Windowsill Chats

In this replay episode, Margo is joined by multi-passionate creative Kim Bloomberg, the joyful force behind Studio Art Beat. A fine artist, educator, and self-proclaimed art supply nerd, Kim brings a refreshing perspective to the creative journey—one that's less about staying in your lane and more about following curiosity wherever it leads. With a background in both fine art and education, over two decades of teaching experience, and years running her own jewelry business, Kim shares how she ultimately found fulfillment by embracing her ADHD-fueled love for switching mediums and diving headfirst into new materials. After leaving behind the New York hustle for the artistic charm of Chicago's North Shore, Kim launched Studio Art Beat as an inclusive space to demystify art and make creativity accessible to all ages. She now leads workshops, partners with brands like Gelli Arts, and teaches online courses—including one that brings rhinestone bedazzling to the masses. Through her story, Kim reminds us that freedom, play, and experimentation are not distractions—they're the path. Margo and Kim discuss: Growing up in an art-loving family and the creative influence of her parents and grandfather. Letting go of a long-term jewelry business and the guilt that came with that decision. How embracing her neurodivergent brain led to business clarity and personal joy. Turning her natural desire to switch mediums into a strength rather than a struggle. Building an online art education platform that's welcoming, inclusive, and non-intimidating. Why sharing her process openly (rather than gatekeeping) has helped her business grow. Collaborating with brands while maintaining authenticity and community connection. The value of playful creativity for both kids and adults—and why it's never too late to start. How she's made rhinestones cool again with her Cricut-powered online course. The beauty in allowing your creative identity to evolve—and giving others permission to do the same. Connect with Kim: www.studioartbeat.com www.instagram.com/studioartbeat Connect with Margo: https://www.windowsillchats.com https://www.instagram.com/windowsillchats https://www.patreon.com/inthewindowsill https://www.yourtantaustudio.com/thefoundry

In this replay episode, Margo is joined by tax expert Hannah Cole who specializes in working with creative businesses and mission-driven solopreneurs. A long-time working artist herself, she's helped tens of thousands of self-employed people skill up with accessible tax and money education, through her Money Bootcamp program, speaking engagements from Florida to Alaska, and on the Sunlight podcast. She is the founder of Sunlight Tax. As artists carve their paths through various industries, they encounter a myriad of challenges, yet financial literacy is rarely addressed, leading to feelings of failure and shame. Today's conversation with Hannah sheds light on this systemic failure and turns it into a journey of empowerment and self-compassion (something all creatives should have)! Margo and Hannah discuss: The responsibilities that come with being a small business owner in the US Navigating self-employment taxes and optimizing deductions Personal struggles that Hannah faced within her own creative career and financial literacy What propelled her towards accounting education How she acts as a translator between the creative and tax worlds Simple advice artists can implement today when it comes to money management Her Money Bootcamp program and podcast How to save more money And more! Connect with Hannah: www.instagram.com/sunlighttax www.sunlighttax.com www.sunlighttax.com/podcast Connect with Margo: www.windowsillchats.com www.instagram.com/windowsillchats www.patreon.com/inthewindowsill

Margo is joined by artist and illustrator Madison Phipps, the creative force behind Madison Phipps Studio. Known for her feminine, timeless botanical artwork rooted in nostalgia and storytelling, Madison shares how she's built a growing art business while balancing motherhood and a full-time job. From painting in the quiet margins of her day to landing dream collaborations and launching collections, this conversation is a refreshing and honest look at what it really takes to pursue creativity in the "messy middle." Margo and Madison explore the mindset shifts, practical strategies, and courageous decisions that helped her turn a personal creative practice into a thriving business, without waiting until everything felt "ready." Margo and Madison discuss: Using the question "what's the best that could happen?" as a roadmap for growth and decision-making How sharing her journey on TikTok helped her grow a community and gain visibility Pitching yourself before you feel ready—and how cold outreach led to major opportunities The inspiration behind her nostalgic, botanical artwork rooted in childhood memories Launching and sustaining a snail mail print club as a recurring revenue stream Lessons from collaborations, including her botanical collection with Paloma & Co Balancing ambition, creativity, and family life without burning out Connect with Madison Madison Phipps Studio: https://www.madisonphippsstudio.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/madison.phipps.studio/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@madisonphippsstudio Connect with Margo: Website: www.windowsillchats.com Instagram: @windowsillchats www.patreon.com/inthewindowsill https://www.yourtantaustudio.com/thefoundry

