From Fast-Paced to Fully Present: Practice, Play, and Partnership with Jennifer Orkin Lewis & Gayle Kabaker
Margo is joined by Jennifer Orkin Lewis and Gayle Kabaker—two powerhouse painters, illustrators, authors, and beloved art teachers whose friendship and creative partnership has taken them (and their students) around the world. Jennifer and Gayle each spent years in fast-paced industries—Jennifer as a textile designer in NYC, Gayle as a fashion illustrator and editorial artist—before embracing slower, more intuitive practices rooted in daily sketchbooking, storytelling, and teaching. Together, Jennifer and Gayle lead collaborative retreats and online workshops that encourage creative exploration and self-expression. Their work is joyful, bold, and filled with heart—and they’re deeply committed to helping others find their voice. In this rich and honest conversation, they talk about letting go of “shoulds,” walking away from stale opportunities, and trusting their own timing—whether that meant leaving agents behind, stepping into teaching, or creating space for personal transformation. Margo, Jennifer, and Gayle discuss: How daily sketchbook practice became their creative anchor Why process is more important than perfection How their retreats have opened doors for their students—and for themselves The power of artistic community and creative friendship Why five minutes a day can change everything How their individual journeys led them to a shared mission in teaching and creating Mentioned in this episode: July 27th Class: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/painting-faces-florals-and-pattern-play-with-gayle-jennifer-registration-1459034243699 Portugal Retreat: https://uptrek.com/retreat/transformative-sketchbook-retreat-artists-jennifer-orkin-lewis-gayle-kabaker-portugal Chloe Ward Yoga: https://www.chloeward.yoga/ Zig Markers: https://www.markersupply.com/zigartgrtwma.html?srsltid=AfmBOop1y1ZX-zYJX7i3b7ByZnqncJPHQ7NZ9tRDzucQ3KLAc-YukjFU Tombow Markers: https://www.dickblick.com/products/tombow-dual-brush-pens/?srsltid=AfmBOorG6HNbBOGAP7igbmAxApp9GwjjeT6vqaJn0B7EBkt-IFO7SS5j Connect with Jennifer: https://www.augustwren.com/ https://augustwren.substack.com/subscribe https://www.instagram.com/augustwren/ Connect with Gayle: www.gkabaker.com https://gaylekabaker.substack.com https://www.instagram.com/gaylekabake Connect with Margo: www.windowsillchats.com www.instagram.com/windowsillchats www.patreon.com/inthewindowsill https://www.yourtantaustudio.com/thefoundry
--------
1:29:02
--------
1:29:02
Creative Current Events: Small Biz Shifts, Recycled Art, and Truck Stop Galleries
Margo and Abby are back with another installment of Creative Current Events, a special segment of Windowsill Chats where creativity, culture, and community collide. This episode spans a range of creative topics—from Beloved Asheville’s heartfelt relief efforts in Kerrville, Texas, to the ripple effects of rising postage costs and UPS layoffs on small creative businesses. They dig into a major fair use ruling involving Anthropic that could impact the future of AI-generated content, and explore how tools like Canva’s Magic Write are giving small businesses fresh ways to create with confidence. They also spotlight sustainability-minded artists turning trash into treasure—and an unexpected art gallery found in a Texas truck stop bathroom. As always, it’s a curious and timely mix of what’s happening now and what it means for the creative world. Articles Mentioned: UPS offers buyouts to drivers as it shutters 73 sites, laying off 20,000 jobs Anthropic wins a major fair use victory for AI — but it’s still in trouble for stealing books How to use AI as a small entrepreneur Summerween - It’s back! Octogenarian Says Joy Is Contagious Turning glass into sand! https://glasshalffull.co/ Visualising Britain's fashion waste problem with cyanotype photography A world first in size and scale, V&A East Storehouse immerses you in over half a million works from every creative discipline. Texas’s Hottest Art Gallery Is the Buc-ee’s Bathroom Unwasted transforms local waste streams into tiles Connect with Abby: https://www.abbyjcampbell.com/ https://www.instagram.com/ajcampkc/ https://www.pinterest.com/ajcampbell/ Connect with Margo: www.windowsillchats.com www.instagram.com/windowsillchats www.patreon.com/inthewindowsill https://www.yourtantaustudio.com/thefoundry
--------
36:57
--------
36:57
Ten Seconds of Courage: The Mindset Shift That Changes Everything with Andee Hart
