The Power of Enthusiasm & a Sketchbook 
Connect with Katie:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/communikate-design-limited/
Https://www.communikate.design

Find full show notes at: https://creativesignite.com/the-power-of-enthusiasm-a-sketchbook/

Our guest this week is Katie Merrien, her story is fascinating and her personality is contagious. Katie is a graphic recorder, she picks things up so fast, and she loves serving others. We dive into Katie's story and her sketchbooks. We find out how her enthusiasm and amazing personality combined with her sketchnotes led to career opportunities she wouldn't have imagined. 
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Creatives Ignite helps solopreneurs by providing workshops, coaching, and a community. Our mission is to encourage & connect creative entrepreneurs so no one ever feels alone on their entrepreneurial journey.

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The Power of Enthusiasm & a Sketchbook with Katie Merrien

David Bixler has spent his life in jazz, making significant contributions as a saxophonist, composer, and teacher. His career is a testament to his passion, perseverance, and unwavering commitment to the art of music.

David began his formal music education at Indiana University Bloomington, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Jazz Studies between 1982 and 1987. This period was crucial in developing his technical skills and deepening his love for jazz.

Nearly twenty years later, David obtained a Master’s degree in Music Theory and Composition from Montclair State University from 2005 to 2007. These academic achievements highlight his dedication to continually improving his craft and expanding his musical knowledge.

After moving to New York City, David established himself in the jazz scene. He toured internationally with renowned big bands led by Lionel Hampton and Toshiko Akiyoshi, gaining valuable experience and recognition globally.

David later joined the Chico O’Farrill Afro-Cuban Big Band, where he became a regular performer at the famous Birdland Jazz Club. His work with this band contributed to their Latin GRAMMY-winning album, Final Night at Birdland. These experiences not only enhanced his skills but also helped him develop a unique sound that stands out in the jazz community.

David’s compositions are deeply personal, often inspired by his own life experiences. A particularly challenging time when his son faced health issues had a profound impact on his music, leading him to create pieces that convey deep emotion and resilience.

Some of his notable works include In the Face of Chaos (2019), Blended Lineage (2020), and Inside the Grief (2020). His latest project, The Langston Hughes Project vol. 1, draws inspiration from the poetry of Langston Hughes, blending literary art with musical innovation and receiving praise for its heartfelt expression.

For over sixteen years, David has been a dedicated professor at Bowling Green State University, where he also serves as the Director of Jazz Studies. In this role, he not only manages the department but also mentors young musicians, helping them develop their technical skills and artistic voices.

David’s influence extends beyond the university. As a Selmer and Vandoren Artist, he travels internationally to conduct workshops and performances, sharing his knowledge and passion for jazz with a broader audience.

David leads Bixxlixx Music, where he balances his roles as a performer, composer, and entrepreneur. For nearly forty years, he has directed the David Bixler Quintet and collaborated on innovative projects like the Auction Project, continually exploring new musical horizons and pushing creative boundaries.

In addition to his musical endeavors, David hosts a podcast called Liner Notes. Through this platform, he interviews fellow jazz musicians, delving into their creative processes and personal stories. These conversations provide listeners with an inside look at the lives of jazz artists and the vibrant community they belong to.

David and his family reside in New York City, a place that mirrors the energy and dynamism of his music. From his early dreams as a sixth-grader to his achievements as a performer, composer, and educator, David’s journey is marked by creativity, resilience, and a deep love for jazz.

Whether performing at Birdland, teaching at Bowling Green, or sharing stories on his podcast, David Bixler exemplifies the true spirit of jazz. His ongoing dedication and passion continue to inspire both his peers and the next generation of musicians.

David on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-bixler-b645156/
David's website: https://www.davidbixler.com/

Mark Walmsley FRSA FCIM AGSM
www.ArtsAndCultureNetwork.com
mark.walmsley@ArtsAndCultureNetwork.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/markbwalmsley/
 
Join our networking taster session and learn more about our community: 
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David Bixler - Saxophonist, Composer and Teacher of Jazz

Tricia’s professional story began aboard cruise ships, where she worked as a Social Hostess and Assistant Cruise Director. These formative years were all about connecting with people, building confidence, and performing—a spark that would later fuel her creative projects.