Margo is joined by artist, author, and teacher Sam Dion Baker for a conversation about creativity, sketchbook practice, and finding meaning in the everyday. Originally from Philadelphia and now based in Brooklyn, Sam spent over two decades as a graphic designer before returning to drawing in her forties—ultimately building a deeply personal and widely loved sketchbook diary practice. Through her books, teaching, and artwork, Sam encourages others to slow down, observe their lives, and express themselves in their own unique way. Margo and Sam discuss: How a lifelong exposure to art shaped her creative path (and why it didn't follow a straight line) The transition from graphic design to a personal, sketchbook-based art practice Why sketchbooks can act as a form of therapy, reflection, and emotional processing Finding beauty and inspiration in everyday moments, not just big adventures Letting go of perfection and embracing messiness as part of the creative process Simple exercises to loosen up creatively (like continuous line drawing and using your non-dominant hand) How to develop your own unique creative voice through observation and consistency Sam's books and upcoming projects, including her new coloring book Color Your World Connect with Sam: Website: www.sdionbaker.com Substack: www.samanthadionbaker.substack.com Instagram: www.instagram.com/sdionbakerdesign Connect with Margo: Website: www.windowsillchats.com Instagram: @windowsillchats www.patreon.com/inthewindowsill https://www.yourtantaustudio.com/thefoundry

Margo is joined once again by celebrated illustrator, author, and educator Mike Lowery for a lively conversation about the realities of building a creative career. Mike is the New York Times bestselling illustrator of more than 80 books for children and he's spent decades navigating the ups and downs of freelance illustration and publishing. In this episode, Margo and Mike pick up where their first conversation left off—diving into the lessons Mike has learned over twenty years as a working illustrator, what it actually takes to build a portfolio that attracts clients, and why being "good at drawing" isn't always the same as being hireable. They also talk about Mike's new course, Get Paid to Draw, designed to help illustrators create strategic portfolios, understand what art directors are really looking for, and turn their creative skills into real opportunities. Margo and Mike discuss: What Mike's younger self would think of his career today The behind-the-scenes work of running a creative business Why a strong portfolio matters more than raw talent when it comes to getting hired Portfolio tips to help art directors understand how your work fits their needs The difference between creating art for yourself versus creating work that attracts clients The power of community in a freelance creative career Mike's Get Paid to Draw course and how it helps artists build portfolios that actually lead to work The upcoming Portfolio Challenge starting March 11 and how creatives can participate Connect with Mike: Join the Illustration Portfolio Challenge: https://bit.ly/illoportfoliochallenge Website: https://www.mikelowery.com/ Course: https://www.gettingpaidtodraw.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikelowerystudio/ Connect with Margo: Website: www.windowsillchats.com Instagram: @windowsillchats www.patreon.com/inthewindowsill https://www.yourtantaustudio.com/thefoundry

Margo is joined by award-winning PR strategist, community builder, and host of the Small Business PR Podcast, Gloria Chou. Known for disrupting traditional PR by helping creatives, founders, and small business owners land top-tier media using AI tools instead of big budgets or insider connections. In this episode, Gloria joins Margo to unpack how PR now fuels AI search visibility, why press and podcasts act as modern trust signals, and how artists, makers, and small brands can use accessible tools like ChatGPT and Perplexity to pitch with clarity, credibility, and relevance. Margo and Gloria discuss: Why visibility—not talent—is often the biggest hurdle for creatives Reframing PR as relevance-driven storytelling (not self-promotion) Gloria's CPR Method: Credibility, Point of View, Relevance How cold pitching works—even without contacts or PR experience Using AI tools to research angles and draft pitches in minutes Press & podcasts as critical trust signals in AI-driven search The shift from traditional SEO to AI shopping and discovery Mindset shifts to overcome imposter syndrome and "not newsworthy" thinking Connect with Gloria: Website: www.gloriachoupr.com Instagram: @gloriachoupr YouTube: @smallbusinesspr LinkedIn: in/gloriaychou Connect with Margo: Website: www.windowsillchats.com Instagram: @windowsillchats www.patreon.com/inthewindowsill https://www.yourtantaustudio.com/thefoundry

