Art Juice: A podcast for artists, creatives and art lovers

This week, Louise welcomes guest artist Sally-Anne Ashley, who has thought very deeply about what it means to build and sustain a creative practice. In this conversation, Louise and Sally-Anne discuss the foundations to intuitive painting; explore the importance of awareness, and dive into the challenges of trusting our own intuition. This is a deeply inspiring conversation that we hope you'll enjoy.

Mentioned:

Sally-Anne Ashley's "Creative Shift" course: https://www.sally-anneashley.com/creative-shift-2024

Sally-Anne's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sallyanneashleyart/?hl=en

Find Alice Sheridan at: 

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.alicesheridan.com ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@alicesheridanstudio⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Find more about Louise Fletcher:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.louisefletcherart.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@louisefletcher_art⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Credits: "Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

This week, we’re talking titles. Yep, that stage when you think the work is complete - and there’s still the process of coming up with a title for your masterpiece. Does it even matter what we choose? Do they make you more or less likely to buy a painting? 

From locations to the disappointment of “untitled” we look back over some of our favourite ways to select relevant titles - and even try to think of the most off-putting title we can. With so many ways to choose, this is the final stage and can be deeply personal; Alice thinks “A painting title is like a free gift”. 

Do you agree? What’s your favourite way to pick a title?

Book your ticket to the SoulMade event with Alice Sheridan and Kellee Wynne here:

https://www.soulmadeevents.com/ticket

Mentioned:

Nino Yuniardi https://nino.studio/

Jackie Fehl https://www.jacquifehl.com/

Heather McDowell https://heather-mcdowell-art.sumupstore.com/category/florals

Find Alice Sheridan at: 

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.alicesheridan.com ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@alicesheridanstudio⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Find more about Louise Fletcher:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.louisefletcherart.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@louisefletcher_art⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Credits: "Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

Often a sensitive and uncomfortable topic, but the question of how to price your art is essential to consider - and to confront if you are to avoid getting stuck in the weeds of self-doubt!

In this episode we run through some common pricing strategies artists use and cover the pros and pitfalls of each of them to help you determine prices when you’ve never sold before.

We also cover when it's time to raise your prices and factoring in elements such as gallery commission, work on paper vs 'paintings'.

Our own views on money are huge here. We all know artists who don’t charge enough and pricing too low can cause as many problems as pricing too high for the context or stage you're at. So as well as the "formulas" we offer some suggestions to bring your pricing into alignment in a way you can feel proud of.

Find Alice Sheridan at: 

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.alicesheridan.com ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@alicesheridanstudio⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Find more about Louise Fletcher:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.louisefletcherart.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@louisefletcher_art⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Credits: "Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

Today we're talking about that tipping point moment when you know things need to change which happens at various stages of the creative path. There are times when we need a little nudge, time to reflect or sometimes even to be given permission to create what we desire OR to strip back and gain some clarity as we craft the next stage of our journey.

We're introducing a very special in-person event, to be held in the UK over 2 days in May 2024, hosted by Alice Sheridan and Kellee Wynne Conrad. You can find out more and add your name to the Priority invite list here:

www.soulmadeevents.com

We talk about why the time is now to gather in person and go beyond online learning and how we've both experienced and welcomes change over the last decade. "You don’t go an event like this for a learning objective. You go for an experience; you go for connection and to re-discover yourself again."

Alice is joined by Kellee Wynne, an entrepreneurial powerhouse who many of you will know from her astonishingly popular True Colors program, Color Crush studio, her book or the Made Remarkable podcast. More recently she has been helping artists how to build a profitable business that lasts with the Build It Remarkable business accelerator.

Find out more about Kellee on her website and get her guide 100 Ways to Build a Creative Business HERE

Find Alice Sheridan at: 

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.alicesheridan.com ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@alicesheridanstudio⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Find more about Louise Fletcher:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.louisefletcherart.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@louisefletcher_art⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Credits: "Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

If you want to sell art (or workshops or mentoring), what's the most effective way? You might think of galleries or art fairs or group exhibitions or social media, but in our experience, the answer is none of those. In our experience, the good old email list our most effective sales tool. And yet, many of us struggle to send emails - perhaps we feel we're bothering people or perhaps we don't know what to say. In this episode, we break down our own approaches to email, discuss the role of Substack, and suggest that it might be time to double down on this precious tool.

Mentioned:

Get Louise's weekly Newsletter here: www.louisefletcherart.com/contact

Get Alice's more sporadic newsletter here: alicesheridan.com/newsletter/

Fargo film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ju75Sd4yAZw

Fargo TV series season 5: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ZdK87tfv6k

Find Alice Sheridan at: 

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.alicesheridan.com ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@alicesheridanstudio⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Find more about Louise Fletcher:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.louisefletcherart.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@louisefletcher_art⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Credits: "Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

As artists, we rarely lack ideas. But how do you nurture those ideas so that they come to full fruition? It's possible to rush that first inkling, so that it never has a chance to reach its full potential. It's also possible to have so many flashes of inspiration that you never find a focus. Both Alice and Louise are feeling the need to make a nurturing space for their current ideas, and both are working on ways to do that. We don't have all the answers - but maybe we have some thoughts that can help you find your own balance.

Find Alice Sheridan at: 

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.alicesheridan.com ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@alicesheridanstudio⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Find more about Louise Fletcher:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.louisefletcherart.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@louisefletcher_art⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Credits: "Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

How do you use sketchbooks? Do you make beautiful illustrative drawings or is your book more of a scrapbook? Do you work regularly in sketchbooks or only now and then? And do you prefer loose sheets or actual books? This week we're diving into all this and more. Sketchbooks are a place we return to time and again to regroup, gather ideas, or simply experiment with materials. Neither of us could make our art without periods where retreat into our sketchbooks. Perhaps this conversation will encourage you to do the same :)

Find Alice Sheridan at: 

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.alicesheridan.com ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@alicesheridanstudio⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Find more about Louise Fletcher:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.louisefletcherart.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@louisefletcher_art⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Credits: "Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

The art of selling may not feel like it comes easily, but today Sara Dalrymple joins Alice to talk about how artists can see this differently.

We talk about preserving your no. 1 asset, a key non-negotiable you must be prepared for, and more than one reason why artists are perhaps BEST placed for making sales - once you have a few things adjusted and in order!

Having grown her own photography business, Sara founded a specialist sales consultancy, mentoring other creatives selling their products and services online. She has helped hundreds of business owners bring in consistent sales through confident, sleaze-free self-promotion.

Now, Sara is extending her mission to help even more small business owners find consistent sales success, through her book More Sales Please! which is out now and filled with inspiring advice and practical steps.

Find Sara's website including a quiz to discover what's blocking your sales https://saradalrymple.co.uk/moresalesplease

Follow Sara on Instagram at @saleswithsara for lots of tips to increase confidence with selling the sleaze-free way.

Find Alice Sheridan at: 

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.alicesheridan.com ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@alicesheridanstudio⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Find more about Louise Fletcher:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.louisefletcherart.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@louisefletcher_art⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Credits: "Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

Roll on 2024! It's been a while since we've recorded together and we really enjoyed getting back together for this catch-up chat. Our primary focus this week is the the differing ways we have both begun the new year. Alice eased in to 2024 with a lot of family time, while Louise took an exciting trip to New York ... and yet perhaps we're not so different after all. Our chat reveals that we are approaching this year with a new attitude and a new appreciation for things other than work (although art will still feature prominently of course!).

Perhaps this meandering conversation will help you reflect on your own plans and intentions for this year, and also give you "permission" to do things your own way.

Find Alice Sheridan at: 

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.alicesheridan.com ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@alicesheridanstudio⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Find more about Louise Fletcher:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.louisefletcherart.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@louisefletcher_art⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Credits: "Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

As we bounce (?!) back into 2024 after a seasonal break I'm joined by JoMcCarthy for an informal discussion around how we find ourselves using Instagram - or planning to.

This isn't a strategy plan, or top tips for getting the best marketing results, but about how we use the platform, and finding ways to enjoy what it offers.

We dip into phone addiction, habits, what content we like to consume and to create. When social media is viewed by many as a time suck, what should you consider if you are thinking of taking a longer break? Are the alternatives?

Chat with Jo on Instagram @jo_mccarthy_chats

You can hear more from Jo back in episode 137 when we talked about how to know if you’re ready to sell online.

Mentioned:

Henry Miller article: https://www.themarginalian.org/2022/10/07/henry-miller-creativity-friendship/

Find Alice Sheridan at: 

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.alicesheridan.com ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@alicesheridanstudio⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Find more about Louise Fletcher:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.louisefletcherart.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@louisefletcher_art⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Credits: "Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

As we head for our Christmas break, we look back on 2023 and ask ‘how did it go?’

For this episode, we pulled out planners and notebooks to look back on what we hoped to achieve and how it all went. This process can be so valuable; the pause is a chance to reflect on your priorities and an opportunity to realign them if need be. It can also be an opportunity to recognise your own achievements, to start thinking about new goals, and perhaps also to notice what you no longer desire.

Mentioned:

Marina Abramović

Find Alice Sheridan at: 

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.alicesheridan.com ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@alicesheridanstudio⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Find more about Louise Fletcher:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.louisefletcherart.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@louisefletcher_art⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Credits: "Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

This week, we’re all about inspiring women. Louise reveals a surprising fascination with medieval history, and explains how it led her to reflect on the value of patience, persistence and self-belief even when it seems unwarranted. If one determined woman can beat seemingly insurmountable odds to find a long-dead King, what might we be capable of? How often do we give up on something just before the big breakthrough? Where might childhood trauma be holding us back in later life? And how much selfishness is too much? We explore all this and more in this inspiring episode. Who knows, maybe we have it in us to do great things if we simply believe it’s possible.

Mentioned:

Phillipa Langley book https://www.amazon.co.uk/Princes-Tower-Solving-Historys-Greatest/dp/163936627X  

The Lost King https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TXxRfhQFuV4 

Boat Story BBC

Find Alice Sheridan at: 

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.alicesheridan.com ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@alicesheridanstudio⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Find more about Louise Fletcher:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.louisefletcherart.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@louisefletcher_art⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Credits: "Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

This week, we answer a question from a new listener who has recently begun to paint. Eric is wondering how to make the leap from copying images to making his own unique work. This question sparked a discussion about the ways in which artists find their own unique path. For us, this has included gathering visual references, noticing (and valuing) our own preferences, trusting our instincts, learning about other artists, and finding ways to learn in-person. For beginners there is always a gap between what we want to create and what we are capable of creating, and this gap can feel frustrating. In this episode, we encourage a different way of looking at the issue because learning to enjoy the process of discovery can become a true and enduring source of joy in your life.

Mentioned:

Curtis Holder portrait artist of the year in NT

 https://www.curtisholder.co.uk/

Find Alice Sheridan at: 

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.alicesheridan.com ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@alicesheridanstudio⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Find more about Louise Fletcher:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.louisefletcherart.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@louisefletcher_art⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Credits: "Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

Let’s talk about events - specifically, getting ready for them. As Alice prepares for Manchester Art Fair, we share our top tips for event prep. When you do you order frames? How can you promote the event in advance? What should you store in your event box? How will you take payments? What kind of shoes should you wear? (!)  These are just some of the points we raise this week. An event can be a really fun and rewarding thing to do as long as you prepare well in advance, so we hope this conversation sparks some ideas to make it easier and more fun.

Mentioned:

Sumup card reader here (discount referral link)

http://r.sumup.com/referrals/hc5h7

Jacksons pre-made tray frames (certain sizes) https://www.jacksonsart.com/jackson-s-tray-float-frame-for-canvas

Jacksons bespoke self-assembly frames https://www.jacksonsart.com/en-us/bespoke-frame-builder

Find Alice Sheridan at: 

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.alicesheridan.com ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@alicesheridanstudio⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Find more about Louise Fletcher:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.louisefletcherart.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@louisefletcher_art⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Credits: "Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

This week, we've been thinking about measuring - specifically about choosing what we measure, and how that can (and should) change over time. The truth is that what gets measured tends to get done - by tracking things, we place our focus on them, and when we place our focus on something, we are more likely to do it. Over the years, we have chosen to focus on studio time, social media results, sales, expenses and much more. But we are now noticing how much our focus has changed as our priorities have shifted.