Throughout the 2000s, Tricia became a key player in London’s media scene. At IMG Media, she took on roles in production and business development, managing international operations and driving strategic initiatives. Later, at BSkyB, she oversaw original programming for Sky channels, ensuring creative and commercial goals aligned while launching new services like HDTV and Video-on-Demand.

At the BBC, as Head of Transformation and Delivery for BBC Vision, she managed change on a massive scale. From orchestrating cost-saving initiatives to modernising workflows and reimagining the division’s future, Tricia thrived on tackling complexity.

Shifting her focus, Tricia joined Lily Grey, a boutique consultancy where she specialises in strategy, organisational change, and conflict resolution. She excels in helping businesses navigate challenges, particularly in media, TV production, and creative industries.

While her corporate work flourished, Tricia’s creative journey gained momentum. She began performing and releasing music as part of the Americana duo Duffy & Bird, gaining critical recognition. In 2020, she launched her solo project Little Lore, combining storytelling and Americana influences. Her music, from her debut solo EP to acclaimed singles like Shallow and Brown Liquor John, reflects her knack for crafting songs that linger in the listener’s mind.

Tricia’s podcast and platform, In Ten Years Time: How to Live a Creative Life, embodies her belief in the power of long-term vision. Designed to help people achieve creative balance, the project offers podcasts, workshops, and resources that combine actionable insights with inspirational storytelling. By 2024, it had earned accolades, including a Women in Podcasting Award in the Arts and Design category.

Currently pursuing a Master’s in Songwriting at ICMP, Tricia remains deeply immersed in the world of music as a performer, songwriter, and mentor. As the London Chapter Coordinator for NSAI, she champions opportunities for songwriters, with a focus on inclusion.

Tricia on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tricia-duffy-6a55672/
Ten Years Time website: https://www.intenyearstime.com/
Little Lore website: https://littlelore.uk/bio
Lily Grey website: https://www.lilygrey.com/about

Mark Walmsley FRSA FCIM AGSM
Arts and Culture Network
www.ArtsAndCultureNetwork.com
"Cultivating creative connections"
mark.walmsley@ArtsAndCultureNetwork.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/markbwalmsley/

Join our mailing list:
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Painting group with 1,000 members 
https://www.linkedin.com/groups/2723173/

Tricia Duffy - coach, singer, podcast host, public speaker, and consultant

Andreas van Zoelen is many things—a saxophonist, conductor, professor, collector, and researcher—but above all, he’s someone who follows his curiosity wherever it leads. As a professor of classical saxophone at Fontys Academy of the Arts, he shares his knowledge with students from all over the world. But his passion for the saxophone extends far beyond the classroom.

His journey into the world of rare and historic saxophones started unexpectedly when, as a young student, he laid eyes on a dusty baritone saxophone hanging in his teacher’s music room. That moment sparked a lifelong obsession, leading him to acquire his first antique saxophones—an early 1900s alto with two octave keys and a Conn straight-neck C melody. His collection grew steadily, one instrument at a time, evolving into something he never quite anticipated: a full-fledged saxophone museum. Not one to keep knowledge to himself, he built an online home for his collection, saxophonemuseum.online, where enthusiasts and researchers can explore the history of the instrument in depth.

Beyond collecting, Andreas is an active performer and collaborator. He joined the world-renowned Raschèr Saxophone Quartet in 2014, taking over the tenor saxophone role from founding member Bruce Weinberger. With the quartet, he has traveled the globe, performing and leading masterclasses. He has also worked with major orchestras such as the Berlin Philharmonic and the Beethoven Orchestra Bonn, and has collaborated with artists like Stewart Copeland and Markus Stockhausen. As a soloist, he’s recorded over 40 albums and championed new music—more than 140 pieces have been composed specifically for him.

His academic pursuits are just as impressive. In 2021, he earned his PhD from Vrije Universiteit Brussel, focusing on the Raschèr saxophone tradition and its connection to Adolphe Sax’s legacy. His research has also led to a well-regarded book on the saxophone’s history in the Netherlands, and he regularly contributes articles to international publications.

As a composer and arranger, Andreas has worked with ensembles and orchestras worldwide. Notably, Arvo Pärt personally approved his saxophone arrangements, and he has collaborated closely with composer Fazil Say. His passion for historical performance extends to Edition Sax, an ensemble dedicated to performing early saxophone repertoire on instruments built by Adolphe Sax himself.

