This week on Windowsill Chats, Margo is joined by Mary McGreevy, the creative mind behind the viral TikTok account Tips From Dead People. What began as a curious, ironic hobby—reading obituaries for life advice—has blossomed into a meaningful exploration of what it means to live well. With a background in public policy and a penchant for heartfelt storytelling, Mary has built a community around the simple idea that there’s wisdom in the words left behind.

Margo and Mary explore how obituaries—whether poignant, irreverent, funny, or achingly honest—reveal what really matters at the end of the day. They talk about how quirks, flaws, and tiny joys shape the legacies we leave behind, why zigzagging through careers and passions can be more fulfilling than following a set path, and how embracing our humanity—mess and all—creates space for connection.

Mary and Margo discuss:

• The beginnings of Tips From Dead People and how it evolved from a personal hobby into a viral phenomenon

• Why traditional career advice like “find your passion” can be misleading

• How reading obituaries illuminates the richness of so-called “ordinary” lives

• The value of quirks, humor, and imperfections in shaping how we’re remembered

• Shifting our definition of success from accolades to meaningful details

• Creating inclusive spaces built on shared humanity

• Why being a generalist in life and career can be a strength, not a weakness

• What obituaries can teach us about writing (and rewriting) our own life stories

• How weird, one-off ideas often turn out to be the most impactful

• The healing, grounding power of stories—especially those from unexpected places

Connect with Mary:
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tipsfromdeadpeople

IG: https://www.instagram.com/tipsfromdeadpeople/

Substack: https://substack.com/@tipsfromdeadpeople

Connect with Margo:

www.windowsillchats.com

www.instagram.com/windowsillchats

www.patreon.com/inthewindowsill

https://www.yourtantaustudio.com/thefoundry

Margo and Abby are back and diving into mosaic mania, bold color trends, and major shakeups in the creative world in this episode of Creative Current Events, a special segment of Windowsill Chats. This curious and timely conversation covers everything from headline-making news to the creative tools and trends shaping what’s next. They unpack the big story of Michaels acquiring Joann Fabrics and what it could mean for artists, crafters, and small-town makers alike. They also explore the surprising team-up between Disney and Universal in a lawsuit against MidJourney that could reshape the future of AI-generated art, along with the rise of biophilic design, the comeback of mosaics, and Sherwin-Williams’ new “loneliest” color.

Articles Mentioned:

• Michaels acquires Joann Fabrics
  
  

• Disney & Universal sue MidJourney over AI use
  
  

• Ariadne AI toolkit for arts education
  
  

• Top wall art trends for 2025
  
  

• Biophilic design and color drenching
  
  

• Sherwin-Williams: The Loneliest Color
  
  

• Pantone Color of the Year in review
  
  

• Why mosaics are having a moment
  
  

• Vermeer’s Girl with a Pearl Earring in 108 gigapixels
  
  

• Extreme mold threatening museum collections
  
  

• 12 traits of creative people
  
  

• Traits that will define next-gen creative leaders
  
  

• Meta used my book for AI training... and I didn’t mind
  
  

• Find artist calls and open submissions
  
  

• Artwork Archive: Call for Entry
  
  

• My Friends by Hisham Matar
  
  

• James Clear’s 3-2-1 Thursdays
  
  

Connect with Abby:

https://www.abbyjcampbell.com/

https://www.instagram.com/ajcampkc/

https://www.pinterest.com/ajcampbell/

Connect with Margo:

www.windowsillchats.com

www.instagram.com/windowsillchats

www.patreon.com/inthewindowsill

https://www.yourtantaustudio.com/thefoundry

Carolyn Gavin returns to Windowsill Chats for a joy-filled conversation about painting, purpose, and the evolution of her creative life. Based in Toronto by way of South Africa, Carolyn is a painter, illustrator, designer, and teacher known for her joyful use of color and pattern across mediums from watercolor to acrylic. She’s also the principal designer for Ecojot, her family’s eco-friendly stationery brand, and a beloved teacher to students around the world.

In this episode, Carolyn shares the winding path of her creative journey—from childhood painting sessions to licensing her artwork for textiles and books, designing products, and leading retreats in beautiful locations. She opens up about the meditative power of painting, how travel and nature influence her process, and what it means to show up again and again for your art with playful curiosity.

Margo and Carolyn Discuss:

• Transitioning from advertising to co-founding Ecojot, a sustainable stationery brand

• How travel and living across cultures shaped her creative perspective

• Embracing bold, joyful color and large-scale experimentation

• The meditative power of painting as daily grounding
  Overcoming creative ruts and finding flow again

• Her playful balance between structure and spontaneity in art-making

• Translating flowers, landscapes, and real-world inspiration into distinctive work

• Building community through teaching—both online and at global retreats

• Advice for artists pursuing teaching, licensing, and product-based careers

• Navigating the business of art while maintaining personal joy and family life

• The ongoing importance of learning, evolving, and being inspired by others
  
  

Connect with Carolyn:

www.carolyngavin.com

www.instagram.com/carolynj

https://www.facebook.com/carolynjennygavin

https://ca.pinterest.com/carolyn_gavin/_saved/

https://www.threads.com/@carolynj

Connect with Margo:
https://www.tantaustudio.com

https://www.instagram.com/windowsillchats/

https://www.patreon.com/c/inthewindowsill

https://www.yourtantaustudio.com/thefoundry