Episode 310: How to Have Faith Your Art Business Will Be Successful | Cicely Carew | Artist, Visionary, and Creator
Artist Cicely Carew joins Kara for a powerful conversation about creativity, community, and staying true to your voice, even when it’s hard. They talk about the real work behind building an art career, the power of supportive mentors, and navigating the tension between personal expression and public visibility. Cicely opens up about motherhood, burnout, and the practices that help her stay grounded as an artist and woman. If you’re a creative navigating business, identity, or burnout, this episode offers a grounding, inspiring reminder that your path is valid, and that you are the way. This episode also explores art and purpose, creative entrepreneurship, and women leading through expression and impact.
“ No one owns the future. We own the future and we need each other to be connected, to build, and stretch it out more than just fall asleep to this really bad nightmare that’s happening.”
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Follow along using the Transcript
Chapters:
(00:00:21) - Introduction to Cicely Carew and Her Artistic Journey
(00:01:13) - Impact of Boston on Cicely's Art and Community
(00:03:06) - The Art Scene in Boston vs. Major Cities
(00:07:42) - Cicely's Artistic Vision and Journey of Self-Discovery
(00:11:03) - The Importance of Community and Trust in Creativity
(00:19:38) - Balancing Art and Business: The Artist's Dilemma
(00:47:02) - Rapid Fire Questions: Defining Power and InspirationArt has been my medicine and it's been my lover, and it's been the thing that sustains me and it's made me feel like I have purpose, I have confidence. I have something to give and that feels good and it, and I receive through that too.
That's artist Cicely Carew. I'm Kara Duffy, and this is The Powerful Ladies podcast.
Welcome to the Powerful Ladies Podcast. Thank you. Thanks for having me. Let's begin by telling everyone your name, where you are in the world, and what you're up to. Okay.
My name is Cicely Carew. I am. Currently in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and I am, I'm an artist. I'm home today though.
So I consider Boston home.
Yeah. And I'm currently in California, which is where you were born in la Yes. And so we've swapped coast. How long have you been in Boston and how has being in Boston. Changed your artistic trajectory? That's a great question.
How long have I been in Boston? I am here almost, coming up on 10 years and, it's changed everything. It was a game changer when I first came for my undergrad at Mass Art. And then when I circled back, I was just giving a talk yesterday at the SMFA and I was like, oh my god, time. And then 13 years later circled back here. And within time a couple years, my art is blooming again.
Yeah. And, so it's had a huge impact on my life and my trajectory and how I see myself. But the ways that I could not put this together or have planned it, like Boston, I. Cambridge has provided these cosmic events to to come together.
Most people think of when they think art.
They're thinking in New York, they're thinking in la Maybe San Francisco, maybe Miami. Yeah. I don't know that Boston gets enough credit for how much art and creativity activity is in the city is encouraged. I have a I used to work in footwear and apparel. I was at Puma, Reebok, a lot of the big companies in Boston.
Yeah. And so many people from the design communities in there are working, I would almost say aggressively with the community to keep building up the arts opportunities. Like how is it being in what people would consider a lower tier? City, let alone lower to your art community. And I don't think those words are correct, but that's what people say.
So does it give you more access because it's a smaller community? Does it give you more opportunities? Is it just better? 'cause some of the. Uppity nonsense is eliminated because it can't exist.
That's a great question. Having lived in New York and being from LA and seeing very successful people there, but also trying to figure out and just navigate those waters.
I have come to understand like there is a rich ecosystem that exists here. And a really strong community of artists. Sometimes because it's so small, like you can become really insular. But what I appreciate it about it is like this is a very livable place. Yeah. So I'm able to do what I absolutely love.
And over the last couple years, I have just thought about more ways to spread my wings and allow the work to stretch beyond these borders. Yeah. And some people that live here, I. Are successful and I define success by I gotta do what I love and I'm not stressing about that. Yeah. So there's a lot of people that are able to do exactly what they love and they're prolific and abundance their practice.
And it might just be here like within the Northeast region. I don't see that as a problem when I'm, yeah. If you're thinking about like other markets and other audiences that you'd like to extend your work into like those places and find your reach, then I. Then I guess you could say yeah, Boston small potatoes.