For Andreas, the saxophone isn’t just an instrument—it’s a gateway to history, art, and endless discovery. Through performance, teaching, research, and collecting, he’s dedicated his life to exploring every corner of its rich legacy and sharing it with the world.

Andreas on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreas-van-zoelen-010987b/
Andreas's website: https://vanzoelen.eu/
Fonty's website: https://www.fontys.nl/Over-Fontys/Wie-we-zijn.htm
Saxophone museum online: https://saxophonemuseum.online/about/


Mark Walmsley FRSA FCIM AGSM
Arts and Culture Network
www.ArtsAndCultureNetwork.com
"Cultivating creative connections"
mark.walmsley@ArtsAndCultureNetwork.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/markbwalmsley/


Join our networking taster session and learn more about our community: 
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Andreas Van Zoelen - Keeper of Saxophone Secrets, Collector of Stories

🎨 Meet Dora Derado Giljanovic – an art historian, curator, and art manager on a mission to make art a part of everyday life. With a PhD in Art History and a knack for turning creative visions into reality, she works with artists, galleries, and cultural institutions to bring exhibitions to life, craft compelling narratives, and connect art with the people who need it most. Through DLightful Services, she blends curation, project management, digital design, and marketing to help art shine in the digital and physical worlds.

Whether she’s designing an exhibition, writing about contemporary art, or helping artists navigate the industry, Dora ensures that creativity doesn’t just stay on the canvas—it reaches and resonates with audiences.

🎧 Tune in for insights into the art world, creative projects, and the stories behind the works that move us.

Dora on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/doraderado/
Dora's website: https://dlightfulservices.com/

Mark Walmsley FRSA FCIM AGSM
Chief of Stuff 
Arts and Culture Network
www.ArtsAndCultureNetwork.com
"Cultivating creative connections"
mark.walmsley@ArtsAndCultureNetwork.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/markbwalmsley/

 A growing, global community of over 150,000.

Join our mailing list:
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Join our networking taster session and learn more about our community: 
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Watch interviews with our full members:
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Join our inner circle. The benefits are significant, the cost is not: 
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Arts and Culture Network LinkedIn group with 100,000 members
https://www.linkedin.com/groups/2895827/
 
Arts administration group with 22,000 members
https://www.linkedin.com/groups/2779726/
 
Opportunities, jobs and careers group with 9,000 members.
https://www.linkedin.com/groups/4109471/
 
Contemporary art group with 9,000 members
https://www.linkedin.com/groups/2722958/
 
Theatre professionals' group with 5,000 members
https://www.linkedin.com/groups/1848248/

Music professionals’ with 3,000 members 
https://www.linkedin.com/groups/4040170/ 

Art gallery group with 2,000 members 
https://www.linkedin.com/groups/2723207/ 

Painting group with 1,000 members 
https://www.linkedin.com/groups/2723173/

Dora Derado Gilijanovic  -  Curator & Art Manager

Vanessa is an artist who paints and takes photos, but it’s more than that. Her work feels like remembering something you never knew you forgot. It’s textured and layered and often a bit mysterious—in a good way.

She lives by the sea in the southeast of England, and that’s a big deal in her work. Water is her thing. Not just how it looks, but how it moves and sounds and feels. The way it disappears and comes back. The way it holds things.

Vanessa’s process is kind of like archaeology but with feelings. She doesn’t always know what the piece is going to be until it starts becoming itself. She uses oil paint and plaster and starts with instinct more than planning. A lot of her photography is black and white, which makes it all about light and shapes and the in-between bits.

People say her work is calming but also full of emotion. Some call it “Vanessence,” which honestly sounds like a perfume, but also kind of fits.

Vanessa thinks that when you look at her work, you’re part of it. You bring your story, and the art brings its own, and something happens in the middle.


