Creative Adventures - An accidental podcast

Episode #15: Digital marginalia, the paradoxical grief of completion and becoming Connie Cyclonic

In this episode I try to find ways of bringing the art of marginalia to a podcast, realise I may be somewhat addicted to the psychological tension created by an incomplete project and reflect on a profound experience that began with the discovery that a water bottle would fit on my head. TL;DL 01:05 Old Father Jackdaw 05:23 On digital marginalia 09:34 Mouhamadodou Lo and his Children 11:00 Becoming Connie Cyclonic 19:26 Generic Existential Distraction 20:27 The paradoxical grief of completion and the art of potential space 26:08 Richmond Lock and Weir 27:42 Silent interview, workshops and EELS ARE COOL t-shirts Links to things I mentioned Mouhamadodou Lo and his Children on Spotify Video of the making of Connie Cyclonic Video story of Connie and the Creature at Samphire Hoe Silent interview with Joe Lycett Mask Workshop Dancing with the Inner Critic Workshop EELS ARE COOL T-SHIRT The written substack version of this episode can be read on my Substack. If you're wondering why this is an accidental podcast then listen to the first 5 minutes of episode one. Comments, questions, requests and stuff to stevexoh@gmail.com (Total listening time 30’ 21")

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Episode #14: From grope to rote, the inelegant art of synaptic pruning and the hobgoblin of little minds

In this episode I talk about the importance of breaking routines whilst breaking my own routine, reflect on how the biological process of synaptic pruning might be a useful metaphor for creative practice and consider whether the accidental pursuit of consistency could ruin my relationship with this podcast. TL;DL 0:18 Breaking the routine of making this podcast 06:39 From “grope” to “rote” 13:58 The importance of the body in spontaneous self-expression 18:58 My fears of breaking this routine 22:13 Synaptic pruning 28:46 Consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds 31:12 My paradoxical fear of being misunderstood and totally understood 35:06 Form is emptiness and emptiness is form 37:00 The importance of meeting the stranger Links to things I mentioned “Orbiting the giant hairball” by Gordon MacKenzie James Traeger’s tennis talk at Inexpert 2018 Norman the sunken boat Juvenile wood duck joins me on the kayak The written substack version of this episode can be read on my Substack. If you're wondering why this is an accidental podcast then listen to the first 5 minutes of episode one. Comments, questions, requests and stuff to stevexoh@gmail.com (Total listening time 40' 41")

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Episode #13: Start before you are ready, the scaffolding of meaning, and the existential habit of commoditising nature

In this episode I realise how important meaning is as a way of organising my attention, reflect on the value of starting before I am ready in any creative endeavour and try to understand why human beings seek out quiet and stillness in nature only to fill it with noise. TL;DL 1:14 “The River Thames Project” and organising my attention to find flow 11:56 On humans and making noise in nature 19:15 A trip to Canada and the importance of starting before you are ready to start 29:04 The mysterious world of Connie Cyclonic Links to things I mentioned The paper on flow that I mention Sound of Silence podcast The imperfect portrait experiment Two day Inner Critic Workshop Mask Workshop Solstice Festival at Samphire Hoe The written substack version of this episode can be read on my Substack. If you're wondering why this is an accidental podcast then listen to the first 5 minutes of episode one. Comments, questions, requests and stuff to stevexoh@gmail.com (Total listening time 30’ 44”)

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Episode #12: From midges to nuclear terror, the microtonal power of therapeutic art and the performative solemnity of the consummate professional

In this episode, encountering some midges on a run gets me reflecting on nuclear terror in the 1980s, I contemplate how therapeutic art works brilliantly in the gaps between words, and explore why acts of carnival are vital for weirdos trying to make a meaningful difference in the world. TL;DL 02’ 06” A chain of thought from midges to 1980s nuclear terror 10’25” The microtonal power of therapeutic art 18’ 18” The performative solemnity of the consummate professional 26’ 47” Jackdaw invasion! 35’ 24” Upcoming workshops and Samphire Hoe Solstice Festival Links to things I mentioned Jonno Hanafin’s Percieved Weirdness Index Unhurried moments podcast where I tell the story of that moment Playing at the Edge Inner Critic Workshop Paper Cutting Workshop in Guildford Mask workshop Samphire Hoe Solstice Festival The written substack version of this episode can be read on my Substack. If you're wondering why this is an accidental podcast then listen to the first 5 minutes of episode one. Comments, questions, requests and stuff to stevexoh@gmail.com (Total listening time 37’ 53”)