But I think it just, it's very, it's been very specific in what it likes. There's a New England brand. I think the work that I make is disruptive to that. And they're, I'm finding like my people Yes. Are me and I'm finding them. So I'm really appreciative of that. And I wonder what that might be like if I were in a place la which I just had a show there in November. Yeah. Or if. I was in New York and I've had, I've shown my work there. And I guess it just feels like louder.
Yeah.
I think there's a real rich culture that exists here and a lot of people that are coming from all over.
To now make it, have to grow and think of itself as being in competition, if you will, with New York or or actually just be taken seriously.
Yeah. I think that's where I am and
it's growing up. It's literally gained landmass since I left. Yeah. Yeah. I don't know any other city that's gaining landmass as a result of its growth. There's something that I really love about Boston as a city that. I don't think it's talked about outside of the city as much about how you can find so many, so much depth in the communities that you can be a part of.
They are supportive. It feels like an actual community oriented city versus. A lot of people running in different directions. LA is a great example, right? There's tons of people who are very interesting and nice and it's oh, but I have to drive an hour to see you, so that's never gonna happen.
Yeah, that's not the, that, that. Like driving an hour in Boston means you're like going skiing. It doesn't mean that you're leaving the city. So I think there's something nice about knowing that when you do meet people, it's easier to compound your network. And it's easier to follow up and it's easier to get connected to another group of someone you met because it is so centralized.
Yeah. And there is a little bit of the, let's prove all these other cities that we actually have, we can do it all too, and we're gonna have more fun along the way. Yeah. I think your art is beautiful and I love the colors. I love that it goes from all the different dimensions that it can include.
When you were thinking about the artists you wanted to be in art school. Did you have this vision of where you are today or were like how has that journey been for you? Mostly not in like your confidence or things, but in your artistic style.
Yeah. This is not anything that I had consciously dreamt of.
Yeah. And I. I'm so grateful that it has unfolded this way because it's like I'm on a journey and it's quite miraculous. When I try to piece it together and say like, how did I get here? How did that happen? Did I manifest this? It's yes and no. I think I just there, there were people along the way.
To answer your question directly, no, I never. I thought that this would be happening. Yeah. I hoped. And it wasn't until after I had my son, I moved back here to raise him that I. I met a teacher, she's my mentor and my friend Ann Forbush was like one of the first people when I was taking a monotype printmaking class.
And just saying I wanna paint again, but I don't have a studio and I can't afford anything. Like I have a child and I don't really have a job that's a full-time, so what am I gonna do? And she recognized that I was a serious maker. I wanted to be serious and taken seriously. And she said, I'm gonna take you seriously.
I'm gonna push you if that's okay with you. And I was like, yeah, absolutely. And then I found another person later on. I. I just gave a talk in her class yesterday. It was Eva Lger, and I have a show with her right now and she's another person who's I'm taking you seriously. And this was in my master's program, so yes, I'm serious.
She's I don't think you're just doing this to leave the program and not make your art. Like I think you actually want to do this and live a life. And I was like, yeah, I do. And she even was like, you have to take yourself seriously. I'm gonna take you seriously. And I had another friend Alex Calendar, who was like, you, I think that you could do this Cicely, so I'm taking you seriously.
Like you, you are making serious art whether you can own that or not. So I don't think that it was a matter of like me seeing myself doing it. It was a matter of just like taking myself seriously and not Yeah. Shrinking. Because the weight of such a big idea that's so overwhelming was making me feel like I have no idea how to get there.
I. But I will also say that for a long time I was practicing this thing that I heard somewhere on a podcast when I was living in Mexico. And this guy something Dooly or Dewey, it'll come back to you like Michael Doo Dooley and he called them the cursed. Hows So he is like, when you have a dream, it's like in your heart because it's for you.
It's what you are. It's calling you. The worst thing you can do is ask how
yes. I, no I, it's the truest statement that I, that you can say because my, when I'm not doing this, I'm a business coach and consultant and I work with a lot of creatives and I. Just, and I consider creative entrepreneurs, not just artists and designers, but anyone who is thinking outside the box with how, what they're delivering, and working in their soul's purpose, right?
And people have so many great ideas, but great ideas have a shelf life and are the visions that come to us have a shelf life. And I love that. People go, yes, I want this. How does it happen? Instead of. To your point, just committing to No, it's going to happen. And you're a great example of the people who are going to show me how will show up.
Yeah, we think that we have to have all the answers. And I'm like, no. No, we, everyone needs a coach and a community, if not multiple, and we're not supposed to have all the pieces. Like it's this really beautiful puzzle that we get to make when we actually allow others into the space. And I think once we get over the knowing how part.
Sharing it with people I think is the next scary thing. So how are you deciding who to trust with your precious baby idea that you've now fully committed to?
Yeah. That's a question, right? Yeah. Yeah. Okay. Could go both ways. I think.
One, it's believing myself. Am I trusting myself with this precious baby thing that I am, I'm wanting to see come to fruition? And yeah, trusting that, like I know that's to be born through me. And then when I share it I've had a lot of practice with sharing my ideas with people and they're like.
Okay, are you sure? And feed a lot of doubt. Yeah. So I think I had to learn to be, if I had to learn to be selective, who are the people I will share that like my dream with. And also be prepared for them to not be supportive of it. And then if they aren't, I'm just preparing for the worst in this. If they aren't, I don't let that stick to me.
And also I think very recently I started to believe more firmly I'm not gonna take advice from somebody who's not willing to do what I am going to do. So if I share it with them, I don't actually expect them to believe me. And for myself, I have a little tattoo in my back says, do the impossible.
Just as my own little reminder. I don't need you to believe that I can do it, for it to happen. Because those people do come who do believe, and they're always unexpected guests, which is wonderful. And it's not that the people who don't believe are. Like robbing you of this wonderful moment.
It's sometimes just too big. Or like they, they're caring and what our, if your mind likes to do is no, stay safe. So I'm like, okay, you just want me to stay safe because it sounds scary. But I think I found the people that will celebrate these ideas with me. And sometimes, I am very spiritual and woo.
So sometimes it's just like speaking. Saying whoever, like those that are beyond hear me, my mother, she's my angel. Mom, I want this, grandma, I want this just be with me and help me hold that. 'cause I don't, yeah, I don't know. It's that it's always something that I am going to share with others.
And mostly then I'll just start getting my way. So I just go do the thing.
Yep. It speaks to the grit and determination. Like I, I saw a meme the other day that said, of course you're gonna succeed. You're determined and delusional. And I was like
yes. Yeah. I think sometimes if we're asking like, no, I think by sharing, sometimes I realize like I'm asking
permission. For permission,
yes. And so that's where I'm like, no, I'm not gonna talk to the person. I'm just gonna talk to those beyond who, who really have my back and I'm just gonna go do the thing because I don't need to ask permission.
I think giving permission to clients is about 50% of what I do every day.
I bet. Because we know it and women in particular, my opinion, have been told over centuries and certainly through our cultures, that to root, to disconnect from our knowing. Yeah. And. Everyone I know who is on a path that lights them up and they, and life is working for them in a way that's very unique to them.
They are willing to listen to themselves at such a deeper level. And it doesn't mean that we don't need help sometimes because all of us get to a point where we're like, I got this, and then a day comes, you're like, I don't got this. So it is a, an ebbing and flowing of are we listening to what we know to be right Because we all.
If we're playing a big enough game, we're gonna get onto those skinny branches that have us freak out and run back to whatever strongest foundation we have, and we're gonna need that help. Yeah. But ignoring what we know to be true, I. I also see so many consequences tied to it. Do you have an example where you knew you should do or not do something and you didn't listen to it and you were like, oh, this is the karma I just gave myself so
many times. I can give you so many examples of that and where I've arrived from it. And I think we all get there as ah, I heard it, I heard the don't do that.
Okay. I didn't listen. I'm sorry I didn't listen. And then the, oh, now I know how to listen because I'm here because of that. And now I have wisdom because I can hear myself.
Clearly, and I'm not doubting that because I don't wanna do that thing again. Yeah. I don't wanna feel it again. Thank you. I don't wanna feel it again. Yeah and I think that there's on, on a part of that too is like fighting the grace in that you have to know that I turned my ears off or my body off to not hear it so that I can get back in touch or remind myself like, no, there is knowing that's in there.
And keep remembering and keep reconnecting. To it because it's so easily, at least for me it's like on strong sometimes, and then it fades. Or maybe I've just grown. So yeah, it's, I got this, and then I realize oh no I don't got it because I wasn't listening or I thought I could hear it, but I can't hear it.
And now I have to tune in a different way. And this is the update. Because also I wanna be human in it.
It's like going to the gym, I think, yes. You like, if I'm not practicing the listening or the meditating or whatever gets me into that space. And then if you are doing it consistently, you might, you have to shake it up sometimes.
Or sometimes there's even someone who, what's there's that, that parable right of you either get. Ask a whisper or get hit by a feather, a brick, or now it's a truck like you choose. And I do think there are moments when we get so in our routines and so caught up in something. 'cause again, we're human that the bus comes and you're like, okay, I will tune back into the whispering in the feathers.
'cause it'll be easier. Yeah. When you go back to 8-year-old, you, what would she be so proud of right now? No.
I thought about her the other day. I think she'd be proud that I didn't give up. And even when I like invoke her and I'm like, I give up. Just have that moment of I don't want do it anymore. That in that surrender. I'm reminding that she also had a fire, she had a lot of chutzpah and I was like, no, I'm gonna do it.
I am stubborn that way. I know that I like, love that about myself. Because I have to, so I think she would be proud of me for pursuing what lights me up and staying me and becoming more me and letting her. Play through me and not silencing her, like giving her more of a voice.
And constantly looking back to find her wisdom. 'cause she always knew
they do. Yeah. It's a, I choose that age or age range because there's something really powerful about being half in the adult world and half in the kid world, and. I know that I'm doing life right when I can feel her being excited. Yeah.
I also know I'm doing life right? When people think I'm totally insane, I'm like, oh good. It's a really good idea.
I was, we found you just by being on Instagram. Oh wow. And I'm always searching for who is like the next woman I wanna talk to and why. And when I found you on Instagram, I don't even remember how I found you, but I was just, I love bright colors. I love colors combined. I love seeing energy through art.
And there's so much of that in what you create. And it was stunning and beautiful. I voted at my team and like her, I want her on the podcast. And then my, the next thought I had looking at you and like the pile of poofs. I was like, there must be a day when you're like, not another piece of fabric. Yes.
So how do you balance? Like the different phases of the art from the concept to the idea to, oh shit, now I gotta build this thing I talked about. I'm on my 400th piece of something. This is the worst idea I've ever had. Like what, how do you stay in gratitude or graciousness when it's volume levels of having to repeat a process to bring a collection together.
I cry a lot. I'm like, thank you. Why did I do this? Yeah, I think I am, I see myself right now walking out of my studio building with these chunks of. Material in my hands, my face mask on. I'm freezing. Most of these projects have happened like in the dead of winter. Which I, I have rain knots, I freeze very easily and I'm like, I don't wanna be cold, but now I'm frozen all day and outside and then voluntarily 'cause this is what I'm doing.
And so I'm walking out and I'll say I'm doing what I love. I'm doing what I love. I'm so grateful. And, find the sun. I'm like, I got this. I'm like, I'm ready. And I'll just do a dance. I'm there. I am tired. My hands hurt. My body hurts. My face hurts. I am miserable. 'cause I don't like being cold.
But I am so excited that I'm doing that then. And definitely crying like through it, just because. I'm like, what? I feel so alone. Yeah. In those moments. And then nobody, if those are the things that like, I have to, I feel like I have to keep for myself because what ultimately will come back is weren't you grateful?
Aren't you excited that you're doing this? And then obviously Yeah. But. Okay. No one's gonna wanna hear me complain about doing something that I said I wanted to do and I love it. So that's contradictory and silly. I.
But I do think that other artists or other creators, when you're in the minutiae of having to get it done.
Yeah.
There's a moment. I think that's the piece where so many people stop. Oh, yeah. And so I think that's why I wanted to ask you about it, because I do. For the people who are on their 400th whatever or even 50th thing they've had to do, they don't wanna make the presentation, they don't wanna cut another thing out.
They don't wanna have to put another dot on this pixelated art that they thought was a great idea, but it's the finishing it. That is why, like it changes everything. There's like that final hurdle to get through.
Yeah.
That's why I think it's important, like just to imagine you crying outside, shaking cold, and crying at the same time going, I love this.
I totally love this. Like that to me is so visceral and real. I'm like, yeah, I get that. Like we, the worst punishments I've had, were of my own making. So it's yeah, that's just what it's like. It's, there's a miserable component to doing everything that we love.
Yeah. Absolutely. Another little anecdote that I have for myself is I go sit in the steam room.
Ooh, that's my thing. When I'm burning out and my like very neurodivergent brain is I am going to get distracting right now. I'm not gonna let you finish this. Because I have a really strong discipline. But I think in those moments when I, after I've done the crying and I'm like, I'm verging on burnout 'cause I don't think I can make that extra dot or spray that one more thing, then I just take a break.
I just find a way to, to quickly reset. And while I'm there, I'm like, I'm going back. I'm gonna finish it. We're gonna finish this, I'm gonna finish it and just keep talking to myself. But to remove myself for a moment actually makes me like, feel more of the urge and the what is the word?
Urgency. Like the pull back to the art urgency. Yeah.
To get back. But it's just a moment to like, be in my body and just chill out for a second. That helps me reset. Yeah, makes total sense. Yeah. So like those two, I cry. I just go have a little reset and go again.
Do you feel more pulled to start something or finish something?
Both because I'm starting and finishing something at the same time.
Sometimes I'll start a project. Anything, if I start it, it's because I'm probably resisting finishing something and like that mark that I'm gonna make on that new thing does not belong in that other thing. So yeah, it's both.
They both feel equally exciting.
I mentioned that we found you on Instagram and every artist that I know who is working to be an artist providing for themselves, so financially tied to their creativity. The biggest struggles that they seem to have are balancing it being a business, and then the marketing of themselves as an artist, and finding the balance between what everyone's telling them to do to grow as a brand and a business versus what actually works for them.
How are you going through those motions of thinking about yourself as a brand, as a business, and. Making room for that side of it. Because obviously it'd be way more fun to just create all the time. Yeah.
I always say one day I'm gonna have a team, I will have a team where I don't have to do all of this, but wearing all the hats is really important. I did a project very recently where I all, everything I did was a first. And I felt like it was totally overwhelming.
But really important for me to understand more of the inner workings of like myself as a business and the artist. So like now I know what to ask for the next time. Now I know what to look for now I know like what things to put in a contract.
Yeah.
Now I know that it's okay to say I need this with like unapologetically.
Because somebody, if they were my representative, would say that yes. And it doesn't make me difficult to work with. It doesn't make me like. A diva or whatever, no, it's actually quite reasonable and important, but like I'm now better at advocating and that helps me share that with the next person.
So that's important. And I think to just give it all away to someone else is not really allowing you to be the best kind of creator. It just fortifies my. Intention and like where my passion lies and that's in the making.
But there is something fun about playing the numbers game and wearing all the hats and being in control of 'cause it's quality control.
I'm not a micromanager by any means, but I realize no, I, I don't wanna hand off my Instagram to somebody and say just start posting for me. Because there's stories in there. I am connecting in there and it is my lifeline because I really don't have much of a social outlet daily, but that's where I find the connection.
People are sending me messages and I'm like having conversations. 'cause I'm in the studio. Yeah. And that feels very fulfilling. But with the marketing, it is. I think something like we all have to learn. And I didn't realize we would all have to learn that.
And then same with I took a business class, a mini business class when I first graduated from my MFA and that summer it was so overwhelming and I was like, I don't wanna think about these things. I don't. Yeah. That's so unsexy and not what my work is about, that I'm not a walking corporation, but no, this is the society we live in.
So you are. Playing a part of it. And it's important. And it doesn't make your, the value of what you do any less actually. It's it allows you to determine your worth and your value even more because you know what and why and who will value that. And I don't have to accept everything just because I think like I have nothing and I have to play by someone else's rules.
I know the rules now. And I know how to speak the same language, so like we can have a better conversation. I think that's also generative and. It's uplifting. And I think a lot of artists could benefit from feeling more empowered by knowing what's, what they're dealing with and who they are and the value they actually hold.
But my sister, and I'll wrap that up. My sister, she's a business person, and she had just finished her MBA, so she was like, let's go over all the charts and do the things. And sometimes I check in with her, I'm like, no, I'm over. I'm overloaded. I don't wanna think about that. You think about thank you for allowing me to think like, how can I expand?
What would be the next steps? But like all those steps goes back to that cursed how, and I am like, I'm not motivated, I'm stressed out. But some people love it. It's overwhelming. It's very fulfilling. It's necessary. It's a part of the art.
There are so many things that I was like screaming ah, to over here because there's, I think, re I think when artists want to resist the, any part of the business side of their art.
You said some key things, like you're not allowing yourself to play the game the same way and. All things are games. We can turn anything into a game, but there's something really empowering about. Knowing just how the cycle works.
And because it'll, we can use creativity to be like, Ooh, I like that part of the game, or I like this part. Those other parts, they're dumb. We're not even gonna play in those teams. We'll delegate, we have to pay our taxes, but someone else can do that. I don't have to do it. But there's parts that I think can really empower the artist in ways that they can't even imagine. And I'm on such a mission to remove the starving artist concept.
It's so self-fulfilling for people and so dumb like the scarcity mindset that we just. Easily attached to any type of art is it's shameful. It's like people creating things. Whatever they're creating, shouldn't be assigned with you're just doing it because you're good and hopefully you like eating bread and water, and you're like, not this is so dumb.
Because it doesn't I think there's a misconception that it's either starving or millionaire and there's so many layers in between and. I think society, we're starting to look at it a little bit differently now. Of what do I need to get by? Yeah just that. Yeah. And what does sustaining that look like?
And who wants to play that game with me? Because that's a completely different business model and thought process than let's become the next, multimillion dollar auction item. And then you see things like the banana at Art Basel and like you're, it's enraging. Yes. 'cause there's so many people making incredible art where it's take that money, divide it by 20, and we can significantly help incredible artists that are doing the good work and also they're cool and interesting and you wanna also know them.
Exactly. You know if someone's listening, who's an artist. I just, I want people to tell their story more. And that's why, part of the reason I wanna talk to you I wanna know your story. I wanna know what lights you up and what you're thinking about on a day-to-day basis. 'cause there's such a difference in knowing the person who's art you want to buy.
And we, I think sometimes we wanna sell things no matter what it is and be like no, not me. I can't talk about me. And I'm like. No, you are the heart and soul of what this is. The thing can't exist without you you're part of the lore. So we are obviously on the Powerful Ladies podcast.
What do, how do you define powerful and ladies, and do those definitions change when those words are put next to each other?
I hear ladies and I think like impro and for those who are listening, the head tilt with the hand right now. So demure. That was so nice. Deir. Yes, very mindful.
That's what I, that's the picture I get, like I have it together. I know where I'm going. I am lovingly take no shit. And I am, I have grace.
So I think that's what, when I think of what my, what would my mother want me to be if I'm a lady and through her eyes yeah, I'm living my life and I'm taking care of it. A little bit of this and, unapologetic and just lovely. So lovely is the word. And feeling creative and having fun.
That's a lady. And then powerful is sovereign, authentic. Risk taking, unapologetic aware, like wielding. And so that doesn't necessarily mean that like I'm conjuring like visuals of what that looks like. It's not so much like the. The lady in the forest with some some fire around her, but she's got a fire around her.
It's not coming to burn things down, but probably just the things that don't belong to clear the path because we're making things beautiful here and it's supposed to be fun. We're gonna have fun and do it my way. Because my way is also. There to serve you. And I think that's really powerful And a lady isn't just for self, she's thinking of others and what she can give
Yeah. I think that's beautiful. I agree on so many levels. And you know what so many of us have been talking about this year is. How do we stay in, like women have been doing the good work for so long, and I'm such a believer that if people are doing work that lights them up. It, to your point, it radiates out and allows other people to, and it like, there's an echo effect.
And what's happening right now at a global and national level. Is everything possible to distract us from staying in that space? Yeah. And doing what we know to do. Yeah. So how are you balancing who you are and what you're up to and continuing to charge onto your path and. I don't know. Are you staying aware and plugged in?
