Mahara Wayman [00:00:05]:
Welcome to the art of badassery where I explore what it takes to live life on your own terms. Break free from the status quo and unleash your inner badass. Whether you're a rebel at heart or simply seeking inspiration to step outside your comfort zone, this podcast is for you. I'm your host, Mahara Wayman. And each week, I dive into the stories, insights, and strategies of those who've mastered the art of badassery and are living life to the fullest. They smile when no one is lucky. Welcome to another episode of the Art of Badassery podcast. Today, I have a guest who embodies the essence of creativity, Passion and determination.
Mahara Wayman [00:00:51]:
She's a true badass, folks. Hailing from the vibrant backdrop of Westchester, New York, Samantha Kaplan is a visionary artist who once aspired to conquer the world of fashion design and to create paintings that would stir the very essence of humanity. Earlier this year, she traveled to 3 different countries that she'd never been to before. And for 2 of them, she didn't know anyone personally when she arrived. When she returned home, however, she was a different person because she consistently allowed herself to expand and grow from the experience. Currently finding herself back in her Westchester roots, she's on a quest to discover the place that truly feels like home. But that is just part of her story, people. This powerhouse not only creates breathtaking art, but also shares her wisdom with fellow artists and creatives, coaching them on how to build a brand that transcends borders and connects with soulmate clients.
Mahara Wayman [00:01:50]:
So get ready to be inspired as we delve into Samantha's remarkable journey as a professional artist who's turning dreams into reality And helping others to do the same. Stay tuned for a conversation that's I'm sure is gonna ignite your creative spirit And leave you in awe of the limitless potential of the human soul. Samantha, welcome to the show. I'm so excited to be chatting with you.
Samantha Kaplan [00:02:15]:
Yeah. Thank you so much for having me. You're so awesome.
Mahara Wayman [00:02:19]:
Aw. You're so sweet. This is a wonderful way to start to start this podcast. There were so many beautiful things that I read about you and I saw on your Facebook page because I first connected with you through Facebook. Yeah. Take us back to the 1st time that you picked up pen and paper or crayon on paper or paint and paper and said, I'm an artist.
Samantha Kaplan [00:02:44]:
Yeah. I I was 16. It was like it wasn't like the stores where people are like, have you been painting your whole life? And I'm like, well, not really. I actually as you see in my background, other people will see it, I was really big into sewing. I used to make clothes. I used to make other items. I got started without, like, when I was in Great. I was always creating things growing up, but painting was not something I really took seriously until I was 16 years old.
Samantha Kaplan [00:03:07]:
I was like, what do you call a soft No. I was like a junior in high school. Yeah. And my mom just kept saying, like, I thought I was gonna take the fashion design route, and my mom kept saying, like, listen. You need to connect with these other teachers if this is where you wanna go. They're gonna need to write your letter of recommendation. You're gonna need to do that. So when I was, yeah, I was about, like, 15th, 14th I was about 15, 16 around that around that point.
Samantha Kaplan [00:03:31]:
And so one time, 1 year I finally caved in, and I put it in my schedule, and the rest is history. Once I started doing dry painting, I was kinda like it opened up a whole other world to me because I actually didn't think I was good at drawing and painting for most of my life. I just didn't. And when I actually just that I could do it, like, it Changed my life. Do you
Mahara Wayman [00:03:50]:
think that you felt that way because you just hadn't painted enough, or there was some part of you that just made the assumption? I think it was I didn't have the right teacher. Like, I had a great art teacher in elementary school, and we we did all kinds of things. And and then in middle school,
Samantha Kaplan [00:04:08]:
it was like, I had different teachers, and they were fine, but it was like no one really made me feel like I was gifted or talented in that area. It was kinda just something I did, and it was okay. Like, I did nothing there that really felt extraordinary in my opinion. And it wasn't till, like, I discovered 1 artist in Maui that really kinda, like his work touched my heart, and that was when I was about 12 years old. And What I was able to, like, really explore the possibility of creating art like his even though my art is so different today, That kind of got me really excited about the idea, and it made me try and paint so much more than just like, oh, I have to draw this or, oh, I have to paint this. It became like discovering what's What I'm capable of as a as a human being.
Mahara Wayman [00:04:50]:
I think it's fascinating that you were able to make that connection at such a young age because let's be honest, guys. 12 is 12. Papa little girl. Yeah. That's it. It makes me it makes me think as a grown woman, You've been painting for, obviously, many years.
Samantha Kaplan [00:05:07]:
Yeah. A while now.
Mahara Wayman [00:05:08]:
Just that your painting is a reflection of your growth as a human being.
Samantha Kaplan [00:05:13]:
Oh, that's it's I think it's one of the greatest I think our art itself, for those who stay consistent. A lot of artists it's unfortunate. I think a lot of people Arts will no longer do it, or if they do it, they don't share it. But I think art is one of the greatest documentations of your growth because if people who allow themselves to really Play with their art. Because I think if you wanna grow as an artist, you need to play. You need to let loose. You need to, like, just let yourself do things and make mistakes, so be okay with it. But that's where you see the grace evolution, I think, of your growth in painting.
Samantha Kaplan [00:05:42]:
I think it's one of the grace documents of your growth.
Mahara Wayman [00:05:45]:
But what a wonderful correlation between art and life. Because what I heard you was hey, artist. Give yourself permission to throw the paint by the lines. You know? Think and that leads to leads to growth. And you that are listening, hello. That leads to growth as a human being as well. Don't say to paint outside the lines or to try something. I mean, that that's sort of the cornerstone of being badass is is having life.
Mahara Wayman [00:06:12]:
Yeah. So what's your what's your favorite medium today?
Samantha Kaplan [00:06:17]:
Well, my primary medium is oil, but I actually just start playing with acrylic again after not doing it for, like, 10 years. So that's actually been a lot of fun. I also do ink on paper. So I'd say oil I mean, I don't know if oil's the answer. It's more of just what I've done, and I don't know if that's changed or evolved just because I stuck one medium for so long because in beginning, I loved it because there was just so much you could do with it. The one thing I don't like about oil is There's you need a proper space and it's smelly and there's fumes, so it's like when I started doing pelts again, I was like, oh my god. This is so easy. It's such an easy setup and cleanup compared to, you know, with oil that's a whole to do.
