Podcast Summary: "Space, Art, and Finding Inner Peace Through Unpredictable Creativity - Amanda Mochi"

Podcast Information

• Title: Mindful Creative with Radim Malinic
• Host: Radim Malinic
• Guest: Amanda Mochi
• Release Date: November 25, 2024

Introduction

In the November 25, 2024 episode of Mindful Creative with Radim Malinic, host Radim Malinic engages in a profound and heartfelt conversation with Amanda Mochi, a multifaceted brand identity designer and portrait artist based in Montreal, Quebec. Drawing from her rich experiences and personal journey, Amanda delves into themes of creativity, inner peace, and the challenges of balancing personal passion with commercial success.

Early Beginnings: Discovering Creativity

Amanda Mochi traces her creative roots back to her early childhood, reminiscing about the moments when she first picked up a pencil and began expressing herself through drawing.

[03:59] Amanda Mochi: "I would say it started as early as picking up a pencil, crayon, and some paper. Around the age of four, my mom would have a hard time getting me off the table because there was always construction paper, crayons, and endless creativity."

Her passion for art was evident from a young age, despite not receiving immediate recognition. A pivotal moment came when she won an art competition at seven years old, giving her the first taste of external validation and encouraging her to pursue her creative interests further.

[04:50] Amanda Mochi: "I created this little collage in class, and while the kids were making fun of it, the teacher recognized something special and encouraged me to enter a competition. Winning that competition was a significant boost."

Embracing ADHD: From Challenge to Strength

Amanda openly discusses her diagnosis of ADHD, acknowledging how it shaped her creative journey. Initially perceived as a hindrance, she transformed ADHD into a driving force behind her creativity.

[06:27] Amanda Mochi: "I am someone with ADHD, which I now see as a strength. If I had been surrounded by endless digital distractions, I would have been overwhelmed. Focusing on traditional mediums like paper and crayons was essential for me."

She reflects on the difficulties of school, especially in subjects like math, where she felt out of place. However, her creative inclinations provided a refuge and eventually blossomed into a source of confidence and identity.

[08:28] Amanda Mochi: "I felt like a black sheep in school, especially struggling with math. But focusing on what I loved helped me grow. Loving what you do brings confidence over time."

Influence of Her Late Brother: A Cosmic Inspiration

Amanda credits her late brother with igniting her fascination with the cosmos, an enduring theme in her artwork. His enthusiasm for astronomy and the universe left a lasting imprint on her creative vision.

[12:48] Amanda Mochi: "My brother, who was 11 years older, was the one who introduced me to the cosmos. His passion for planets and constellations became the root of my artistic inspiration."

The loss of her brother in 2005 was a turning point. Seeking solace, Amanda channeled her grief into her art, creating portraits that served as a meditative practice and a way to stay connected with his memory.

[14:54] Amanda Mochi: "After he passed away, drawing became my outlet. It was terrifying at first, but it turned into a meditation that helped quiet my grief and anxiety."

The Artistic Process: Obsession with Portraiture

Amanda's dedication to portraiture stems from her desire to capture genuine emotion, particularly through the eyes—the window to the soul. Her relentless pursuit of perfection in this aspect drives her obsessive approach.

[20:36] Amanda Mochi: "I obsess about the eyes because they convey the most emotion. Getting them right is crucial for the portrait to connect authentically."

Her journey through various mediums, from pencil and charcoal to digital platforms like the iPad, showcases her commitment to mastering her craft through trial and error rather than relying on tutorials.

[22:37] Amanda Mochi: "I learned through trial and error, making crazy mistakes that led to where I am today. Without step-by-step tutorials, I explored every medium deeply."

Navigating the Business of Creativity: Three Attempts

Amanda candidly shares her experiences running her own studio, Machi Studio, highlighting the challenges and lessons learned through three distinct business attempts.

1. First Attempt: Balancing freelance design work with personal projects led to a lack of focus, ultimately resulting in the business's failure.

   [38:34] Amanda Mochi: "I was splitting myself too much between freelance work and drawing, which led to the business not taking off."

