated group ofinstructors for a Calori Flory
Art Summit and I've been doingthose on a daily basis and
really enjoying all of theexploration of doing that work
(01:33):
and watching how the instructorsdo it and then using really the
materials I have on hand.
They were so kind to give avery detailed list of everything
that they each use, but youknow, I just may not have had
those exact things, so I havebeen changing it up with stuff
that I have, and so I think it'sbeen a lot of fun and I really
(01:57):
enjoy the freedom of being ableto do that.
And that kind of leads me totoday's you know, discussion and
thought on being authentic andgiving yourself permission to
just be yourself and do yourwork the way you do it, even
though someone is givinginstruction and suggestions, and
(02:19):
it's OK if you can't follow it100%.
And so I just think that, as agroup, in any kind of
environment that you're involvedin, and if you are happy to
lead it, making sure everyoneknows that they have permission
to show up as themselves is themost powerful thing you can do.
(02:40):
And I really feel like that'sthe basis of why we pick the
people that we hang out with,because they maybe not even with
saying it I mean it justhappens that they accept you for
who you are.
Somebody loves us and likes usand appreciates us for us not
(03:05):
wanting to try to change us ormake us conform to a certain,
you know, ideal or standard, andit's okay to not be perfect and
it's okay to just be as real asyou are.
And those are the most genuineand happiest relationships that
we have or when we are withthose people, and I love the
(03:28):
honesty that comes with that andI love seeing people sigh with
a bit of relief when they knowthat, okay, it's okay that I
didn't do it exactly like thisway or that way or use the exact
same tools.
It's okay.
And I think that that's reallyimportant because that fuels our
connections with one anotherand I really feel like that
(03:51):
builds the truest community thatwe are and that we identify
with.
So I feel like that, if you canoffer that room and it's so
funny when we talk as creativesand you hear that someone has
given permission it's almostlike, well, why do I need their
permission?
(04:12):
But it's almost like anunspoken situation that is set
up in the environment that we'rein and it really does resonate
when you know that it's okay tobe yourself.
So you just want their presencethere, you just want them to be
part of the process, and Ilearned so much from people
(04:33):
watching how they do things andI love learning, I love being
instructed, I love finding outnew materials If I can afford it
or if I can bring that intowhat I use, I will totally do
that.
But in a moment, if I can't,it's okay to change up what
they're using and use what Ihave.
And you know, that's anotherform of being very authentic.
(04:57):
And so I think that there'sdifferent ways that we can do
that on a daily basis, and Ithink that if we just take a
moment to be ourselves and seethe world and interpret it in
the way that we do in our ownhand, that is the best practice
that we can offer ourselves.
(05:18):
So I love these lessons and Ilove doing this, but some of
mine did not look anything liketheirs, and it's okay.
Maybe mine went a littleridiculous.
Do that, do that on a dailybasis.
Draw a plant, draw a person,draw an animal Not exactly like
(05:38):
it is supposed to look, likeit's okay if it's not realistic.
I've had to get that out of myhead for so long because growing
up, that's the only way thatart was acceptable is if it was
realistic and it's okay to beridiculous.
So do it.
Do it on a daily basis.
I think that's why I love likecaricatures and stuff, because
it just makes me smile and itjust makes a connection.
(06:01):
It just makes me smile and itjust makes a connection.
So, and do that with, like,what you have on exterior, what
you're wearing, I don't care ifit's your hair, your makeup,
your clothing.
I have, from the very beginningwith my store, shared a real
quick, like little video blip ofbeing at the space, because
(06:22):
nobody knew about the space andI wanted to make sure people
knew that when they came in, youwere going to see me.
This is my space, it's namedafter my last name and I am
there and so you see me and Iwear whatever I want.
I had no idea that those piecesof clothing would resonate with
(06:44):
so many people.
Sometimes they were things I'vehad a long time.
Sometimes they were things thatI was selling in the store or I
am selling in the store,sometimes the things that I've
made, and I usually have toexplain, like, where they're
from, because it is inevitable.
Somebody was like where did youget that?
Where can I get that?
Can I make that with you?
(07:04):
All the time I had no idea thatthat was going to happen and it
reminds me.
I always say this too whenpeople come in, when I was a
little girl, we would watch theDolly Parton weekly show and she
would come down out of therafters on a swing singing and
she would have Dolly and therewas a butterfly and the logo and
(07:24):
my mom and I would try to guesswhat color she would wear that
day and it was so much fun andmemory stuck with me and so I
have had people it never failssay I just tuned in to see what
you're wearing for the day.
I can't believe that.
That just makes me smile fromthe inside out.
I just think that is so fun.