Perhaps it's wise to continually revisit the things we measure, so that we can ensure we're heading in the direction we want. After all, if we don't set our priorities, life will set them for us.

Mentioned:

Search Engine Podcast, Internet episode

Find Alice Sheridan at: 

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.alicesheridan.com ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@alicesheridanstudio⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Find more about Louise Fletcher:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.louisefletcherart.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@louisefletcher_art⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Credits: "Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

This week, we revisit episode 228 (an interview with author Christine Coulson) and discuss the key ideas we found inspiring. In the process, it's possible we have defined a framework for creativity - a set of ideas that can ignite new ideas and new ways of working for anyone. If you feel you want to take your work forward in new or different ways, this is the conversation for you. Make sure to have a way of taking notes, because this is a doozy :)

Mentioned:

Picasso documentary https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/p0fjh4zl/picasso-the-beauty-and-the-beast

David Beckham documentary https://www.netflix.com/title/81223488

Find Alice Sheridan at: 

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.alicesheridan.com ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@alicesheridanstudio⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Find more about Louise Fletcher:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.louisefletcherart.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@louisefletcher_art⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Credits: "Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

Today, we have the pleasure of speaking with writer Christine Coulson, whose background as a writer for the Metropolitan Museum of Art has inspired her to create a unique book; "One Woman Show" is a novel that uses the structure of museum wall labels to weave together the captivating life story of Kitty.

This is a discussion about using restructions in your work and how you can find the freedom to take liberties when you explore within different constraints. Lots of ideas to take: word shopping and using catalysts in your work. We also talk about patterns of habit, even when it may not the most efficient, and finding the fuel in the enjoyment of your own work.

We hope this encourages you to take risks to explore a more unexpected route, and trust your audience is more than capable of filling the gaps.

And of course, we invite you to go and discover the book for yourself.

"One Woman Show" by Christine Coulson is available now in all good bookshops or online retailers.

Find out more:

https://www.christinecoulson.com/ 

@nyccoulson

Find Alice Sheridan at: 

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.alicesheridan.com ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@alicesheridanstudio⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Find more about Louise Fletcher:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.louisefletcherart.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@louisefletcher_art⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Credits: "Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

Can you design a better painting? This week we answer a listener question about how we use design in our paintings, including the use of line. As we discuss the benefits or constraints of an informed academic approach vs intuition Alice draws on her graphic design background and perhaps the dangers of 'getting it right' too soon. As you look at your own work, what stands out to you? We'll all have our own preferences and ways to draw attention and bring clarity.

And we share some honest truths about procrastination - come on - we all have our perfect guilty waste of time!

Find Alice Sheridan at: 

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.alicesheridan.com ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@alicesheridanstudio⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Find more about Louise Fletcher:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.louisefletcherart.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@louisefletcher_art⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Credits: "Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

After a week in which Alice's Facebook account was hacked, we discuss the negative sides to social media, emails and online life in general. Is there a way to build community and market our work without having to constantly guard against people who don't deserve our attention? Whether it is scammers trying to take your money, hackers trying to take your accounts, or trolls trying to take your happiness, it seems the online world is fraught with potential pitfalls. But maybe there are ways to mitigate the effects of all this - after all - they can't upset us unless we let them :)

You can read the poem on this Instagram post

Find Alice Sheridan at: 

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.alicesheridan.com ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@alicesheridanstudio⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Find more about Louise Fletcher:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.louisefletcherart.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@louisefletcher_art⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Credits: "Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

In this solo episode, Louise explores the idea of critiques and feedback. When is is valuable to seek critique? What kind of feedback is helpful? And how does this all relate to finding our own authentic, unique way of making art? We'd love to hear your thoughts as we suspect this is different for everyone, but we hope it offers some food for thought and debate.

Find Alice Sheridan at: 

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.alicesheridan.com ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@alicesheridanstudio⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Find more about Louise Fletcher:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.louisefletcherart.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@louisefletcher_art⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Credits: "Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

How do you feel about emails? Do you like receiving them? Do you use them effectively to market your artwork? Or do you find the whole idea a giant turn-off? This week we discuss the ins and outs of email marketing, share our own experiences, and even learn a few things along the way. If you find yourself wondering how to sell more art, or struggling to come up with a regular email newsletter, this the episode for you.

Find Alice Sheridan at: 

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.alicesheridan.com ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@alicesheridanstudio⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Find more about Louise Fletcher:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.louisefletcherart.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@louisefletcher_art⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Credits: "Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

This week we're tackling the topic of vulnerability - what does it mean for artists and why does it matter? In this wide-ranging discussion, we touch on the relationship between vulnerability and risk-taking; the importance of connecting with your work and your audience; and the fears that hold us back from showing our true selves. We close with a challenge to you - where can you allow yourself to be just a little bit more brave, just a little bit more open?

Louise's free course is open for a few more days at: https://www.louisefletcherart.com/free-course

Find Alice Sheridan at: 

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.alicesheridan.com ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@alicesheridanstudio⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Find more about Louise Fletcher:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.louisefletcherart.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@louisefletcher_art⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Credits: "Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

Recently we have both been reevaluating parts of our life - both work and home. Perhaps this has to do with chronological age, but perhaps it also relates to the stages we've reached in our careers. All creatives are inherently driven by the desire to make new things, but success can sometimes lead us to settle into comfortable repetition. Personally, we both feel the need to make changes in order to keep things interesting and this week, we explore where that might lead. If you are feeling the need to step back and reevaluate your art goals, this is the episode for you.

Mentioned

Steve Jobs speech about connecting the dots https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UF8uR6Z6KLc

Find Alice Sheridan at: 

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.alicesheridan.com ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@alicesheridanstudio⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Find more about Louise Fletcher:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.louisefletcherart.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@louisefletcher_art⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Credits: "Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

Eight years ago, Carlene Bronner was told she had only 18 months to live. Luckily, that prognosis was wrong and today she joins Louise to discuss how the illness spurred her into new efforts with her art, and where those efforts led her. Carlene's journey has been remarkable and she now sells her artwork around the world. Our conversation covers the importance of play, the value of coming into alignment with yourself, and the importance of welcoming mistakes. Carlene is a true inspiration, so settle back and enjoy her wisdom.

You can join Louise's free taster course at this link https://www.louisefletcherart.com/free-course

Mentioned

Carlene's website https://www.carlbronnerart.com/

Carlene on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/carl.bronner_art/?hl=en

Jonathan Field TED talk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HlSCuXj3wEw

Find Alice Sheridan at: 

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.alicesheridan.com ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@alicesheridanstudio⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Find more about Louise Fletcher:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.louisefletcherart.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@louisefletcher_art⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Credits: "Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

This week's solo episode finds Louise musing on a quote from the writer Cheryl Strayed, who describes how she found her way with her writing. Instead of trying to write an amazing book, she says she simply "surrendered to the idea of my mediocrity" and then started writing anyway. This phrase seems to capture so much of what it means to be an artist. If we stop striving to be better than we currently are, we are free to experiment and play and find our way. In the process, we may create something better than we ever thought possible.

Louise's free Find Your Joy taster course runs from September 1st to September 8th 2023 and you can sign up HERE

Mentioned

Cheryl Strayed

Cheryl Strayed quote in full

Find Alice Sheridan at: 

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.alicesheridan.com ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@alicesheridanstudio⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Find more about Louise Fletcher:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.louisefletcherart.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@louisefletcher_art⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Credits: "Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

This week we were inspired by two different creative documentaries to consider what we might learn from two rather unexpected masters of their craft; from developing a persona to where we look for outside validation. We discuss constructing in the process of creating, the benefit outside influences can bring - and when to say no! There are also practical suggestions about the benefit of keeping a scrapbook (or at least a record or your progress) and the pitfalls of only seeing one side of success.

Mentioned

You can find the Wham documentary on Netflix and the Sinead O'Connor documentary is available in various places: In the UK it is on Sky or Now TV. In the US it is also available on Showtime. It’s also available as a paid one-off in Amazon Prime. You may have to google for listings in your part of the world. It’s called “Nothing Compares.”

Find Alice Sheridan at: 

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.alicesheridan.com ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@alicesheridanstudio⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Find more about Louise Fletcher:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.louisefletcherart.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@louisefletcher_art⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Credits: "Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

What do you want from your art life? In this episode, Alice and Louise discuss the trials and joys of navigating through their own art careers. How do you know when it's time to change? And how do you find the courage to make that change, when there is no way of knowing the outcome? In this honest conversation, we emphasise the importance of reflection and self-awareness. If we don't regularly check in with ourselves, we can start to drift, or to be led by the needs and desires of others. Alternatively, we can become so overwhelmed by our many ideas, that we have no idea which path to take, or we can find ourselves pushing towards a goal that doesn't really align for us anymore. We hope this conversation inspires you to check in with yourself, just to make sure you're still heading in a direction that feels good to you.

Mentioned

Will Gompertz "See What You're Missing"

Fifteen-Love https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MykuvVwtXtQ

On the Verge https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L7rbMP6lx2k

See Alice Sheridan at: 

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.alicesheridan.com ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@alicesheridanstudio⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Find more about Louise Fletcher:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.louisefletcherart.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@louisefletcher_art⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Credits: "Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

Debbie Taylor-Kerman is a New York-based artist who paints about the issues that most concern her. This week she joins Louise to discuss her life and her work. Debbie shares her formative experiences as a fish-out-of-water art student and explains how that time resonates in her work even today. Her early feelings of isolation and of never being "good enough" led her to a deep and abiding interest in issues of equality. She believes passionately that everyone is equal, no matter their race or gender or sexual orientation (or any other trait or quality that can be used to discriminate) and she makes art about this core value. Whether she is celebrating love of all kinds, or observing subway riders, or memorialising essential workers, Debbie is constantly exploring what it means to live in a diverse society. We know you'll find this an enlightening, inspiring and thought-provoking conversation.

Mentioned

Debbie's website https://www.debbietaylorkerman.com/

Debbie on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/debbietaylorkermanart/?hl=en

See Alice Sheridan at: 

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.alicesheridan.com ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@alicesheridanstudio⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Find more about Louise Fletcher:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.louisefletcherart.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@louisefletcher_art⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Credits: "Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

This week, we share our thoughts on Meta's new social media platform Threads. Do you need to join? Do you have time to make the most of it? Is this something to help with your art career/business, or is it just a nice way of meeting new people and having interesting chats? Our conversation touches on introversion vs extroversion, the beauty of a platform with no algorithm, and the likely changes we can expect. If you're up for it, we recommend having a dabble with Threads - you might just find it really suits you :)

Mentioned

The 10% Happier Podcast https://www.tenpercent.com/podcast

The Daily Stoic Podcast https://dailystoic.com/podcast/

See Alice Sheridan at: 

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.alicesheridan.com ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@alicesheridanstudio⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Find more about Louise Fletcher:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.louisefletcherart.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@louisefletcher_art⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Credits: "Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

“I think, no, you're not a real artist. I think we can all agree, Alice is not a real artist because she doesn't want to draw villages."

And so it exists... amidst the every day trials of backache, family commitments we still carry around a load of rubbish ideas about what creativity looks like. So, today we are encouraging something different and asking "What does your should-free summer look like?"

It can be so easy to jump to the negative comparison rather than the self celebration and what with all the bossy ads on social media telling you you are doing everything wrong, today we are championing sticking two fingers up to that and honouring your own process, your own life, and your own need to step away at at times (and celebrating where we did just that! )

Mentioned

Lewis Capaldi documentary on Netflix "How I'm Feeling Now"

Modern Love on Amazon Prime (especially Series 1 episode 7 !) https://www.amazon.co.uk/Modern-Love-Season-1/dp/B0875ZRBGB

See Alice Sheridan at: 

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.alicesheridan.com ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@alicesheridanstudio⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Find more about Louise Fletcher:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.louisefletcherart.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@louisefletcher_art⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Credits: "Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

This week Louise is joined by Trayci Tompkins, a south African native who recently uprooted her life and her art practice and moved to the UK. As artists, many of us crave change and yet change can also derail us - especially when we don't take the time to understand and acknowledge just how much we have been affected. Change can leave us completely disconnected from the work we were making, and if we're not careful, we can find ourselves avoiding the studio altogether. In this conversation, we explore the role change often plays in creative blocks, discuss our own experiences of change, and share some of our tips for staying inspired during periods of upheaval.

