Mark Fisher didn't expect to become an artist in his sixties. Two years after picking up a paintbrush, he won the ArtOUT 2026 Grand Prize for his vibrant painting Luke. In this conversation, Mark shares the unexpected path that led him from systems programming and landscape architecture to a life centered on creativity. We explore why water became the visual language of his work, how fleeting moments of joy, freedom, and transformation inspire his paintings, and why giving yourself permission to make "bad art" might be the first step toward discovering your purpose. It's a conversation about vulnerability, reinvention, and finding the courage to pursue what brings you alive.

See Mark's submissions to ArtOUT 2026 here, including Grand Prize Winner 'Luke'

Nelson Fisher Studio & Gallery

What pulls us toward telling our stories, and what keeps us afraid to share them?

In this episode of SpeakOUT, Patrick O'Donohue sits down with award-winning author, ghostwriter, and book coach Jillian Abby for a conversation about identity, vulnerability, creativity, and the healing power of storytelling.

Jillian shares her unconventional path to becoming a writer, the emotional realities of telling the truth on the page, and why so many people feel called to make sense of their lives through story. Together, they explore authenticity, queer identity, collaboration, fear, and the difference between writing from an open wound versus a healed scar.

Whether you’re a writer, artist, or simply someone trying to understand yourself more honestly, this conversation offers a thoughtful look at what it means to be seen.

You can find more from Jillian here:

JillianAbby.com

JillianAbby.substack.com

Instagram @jillianabbywrites