478 - Make Your Art an Invitation with Brad & Kristi Montague
Nov 6, 2024
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Join Brad and Kristi Montague, the creative duo behind Kid President and several beloved picture books, as they explore the concept of failure as a stepping stone in art. They discuss their latest book 'FAIL-A-BRATION', focusing on how sharing both wins and losses can spark genuine connections in the creative community. Through their engaging anecdotes, they illuminate the joy of collaboration and spontaneity, encouraging listeners to embrace their artistic mishaps as essential parts of the creative journey.
Viewing art as an invitation rather than a gift allows for a more communal approach to creativity and expression.
The Montagues promote embracing failure as a critical part of the creative journey, transforming setbacks into valuable learning experiences.
Hosting monthly virtual meetups fosters community support among creatives, encouraging collaboration and sharing of both successes and challenges.
Deep dives
Dressing for Success in Creativity
Presenting oneself as a professional is essential for achieving desired creative outcomes. This involves going beyond social media presence and establishing a professional website that reflects personal style and credibility. The speaker rebuilt their own site using Squarespace's Fluid Engine, highlighting the ease of the platform and its ability to help users create visually appealing websites without coding skills. This approach underscores the importance of professionalism in boosting visibility and opportunities in the creative field.
Community and Collaboration in Creative Practices
A monthly virtual meetup is hosted, connecting supporters and creatives from various disciplines, including authors, illustrators, and musicians. These gatherings foster a sense of community among individuals at different stages of their creative journeys, encouraging both beginners and established professionals to share experiences and insights. Upcoming discussions focus on enhancing visibility and engagement with audiences through the 'Journey of the True Fan' series. This collaborative environment emphasizes the power of network support in navigating creative challenges.
The Montagues and Their New Picture Book
Guests Brad and Christy Montague discuss their new picture book, 'Fail-O,' which conveys the concept of the growth mindset through humor. Drawing from their experiences, they emphasize how embracing failure is crucial for both children and adults, as it transforms potential setbacks into opportunities for learning. Their previous work, including the beloved 'Kid President' series, showcases their ability to infuse positivity and inspiration into creative endeavors. The Montagues' focus on storytelling presents a compelling method for helping young readers understand the value of resilience.
The Importance of Embracing the Messy Process
The discussion highlights the value of viewing failures as integral to the creative process rather than obstacles. Both guests share insights into how their collaborative efforts often include a playful, improvisational element that allows ideas to flourish without being constrained by perfectionism. They emphasize the need to allow mistakes and imperfections as a natural part of creativity, ultimately leading to richer, more authentic outcomes. This perspective encourages creatives to focus on exploration and expression over rigid expectations.
Creating Community Through Creative Failures
The Montagues' concept of 'failabration' originated from events that encouraged individuals to share their failures in a supportive environment. This approach not only helps normalizes mistakes but also fosters community and connection among attendees. By creating a safe space where people can celebrate their setbacks, these events promote openness and resilience. Ultimately, the emphasis lies in understanding that failure is a shared experience that can lead to growth and innovation within communities.
What if your art was an invitation rather than a gift?
What if this was an invite to a party that celebrated failures?
A FAIL-A-BRATION!?
What happens when we share our wins AND losses, happy accidents AND miserable mishaps?
In this fun and inspiring chat with Brad and Kristi Montague, we discuss the origins and inspiration behind their newest picture book 'FAIL-A-BRATION' and how an idea generously shared, can spark a movement.
SQUARESPACE
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