Trust the Mark | Marlene Steele on Creativity, Courage & Beginning Again

What if the masterpiece you're creating—whether it's a painting, a business, or your life—isn't finished yet? In this inspiring episode of The Motivatarian Exchange, I sit down with contemporary mixed-media artist, furniture artist, creative educator, and DIY Paint retailer Marlene Steele as she prepares to close one remarkable chapter and step fully into another. After more than 30 years in the corporate technology world, Marlene is retiring to pursue her lifelong dream of becoming a full-time artist. But this conversation isn't simply about leaving a career. It's about learning to trust yourself. Creating from intuition. Finding sanctuary in the creative process. And believing that the next brushstroke matters—even when you can't yet see the finished picture. Together we talk about: ✨ Overcoming imposter syndrome as an artist ✨ Trusting your intuition instead of waiting for perfection ✨ Creativity as a pathway to hope, healing, and faith ✨ Why taking one small action creates momentum ✨ Building a creative community that encourages growth ✨ Discovering intuitive painting later in life ✨ Finding the courage to leave a successful corporate career for a life of creativity Marlene also shares the story behind her Trust the Mark creativity card deck, designed to help artists quiet self-doubt, spark curiosity, and confidently take the next creative step. One of my favorite moments from our conversation came when she shared the words she returns to over and over again: "If you don't like it... it's not done." Those seven words aren't just about painting. They're about life. Whether you're an artist, entrepreneur, creative dreamer, or simply standing on the edge of a new season, this conversation is a beautiful reminder that growth doesn't require certainty—it simply asks us to keep showing up. Because sometimes your next mark changes everything. Connect with Marlene Steele 🌿 Website: Colorful Contemporary Art by Marlene Steele | United States 📷 Instagram: @marlenesteeleart 📘 Facebook: Marlene Steele Art ▶️ YouTube: Marlene Steele 📧 Email: [email protected] Learn More About Marlene • Creator of the Trust the Mark creativity card deck, designed to inspire curiosity, creative confidence, and self-trust. • Teaching Start Small, Leave Confident furniture painting workshops at Front Street Artist Studios in Dayton, Ohio. • Developing new intuitive paintings inspired by sanctuary, hope, and imagined landscapes. • Preparing to transition from a 30+ year corporate career into a full-time creative practice. 🎧 If this conversation encouraged you, I'd love for you to subscribe to The Motivatarian Exchange, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who's learning to trust the next step in their own journey.