The Creative Condition podcast

I stole a child's drawing. Here's why.This is an episode about what we can unlearn with the help of children, about what their flippancy, naivety, passion, and curiosity represent. Creativity gets butchered by adults, by industries, by education systems, and our pride - our unwillingness to try and our aversion to mistakes.It holds us back and causes us to get lost in trends, repeats, and replications as we blindly chase perfection in a world that has none.It need not be so.Get your thoughts over @bentallon on socialsShow supported by https://weareillustrationx.com

Creativity is humanity's defining asset. I've been observing, studying, and feeling it since my teens, subconsciously taking it in since I was a nipper. Finally, I'm writing it all down in a new book that will share its name with this show. I am also writing a blog over at bentallonwriter.com.Here is the introduction to the book and what you can expect from the podcast moving forward. Let's talk creativity.Show supported by https://illustrationx.comhttps://twitter.com/bentallonhttps://bentallon.comhttps://bentallonwriter.com

It's getting harder to cope. The pace, ferocity, and sadly, insanity of modern life are out of control. 24/7 we are exposed to terrifying news, and the subsequent arguments on social media, fear winning out every single time.That's why I write, that's why I draw, that's why I make these podcasts.Creativity is a fundamental pillar of human happiness and that's why I wanted to take the time to mark the release day of Stories for the Apocalypse #1: Notes on the New Normal with some thoughts on its vital role during these bizarre times.I share some personal experiences and a few favourite works that embody the lived experience.The podcast is supported by https://illustrationx.comYou can buy both 'Stories for the Apocalypse #1' and 'A Wolf in Sports Clothing' at https://bentallonwriter.com now. Also on all good e-book retailers.

Creativity happens on a different timeline for each of us. Horror writer Susan Earlam takes us on a winding path from a childhood full of artistic encouragement and everyday creativity, to fine art and teaching art, onto lifestyle blogging, and eventually - though not by chance - onto her wonderful horror writing.Her debut eco-horror novel 'Earthly Bodies' and 'Dark is the Water' are two big, unnerving, and distinct steps into a new phase of her creative career.https://susanearlam.com/https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dark-Water-Susan-Earlam/dp/1838379436https://www.instagram.com/susanearlam/https://twitter.com/SusanEarlamhttps://illustrationx.comhttps://theaoi.comhttps://bentallonwriter.comhttps://bentallon.comhttps://instagram.com/bentallonwriter

The cliche is true. Failure is one of our greatest compasses. It is never as simple as a waste of time. Following on from UCLan design conference week 11's talk under the same title, I wanted to share the story of Quenched Music - why it never got going in the way Dirty Freud and I envisioned but proved a valuable gateway to projects, people, ideas, and skills we had no other way of accessing.Get your near misses over at @bentallon on social, and a big thank you to show supporters Illustration X and the AOI.https://bentallon.comhttps://bentallonwriter.comhttps://instagram.com/dirtyfreud

Sarah Brown is an incredible vocalist with the likes of Simple Minds, Duran Duran, Roxy Music, Stevie Wonder, Simpl Red, Pink Floyd and many more. Sarah is letting us in on her adoration of Mahalia Jackson, and her upcoming tribute album to the queen of Gospel. It’s an immensely powerful, inspiring, uplifting conversation with an incredible person.We cover rebuilding after emotional trauma and damaging experiences, following feeling and the heart when it comes to creativity, trusting in the self, and power in doing the thing you are passionate about.This show is supported by https://illustrationx.com and https://theaoi.comhttps://www.instagram.com/sarahbrownvocal/?hl=enhttps://linktr.ee/sarahbrownofficialhttps://bentallon.comhttps://bentallonwriter.com

A free audiobook version of 'The Elf in the Delph' for listeners of The Creative Condition podcast.A thank you for staying with me despite the sporadic releases of late.This story is available as a limited edition, 100-run illustrated zine at https://bentallonwriter.com/shop now.For the whole story of the zine, see two episodes ago.Written and narrated by Ben TallonEdited by David Woods-Hale

The COVID-19 pandemic has necessitated or provided space to make a change to our creative professions. Whatever the motivations or reasons, change is a scary word, and something a lot of us struggle to control or understand the nature of.Laura Hope has worked as a wonderful illustrator for a number of years. It wasn't always so. She tells us her fascinating story and explains why she has made the decision to take a job working in an art gallery in order to refocus her energy and skills.Share your own change stories @bentallon on social media. Please do subscribe to and review the Creative Condition Podcast on your chosen platform now.Supported by https://illustrationx.com and https://theaoi.comhttps://www.laura-hope.com/https://www.instagram.com/_laurahope/?hl=enhttps://twitter.com/laurahopeillohttps://bentallon.comhttps://bentallonwriter.com/shop

Starting out in a whole new creative discipline can be a scary experience. When I started writing, it was a form of catharsis. A mental release that triggered a whole unexpected career path.Now as I release my first illustrated fiction zine, I thought it might be useful to share some of the hopes, fears, and learnings of building a new identity. The Elf in the Delph is a balance of my words and pictures, and the path has been a windy one.The rejection and self-doubt never fully goes away, so I wanted to chat about making a limited edition publication.The Elf in the Delph is available at https://bentallonwriter.com/shopThe show is supported by https://illustrationx.com and https://theaoi.com

It's been and continues to be a strange, surreal time of our lives. Creativity is a fundamental part of who we are as humans and moves hand in hand with the way we feel.I'm joined by self-described 'creative wander' brothers Brian and Michael Thibodeau to talk about their unique response to remotely remain close during lockdown/quarantine, which organically resulted in their 'Quarantined Portraits' book.We discuss why it's not about what you didn't or did create during the pandemic, but how you coped, how you stayed in touch and made it through.The show is supported by http://illustrationx.com and http://theaoi.comhttps://www.instagram.com/bthibbs.studio/?hl=enhttps://www.instagram.com/michael.thibo/?hl=enhttps://www.blurb.co.uk/b/10650724-quarantined-portraitshttp://bentallon.comhttp://bentallonwriter.com