Samantha Kaplan [00:06:54]:
So that it's a fun thing. So I feel like Discover my favorite medium. I think it's kind of becoming an evolution where I thought it was one thing, and now I'm still deciding. Is that really my favorite medium, or is that just what I become so used to after so long?
Mahara Wayman [00:07:08]:
Again, my god. What a powerful, observation Yeah. That translates into life as well. Because many of us, my clients included, concluded. We get stuck in a rut. Yeah. We make assumptions that this is what I do because this is what I do. Oh, I like this.
Mahara Wayman [00:07:25]:
And we stop and think about it. You you may say and this is what happened to me. Well, if I'm honest, I liked it before. Now it's just
Samantha Kaplan [00:07:35]:
Yeah. I
Mahara Wayman [00:07:36]:
know. Don't do that, though. Right? Most of us don't have the courage, I think, to question.
Samantha Kaplan [00:07:42]:
Yeah. And I think that happens way too much in life. We get really comfortable with certain things, and we're like, this is just the way things are. And I think because of my background, I've been through A lot as as a young as a young adult, like, especially my early twenties when I witnessed my parents go through a really terrible divorce. It It wasn't an easy one. It lasted years and all of that. I just the idea of being stuck is something I really struggle with, so I try not to stay in that space very long. If I do, I don't usually end up very well.
Samantha Kaplan [00:08:11]:
So that's why I I'm in a place right now where I Always kinda choose growth, and I choose expansion. I choose I'm willing to kinda push my edges to discover what's on the other side of it versus staying stuck because Even though that may feel scary, what you get from it is so much more than just doing the same thing over and over again, and she's gonna stay stuck in Even if it just it doesn't fulfill you. It doesn't light you up. It doesn't move you forward in any direction. So I have to Yeah.
Mahara Wayman [00:08:38]:
Find yourself experiencing this willingness to stretch.
Samantha Kaplan [00:08:45]:
Oh, yeah.
Mahara Wayman [00:08:46]:
1st in your artwork and then in your personal life, Or does do you find it happening because of your experience of doing it in your artwork, it's quite easy for you to do it in your personal life, in your interrelationships, personal relationships, for example.
Samantha Kaplan [00:08:59]:
I think it for sure my artwork, and I'll be honest, it wasn't, like, an easy stretch. It took me years. I because in college, it's when I real they they give you no choice. At least, I guess, the art school I went to, they didn't really give you any choice but to stretch. And they were kind of like you stretch or you don't go through the programming. It was fun. It was like you had to choose. So I really was given a place where I had no choice but to stretch.
Samantha Kaplan [00:09:20]:
And that was more I'm probably made it more painful myself for myself than I needed to, but the moment I finally did, that's when everything started to change. And I finally start realizing, like, oh, wow. Like, how much you could grow and evolve and change and how much your work could touch people when you allow yourself to go to that place. When you finally allow yourself to let go of what feels comfortable, what you've always done, then you kinda discover, oh, this is what you're really capable of. So I think I first start with my art, and then when I disco I didn't really know about personal development until I graduated from college. And when I discovered it, I was like, Woah. This is really cool and really powerful, and I kind of became somewhat obsessed with the whole concept behind it. And, Yeah.
Samantha Kaplan [00:10:01]:
I kinda I've been trying to embody it as much as I can because I really think that's where the growth is even when it's the growth. And I'll be honest. The growth is not fun a lot of the time. Crime. A lot of times, it's freaking painful. Yeah.
Mahara Wayman [00:10:13]:
And I think that's why so many of us shy away from it. Yeah. But it's it's one of those you know, it's a catch 22 because and I know this from experience, and my clients will say the same, and I'm sure that you've got some clients that are the same way, which is I just don't wanna go there. I've spent a lifetime of ignoring it. Can we just talk? Like, really, I've I've had this I've had this tightness in my gut for as long as I can remember. It's what I'm comfortable with. And I know there's stuff there, but, honestly, let's just move on Because it does hurt, and it is uncomfortable. But I often say to my clients, just let's just pretend.
Mahara Wayman [00:10:51]:
Like, let's just let's just have fun and imagine what would your world be like if you didn't have that feeling. Yeah. Play. And if that opens up the door for all kinds of introspection and and growth. But, yes, to your point, it's not It's not easy always.
Samantha Kaplan [00:11:10]:
No. It's really not. I also
Mahara Wayman [00:11:12]:
think it's not always easy being an artist because I paint and draw. And, you know, I do a lot of stuff myself. And there have been times when I was younger when I got so angry that I couldn't put on to paper what I had in my head, and then like, well, fuck it. Forget it. I was gonna I'm actually not an artist anymore. I I changed my mind because demonstration was there. So I think no matter what we take on in life
Samantha Kaplan [00:11:39]:
Yeah.
Mahara Wayman [00:11:39]:
And expect there to be growing pains.
Samantha Kaplan [00:11:42]:
Oh, yeah. I mean, there always is. It's interesting because you talk about the idea of not going there. And for me, I've kind of reached a point where I'm like, Let's just I I'd I I'm like, let's just go there. I don't have time to, like, not go there. That's kind of my mentality because I see when you don't go there, like, It's still controlling you. It's still controlling your behaviors. It's still controlling you subconsciously.
Samantha Kaplan [00:12:04]:
It's still controlling your programming. It's controlling how you show up in the world. It's controlling things you do and things you don't do. It or it controls you with cycles you get yourself into that you're not even aware of. So it's still there. So I'm kinda the person like, let's just go there and set ourselves free. I've also seen I had a parent who never went there, and I saw I've seen his decline because because you're not going there, so I kinda do the exact opposite. I'm like, I'm not go I'm not going that direction, so I wanna go there.
Mahara Wayman [00:12:32]:
It's kind of the other thing too is and I know there I know our listeners are going to appreciate this.
Samantha Kaplan [00:12:37]:
And Yeah.
Mahara Wayman [00:12:38]:
It's exhausting To not go there.
Samantha Kaplan [00:12:42]:
Yeah. Yeah.