Margo is joined by Andee Hart, a former Fortune 500 sales executive turned thriving creative entrepreneur, candle maker, and coach who helps women overcome sales anxiety and grow their businesses with integrity. As host of the She Sells Differently podcast and founder of Hart Design Co., Andee brings her bold, heart-centered approach to entrepreneurship—and in this episode, she shares her powerful journey from side hustle to full-time business ownership. Margo and Andee discuss: Making the leap from corporate sales to creative entrepreneurship Building a thriving product-based business from the kitchen up Navigating fear and perfectionism when starting something new Why selling doesn’t have to feel “icky” and how to reframe it as service The power of email marketing and why it trumps social media Strategies for pricing your work with confidence and integrity Approaching retailers for wholesale partnerships Knowing who your customers aren’t (and why that’s freeing) Andee’s counter-cultural approach to sales and marketing Connect with Andee: Website: https://andeehart.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andeehart/ Hart Design Co Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hartdesignco/ Andee’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andeehart/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/shesellsdifferently/ She Sells Differently Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/she-sells-differently-authentic-selling-business-growth/id1731402504 Connect with Margo: www.windowsillchats.com www.instagram.com/windowsillchats www.patreon.com/inthewindowsill https://www.yourtantaustudio.com/thefoundry
--------
1:06:29
--------
1:06:29
From Music Therapy to Music City: Krystal King on Self-Producing, Songwriting, and the Sound of Courage
Margo is joined by rising country artist Krystal King, a Nashville-based singer-songwriter with roots in North Carolina and a background in music therapy. With her raw, emotionally laced vocals and vivid, imagery-rich storytelling, Krystal brings a fresh take on a classic country sound—infused with folk, soul, blues, and rock. After studying music therapy at Appalachian State University and working in psychiatric care, Krystal made the bold move to Nashville in 2017 with nothing but her guitar and a calling she couldn’t ignore. Since then, she’s self-produced her debut album Pretty Poison, performed on iconic stages like the Bluebird Café, and become a DJ on SiriusXM’s Radio Margaritaville. Margo and Krystal discuss: The emotional layers behind songwriting How music therapy shaped her creative approach Producing her own album + building a supportive team Performing across the country and trusting the process Courage, creativity, and the nervous system connection Staying honest, quirky, and grounded in the country music world Connect with Krystal: www.krystalkingmusic.com https://www.instagram.com/krystalkingmusic/ https://www.facebook.com/Krystalkingmusic/ https://www.tiktok.com/@krystalkingmusic https://www.youtube.com/@krystalkingmusic Connect with Margo: www.windowsillchats.com www.instagram.com/windowsillchats www.patreon.com/inthewindowsill https://www.yourtantaustudio.com/thefoundry
--------
58:46
--------
58:46
Life Advice from the Departed: Finding Meaning, Humor, and Humanity with Mary McGreevy
This week on Windowsill Chats, Margo is joined by Mary McGreevy, the creative mind behind the viral TikTok account Tips From Dead People. What began as a curious, ironic hobby—reading obituaries for life advice—has blossomed into a meaningful exploration of what it means to live well. With a background in public policy and a penchant for heartfelt storytelling, Mary has built a community around the simple idea that there’s wisdom in the words left behind. Margo and Mary explore how obituaries—whether poignant, irreverent, funny, or achingly honest—reveal what really matters at the end of the day. They talk about how quirks, flaws, and tiny joys shape the legacies we leave behind, why zigzagging through careers and passions can be more fulfilling than following a set path, and how embracing our humanity—mess and all—creates space for connection. Mary and Margo discuss: The beginnings of Tips From Dead People and how it evolved from a personal hobby into a viral phenomenon Why traditional career advice like “find your passion” can be misleading How reading obituaries illuminates the richness of so-called “ordinary” lives The value of quirks, humor, and imperfections in shaping how we’re remembered Shifting our definition of success from accolades to meaningful details Creating inclusive spaces built on shared humanity Why being a generalist in life and career can be a strength, not a weakness What obituaries can teach us about writing (and rewriting) our own life stories How weird, one-off ideas often turn out to be the most impactful The healing, grounding power of stories—especially those from unexpected places Connect with Mary: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tipsfromdeadpeople IG: https://www.instagram.com/tipsfromdeadpeople/ Substack: https://substack.com/@tipsfromdeadpeople Connect with Margo: www.windowsillchats.com www.instagram.com/windowsillchats www.patreon.com/inthewindowsill https://www.yourtantaustudio.com/thefoundry
Windowsill Chats is a podcast for artists and creatives who are curious about what it's like to live, work & walk a creative path. You'll find honest stories, refreshing tips, artistic business advice and real conversations with global artists & makers just like you. Host Margo Tantau, a 30+ year Creative Director, Product Designer & maker, is a cheerleader for your success. Come grab a cuppa & join her in her sunny windowsill.
USA