Imagine the quiet serenity of an attic turned art studio, where the hum of the outside world fades, and the canvas becomes a space for exploration. In this episode of 5 to 9, Tacita Morway, the CTO of Textio, shares her passion for art and the meditative escape it provides.

Hear how Tacita manages chaos by putting charcoal to paper. Marvel at the differences in painting mediums and the ideas they express. This episode is a true moment of Zen for anyone looking to jump into art or simply balance professional commitments with personal passions.

Highlights:

• Finding Balance Through Art: Tacita shares how painting and drawing offer her a peaceful refuge amid her overloaded workdays.
• The Creative Process is Chaotic – and That’s Okay: Tacita breaks down her artistic process, filled with spontaneity and embracing the unexpected— creativity often lies in reacting to chaos and refining what emerges.
• Embracing Constraints to Fuel Creativity: Whether in art or software development, working within limits can help us focus and innovate.
• Art as a Journey, Not a Destination: Tacita talks about the satisfaction of problem-solving in both her art and tech careers, underlining that neither journey aims for a final "perfect" piece but rather the enjoyment of the process.

Jump into the conversation:
(00:00) Art 101 with Tacita Morway
(03:55) How doodling led Tacita to art school
(12:04) The role of improvisation in artistic expression
(29:22) How Tacita’s engineering background influences her art
(37:46) Getting Started with Oil Painting and Knife Techniques