New Year, New Tools: Embracing My Inner Beginner

New Year, New Tools: Embracing My Inner Beginner

Author: Timothy Kimo Brien February 8, 2026 Duration: 21:02
Create Art Podcast
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We're diving deep into the world of creativity and transformation, reflecting on a year filled with unexpected changes rather than just a highlight reel of accomplishments. This episode isn’t just about the art I created; it’s about how I evolved while creating it. Spoiler alert: I wasn’t chasing mastery; I was all about following my curiosity, and boy, did I get my hands dirty with acrylics, music, and poetry along the way. I’m here to remind you that showing up is what really counts, way more than how polished your work is. So, grab your favorite beverage, kick back, and let’s chat about embracing the messy process of creation and finding joy in every little step!

Reflections: A Year of Creating is a closing chapter for The New Artist’s Compass — a solo episode about growth, curiosity, and what happens when you commit to showing up creatively over time.

In this episode of the Create Art Podcast, Timothy Kimo Brien reflects on a year spent exploring multiple creative disciplines, including acrylic painting (Special thanks to The Art Sherpa), poetry, music production, and sound design. From painting with acrylics with instruction for the first time, to writing tankas, to learning a new DAW (Reaper) and experimenting with an MPE synthesizer (ROLI), this episode explores how creative growth happens when curiosity leads and ego steps aside.

This conversation is for artists who are:

  1. Measuring progress beyond likes and output
  2. Learning new creative tools later in life
  3. Exploring multiple art forms
  4. Reconnecting with joy through beginner energy



1. Showing Up Counts More Than Mastery

  1. You didn’t wait until you were “ready”
  2. Acrylic painting for 2 months = permission to be new
  3. Progress came from consistency, not confidence

2. Letting Curiosity Lead

  1. Writing tankas: short form, intentional, imperfect
  2. Switching mediums kept creativity alive
  3. Curiosity replaced pressure

3. Learning New Tools Without Ego

  1. Teaching yourself Reaper as a beginner again
  2. Exploring sound through an MPE ROLI
  3. Being bad at something reopened creative joy

4. Measuring Growth Differently

  1. Not output, not numbers
  2. Growth = comfort with discomfort
  3. Growth = staying engaged when novelty fades

5. What This Year Taught You About Identity

  1. You didn’t “become” an artist — you practiced being one
  2. Artist as a verb, not a title
  3. The compass worked because you kept walking

Takeaways:

  1. Reflecting on a year of creativity reveals unexpected growth and changes we often overlook.
  2. Showing up for your art is more important than striving for perfection or mastery.
  3. Letting curiosity guide your creative journey can lead to surprising and fulfilling discoveries.
  4. Learning new tools without ego allows for growth and exploration in your artistic practice.
  5. Measuring artistic growth should focus on personal exploration, not external validation or numbers.
  6. Being an artist is a practice of doing and being, not just a title or label.



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Reach Out To The Podcast

To reach out to me, email timothy@createartpodcast.com I would love to hear about your journey and what you are working on. If you would like to be on the show or have me discuss a topic that is giving you trouble write in and let's start that conversation.

  1. Email: timothy@createartpodcast.com
  2. YouTube Channel: Create Art Podcast YT Channel
  3. IG: @createartpodcast
  4. Twitter: @createartpod

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Timothy Kimo Brien believes the impulse to make things is fundamental, yet so often gets buried under daily life and self-doubt. In Create Art Podcast, he draws from three decades of work across various artistic disciplines to gently dismantle those barriers. This isn't about lofty theory or inaccessible talent; it's a practical, companionable space for anyone who feels that quiet urge to build, paint, write, or perform but isn't sure where to begin or how to continue. You'll hear genuine conversations with creators about their processes and struggles, alongside Timothy's own commentary and ideas for projects designed to spark action. The core idea is simple but profound: to shift the balance from passively consuming to actively creating. Each episode serves as a reminder that the potential artist isn't a distant ideal, but a present reality waiting for permission to work. By focusing on the doing-the small, consistent acts of making-this podcast provides both the tools and the encouragement to move past creative blocks. It’s for hobbyists, aspiring professionals, and anyone in between who wants their leisure time to feel more purposeful and expressive. Tune in for a blend of thoughtful discussion and actionable advice that meets you exactly where you are in your creative journey.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

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