Vanessa on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vanessa-perry-frsa-39877524/
Vanessa's artist website: https://thevanessaperrygallery.com/
Vanessa's photography website: https://fromsomethingimagined.com/

Mark Walmsley FRSA FCIM AGSM
✨ Chief of Stuff | Arts & Culture Network
🌐 www.artsandculturenetwork.com/
📩 mark.walmsley@ArtsAndCultureNetwork.com
🌍 150,000 | Global | Growing

P.S. Stay in the loop with for updates & member news:
📰 Subscribe to Our Museletter: www.artsandculturenetwork.com/museletter

Vanessa Perry - The abundant nature artist and photographer

Meet Steven Partiman – Dutch–Surinamese visual artist, sketcher of moods, painter of stories. Whether it’s raw inkt, surreal abstracts, or expressive murals, Steven’s work vibrates with emotion and social energy.

Born in Paramaribo and trained at the renowned Nola Hatterman Art Academy, he continues to create and exhibit from his studio in Amsterdam. His art features in exhibitions, festivals and public spaces from Europe to the Americas, while his advocacy for artists’ rights sees him proudly serve on the board of Federatie Beeldrechten.

Steven believes in seizing the day—and painting it while he’s at it. Explore his world through line, form, and fearless colour.

Visit his website: www.stevenpartiman.com
Instagram: @stevenpartiman
Steven on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/steven-partiman-7446543

Mark Walmsley FRSA FCIM AGSM
Chief of Stuff 
Arts and Culture Network
www.ArtsAndCultureNetwork.com
"Cultivating creative connections"
mark.walmsley@ArtsAndCultureNetwork.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/markbwalmsley/

 A growing, global community of over 150,000.

Join our mailing list:
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Join our networking taster session and learn more about our community: 
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Join our inner circle. The benefits are significant, the cost is not: 
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Arts and Culture Network LinkedIn group with 100,000 members
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Opportunities, jobs and careers group with 9,000 members
https://www.linkedin.com/groups/4109471/

Contemporary art group with 9,000 members
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Theatre professionals' group with 5,000 members
https://www.linkedin.com/groups/1848248/

Music professionals’ with 3,000 members 
https://www.linkedin.com/groups/4040170/ 

Art gallery group with 2,000 members 
https://www.linkedin.com/groups/2723207/ 

Painting group with 1,000 members 
https://www.linkedin.com/groups/2723173/

Steven Partiman - Multidisciplinary artist

Jess Chambers, a BA‑qualified and CIM‑certified Cultural Events Strategist, founded Toot Sweet Marketing to help festivals and arts events fill seats and build legacies. 

She offers audience research, marketing strategies, and copy‑writing consulting. Jess’s free Writing Event Copy Playbook is a go‑to for professionals. She also facilitates The Green Room, a peer network for cultural event peers. 

Jess on LinkedIn: 
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jess-chambers-tootsweet/

Jess' website: 
https://tootsweetmarketing.com/

Mark Walmsley FRSA FCIM AGSM
Chief of Stuff 
Arts and Culture Network
www.ArtsAndCultureNetwork.com
"Cultivating creative connections"
mark.walmsley@ArtsAndCultureNetwork.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/markbwalmsley/

 A growing, global community of over 150,000.

Join our mailing list:
https://www.artsandculturenetwork.com/contact

Join our networking taster session and learn more about our community: 
https://www.artsandculturenetwork.com/ourevents

Join our free 1-hour arts and culture networking events on ZOOM: https://www.artsandculturenetwork.com/ourevents

Watch interviews with our full members:
https://www.artsandculturenetwork.com/blog

Join our inner circle. The benefits are significant, the cost is not: 
https://www.artsandculturenetwork.com/join

Arts and Culture Network LinkedIn group with 100,000 members
https://www.linkedin.com/groups/2895827/
 
Arts administration group with 22,000 members
https://www.linkedin.com/groups/2779726/

Opportunities, jobs and careers group with 9,000 members
https://www.linkedin.com/groups/4109471/

Contemporary art group with 9,000 members
https://www.linkedin.com/groups/2722958/

Theatre professionals' group with 5,000 members
https://www.linkedin.com/groups/1848248/

Music professionals’ with 3,000 members 
https://www.linkedin.com/groups/4040170/ 

Art gallery group with 2,000 members 
https://www.linkedin.com/groups/2723207/ 

Painting group with 1,000 members 
https://www.linkedin.com/groups/2723173/

Jess Chambers - Cultural Events Strategist

Olga Goldina Hirsch is a Russian‑born, London‑based visual artist whose striking mixed‑media works layer paint, spray, screenprint and memory to unveil stories of family, trauma and reclamation. An MA graduate from the City & Guilds of London Art School, she fuses disciplines with storytelling precision.