Mahara Wayman [00:12:43]:
It is exhausting to ignore, pretend Yeah. Put on a happy face Yeah. Even if you don't realize that you're doing it, it's once you let go of it, you realize at least I realized, oh my god. Β£10. Like, I just It feels so great to admit. Nice. So you went to school for your art. You've been an artist all of your adult life.
Mahara Wayman [00:13:09]:
When did you decide to turn your art your business into one that helped other artists or other creatives?
Samantha Kaplan [00:13:16]:
Yeah. This was actually around 2020. It was something I've always wanted to do. It's just that was kind of the opportunity to do it, because it was something I've always dreamed about. I always My initial vision and it's kind of funny how it manifests very differently from how I envision it manifesting. Initially, I had this vision of, oh, I was gonna teach people how to upload all their art, and we're gonna bring business into it, all these different things. So my 1st program at 2020, that's exactly what I did. I taught artists how to take their art to the next level, and we brought It's a business, but I realized when that was my main focus, that was my main selling point.
Samantha Kaplan [00:13:49]:
The artists I attracted were not really people. They're more hobby artists. They weren't artists who are really out there to go out and make a difference, change the world. And so I did that for, like, 8 months, and then I kinda pivoted. And at that point because when I was doing that, I was critiquing, like, 4 days a week. And I love critiquing, but that was, like, a point of burnout I was like doing that all the time and how we'd always be on all the time doing that because that's kinda how I structure the program to be. So after that, I realized at that point, talking about business and teaching business is way more exciting to me. So I went just back into the business route, and I eventually just led more back to artists.
Samantha Kaplan [00:14:23]:
I was kind of teaching foundations of business to everyone because all the foundations essentially apply. And then I started grabbing 2 more artists into my world, so I went back more to artists. That's funny now because now we're kinda bringing all the elements back into it, bringing branding into it. We're bringing actually helping them with their art back into it, but it's in a completely different package in a completely different way because these people already made the decision. They're they're on the journey to going full time with their art. Now it's just how can we help them with all the aspects so they feel confident in terms of the prices they wanna charge. So it's really funny. It's like when you have a vision, and you think this is how it's gonna manifest.
Samantha Kaplan [00:14:55]:
And, actually, it takes you on a really different path to finally manifest that vision.
Mahara Wayman [00:14:59]:
Listen. I am learning That while I am incredibly creative, I do not know the best way for things to happen. Nothing in my entrepreneurial journey has gone the way I can. Exactly. I'm finally two and a half years into it. Finally at a point where I can say, okay, universe. What the f? Like, just like, okay. I this is what I want.
Mahara Wayman [00:15:24]:
I wanna experience this emotion and this feeling. Help me to figure it out. Because every my planet, and it's so great in my mind because I am very, I'm very creative, and I've got such an imagination.
Samantha Kaplan [00:15:36]:
Yeah. Yeah.
Mahara Wayman [00:15:36]:
It's almost as if I feel like the universe is laughing at me going, oh, for god's sakes, Mahara. Could you just chill? That's not how it's gonna work out. That's actually possible. You're actually not meant to do that. Like, you Yeah. K. Just Yeah. Take a deep breath today.
Mahara Wayman [00:15:50]:
Today, you're meant to eat ice cream. Really. Just all you're meant to do to
Samantha Kaplan [00:15:54]:
Yeah. Yeah.
Mahara Wayman [00:15:55]:
Right? Whereas I'm like, I'll eat the ice cream and and get all this other stuff done.
Samantha Kaplan [00:16:01]:
I know. And a lot of what I've learned a lot is a Big part of the journey is surrendering. It's a huge part. And traveling traveling is one of the greatest teachers of that because most of the time when you travel, things don't go as planned. They just don't. Things come up that he could have never planned in a 1000000 years. So how quickly you're able to adapt, stay calm, and surrender in those situations, I mean, That's key. And the beautiful thing is you always end up being okay most for the most part.
Samantha Kaplan [00:16:28]:
But, like, it's learning how to do that and learn that, like, you know what? You're Fine no matter what, even when life feels really challenging, you're still okay. So I wanna talk about your traveling.
Mahara Wayman [00:16:39]:
Yeah. Yeah. I mentioned in in the intro that you had you'd gone to 3 3 places this year.
Samantha Kaplan [00:16:44]:
Yeah. Yeah.
Mahara Wayman [00:16:45]:
Did traveling figure heavily In your life prior, or was this the start of the traveling bug for you?
Samantha Kaplan [00:16:50]:
Yeah. I mean, I've really always loved traveling. Like, I've was fortunate enough to travel. Like, my my mom took us to Florida all the time so my grandparent my grandma my grandma's lived there. Now my grandma lives there. We would often travel often in the summers, usually within the states. We never went to crazy places like abroad or anything like that. But it kind of, like, got this thing of It kinda became a normal thing at that point, and then COVID kinda challenged a lot of that.
Samantha Kaplan [00:17:18]:
And I used to one thing I also love doing It's like when I became an entrepreneur, my favorite thing in the world was, like, going to entrepreneurial events where you connect with other, like, minded entrepreneurs. To me, I think that was, like, one of the most parts of being entrepreneur because it's like you're building community with people who get it. And so I love that. And then kinda happened was and, like, 2020 was, Like, we kind of were stuck. In 2021, I traveled a little bit, but it was still, like, an edgy thing to do. And 2022, I I rented a studio space. And just because of the way things were arranged, I was supposed to do a show. I there was so much going on, and I felt really stuck.
Samantha Kaplan [00:17:52]:
And this year, I was like, It's gonna be different. I can't do another 2022. So this year, I kinda went all out. I've been traveling, like, almost every month. It's been like that. It wasn't initially planned that way, but it kinda became that way where and then traveling to all just new opportunities came up, and I took I took them on because I just knew this is something that was gonna help me get to that next level or this was gonna help me grow or this is, for me, the last time I traveled to a different country, I was kind of exploring, like, do I wanna live in the US, or Do I wanna live in a different place? Because after going to, I went to an event in Estonia, and after meeting people all over the world there, it kind of allowed me to open my eyes to be like, Is the US the only place for me to live, or are there other places? So I kinda start opening expand my mind. Like, there's so much more in the world than what we know in our bubble, And you don't know until you experience it.
