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Exploring Art, Mental Health, and the Power of Collaboration with Erin Drews and Leigh Standley

71 min • 19 juli 2023

Margo is joined by two creative powerhouses, Erin Drews and Leigh Standley to discuss their collaboration of art, words, and working together. Erin Drews is a Michigan based artist inspired by nature and Fauvism. She loves using color to create visual excitement and play, most typically through the subject of flowers. She's been described as "pink lemonade with a shot of whiskey," and when she's not creating, you can find her laughing, connecting, collecting art, immersing herself in nature, and enjoying the people she loves.

Leigh Standley is the artist, writer and owner of Curly Girl Design, Inc. where her line of clever and colorful greeting cards and gift items have taken the industry by delightful storm. Focused on the magic of the small moments, her product peeks into the corners of life and taps into the hearts of all.Founded in 2003, the company began with just 12 greeting cards and grew steadily. In 2005, Leigh was the recipient of her first LOUIE award for greeting card excellence and was nominated for 3 more in 2010. Her work and studio have been featured in creative publications like Where Women Create, Stationery Trends, Boho Magazine. Leigh believes firmly in the power of a creative community and the power of that community to unlock our truest selves.

Margo, Leigh and Erin discuss:

Their own creative businesses and a beautiful collaboration they’re working on

Mental health, adult ADHD, depression, PTSD, and how it has informed their art
The loneliness that can come from being a solo creative and how they work through that
Some of Erin’s unique art collections
Why she currently has a career outside of her art
What it means to live in wonder and curiosity
The intersection of the creative act and faith or spirituality
The very unique funding model that Erin works on through Hope College and how it can be a difference maker in many people’s lives