Margo is joined by Jill Labieniec, an illustrator, designer, and endlessly curious maker living on Vashon Island in the heart of the Pacific Northwest. Working primarily with watercolor, Jill's whimsical illustrations and patterns have found homes on everything from fabrics and home goods to books, stationery, and editorial projects. Alongside her illustration practice, she has a deep love for working with her hands—sewing dresses, making shoes, and shaping clay—guided by a belief that art should help people create spaces where they can rest, daydream, and grow. In this episode Jill reflects on her winding creative path—from a homeschooled childhood centered on making, through art school and freelance work, to building a creative career that prioritizes curiosity, balance, and day-to-day happiness over rigid labels or prestige. In this conversation, we discuss: Jill's creative beginnings and how family life and early making shaped her career Moving through art school, freelance work, and product-focused creative paths What it really means to build a sustainable creative career over time Letting go of fancy titles and external validation in favor of daily fulfillment Balancing freelancing, creative freedom, and personal happiness Jill's thoughtful, intuitive approach to social media and sharing work online Working both digitally and analog—and the joy of seeing art come to life on physical objects, especially ceramics Embracing curiosity, trusting the creative process, and tuning out the noise Connect with Jill: Website: https://www.jill-labieniec.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jill.labieniec/ Connect with Margo: Website: www.windowsillchats.com Instagram: @windowsillchats www.patreon.com/inthewindowsill https://www.yourtantaustudio.com/thefoundry

Judith Henry joins Margo for a deeply honest and life-affirming conversation about caregiving, creativity, and what can unfold when we stay open to possibility at every age. A writer, artist, and podcaster, Judith shares how caring for her parents in the final chapter of their lives became the unexpected catalyst for an expansive creative journey—one rooted in humor, grit, color, and connection. At 61, Judith wrote The Dutiful Daughter's Guide to Caregiving, a practical and compassionate resource born from lived experience. In her late 60s, she picked up her mother's paintbrushes and fell in love with visual art. And at 71, she launched One Mouthy Dame, a podcast empowering women to embrace aging with honesty, gratitude, and good humor. Margo and Judith discuss: How caring for aging parents became a powerful (and unexpected) creative catalyst The emotional realities of caregiving, including grief, guilt, humor, and deep connection Writing The Dutiful Daughter's Guide to Caregiving as both memoir and practical support Using humor as a survival tool during difficult seasons Transitioning from writing into painting and mixed media later in life Letting go of judgment and reclaiming creativity at any age Launching a podcast in her 70s to speak honestly about aging, anxiety, and visibility Falling in love with Kawandi-style quilting and how stitching, mending, and making can be deeply healing Connect with Judith: Book & Writing: https://www.JudithDHenry.com Creative Work: https://www.JudithHenryCreative.com Podcast: https://www.JudithHenryCreative.com/One-Mouthy-Dame Connect with Margo: Website: www.windowsillchats.com Instagram: @windowsillchats www.patreon.com/inthewindowsill https://www.yourtantaustudio.com/thefoundry

In the first episode of 2026, Margo invites listeners to join her in a conversation about beginning the year with intention—rather than pressure. Inspired by a recent Substack article by writer Suleika Jaouad, Margo reflects on themes of release, gentleness, and honoring the creative process over rigid resolutions and why this approach is so important for creatives. She also shares real responses from the Windowsill Chats community about what they're letting go of this year, from comparison and self-doubt to perfectionism and "shoulds." Margo explores why finite, manageable containers—like daily sketching, journaling, or mindful walks—can create scaffolding for a sustainable and supportive creative life. Mentioned in this episode: The Isolation Journals (Suleika Jaouad's Substack): https://theisolationjournals.substack.com/ Against resolutions - Suleika Jaouad on ritual, repetition, and the fantasy of starting over: https://post.substack.com/cp/182964621 Connect with Margo: Website: www.windowsillchats.com Instagram: @windowsillchats www.patreon.com/inthewindowsill https://www.yourtantaustudio.com/thefoundry

