The Creative Condition podcast

Creative Stories #1: Cheeky BatmanA ramble about what a silly graffiti doodle can teach us about creativity, mental health, and reframing the world around us.Supported by the brilliant Illustration X, founding sponsor of The Creative Condition podcast. View their global roster of illustrators and animators at illustrationx.combentallon.combentallonwriter.com

Dance school was a cheap hobby for Stephanie Powell-Baxter and her siblings to attend. Now she performs choreography and dances on Strictly Come Dancing, in London West end musicals, and in major movies.We discuss different types of intelligence, the community spirit of dance schools, creativity in schools, and Steph's parental perspective on making sure her children get the right balance. There's also a fantastically grungy road story from the world of dancers after dark.Supported by the brilliant Illustration X, founding sponsor of The Creative Condition podcast. View their global roster of illustrators and animators at https://illustrationx.comPhoto by Amy Cook: https://www.amycookphotography.co.uk/https://www.instagram.com/p/ChkuzrjI4xA/https://bentallon.comhttps://bentallonwriter.com

Mac Ferrari and Jake 100 share the inspiring Bikestormz story. Together they built something from the ground up to help people come together through community and creativity, through something simple and positive against a backdrop of troubled young people hurting each other.We discuss what the bike represents, the misconceptions, demonisation, and the evolution of the ride-outs and bikelife community since it began.What's next for Bikestormz as Mac shares his feelings on handing the reins to Jake for the next phase of a beautiful project.The show is supported by Illustration X. See their illusration and animation portfolios now at https://illustrationx.comPhotography by Adam Corbett Studio. http://www.adamcorbett.com/The next ride-out is August 19th 2023: https://www.tiktok.com/discover/19th-august-bike-stormzhttps://instagram.com/jake100https://www.instagram.com/bikestormz_/?hl=en

I'm joined by the Executive Creative Director of Wasserman, Rich Jones. Wasserman is a sports & entertainment marketing company based in LA and Rich shares his experience of fighting for creativity, and keeping things fresh in a time-based industry.We dig into the importance of healthy relationships and a dynamic, fun environment for staff not just to do their job, but to be themselves and a part of something in which they matter.Rich reminisces about the days of big drawing desks and the smell of marker pens, but also offers some interesting thoughts on adapting creativity to new roles and new technologies as times change.As ever, the show is supported by founding sponsor, Illustration X. You can view their global range of illustrators and animators at https://illusrationx.com. The agency recently gained B-Corp accreditation!https://www.teamwass.com/https://bentallon.comRich on Linkedin: https://shorturl.at/gN249

Kelly Korzun made the decision not to make money from her art. The purity of it meant too much to her, and we get into that, along with the twinned journey with Marc Chagall she grew aware of.How did her artist interview and feature project, 'METAL & DVST' originate, and why is it essential to embrace your 'shadow' self for mental wellbeing.We get onto the unlikely, but interesting topic of pornography.As ever supported by founding sponsor and b-corp Illustration X - https://illustrationx.comhttps://www.metalndvst.com/https://www.instagram.com/metalndvst/?hl=en-gbhttps://bentallon.comhttps://bentallonwriter.com

Automation is here. At first subconsciously, then consciously, I found myself factoring AI into my decision-making - the work I chose to create, the direction I chose to push forward in, and the broader value of each of my skills.As an artist, illustrator, letterer, podcaster, writer, and speaker, each of my disciplines came under the lens of this new technology.Like all tech before it, much good and bad will come of it. So where do we, as independent artists, illustrators, designers, and writers fit into the conversation? I chose to conduct an audit of my practice and share it with you in the hope it might encourage similar audits and introspections. We are already late, and if we are to thrive moving forward, we have to understand the role of AI in our industry, what it might enhance, and of course, what it might eradicate.The show is supported by Illustration X, a certified B Corp representing the world's best illustrators, animators and artists. https://illustrationx.comhttps://bentallon.comhttps://theaoi.comhttps://bentallonwriter.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-tallon-a822a725/

Pretty Clever is a Bournemouth-based design studio. Described as 'smart, caring, ethical folks who are keen to make a positive impact on the world' I'm joined by founder John Burton who discusses their recent B Corp accreditation, when he realised he wanted to make work for good, and the winding road he had to take to get there.We sign off on a hopeful message in worrying times for humanity, to hopefully drag a few heads out of the soupy despair...Check out the Pretty Clever home at: https://prettycleverstudio.com/Supported as ever by fellow B Corp agency Illustration X. Browse their global range of illustrators and animators now at https://illustrationx.comFor my art: https://bentallon.comFor my words: https://bentallonwriter.comPlease do consider leaving a review, subscribing, and spreading the word to support the show.

Graphic designer Kieron Lewis joins me to discuss his work and creative story, from south London roots to freelancing, via Olga & Kay, his brilliant collaboration creating meaningful work for great causes, to his recent design for 'Still Breathing: 100 Black Voices on Racism' - a staggering showcase of the power of considered, impactful activism.The show is sponsored by founding supporter Illustration X. Head to https://illustrationx.com now to see their global range of illustration and animation portfolios.https://kieronlewis.com/https://www.olgaandkay.com/abouthttps://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/still-breathing-100-black-voices-on-racism-100-ways-to-change-the-narrative-suzette-llewellyn/5038645?ean=9780310126737https://bentallon.comhttps://bentallonwriter.comhttps://bentallon.com

Karalyte enables next-generation entrepreneurs, brand leaders, and creators to create meaningful and memorable brands for the world. Together with her team, founder, Egle Karalyte has helped to elevate such brands as Cooper/DesignIt, Fotolia/Adobe, MTV Lebanon, The New School, Paris Telecom Incubator, Google Campus London.She joins me as she launches 'Bloomerang' - her impressive new game design to help anyone, whether they are creating a brand, an art piece, or simply searching for their way under the sun. Bloomerang supports all creators no matter where you are in your adventure.We discuss the value of guardrails when trying to direct our creativity, the organic growth of Egle's idea to use the game format to share the work and learning she's been brilliantly doing for years, and looking for fairies in childhood.Episode 191 is supported by founding sponsor, Illustration X. See their global range of illustration and animation portfolios at https://illustrationx.comTo learn more about Egle and Bloomerang, visit https://karalyte.com/ and follow instagram.com/bloomerang.game for the latest on Egle's events.Any reviews and subscriptions are incredibly valuable, as is sharing the show with those who might enjoy it!https://bentallon.comhttps://bentallonwriter.com

'Life on a Lamppost' is a short fiction story written by Ben Tallon, for a book produced by OFFF Festival 2023.Here is the exclusive audio version with a score by Dirty Freud.The times are troubled and we've all felt the rising panic in our stretched minds. Here is one take on it.The show is supported by Illustration X. See their global range of illustrator and animator portfolios at https://illustrationx.comFor Dirty Freud's Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/dirtyfreud or his Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2c5NcXidirDDqL3sc3vW8Shttps://www.offf.barcelona/https://bentallonwriter.comhttps://bentallon.com