5 to 9

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

What is 5 to 9?

By day, engineering leaders craft innovative solutions with elegant strings of code. But when the work day ends, who do these keyboard warriors and the people who manage them become? Five to Nine - gives an exclusive glimpse into the lives of software engineers and the minds who guide them, brought to you by Jellyfish CEO Andrew Lau. Peer behind the scenes as we delve into the diverse realms these tech virtuosos inhabit after the clock strikes five. From vinyl DJs who keep it old school to virtuoso cellists and from connoisseurs of meticulously brewed coffee to daring cultivators of forbidden tomatoes – each guest unveils a hidden facet of themselves. But what's more intriguing is the connection between these avocations and their roles as product and engineering leaders. The question remains: Who are you when the laptop closes? Discover the captivating obsessions that shape these remarkable individuals and illuminate a different dimension of leadership.