Mentioned

Trayci Tompkins on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/traycitompkins

Free 30 day trial of Art Tribe https://www.louisefletcherart.com/art-tribe

See Alice Sheridan at: 

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.alicesheridan.com ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@alicesheridanstudio⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Find more about Louise Fletcher:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.louisefletcherart.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@louisefletcher_art⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Credits: "Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

This week, we’re discussing the benefits and challenges of showing our artwork, whether that is online or in person. Making art is a deeply personal experience but, for many of us, showing our work is also a vital part of the process. We made the work as a way of communicating something, and it's not communication unless someone else sees it. On the flip side, some artists shy away from exhibiting for a variety of reasons. In this conversation, we explore the benefits of showing our work and also the potential upsides of keeping it to ourselves. Our wide-ranging discussion covers artistic growth, purity of expression, vulnerability, and the ever-present fear of rejection. If you regularly exhibit, we hope our discussion offers food for thought, and if you don’t, maybe it will inspire you to have a go :)

Mentioned

Alice's Time to Shine course https://www.soulrocketstudio.com/time-to-shine

See Alice Sheridan at: 

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.alicesheridan.com ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@alicesheridanstudio⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Find more about Louise Fletcher:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.louisefletcherart.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@louisefletcher_art⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Credits: "Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

Drowning in piles of paper? Find it hard to decide what you still need to keep in your studio...? Today we take a closer look into the psychology of your creative space with Helen Sanderson, author of The Secret Life of Clutter. With a creative background herself, Helen believes in our key strengths; we are resourceful and have a strong desire to gather - because that's often when we are inspired. But when yesterday's things start to impact your creative space in the NOW, that can be detrimental to how your work can develop.

Throw in whole host of unhelpful beliefs about creative identity thriving in a muddle and you have a recipe for clutter taking over. You'll get to hear Helen's thoughts about our homes being a Flight Deck, the links between decisions being made visible and the maturing process which can help you on this journey.

With a complex mix of efficiency and emotions, wanting to be stimulated while also having spaces which serve us, this is something we all approach with a variety of history and different process. You can find lots of resources and take the quiz on Helen's website:

www.helensanderson.com

Join the next Getting Clear workshop:

www.gettingclear.live

Use code JUICE50 at checkout to save 50% on your place

Do tag us on Instagram and share your thoughts and progress!

Find Helen @ministryofcalm

Mentioned

The Secret Life of Clutter (book) by Helen Sanderson

The Examined Life by Stephen Grosz

See Alice Sheridan at: 

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.alicesheridan.com ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@alicesheridanstudio⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Find more about Louise Fletcher:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.louisefletcherart.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@louisefletcher_art⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Credits: "Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

Alice and Louise are together for the first time in weeks and their arty catch-up turns into an exploration of the importance of honouring our own creative processes. This includes resting when necessary, but also understanding when you need to take action. When is it worthwhile to push a little, and to test out different ideas before settling on a direction? And how important is it to keep taking steps forward, even though you can't know where they are actually leading? We also cover the confidence that comes with experience - perhaps we no longer need to worry so much about "getting it right" because we've learned it will all work out OK anyway. This is quite a philosophical discussion, but we think it's one worth having.

Mentioned

See Alice Sheridan at: 

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.alicesheridan.com ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@alicesheridanstudio⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Find more about Louise Fletcher:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.louisefletcherart.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@louisefletcher_art⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Credits: "Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

Well, hello and welcome to this rather different episode where Alice is put on the spot (gently!) by Jo McCarthy who works as a mentor for creatives - and also within Connected Artist Club (it's open now - but we close on 31st May, so don't delay!)

This conversation digs a bit deeper into what it really means to build a creative life... is it always easy? And if not, then why is it so important? ‘How does she do it all’ could actually be the wrong question - why does she do it all

We talk about a focus on relationships, not just transactional and documenting the messy parts of being an artist. Is that where the real work lies? What if it's not comfortable - how do you decide what to share?

And we finish with ideas for what would be on your vision board - and talk about sea-salted chocolate!

Connected Artist Club is open until 31st May 2023

Quick! You can join here now before we close! ⁠www.soulrocketstudio.com/may⁠

Mentioned

Find Jo McCarthy on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jo_at_firain/

The Big Monthly Planner HERE on Amazon

See Alice Sheridan at: 

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.alicesheridan.com ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@alicesheridanstudio⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Find more about Louise Fletcher:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.louisefletcherart.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@louisefletcher_art⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Credits: "Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

This week Louise is joined by mindset and business coach Georgina Noel. Georgina regularly works with artists who want to take their business (or their life) to the next level and she's here to drop some truth bombs on us! Our conversation centres around our mindset and the limiting beliefs we carry with us. Georgina walks us though some of the most common limiting beliefs she has seen in her artist clients, and also explains just how easy it can be to let some of those things go once we have recognised them.

For her part, Louise shares some of her personal experiences with limiting beliefs and how she has been able to move past them (plus the ones she still finds herself stuck on). The gnarly thing about limiting beliefs is that they are often subconscious. We are not even aware that we hold them OR we do recognise them, but we view them as facts rather than beliefs. Hopefully this episode will challenge you to check in with yourself and understand just where you might be holding yourself back.

Mentioned

Georgina's website: https://www.georginanoel.com/

Georgina on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/georginanoeleft/

Inner Work podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/inner-work/id1506024168

Connected Artist Club is open until 31st May 2023 at: www.soulrocketstudio.com/may

See Alice Sheridan at: 

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.alicesheridan.com ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@alicesheridanstudio⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Find more about Louise Fletcher:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.louisefletcherart.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@louisefletcher_art⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Credits: "Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

Robin's aim is to subvert some of the traditional, outdated aspects of the art world that keep art out of reach for many and to make it more attainable for all. It didn't start out this way. In fact, it started (as for many of us) by taking over the end of a table and choosing just to create. Today Alice is talking with Washington DC artist Robin Davisson, and a member of the Connected Artist Club, about a career shift from science into art. She now has a shop-front store; StudioLab RD where the aim is to be inclusive and part of the community, nurturing connections and bringing people together. Her inventive approach has lead Robin beyond making and selling paintings on her website and in this episode she shares ideas from an Art Lovers Collective, to Art Parties and Salon evenings. How can you subvert what's the expected norm? We talk about making brave moves - and the minutae of getting it all done and figuring it out as you go. You can grab a free copy of the weekly planner template Robin mentions HERE FOR FREE . The Connected Artist Club is open until 31st May 2023. You can join other artists inside the membership and find out more about it here: ⁠FIND OUT MORE HERE⁠ Mentioned Find out more about Robin on her website where you can find out about Art Parties or sign up for the Art Lovers’ Collective www.robindavissonart.com or follow her on Instagram : @robindavissonart “Your Brain on Art” by Susan Magsamen and Ivy Ross See Alice Sheridan at:  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.alicesheridan.com ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@alicesheridanstudio⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Find more about Louise Fletcher: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.louisefletcherart.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@louisefletcher_art⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Credits: "Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

Have you ever been worked really hard at something and then been told you were lucky to have it? This week, we're diving into the topic of luck - how much of what happens to us is simply good (or bad) fortune, and how much is within our control? Last week, guest artist Faye Bridgwater talked about the importance of being your own champion.

This week we're following up and exploring this idea of making your own luck. Is any successful person there by luck alone? Do "lucky" people get away with never having to work hard? And how much of what we see in others is true and how much is simply our own projection? We also touch on the idea of privilege, and on the importance of being honest about our own choices. We all have things we'd like to change - maybe this episode will help turn envy into action, or help you spot places where you are holding yourself back from creating your own "lucky" situations!

The Connected Artist Club is open during May

FIND OUT MORE HERE

Mentioned

Excerpt from copywriter Lewis Dalton Follow on Instagram for some no-nonsense and super helpful writing advice, alongside helping cats and the odd rant!

https://www.instagram.com/lew.dalton/

The Cotswolds https://www.cotswolds.com/

The White Chapel Gallery: Action, Gesture, Paint https://www.whitechapelgallery.org/exhibitions/action-gesture-paint-women-and-global-abstraction-1940-70/

See Alice Sheridan at: 

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.alicesheridan.com ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@alicesheridanstudio⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Find more about Louise Fletcher:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.louisefletcherart.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@louisefletcher_art⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Credits: "Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

Today we hear from award winning south coast artist Faye Bridgwater. Faye makes bright, uplifting paintings from her home studio, but it hasn't always been this way.... At various steps over the last few years some bold moves have been needed. We talk about growing in to your own space and investing in yourself. While it's up to you to be your own advocate we also discuss how you can work to your own strengths by involving others to support different elements of being an artist. And we discuss a risky move Faye has made in attempt to reach a wider audience on the eve of Brighton's Artist Open Houses.

You can visit in person throughout May, or check the link below to discover a wealth of artists to explore online.

Mentioned

Find Faye's website : https://www.fayebridgwater.com/

and on Instagram @faye_bridgwater

Brighton Artist Open Houses https://aoh.org.uk/

Faye Venue 1 : Understory : https://aoh.org.uk/house/may2023/faye-bridgwater-at-understory/

Faye Venue 2 : https://aoh.org.uk/house/may2023/faye-bridgwater-at-the-ballroom/

More:

Faye's blog about opening your home HERE

Prints from King and McGaw 

https://www.kingandmcgaw.com/prints/faye-bridgwater

If you’re thinking of visiting Brighton

https://www.visitbrighton.com/

See Alice Sheridan at: 

⁠⁠⁠⁠www.alicesheridan.com ⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠@alicesheridanstudio⁠⁠⁠⁠

Find more about Louise Fletcher:

⁠⁠⁠⁠www.louisefletcherart.com⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠@louisefletcher_art⁠⁠⁠⁠

Credits: "Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

If you have ever wondered how to sell more art, this discussion is for you. This week, we dive into the topic of making sales in a discussion that touches on the importance of email marketing, the value of a good social media presence, and the need to reduce friction wherever possible. We both believe in the power of an effective launch, but we also believe that selling is not a one-time thing. The reality is that we are always selling ourselves and our work, and the only question is how well we do it. We share our secrets for ongoing marketing, including understanding our buyers; inviting people into our process; building relationships; and engaging people in conversation. We also discuss the need to constantly evaluate both our work and our sales strategies and agree on the importance of being remarkable.

If you're interested in selling more of your art, we hope our conversation inspires you to take some new actions.

Mentioned

Uncanny podcast https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/m0010x7c

Lessons in Chemistry https://www.amazon.co.uk/Lessons-Chemistry-Debut-Bonnie-Garmus/dp/0857528122

Nino Yuniardi https://nino.studio/

See Alice Sheridan at: 

⁠⁠⁠www.alicesheridan.com ⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠@alicesheridanstudio⁠⁠⁠

Find more about Louise Fletcher:

⁠⁠⁠www.louisefletcherart.com⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠@louisefletcher_art⁠⁠⁠

Credits: "Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

Alice first discovered Denise Gasser as she was sharing the challenges of making art as a mother with young children with her "Art After..." project. There was a refreshing honesty, which also showed up in this reel Denise filmed in her car which meant we finally connected to record this conversation about two ways social media could be impacting the way art is made.... what we see others do as markers of success, and our own need for validation which can lead us away from making our truest work.

But is Social Media the culprit? Or; comparison, insecurity, envy, lack of self worth—these are the culprits. Social media will challenge our resolve in these areas, but ultimately it’s up to us to manage our own experience and create healthy patterns that allow social media to be a tool for our benefit rather than a weapon of self destruction.

While this tool puts more power in the hands of artists to promote ourselves and thrive as artists without relying on the gatekeepers of the fine art world. Are you wielding this power? Or are you crumbling?

Let this conversation re-balance you (and yes there are issues with that word!) so you don’t lose yourself.

Watch the Reel that prompted this conversation: https://www.instagram.com/reel/Co8oHYirqUi/?hl=en

Mentioned:

Denise offers mentor sessions for artists through her website: www.denisegasser.com 

Find her on Instagram: @denisegasserart 

Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown

Art Juice brings you honest, generous, and humorous conversations that will feed your creative soul and get you thinking with artists Alice Sheridan and Louise Fletcher.

See Alice Sheridan at: 

⁠⁠⁠⁠www.alicesheridan.com ⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠@alicesheridanstudio⁠⁠⁠⁠

Find more about Louise Fletcher:

⁠⁠⁠⁠www.louisefletcherart.com⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠@louisefletcher_art⁠⁠⁠⁠

Credits: "Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

This week, we're dealing with two seemingly unrelated topics, but actually they are both linked by a common idea. That link is the idea of looking at things from a different angle. A listener asks why she constantly moves between projects without ever finishing anything, and we suggest some questions to ask and some viewpoint shifts. Meanwhile, British artists Damien Hirst launched a new project which we initially found somewhat laughable, but which morphed into something else when we gave it some thought. We also share our recommendations for an inspiring podcast and a life-giving TV show. We hope this chat inspires you to perhaps look at something in a different way - there is always more than one viewpoint.

Mentioned

The Spin-Off Podcast https://the-spin-off.captivate.fm/

Ted Lasso on Apple TV https://tv.apple.com/gb/show/ted-lasso/umc.cmc.vtoh0mn0xn7t3c643xqonfzy

Ted Lasso trailer on Youtube: https://tv.apple.com/gb/show/ted-lasso/umc.cmc.vtoh0mn0xn7t3c643xqonfzy

See Alice Sheridan at: 

⁠⁠⁠www.alicesheridan.com ⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠@alicesheridanstudio⁠⁠⁠

Find more about Louise Fletcher:

⁠⁠⁠www.louisefletcherart.com⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠@louisefletcher_art⁠⁠⁠

Credits: "Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

This week, we answer a listener question about what it means to work in a series. What is the difference between a series and a collection? And what is a "body of work"? As we break down the idea of a series, we cover the importance of an initial idea or line of inquiry; the role of parameters; and some of the things that could define a series. As always, we come at this from slightly different angles, but hopefully we can clear up some misconceptions about what it means when an artists says he or she 'works in a series.'

See Alice Sheridan at: 

⁠⁠⁠www.alicesheridan.com ⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠@alicesheridanstudio⁠⁠⁠

Find more about Louise Fletcher:

⁠⁠⁠www.louisefletcherart.com⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠@louisefletcher_art⁠⁠⁠

Credits: "Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

This week, we tackle the topic of overwhelm. What causes it and how can we get past it? This is our second time talking about this subject, but it is fresh for us this week because Louise has just ridden the 'overwhelm wave.' We discuss how it feels to simply have too much to do and break down the difference between "real" and "perceived" overwhelm. We also discuss our coping strategies when life gets a little too hectic, including the value of outside perspectives; how you can use a brain dump to clear your head; and the questions to help guide you through times when you have a lot on your plate.

Feeling overwhelmed is probably something we've all experienced - we hope this chat helps if you're in that space... maybe with enough sensitivity we can even learn to pre-empt and reduce these times.

Mentioned:

Lucy Wyndham-Read fitness ⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCag7XoiJLutjBTsM0tAzUzg⁠

ToDoist tasks app ⁠https://todoist.com/home⁠

Our previous episode on this topic: Finding Time for Art and Dealing with Overwhelm [113]

Art Juice brings you honest, generous, and humorous conversations that will feed your creative soul and get you thinking with artists Alice Sheridan and Louise Fletcher.

See Alice Sheridan at: 

⁠⁠⁠www.alicesheridan.com ⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠@alicesheridanstudio⁠⁠⁠

Find more about Louise Fletcher:

⁠⁠⁠www.louisefletcherart.com⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠@louisefletcher_art⁠⁠⁠

Credits: "Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

We can hardly believe it, but it's 4 years on and 200 episodes in and we're still going strong. This week, we're celebrating our anniversary by doing something a little bit different.  We've both chosen questions to ask each other - these span important topics such as "what's your favourite easy dinner recipe?" and "if you could time travel, where would you go?" but also deeper questions such as "what is your greatest strength?" and "what character flaw would you like to change?" We had fun with this episode and we got to know each other a little better. We hope you enjoy it and perhaps you can share your answers to our questions ....
Find Alice Sheridan at:

www.alicesheridan.com

@alicesheridanstudio

Find more about Louise Fletcher:

www.louisefletcherart.com

@louisefletcher_art

Credits: "Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

This week Art Juice reached a milestone - 3 million downloads! This somewhat arbitrary number got us thinking about the whole topic of achievement - about the goals we set and the things we choose to measure. When are goals and numbers a useful way to stay on track and when can they pull us off course? And how do our goals and measurements change over time? Our conversation touches on the various goals we have set over the years and the things we have measured including art sales, social media, Youtube, Pinterest, newsletters, and studio time.  We also discuss how our attitude to achievement is changing as our careers develop and what we now consider to be success. We hope this chat inspires you to consider your own direction and maybe to have a think (or rethink) about how you can measure your progress.

See Alice Sheridan at:

www.alicesheridan.com

@alicesheridanstudio

Find more about Louise Fletcher:

www.louisefletcherart.com

@louisefletcher_art

Credits: "Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

This week, we're discussing what it means to be an artist. Renowned music producer Rick Rubin has written a book in which he argues that the artist is a conduit for creativity comes from source energy. Therefore, he says, the artist’s job is to open themselves up as much as possible to receive whatever wants to come through them. His book is "The Creative Act: A Way of Being" and it really is about life as well as about art. In this episode, we pull out four key ideas and offer our own perspectives - but we should stress that the book really needs to be read in it's entirety. We recommend that you do that and then think about your own reaction to his words. 

Here are the quotes we discussed:

Number One

“The goal is not to fit in. If anything it is to amplify the differences, what doesn’t fit, the special characteristics unique to how you see the world.

As soon as a convention is established, the most interesting work would likely be the one that doesn’t follow it. The reason to make art is to innovate, to self-express, to show something new, share what’s inside, and communicate your singular perspective.”

Number Two

"If you have just one seed - a very specific vision you want to carry out - that’s fine. There is no right way. You might consider the possibility however that it could end up being a limitation because you are no longer taking advantage of all that you have in you. Being open to possibility gets you to a place that you want to go that you may not know you wanted to get to.

If you know what you want to do and you do it, that is the work of a craftsman. If you begin with a question and use it to guide an adventure of discovery, that’s the work of an artist. The surprises along the way can expand your work and even the art form itself.”

Number Three

"You may sometimes wonder ‘why am I doing this? What is it for?... in the end those questions are of little importance. There doesn’t need to be a purpose guiding what we choose to make. When examined more closely we might find this grandiose idea useless. It implies we know more than we can know."

Number Four

“Art made by accident has no more or less weight than art created through sweat and struggle. Whether it took months or minutes does not matter. Quality isn’t based on the amount of time invested. So long as what emerges is pleasing to us, the work has fulfilled it’s purpose….. If you like a result, accept it graciously, whether it arrives in a sudden flash or after long bouts of difficult labour.”

Mentioned

Rick Rubin's book is called "The Creative Act: A Way of Being"

Here is the Johnny Cash video Louise mentioned (tissues required) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8AHCfZTRGiI

Rick Rubin interview:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_szemxPcTI

See Alice Sheridan at:

www.alicesheridan.com

@alicesheridanstudio

Find more about Louise Fletcher:

www.louisefletcherart.com

@louisefletcher_art

Credits: "Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

Today we welcome international author Damian Dibben to the podcast. He joins Alice to discuss his book The Colour Storm; an artistic thriller, set in Renaissance Venice, but the conversation goes further than that. Yes, the book is a great read - bringing to life the artists of the era and a search for a stunning new pigment, so there is a lot about the power of colour itself... but we also talk about the patterns of a creative practice. What role does luck or choice have? Working across different creative platforms (Damian has been an actor,  screenwriter and also still works with his hands creatively alongside the writing) and also touching on managing feedback and taking control of your own creative output. 

It's always great to get an insight into how different creatives work, and where inspirational ideas come from, so I hope this conversation leaves you intrigued to find out more.

Mentioned

Find the book: The Colour Storm by Damian Dibben is published by Michael Joseph / Penguin and you can buy it at any book retailer where it is now out in paperback, or on Kindle here

See the furniture collection here: www.damiandibbenfurniture.com/

Find Damian's author website here: www.damiandibben.com/

See Alice Sheridan at:

www.alicesheridan.com

@alicesheridanstudio

Find more about Louise Fletcher:

www.louisefletcherart.com

@louisefletcher_art

Credits: "Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

This week, we're thinking about what comes next. We're both working on new paintings and both facing different issues. Louise veered temporarily off track once she started trying too hard,  and Alice is wondering if some things are coming too easily. By definition, the life of an artist is about growth and change, and this week definitely highlights that fact. Is it OK to find things easy, or do you need to step it up at that point? How important are deadlines? How do you get back on track when things go wrong? What is the role of teaching in your artist development? And what does all this have to do with skiing?  Tune in to find out :)

Mentioned

Why Women Kill on Amazon Prime

Find more about Louise Fletcher:

www.louisefletcherart.com

@louisefletcher_art

See Alice Sheridan at:

www.alicesheridan.com

@alicesheridanstudio

Credits: "Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

This week, Louise is joined by Californian artist Bibby Gignilliat for a discussion about starting an art career later in life. Both Bibby and Louise had corporate careers and then founded businesses that had nothing to do with art. In this conversation, they share their experiences of starting an art career as a second act. Both learned extremely valuable lessons that they brought with them into their art careers, but the strategies they employed are available to anyone. All it takes is a willingness to learn, an open mind, and a desire to solve creative problems.  We hope this conversation provides some inspiration for anyone thinking about upleveling their art career or boosting their sales.

Mentioned

Bibby website https://www.bibbyart.com/

Bibby on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/bibbygart/?hl=en

Bibby's online course https://www.bibbyart.com/online-mixed-media-art-classes

Find more about Louise Fletcher:

www.louisefletcherart.com

@louisefletcher_art

See Alice Sheridan at:

www.alicesheridan.com

@alicesheridanstudio

Credits: "Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

What would your perfect day look like? Or your week. What would you like to bring into your life?

Today we are asking about your One Direction and how that shows up in the way you make art.

Finding the core thread in your art; the chinese whisper that runs through a painting or making sense of the world…and finding “the edges”. We ask about how this feeds into the visual elements of the work you make. And if universal experiences are also personal, how much emotional context do you need in your work?

Oh, and quite a few funnies which we’ve also shared on our YouTube channels so you can share in all our behind-the-scenes glory!

Mentioned

Helen Perry #Justbloodypostit podcast HERE

Crushed by Margaret Cabourn-Smith https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/crushed-by-margaret-cabourn-smith/id1615555767

The Chase Jarvis Live Show: How to Put your Voice into your Work episode HERE

Self Care Club podcast Sexy Money Mindfulness HERE (and don’t forget the follow-up show!)

See Alice Sheridan at:

www.alicesheridan.com

@alicesheridanstudio

Find more about Louise Fletcher:

www.louisefletcherart.com

@louisefletcher_art

Credits: "Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

This week, we follow on from last week's discussion on Marketing without Social Media and ask 'what if you could market without marketing?" Too often artists see marketing as an intimidating idea - something to be endured rather than enjoyed. In fact, many artists question whether it's even necessary, wondering why they should be enslaved to this or that algorithm. 

But what if you didn't have to look at it that way? What if marketing your art was so much easier and simpler than that?  Could you simply share what you love to share in a way that feels good for you? And could that be considered marketing? Join us as we dissect the idea of self-promotion and hopefully provide some inspiration and encouragement.

