Prioritizing Your Creativity: An Interview with Ricki Golick

“I am my own experiment. I am my own work of art.” Madonna

I’m please to introduce you to Ricki Golick, an award winning fiber artist living in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Prior to retirement she was a Senior Vice President and Treasurer of a Canadian bank. Her passions include quilting, mixed media art, book binding and creating artist books. Her fiber art has been shown in both national and international museums and her work been featured in magazines including Cloth Paper Scissors and Quilting Arts. If that wasn’t enough, she’s a musician who plays piano and harp, and an avid cook. She has been a member of the Handmade Book Club since March 2022.

Just looking at Ricki you can tell she leads a creative life, from her fun purple hair to her big face-framing pink glasses. On the two other occasions I’ve interviewed Ricki, she has altered a piece of clothing. This third time is no exception. Ricki took an oversized white shirt, added fun fabric patches and used a Posca paint pen to add quotes about creativity. And like Ricki this piece of artwork isn’t finished – she’ll continue to add to it.

One of my key takeaways from our conversation is the concept of paying yourself first. Just like the personal finance adage of adding money to your savings account from your pay check before paying the bills, Ricki encourages us to give ourselves the gift of creative time before we take care of other things. This can be creating art but also visiting a museum or listening to music. It’s no coincidence that a book that informed Ricki’s journey is Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way!

Watch this rich conversation we have about her creative journey from musician to banker, quilter to bookmaker, painter to book artist. Ricki’s practice of paying herself first and finding joy each day is inspiring and I hope will leave you motivated to prioritize your own creative practice.

Connect with Ricki Golick on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rickigolick/

Click below if you wish to read a transcript of the interview.