2. Second Attempt: Accepting a full-time position provided financial stability but stifled her creative spirit. After two and a half years, she yearned to pursue her passion independently once again.

   [38:34] Amanda Mochi: "Working for a company wasn't me. I craved the freedom to collaborate with diverse clients, which led me to start my studio anew."

3. Third Attempt - Machi Studio: By branding herself as a studio, Amanda adopted a professional mindset, collaborated with other creatives, and focused on brand identity projects. This iteration has thrived over three years, despite occasional doubts and challenges.

   [38:34] Amanda Mochi: "Labeling myself as Machi Studio helped me adopt a professional mindset and collaborate effectively, leading to fantastic outcomes over the past three years."

Creativity in the Digital Age: Overwhelm and Adaptation

Amanda reflects on the complexities of creativity in today's hyper-connected world. The constant barrage of information and the pressure to keep up with trends can be overwhelming, leading to periods of creative stagnation.

[26:14] Amanda Mochi: "Today's world can be overwhelming. There's always something new to learn, which makes staying focused difficult. Sometimes I feel drained and question my abilities."

She contrasts this with her earlier years when creativity felt more organic and less burdened by external expectations. Amanda emphasizes the importance of stepping back, auditing one's work, and reconnecting with the core reasons for pursuing creativity.

[29:05] Amanda Mochi: "I remind myself to take a deep breath and return to the basics. Focusing on what feels right now helps me navigate through the overwhelm."

The Power of Music: Fueling Creative Expression

Music plays a pivotal role in Amanda's creative process. Her love for bands like Radiohead and iconic film scores like Interstellar influences not only her mood but also the emotional depth of her artwork.

[45:38] Amanda Mochi: "Listening to Radiohead's unpredictable music helps me break free from perfectionism. It inspires me to include random elements that make my work more dynamic."

She recounts experiences where the music she listened to directly impacted her art, such as her art class anecdote where her ability to convey unpredictability in her work was linked to the music she was inspired by at the time.

[48:00] Amanda Mochi: "In art class, my teacher could tell when I wasn't inspired by my usual music. It showed how deeply music affects my creative output."

Future Plans and Growth Mindset

Looking ahead, Amanda maintains a flexible and open-minded approach to her creative endeavors. She focuses on setting loose, achievable milestones rather than rigid plans, allowing her creativity to flow naturally.

[52:20] Amanda Mochi: "I have a loose plan pinned to my wall with milestones I aim to achieve within a year. If things don't go as planned, I embrace the learning and growth that comes from those experiences."

Her pillars for the future include expanding her brand identity projects, collaborating with clients who are change-driven and have meaningful stories, and maintaining a balance between commercial work and personal art.

[55:19] Amanda Mochi: "For my business, I focus on clients who want to make a difference. For my art, I prioritize personal projects that bring balance to my professional work."

Conclusion

Amanda Mochi's conversation with Radim Malinic offers a deep dive into the interplay between personal challenges, creative expression, and professional growth. Her journey from a creatively inclined child to a successful designer and artist underscores the importance of resilience, passion, and the ability to adapt. By embracing her strengths, navigating her struggles, and staying true to her inspirations, Amanda exemplifies the mindful creative navigating the unpredictable waters of artistic life.

Notable Quotes

• Amanda Mochi [03:59]: "I would say it started as early as picking up a pencil, crayon, and some paper."

• Amanda Mochi [08:28]: "I felt like a black sheep in school, especially struggling with math. But focusing on what I loved helped me grow."

• Amanda Mochi [14:54]: "After my brother passed away, drawing became my outlet. It was terrifying at first, but it turned into a meditation that helped quiet my grief."

• Amanda Mochi [20:36]: "I obsess about the eyes because they convey the most emotion. Getting them right is crucial for the portrait to connect authentically."

• Amanda Mochi [26:14]: "Today's world can be overwhelming. There's always something new to learn, which makes staying focused difficult."

• Amanda Mochi [45:38]: "Listening to Radiohead's unpredictable music helps me break free from perfectionism. It inspires me to include random elements that make my work more dynamic."