Mahara Wayman [00:18:39]:
Yeah. Good point. So I'm curious, though. I'm kinda put you on the spot a little bit. You mentioned The the the traveling recently allowed you to learn and grow to the next level. Yeah. What does that level look like to you? Because and the reason I'm asking is that those of us in the personal development field
Samantha Kaplan [00:19:00]:
Yeah.
Mahara Wayman [00:19:00]:
I'm gonna throw around these these phrases that mean that we understand, but people are part of the personal development space. They may be thinking, what the hell is she talking about? What's ball. Like, is this a game? So can you give us some concrete, examples of what you mean by that? Because I think there are some listeners that will really appreciate this idea of growing and and moving up another level of growth.
Samantha Kaplan [00:19:22]:
Yeah. Well, I think the thing is and this is something I personally struggle with, and I'm kind of figuring this out my own right now, is I feel like when we're often in the same doing the same routine all the time, we get to this state of complacency where we want more, but we just kinda built a happen, a standard around where we're at this moment. And then when you start going to different places, you start and you especially when you start to getting to meet new other new people and see different things. You start to raise your standards of what's okay, what I'm willing to tolerate. And when you raise those standards, when you come back, you're like, We're not going backwards. We're only going forward. It's like, I'm not going below this level of tolerance that maybe you got very comfortable with before. So that's why, like, for me, I love going to places that challenge that level of tolerance that may be question what I've allowed myself to tolerate so far And expand that to show you, like, oh, you think you could go this far, but look at this whole other level expansion that's available to you.
Samantha Kaplan [00:20:16]:
And I feel like seeing the world and getting outside your comfort zone really allows you to challenge that and play with that and expand that and see what's actually your possible what's possible for you, what you're capable of, especially when you get out of your normal habits. Or I feel like our habits Habits could be great, but they could also keep you trapped.
Mahara Wayman [00:20:33]:
Would it be fair for me to to add the word into this conversation or the idea into this conversation that when you travel, you were afforded opportunities to question your judgments About yourself and about Totally. Yeah. Yeah. So because what I'm hearing is, you know, it's not just, expanding your ability to Speak a different language. It's not just willing to eat a different type of food. With all that comes some Deep seated judgments that we may have held from our upbringing about ourselves and what we're capable of and what the world is capable of. And, you know, just on a purely on the on the most basic level Yeah. I think that when we travel, We give ourselves permission to recognize that everybody is special, even that this group of people don't wear clothes.
Samantha Kaplan [00:21:28]:
Yeah.
Mahara Wayman [00:21:28]:
For example, if you were to go some height in, you know, in in
Samantha Kaplan [00:21:31]:
Yeah. It also gives you a sense of compassion. Like, I asked the place I was at was Costa Rica because I was playing with the idea. Like, what would it be like to live there? And I discovered it's not the place for me. But, like, you have a sense of compassion because a lot of people there, like, They don't even have money for food, and you're just kind of, like, supporting them with what you have at that moment. And initially, I was for me, I'll be honest. Initially, for me, it felt kind of annoying when you're like, You go out to buy something, and then you feel obligated to give it away immediately like that. And then eventually, I got to a place of, like, no.
Samantha Kaplan [00:22:00]:
Like, I remember talking to my Airbnb host about it because she's been all over the world. She's out from Costa Rica, but she ended up there. And she was kinda saying, like, you know, people in Costa Rica, they take care of each other. Like, It's, like, not common for people to go hungry because people take care of each other, and it kinda just shifted my whole perspective of, like, yeah. We're here to take care of each other. And even though that's not normal to me from what I'm used to in the US, it's a beautiful thing when you know you could take care of someone just by giving, like, Whether it's one of their I think their currency was or you could give them, like, one of those or you could give them a piece of bread or something. Like, It kinda just shifts just how you see everything and really makes you feel grateful. Like, look how much I have.
Mahara Wayman [00:22:40]:
Oh, I love that. And, you know, going back to your point of
Samantha Kaplan [00:22:43]:
Yeah.
Mahara Wayman [00:22:44]:
Opening your eyes to what's around you when you travel.
Samantha Kaplan [00:22:47]:
Yeah.
Mahara Wayman [00:22:48]:
I traveled quite a bit when I was young younger. And one of the things that I've learned and I've been trying to to teach it to my children, I think I have, which is Most people in in the world want to be seen and heard. Yeah. Especially when you're traveling, to ask someone or to look them in the eye and to ask them a question and to give them the respect of listening to their answer Or just asking more about them and their culture, their what they're doing. It's what makes us human. Right? It's what it's this connection. And I love that you're recognizing the opportunity for growth as a human being by traveling because the question wow. First of all, Wow.
Mahara Wayman [00:23:34]:
This is so foreign to me. But Yeah. Secondary, man, I'm so fortunate to live in the states or to have this or to do that. Traveling is beautiful. I I wholeheartedly agree. I'm wondering though Yeah. Did you experience any, breakthroughs or real changes with your art as a result of your traveling.
Samantha Kaplan [00:23:57]:
Yeah. You know, it's a really great question, and I think I have very recently. I don't know if it's because of my all my traveling. I think it's more because I was at a retreat right before I went to Costa Rica, and I we were really looking at the different masks we wear as humans to, like it's kind of like you know, we wear masks. We I guess I guess the term is, like, massive anxiety that we put on to, like, you know, survive in the world, to kinda cover up all the stuff that goes on. And And for a while, I had 2 masks, and I had the perfectionist mask and the performer mask. And they, you know, hung me out for a while, But it was getting to a point where it was like, they could be debilitating in a sense when you're finally doing it. And it's taking away when you're putting on those masks, they kinda take away the essence of you actually are.
Samantha Kaplan [00:24:41]:
That's something I'm still working on, like, releasing and letting them go. And I remember they were like, okay. Now it's your job to actually, like, do it. And it's like performer. I was like, okay. I could Kinda figure that out. But the perfectionist, so it's like with my art, I'm like, I don't even know how to do that. And I remember when I was we had a follow-up call when I was in Costa Rica, and they said, well, what if you just, like, do a like, they'll do with one of your commissions or things like that, but you do with a painting where you kinda just, like, Let loose.
