The Qreative Life

Amanda Quraishi

Join host Amanda Quraishi for a new podcast series featuring writers, poets, painters, musicians, photographers and more (both the professional and the passionately amateur) and learn how they have prioritized their creativity and are living their best creative lives. read less
ArtsArts

Episodes

TQL S1E4 - Natalie Durkin
Jan 18 2024
TQL S1E4 - Natalie Durkin
In this episode Q talks with textile artist and tai-chi instructor Natalie Durkin. They discuss what it took for Natalie to reclaim her creativity as an adult and make it her occupation; and they discuss the benefits of paying attention to our ‘drunken muses’ when they tell us to do random, interesting things.  About Natalie: Natalie Durkin is an artist currently specializing in using repurposed and upcycled textiles to create fabric portraits and other functional and decorative textile creations.  After decades of being told it was unrealistic and irresponsible to earn a living from her creativity, Durkin decided she owed it to her true self to take back her creative power. The shift began in 2020 as a result of the pandemic which also coincided with her being diagnosed with a connective tissue disorder that caused joint instability, repeat injuries and chronic pain. This one-two punch led her to the discovery of her passion for repurposed textiles as her artistic medium as well as the unplanned but necessary retirement from a 23-year career as a structural and rehabilitative massage therapist in the summer of 2022. Because her condition made it potentially dangerous and unwise to continue being an LMT,  she decided that it was the time to make living and earning creatively as an artist her priority.  Durkin is currently growing an online audience and working on incoming commissions while continuing to learn how to balance her physical stamina. She’s also a professional martial arts instructor with black belts in Taekwondo, Yang and Chen Styles of Tai Chi, and Hung Gar Kung Fu.  Find Natalie Online: Instagram:  @natalie_durkin_textile_arts Facebook: Natalie Durkin Textile Artist (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61554240999966 ) Featured by Austin Creative Reuse (https://austincreativereuse.org/blog/artist-spotlight-natalie-durkin)
TQL S1E2 - Aly Cardinelli
Dec 20 2023
TQL S1E2 - Aly Cardinelli
In this episode of The Qreative Life podcast, Amanda Quraishi (Q) talks with Aly Cardinelli, a professional dancer/dance teacher. Aly talks to Q about his early influences, creative challenges that he faced throughout his lifetime, and the differences between being an “artist” and a “performer.” As an adult, Aly developed his innate, latent psychic abilities and he now teaches traditional spiritual disciplines at the fastest growing school of witchcraft and psychic development in the United States which he founded in 2018. Aly and Q discuss the connection between spirituality and creativity, and the importance of continuously evolving in both aspects as long as we are alive. Connect with Aly online: bearbridgeacademy.com  OtsoSalon.com alycardinalli.com  Connect with Aly on social media: instagram.com/bearbridgeacademy  instagram.com/otsosalon  instagram.com/alycardinalli More about Aly: Aly Cardinalli is an accomplished witchdoctor, performing arts specialist, psychic, and master educator with over twenty years of experience in his fields. He has dedicated his life to promoting traditional practices and spreading knowledge about culture. Born a dark medium and oversensitive psychic into a family of traditional healers, Aly grew up surrounded by spirits and natural remedies that were used to cure both physical and spiritual ailments. He learned from his family the art of healing, witchcraft, and spirituality, gradually developing a deep passion for indigenous and creolized practices.  As a young man, Aly decided to pursue a career in the performing arts. He studied music, dance, and theatrical arts, and quickly made a name for himself as a talented performer, exceptional choreographer (as an expert in over eighteen styles of dance), and an award winning director. His unique knowledge of the arts and culture, along with his exceptional stage presence, made him an instant hit with audiences across the globe. Despite his success in the performing arts, Aly never forgot his roots. He continued to practice traditional healing techniques. Aly has also developed an innovative training and classification system for psychics, mediums, and sensitives. Because of his genius and prodigy youth, his knowledge and aptitude in the inclusive disciplines of culture, healing, spirituality, mysticism, and storytelling is unmatched. Over the years, Aly has gained immense popularity as a master educator in his fields.  He continues to conduct numerous workshops and training sessions for healthcare professionals, spiritual healers, psychics, performers, and other practitioners. Aly has been the dean of education for a performing arts school, the headmaster at a witchcraft and psychic development school, and the education director for a healing arts institute. Thanks to his dedication and hard work, Aly Cardinalli is now widely recognized as a commodity to cultural education. His talent, passion, and expertise have inspired countless people to embrace rich and vibrant culture and to seek healing through the power of music, dance, and other forms of artistic & ancient cultural expression.