This is How We Create

Martine Severin
  • 5.0 (30)
  • VISUAL ARTS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

The This is How We Create podcast digs deeper into the creative life of contemporary artists of color. Discover what feeds their creativity and how they found (or are finding) their artistic voice. Through these intimate and candid conversations, you will gain insights into the lives of creative professionals of color that are hard to find anywhere else.

  1. 4H AGO

    On Sales and Marketing as an Artist - Martine Severin

    Have you ever felt that once the masterpiece is finished, the rest of the journey should belong to someone else? Many of us wait in the shadows of the "found artist" myth, hoping the right gallery or agent will simply stumble upon our genius. But what happens when the knocking never starts?  Today, we dive into the systems that turn cold outreach into warm relationship-building and explore why your story is the most valuable product you will ever sell. If you are ready to stop apologizing for your ambition and start owning your space in the industry, this conversation is your roadmap.   Chapters 00:13 The Artist's Role Beyond Creation 01:50 Dismantling the Myth of the Found Artist 02:38 Becoming Your Own Champion 04:00 Marketing Monday: Outreach as Relationship Care 05:01 Lessons in Networking and Relationship Marketing 06:50 The Reality of Representation and Agents 08:40 Selling the Sizzle: Tips for Product-Based Creatives 09:40 Owning Your Values and Your Sales Script 10:50 Three Actionable Steps for Your Creative Week    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.   Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts Leave a review Follow us on social media Share with fellow creatives

    12 min
  2. How to Grow an Art Practice Without Losing Yourself - Lex Marie

    MAR 25

    How to Grow an Art Practice Without Losing Yourself - Lex Marie

    In this episode, I sit down with Lex Marie, an artist whose work confronts the uncomfortable truth that Black children in America are often denied the luxury of innocence. She transforms the everyday remnants of her son's childhood into confrontation disguised as portraiture, and the materials she chooses will stop you in your tracks. We talk about building a career on your own terms, staying multidisciplinary, and what it really means to refuse the boxes the art world tries to put you in. Chapters 00:19 Introduction to Lex Marie 03:26 Realizing a Different Viewpoint Through Motherhood 05:11 The Decision to Pursue an MFA 06:23 Using Her Son as Muse and Material 08:00 Choosing Which Clothing Gets Immortality 10:31 Balancing Inspiration with Intimate Boundaries 12:12 Processing Big Feelings into Artwork 14:08 Knowing When a Piece is Finished 15:15 Cultivating Relationships in the Art World 16:47 The Lifelong Journey of an Art Practice 18:51 The Intentional Choice Behind the Name Lex Marie Connect With Lex Marie: Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelexmarie Website: https://www.lexmarie.com/ Support the Show Website: Martine Severin Follow on Instagram: Martine | This Is How We Create Subscribe to the Newsletter: Martine's Substack 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. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts Leave a review Follow us on social media Share with fellow creatives

    20 min

  3. MAR 18

    A Guide to Moving Through Creative Paralysis - Martine Severin

    Have you ever had a to-do list as long as your arm but couldn't bring yourself to do the tasks on that list? What about your dreams to accomplish this or that? How many of them have you ignored? Whether you call it procrastination, a lack of discipline, or simple laziness, the truth behind our creative paralysis often hides in plain sight. In this episode, we explore the high cost of big dreams and why the very visions meant to inspire us might be the ones locking us in place. If you have ever felt like a deer caught in the headlights of your own ambition, this conversation offers a gentle way to thaw the ice and reclaim your momentum.   Chapters 00:00 Introduction: The Deer and the Moment of Freeze 01:11 The Common Experience of Freezing in Goal Setting 02:10 Why Big Goals Cause Overwhelm and Paralysis 03:08 Misconceptions About Paralysis and Overwhelm 04:24 Reframing Goals: Focus on Inputs, Not Outcomes 05:20 The Power of 45-Minute Focus Sessions 06:18 Trusting Small Actions to Lead to Big Results 07:15 Practical Tips to Overcome Freezing and Start Small 08:09 Moving Forward Despite Fear and Uncertainty 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.   Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts Leave a review Follow us on social media Share with fellow creatives

    9 min
  4. Finding Your Authentic Design Voice - Tiffany Brooks

    MAR 12

    Finding Your Authentic Design Voice - Tiffany Brooks

    Have you ever wondered what it takes to build a creative empire from the ground up? In this episode, I sit down with the remarkable Tiffany Brooks, an interior designer whose journey is as inspiring as her stunning creations. From a bet that launched her career to designing for icons such as LeBron James, Tiffany's story is a powerful lesson in trusting your creative instincts.    Join us as we explore how she cultivated her signature style, navigated the pressures of building a design company, and redefined success on her terms.  This conversation is a candid look into the life of a design powerhouse, offering invaluable insights for anyone daring to build their own creative legacy.   Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Tiffany Brooks and Transformative Design 02:09 Engineering a Creative Brain and Childhood Influences  04:35 The Big C versus Little C Creativity  06:36 Property Management as a Design Superpower  08:11 The Model Home and the Bet That Launched a Career  11:10 The Design Star Journey and Trusting the Timing  13:05 Taught by Experience and Finding an Artistic Voice  14:56 Trends and the Evolution of Style  16:47 Redefining Success through Choices and Peace  19:04 Managing Elective Stress and Client Expectations  21:04 The Walkthrough and Shuffling the Design Puzzle  23:26 Current Projects and the Season of Rejuvenation   Connect With Tiffany: Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tiffanybrooksinteriors/?hl=en Tiffany's Website: https://www.tiffanybrooksinteriors.com/ Support the Show Website: Martine Severin Follow on Instagram: Martine | This Is How We Create Subscribe to the Newsletter: Martine's Substack 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. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts Leave a review Follow us on social media Share with fellow creatives

