Have you ever felt like your inability to master a technical skill was a sign you should quit? In this episode, I sit down with the brilliant painter Shaina McCoy, who transformed a moment of classroom frustration into a profound artistic breakthrough. Shaina opens up about the courage it took to bypass traditional art school to protect her voice, the surprising way she colors her memories, and why she believes making a viewer feel is the ultimate measure of success. If you are struggling to embrace your unique limitations, this conversation might just change your perspective on what it means to be a master of your craft.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Shaina McCoy and Her Visual Language

02:16 Early Creative Roots and The Dream of Art School

05:54 The Assignment That Changed Everything: 30 Paintings in 3 Weeks

09:00 Finding Validation in Unexpected Places

11:09 The Choice to Avoid Art School to Protect the Work

15:33 Developing "Blind Faith" in Your Creative Voice

17:16 The Breakthrough: Permission to Stop Painting Faces

19:18 Sculpting with Oil: Mastering the Impasto Technique

20:56 Pop Pop's Archive: The Keeper of Family History

24:29 Color Theory and The emotional Weight of Memory

29:27 Redefining Success: Connection Over Prestige

Connect with Shaina:

Follow Shaina on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wallflowermccoy

Shaina's Work:

• https://goodmothergallery.com/exhibitions/53-nice-to-finally-meet-you-group-exhibition-curated-los-angeles/works/

• https://www.simchowitz.com/exhibitions/shaina-mccoy#tab:slideshow

• https://shop.simchowitz.com/products/harmonica-2023

Support the Show

Website: http://www.martineseverin.com
Follow on Instagram: @martine.severin | @thisishowwecreate_
Subscribe to the Newsletter: http://www.martineseverin.substack.com

This is How We Create is produced by Martine Severin. This episode was edited by Daniel Espinosa. Podcast show art is designed by Violetta Encarnación. Music by Timothy Infinite.

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Welcome back, friend. We are stepping into Season Six with a fresh energy that I have been dying to share with you. Over the last nine months, my team and I have been working quietly behind the scenes, from the vibrant streets of Medellín to the design studio, to reimagine how this show looks, sounds, and feels. In this episode, I am pulling back the curtain on the major changes we have made, from our stunning new visual identity to the strategic shifts in our programming. I also share why we are pivoting away from our old format and the ambitious goals we have set for growing this community. If you have ever wondered what it takes to evolve a creative project while staying true to its core, this look ahead offers a glimpse into the joyful, sometimes messy work of leveling up.

00:00 Welcome Back: Kickstarting Season Six from Colombia

01:30 A Visual Renaissance: Collaborating on Our New Identity

03:28 Sonic Shifts: Choosing the New Sound of the Show

04:25 The Strategic Pivot

06:10 The Mission: Growing an Audience to Support Artists

07:45 Season Preview: Creative Crushes and Upcoming Guests

09:15 Solo Episodes: Tackling Paralysis and Finding Your Voice

10:30 Behind the Scenes: Batch Recording and Team Dynamics

Website: https://www.martineseverin.com/

Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/martine.severin/ | https://www.instagram.com/thisishowwecreate_

Subscribe to the Newsletter: https://www.martineseverin.substack.com/

This is How We Create is produced by Martine Severin. This episode was edited by Daniel Espinosa.

Want to find out the secret to doing the scary things in life? Are you waiting for the right time or for a surge of confidence to finally send that pitch or apply for that residency. In this episode, we explore the psychological traps of "waiting to be ready" and share research-backed strategies to move from stagnant avoidance to meaningful action. If you have been keeping a scary dream on hold, this conversation might be the gentle push you need to start before you feel brave.

Chapters

00:00 The internal draft: Why we wait for the right time

01:05 A snowy reflection on the dreams we haven't touched

02:17 The confrontation: When "someday" meets the calendar

03:10 Unlearning the fear patterns that keep us stuck

04:39 The "No Fear Month" challenge and the science of action

05:40 Why feelings follow actions: Insights from cognitive behavioral therapy

06:20 Utilizing temporal landmarks for a fresh start

08:00 Step-by-step: How to schedule your breakthrough

10:30 Keeping promises to yourself: A lesson from my son

12:50 The Pomodoro technique and the power of twenty-five minutes

14:40 Overcoming the discomfort of the "not right now"

16:26 Body doubling and shifting your creative environment

Website: https://www.martineseverin.com/

Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/martine.severin/ | https://www.instagram.com/thisishowwecreate_

Subscribe to the Newsletter: https://www.martineseverin.substack.com/

This is How We Create is produced by Martine Severin. This episode was edited by Daniel Espinosa.