Samantha Kaplan [00:25:06]:
So you kinda just even though that's what I already do, but you kinda just break those rules. Or I forget the words they said, but the kind of kind of processed it was like you break those rules You just do things differently or you're okay with not finishing how you typically finish or or whatever. And what was fun what was fun was when I came back, I was like Had a very different level of tolerance when I came back to New York, so I've been rearranging furniture, rearrange so much stuff, and I create a space where I could also acrylic paint. And what's fun is I've literally been breaking all the rules, the perceived rules that I've been taught or put on myself throughout the years. I'm like, I don't know if there's a ton of rules with acrylic paint. Like, I know don't mix acrylics with oils. That's just I wouldn't wanna do that anyways. That's just a bad idea.
Samantha Kaplan [00:25:45]:
But what I'm like, if there's any rules, I'm breaking them because I'm just allowing myself to Let loose and just, like, take tube directly from the paint, which is almost a of the past a big no no. And, like, just kinda play, like, what happens when I do this? What happens when I do this? And not being really attached to an outcome, of course, I'm gonna make it to my standard of painting at the end, but that alone has allowed me to have a huge breakthrough itself, like taking off those masks that we so easily wear to just make it in this world.
Mahara Wayman [00:26:15]:
So we're gonna take a short break right now, but I'll be back with my guest within 60 seconds. Ladies, unlock your inner badass and transform your life with my monthly subscription work shop. For just $47 a month, you'll have exclusive access to work closely with me, Mahara Wayman, as we dive deep into all things badass from personal development to conquering your goals. Imagine waking up every day of confidence, purpose, and a smile that radiates your newfound strength. Take advantage of this badass opportunity and join us today at www.mindfulnesswithmahara.com and start your journey toward a happier, more confident you. Smile when no one is looking. You've earned it. What a fantastic story.
Mahara Wayman [00:27:06]:
I'm very visual. So as you were describing it, I could picture you going, paint, paintbrush. No.
Samantha Kaplan [00:27:12]:
Yeah. Like, literally. Doing what you like.
Mahara Wayman [00:27:15]:
But I think what's really important, and I wanna highlight it for listeners, is You said all of this without focusing on the outcome, and that's such a big lesson for all of us in life Because we are outcome driven. We are outside Yeah. I wanna get I wanna get the promotion. I wanna have the car. I wanna have the nice outfit. I wanna All of these things we feel that we need to to establish who we are in the world. You know, the work that I do and this podcast, it's about saying, bullshit. You don't have to do all that.
Mahara Wayman [00:27:46]:
You just have to smile and be yourself, and the outcome is the outcome. Focus on the experience, and the outcome's gonna happen. The outcome's gonna happen.
Samantha Kaplan [00:27:55]:
Yeah. And I think it's a big like, I don't know if you said this while recording or before recording, but a big part is what's the feeling you want And let go of what that feeling has to look like. So many times we put an image or an idea or it has to be this. And it's like, you don't You may think you want them, but what you really want is the feeling that's associated with that. So let go of exactly what it has to be and be like, this is the feeling that of what I wanna Manifest, how can I embody that now? How can I live in gratitude for that now and be striving to experience that now versus how it has to look?
Mahara Wayman [00:28:32]:
And it but it's such a hard thing. And, yes, I I think I did say it before we started recording. And I still work on that because, You know, I wanna feel for most of us, you know, there's, like, 3 or 4 main things that human beings feel, secure, worthy, and safe.
Samantha Kaplan [00:28:49]:
Yeah. Yeah.
Mahara Wayman [00:28:50]:
And it begs the question, well, how can I feel safe if I can't pay my bills?
Samantha Kaplan [00:28:57]:
Yeah.
Mahara Wayman [00:28:57]:
Right? Because that's what that's what clients will say to me. That's what I've said to myself. Like, well, that's great to say. Yeah. Great to say worthy, but I'm alone. It's great to Yeah. Wanna feel worthy and loved, but I'm I'm single. Nobody loves me or, you know, those stories that we tell about.
Samantha Kaplan [00:29:12]:
Stories that yeah. Yeah. Yeah.
Mahara Wayman [00:29:14]:
So, really, what what I'm what I'm in answer to you is, yes, we do tell ourselves stories. Yes. It is a growth process to let go of the need to control how we get to the outcome or even the out. And the greatest things I think that we can give ourselves is the gift of curiosity.
Samantha Kaplan [00:29:35]:
Yeah.
Mahara Wayman [00:29:36]:
As an artist, you've already talked about how you've given yourself that gift by saying, what would happen if I didn't paint in the lines? What would happen if I if I went against all of the rules that I've been taught?
Samantha Kaplan [00:29:46]:
Yeah.
Mahara Wayman [00:29:47]:
As human beings, we can give ourselves the gift of curiosity by being brave enough to say, why do I feel this way? Let's get curious. Why did I say that to that person? Why did I get the evil eye just because he did like, why? Why? It takes work, but that's why you have coaches. That's why you have therapists and and Yeah.
Samantha Kaplan [00:30:07]:
And you look at the layers. Like, you said the thing with the money thing because I'm very familiar, and I work with a lot of clients who have that money money situations. And it's like, well, it's also looking at what have you been programmed to do. I'm actually reading. I was sending a book with my students by Paul McKenna. For some reason, it's out of And I don't understand why we had a print, but it's called I Can Make You Rich. And what's very fascinating, he said something about the difference between people who have wealth Or who are actually rich versus people just have wealth or is really just the people who are truly rich in every sense of the word. They may have money, But it's their confidence and their ability to create more.
Samantha Kaplan [00:30:44]:
It's not just what they have. It's their confidence that they create whatever they want when they need it. That's what truly rich means. It's and that's where if you don't have that, that's what you need to work on. It's in your confidence to be able to create what you want or what you need.
Mahara Wayman [00:30:56]:
It kinda ties into that understanding, and we've all heard it. Yeah. I don't know what the exact percentage is, but let's say 90% of major lottery winners lose the money within the first like, they go through the money within the 1st couple of years
Samantha Kaplan [00:31:12]:
Yeah.