Special Offer for podcast listeners:

Alice's Time to Shine course with saving: Join Time to Shine and SAVE!

Mentioned

David Hockney Book https://www.amazon.co.uk/David-Hockney-40-Years-QUARANTE/dp/383658249X

Faye Bridgewater on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/faye_bridgwater/

See Alice Sheridan at:

www.alicesheridan.com 

@alicesheridanstudio

Find more about Louise Fletcher:

www.louisefletcherart.com

@louisefletcher_art

Credits: "Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

If you've been frustrated with social media recently, you may have found yourself wondering "Is there another way?" In this episode Alice speaks with guest Astrid Bracke about ways to move your business away from social media... but what instead?

We talk about making space to create in a way you enjoy, using your "content calories" wisely and being playful with alternatives.

Astrid is a mentor for small businesses, supporting them to build a slower, gentler and more profitable business. She's on a mission to change how we feel, think and talk about business, and about kicking the hustle and productivity culture to the curb. Astrid supports small business owners and freelancers through 1:1 mentoring, workshops and her writing. She loves big mugs of strong milky tea, always carries a book and takes care of 120+ houseplants.

Find out more from Astrid:

https://astridbracke.com/

Grab her series on "How to Move your Business away from Social Media (free 4-week email series) HERE:
https://astridbracke.com/move-your-business-away-from-social-media/

Substack newsletter: https://astridbracke.substack.com/

Should you move your newsletter to Substack? (blog post): https://astridbracke.com/should-you-move-your-newsletter-to-substack/

Mentioned:

Book recommendation: Kate Atkinson’s Shrines of Gaiety

Travel Man series with Richard Ayoade taster!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TbB4l8ihK4k&t=7s

Art Juice brings you honest, generous, and humorous conversations that will feed your creative soul and get you thinking with artists Alice Sheridan and Louise Fletcher.

See Alice Sheridan at: 

www.alicesheridan.com 

@alicesheridanstudio

Find more about Louise Fletcher:

www.louisefletcherart.com

@louisefletcher_art

Credits: "Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

How are you doing with getting going again on your creative work? Maybe you didn't take a break over the Christmas period, but at some point you will know the rusty feeling of facing a blank canvas or feeling like you've lost touch with what you wanted to do.

Today we're discussing all the approaches - from a drastic slash and burn (!) to having a good old clear out. At some point you have to make that leap in to the work itself so we explore approaches to regaining contact with your work, mining your own history, energy boosters to be discovered in old sketchbooks - and generally managing the apprehension about beginning a new creative endeavour. 

Have fun this week, if you share your new beginnings on Instagram, do tag us and mention this episode .

You may also like: 

Post on tidying and clearing your Studio: alicesheridan.com/how-to-kon-mari-your-studio/

How to Create a Mood Board for Your Art alicesheridan.com/how-to-create-a-mood-board-for-your-art/

Mentioned

Cheryl Taves 30 Day Sketchbook challenge course (join anytime): Insight coaching/the-30-day-sketchbook-challenge

Karen Stamper concertina sketchbook course (opens again Feb 2023)  https://karenstampercollage.com/workshops/online-concertina-sketchbook-course/

Find Alice and Louise at:

www.alicesheridan.com 

www.louisefletcherart.com

Follow us on Instagram:

@alicesheridanstudio

@louisefletcher_art

Credits: "Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

The new year is always a time for well-meaning advice about how to improve your life. We're not going to add to all that noise because, well, we don't have a clue what's best for you! But we have been doing a lot of thinking about what works for us, and this week we're sharing our thoughts.  This means no goal setting advice or "top 10 tips for success" - just a gentle exploration of what it means to grow in a way that feels fun and exciting. Louise is keen to pack more in this year, while Alice is making more space. But we've both decided that intentions are more useful than goals, and we hope this idea inspires you to think about your 2023. What would you like to move towards? What might you leave behind? And do you have an overarching intention that can help guide your plans and decisions? 

Mentioned

Happy Valley Season 3 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBaaeeETR9o

Shakti mats https://www.shaktimat.co.uk/

Diary of a CEO podcast https://www.youtube.com/@TheDiaryOfACEO

Find Alice and Louise at:

www.alicesheridan.com 

www.louisefletcherart.com

Follow us on Instagram:

@alicesheridanstudio

@louisefletcher_art

Credits: "Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

This is our last episode of the year and we thought it would be nice to hear from you. We're answering listener questions and we received calls from all over the world asking questions both fun and serious. In this episode, we play those messages and provide our answers. For example, we discuss developing a process of your own, offer advice to newer artists, and talk about the importance of finding your preferred media. But we also answer more light-hearted questions such as what are our Christmas party games, what would we take to a desert island and which episode has been our most memorable. We have really enjoyed spending some of 2022 with all of you and it was lovely to hear some of your voices - a real Christmas blessing :)

Have a lovely holiday and we will see you next year!

Mentioned:

Find Alice and Louise at:

www.alicesheridan.com 

www.louisefletcherart.com

Follow us on Instagram:

@alicesheridanstudio

@louisefletcher_art

Credits: "Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

In this episode, we're talking art journeys. As part of her Connected Artist Club, Alice has developed a system for understanding ourselves. She breaks the artist's path into four clear stages and today we're looking at these stages and examining the challenges faced during each one. For example, Curious Explorers tend to worry a lot about getting things right and can often feel overwhelmed by all they have to do. For them gentle support can be crucial. Ambitious Artists, on the other hand, might need more practical help and advice as they take things to the next level. We hope this episode has you nodding along as you recognise yourself in some of the descriptions, but we also hope it encourages you to feel reassured that you are on the right track.

Alice's Connected Artist Club is open until Saturday December 10th and you can learn more here: https://www.soulrocketstudio.com/connected-open-22

Mentioned

Leave us a message HERE: https://anchor.fm/art-juice

Mammals: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Mammals-Season-1/dp/B0B8T4K6ZY

Find Alice and Louise at:

www.alicesheridan.com 

www.louisefletcherart.com

Follow us on Instagram:

@alicesheridanstudio

@louisefletcher_art

Credits: "Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

We get it... we're all in a hurry! We want more - and we'd like it now please! This week we're talking about patience - something we both sometimes lack. As artists, we often place pressure on ourselves; to make a painting, or a series of paintings. Or we pressure ourselves to build a "successful" art business; or to get in the right galleries; or to win a prize. And yet this pressure is a delusion .... we will never reach the finish line because there will always be something else that we want to achieve. 

So how do we get past this? And is a little bit of impatience perhaps necessary? Our discussion leads us to realise that we can be patient when we forget the end result. If we relax and enjoy our own unique process, we will make paintings as a by-product. This may mean we need to slow down a little bit, and stop trying to produce new things all the time, so we can notice what's working for us. Once we understand our own natural pace, we can work with it rather than battling ourselves.

(and if you want an example of our (im)patience, wait until the end!)

We'd love you to leave us a message!  
1 minute ONLY... click the link here:
https://anchor.fm/art-juice
Look for the +message button - and you get a pop-up with a big red button!

Mentioned

Springsteen on Broadway trailer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1xDzgob1JI

Springsteen on Broadway on Netflix: https://www.netflix.com/title/80232329 

Find Alice and Louise at:

www.alicesheridan.com 

www.louisefletcherart.com

Follow us on Instagram:

@alicesheridanstudio

@louisefletcher_art

Credits: "Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

This week, Louise is joined by abstract painter Sally-Anne Ashley, who helps artists to find and develop their own unique approach to their work. We begin our conversation by asking 'what does it mean to have a process?' and then go on to explore the framework Sally-Anne has created. Although we are both painters, this conversation is relevant for any medium and any style, because it's all about helping you to navigate your own way forward. We both believe that once you understand what you want to say, you can make decisions about individual paintings. From that starting point, you can decide the subject, the colours, the marks, the textures, the materials, the tools and so much more. But we also believe it's important to follow a process that allows for discovery - you may start out with one intention and then go in a completely different direction. I call it following the joy, Sally-Anne calls it following the nudges - but whatever you call it, we both believe that is the key to everything. If you need encouragement to listen to your own desires and trust your own inner wisdom, this episode is for you.

Mentioned

Join the waiting list for Sally-Anne's next course here: https://www.sally-anneashley.com/creative-shift-online-course

Find Sally-Anne's website at: https://www.sally-anneashley.com

Find Alice and Louise at:

www.alicesheridan.com 

www.louisefletcherart.com

Follow us on Instagram:

@alicesheridanstudio

@louisefletcher_art

Credits: "Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

If you have unsold work adding up, then today’s podcast is for you because we are discussing how to hold a studio sale. What work to include, how to decide on discounts, what different types of sale you can consider and why simply creating a coupon code is NOT the best way!

Today Alice is joined by Fee Dickson Reid, a member of the Connected Artist membership and this is an excerpt of a recent call we had within the Club. Fee’s sales have evolved over last 5 years, so if the idea of selling 34 paintings/sketches in 48 hours is tempting, we hope sharing our experience will help you.

This is one to take notes on, and hopefully gives you a taste of just one element you may find in the Connected Artist Club. See below for how to join!

Mentioned

Find Fee's website here: https://www.feedicksonreid.com/

And on Instagram @feedicksonreidartist

Go direct to the waitlist for The Connected Artist Club here:   https://www.soulrocketstudio.com/connected-interest

Find Alice and Louise at:

www.alicesheridan.com 

www.louisefletcherart.com

Follow us on Instagram:

@alicesheridanstudio

@louisefletcher_art

Credits: "Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

This is a bit of a catch-up episode. Reality is nibbling as Louise is home again after her retreat time to admin and domestics. Alice is arriving back after a busy art fair and feeling guilty she may have mansplained someone’s work to them among other conversations.

While not every week is a productive or creative studio time, but we all have ideas still bubbling and we talk about how to move from a fantasy version (which may stay in your head) to moving towards making them a reality while they are still hazy.

Mentioned

The Adam Buxton Show https://www.adam-buxton.co.uk/podcasts

Ben Baker Wire Art https://benbakerart.com/

Join the waitlist for Alice's The Connected Artist Club here:   https://www.soulrocketstudio.com/connected-interest

Find out about Art Tribe with Louise here: https://www.louisefletcherart.com/art-tribe

Find Alice and Louise at:

www.alicesheridan.com 

www.louisefletcherart.com

Follow us on Instagram:

@alicesheridanstudio

@louisefletcher_art

Credits: "Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

This week Alice takes a break and Louise is joined by Rachel Davis for a chat about changes in both our art and our life, the courage required to make those changes, and the effect of gender on how we approach growth. In addition to her art career, Rachel has spent 30 years as a practicing psychologist . Now her pending retirement has thrown up questions about what to do next. Suddenly there is space and the opportunity for choice, and while these things are wonderful opportunities, they can also make us freeze. We share our personal experiences of change and choice and we talk about the idea of taking up space, something that can be particularly challenging for women.

This free flowing discussion perhaps throws up more questions than answers, but we hope it is interesting, thought-provoking, and maybe even a little inspirational. 

Mentioned

Find Rachel at https://www.racheldavisstudio.com/ 

Find Alice and Louise at:

www.alicesheridan.com 

www.louisefletcherart.com

Follow us on Instagram:

@alicesheridanstudio

@louisefletcher_art

Credits: "Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

This week, we're prompting you to pause and think about what you want. So many online courses promise success through tag lines like "Sell more art" or "Build a Six-Figure Art Business," and it's natural to assume that should be the goal for everyone. Of course there is nothing wrong with wanting to earn a good living from our work, but it isn't the only way to go. It's too easy to get sucked into pursuing things that others value without truly understanding if they are important to us. Perhaps you don't want to sell your art... or maybe you want to supplement your income in some other way.  Maybe you want a gallery ... or perhaps you just want to sell online.

In this episode, we discuss the importance of admitting our desires to ourselves. If we don't acknowledge and accept them, no-one else will! Alice then shares 5 key questions that can help you get to the root of your own desires and preferences.