(07:45):
So be you, because it's going toresonate with someone and you
do not even know that it is.
Oh, my goodness, just beauthentic with what you say.
Be, you know, vulnerable, useyour heart.
It's not going to be perfect.
You can hear that in my speechnow, in how I talk and every
(08:08):
time I do a video.
It is so off the cuff, it isnot really scripted at all.
Sometimes I may have, let's seea class, an outline of what I'm
talking about.
That's pretty much it, and thenI just start talking.
So it's okay, be authentic.
And I'm telling you if you canjust share your joy and whatever
(08:29):
sparks that, you know fire inyou that is going to ignite in
someone else, it really will,and it just is so amazing to
just share what you love, to seewhere it goes.
And there's always going to berules about things that you're
(08:50):
either pursuing or creating, andit's okay to break those.
I mean, if you know them,that's great, but you know
doesn't have to be daily thatyou follow the rules.
So just be, you know, lookingfor creating with some fun in
mind.
And I'm telling you, if you canjust be truthful, that also
(09:12):
gives genuine connection.
I think I have shared many timeshow I was so afraid to use
gouache paint because I didn'tknow how to say it.
I didn't know how to ask for itin an art store, I didn't know
how it worked, so I didn't knowhow to ask someone for help and
I just would just avoid using itbecause I didn't know how to
say it.
And so I'm telling you it makesme laugh now, but it's the
(09:36):
truth, and so it's okay to notbe perfect my gosh, no one is
perfect so just share that.
It's absolutely a connector forsure.
I love celebrating other people, so, yeah, when I find out that
there is some weirdness out inthe world, I embrace it.
I got my Stay Weird pen that Isaw at the last art retreat,
(10:02):
rebloom Sarah Miller she hadthose for sale and that is mine.
I wore it in my retirementpicture.
I see that and just embrace itin everyone.
So, totally, you know, theweirdness is rampant and I love
identifying it in everybody andit just connects me with so many
(10:27):
people.
So it's, it's a wonderfulattribute to not hide.
So please do, and so just keepmoving and keep, you know, not
being afraid to make thosestrides.
It's really important to reallyface those fears.
That's hard to do, that'seasier said than done.
(10:49):
I totally, totally know that.
But you're also going to haveto realize that we need to see
you.
So share what you do out in theworld.
I've been meeting a few youngerartists lately and I'm like do
you have your work on socialmedia just so I can connect with
you to see it?
Yeah, but I haven't doneanything with it or oh, I didn't
(11:10):
think people would want to seeit.
If that is something that youlove doing sharing the process,
sharing your work, showing whatyou do is so meaningful to
others and if that's importantto you, please share, please
shout from the rooftops what youdo so we can connect with you.
(11:30):
It's really important.
We want to see you.
You need to be seen, and so weall really want to support that.
And so you just be grateful forevery day that you have the
ability to share your creativityand your ideas and your spark,
because it's going to ignite afire in someone.
(11:52):
I'm telling you it really well,and I think that the
authenticity is the mostimportant thing that we can do
for one another.
Rather than trying to be whatthe other person is doing or
being or making, just do you Beyou.
I want to see you.
I want to learn from you.
(12:12):
I want to be inspired by you.
I want to see you do it yourway.
It's okay if it's not perfect.
Don't try to make it conform tosome standards.
You know, I've seen someartists create some beautiful
things and then run them throughAI and then they have to be
(12:33):
like immaculate and perfect andit just ruins their hand, it
ruins the look.
It's like.
That just makes me sad.
It's not the same as what youroriginals are and it shows and I
just want to to remind peoplethat that your authenticity is
what matters and that the worldneeds more of that, because
(12:56):
we're going to be facing a lotof cookie cutter things that
look the same, that are made thesame, that aren't going to be
authentic, and we are desperatefor authenticity.
So stay authentic, staybrutally made, so I can share
(13:17):
what you're doing in the world.
It was such a good day, such agreat week.
It's just been super busy.
So I can't wait to talk to younext time and hopefully have
some guests start coming on frommy trip when we were speaking
to one another at the retreat,and then I've also had some
(13:39):
people reach out that want toshare their authentic selves,
which I am super excited about.
So take care, have a wonderfulMemorial Day weekend, stay safe
and I will talk to you next time.
Bye-bye.
Hello, good morning everyone.
Welcome back to Brutally Made.
I'm very happy to be back withyou all.
It is continuing to be a verybusy time for me as I wind down
my tenure with my currentemployer.
I have six weeks left nowofficially and just got my
(00:29):
retirement picture taken andshared that on social media and
just it's been super busy.