    27 min

  5. FEB 25

    Rethinking Imposter Syndrome - Martine Severin

    Have you ever walked into a room where you belonged, yet felt like a total intruder? Even when surrounded by friends or longtime colleagues, that whisper of inadequacy—the one that claims you are "running a game" on everyone—often grows loudest just as you are about to shine. In this solo episode, I pull back the curtain on a recent, that forced me to confront my own "elaborate dance of diminishment". We explore the terrifying possibility that we aren't actually afraid of being incompetent, but rather, we are terrified of being seen as someone who knows they are truly good at what they do. If you have ever felt the need to offer a disclaimer before sharing a brilliant idea, this conversation is your invitation to stop shrinking and start taking up the space you have already earned.   Chapters 00:13 The anatomy of an uninvited guest 01:15 Six seats and a drop in the stomach 02:34 The hammer in my chest 04:10 Why we make space for everyone but ourselves 05:50 Maya Angelou and the fear of being seen 07:14 Potholes, grandmothers, and unexpressed brilliance 09:37 Trading disclaimers for bravery   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.   Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts Leave a review Follow us on social media Share with fellow creatives

    11 min
  6. Funding Your Dreams on Someone Else's Dime - Karl Ferguson

    FEB 18

    Funding Your Dreams on Someone Else's Dime - Karl Ferguson

    Karl Ferguson Jr. never planned to be a photographer. He picked up a camera because he was following his interest in the burgeoning Hip Hop Scene. Years later, his portraits of Black culture have appeared in Vibe, Billboard, and The Hollywood Reporter. In this conversation, Karl talks about what it really takes to build a creative life on your own terms, why he spent two decades at Verizon while quietly becoming one of the most sought-after photographers in entertainment, and what it means to be a visual historian when representation is still a fight. Chapters 00:00  Introduction to Karl Ferguson and the "Visual Historian" 02:20  From The Bronx to the Music Industry 04:02  Picking Up the Camera Out of Necessity 06:26  The First Byline: Validation from Vibe Magazine 08:32  Mastering the Art of Networking and Relationships 15:07  The Responsibility of the Visual Historian 17:07  Creating Intimacy in Celebrity Portraiture 23:31  Building Community at The Grand Studio 25:48  Demystifying the Role of the Digital Tech 31:40  Breaking the Starving Artist Myth: The Verizon Years 43:40  The Importance of Personal Work and Creative Play 49:55  Redefining Success Through authentic Connection Connect with Karl: Follow Karl on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karlfergusonjr Karl's website: https://www.karlfergusonjr.com/ 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.   Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts Leave a review Follow us on social media Share with fellow creatives

    55 min

  7. FEB 11

    How to Communicate Your Creative Worth - Martine Severin

    Have you ever wondered why a client chooses your lens over a thousand others? In this solo session, I dive into a transformative conversation that shifted my entire understanding of why I am hired as a photographer. We explore the "economy of vision" and how your unique cultural position creates a value that no standard rate card can capture. If you are ready to stop defending your fees and start educating your clients on the specific promise only you can deliver, this episode will help you reclaim your worth.   Chapters 00:00 The Ritual of the Ceramic Plate 01:30 More Than a Service: Why People Actually Hire You 02:31 Thelma Golden and the Economy of Vision 03:40 Defining Your Aesthetic Universe and Cultural Value 04:53 Moving Beyond Objects to Your Specific Promise 08:40 Productive Discomfort: Teaching People How to Want Your Work 10:00 Rehearsing Your Position Over Your Price 12:00 Homework: Identifying the Five Values of Your Work 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.   Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts Leave a review Follow us on social media Share with fellow creatives

    15 min
  8. Art as a Language of Resistance - Phoebe Boswell

    FEB 4

    Art as a Language of Resistance - Phoebe Boswell

    What if art could serve as both a mirror to injustice and a sanctuary for the soul? What happens when the world tries to fit your identity into a narrow predetermined box? I sit down with multi-disciplinary artist Phoebe Boswell to explore the "porous space" between heritage and headline. From the lush landscapes of Kenya to the structured life rooms of London, Phoebe shares how she navigated a "rude awakening" in the West by building a visual language that refuses to be simplified. We delve into the power of multidisciplinary storytelling and the radical act of reclaiming one's voice after it has been challenged by the gatekeepers of industry.  Chapters 00:00 Exploring Identity Through Art 03:47 Childhood Influences and Cultural Displacement 07:05 Navigating Racial Identity in England 09:14 Finding Artistic Voice and Overcoming Criticism 16:48 The Complexity of Storytelling in Art 20:08 Community Engagement and Collaborative Art 26:34 Reclaiming Water and Personal Healing 31:51 The Evolution of Artistic Success 36:43 Redefining the Role of the Artist Connect with Phoebe:   Follow Phoebe on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/phoebe.boswell/?hl=en Phoebe's website: https://www.phoebeboswell.com/ 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.   Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts Leave a review Follow us on social media Share with fellow creatives

    45 min
See All (203)

Trailer

5
out of 5
30 Ratings

About

The This is How We Create podcast digs deeper into the creative life of contemporary artists of color. Discover what feeds their creativity and how they found (or are finding) their artistic voice. Through these intimate and candid conversations, you will gain insights into the lives of creative professionals of color that are hard to find anywhere else.

Information

  • Creator
    Martine Severin
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    203
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Martine Severin
  • Show Website
    This is How We Create

You Might Also Like