Rachel Pierman sits down with textile artist Judy Martin for a profound conversation about creativity, mortality, and finding healing through art. They explore the spiritual quality of handmade quilts and how creative work can become a sanctuary during difficult times.

• Judy describes her childhood in rural Canada where solitude and art supplies fostered her inner creative world
• The transition from painting to quilting as Judy raised her four children while maintaining her artistic practice
• How quilting became therapeutic during periods of depression and global anxiety
• The deeper meaning behind Judy's "perfectly imperfect" quilting philosophy
• Judy's candid discussion about her fear of being forgotten and using art as a form of immortality
• The generational trauma patterns that influenced Judy's emotional landscape and artistic expression
• The symbolism of quilts - "the front is what we present to the world, but the back is where all the actual beauty happens"
• Judy's relationship with time and her comforting mantra: "I have all the time in the world"
• The yearning to return to painting while balancing the comfort found in quilting
• Finding inspiration in nature, particularly the sky, as a source of spiritual connection

If you've enjoyed this episode, please leave a review or share it with a friend who might find inspiration in Judy's story. For business inquiries, contact rachel@breakingtheblocks.com.

Follow Judy here: @judithemartin

https://www.judithemartin.com/

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Resilience emerges as the central theme when textile artist Caz Holmes shares her journey as a full-time carer for her husband following his debilitating stroke. She offers profound insights into finding balance between caring for others and maintaining your own identity through creativity and connection.

• Caz balances her renowned artistic career with caring for her husband Derek after his stroke in 2021
• The stroke left Derek with left-side weakness, limited vision, and spatial awareness challenges
• Creativity serves as healing for both carer and patient, providing focus and purpose
• Maintaining your identity is crucial when transitioning from life partner to caregiver
• Small moments of respite are essential for carers – walks, garden time, coffee with friends
• Finding ways to collaborate despite limitations helps preserve dignity for both individuals
• Caz identifies her "triangle of needs": challenge, connection to creativity, and connection to others
• The UK has approximately 5 million unpaid carers providing essential support
• Human connection is being eroded in our increasingly technology-focused society
• Speaking up about what you need as a carer is vital for maintaining your wellbeing
• Caz's motto "to do different" encourages finding alternative approaches to life's challenges

Contact Caz through Instagram to see her work and connect with her community of makers @casholmestextiles

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Davey Powell shares his journey as a queer traveller, navigating the complexities of growing up in fairgrounds while knowing he was gay from a young age. Through therapy, sobriety, and quilting, he's found a way to unite his traveller heritage with his queer identity to become the authentic person he was always meant to be.

• Growing up between two worlds - never "traveller enough" for the traveller community and too "traveller" for the outside world
• Experiencing violence and fear on the fairgrounds, forcing him to develop a tough exterior that conflicted with his sensitive nature
• Hiding his gay identity from age 8-9 until university, when he finally came out
• Facing rejection from his parents, culminating in his father saying "I've hated you since you were 15"
• Battling severe depression and suicidal thoughts while trying to find his place in the world
• Finding healing through therapy, sobriety, and quilting, which started during a difficult period in Canada
• Creating vibrant quilts that incorporate fairground aesthetics to unite his traveller heritage with his queer identity
• Learning to speak to his inner child and angry teenager to heal from past trauma
• Proudly embracing both his showman/traveller background and his gay identity after years of feeling they couldn't coexist
• Using traditional fairground fonts and sign-painting techniques to reclaim positive aspects of his heritage

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