Episode 18 : Creative Courage with Stavrina Devetzoglou-Toliou
In Episode 18 of Creative Diaries, Stavrina from Stavrina Art Lab shares a powerful and personal reflection on the role of courage in the creative journey. From leaving her 9-to-5 engineering job to facing the vulnerability of showing her work publicly, Stavrina’s story is one of repeated bravery—taken one small step at a time.
Her journey didn’t begin with childhood drawings or a lifelong dream of becoming an artist. Instead, it started with a quiet inner urge to create—an urge that resurfaced during her career in science and engineering. As she considered enrolling in a PhD program, she paused to ask herself a vital question: Who am I now, and what do I truly want? That self-reflection led her to rediscover a creative part of herself she had long set aside.
Rather than making an impulsive leap, Stavrina planned carefully. She saved money, examined worst-case scenarios, and reminded herself that failure wouldn't break her—it would only bring her closer to clarity. That mindset shift made space for courage. "The worst that can happen is nothing,” she says. “And I can survive nothing.”
A defining trait of Stavrina’s creative path is her scientific approach to experimentation. Drawing on her background in research, she treats each creative risk like a mini-experiment—valuable whether it succeeds or not. “Negative results are still results,” she says. Whether it’s a failed product test or an unreturned pitch, every attempt provides useful information and builds emotional resilience.
She shares a humorous and inspiring story about walking into what she thought was a clothing shop—only to find herself face-to-face with a brand’s office team. Completely unprepared, she introduced herself and her work anyway. That unplanned moment turned into one of her first collaborations. “If I hadn’t said anything, nothing would have come from it,” she reflects. It’s a perfect example of her belief that courage often lives in unpolished moments.
Stavrina also speaks honestly about creative self-doubt—especially the fear of not having an art degree or formal training. But she reframes that fear as evidence of how much she cares. Drawing on neuroscience, she reminds us that fear and excitement trigger the same response in the body. By labeling fear as excitement, she moves forward with more ease, seeing every action as a learning opportunity.
Ultimately, her message is clear: Don’t wait until you feel “ready” to begin. Courage grows through action, not overthinking. Whether it’s emailing a potential client, posting a new design, or simply showing up to draw—do it anyway.
🎧 Want to hear how courage, curiosity, and small experiments can change your creative path?
Listen to Episode 18 of Creative Diaries with Stavrina and discover how science, mindset, and creativity come together to build a fulfilling, fearless practice.
Key Takeaways from This Episode:
You don’t need an art degree to be an artist—just a willingness to begin
Treat creative work like an experiment—every result teaches you something
Negative feedback or silence isn’t failure—it’s part of the data
Fear and excitement feel the same in the body—reframe and act anyway
Courage is built in the small, quiet steps—not just the big leaps
Planning ahead helps you take bold action with more confidence
About Stavrina Devetzoglou-Toliou
Stavrina Devetzoglou-Toliou is a Greek surface pattern designer and illustrator with a background in science and engineering. Through her brand Stavrina Art Lab, she blends analytical thinking with artistic exploration, using experimentation, pattern design, and intentional creativity to express her voice. Her work reflects a unique fusion of structure and spontaneity—always rooted in courage, joy, and curiosity.
🔗 Follow her on Instagram: @stavrina.art.lab