Mahara Wayman [00:31:12]:
Because they have never learned how to create wealth or they've never learned to be wealth. They don't know they don't know what to do
Samantha Kaplan [00:31:20]:
with it. It's like they've received all this. It's like because what we talk about money, maybe you've heard this terms of money as energy. They may not understand what it means, but let's just let's pretend like you do. And they receive all this energy, And it's like they can't handle all this energy. So what must they do? They must spend it all because it doesn't feel comfortable. It doesn't feel safe to have this even though it seems like the dream. So what do they do? They just figure out, oh, how can I get like, how can I release myself from this? And that's why we see those stories because they don't know how to hold it.
Samantha Kaplan [00:31:47]:
They don't know how to hold the energy Yeah. All that comes with all that money.
Mahara Wayman [00:31:50]:
I'm curious. If you were developing your artistry, did you ever struggle with holding the accolades that came your way.
Samantha Kaplan [00:31:58]:
I don't know with I wouldn't say that. I mean, for me, I worked so hard To get to where I was with my art, like, so most people don't know about this, but I was the one who'll be up till, like, 3, 4, 5 AM in art school, police officer come. They're like, why are you still up? Like, feel like I would be up this late unless I was getting paid. Like, really 1 police officer would joke around with me all the time. Like, I was that person. I was that crazy person who was worked so hard to master something. So I think with my art, because I work So it wasn't something that was just given to me. Like, yeah, maybe I had this talent gift that I developed, but my art is what it is today.
Samantha Kaplan [00:32:36]:
I don't work as hard today To develop it because it just it is what it is today. It's kind of something you've become an evolution, but I worked so hard to get it to that place.
Mahara Wayman [00:32:44]:
This is so interesting. I love that you pointed that out, because that's wonderful, and yay for you. And for those of you listening, it is okay to be proud of yourself. Yeah. It is okay to recognize that you've put in a lot of work, a lot of effort, blood, sweat, and tears, and it's okay to be it's okay to be paid for your work. It's a Yeah. Know that a lot of us struggle with the money story. In fact, it's probably the biggest thing that comes up in in coaching, I would think, across the board.
Samantha Kaplan [00:33:13]:
Yeah. Well, I I honestly think I've had I've had a lot of conversations about this is the world teaches us to have a really bad relationship with money. And I think when we talk about money stories, it's like, well, look at what's the one thing Humans across the board struggle with probably more than anything else. I mean, I think we have, like, money, health, relationships. But I feel like money is becomes even more dominant, and it's because the world teaches us to struggle.
Mahara Wayman [00:33:36]:
It's nuts, but you're right.
Samantha Kaplan [00:33:38]:
Yeah. I think that's a big part of It's a big part of the problem. That's why we have, like, these limiting beliefs. So that's why people are worried about, well, what if I can't pay my bills? If people have a good relationship with money, they wouldn't have that concern, But it's because they're kinda taught to be afraid of money. They're taught that money has all these even though money is just a form of it's just an exchange of value. That's all it is. But because we have all these layers around it, it's more to us, it has so much more meaning behind it than just the simple exchange value. People can't wrap their minds to being that simple.
Samantha Kaplan [00:34:11]:
Oh, if I just offer more value, I could create more money.
Mahara Wayman [00:34:14]:
And, you know, to your point, and I I I'm not gonna go down this road fully, but we've grown up in a society that uses money as a carrot And has determined that 1 sex is more valuable than the other because for the exact same work, this sex is gonna get paid more. And so, I mean, it's it's ingrained. It is ingrained. But I love that you were working with your clients to especially in the art world, To unlearn that and to help them celebrate their their art and their skill set. What's the biggest things that you've learned about yourself in this role.
Samantha Kaplan [00:34:52]:
Yeah. That's a great question. It's kinda interesting. I've been like people often try to put a on me, and that's something I really struggle with because I never, like, being put in a box. And I was like, well, I don't just do this. I do all these other things. I kinda figured out, like, what is it that I actually do when I work with clients, and I kinda realized, like, oh, yeah. Ultimately, they're they're, like, their creative So that's been really cool.
Samantha Kaplan [00:35:14]:
I've been able to really figure out, like, how to serve them. Because my big thing when I decide I was gonna be a mentor I was gonna be coaching this space. My biggest pet peeve with the coaching industry I have several pet peeves. So one of my biggest things, it's like, they only address 1 issue, but they don't look at the whole Sure. And I'm like, there's so many layers to having a business and to making money. And especially with art, there's even more layers. So it's not just, Like, strategy of, like, how to get in front of collectors, and it's not just branding even though I feel like that's something that's saying we talked about enough within the art Education industry. Like, I'm not the art.
Samantha Kaplan [00:35:47]:
Well, the business is selling art, that industry specifically in that niche, but it's also let's look at the programming. Let's look at how most of these people have been programmed to think. Let's look at all their looming beliefs of why they haven't been selling their art already and all the things that have been holding them back and all the details that are keeping them off track and why they may be on track and then get off track. Like, there's all these other emotional layers tied to it. And I think it's really fascinating that, like, often you may think you'd be oh, today, I'm gonna teach them this thing today, and then the conversation ends up deviating to something completely different because they need Support with this thing that's keeping them stuck and has nothing to do with the business or strategy aspect.
Mahara Wayman [00:36:24]:
Well, as Gabby Bernstein says, and I quote her all the time on the show as, You know, success is an inside job.
Samantha Kaplan [00:36:29]:
And we forget how much of it has to do with how worthy we are. I think just seeing looking at my students, so what's the biggest thing they struggle with? I'd say most of them, it's self worth. It's not even like, some of the things yeah. There's some skills, like, that everyone could get better at, and it's it's a practice since for them to figure out What are the what are they meant to do? What are they meant to delegate? Like, whether it's for sell gain like, we talked we had this conversation before. Let's sell gain to people you pay. Let's sell gain to people in your family who are happy to help. Like, what's what are the things that you specialize in? What are the things you could delegate? Like, there's those aspects, but at the end of the day, I think the biggest thing I see is what's holding them back is a sense of worthiness.
Mahara Wayman [00:37:07]:
And to your point, it popped up in my head just now when you were talking is The term starving artist. Well, that's okay. They're a starving artist. It's okay that they're you know, there's because that's what artists are, and it's such a Horrible term. Like, why would it why would that even come into existence? Yeah.