But I've been havingopportunities to catch up and
see people that I haven't seenin years because when the
pandemic hit things kind of gotsplintered and I went home to
(00:51):
work from home full time and Ididn't get to see a lot of my
friends that I work with on adaily basis except through
videos like Zoom.
So, yeah, so it's just beenreally busy.
So happy to be back.
I haven't been doodling as we'vebeen talking, so maybe I will
share some of the work that I'vebeen doing in the last two
(01:12):
weeks now with Estee McLeod.
She arranged a curated group ofinstructors for a Calori Flory
Art Summit and I've been doingthose on a daily basis and
really enjoying all of theexploration of doing that work
(01:33):
and watching how the instructorsdo it and then using really the
materials I have on hand.
They were so kind to give avery detailed list of everything
that they each use, but youknow, I just may not have had
those exact things, so I havebeen changing it up with stuff
that I have, and so I think it'sbeen a lot of fun and I really
(01:57):
enjoy the freedom of being ableto do that.
And that kind of leads me totoday's you know, discussion and
thought on being authentic andgiving yourself permission to
just be yourself and do yourwork the way you do it, even
though someone is givinginstruction and suggestions, and
(02:19):
it's OK if you can't follow it100%.
And so I just think that, as agroup, in any kind of
environment that you're involvedin, and if you are happy to
lead it, making sure everyoneknows that they have permission
to show up as themselves is themost powerful thing you can do.
(02:40):
And I really feel like that'sthe basis of why we pick the
people that we hang out with,because they maybe not even with
saying it I mean it justhappens that they accept you for
who you are.
Somebody loves us and likes usand appreciates us for us not
(03:05):
wanting to try to change us ormake us conform to a certain,
you know, ideal or standard, andit's okay to not be perfect and
it's okay to just be as real asyou are.
And those are the most genuineand happiest relationships that
we have or when we are withthose people, and I love the
(03:28):
honesty that comes with that andI love seeing people sigh with
a bit of relief when they knowthat, okay, it's okay that I
didn't do it exactly like thisway or that way or use the exact
same tools.
It's okay.
And I think that that's reallyimportant because that fuels our
connections with one anotherand I really feel like that
(03:51):
builds the truest community thatwe are and that we identify
with.
So I feel like that, if you canoffer that room and it's so
funny when we talk as creativesand you hear that someone has
given permission it's almostlike, well, why do I need their
permission?
(04:12):
But it's almost like anunspoken situation that is set
up in the environment that we'rein and it really does resonate
when you know that it's okay tobe yourself.
So you just want their presencethere, you just want them to be
part of the process, and Ilearned so much from people
(04:33):
watching how they do things andI love learning, I love being
instructed, I love finding outnew materials If I can afford it
or if I can bring that intowhat I use, I will totally do
that.
But in a moment, if I can't,it's okay to change up what
they're using and use what Ihave.
And you know, that's anotherform of being very authentic.
(04:57):
And so I think that there'sdifferent ways that we can do
that on a daily basis, and Ithink that if we just take a
moment to be ourselves and seethe world and interpret it in
the way that we do in our ownhand, that is the best practice
that we can offer ourselves.
(05:18):
So I love these lessons and Ilove doing this, but some of
mine did not look anything liketheirs, and it's okay.
Maybe mine went a littleridiculous.
Do that, do that on a dailybasis.
Draw a plant, draw a person,draw an animal Not exactly like
(05:38):
it is supposed to look, likeit's okay if it's not realistic.
I've had to get that out of myhead for so long because growing
up, that's the only way thatart was acceptable is if it was
realistic and it's okay to beridiculous.
So do it.
Do it on a daily basis.
I think that's why I love likecaricatures and stuff, because
it just makes me smile and itjust makes a connection.
(06:01):
It just makes me smile and itjust makes a connection.
So, and do that with, like,what you have on exterior, what
you're wearing, I don't care ifit's your hair, your makeup,
your clothing.
I have, from the very beginningwith my store, shared a real
quick, like little video blip ofbeing at the space, because
(06:22):
nobody knew about the space andI wanted to make sure people
knew that when they came in, youwere going to see me.
This is my space, it's namedafter my last name and I am
there and so you see me and Iwear whatever I want.
I had no idea that those piecesof clothing would resonate with
(06:44):
so many people.
Sometimes they were things I'vehad a long time.
Sometimes they were things thatI was selling in the store or I
am selling in the store,sometimes the things that I've
made, and I usually have toexplain, like, where they're
from, because it is inevitable.
Somebody was like where did youget that?
Where can I get that?
Can I make that with you?
(07:04):
All the time I had no idea thatthat was going to happen and it
reminds me.
