Episode Details
Back to EpisodesCreativity as a Daily Gift: Finding Joy, Overcoming Resistance, and Making Art Through Life's Challenges with Catherine Jennifer
Description
Margo is joined by artist, watercolorist, and educator Catherine Jennifer for a conversation about the power of play, the freedom of imperfection, and making space for creativity in everyday life. Originally from South Africa and now based in the UK, Catherine has built a creative life around painting, teaching, and helping others rediscover the joy of making art.
Margo and Catherine explore the barriers that keep us from creating, how personal loss can reshape our perspective, and why even 20 minutes of creative time can make a difference. Catherine also shares the magic of her in-person Art Club, her playful approach to teaching, and the inspiration behind her new Watercolor Joy app. It's a refreshing reminder that creativity doesn't have to be perfect or productive to be worthwhile. Sometimes, the joy is simply in showing up and seeing what happens.
In This Episode, You'll Hear About:
- Making Time for Creativity: How Catherine balances painting, teaching, and raising four boys, and why even 20 minutes a day matters.
- Embracing Play & Imperfection: Why letting go of expectations and welcoming the wild, wonky, and unexpected can lead to more joyful art-making.
- Finding Joy Through Life's Challenges: How profound personal loss changed Catherine's perspective on creativity, time, and living intentionally.
- Overcoming Creative Resistance: How to quiet the inner critic, release limiting beliefs, and rediscover the freedom to create.
- The Magic of Creative Community: How Catherine's in-person Art Club brings people together through experimentation, friendship, and shared creativity.
- Teaching with Playfulness: Catherine's unconventional approach to teaching on Skillshare and helping students build creative confidence.
- Making Watercolor More Accessible: The inspiration behind her new Watercolor Joy app and its personalized approach to learning.
- Letting the Process Lead: How shifting from what to paint to how to paint has transformed Catherine's own artistic practice.
Connect with Catherine Jennifer
Mentioned in This Episode
- Carolyn Gavin — Website | Windowsill Chats Episode (March 2021)
- Gabriella Buckingham — Website | Courses | Windowsill Chats January 2023 Archive
- Manchester Art Fair — Website
- Janet Pulcho — Website
- Lilla Rogers / Make Art That Sells — Website
- Helen Dardik — Website