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What happens when we stop running from our pain and instead race toward it with open arms? In this soul-stirring conversation with artist Mark Russell Jones, we discover how embracing our deepest wounds can transform not just our art, but our very humanity.

Mark's journey into authentic artistic expression wasn’t linear. Coming from a working-class background where art was relegated to "hobby status," he initially pursued more practical creative paths. It wasn’t until becoming a father that he made the pivotal decision to fully embrace his identity as a painter – realizing he couldn’t teach his child to pursue their dreams if he wasn’t pursuing his own. This moment of clarity, coupled with profound personal losses including his father's death and his daughter's stroke, formed the alchemical foundation of his creative practice.

"The tragedy is the beauty in my work," Mark confesses, revealing how facing grief head-on rather than compartmentalizing it has deepened his artistic expression. This philosophy of "running toward" difficult experiences instead of avoiding them has become central to his approach. Through vulnerability and openness, he's discovered that creativity isn’t something he generates, but rather something that flows through him when he becomes a willing vessel.

Our conversation ventures beyond technique into the spiritual dimensions of creativity – how becoming authentic opens channels to what Mark calls "the divine." We explore the dangers of overthinking and the wisdom in Leonardo da Vinci’s observation that "the supreme misfortune is when theory outstrips performance." Mark reminds us that ultimately, creativity is performance – the doing rather than the theorizing about doing.

Whether you’re a seasoned creator struggling with authenticity or someone just beginning to honor your creative impulses, Mark’s wisdom will inspire you to embrace vulnerability as the pathway to extraordinary expression. Listen now and discover why the thread of love may be the most powerful creative force we have.

This is Maddox & Dwight! More than anything, we want to connect and communicate with you. We don't want to think of you as listeners. We want to think of you as community. So, scroll to the bottom of the show notes and click the SUBSCRIBE link. Thank you!

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What does it mean to live a life driven by boundless curiosity? Surtzy takes us on an extraordinary journey through her creative existence, where each day brings a new project and every experience becomes potential artistic fuel.

From crafting avant-garde moss shoes for sustainable fashion shows to performing as an aerialist, Surtzy embodies the spirit of fearless exploration. Her story begins at just four years old, when her parents normalized creativity as "just part of life," even encouraging her to repurpose trash as canvas when conventional materials were too expensive. This shaped her approach to creativity as accessible and essential rather than precious or elite.

After studying anthropology and sociology, Surtzy applied this knowledge to her passion: connecting people through art. "Nobody can do anything at all without community," she explains, challenging the myth of the solitary creative genius. Her diagnosis with Graves' disease at 19 crystallized her understanding that time is limited—fueling her drive to document her creative process and share it with others.

What truly distinguishes Surtzy is her commitment to daily collaboration. Whether rehearsing with her a cappella group, doing film readings, or co-creating large-scale community projects, she constantly seeks connection through creativity. Yet she balances this with intentional stillness, taking "meditation days" to let inspiration flow naturally instead of forcing it.

For creatives struggling with pressure and expectations, Surtzy’s wisdom is liberating. She abandoned the factory-model of art-making when her brand grew, choosing instead to create only when genuinely inspired—resulting in work that feels authentic, not resentful. Her advice for finding your creative community? Go where like-minded people gather: galleries, museums, libraries, and universities.

Listen in and discover how embracing curiosity, community, and the courage to try new things can transform your creative practice and perspective.

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This is Maddox & Dwight! More than anything, we want to connect and communicate with you. We don't want to think of you as listeners. We want to think of you as community. So, scroll to the bottom of the show notes and click the SUBSCRIBE link. Thank you!

Thank you for listening to the For the Love of Creatives Podcast. If you are enjoying the podcast, please scroll to the bottom of the show notes and Rate & Review us. We would SO appreciate it.

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"You've got to have the fire." These words from metal artist Eric Breish capture the essence of the creative journey—that inexplicable burning passion that pulls you back to your craft even after declaring "I'm done" just a day before.

Eric's path to becoming a full-time artist winds through unexpected territory. From Marine Corps service to IT work to audio engineering, he eventually discovered his artistic voice through metal—creating three-dimensional works that challenge perception and evoke physical responses in viewers. What makes his art truly special is impossible to capture digitally; the way light reflects or absorbs from precisely scored metal surfaces creates a dimensional experience that photography, with its "one eye," can’t reproduce.

The conversation explores the spiritual side of creativity, with Eric describing himself as a vessel through which art flows. "I almost wasn't present for it," he explains about his best creative moments, when he steps "outside of myself and lets everything flow through." This state represents the delicate balance between technical control and surrender that defines true artistic flow.

Perhaps most moving is Eric's reflection on how heartbreak and personal struggles have shaped his most powerful work. After experiencing profound loss, he allowed himself to "go to the very bottom of the ocean and sit on the floor... and really feel everything," transforming that pain into a meaningful exhibition. His wisdom resonates beyond art: "Don't run from the emotions that you really don't want to look at and you don't want to feel, because that can be really the greatest reward you'll ever have."

For anyone on the creative path, Eric's journey offers both inspiration and practical insight. From writing a life-changing letter to his mentor to finally quitting his day job in 2015, he shows how courage and authenticity fuel artistic growth. Whether you're just beginning or facing a moment of doubt, this conversation reminds us why we keep coming back to create again and again.

This is Maddox & Dwight! More than anything, we want to connect and communicate with you. We don't want to think of you as listeners. We want to think of you as community. So, scroll to the bottom of the show notes and click the SUBSCRIBE link. Thank you!

Thank you for listening to the For the Love of Creatives Podcast. If you are enjoying the podcast, please scroll to the bottom of the show notes and Rate & Review us. We would SO appreciate it.

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