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Episode #11: Episode #11: Iridescent corvid secrets, the lost soul of Battersea and the art of the intentional ending

In this episode I investigate a strange fact I was sent about crows being rainbow coloured, explore impermanence and the art of ending projects at their peak, and lament the redevelopment of Battersea Power Station and what that can teach us about the dangers of “golf-course creativity.” TL;DL 04’ 32” I got sent a weird book about Rooks 08’ 36” Are crows in fact rainbow coloured? 12’ 43” The art of the intentional ending 25’ 04” The lost soul of Battersea Power Station 34’ 33” The Creatively Eccentric Podcast 35’ 37” Details about forthcoming Open Studio events Links to things I mentioned Fred Deakin on Instagram Lemon Jelly Talking Jim Reilly on the Glen Dye Podcast The Creatively Eccentric Podcast Details about Open Studios Buy stuff in my shop Buy me a coffee (support this podcast) The written substack version of this episode can be read on my Substack. If you're wondering why this is an accidental podcast then listen to the first 5 minutes of episode one. Comments, questions, requests and stuff to stevexoh@gmail.com (Total listening time 36’ 49”)

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Episode #10: Decenary threshold guardians, the totem of aloneness and my distant uncle who was a happy little stomach on a stick

In this episode I try to resist doing anything special for episode ten but end up going down a decenary rabbit hole, I reflect on the difference between aloneness and loneliness and rethink the brain’s role in creativity through getting to know a primitive sea creature. TL;DL 3’ 12” Why does the number 10 feel so significant anyway? 9 ’42” A story of transforming lonliness into solitude on a remote island 26 ’20” The human brain and the happy little stomach on a stick 32’ 35” Come hang out in my brain 33’ 22” Bad crow biology Links to things I mentioned The Ocracoke Art Adventure The article about "The British artists" in the Ocracoke Observer 7 ½ lessons about the brain book "Towards a social psychology of loneliness" paper Upcoming workshops (Masks, musical improv, paper cutting) Details about my forthcoming Open Studio The written substack version of this episode can be read on my Substack. If you're wondering why this is an accidental podcast then listen to the first 5 minutes of episode one. Comments, questions, requests and stuff to stevexoh@gmail.com (Total listening time 34' 26”)

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Episode #9: Memes vs art, a love affair with the Thames and the existential importance of being bored

In this episode I express my love of the River Thames through the metaphor of a storybook with the bridges as the chapters, explore the difference between art culture and meme culture, and reflect on boredom as a powerful indicator of living a meaningful life. TL;DL 2’ 41” A trip to St Leonards and the Hong Kong valley of the spiders 6 ’02” A love affair with the Thames 15’ 16” The existential importance of boredom 17’ 33” Readings from my old school reports 27’ 07” Memes vs art 37’ 26” Support the show and a soabox bit about podcasts 39’ 44” Jim the Podcast Sherpa Links to things I mentioned Seething Wells 10 Year plan prints My shop Podcast with Jim the Podcast Sherpa My next mask workshop Super Secret Musical Improv Workshop My online shop Become a patron of my studio Buy me a coffee (from £1) The written substack version of this episode can be read on my Substack. If you're wondering why this is an accidental podcast then listen to the first 5 minutes of episode one. Comments, questions, requests and stuff to stevexoh@gmail.com (Total listening time 41’ 46”)

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Episode #8: Eels, outsiders and the excruciating greyness of normal