Mentioned

Self Care Club podcast: How to Have a Difficult Conversation
https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/how-to-have-a-difficult-conversation/id1505703522?i=1000578355383

Gary Vee on choosing what you want: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vB_6brOEEgM

Ken Spooner https://www.cornwallcontemporary.com/exhibition/ken-spooner-exhibition/

Joan Eardley Painting at Tate St Ives https://www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/eardley-salmon-net-posts-t04133

Find Alice and Louise at:

www.alicesheridan.com 

www.louisefletcherart.com

Follow us on Instagram:

@alicesheridanstudio

@louisefletcher_art

Credits: "Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

Have you ever convinced yourself that being disorganised is an essential part of the creative process - but get constantly frustrated by looking for images or planning projects? "If I'm tidy I'm not a true artist" is one belief Anna Macdonald had. Today Anna and Alice talk about accepting the way you are and how to find the mental space to support your route to becoming the artist you want to be. 

We talk about choosing your words carefully, and the curse of being 'busy'. There's a difference between being busy and productive and as a teacher, artist and mum, Anna shares her approach which has allowed her to develop her art and life. We discuss the different ways we use a bullet journal, and also the overwhelm when it comes into organising our digital life. 

Find more on Anna's website annafmacdonald.com where you can sign up for a free class this October and find out more about her Artist Laptop course and the Bullet Journal course for artists HERE

Find Anna on Instagram at @annafmacdonaldart

Also Mentioned

Alice and Anna both use Leuchtturm notebooks for bullet journals

@gommie_poem on Instagram

Find Alice and Louise at:

www.alicesheridan.com 

www.louisefletcherart.com

Follow us on Instagram:

@alicesheridanstudio

@louisefletcher_art

Credits: "Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

Are you perfectly confident about yourself and your art? Do you sail through life with no self-criticism? In most cases, the answer to this question is a resounding no. As artists we are all alone - making things that just seemed like a good idea, even though no-one asked us to. There is no roadmap and there are no instructions. So it's natural to be filled with self-doubt. Am I doing this right? Is anyone going to like this? Is this even art? This week, Louise is musing about the importance of self-acceptance. This is more than making ourselves feel good - without self-acceptance, we can't make the work that lives inside us - the unique, compelling, personal work of which we are capable. And if we don't trust ourselves, how can we expect buyers to have faith in us?

Find Alice and Louise at:

www.alicesheridan.com 

www.louisefletcherart.com

Follow us on Instagram:

@alicesheridanstudio

@louisefletcher_art

Credits: "Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

Being an artist is an up and down business. One minute you're making things you love, the next minute everything has turned to rubbish. One month you sell lots of paintings, the next month you can't give them away. So what do you do? How do you navigate this unpredictable career without going mad or giving up? Not sure we have all the answers, but we have learned some lessons over the last few years and we've both become better at rolling with the punches. We hope this conversation serves as a reminder that we all struggle and we can all come out the other side if we just keep going.

Mentioned:

Jenny Fermor https://www.jennyfermorart.com/

Sara Breinlinger https://www.sarabreinlinger.com/

The Sensationalists on iPlayer https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/m001cbst/sensationalists-the-bad-girls-and-boys-of-british-art

Crossfire on iPlayer https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/m001c9gh/crossfire

Find Alice and Louise at:

www.alicesheridan.com 

www.louisefletcherart.com

Follow us on Instagram:

@alicesheridanstudio

@louisefletcher_art

Credits: "Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

This week, Louise is joined by best-selling novelist (and good friend) Jonathan Hall, who writes under the name JM Hall. Louise is making a start on a new series of abstract paintings and Jonathan is beginning his third novel. In this conversation, we explore the challenges of starting again, or perhaps it's more a case of building on what went before? After all, Jonathan is writing about the same characters and Louise is bringing in elements of previous work, so are we ever really starting with a blank canvas? As we chat, we uncover many similarities between writing and painting, share our thoughts on imposter syndrome, discuss the value of taking creative detours, and agree on the importance of an underlying message or theme to our work. Sometimes it helps to step back and see our situation in a whole new light and we hope this comparison with writing makes that possible for you. 

Mentioned

Find Jonathan on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/jm_hall_writer/

Jonathan's first novel: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B09F5N8FR8/

Jonathan's Radio 4 Play 'Trust:' https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000mb2k

Find Alice and Louise at:

www.alicesheridan.com 

www.louisefletcherart.com

Follow us on Instagram:

@alicesheridanstudio

@louisefletcher_art

Credits: "Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

Welcome back! You'll notice it's been a longer break than we anticipated and today we are spilling the beans and talking about making decisions in your art life to suit you ... and why it's OK to want something that is different to the things other people want or expect from you. 

This was not the episode we were expecting to record today but we hope it encourages you that there is always a way through to finding the fun AND the freedom in what you do...

Mentioned

Get your free Human Design chart here:  https://www.ihdschool.com/get-your-chart

Find our websites and sign up for our newsletters at:

www.alicesheridan.com 

www.louisefletcherart.com

Follow us on Instagram:

@alicesheridanstudio

@louisefletcher_art

Credits: "Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

Recently we've noticed a trend among the artists we know online; there seem to be more and more complaints about social media. Some artists have left Facebook on principle, many are disillusioned with Instagram's shift to bite-sized video content, and most of us haven't even tried Tik Tok. The dissatisfaction runs the gamut - if you have used social media for years, you might be finding it less effective than before. And if you are only just starting online, you might be struggling against the algorithm, and wondering how anyone ever built up a sizeable following. But have we lost our perspective? Social media platforms still allow us to share our art with the world, completely free of charge and surely that has greatly levelled the playing field for contemporary artists? As you may be able to tell, we have more questions than answers, -and we may have done a bit more moaning than usual - but we hope our discussion offers food for thought in an ever-changing world.

This is our last episode for a month, as we'll be taking a short break. Do make sure you are subscribed so you don't miss us when we return.

Mentioned

The Wittering Whitehalls podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-wittering-whitehalls/id1630153508

The Muse https://www.amazon.co.uk/Muse-Jessie-Burton/dp/1447250974/

Night Music https://www.amazon.co.uk/Night-Music-Jojo-Moyes/dp/0340895969/

The Casebook of Victor Frankenstein: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Casebook-Victor-Frankenstein-Peter-Ackroyd/dp/0701182954

Find our websites and sign up for our newsletters at:

www.alicesheridan.com 

www.louisefletcherart.com

Follow us on Instagram:

@alicesheridanstudio

@louisefletcher_art

Credits: "Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

This week Louise is joined by American artist Jane Davies for a wide-ranging conversation around the topic of exploration. Jane is a true explorer, always experimenting and seeking new ways to access her creative instincts, resulting in fresh and exciting work that never stands still.  In this candid conversation, we discuss the role of intuition and the value of constant experimentation but we also admit to going off track sometimes and getting stuck in conventional ways of thinking or working. This isn't just a philosophical conversation - we also share some of our own ways of getting unstuck, including two different very practical collage exercises. If you are feeling stuck or bored, we hope this lively conversation helps you to shake things up again - after all, what's the worst that could happen!? 

Mentioned

Jane Davies website https://www.janedaviesstudios.com/

Jane on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/janedaviesart/

Jane on Youtube https://www.youtube.com/user/jdaviesVT

Find our websites and sign up for our newsletters at:

www.alicesheridan.com 

www.louisefletcherart.com

Follow us on Instagram:

@alicesheridanstudio

@louisefletcher_art

Credits: "Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

Making art is demanding. It's a creative and personal challenge and ultimately deeply personal. Today Alice talks to somatic coach Tamsin Crimmens about recognising ways our bodies show us things may not always be right... anxiety, frustration, procrastinating - all can be signs to listen...

When we're not trying to escape the moment, but BE with it, this is where we build our capacity.

In this episode we talk about how to be more present so that instead of bouncing between different states of stress we can turn towards ourselves more deeply ... that can only be good for any artist!

Mentioned

Follow Tamsin on Instagram @tamsincrimmens

Grab your gifted Creatrix Activation here: https://www.tamsincrimmens.co.uk/freebies

www.tamsincrimmens.co.uk

Find our websites and sign up for our newsletters at:

www.alicesheridan.com 

www.louisefletcherart.com

Follow us on Instagram:

@alicesheridanstudio

@louisefletcher_art

Credits: "Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

Does making your own art sometimes feel insignificant in the face of world circumstances? If so, you are not alone. But it's not only the BIG things which can get in the way; what about when "just life" keeps you away? 

In this episode we talk about:
• how art can be a beneficial and restorative practice
• recognising your own capacity and making allowances for other life events
• the relationship of our own emotional state and how this relates to the art we make
• and when you run out of steam, what is it that ultimately keeps pulling you back?

Mentioned 

Please continue to use the hashtag #artjuicedrawing 

Daisy Fawcett https://www.instagram.com/thenorthernpotter/

Paul McCartney at Glastonbury with Dave Grohl https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCZuCgyqLDs

Episode 36 Art2Life podcast
https://www.art2life.com/2022/06/29/becoming-more-alive-brandi-stanely-ep-36/

Find our websites and sign up for our newsletters at:

www.alicesheridan.com 

www.louisefletcherart.com

Follow us on Instagram:

@alicesheridanstudio

@louisefletcher_art

Credits: "Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

This week, we turn our attention to the ancient art of drawing and in particular to the question of what makes a good drawing. We both often incorporate drawn marks into our abstract work, but what about drawing as an art form in itself, or as a preparation for paintings, or even as a meditative process designed to enrich our lives? In this wide-ranging conversation, we discuss what is meant by the word ‘drawing;’ debate the value of blind or instinctual drawing; and share our own approach to the balance between accuracy and personality. We also consider whether drawing matters at all - is it relevant if you only want to paint abstractly? As usual, we come at this from different perspectives and we hope our discussion sparks some thoughts about what you look for, or want to achieve, from drawing. Maybe it will even inspire you to give it a go!

Mentioned

If you'd like to review the 6 steps of the Refresh retreat sessions you can find out more here: https://www.soulrocketstudio.com/refresh

Link to Tracey Emin artist talk: https://www.instagram.com/tv/Ce_mMoKoQZH/

Danny Gregory https://www.dannygregory.com/

Tommy Kane https://www.tommykane.com/blog

Vitamin D: new perspectives in drawing https://www.amazon.co.uk/Vitamin-New-Perspectives-Drawing-Themes/dp/0714845450

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Credits: "Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

As we hit the summer solstice, we take a pause to look back on the first half of the year, and ask what we might want for the next six months. This is exactly what summer solstice has always been on our half of the world - a time to slow down and enjoy the sun and just take some time to think about our next evolution. As we discuss this, we consider the realities of personal growth, the inevitability of getting things wrong before we get them right, and the importance of putting ourselves first (something that is particularly hard for many women). This kind of pause is a fabulous way to break routine and challenge our habits. We hope this episode inspires you to spend a day or two simply reflecting on where you have been and where you would like to go. 

Mentioned

If you'd like to keep the Refresh Retreat sessions you can find out more here: www.soulrocketstudio.com/refresh

Blog about the summer solstice: https://spiritualgangster.com/blogs/news/summer-solstice-honoring-the-light-within

Glennan Doyle: Untamed https://www.amazon.co.uk/Untamed-Glennon-Doyle/dp/1984801252

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Credits: "Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

Ever wondered what's next for you as an artist? In this episode Alice talks with artist Christine Evans who shares her own journey of her changing creative life. 

We talk about "eating well as an artist and integrating different parts of your life which inspire you. Christine shares how she has faced some challenges, knew when to pause and make her own personal retreat and now uses her inner voice and 'creative director' to continue to follow the unknown path ahead. 