Samantha Kaplan [00:37:24]:
I don't know. I I am so against the term, and I think It's allowed too many artists to take on an identity of because I'll be honest, being this niche, it's not the easiest niche to be in because you meet a lot of people who are, like, Outwardly struggling. And you wonder why is that in this case, but I don't see it in other business niches. And it's because They've taken on that identity to struggle. And I think I see it in the arts. I also see it in the acting space for people who haven't made it yet. Like, they take it on that identity that I'm gonna choose this, and I'm gonna struggle. And it's like, that's a decision.
Samantha Kaplan [00:37:57]:
That's even even if you don't have much, that's still a decision. It's the struggle is a decision.
Mahara Wayman [00:38:04]:
Okay. Mic drop. Yeah. Staying. Mic drop. But it's all true, and, you know, that's why the work that that we do, Albeit different clients and different niches is so important because many of us have bought into the BS. Yeah. We need help understanding the layers of how you who you've referred to it earlier.
Mahara Wayman [00:38:25]:
There are so many layers to everything that we do. It's okay to question them, and it's okay to back. It's it's okay. Have you seen on a I'm going back to the art world now, which people I don't know that much about other than I love I know what I love, and I know do. But I'm curious. Have you seen Have there been any interesting trends in the art world in the last 5 years that you've gone, wow. Who knew papier mache was gonna make a comeback, for example.
Samantha Kaplan [00:38:54]:
Yeah. That's a great question. You know, to be honest, I haven't been so aside from, like, you know, just what I do what I've done on social media here and there. I haven't been like, I actually just went to the Museum of Modern Art for the first time in years, like, last weekend because I took a step away from the city with COVID. I was like, I'm staying far away from here. There's too many germs. So that's a really great question. I don't know.
Samantha Kaplan [00:39:18]:
I know during COVID, the art world was really challenged. I know that was a big thing. Like, I I was hearing stories, and I was spending a lot of time with an artist who, You know, he actually does pretty well as an artist, but his mindset is, like, down the tubes. Even though he makes 100 of $1,000 a year as an artist, he His mindset, like he initially, like, was just not in the right place when COVID happened. And then it ended up working out very well from in the end, but He had to he had to shift his thinking, but he would tell me stuff about how people are all sudden dramatically lowering the value of their art in all this. And I don't know, You know, how much of that is actually true? I I don't I don't know because people some people will just focus on the negative. And was that across the board? Probably not. Maybe with some scenarios, yes, because people are in a panic mode or, like, shit.
Samantha Kaplan [00:40:04]:
What are we gonna do? Because the world just shut everyone's priorities immediately shifted and things that people weren't buying before, they're no longer buying. But I feel like we've, like, bounced back in a different way. And
Mahara Wayman [00:40:16]:
What does your gut tell you about the introduction of AI into the art world? Because and I'll tell you why I even think of this question. I've I I've written a couple books, and the 2nd book I've almost finished, requires illustrations.
Samantha Kaplan [00:40:30]:
Yeah.
Mahara Wayman [00:40:30]:
And in my dream, I'm the illustrator. But I now say I am not talented enough to illustrate this book.
Samantha Kaplan [00:40:37]:
Mhmm. So
Mahara Wayman [00:40:38]:
I've had people I'm starting to look into having people illustrate for me. And people have said, oh, why don't you just get AI to illustrate it? And I remember going, I'm sorry. What did you say to me? Like, are you in pain? Yeah. And they're like, Mahara, it is a thing. And I was so I was offended, actually. Yeah. And and yet I use AI myself Yeah. In other in other ways.
Mahara Wayman [00:41:02]:
So what do you what are the thoughts about that?
Samantha Kaplan [00:41:05]:
Yeah. You know, it's really interesting. I just had a conversation with another artist about this the other day. You know, I think a lot of people are terrified about AI, and the people who are terrified about it really don't know enough about it and aren't using it as a tool. And I honestly think AI is a tool to help us accelerate our. Like, I don't feel intimidated by it because I'm like, sure. Someone could generate something and print something out, but Is that this like, people buy art. Essentially, people spend a lot of money on art because of the feeling of what that art gives them, Because of the hand, because of what that means to them.
Samantha Kaplan [00:41:38]:
And AI could generate beautiful images, but you're never gonna get that from AI, from From a computer generated. You're never gonna get that deep feeling, that deep story, that deep connection from AI.
Mahara Wayman [00:41:49]:
K. I just wanna say that that is a super cool. That's a great observation because, you know, we are made up of energy. And the Or the fear or the despair or the confusion that goes into creating artwork. Whatever that final product is, hold that energy. Work that is generated from AI has all of the colors in the right spots Yeah. Without the energy. So I Really appreciate your that that answer, because it's right.
Mahara Wayman [00:42:22]:
We don't know enough about it. And, really, If we understand, if we believe that everything has energy, then we don't need to be afraid of it.
Samantha Kaplan [00:42:31]:
It's just not gonna have the same thing. And people I I can't, I mean, I could be wrong, but I can't imagine people who spend ridiculous amounts of money on art are gonna be like, oh, we'll just get AI to generate something. Like, it's No. There's a passion about the art, about the arts, about the process, about something that I think AI art is actually, It could be an amazing tool when you need to generate images for, like, blog posts. You need to generate images for certain things. It's amazing that you have a tool that could just do that and could save you so much time and money in certain aspects. But I think there's certain things. Like, I actually have this.
Samantha Kaplan [00:43:04]:
I just frame this. This is a print from an art one of the artists that, like, really inspired me. Like, AI can never generate the feeling I get from looking at this. Like, there's this there's 1 artist. Unfortunately, he's gone down. I found out when I was in Maui. He went down a path that wasn't great. But when he was a big artist of, like, back when I was 12, like, his work touched me.
Samantha Kaplan [00:43:26]:
I don't know if AI art could ever touch us in the way that, like, the artist the hand who's actually experienced life And what they create and how that emotion from what they create. I don't think it it could ever do that.
Mahara Wayman [00:43:37]:
I have to agree. And, you know, I liken it to if AI generated a sculpture of David. It would not have the same emotional impact on the book that Michelangelo David did. What a cool conversation this has this has been. Thank you so much. So I want to ask again, though. I I mentioned it earlier. What are some I think you're a badass because of all of the things that we've discussed we've been talking about.