In this episode I reflect on the cyclical emotional process of making this podcast, tumble down a fascinating eel rabbit hole, ponder the excruciating greyness of “normal”, and explore my love of the brilliant weirdo. TL;DL 1’ 15” Running in the dark and the peril of head-torches 6’ 34” The repeated process of making this podcast 8’ 55” The excruciating greyness of normal 10’ 53” Patterns of stuckness 12’ 54” Tumbling down an eel rabbit hole 18’ 22” My love of the brilliant weirdo 32’ 20” Making little zines that you can buy 33’ 02” Mask workshop promo 33’ 24” Spread the word Links to things I mentioned Sound of Silence podcast Pavement’s “Type Slowly” Michael Malay’s “Late Light” Watzlavick et al on stuckness Daniel Johnston: “Walking the cow” Lucia Pamela: “Walking on the moon” Wesley Willis: “Rock and roll McDonalds” The Shaggs: “Philosophy of the world” Connie Converse: “I have considered the Lillies” The Legendary Stardust Cowboy on Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-in Shooby Taylor live at The Apollo Daniel Johnston’s first live TV appearance Buy my zines My next mask workshop My online shop Become a patron of my studio Buy me a coffee (from £1) The written substack version of this episode: Stevexoh’s substack thing. If you're wondering why this is an accidental podcast then listen to the first 5 minutes of episode one. Comments, questions, requests and stuff to stevexoh@gmail.com (Total listening time 34’42”)

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Episode #7: Kingstonymus Bosch, the man who loved dragons and the ghostly posters on the super-ego's bedroom wall

In this episode I talk about how discovering a bizarre mural has helped me approach the festive season with a little more resilience, reflect on ego ideals as the posters my inner critic keeps on its bedroom wall and tell the story of the man who loved dragons as a way of exploring the phenomenon of aboutism. TL;DL 6’ 17” The Kingstonymus Bosch mural 15’ 38” The ghostly posters on the inner critic's bedroom wall 24’ 05” All about aboutism 24' 45” The man who loved dragons 30'56” The imperfect portrait experiment 36'25" Plug for my 20% off sale in my shop and mask workshop Links to things I mentioned London's horrific AI mural (Evening Standard article) My talk about learning to dance with my inner critic The Inexpert 2018 conference experiment Drawing portraits in Trafalgar Square John Luke Robert’s telling the story of the person who hated his gig My online shop My next mask workshop Become a patron of my studio Buy me a coffee (from £1) The written substack version of this episode: Stevexoh’s substack thing. If you're wondering why this is an accidental podcast then listen to the first 5 minutes of episode one. Comments, questions, requests and stuff to stevexoh@gmail.com (Total listening time 38'00")

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Episode #6: Welcome to my world, a love letter to autumn and reflections on masks that reveal

In this episode I reflect on how much I love autumn, tell the story of a crow reunion, play a weird song I wrote and performed in assembly age 8, experiment with less censored/more eccentric social interaction and talk about the power of masks that help reveal more of who we already are. TL;DL 2’ 15” I really love autumn 4’ 36” A crow reunion 14’ 27” The open studio/welcome to my world 22' 02” The bizarre assembly performance remembered 26’ 51” Experiments in social interaction 31’ 01” Reflections on masks that reveal 44’ 32” Plugs for festive markets I’m doing 46’ 06” Weird greetings cards available in my shop Links to things I mentioned Buy a print of "Crow Therapy" Feelings are Real exhibition at Barbican (Feb 25) My studio Partners zine Keith Johnstone Len Dancing My mask workshops My shop The written substack version of this episode: Stevexoh’s substack thing. If you're wondering why this is an accidental podcast then listen to the first 5 minutes of episode one. Comments, questions, requests and stuff to stevexoh@gmail.com (Total listening time 47’ 12”)

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Episode #5: Learning about lightning, the fish that makes dreams and reflections on beautiful inexpertise

