Zuzu's Haus of Cats Presents... (Eli Trier)

I had the absolute pleasure of chatting with the multi-talented Lucy H. Pearce this week, and let me tell you, it was a corker.

Lucy is one of those people who does ALL THE THINGS - she's an artist, an author, an editor, and runs her own publishing company (Womancraft Publishing). We had a proper natter about what it's like to be neurodivergent and creative, and how getting diagnosed with autism later in life can crack your world wide open.

We dug into the nitty-gritty of being a "multi-passionate" creative (hello, kindred spirit!) and how to juggle all those balls without dropping dead from exhaustion. Lucy shared some fantastic insights about her creative process and how she approaches making art that resonates on a gut level.

And of course, we couldn't help but dive into the whole neurodiversity and creativity thing. It was fascinating to hear how Lucy's diagnosis has shaped her understanding of herself and her work, and she dished out some proper good advice for other creatives who might be feeling a bit out of step with the world too.

If you're into the intersection of creativity and neurodiversity, or just fancy hearing about forging your own unique path in the arts, you're going to love this episode - it's chock-full of inspiration and practical tips. Give it a listen and let me know what you think!

✍ Read the full show notes here: https://www.elinortrierstudio.com/podcast/ep3-lucyhpearce

💻 Visit Lucy's website here: http://www.lucyhpearce.com/

💌 Never miss an episode - sign up for notifications here: https://www.elinortrierstudio.com/podcast

🎶 All music by the incredible Caspar Riis: https://soundcloud.com/caspar-riis. Used with permission.

In this illuminating episode, I sit down with the brilliant Carrie Brummer to explore the beautiful chaos of combining artmaking with entrepreneurship and raising kids. Carrie shares her journey of integrating creativity into daily life, and offers some invaluable insights for anyone seeking to make creativity their full-time gig. Carrie shares some fab tips for making space for creativity amongst the endless duties of small business ownership and parenting little ones. Her flexible, go-with-the-flow approach feels so liberating in a world that constantly urges us to hustle and grind, no matter the cost. From finding creative fuel in the humour and mundanity of domestic life, to chasing artistic dreams in unconventional ways, to giving yourself permission to ebb and flow - Carrie's hard-won wisdom feels like a warm hug. Whether you're a fellow artist/parent striving to make room for it all, a creative entrepreneur looking for a fresh perspective, or simply someone craving more artful presence amidst the rush of daily life - this candid conversation is sure to refill your cup. LINKS: Click here for the full show notes [https://www.elinortrierstudio.com/podcast/ep-2-carrie-brummer/]

Join me for a delightful conversation with the wonderful Edward Ficklin! In this episode of Zuzu's Haus of Cats Presents… we explore the risqué world of Edward's erotic art and discuss the hurdles of being an erotic artist in our increasingly conservative digital landscape.

Edward and I chat about everything from the beauty of comics as a medium (not just a genre) to the frustrations of dealing with censorship on social media platforms. We share a laugh over his clever ways of working around the rules and talk about the importance of creating your own community when the mainstream isn't quite ready for you.

But it's not all heavy stuff - we also discuss Edward's creative process, his fondness for flowers (Georgia O'Keeffe would approve), and how he juggles his art with a day job. Plus, we delve into the wonderfully subversive world of creating art that's filthy without breaking any rules - how's that for clever?

So, if you're feeling a bit daring and want to push at your edges a little bit without being shut down by the Internet, this episode is a must listen. Enjoy, darling!

✍ Read the full show notes here: https://www.elinortrierstudio.com/podcast/ep4-edward-ficklin

💻 Visit Edward's website here: https://edwardficklin.com/

💌 Never miss an episode - sign up for notifications here: https://www.elinortrierstudio.com/podcast

🎶 All music by the incredible Caspar Riis: https://soundcloud.com/caspar-riis. Used with permission.

You're in for an absolute treat with this episode! I had the utter joy of chatting with the phenomenal Rachel Allen - a writer, journalist, and memoirist who's as sharp as a tack and twice as insightful.

Rachel and I dove headfirst into the glorious mess of creative writing, particularly when it comes to tackling sensitive subjects. We talked about everything from how she approaches writing about trauma (including her own) to the importance of treating every single person with compassion and humanity - even those society might deem 'unworthy'.

I was utterly gobsmacked by Rachel's ability to find the humanity in everyone she encounters. She has this incredible knack for excavating stories from the most unexpected places - from prison guards to taxi drivers.

We also chewed over the challenges of balancing honesty and authenticity in storytelling with respecting the privacy and feelings of those involved. And of course, we couldn't help but touch on the importance of self-care when dealing with heavy subjects.

If you're fascinated by the human condition and love a good, juicy story (who doesn't?), then pop the kettle on and settle in for a listen. I promise you'll come away feeling inspired, uplifted, and maybe even a tad more compassionate towards your fellow humans.

✍ Read the full show notes here: https://www.elinortrierstudio.com/podcast/ep5-rachel-allen

💻 Visit Rachel's website here: https://www.rachelcatherineallen.com/

💌 Never miss an episode - sign up for notifications here: https://www.elinortrierstudio.com/podcast

🎶 All music by the incredible Caspar Riis: https://soundcloud.com/caspar-riis. Used with permission.

Do you ever find yourself feeling paralysed by that crisp new sketchbook, scared to make the first mark? My guest this week, the wonderful artist Helen Wells, knows that feeling all too well. But you won't want to miss how she finally broke through that fear and learned to embrace her sketchbooks as a playground for experimentation and growth - no judgments allowed! 🙌 We'll dive into Helen's journey as she shares juicy behind-the-scenes tales of pursuing art as a full-time career. How does she define success on her own terms? What helped build her resilience in the face of all those artistic struggles and rejections we all deal with? She's dishing out so much fantastic advice. Whether you're just starting to dip your toes into the creative entrepreneurship waters or you're a seasoned pro, Helen's wisdom (and delightful sense of humor!) is sure to inspire you. Maybe you'll even get that extra nudge you need to quit being so precious with your sketchbook!  So grab that sketchbook you've been avoiding, a cup of something delicious, and join us for what's sure to be an energising creative pep talk. I cannot wait to share this one with you! 🎉 LINKS: Click here for the full show notes [https://www.elinortrierstudio.com/podcast/ep-1-helen-wells]

In the final episode of season one, I sit down with Tracy Verdugo, an Australian artist and teacher whose vibrant work and approach to creativity has touched lives worldwide. Like many of us, Tracy came to art later in life - she was 33 when she first picked up a paintbrush, believing until then that creativity was something other people did.

Our conversation explores how she moved from teaching art to neighbourhood children to running international workshops and retreats, building a thriving creative business while managing chronic illness. We dig into the reality of being a working artist - the challenge of balancing creative time with business demands, the importance of working in seasons, and how to stay connected to the joy of making art when it's also your livelihood.

What I love about this conversation is how Tracy emphasises the importance of community over commodity. Her approach isn't about quick wins or marketing tricks - it's about building genuine connections and letting the business grow organically from there. Whether you're considering taking your art professional or simply wanting to develop a more consistent creative practice, Tracy offers practical insights about staying true to yourself while building something sustainable.

✍ Read the full show notes here: https://www.elinortrierstudio.com/podcast/ep6-tracy-verdugo

💻 Visit Tracy's website here: https://tracyverdugo.com/

💌 Never miss an episode - sign up for my Studio Letters here: https://www.elinortrierstudio.com/keepintouch

🎶 All music by the incredible Caspar Riis: https://soundcloud.com/caspar-riis. Used with permission.