Podcast Summary: Creative Pep Talk - Episode 498: The Hidden Skill You Need to Develop with Cheyenne Barton

Release Date: March 26, 2025
Host: Andy J. Pizza
Guest: Cheyenne Barton
Title: The Hidden Skill You Need to Develop with Cheyenne Barton

Introduction

In Episode 498 of Creative Pep Talk, host and New York Times Bestselling Author and Illustrator Andy J. Pizza welcomes back fellow creative Cheyenne Barton, a multifaceted artist known for her work as an artist, actor, illustrator, and YouTuber. This episode delves deep into Cheyenne's recent struggles with creative block, her journey through an art crisis, and the profound insights she gained about balancing creativity with the pressures of modern digital platforms.

Cheyenne’s Art Crisis and Creative Struggles

Cheyenne begins by opening up about her recent "art crisis," a period where she felt disconnected from her creative flow. She shares:

“For the latter half of last year, I was in this place where I felt like nothing I was doing was working. My views on YouTube were falling, my number of patrons was falling, and a lot of stuff was kind of falling through the cracks.”
— Cheyenne Barton [05:19]

Andy echoes similar sentiments, reflecting on the broader challenges creatives face in a rapidly changing digital landscape:

“The gamification of creativity... there's such a narrow window of emotion that benefits the platforms. Most art that deeply resonates wouldn't hook the algorithm.”
— Andy J. Pizza [08:00]

Impact of Digital Platforms on Creativity

The conversation shifts to the pervasive influence of algorithms on creative expression. Both Andy and Cheyenne discuss how the push to "game the algorithm" can stifle authentic creativity:

“Every time I make anything, I am thinking about how I can monetize it. And that ruins my relationship with my desire and ability to make stuff in the first place.”
— Cheyenne Barton [11:29]

Andy reinforces this by highlighting the shift from traditional artistry to the "creator" era, where success is often measured by metrics rather than artistic merit:

“Most of the creative work that truly moves people wouldn’t perform well on platforms like YouTube, yet creators are pressured to produce what does.”
— Andy J. Pizza [08:00]

Finding Whimsy and Storytelling in Art

A pivotal moment in the episode is when Cheyenne realizes that her perfectionism has been hindering her creative process. She shares her breakthrough:

“It's the sense of, like, well, the fun comes from being good. Right. And if I'm not good, then it's not going to be fun.”
— Cheyenne Barton [18:11]

This leads to a deeper exploration of incorporating whimsy and storytelling into her work, areas she had previously overlooked. She reflects on her childhood fascination with fairies and how that magical thinking influences her current artistic desires:

“The word that I always come back to is whimsy and magic... my favorite pieces capture the essence of a larger world at play.”
— Cheyenne Barton [26:37]

Andy connects this to broader creative practices, emphasizing the importance of storytelling beyond technical skills:

“Illustration is also writing. It's also ideating. It's also story structure... There's so many different layers.”
— Andy J. Pizza [24:00]

Overcoming Perfectionism and Embracing Play

Cheyenne discusses her ongoing battle with perfectionism and the importance of allowing herself to create without stringent outcomes:

“I just need to make stuff. And that's enough, and that's okay. And trying to constantly remind myself... to just try and have fun for the sake of it.”
— Cheyenne Barton [22:07]

Andy shares his own struggles with balancing self-improvement and embracing strengths, underscoring the universal nature of these challenges among creatives.

Discovery of Concept Art and New Horizons

A transformative moment arrives when Cheyenne discovers concept art, which she had never previously considered as part of her repertoire. Inspired by artists like Ghost Shrimp and Nat Anderson, she realizes the potential for integrating storytelling and world-building into her illustrations:

“I have never considered that as an option, I guess, because I've been very comfy in this thing that I've been doing for the last 7ish years... it's surreal.”
— Cheyenne Barton [36:14]

Andy encourages this expansion of creative horizons, highlighting the value of storytelling in enhancing illustrative work.

Call to Adventure: Left Turn

As promised, Andy concludes the episode with a Creative Call to Adventure, titled Left Turn. He challenges listeners to:

• Identify Overlooked Skills: Reflect on the less obvious skills in your creative medium that could enhance your work. For illustrators, this might be storytelling; for musicians, it could be lyric writing or conceptual composition.

• Integrate Storytelling: Incorporate elements like metaphor, symbolism, and narrative into your creations to add depth and uniqueness.

• Embrace Play and Whimsy: Reconnect with the playful aspects of creativity that bring joy without the pressure of monetization or perfection.

Andy offers an actionable framework for creatives to step beyond their comfort zones and develop complementary skills that enrich their primary artistry.

“Look past the surface and the obvious road and ask yourself what different, unexpected, complementary skill could be your next left turn.”
— Andy J. Pizza [44:00]

Conclusion

Episode 498 serves as a profound exploration of the internal and external challenges faced by modern creatives. Through Cheyenne Barton's candid revelations and Andy J. Pizza's insightful guidance, listeners are encouraged to navigate their creative journeys with authenticity and resilience. The episode not only addresses common struggles but also provides a strategic pathway for personal and artistic growth through the Left Turn exercise.

Notable Quotes

• Cheyenne Barton [05:19]:

  “For the latter half of last year, I was in this place where I felt like nothing I was doing was working.”

• Andy J. Pizza [08:00]:

  “Most of the creative work that truly moves people wouldn’t perform well on platforms like YouTube, yet creators are pressured to produce what does.”

• Cheyenne Barton [18:11]:

  “It's the sense of, like, well, the fun comes from being good. Right. And if I'm not good, then it's not going to be fun.”

• Cheyenne Barton [26:37]:

  “The word that I always come back to is whimsy and magic... my favorite pieces capture the essence of a larger world at play.”

• Andy J. Pizza [44:00]:

  “Look past the surface and the obvious road and ask yourself what different, unexpected, complementary skill could be your next left turn.”

Key Takeaways

1. Balancing Creativity and Monetization: The tension between creating for passion and creating for profit can lead to creative block and dissatisfaction.

2. Embracing Whimsy and Storytelling: Integrating elements like magic, whimsy, and narrative can revitalize artistic expression and reconnect creators with their original joy.

3. Overcoming Perfectionism: Letting go of the need to produce flawless work allows for more authentic and enjoyable creative processes.

4. Expanding Creative Skills: Exploring complementary skills outside the primary creative discipline can lead to innovative and fulfilling artistic growth.

5. Navigating Digital Platforms: Understanding the limitations and pressures of algorithm-driven platforms is crucial for maintaining creative integrity.

Whether you're struggling with creative block or seeking ways to deepen your artistic practice, Episode 498 of Creative Pep Talk offers invaluable insights and practical advice to help you navigate and enhance your creative journey.