You Are A Work of Art

When you spend your days being the capable one, trying something you’re not good at can feel surprisingly uncomfortable.

But what if enjoying it was enough reason to begin?

In this episode of You Are a Work of Art, I’m sharing the story of a pottery class and a very chunky cup, the unexpected joy of bookbinding, and a dance class with my husband that involved plenty of stepping on each other.

We’re talking about making room for curiosity, asking for help, and trying something without expecting a beautiful result on your first attempt.

You’ll hear:
• Why being a beginner can feel strange when people usually look to you for answers.
• How to explore something new without buying every supply.
• Why enjoyment matters before you’ve developed the skill.
• A simple creative reset to help you loosen up and notice what’s in front of you.

For the reset, bring paper, a pen or pencil, and an everyday object, such as a mug or leaf.

Show notes and resources:
https://www.moniqueburton.com/podcast/004

Get your free From Seed to Bloom guide—a 5-day creative journey to reconnect with yourself, one 10-minute creative reset at a time:
https://moniqueburton.myflodesk.com/creativereset

Join the Creative Courtyard:
https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1GdsBD4MEu/

What’s something you’re curious enough to try—even if you’re a complete beginner?

If you’re balancing work, family, and a house that always needs something, time for yourself can feel like the thing you’ll get to once everything else is finished.

But what if everything doesn’t have to be finished first?

In this episode of You Are a Work of Art, I’m sharing how I began making room for creativity in my everyday life—from simple watercolor swatches to leaving supplies within reach and giving the evening cleanup an ending.

We talk about:
• Letting go of the perfect setup, supplies, and idea.
• Choosing something you enjoy that’s easy to leave and return to.
• Using a cleanup timer to make room for your own time.
• Navigating interruptions and missed days without making creativity another obligation.
• Building self-trust by noticing what you need and making space for it.

This episode’s creative reset takes “Create in the Margins” literally. Grab paper and a pen or pencil, draw a loose border, and explore the edges with words, doodles, or simple shapes. Watch on YouTube to create alongside me.

You don’t have to make a beautiful page. You don’t have to finish it. You can simply begin.

SHOW NOTES & VIDEO
https://www.moniqueburton.com/podcast/003

YOUR FREE CREATIVE RESET
From Seed to Bloom is a free 5-day creative journey to reconnect with yourself—one 10-minute creative reset at a time. Get your workbook and guided pencil-and-paper exercises:
https://moniqueburton.myflodesk.com/creativereset

JOIN THE CREATIVE COURTYARD
Make a little room for yourself with our free creative community:
https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1GdsBD4MEu/

Hosted by Monique Burton, a coach helping overwhelmed working women reconnect with themselves through creativity.

You can love your life and still feel a little lost inside of it.

In this episode of You Are a Work of Art, I share the moment on the couch when hearing my son laugh made me realize how disconnected I felt—even while I was doing everything that needed to be done.

We talk about gratitude and longing, why my own needs kept coming last, and the evening I let the dishes wait and picked up leftover paint markers and a canvas. That small beginning helped me find a little calm and start noticing what I needed.

You don’t need to consider yourself an artist to begin.

This episode’s creative reset asks: “What have I stopped noticing?” Watch on YouTube to create alongside me in real time, or find the prompt in the show notes.

Shownotes and activity:

https://moniqueburton.com/podcast/002

Free 10-Minute Creative Reset — From Seed to Bloom:

https://moniqueburton.myflodesk.com/creativereset

For a long time, I wanted someone to bring me flowers. Eventually, I realized I was asking for something more: to feel considered.

In the first episode of You Are a Work of Art, I share the story of the flowers I used to wait for, the ones I learned to buy for myself, and the Sunday flowers that became part of my life with Nick.

Along the way, we talk about asking for support, making things without needing them to be beautiful, and learning to recognize care that makes room for who you are.

You’ll hear about:

• How therapy, friendship, and creativity helped me reconnect with myself.
• The small choices that helped me notice what brought me joy.
• Why caring for yourself can include asking other people for help.

Try this episode’s creative reset, Bring Yourself the Flowers, in the show notes—or watch on YouTube and create alongside me. All you need is paper and a pen or pencil.

Show notes and video: https://moniqueburton.com/podcast/001

Free 10-Minute Creative Reset: From Seed to Bloom:
https://moniqueburton.myflodesk.com/creativereset

If this story reminds you of someone, send her the episode. And follow You Are a Work of Art for more conversations about life, creativity, and making space for what matters.

What happens when your life is good…but you don’t quite feel like yourself inside of it anymore?

In this short trailer, I’m sharing the heart behind You Are a Work of Art—a podcast about life, creativity, and making space for what matters.

We’ll talk about what it looks like to reconnect with yourself in the middle of a full life, why creativity can be such a powerful way back, and why you don’t need to become an artist—or completely overhaul your life—to begin.