Are you, have you changed habits to make sure that things around you stay in structures that you need them to so you can keep going?
I am very aware of what's happening. I think that there's a kind of, it's really hard. It's not something that, that like we are designed to absorb all at once. Like it's overload for a reason. This is, there's a playbook for what's happening. So if then you know what that is and how to like, resist that or you know the rules so then you're not just succumbing to this like overload and then I give up and it succeeds.
So I think I am being more intentional about community. I'm being more intentional about, practice, but not just using that as a way to fill my cup and to make me feel like I have value in the world. Art has been my medicine and it's been my lover, and it's been, the thing that sustains me, it's made me feel like I have purpose, I have confidence, I have something to give and that feels good and it, and I receive through that too.
And riding this really great wave for a while and now this happening like around me. I don't think that like where I can live can just be in that space, hold up in my studio. This is not a time to isolate. Yeah. Is a time definitely for creation, but to rush to it, to do something is not beneficial to me because it's not gonna be beneficial to anybody else. It's just a reactive thing. So I'm. Falling back into more practices that are sustaining and have been for a long time outside of my art. And so like I'm dancing more, I am meeting people at my son's school and through friends and hosting gatherings here and doing sound baths and being intentional about these are community gatherings and I want all like a curated group of people. And I'm like, we are going to join. You can say no, but I will keep texting you until you show up. And, and just making sure we stay connected and having the talks that we need to crying when we need to. And and then taking like a lot of rest. Right now I've also had a very long stretch of like nonstop making, so I'm a little tired, but next week I'm getting back to the studio 'cause it, it is time, but I didn't feel two weeks ago it was. In that moment, like time to be reactive. Nothing productive will come of that. So I was like no, I'm gonna chill 'cause the world can burn and somebody else will help stop it. But right now, like I can't set myself on fire. I. More to it actually won't help. So like chill, reset, get your mind clear. And remember that all the things that are coming in is a giant distraction. Is a distraction to what I'm here to do. And if what I'm here to do is to also be a way forward and share my vision of what the world could be and what I wanna see. I have to keep that like clear and pay attention to what's going on.
Be prepared of course. And talk about the real stuff that's happening. But also not hold that as the ultimate reality, like no one owns the future. We own the future and we can, we need each other to be connecting to build that and stretch it out more than just fall asleep to this really bad nightmare that's happening.
Because it's not real. Yeah. And I feel like what I'm doing and what you're doing is real. And so just trying to stay there is like how I'm navigating these waters. Yeah. I hope that makes sense.
No, it, it does make sense. It's art has always been political and so many things have always been political fashion.
There's just because being of community is political. And having an opinion can be political and we often put, make things being political bad, but I think that we need to remember that having the capacity to be within a community that discusses ideas and has collaboration and has a push and pull to the idea becomes better.
That's what being political is, and we've turned it into this. We've redefined it as a word that is. N like nasty and gross and other things, and it's no. Like it's discussion. It's conversation, it's making improvements, and women are doing the work in their home, in their neighborhood, in their community, at global levels.
And to your point, we have to keep doing the work. And we have for centuries, like whether we've gotten credit or not. So women are doing the work, but to your point, it's listen, if they're gonna play their own delusional game, which. And they're so committed to it that they're like, look what's happening?
I'm like, okay, I'm gonna take that. We can have that power too. I'm like no. That reality is in bananas. Yeah. It's not gonna happen. So I'm gonna hang it over here with the other people who are creating a reality that is founded on things that humanity actually wants. And we're gonna keep doing it because I think we forget that the.
There's resistance in just saying no. Yeah. Like toddlers say no all the time. Like we, we can just say no. Yeah. And we don't have to take an action to say no. It can just be like, Nope, that's not happening. Not participating, not agreeing to it. It's not gonna happen. I'm really, I think it's so entertaining what's happening with Boston talk right now.
It's so entertaining and just I love seeing the audacity where everyone's I'm sorry. You don't, you have no idea about the city. You have no idea what you're talking about right now. And Boston has its own layers of problems that it has been working through and massaging for centuries at this point.