Mentioned

Find out about joining Alice's Connected Artist Membership HERE

Follow Christine Evans on Instagram HERE: @christineevans_artist

Sally Hirst artist and workshops HERE

Jo McCarthy mentoring for creatives HERE

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Credits: "Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

How often do you stop to consider that's happening in your art? Do you pause between series? Are there certain times of year where you leave your studio completely? This week we're looking at the idea of creative flow and how a pause for reflection can help us move forward. Louise is currently exploring semi abstract portraits and intuitive abstracts, while Alice is sourcing new ideas from still life work. Neither of us are making any of this mean anything - we're not deciding where it will lead - we're just looking for sparks. We also discuss what to do when we have many and varied ideas - when are these distractions and when are they actually something we should follow? If you feel ready for a refresh, check out Alice's free online art retreat which starts on June 10th. https://www.soulrocketstudio.com/refresh

Mentioned

Alice's Refresh art retreat https://www.soulrocketstudio.com/refresh

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Credits: "Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

This week we're talking risk, ambiguity and the great unknown. As Louise prepares to teach her annual course, she has been reflecting on the blocks and fears that so many artists experience. Together, we explore our own comfort with risk - where are we willing to leap into the unknown and where do we perhaps hold back a little? What is the difference between growth mindset and fixed mindset? And where can we perhaps push ourselves to take just a little more risk? During our chat, we discuss whether age plays a role in our inhibitions, explore the idea of dancing with fear, and debate the concept of comfort zones and safety. 

Mentioned

Join Louise's free Find Your Joy course here https://www.louisefletchercourses.com/wait-list-fyj-2022

See Alice's latest paintings here. https://alicesheridan.com/duality/

See Louise's latest paintings here. https://www.louisefletcherart.com/private-view-the-layered-landscape

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Credits: "Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

Welcome to an essential conversation about money with Michelle Walker. This is often the least favourite part of being an artist, but being profitable means being sustainable. How we manage the often-avoided subject and working out your relationship with money is key for your art career growth.

We talk about calming your nervous system so that you can approach your money matters with a clear and positive attitude, thinking of your relationship with money in a rather surprising personal way. Let Michelle introduce you to your inner finance manager so you can get a better grip on charging your worth and understanding your business better. We've all experienced the energy drag which can arise around this topic - and how good we can feel when we can change our approach. Grab a pen - you'll need it!

Take this further and join Michelle on her upcoming Money Mojo challenge which kicks off soon

Join the Money Mojo for Artists Challenge HERE: https://tinyurl.com/moneymojochallenge

Mentioned

Find Michelle at www.michellewalkerart.com

Follow her on Instagram @michellewalkerart

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Credits: "Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

As Alice gets back from two energising trips away we talk about where in life we find a balance to create the life we want. If we have ambitions and desires, sometimes we need to find that space and energy to face a stretchy goal. But we also need to make sure what you want is for you.... maybe there's a different way. 

It's quite OK to want something, but as life is always shifting it comes down to being honest and finding your personal approach. We ask ourselves where we place limits on our dreams or whether we are led by a feeling of what we have to prove before we can make certain decisions. As creatives we have perhaps an endless capacity for looking out for the new. But in the bigger picture - now what? We have a few questions we ask which may help you, so grab a pen and take some time out with your journal!

Mentioned

Join Louise's free Find Your Joy course here https://www.louisefletchercourses.com/wait-list-fyj-2022

Get the Time to Shine Early Bird rate here: https://www.soulrocketstudio.com/shine

Find out about Alice's Connected Artist membership here: https://alicesheridan.com/artists/

Graham Norton novel 'Holding' https://www.amazon.co.uk/Holding-Graham-Norton/dp/1444792008

Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent Nicholas Cage film https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11291274/

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Credits: "Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

Today Louise is joined by two guest artists - Trayci Tompkins from South Africa, and Amanda Pickles from North Yorkshire in the UK. Together they discuss the challenging issue of confidence. A few years ago, both Trayci and Amanda took the courageous decision to shift their art in a new direction. Trayci had many years of experience as a best-selling ceramicist and Amanda was a full-time artist with a highly successful business making commissioned paintings, but both felt the pull of something new and took the brave decision to pursue their own artistic paths. In this inspiring conversation, we discuss how this change has impacted both their art and their lives - this is a conversation that will stay with you for some time.

Mentioned

Join Louise's free Find Your Joy course here https://www.louisefletchercourses.com/wait-list-fyj-2022

Find Trayci on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/traycitompkins/?hl=en

Find Amanda on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/amandajpicklesallotmentstudio2/?hl=en

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Credits: "Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

This week we're both preparing for solo exhibitions, something that would have seemed unbelievable to us when we first started out on our art careers. That prompted this informal chat about the lessons we've learned along the way, and some of the hurdles that can keep you stuck.  Some are things to avoid - not rushing to make sales, getting addicted to the first sense of success or waiting for approval before you begin. Others include the ability to leave things behind when you're ready to move on, finding supportive people to talk to, remembering that our goals will shift anyway, and learning to rely on your own internal validation.  We also reconsider reels and talk exhibition prep, framing, and the misery of celebrity life, so this is one not to miss! 

Mentioned 

Louise's free course https://www.louisefletchercourses.com/wait-list-fyj-2022

Alice's new work https://alicesheridan.com/duality/ 

The Reel that's going crazy... (up from 50k to 200k+ views since recording  https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cc08aBEI00_/ 

The Virtual Art Summit 2022 www.virtualartsummit.com/go Alice and Kelly Wynne on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/p/Cc28JffJDwo/

 Ira Glass the Gap https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=91FQKciKfHI 

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Credits: "Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

This week's chat was inspired by a book called Alchemy by Rory Sutherland. The premise of the book is that the best way to solve any problem is to abandon logic and cast aside rationality. We discus the different ways irrational thinking could be applied to life and to art. For example, can we do away with common ways of operating and make our own rules? (Would people prefer prices that are based not on size of painting but on how much the artist like a piece or how much time they spent on it?) This book has prompted Alice to rethink the way her paintings might be available and it has spurred Louise to face up to some pricing blocks. Perhaps our conversation will spark some similar realisations for you. 

Mentioned

Alchemy by Rory Sutherland https://www.amazon.co.uk/Alchemy-Surprising-Power-Ideas-Sense/dp/0753556529/

Louise's Find Your Joy taster course https://www.louisefletchercourses.com/wait-list-fyj-2022

Alice's Time To Shine 14 day program https://www.soulrocketstudio.com/shine

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Credits: "Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

This week, Alice gets to grips with a DIY job and it sparks a discussion about time - in a world where there is never enough of it, how do we come to terms with this most troublesome aspect of life? In different ways, we have both experienced the downside of trying to do too much, including the fact that this prevents us from enjoying the present moment. If art-making is a journey without a final destination (and surely it is), then what are we rushing towards? Why do we feel this pressure to not fall behind? And how can we reframe our thoughts around time? While we don't have all the answers, perhaps our discussion will spark some ideas for you, particularly around how you can be more mindful about time.

Mentioned

Find out about the Time to Shine course here: https://www.soulrocketstudio.com/shine

Louise's interview on Learning to Paint https://www.learntopaintpodcast.com/podcast/episode48

Even The Rich podcast - Elizabeth Taylor https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/life-loves-elizabeth-taylor-we-will-have-no-more-marriages/id1500477470?i=1000530109907

Ferne Cotton podcast with Will Young https://podcasts.apple.com/lv/podcast/will-young/id1353058891?i=1000556926241

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Credits: "Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

What does it mean to live a creative life? What does it take to achieve your dreams? And is that any different if you write for a living rather than making visual art? This week, Louise is joined by writer Jonathan Hall, whose first novel was recently published to critical and commercial acclaim. But this success was 59 years in the making and Jonathan has experienced his fair share of setbacks along the way. In this episode, we look at the importance of self-belief and the necessity of an unswerving commitment to our creative practice. Our discussion uncovers numerous similarities between the life of a writer and that of a painter, including the fear of a blank page or canvas; the impact of rejection; the need to "paint over" things you really like; and the importance of finding your own unique voice. It's refreshing to approach the topic of creativity from a different perspective and we know you'll enjoy Jonathan's wisdom and humour.

Mentioned

Jonathan's novel "A Spoonful of Murder"  https://www.bookdepository.com/Spoonful-Murder-J-M-Hall/9780008509613

Jonathan's BBC series "Trust" https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000mb2k

Jonathan's Instagram account https://www.instagram.com/jm_hall_writer/

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Credits: "Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

This week, we have a chat and then answer some listener questions, but our whole discussion revolves around a central issue: How do we manage this artist life? How do we make our work? How do we run our businesses? Are we getting it right? (And how does this relate to the choice between broccoli and chocolate?!) This is one of those rambling discussions that we hope makes some sense in hindsight. Listeners add to the conversation by asking about what to do when a painting takes a different turn, and also how to know when a painting is done. In the end, we both think it comes back to understanding that there is no "right" way to do things. What a relief! 

Mentioned

"Rich Dad Poor Dad" book https://www.amazon.co.uk/Robert-T-Kiyosaki/e/B001H6GV90

"Drawing and Painting the Landscape" by Philip Tyler https://www.amazon.co.uk/Drawing-Painting-Landscape-course-lessons/dp/1785003240/

Minnow Pond Tarot https://www.youtube.com/c/minnowpond

Georgina Noel's "Inner Work" podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inner-work/id1506024168?uo=4

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Credits: "Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

Do you feel your art needs to be beautiful? And if so, what do you mean by beauty? We dive into this topic because we are both thinking about this idea as our work morphs and changes. We discuss the role of beauty in art history and how much of the art that we love is NOT beautiful - and yet how we are still drawn to creating beauty in our own work. In the beginning, perhaps, we both aimed for beauty because it was a measure of our skill level - but once we attained those skills, we seem drawn to pushing the boundaries. But how much imperfection can we allow in? How much raw expression is too much? Of course these questions are personal to each one of us, and we hope this discussion helps you think about beauty in your own work. 

Mentioned

Drew Steinbrecher on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/drewsteinbrecher/?hl=en

Dead Eyes podcast https://headgum.com/dead-eyes

Creative Pep Talk podcast https://www.podbean.com/podcast-detail/zdqvn-3717c/Creative-Pep-Talk-Podcast

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Credits: "Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

As an award winning illustrator, Kate Cosgrove is used to bringing visions to life, but post-pandemic she was feeling in need to spend time with her own creativity. In this conversation from the land's end of the UK, Kate speaks with Alice about artist residencies. 

Perhaps this is something you've considered, or even been apprehensive about. In which case this conversation will give you ideas for where to go, an understanding of what to expect. We talk about working on your own and what this could open up for you or re-set your practice. What would you be looking for? Hoping for? Is there even a way you can bring this into your life right now? Check the notes below for where to follow Kate, find out about Brisons Veor or search for other residency opportunities.

Mentioned

Brisons Veor Cornwall artist residencies https://brisonsveor.org.uk/

Find Kate Cosgrove on Instagram @k8cosgrove

Artist Communities Alliance for residency listings https://artistcommunities.org/

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Credits: "Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

Maybe there are artists who are always inspired, always energised and always making fantastic work... but if there are, we don't know them. This week we're talking about those times when inspiration seems to desert us. These are the times when we either can't face making art, or can't make anything we like. We discuss the frustration that comes with feeling lost, and we break down some of the reasons we might feel that way. This is so important because, if we can understand what drags us down, perhaps we can lift ourselves out of it. As always, we both believe this comes down to individual preferences and work patterns. Some people work best when they turn up every day regardless of how they feel; others need lots of time away from the studio to recharge their batteries. We believe all of us need to learn to accept ourselves just the way we are, and honour our own creative processes, no matter what they are.

Mentioned

Rock til we Drop https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001516f

Medicine exhibition - The Science Museum: https://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/see-and-do/medicine-wellcome-galleries

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Credits: "Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

This week we are talking about success and asking what that word means to you? In particular, we distinguish between external and internal yardsticks. External yardsticks are things like sales numbers, Instagram followers, or show acceptances, and we have both seen these measurements halt people in their tracks. These things are, to some extent, out of our control and they also continually shift and change because we will never be satisified. In this episode, we discuss our own experiences with external measures of success and we suggest an alternative approach - setting your own internal benchmarks. These internal measures of success can keep you focused, motivated and excited about your work, allowing you to stay in control of your emotional wellbeing. We'd love to hear what you think about this discussion - and how you measure success.

