From Exhaustion to Exhilaration: Rediscovering Inspiration Through Creative Rest with Guest Stacey Mrva

The Doze Podcast

Ep. 23 Creative rest is much more than a hiatus from work; it is about engaging with various forms of beauty, nature, and the arts to recharge your creative spirit. For those who believe that innovation and problem-solving are exclusive to the artistically-inclined, this episode is a revealing insight into how creative rest is essential for everyone.

Host Soda Kuczkowski is joined by Stacey Mrva, a creative entrepreneur who harnesses the raw power of metal to craft fine and functional art and a unique space for women to experience Creative Rest. With a studio situated amid the picturesque Finger Lakes region, her work thrives on collaboration and the innate connection to the natural world. Stacey's dedication to empowering others, particularly women, through welding classes, exemplifies the transformative power of learning a new skill and stepping out of one's comfort zone.

Key Takeaways:

• Creative rest is crucial for replenishing one's capacity for innovation, imagination, and problem-solving, transcending traditional creative fields.
• Engaging in activities like painting, listening to music, reading poetry, and exploring nature can significantly fuel creative energies.
• Metalworking classes for women, such as those offered by Stacey, not only promote empowerment but also provide a unique way to engage with one's creative side.

Notable Quotes:

• “When you think about creative rest - At its core, it seeks to replenish your mind and spirit, allowing for the renewal of inspiration, motivation, and the ability to see the world through a fresh, imaginative lens” - Soda Kuczkowski
• "Getting out of your comfort zone. I always say, like, if you're feeling nervous and anxious about doing this, flip that. Look at that more as you're excited." - Stacey Mrva

RESOURCES

Ep. 18 - Beyond Sleep: The Power of Active and Passive Rest

Ep. 19 - Overcoming Burnout: Discover the 7 Types of Rest to Restore Your Spark

Ep. 20 - Break Free from Burnout: Mastering Mental Rest in a Busy World

Ep. 21 - Unplugging to Recharge: The Essential Guide to Sensory Rest with Dr. Gartenberg

Ep. 22 - Overwhelmed by Day, Awake by Night? The Hidden Social Cure for Rest

About the Guest:

Stacey Mrva is an accomplished metal sculptor with over 25 years of experience in creating captivating metal pieces for public and private sectors alike. Based in Rochester, New York, her portfolio showcases her talents in transforming steel into art with a unique sense of fluidity and organic lines. With a background in jewelry making and metalsmithing from Syracuse University, Stacey found her true calling in metal sculpture. Her distinctive work can be seen in public installations throughout New York and is characterized by the integration of varied materials, including fabric, copper, and concrete.

Women’s Welding Workshops listed at www.IronwoodStudiosInc.com

Stacey Mrva on Instagram @Staceymrvametal

Chapters:

0:00:00 Introduction to creative rest and its importance

0:01:09 Signs of creative rest deficit

0:03:59 Ways to achieve creative rest

0:05:47 Finding Inspiration in Sleep

0:06:24 Introduction to Stacey Mrva and her business

0:08:01 Using a unique medium and connection to nature

0:09:30 Stacey's transition to the countryside and offering welding classes

0:11:36 Stacey's artistic process for creative rest

0:13:12 Creating space for anyone to create art

0:14:14 Being in nature sparks inspiration and relaxation

0:16:19 Stacey's extroverted nature energizes her after working with students

0:17:51 An inside look into Iron Wood Studio’s creative process

0:18:28 Taking walks in nature to reconnect and find inspiration

0:19:34 Stacey hopes to offer programs for young people to experience welding

0:21:58 Encouraging emerging artists to gain hands-on experience with welding

0:23:14 Pushing through fears and to try a new form of creative art - welding

0:24:46 Ironwood Studios website and Instagram

0:26:20 Conclusion