Sometimes it starts with ten quiet minutes, something made with your own hands, or simply paying attention to yourself again.

And yes…there will be flowers. 🌻

Welcome to You Are a Work of Art.

You didn’t disappear. You’re still in there.

Sarah Aileen is an artist and designer based in Seattle, Washington. She specializes in hard-edge abstraction and minimalism. Her artistic style is a nod to her education in graphic design, love of editing, and fascination with color theory.

She collaborates with designers, consultants, and collectors to create custom artwork. Her work is characterized by monochromatic fields of color that complement modern design and architecture and pop when juxtaposed with organic materials such as stone and wood. Sarah Aileen’s works are in residential and commercial collections across the United States, as well as Canada and Australia.

Shownotes: https://www.moniquecara.com/shownotes/episode016

Today we talk about setting intentions for the new year by reflecting and choosing a word of the year! I hope this episode inspires you.

Friendly reminder that this is the last episode of Season 1 and I will return to you on February 7th! Happy New Year!

Join my new group coaching course: moniquecara.com/course

We start Jan 12th!

Kaileen is an intuition coach who helps her clients cut through the noise in everyday life and get back in touch with their truest selves. She found her way into this work after the birth of her second child when she realized her inner voice held answers that she couldn’t find elsewhere. She believes intuition is the key to alignment, ease, manifesting, and finding fulfillment in life. This is why she teaches others how to access their intuition and trust what they hear. She lives in Austin, Texas with her husband and their three young children. She also boasts past lives as a collegiate swimmer, published author, Silicon Valley startup recruiter, and wellness company co-founder. Today’s episode is a little different because we’re really focusing on you, your intuition, headspace, and how that can fed into creativity. Kaileen is such a gift with her insight of what intuition is and how to harness it to feed into no only your creative practice but your life as a whole.

Shownotes: https://www.moniquecara.com/shownotes/episode013

Gari-Ann is a serial entrepreneur, former secondary teacher, mom of two, and military spouse. She serves small businesses & creatives by helping them look cohesive with their brand & product imagery.

Today we discuss how to set healthy boundaries, find balance, and create efficient processes to give you more time with the things that matter most, you and your loved ones.

Shownotes: https://www.moniquecara.com/shownotes/episode012

From graphic designer to fine art painter, Gina discusses her creative origins, her creative process, and gives great insight to making a sustainable creative practice.

Shownotes: https://www.moniquecara.com/shownotes/episode011

Today we define what creativity is, it might take you by surprise! Plus, an introduction to my FREE 2 day mini course!

Sign up for my FREE mini course at https://www.moniquecara.com/course!

Shownotes: https://www.moniquecara.com/shownotes/episode010

This week I'm sitting down with my wonderful friend Michele. We go deep into life experiences and how it's shaped our definitions of creativity and play. From her adventures in Sudan to my adventures in Jordan, you're not going to want to miss this episode.

Shownotes: https://moniquecara.com/shownotes/episode009

Everything from life balance, expression in the midst of personal and societal concerns, and learning to take risks, you don’t want to miss this episode with Carina and I.

Shownotes: moniquecara.com/shownotes/episode008

Shownotes: moniquecara.com/shownotes/episode007

Shownotes: https://www.moniquecara.com/shownotes/episode006

“Play is a profound biological process. It has evolved over eons in many animal species to promote survival. It shapes the brain and makes animals smarter and more adaptable. In higher animals, it fosters empathy and makes possible, complex social groups. For us, play lies at the core of creativity and innovation.” - Stuart Brown, Play

You and I sit down today and discuss, the power of play, the benefits of it, and how it doubles as practice for you to dive deeper into your creative medium.

I am with you on this journey. I am learning, just like you, every day.

Shownotes: https://www.moniquecara.com/shownotes/episode005

Fine Art: https://www.moniquecarastudio.com

This week on the podcast:

• Welcoming abstract artist, Marina Dunbar. Her gorgeous colorful abstract paintings are sure to leave you speechless.
• We discuss: Marina's journey to becoming an artist, how everyone should follow their instinct to do what they love, and the importance of experimenting in your creative practice to continue to grow.

Shownotes: https://moniquecara.com/shownotes/episode003

This week on the podcast:

• Welcoming my first guest, Julia Whitworth - Julia Whitworth is an abstract and landscape fine artist living in Chattanooga, TN.
• We discuss Julia's artist journey, how art has helped us find a piece of ourselves, and how we're able to spread joy through art.

Shownotes: https://www.moniquecara.com/shownotes/episode002

This week on the podcast:

• You’ll hear about my biggest struggle to date and how creativity pulled me out of depression and anxiety
• Then I’ll give you some tips and tools to help you discover your creative outlet

Shownotes: https://www.moniquecara.com/shownotes/episode001