windowsill chats

in tantau studio

join the
conversation

join me in
the studio

head here

head here

This week Margo is joined by Ana Bianchi, an artist, designer, illustrator and children’s book author. Ana started creating when she was 5 and first learned printmaking from a master printer. From branding and illustrated graphic design projects to personal art projects and everything in between, color is the common thread. Ana has exhibited her […]

Podcast

May 13, 2021

37 | Creating with color, passion and purpose as your muses. Ana Bianchi has literally designed for the skies, and now gets to focus on things more down to earth.

Joining Margo in her windowsill is published illustrator, product designer, and artist, Jamie Kalvestran. Jamie brings her inspiring artwork to life making “creativity” a daily practice. A graduate of the Minneapolis College of Art and Design, Jamie is known for her skillful use of color and pattern, authentic design, and integrity of materials. Her expansive […]

Podcast

May 13, 2021

36 | What if you based your creative choices on how they FELT, rather than what everyone else was doing? A super interesting journey and gratitude for what really matters, with Jamie Kalvestran

This week Margo is joined once again by her neighborhood friend, Shauna Ahern to discuss finding joy in enough and the things that really matter. Shauna has won a James Beard award for one of her three cookbooks as well as awards for teaching. She currently runs her own teaching, coaching, and editing business on […]

Podcast

April 26, 2021

35 | Finding Joy in Enough. What matters, really? It serves us well to dig down and find joy in the hard things and in the good things with Shauna Ahern

Margo is joined by artist, designer, and creative coach, Melanie Stimmel. Melanie spent 20 years as a freelance street painter and muralist and has been awarded top prizes in some of Europe’s most prestigious competitions, including the title of Maestra Madonnara (Master Street Painter) in both Italy and Germany. In 2012, Melanie and her husband […]

Podcast

April 26, 2021

34 | Forging a truly creative path, Melanie Stimmell now wants to use her colorful experience to add a fresh new chapter, and help other artists find their success as well.

This week Margo is joined by Michael Schultz. Michael is the co-owner and creative eye of Cursive New York, a retail shop based in New York City. Cursive is a tightly focused concept with the simple mission to Cultivate Joy. Michael along with his partner and husband Douglas Duncan have established Cursive as a strong […]

Podcast

April 26, 2021

33 | Real life wisdom from a creative buisness PRO. Michael Schultz talks wholesale, retail, the trap of perfection, and the importance of listening to what matters.

This week Margo is joined by artist, illustrator, and teacher, Sarah Hand. Sarah teaches at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, the Visual Arts Center of Richmond, art retreats, and online. Her work has been featured in Somerset Studio magazine, and she has had many solo exhibits of her art. She is the author and […]

Podcast

April 1, 2021

32 | Permission to not be perfect. Sarah Hand talks play and color, working with our hands, and the tangible pursuit of happiness. And a new book!

Margo is joined by Toronto based painter, illustrator, and designer Carolyn Gavin. A flower child of the 60’s, Carolyn grew up in South Africa, left to travel and relocated to Canada where she currently lives with her family. She is a principal designer for Ecojot. A family run eco-friendly paper business. She also freelances and […]

Podcast

April 1, 2021

31 | Creativity in full color… How Carolyn Gavin blends creative family business with her own artistic passions and stays colorfully true to what matters.

Margo is joined by Emily McDowell to discuss the less glamorous side of running a creative business. Emily is a writer, illustrator, speaker, and entrepreneur who is fiercely committed to NOT doing all of those things at the same time. In 2012, after a decade working in advertising, Emily founded the stationery and gift brand, […]

Podcast

April 1, 2021

30 | Real life tips for starting your own business…Emily McDowell shares all the things she’d do differently if she could press the business rewind button.

Margo is joined by Katherine Quinn of New Zealand. For as long as she can remember she has loved drawing and making things and was lucky to grow up with parents who said she could do whatever she wanted as long as she cleaned up when I was finished. Through years of working a full […]

Podcast

March 11, 2021

29 | “Do what you want, as long as you clean up when you’re finished” How the messy bits move us forward with Katherine Quinn

Margo's Musings
from the Windowsill

Magic awaits! My bi-monthly email is a treasure trove filled to the brim with artful nuggets that entertain and delight, inspire and connect you with a wide community of creatives. Sign up below for delicious details on all things happening at the Windowsill!

Join the Community!

join me on instagram @mtantau@windowsillchats

TERMS & CONDITIONS | PRIVACY | COPYRIGHT 2025 margo tantau

Welcome to my cozy Windowsill – A community specially crafted for the creatively curious. This is a safe place for you to grow, embrace your artistic gifts, and live out your passion for this wild, imaginative, artistic life.

Your number 1 fan and Creative Coach

Hi, I'm Margo

LOGIN

contact

blog

workshops

tantau studio

podcast

the foundry

about

Home

Coaching with margo