🎨 Finding Flow in Community: How Collaboration Fuels Creativity
A Reflection Inspired by Our We Are Artists Podcast Episode with Chaz Heiber
There’s a special kind of magic that happens when artists gather — at music festivals, creative circles, and community spaces where inspiration flows freely. In a recent episode of the We Are Artists Podcast, Shannon Shine had the pleasure of chatting with Chaz Heiber, a multidisciplinary artist who thrives on that sense of connection and collective creativity.
Chaz isn’t just a talented artist… he’s someone who finds joy in the process of creating alongside others, exploring different mediums, and making time for art even when life gets busy. Our conversation was filled with reflections on inspiration, creative discipline, and the beautiful momentum that builds when we surround ourselves with other creators.
🖌️ The Joy of Creating With Others
One of the most powerful parts of this episode was hearing how Chaz draws inspiration from music festivals, group art shows, and community events — places where people gather to share, uplift, and express through art. Whether it’s live painting at an event or vibing off someone else’s creative energy, Chaz reminds us that making art in community can open new pathways we might never discover on our own.
“Being around other artists inspires me to try new things — sometimes just watching someone work gives me ideas I wouldn’t have come up with in my own bubble.”
🎨 Mediums, Play, and Pastels
While Chaz works in various mediums, he has a special love for pastels — a tool that allows for quick, expressive, and tactile creation. Pastels are approachable, portable, and fun to layer, making them perfect for both casual sketching and deeper exploration.
Trying new materials is a recurring theme in Chaz’s practice, and he encourages others to experiment without pressure. The goal? Stay curious, and let your materials surprise you.
🕒 Making Time to Paint in a Busy Life
Like many of us, Chaz juggles creativity with other life responsibilities — and he’s honest about the challenge of making time to paint in a packed schedule. But instead of letting that become a block, he sees it as an invitation to create in small doses.
Whether it’s a quick doodle before bed or setting aside 30 minutes on a weekend morning, Chaz believes that carving out moments — no matter how small — keeps the spark alive. He reminds us that you don’t need hours of free time to be an artist. You just need to keep showing up.
💬 Stay Inspired by Others
One of the biggest takeaways from this episode is that inspiration doesn’t always come from within — sometimes it’s ignited by the people around us. When we place ourselves in spaces where creativity is being celebrated, we absorb that energy.
If you’re feeling stuck or uninspired, try:
Visiting a local art market or festival
Watching your favorite artists livestream their work
Attending a group painting night or virtual art circle
Simply starting a creative chat with a friend
🎧 Listen to the Full Episode
This episode with Chaz Heiber is a reminder that art is a living, breathing thing — and it grows stronger when we feed it with community, play, and presence.
🎧 Tune in on your favorite podcast app:
Spotify 👉 https://open.spotify.com/show/7kDor1rPUMmLMvDzLYXIEu?si=db2d8d71ac114bb9
Apple Podcasts 👉 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/we-are-artists/id1849262913
📲 Follow Chaz Heiber: https://www.facebook.com/heibercreative
🌐 Hosted by Shannon Shine: shannonshineart.com