In this episode I tell the story of how getting trapped on an exposed beach in a lightning storm became the highlight of a disastrous snorkelling trip, explore how dreams can be a scary, intense but ultimately helpful healing process and reflect on the beauty and power of inexpertise through the lens of the Portsmouth Sinfonia. TL;DL 3’ 32” The disastrous snorkelling trip 13’ 13” Live from "lightning beach" (contains swears!) 25’ 10” The fish that makes dreams 36’ 53” Reflections on beautiful inexpertise 50' 29” Plug for (Not a) Lost Cat prints and open studio Links to things I mentioned My One Track Minds "LSD" talk about Daniel Johnstone The Portsmouth Sinfonia play Also sprach zarathustra My One Track Minds talk on the Portsmouth Sinfonia The One Track Minds website The Inexpert 2018 website The Back Gaemen project Buy (Not a) Lost Cat limited edition prints Come to my open studio The written substack version of this episode: Stevexoh’s substack thing Comments, questions, requests and stuff to stevexoh@gmail.com (Total listening time 53’ 01”)

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Episode #4: Kindness for crabs, thoughts on the creative slump and learning to see the world as strange

In this episode I reflect on the big creative slump I found myself in August, explore how learning to see the world as strange can help us experience wonder and share the story of a beach trip with Poppy the dog that inspired me to make a little zine entitled “Be kind to crabs”. TL;DL 4’ 08” Kindness for crabs 12’ 11” Thoughts on the creative slump 24’ 20” Learning to see the world as strange 34’ 36” What the February?! Book, backgammon invitation and About Time podcast Links to things I mentioned A video of my “Be Kind to Crabs” zine Print off a copy of my “Be Kind to Crabs” zine What the February?! Book The Back Gaemen project The “About Time” podcast The written substack version of this episode: Stevexoh’s substack thing Comments, questions, requests and stuff to stevexoh@gmail.com (Total listening time 40’ 30”)

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Episode #3: Quantum flirting, Back Gaemen and a live crow/spider skirmish

In this episode I talk about The Windowsill Gang and how they bring me joy but also steal my crab shells, all about Arnie Mindell's beautiful concept of Quantum Flirting and share the story of how I have ended up inviting strangers to play Backgammon with me. And an exciting moment (for me anyway) when I witness a crow/spider skirmish right outside my window. TL;DL 1' 50" The Windowsill Gang 9' 09" Quantum Flirting 14' 55" The Back Gaemen project 15' 27" Spider/crow skirmish 31' 51" New t-shirts and upcoming workshops Links to things I mention The Windowsill gang T-shirts Workshops The written Substack version of all of this: Stevexoh's Substack thing Comments, questions, requests and stuff to stevexoh@gmail.com (Total listening time 36 mins and 57 secs)

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Episode #2: The union of onions, the trouble with windows and the importance of niche environments and reasonable adjustments

In this episode I enjoy following the random gifts of a dyslexic mind and reflect on some of the comments that people made about my "create windows into your world" philosophy in episode one. I also explore the idea of "niche environments" and "reasonable adjustments" as important considerations for anyone wanting to nurture their own spontaneous self-expression. TL;DL 3' 42" The union of onions 6' 10" More thoughts on "windows into your world" 16' 35" Niche environments and reasonable adjustments Links I mention The origin story of "XOH" The "Dog trolley" Thoughts about opening windows four-box-grid The (Not a) Lost cat project Workshops Framed original drawings The written Substack version of all of this: Stevexoh's Substack thing Comments, questions, requests and stuff to stevexoh@gmail.com (Total listening time 37 mins and 37 secs)

Episode #1: An accidental podcast, the carcinisation of tech and four lightly held philosophies for living a creative life

In this episode I realise that in attempting to make an accessible audio version of my Substack that I have accidentally created a podcast. Maybe. I also consider the idea that all apps and digital platforms are evolving to eventually become the same thing (a bit like the evolutionary theory of carcinisation where everything becomes a crab) and I share my "Four lightly held philosophies for living a creative life" from an article I forgot I wrote a number of years back. TL;DL 1' 01" The carcinisation of tech 2' 23" The accidental podcast 11' 07" Four lightly held philosophies Links I mention The written Substack version of all of this: Stevexoh's Substack thing The Sound of Silence podcast: www.soundofsilence.org.uk For Creative People podcast: Listen on Spotify My website: www.canscorpionssmoke.com My shop: The Amazing Emporium of Everything Comments, questions, requests and stuff to stevexoh@gmail.com (Total listening time 33 mins and 34 secs)