New Year, New Tools: Embracing My Inner Beginner

We're diving deep into the world of creativity and transformation, reflecting on a year filled with unexpected changes rather than just a highlight reel of accomplishments. This episode isn’t just about the art I created; it’s about how I evolved while creating it. Spoiler alert: I wasn’t chasing mastery; I was all about following my curiosity, and boy, did I get my hands dirty with acrylics, music, and poetry along the way. I’m here to remind you that showing up is what really counts, way more than how polished your work is. So, grab your favorite beverage, kick back, and let’s chat about embracing the messy process of creation and finding joy in every little step!Reflections: A Year of Creating is a closing chapter for The New Artist’s Compass — a solo episode about growth, curiosity, and what happens when you commit to showing up creatively over time.In this episode of the Create Art Podcast, Timothy Kimo Brien reflects on a year spent exploring multiple creative disciplines, including acrylic painting (Special thanks to The Art Sherpa), poetry, music production, and sound design. From painting with acrylics with instruction for the first time, to writing tankas, to learning a new DAW (Reaper) and experimenting with an MPE synthesizer (ROLI), this episode explores how creative growth happens when curiosity leads and ego steps aside.This conversation is for artists who are:Measuring progress beyond likes and outputLearning new creative tools later in lifeExploring multiple art formsReconnecting with joy through beginner energy1. Showing Up Counts More Than MasteryYou didn’t wait until you were “ready”Acrylic painting for 2 months = permission to be newProgress came from consistency, not confidence2. Letting Curiosity LeadWriting tankas: short form, intentional, imperfectSwitching mediums kept creativity aliveCuriosity replaced pressure3. Learning New Tools Without EgoTeaching yourself Reaper as a beginner againExploring sound through an MPE ROLIBeing bad at something reopened creative joy4. Measuring Growth DifferentlyNot output, not numbersGrowth = comfort with discomfortGrowth = staying engaged when novelty fades5. What This Year Taught You About IdentityYou didn’t “become” an artist — you practiced being oneArtist as a verb, not a titleThe compass worked because you kept walkingTakeaways:Reflecting on a year of creativity reveals unexpected growth and changes we often overlook.Showing up for your art is more important than striving for perfection or mastery.Letting curiosity guide your creative journey can lead to surprising and fulfilling discoveries.Learning new tools without ego allows for growth and exploration in your artistic practice.Measuring artistic growth should focus on personal exploration, not external validation or numbers.Being an artist is a practice of doing and being, not just a title or label.How do I get such great guests?PodMatch I use Podmatch to get the best guests on the show. Check out PodMatch if you want to guest on other podcasts or if you have a podcast and need guests for your show. Guests from PodmatchWant to be a guest on Create Art Podcast? Send Timothy Brien a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/createartpodcastMake Sharing your podcast easierUse Podcast Beacon for the best NFS products to share your podcast while out and about or at conferences.Reach Out To The PodcastTo reach out to me, email [email protected] I would love to hear about your journey and what you are working on. If you would like to be on the show or have me discuss a topic that is giving you trouble write in and let's start that conversation.Email: [email protected] Channel: Create Art Podcast YT ChannelIG: @createartpodcastTwitter: @createartpodCreate Art Podcast Newslettertimothybrien.substack.comSpecial MessageIf you have found value in this podcast, please share it with a friend as that is the best way to discover new podcasts. I want this to be a 5-star podcast in your eyes so let me know what you would like to see.Speaking about sharing with a friend, check out my other podcast Find A Podcast About where I help you outsmart the algorithm and find your next binge-worthy podcast. You can find that podcast at findapodcastabout.xyz.For all of my projects check out my portfolio website TKBPodcaststudio.com where I help my clients through quiet professionalism lead through the noise.This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy