Rediscovering Our Creative Playground at Epiphany Space

Rediscovering Our Creative Playground at Epiphany Space

By Suzanne Yada

Once upon a time, we were tiny artists with big imaginations, turning kitchen tables into art studios and Lego blocks into castles. We didn’t worry about the end result; we just dove into the mess headfirst, relishing every colorful splatter and wonky tower. Somewhere along the way, though, we traded that childlike wonder for… something else. I don't know how to put my finger on it, but it's more than just the adult needs to pay bills and meet deadlines. 

Sure, those of us in Hollywood might be living in the creative capital of the world, but it’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and forget why we create in the first place. We've lost the connection with the act of play, just to play. We may dream of careers that incorporate our creative skills, but that still has a goal, an outcome, a deadline. 

In short: we have turned play into something that feels an awful lot like work. No wonder so many of us feel blocked!

It's why I came up with The Creative Spirals Method: a simple three-step approach designed to help you embrace the creative process in all its messy glory, to look at creativity with a beginner's mindset, to recapture the childlike wonder of those finger paints. And it starts with one of my favorite things: a S-P-I-R-A-L.

S = Start with What You've Got

The first step is deceptively simple: start with what you've got. That means diving headfirst into your current surroundings, situation, resources, and ideas. You don't have to reach far, but so many artists forget to look right under their nose for inspiration. If you're a musician, use the beat of your heart for your tempo. If you're a painter, notice a shade of color within your eyesight. It's about recognizing that every masterpiece starts with simply observing what is around us.

P = Play with the Variables

Next, it's time to play with the variables. This step encourages you to take what you've got and switch up just an element or two. What if you used gouache instead of acrylic to match that color shade you see? Or what if you add a bassline idea to that heartbeat of yours? Creativity thrives on experimentation, and this step encourages you to mix things up, one little element at a time.

I = Follow Your Interest

As you explore, pay attention to what piques your interest. Yours, not anyone else's. Not whether this will advance your career or please someone else. Just your own interest. This is where the magic happens. That bassline could give birth to a melody, and that color could make way for an interesting shape. By following your curiosity, you align your work with your passions and artistry, creating a process that's fulfilling, fun, and 100% you.

Once you've got your interest pinpointed, then you can take it to the beginning again: Start with what you've got. Then play with the variables. Then follow your interest, again and again. 

Those are the three main steps for The Creative Spiral Method, and they actually form a spiral. If you remember nothing else but the S-P-I steps, congratulations, you have one more tool in your creativity toolkit. But the R-A-L part of the spiral are quick and specific techniques in case you get stuck or lose momentum:

R = Randomness: Try opening a book to a random page, flipping a coin, or hitting shuffle on your Spotify. It could be a prompt to your next step in the work you're creating.

A = Accountability: Have a friend or mentor keep you on track with feedback and deadlines. That's why most of my students come back time and time again to my 8-week songwriting courses: they need that weekly deadline.

L = Let it be: Sometimes we just need to give ourselves and our ideas a rest. It's OK. Put it up on the shelf and take it down later when it's time. Just remember it's there.

But The Creative Spirals Method isn't a solo journey: it's about connecting with fellow creatives who understand the ups and downs of the creative process. From body doubling with The Creative Spirals online Focusmate Group at thecreativespirals.com to joining Epiphany Space online coworking sessions on Mighty Networks, you'll find accountability and camaraderie among kindred spirits. 

It's also why I'm so thrilled to host the next Epiphany Space artist-in-residency program, Visual Verses. This summer, we’re giving creatives the freedom to play, explore, and create without the weight of expectations. Whether you're an artist, musician, or a "creative weirdo" of any stripe, you're invited to join us in rediscovering the joy of the process.

Every third Thursday this summer (June 19, July 17, and August 21), I'll be hosting a Concert and Art Party series where I'm inviting you all to cut, draw, color, and glue while listening to my alter ego @ Little Spiral @ play an intimate show on the house piano. Bring snacks and art supplies you want to share, in an intimate setting that’s more like a cozy house party than a formal concert. This is a chance for the community to get hands-on with our inner creative spirit, whether we call ourselves an artist or not. 

In addition, every Thursday during June, July and August, we'll be opening up our Epiphany Space Hollywood clubhouse to visual artists for the day to cowork alongside me. I'm going to be noodling away on the house piano at Epiphany, working on the next @ Little Spiral @ banger, while visual artists will be creating their own artistic world alongside the piano. It’s less about perfecting a masterpiece and more about falling in love with making art again, in collaboration with a creative community, at artist-friendly day rates that won’t break the bank. Instead of clocking in at a cubicle, you’ll join a community of creatives in a space built for inspiration. 

So, if you’re ready to swap perfection for play and deadlines for daydreams, come join us at Epiphany Space this summer. Let’s embrace the mess, celebrate the process, and find joy in creating community.