The Mentor Rule That's Living Rent-Free in My Head
The unexpected skill-stacking formula that's transforming creative careers in 2025
Hey friend!
How are you holding up this week? My heart has been heavy thinking about everyone affected by the LA fires. I’m sending so much love to those in the affected areas. ♥️
If you’re looking for help or need assistance yourself, United Policyholders is doing amazing work. They offer free resources for navigating insurance claims, which, let’s be honest, can feel overwhelming during times like these.
The Joy of Lifelong Learning (Or: How I Spent My Weekend Geeking Out About Colors)
I just started an intensive color theory class at our local art school. I’ll spend my next two weekends there, and can I tell you something? I'm totally nerding out about it so much so, today, I came home to stare at an Ayana Ross painting (Episode 32).
Three classes in, and suddenly I may become that person at parties who's like, “But have you really looked at that wall color?”
If you’re wondering why I’m taking this class, well, back in the day, my old mentor used to say, “Everyone underestimates the number of skills they can acquire in a lifetime. ”
Her rheumy eyes would crinkle with wisdom whenever I hesitated to try something new. She’s always right.
We often think we’re too old, too busy, or that life has passed us by to try new things. Under her mentorship, I long vowed to remain interesting to myself and to find new ways of seeing this world.
Last year, I spent four months training to become an Illinois Master Gardener (which sounds fancy but really means learning a boatload about horticulture and gardening). I sat through a 7-hour module on soil. That class has changed the way I see every road or patch of the earth I walk on.
Things I came across this week
Try a mini-park break for those moments when you need a breath of fresh air but can't step outside
Book alert! Keep an eye out for Navi Robins' Black Lotus Trilogy which were released this week. (He'll be on the podcast next year to talk about his writing process!)
The most exciting thing that happened in our kitchen this week: the Tween made a Cilantro Lime Chicken dinner. Such serious yum factor in this dish! I reckon you could substitute tofu or vegan chicken if you don’t eat meat.
A student in my color theory class wore this fun color-block balaclava. The colors are much more muted in person btw.
Podcast Joy
Episode 103 featured Jim Hoston talking about something we don't discuss enough: building financial security as an artist. He shared: "I'm not trying to be something that I'm not... I care about putting as much money away so that I can live comfortably for the next 30 years.”
Finally, someone who admits that “living your best life’ might actually mean having a solid retirement plan! Tune in to hear Jim’s episode.
Question for You
I'd love to know: what's one skill you've always wanted to learn but haven't tried yet? (No pressure - just curious!)
Stay Creative,
Martine x
PS Next week we’ll chat about the hope in the hinterlands!
I want to sculpture/how to sculpt, and dinner looked delicious’