Margo is joined by Sarah Walsh in this two part conversation where they go in-depth on finding motivation, leaning into intuition, how you can work on your true dream project today, by taking ahold of your time, and your yeses. Sarah is an illustrator, painter and designer with home goods, children's books, socially conscious based projects, nature and loves tapping in to mystical subject matter as the mainstays of her work. She is also the co-proprietor of the illustrative product based brand Tigersheep Friends. She collects books, new and old, plants, adores folk art and also loves cooking, thrifting, listening to records, haunting coffee shops with her sketchbook and spending time with her favorite humans. Margo and Sarah discuss: Her creative upbringing and the influence her mom and grandma had on her How having a child at a young age impacted her creative journey Why creative ruts are actually important to our process and story Being led intuitively Having compassion for ourselves and giving grace How to slow down and learning to say NO Social media and self sabotage What defines a dream project to Sarah Learning what we could accomplish if we treated ourselves like we do our clients Mentioned in this episode: I Didn't Do the Thing Today: Letting Go of Productivity Guilt by Madeleine Dore I Just Like to Make Things: Learn the Secrets to Making Money while Staying Passionate about your Art and Craft by Lilla Rogers Connect with Sarah Www.sarahwalshmakesthings.com https://www.etsy.com/shop/Tigersheepfriends www.instagram.com/sarahwalshmakesthings Connect with Margo: Website: www.windowsillchats.com Instagram: @windowsillchats www.patreon.com/inthewindowsill https://www.yourtantaustudio.com/thefoundry

Margo is joined by watercolor landscape artist and muralist Juliene Sinclair, a creative whose passion for color runs as deep as the mountains she paints in. Juliene is dedicated to helping painters finally understand color—why it behaves the way it does, how to mix it with intention, and how mastering it can completely transform artistic confidence. She believes that once you grasp how color truly works, your entire creative world opens up. Juliene lives in the mountains with her husband, son, and two cats, and when she's not painting, she's likely geeking out about color theory or hiking steep trails with bear spray in hand. Together, they explore the emotional and technical layers of color, the courage it takes to follow your creative curiosity, and why making art—imperfect, vibrant, deeply human art—is essential to feeling whole. Margo & Juliene Discuss: Juliene's winding path to watercolor and murals, and how she found her creative voice Why color feels intimidating for so many artists—and how to move from confusion to confidence The power of intentional mixing and creating palettes that feel authentic to you How limiting your palette can actually expand creativity and harmony The emotional side of color—self-doubt, breakthroughs, and trusting the process Creativity as essential human expression, not just a career path Painting with her young son, and what kids teach us about fearless creativity Submit Your Questions for Margo Tantau & Emily McDowell Connect with Juliene: Website: www.julienesinclair.com Instagram: @juliene.sinclair YouTube: @julienesinclair Connect with Margo: Website: www.windowsillchats.com Instagram: @windowsillchats www.patreon.com/inthewindowsill https://www.yourtantaustudio.com/thefoundry

Margo sits down with Edgeworth Johnstone — a musician, painter, printmaker, and the unconventional creative force behind The Camden Market Free Art Man. With deep roots in the raw and gritty culture of Camden, Edgeworth has built a life around instinct-driven art, spirited collaboration, and connection through creativity. He shares how a childhood love of music evolved into multiple bands, how discovering painting later unlocked a new artistic identity, and why giving away his work in exchange for stories has become one of his most meaningful projects yet. From working with the Black Ivory art collective to dreaming up a future artist commune in Thailand, Edgeworth reminds us that creativity thrives when we allow it to take us somewhere unexpected. Margo and Edgeworth discuss: Camden's role in shaping underground music culture The beauty and honesty of demo recordings, cassettes, and physical media How falling into painting later in life opened a new world of creative expression Joining the Stuckist art movement and experiences with outsider art at Tate Modern Collaboration as a life-force: bands, collectives, and finding your people The origins and growth of The Camden Market Free Art Man project Trading art for connection — and what you learn from strangers Unexpected adventures in Thailand and the dream of an artist commune Trusting your gut, embracing risk, and following the path that feels alive Why imperfection is often the truest mark of creativity Connect with Edgestone:Website: https://edgeworth.blogInstagram: www.instagram.com/edgeworth.blog Inspired by lately: Ron Throop, Emma Pugmire Connect with Margo: www.windowsillchats.comwww.instagram.com/windowsillchats www.patreon.com/inthewindowsill https://www.yourtantaustudio.com/thefoundry