I always say this too whenpeople come in, when I was a
little girl, we would watch theDolly Parton weekly show and she
would come down out of therafters on a swing singing and
she would have Dolly and therewas a butterfly and the logo and
(07:24):
my mom and I would try to guesswhat color she would wear that
day and it was so much fun andmemory stuck with me and so I
have had people it never failssay I just tuned in to see what
you're wearing for the day.
I can't believe that.
That just makes me smile fromthe inside out.
I just think that is so fun.
(07:45):
So be you, because it's going toresonate with someone and you
do not even know that it is.
Oh, my goodness, just beauthentic with what you say.
Be, you know, vulnerable, useyour heart.
It's not going to be perfect.
You can hear that in my speechnow, in how I talk and every
(08:08):
time I do a video.
It is so off the cuff, it isnot really scripted at all.
Sometimes I may have, let's seea class, an outline of what I'm
talking about.
That's pretty much it, and thenI just start talking.
So it's okay, be authentic.
And I'm telling you if you canjust share your joy and whatever
(08:29):
sparks that, you know fire inyou that is going to ignite in
someone else, it really will,and it just is so amazing to
just share what you love, to seewhere it goes.
And there's always going to berules about things that you're
(08:50):
either pursuing or creating, andit's okay to break those.
I mean, if you know them,that's great, but you know
doesn't have to be daily thatyou follow the rules.
So just be, you know, lookingfor creating with some fun in
mind.
And I'm telling you, if you canjust be truthful, that also
(09:12):
gives genuine connection.
I think I have shared many timeshow I was so afraid to use
gouache paint because I didn'tknow how to say it.
I didn't know how to ask for itin an art store, I didn't know
how it worked, so I didn't knowhow to ask someone for help and
I just would just avoid using itbecause I didn't know how to
say it.
And so I'm telling you it makesme laugh now, but it's the
(09:36):
truth, and so it's okay to notbe perfect my gosh, no one is
perfect so just share that.
It's absolutely a connector forsure.
I love celebrating other people, so, yeah, when I find out that
there is some weirdness out inthe world, I embrace it.
I got my Stay Weird pen that Isaw at the last art retreat,
(10:02):
rebloom Sarah Miller she hadthose for sale and that is mine.
I wore it in my retirementpicture.
I see that and just embrace itin everyone.
So, totally, you know, theweirdness is rampant and I love
identifying it in everybody andit just connects me with so many
(10:27):
people.
So it's, it's a wonderfulattribute to not hide.
So please do, and so just keepmoving and keep, you know, not
being afraid to make thosestrides.
It's really important to reallyface those fears.
That's hard to do, that'seasier said than done.
(10:49):
I totally, totally know that.
But you're also going to haveto realize that we need to see
you.
So share what you do out in theworld.
I've been meeting a few youngerartists lately and I'm like do
you have your work on socialmedia just so I can connect with
you to see it?
Yeah, but I haven't doneanything with it or oh, I didn't
(11:10):
think people would want to seeit.
If that is something that youlove doing sharing the process,
sharing your work, showing whatyou do is so meaningful to
others and if that's importantto you, please share, please
shout from the rooftops what youdo so we can connect with you.
(11:30):
It's really important.
We want to see you.
You need to be seen, and so weall really want to support that.
And so you just be grateful forevery day that you have the
ability to share your creativityand your ideas and your spark,
because it's going to ignite afire in someone.
(11:52):
I'm telling you it really well,and I think that the
authenticity is the mostimportant thing that we can do
for one another.
Rather than trying to be whatthe other person is doing or
being or making, just do you Beyou.
I want to see you.
I want to learn from you.
(12:12):
I want to be inspired by you.
I want to see you do it yourway.
It's okay if it's not perfect.
Don't try to make it conform tosome standards.
You know, I've seen someartists create some beautiful
things and then run them throughAI and then they have to be
(12:33):
like immaculate and perfect andit just ruins their hand, it
ruins the look.
It's like.
That just makes me sad.
It's not the same as what youroriginals are and it shows and I
just want to to remind peoplethat that your authenticity is
what matters and that the worldneeds more of that, because
(12:56):
we're going to be facing a lotof cookie cutter things that
look the same, that are made thesame, that aren't going to be
authentic, and we are desperatefor authenticity.
So stay authentic, staybrutally made, so I can share
(13:17):
what you're doing in the world.
It was such a good day, such agreat week.
It's just been super busy.
So I can't wait to talk to younext time and hopefully have
some guests start coming on frommy trip when we were speaking
to one another at the retreat,and then I've also had some
(13:39):
people reach out that want toshare their authentic selves,
which I am super excited about.
So take care, have a wonderfulMemorial Day weekend, stay safe
and I will talk to you next time.
Bye-bye.
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