So it's, I think it's self-aware enough to know we're still doing the work ourselves. Yeah. But like it's also a place that's been able to create an environment 'cause the people are participating. So somebody asked me the other day what's your routine right now? I'm like, I wake up, I do my morning rituals.
I call my senators, I buy some band books, and I get back to my day. And I just be nice to people and I'm not afraid to talk about the things that are going on. And say that they're ridiculous, but I'll also happily talk to somebody else about anything else but that, because it's such a small part of our world, it's like very similar to when we were in Covid lockdown.
And it's like we can choose to watch TV all day, or we can choose to be like, what's great about our bubble? Yeah. I have food. I'm currently healthy. I have everything I need. We're gonna make it through the day. Okay. Let's have fun now. Yeah. But yeah it's, certainly making being a powerful lady get more poignant than I think it has been in a while.
I agree. So as we're wrapping up today, I have a few rapid fire questions for you. The first is, if you put yourself in the powerful lady scale, zero being average, everyday human, and 10 the most powerful lady you can imagine, where would you rank yourself today and on an average day?
Ooh. I aspire to be a 10. Most days if I'm being generous to myself, I'm around a 7.5, maybe an eight. That would be generous. And then realistically, probably just a seven. But I think that's pretty good. It's great. Yeah. I feel good. And when I haven't felt good, and there was a period for a time where I was like, I'm doing it.
I might, things look good on the gram, but I'm having a hard time, and I'll share that too, like I'm struggling. It still lands in a seven because I have everything I need. I'm well. I might have a little sads, but that's okay. I'm not alone and I get to wake up every day and see what's possible.
Yeah. Who or what is inspiring you right now?
I think where we are is inspiring me. I don't know. I think just like the landscape the kinds of conversations that are happening, the reflection and then what I'm seeing is inspiring me and I don't see, it's more like it's lighting a fire. I. So something. Something's building.
Yeah. Yeah. What is a daily practice or a daily product that you can't live without
Tea. I have my little tea ritual. No matter what. I have my cup, I talk to it. I sing in the morning in the woods. I need to go walk. Yeah.
Where can everyone find you, follow you, support you? Who is now on your team?
Oh. Thank you for being on my team. On Instagram is the easiest at Cicely Carew, and my website has a mailing list. You can join @cicelycarew.com.
We are a large and powerful and helpful community. What do you want? What's on your to-do list, to manifest list? What's a problem we can solve for you or a hidden key that we can unearth for you?
Oh, wow. That's like asking a genie for my one wish. I wanna find more of the dreamers and the builders and the people who are already where I think I wanna be. Yep. And those who might show me a different way or all the ways to get wherever I might go. Okay. Yeah.
Dreamers, builders who are in the space ahead of the line. Okay? All right. We can make that happen. And then, lastly, for today, for everyone listening, especially for those who are fellow artists, what piece of advice would you like to give to them?
The thing that I am practicing right now and just holding for myself is. That although we want to ask for a lot of advice or be told what to do, I think that's like the permission tell me how to do it please. Because the living is the doing. Someone can give you advice, but that's really their path. And the guidance is really helpful. And ultimately I wanna, I would say stay flexible in your thinking about. Yourself like and how you get anywhere and be in process because everybody's way is a way, but ultimately you are the way. So believe in that.
I love that. Thank you so much for being a Yes to me, to powerful ladies. Yeah, it's been a pleasure to meet you today and get to spend some time on this Friday with you. So just thank you for who you are, what you're doing, and being another one of those women we can count on. Doing their thing and holding the line.
Thank you. Thank you. Likewise. This is such a pleasure.
Thanks for listening. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and share it with a friend. Head to the powerful ladies.com where you can find all the links to connect with Cicely and her work as well as learn more about powerful ladies. Come hang out with us on Instagram at Powerful Ladies, and you can find me and all my socials@karaduffy.com.
I'll be back next week with a brand new episode. Until then, I hope you're taking on being powerful in your life. Go be awesome and up to something you love.
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Instagram: @cicelycarew
Website: www.cicelycarew.com
Created and hosted by Kara Duffy
Audio Engineering & Editing by Jordan Duffy
Production by Amanda Kass
Graphic design by Anna Olinova
Music by Joakim Karud