Mahara Wayman [00:44:01]:
But what are couple things that you can share with with our listeners that you tips, for example, to help them Be a little bit more badass or authentic or open in their life.
Samantha Kaplan [00:44:13]:
Yeah. Well, one thing that just came up To me, when you we were talking about AI is really I think AI really gives us the keys to uplevel. Because you were just talking about, like, in terms of art and AI generated Art. It that's why it's, like, just copying an image to as art, as maybe that was acceptable in the past, that's enough anymore. It's like it's giving us an Excuse to uplevel in all areas of our life. And I was actually talking about this with someone the other day. He was saying, well, II is gonna take away so many jobs. It's like, well, they're taking away jobs that most people don't like to do.
Samantha Kaplan [00:44:45]:
The people in the past, there was a need for that job, and now it's like it's giving them the opportunity to uplevel and actually use their brain to think and become creative and create something that maybe they would have never thought to create before. So it's like we're all given this a major opportunity to uplevel because we could go into our zone of genius and discover what that is and have AI actually support us with that. So that was the first thing that came to mind. What was just remind me what the question was again.
Mahara Wayman [00:45:11]:
What are the tips For people listening on how they can and you this one already. Don't be afraid of AI. Use it as an opportunity to uplevel into your zone of That's a great tip. What's something else that you do regularly to help you feel connected, centered, aligned, badass?
Samantha Kaplan [00:45:28]:
For me, I think journaling is a really powerful one and really checking in on where you're at and really understanding what's really going on internally and how that should be in your world because when you really do the inner work and people we hear that thrown around all over, and most people don't know what it means. But when you do the inner work and you really see what is going on inside, What are the purple leafs that are running the show right now? You will see direct correlation from the inside to outside. It's like they kinda you can't escape it. That's why I said, like, why I rather let's just go there even if it's really painful. Lately, I've been really going there and discovering things feel like, oh, I really don't like that, and I have to learn how to make peace with it and move beyond it. But, really, allowing yourself to go to those Hard things. It really that's the beginning of transformation.
Mahara Wayman [00:46:14]:
To sort of sum this all up, there's lots of components that go into being badass. There are a lot of layers to being a human being. If you are creative, then you have Touched on another. Not everybody has the creative zone in their you know, in them, and that's fine. If you do have that creative spark in you, to your advantage
Samantha Kaplan [00:46:36]:
Yeah.
Mahara Wayman [00:46:36]:
And have that creativity expand into your relationships, your work, Whether you're a paid artist or not, the joy that you have when you are being creative Yeah. It makes a difference in the world. And you can have the same level of joy in anything that you do if you give yourself permission.
Samantha Kaplan [00:46:55]:
Yeah.
Mahara Wayman [00:46:56]:
So what we've heard today is, Number 1, go for it, and always be as creative as you can. Number 2, don't be afraid of AI because as, you know, Samantha shared, it's just an opportunity for growth.
Samantha Kaplan [00:47:08]:
Tool. It's a tool that helped you uplevel to help you uplevel because if the fact that you could have AI figure all the stuff with you Within seconds, that gives you all this other opportunity to uplevel in other areas in your life because you don't have to spend as much time doing other things or figuring out things That I could do for you within seconds.
Mahara Wayman [00:47:26]:
Exactly. You also shared with us the importance of really figuring out What you're feeling in the moment. And some of us refer to it as going within. Both of us believe that success is an inside job. And you've got one more thing that you wanna share with us for being badass.
Samantha Kaplan [00:47:41]:
It was checking in. And another thing I was gonna say, and this is a big thing that I've really had to learn and I'm still, you know, learning, it's recognized that, you know, we all have like, I don't know. There's a thing called a wealth dynamics quiz, and I've actually never done the formal quiz. I've done a quiz with Erica Meads, which Sounds very similar. And if you naturally are a creator, if that's kind of where you follow in your wealth dynamic space, recognize that where you specialize and where you don't specialize. Because as a creator, we're really good at certain things, and there's things we suck at. Just being honest. And we can try to get really good at those things, but, ultimately, this is where we really need to be open to be like, okay.
Samantha Kaplan [00:48:19]:
I'm really good at coming with all these ideas. I'm really good at hearing all these things. When it comes to systems and implementation with a lot of these things, This is where I struggle. How can I get support with
Mahara Wayman [00:48:27]:
this? Okay. So to recap, what you're saying about this is It is okay to specialize and to be awesome in one of 2 things. You don't have to be badass in everything. Part of being badass is recognizing your great And working on that and letting somebody else, either getting help with the others or giving that over to someone else because we don't have to be everything to everybody all the time.
Samantha Kaplan [00:48:53]:
Yeah. And I think that's taken me a long time to really learn. And I'm finally after all these years, I've been doing this a while, I'm finally coming to the conclusion of, like, okay. I'm really good at this. I suck at trying to do this by myself. So now I'm finally gonna get the support I need so I could show up how I wanna show up. Because when you're building a brand, like anyone who's been building a brand It's not an easy thing. It's a long it's it doesn't have to be a long process, but it's a process that lasts for as long as the lifetime of your business.
Samantha Kaplan [00:49:20]:
And, ultimately, like, It takes dedication. It takes work. And to recognize that there's some things you're really good at with that and there's some things that you're not and recognize the things that you're not, it's okay with that. You don't have to be perfect at everything.
Mahara Wayman [00:49:31]:
Beautiful. I love it. Well, Samantha, you have been just a wealth of information and inspiration. I would Love to see some of your artwork. I mean, I do follow you on on Facebook, so I I know I get to see pieces of it there. But, folks, check out the show notes because All of the ways that you can connect with Samantha will be there. And if you are an artist that would like to level up your business, please please Reach out to her because she really does know her stuff, and I look forward to doing this again. I will see you next week on the art of badassery.
Mahara Wayman [00:50:02]:
My name is I hope you enjoyed today's episode and gained valuable insights to help unleash your inner badass. If you found this podcast cast helpful. Please leave a rating or review on your favorite platform. Your feedback not only helps me improve the show, but it also helps others like yourself discover the Cask. Until next time, keep embracing your authenticity and living life on your terms. Here's to you.