Her art revisits the “obliterated memories” of her grandparents – Constructivist architects, avant‑garde writers – translating them into canvas palimpsests. Dark black voids emerge as visual blanks, around which Christina Evan’s memory specks coalesce, until they blossom into luminous, open spaces. Working with metallics and fluorescents, she creates flashback‑like effects that enchant and provoke.

Her accolades include runner‑up at the TEBBS International Art Prize (2022) and membership in Paris’s Taylor Foundation.

Olga on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/olga-goldina-hirsch-1a0a12135/

Olga's website: 
http://www.olgahirschart.com/


Mark Walmsley FRSA FCIM AGSM
Chief of Stuff
Arts and Culture Network
www.ArtsAndCultureNetwork.com
"Cultivating creative connections"
mark.walmsley@ArtsAndCultureNetwork.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/markbwalmsley/

A growing, global community of over 150,000.

Join our mailing list:
https://www.artsandculturenetwork.com/contact

Join our networking taster session and learn more about our community:
https://www.artsandculturenetwork.com/ourevents

Join our free 1‑hour arts and culture networking events on ZOOM: https://www.artsandculturenetwork.com/ourevents

Watch interviews with our full members:
https://www.artsandculturenetwork.com/blog

Join our inner circle. The benefits are significant, the cost is not:
https://www.artsandculturenetwork.com/join

Arts and Culture Network LinkedIn group with 100,000 members
https://www.linkedin.com/groups/2895827/

Arts administration group with 22,000 members
https://www.linkedin.com/groups/2779926/

Opportunities, jobs and careers group with 9,000 members
https://www.linkedin.com/groups/4109471/

Contemporary art group with 9,000 members
https://www.linkedin.com/groups/2722958/

Theatre professionals' group with 5,000 members
https://www.linkedin.com/groups/1848248/

Music professionals’ with 3,000 members
https://www.linkedin.com/groups/4040170/

Art gallery group with 2,000 members
https://www.linkedin.com/groups/2723207/

Painting group with 1,000 members
https://www.linkedin.com/groups/2723173/

Olga Goldina Hirsch - Fine artist

Meet Carmela Ruggiero, spiritual artist, psychic medium and creative-minded human who insists that healing can have a soundtrack. At Ruggiero Studios, Carmela blends intuitive art with soulful connection, offering not just images, but experiences of transformation. She’s helped individuals move through anxiety, overwhelm and self-doubt using art, journalling, workshops and oracle cards—all designed to draw you into the deeper parts of yourself. Her signature tools include the journalling book Love Yourself – Heal Through Journaling and the oracle deck “The Twelve”. 

On her journey, Carmela Ruggiero has taken her message international. In a blog post she recounts delivering a workshop at Teachers College, Columbia University in New York, where she guided educators through art and reflection, helping them reconnect with their inner guidance. 

 For the SoundCloud listener, think of her story as a mix of art, intuition and gentle rebellion against the idea that healing must be serious. Carmela invites you to pick up a pen, doodle your hidden thoughts, colour in your fears and hear them whisper back in kind. She’s funny, real, relatable—and above all, human.

Carmela on LinkedIn: 
https://www.linkedin.com/in/carmela-ruggiero-spiritual-artist-psychic-medium-4a7a87b0/

Carmela's website: 
https://www.ruggierostudios.com/

Mark Walmsley FRSA AGSM
✨ Chief of Stuff | Arts & Culture Network
🌐 https://www.artsandculturenetwork.com/
📩 mark.walmsley@ArtsAndCultureNetwork.com
🌍 175,000 | Global | Growing

P.S. Stay in the loop for updates & member news:
📰 Subscribe to our Museletter: https://www.artsandculturenetwork.com/museletter

Join our networking taster session and learn more about our community:
https://www.artsandculturenetwork.com/ourevents

Carmela Ruggiero- Spiritual artist and psychic medium

The Creatives Ignite show is a weekly interactive, web show / podcast recorded LIVE with an audience where interviews of designers, illustrators, industry leaders, and business professionals. Creatives Ignite shares stories and tips of how creatives got further on their career / entrepreneurial journey.

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