Creative Growth Tips for Artists: Crockpot Ideas, Side Projects, and Sustainable Success with Andy J. Pizza

In Part 2 of Stacie’s illuminating conversation with Andy J. Pizza, they dive even deeper into the paradoxes and patterns that shape a sustainable creative life. If Part 1 was about understanding yourself, Part 2 is about what you do with that understanding. It’s equal parts pep talk and practical guide for any artist trying to balance the chaos of creativity with the clarity of strategy.

Whole-Brain Living: The Art of the Flip

The concept of "whole-brain living" a term that perfectly describes Stacie’s ability to fluidly move between big-picture creative thinking and administrative execution. While many artists feel allergic to planning, budgeting, or deadlines, Stacie thrives in both the dreamy and the disciplined.

But she also gets real about the vulnerability that comes with standing in both worlds. “I don’t feel like the most artistic people look at me as a real enough artist because I care about money,” she shares. “But it’s not money—it’s safety.” That tension between creative expression and financial security runs throughout this episode.

Plotting vs. Pantsing: Why You Need Both

Andy introduces one of the episode’s most memorable metaphors: plotters vs. pantsers. A plotter plans every detail before creating, while a pantser "flies by the seat of their pants" and sees where inspiration leads. Both approaches are valid, but for career creatives, learning to toggle between the two is essential.

“There’s not just one type of creativity,” Andy says. “Exploratory creativity is starting without knowing where it’s going. Strategic creativity starts with the end in mind. Both are important.”

Together, they explore how adopting even small amounts of structure, like creative briefs or design constraints, can push artists out of their comfort zones and into growth. And no, embracing structure doesn’t make you less authentic. In fact, rejecting structure might just be fear in disguise.

Crockpot Creativity: Let Ideas Simmer

For anyone juggling multiple dreams, Andy offers a game-changing mindset: crockpot creativity. Instead of throwing ideas away when the timing doesn’t feel right, let them simmer.

“I couldn’t throw picture books in the trash. But I could put them in the crockpot,” Andy explains. That patience paid off. Years later, after pouring energy into his podcast, picture book deals finally landed.

Stacie shares a similar experience. After years of pushing for a picture book opportunity to no avail, she gave up, and that’s exactly when the offers came pouring in. The takeaway? Timing matters, but trust matters more. Letting go is sometimes the most strategic move you can make.

The Main Band & the Side Band

Andy’s “main band vs. side band” metaphor is another gem. Your main band is your primary creative focus; your side band is the passion project you tinker with on the side. Letting yourself have both can relieve pressure, spark play, and unlock unexpected success.

As Andy puts it, “When I doubled down on picture books, the podcast got better. When I focused on the podcast, the picture books started flowing. It's about that pulsing rhythm.” You can’t fake a side project’s looseness, but you can make space for it to thrive.

Start Small. Stay Open.

Both Andy and Stacie agree: trying to build a creative career by going from zero to 100 only leads to burnout. “If you put all the pressure on yourself immediately to monetize, it won’t work,” Stacie says. Instead, she encourages artists to dabble, experiment, and let their work evolve naturally.

Some of the best creative breakthroughs come when you let yourself be an amateur again. Stacie’s first online course was filmed on an iPad propped on books. It wasn’t perfect—but it was real, and it opened the door to everything that followed.

Final Thoughts: Let It Be Messy, Let It Be Yours

This episode is a reminder that you don’t have to pick between intuition and intention—you need both. You don’t have to wait until you’re “ready”; you only have to start. Whether your creative work is your full-time job or your sacred side band, you’re already in motion.

So, go ahead: pants your way in, plot your way forward, and let the crockpot do its thing in the background.

For more from Andy J. Pizza, check out the Creative Pep Talk Podcast. And if this episode resonated, share it with your fellow artists. Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the Art + Audience Podcast. Follow Stacie on Instagram @gingiber | @leverageyourart.

If you have questions about your own art journey? Call the Art + Audience hotline at (479) 966-9561 and Stacie might answer your question in a future episode!