Kelly Lyles infuses creativity into every part of her life. She’s designed five art cars, organizes an annual art car festival and is a fine art painter specializing in portraits. Kelly is also an artistic community builder, attending openings and events most days of the week and supporting her wide network of creative friends in every way possible.

Her art cars are vividly decorated and have creative names such as Leopard Bernstein and Excessories Odd-yssey. The Seattle Art Car Blowout she organizes is a gathering for art car makers and lovers, welcoming an amazing array of art cars that are creatively designed according to the unique visions of their owners.

Kelly is also a fine art painter who specializes in portraits and visual puns involving animals. Rumour has it she knows everybody in the Seattle art scene and she has curated her home like an art museum, decorated from the floor to the ceiling with the artworks of hundreds of other artists she loves. Her creative passion also extends to her fashion and accessory choices.

On this episode, host Angela de Burger chats with Kelly about her love of art cars, her punny series of animal portraits, the strong creative community she’s developed, and how she welcomes creativity into every aspect of her life.

Say hi to Kelly:
Website - kellyspot.com and Seattle Art Car Blowout
Instagram - @lkellylyles
Facebook - /L.kellylyles

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Creative Pulse Podcast socials:
Instagram: creativepulsepodcast

Music credit: https://www.purple-planet.com

Rachael Harms Mahlandt is passionate about creating Sidewalk Joy - adding bright spots of whimsy to her city through creative art installations. Sidewalk Joy spots are free, curated public galleries, exchanges and displays, often installed in front yards, along a sidewalk fence, or on the side of a building. Her first project was creating a dinosaur-themed diorama (a ‘Dinorama’), which then led to a dino exchange, a micro book swap, an Air Bee N Bee, micro parks, a mug exchange, and more.

Building on the success of the Portland Sidewalk Joy map she co-created, Rachael recently launched a Worldwide Sidewalk Joy map, highlighting hundreds of projects (and growing!). She loves the community connections that happen through Sidewalk Joy spots and openly shares her own knowledge to help other people get started.

On this episode, host Angela de Burger chats with Rachael about what sparked her love of sidewalk art installations, how she comes up with new ideas, how these projects bring people together and build community, and what you can find on the Worldwide Sidewalk Joy map.

Say hi to Rachael:
Websites:
- Sidewalk Joy - sidewalkjoy.com
- PDX Sidewalk Joy - pdxsidewalkjoy.com
- Worldwide Sidewalk Joy - worldwidesidewalkjoy.com
Instagram - @pdxdinorama
TikTok - @pdxdinorama
Facebook - /pdxdinorama
YouTube - @PDXDinorama/shorts
Bluesky - /pdxdinorama.bsky.social

Show mentions:
Awesome Foundation Portland - awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/portland

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Creative Pulse Podcast socials:
Instagram: @creativepulsepodcast

Music credit: https://www.purple-planet.com

John Avilla joined his family’s band at only 8 years of age and the experience ignited a lifelong passion for music. Building on his expertise in branding and marketing for global companies, he is now a co-founder of Sound Union, a first-of-its-kind social club and creative studio in Redwood City, California.

The space welcomes people who make music a central part of their lives—not necessarily as a career, but as a passion. It’s a cultural hub where music fuels well-being, creativity and connection.

On this episode, host Angela de Burger chats with John about what being a musician has brought to his life, how he fosters collaboration and connection at Sound Union, and how music can be an energizing force in daily life.

Say hi to John:
Website - soundunion.com
Instagram - @joinsoundunion
Facebook - /JoinSoundUnion
LinkedIn - /johngavilla

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Creative Pulse Podcast socials:
Instagram: creativepulsepodcast

Music credit: https://www.purple-planet.com