Mentioned:

Authentic Obsessions Podcast https://www.authenticobsessions.com/

Trayci Tompkins http://www.traycitompkins.co.za/

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Credits: "Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

Talking about our work can be challenging. You might not know what to say - how to find the words to describe the feelings - or you might feel self-conscious, thinking others don't want to hear or that they may judge you. But, learning to talk about your art can open so many doors - doors to conversations, doors to sales, and doors to new realisations for yourself. Once you can tell the story of your art, others can connect with it in new ways. In this episode, we share our own experiences and offer tips and strategies to help you find the words. So whether you are sharing with friends, exhibiting in a gallery, attending an art fair, or even just writing a social media post, we hope this episode will get you started.

Mentioned

Words & Pictures: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EkHrVw-cDmU

Beatles Abbey Road: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eiRfv6LFXYE

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Credits: "Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

This week's show was inspired by a listener question about in situ apps. These are apps that allow you to place your artwork into rooms, so that buyers can see how your painting might look in a 'real world' setting. We share our experiences of using several of these apps - and talk about the pros and cons of each - but we also expand the discussion to encompass real-world settings as well as the importance of storytelling and copy in showcasing your work online. Louise proposes that the words you write about your work are just as important as the images you include, and we share some suggestions for how to approach that aspect of marketing. We also answer a fabulous question from Esther who wants to know whether her art needs to match her room decor.

Mentioned

Smartist  https://smartist.app/ 

In Situ https://insituartroom.com/ 

Canvy online)  https://canvy.com/pricing  

Alchemy by Rory Sutherland  https://www.audible.co.uk/pd/Alchemy-Audiobook/1473566800

June Shapter: https://www.instagram.com/juneshapterart/?hl=en

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Credits: "Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

Well, hello! Today we started a bit pear-shaped (ever felt like you were pretending to be professional?) But this evolved into an interesting discussion around titles for paintings, and following the thread of work. 

Both of us are developing work for upcoming exhibitions and we are finding that we have some of the same challenges, including knowing when a painting is ‘enough’ and choosing titles for our work that add a new dimension. 

We also answered a listener question about how to approach pricing your artwork - and offered advice that some may find controversial (when did that ever stop us?!)

Mentioned:

Normal Gossip podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/normal-gossip/id1597761181

Pro Camera app https://www.procamera-app.com/en/

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Credits: "Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

This week, we ask a couple of simple questions" What do you want?" and "what are you willing to do to get it?" This week, we're digging into these questions and sharing real-world examples of the kinds of decisions artists face when growing a business ... should you invest in that new website? Should you start a Youtube channel? Should you give that speech at the local art society? 

While neither of us is perfect (by any means!), we have both done some work on our long-term visions, both for our art and our lives. We use this knowledge of our desires to guide decisions about what we are willing to spend, or sacrifice, or work towards. Perhaps you have done the same or perhaps you find yourself torn about these kinds of issues, unsure of the right move. If so, we hope this episode will help you develop your own clear sense of where you're going ... and what you are willing to do to get there.

Mentioned:

Art2Life workshop: https://bit.ly/art2life22artjuice

Will Gompertz "What Are You Looking at: 150 Years of Modern Art" https://www.amazon.co.uk/What-Are-You-Looking-At/dp/B00N3KGPMQ/

Happy Scale App https://happyscale.com/

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Credits: "Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

Making art isn't always an easy path to take. But it's one we choose because it enriches our life, even when the conditions may never feel perfect. Today's discussion centres on what your art can teach you when you accept the invitation to step forward. We are joined by abstract artist and teacher Nicholas Wilton to discuss how a learning mindset feeds back into your art. As Nick says "the art is just the artefact of the process" and discovering how to stay engaged in the long term will open up how you create and make more opportunities for you to be satisfied with the work you make.

Alice suggests that the frustration of learning can be more easily overcome once you have some key knowledge which builds up your confidence, and ultimately we settle on ways you can feel satisfied, in life and art, by activating the way you think, and optimising how you approach this journey of onward learning. 

You can join in with the free Art2Life online workshop HERE. 

Mentioned

The Art2Life workshop starts on 14th Feb 2022
Join HERE using the ArtJuice link 

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Credits: "Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

This week, we answered a question from listener Paige, who asked about our experiences with scaling up. Paige wrote: "I am struggling to scale up, especially in my chosen media of collage but I see you work both small and large and I wondered if there was a formula for that."

Spoiler alert: neither of us have a formula, but we do share our own challenges, experiences and tips. Our conversation covers the challenges of space (both in buyers' homes and our own studios); the need to use bigger tools; and the importance of mixing up a lot more paint. We also look at the inherent difficulties of scaling up collage work, and offer a few suggestions of how to handle that transition. In the end, making large work is a new challenge for each of us, and requires us to find our own solutions, but we have both found the process rewarding enough to make it worthwhile.

Mentioned

Sam Lock https://www.samlock.com/
Bibby Gignilliat large scale collage https://www.bibbyart.com/
Paranormal cold case podcast: Battersea poltergeist https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-battersea-poltergeist/id1548946506
Michelle Walker: Paintbrush & Ivories podcast https://michellewalker.com.au/podcast/
Art 2 Life podcast (episode 12) https://www.art2life.com/2022/01/12/the-artists-gift-nicholas-wilton-ep-12/

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Credits: "Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

In this episode, we explore limitations. When - and why - is it a good idea to place limits on your work? First, we discuss the benefits of limiting ourselves in some way. That might mean limiting colours or setting rules for a certain body of work; it might mean keeping everything to one size; or it could mean limiting the media we use. But whatever parameters we set, limits can open up our creativity. The we look at the flip side - where might we benefit from challenging our limitations? What do we believe that might not be true? We hope this free-ranging discussion will help you to assess where limitations might fit into your practice. 

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Credits: "Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

In this episode, we explore the idea of intuitive painting. What does that term even mean? And how does it relate to what we do? Regular listeners will not be surprised to learn that we have different ideas about the importance and role of intuition, but in the end we agree that there is a difference between pure intuitive painting (aka process painting) and painting that relies heavily on intuition. The former is a process without a desired end result while the latter is a delicate balance between thinking and intuiting. In pure intuitive painting, personal growth is the only objective, whereas our work is designed to communicate with others. Perhaps some of us lean more to one side or the other, but all must find the balance that is right for them. 

Mentioned

Stewart Cubley's Process Arts https://www.processarts.com/

Sally-Anne Ashley https://www.sally-anneashley.com/

Cheryle Bannon https://cherylebannon.com/what-is-intuitive-art/

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Credits: "Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

This week, Louise is joined by brand strategist and web designer Mariana Durst. Mariana specialises in working with artists to develop their brands, create compelling copy and graphics, and build effective websites. Having worked with all kinds of artists she has a unique perspective on the challenges and rewards of a strong brand. In this conversation, we discuss what it means to have a brand (and why we all have one even if we don't know it). We also dive into the questions you can ask yourself to identify and refine your own artist brand, and Mariana shares some of the  mistakes she sees artists make. If you would like more people to see and/or buy your art, you won't want to miss this episode. 

Mentioned

Mariana's website: https://www.deskanddesign.com/ (scroll down for the free branding masterclass)

Essentialism https://uk.bookshop.org/books/essentialism-the-disciplined-pursuit-of-less/9780753558690?gclid=Cj0KCQiA-qGNBhD3ARIsAO_o7ykRhTiAhzJJRGX8Yk3C9kt_y49oMEqu7CsBHJymG7D4zpJacX_oLQ4aAn9pEALw_wcB

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Credits: "Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

For our last episode of 2021, we decided to look back over the year. We look at what went well, we assess what we learned, and we start to think about what we might like to change next year. We both feel that it's important to take this time out each year and to think about these things before w start making plans for the next year. As the conversation evolves, we cover the importance of looking at the whole year and examining where we are out of balance and also where we might be seeing things with a negative slant. We also discuss the areas of life where we would like to make strides next year. This is an honest conversation that we hope will help you feel less alone and also inspire you to find the lessons in your 2021. 

Mentioned

The Beatles Get Back documentary https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Auta2lagtw4

Essentialism https://uk.bookshop.org/books/essentialism-the-disciplined-pursuit-of-less/9780753558690?gclid=Cj0KCQiA-qGNBhD3ARIsAO_o7ykRhTiAhzJJRGX8Yk3C9kt_y49oMEqu7CsBHJymG7D4zpJacX_oLQ4aAn9pEALw_wcB

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Credits: "Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

This week, we're answering a listener question from Helen, who asked why we chose to represent ourselves rather than pursue the gallery route. Helen also asked: "can a female artist be self-representing and still find her place in the history books - or is it important to have the testimonial from an established gallery?" When thinking about galleries, we believe that it's important to know (a) where you want to go and (b) where you currently are. We also point out that the art world often catches up and "discovers" artists late in life (or after their death), and we debate whether galleries will continue to play an important role as we move forward. Of course, we also answer Helen's question and explain why we each decided not to market primarily through galleries. There's lots more in this conversation, so don't miss it!

Mentioned

"Painting Abstract Landscapes" by Gareth Edwards https://www.amazon.co.uk/Painting-Abstract-Landscapes-Gareth-Edwards/dp/1785009737/

Soul Smile Event https://www.facebook.com/groups/613090909814919

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Credits: "Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

In this episode, Louise meets gallerist Sarah Collier who runs the beautiful Silson Contemporary gallery in Harrogate, North Yorkshire. Sarah explains how and why she started her gallery and offers lots of sound advice to artists seeking gallery representation. The conversation covers how to choose the right galleries, how to approach a gallery owner, how to price your work, and how to present it to best effect. During the conversation, Sarah also shares the ins and outs of running a gallery and discussed some of her role models. This interview is packed with practical tips and inside insights - if you want to interest galleries in your work, listen now! 

Mentioned

Silson Contemporary https://silsoncontemporaryart.co.uk/

Cupola Gallery http://www.cupolagallery.com/about

Gallery at Home https://www.galleryathome.co.uk/

Eastwood Fine Art https://www.eastwoodfineart.com/

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Credits: "Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

With only 6 weeks until Christmas, we're talking gifts. But we're not focusing on what you can sell - we're interested in what you can ask for. So we spent some time thinking and came up with a suggested Christmas list to help you drop heavy hints this year. Our list includes small surprises such as new paint colours or a special brush, all the way to high-price courses or artworks. But we also suggest some ideas you may not have considered - including ways in which your family and friends could give you the gift of time. Along the way, you'll get a sneak peek into our own Christmases, including Alice's frugal approach to gifts and Louise's tendency to ask for books she ever reads. We hope this episode inspires you to brighten your own Christmas by asking for something that will inspire you - and maybe even jumpstart a new phase of your art.

Mentioned

"Unquiet Landscape," Christopher Never https://www.amazon.co.uk/Unquiet-Landscape-20th-Century-British-Painting/dp/0500295476/

"Why Your Five Year Old Could NOT Have Done That," Susie Hodge https://www.amazon.co.uk/Your-Five-Year-Could-Have/dp/0500290474

Kyle Cease on Youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLCjITkn87w

https://alicesheridan.com/gift/

https://www.louisefletcherart.com/shop/gift-certificates

Alice's Connected Artist Waiting List https://alicesheridan.com/artists/

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Credits: "Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

This week, we're talking time, priorities and organisation. But this isn't a "10 quick tips to organise your life" - this is a deep dive into the real truths behind the ways we spend our time. We discuss the importance of knowing your 'why' when you make decisions about your time. We debate the role of identity in those decisions, and we discuss some of the challenges we face in our own art lives. Each of us only have limited bandwidth which means we simply have to make decisions. So, above all, we urge honest self-reflection ... it's so important to understand what we want out of art art lives and where we are straying from that path. If you struggle with time management, you are not alone and we hope this discussion helps you find some clarity about your own priorities. 

Mentioned

Kelly Wynne Conrad https://www.kelleewynnestudios.com/

The Dresser with Julian Clary and Matthew Kelly https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2021/sep/16/the-dresser-review-bath-matthew-kelly-julian-clary

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Credits: "Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

This week's discussion was originally planned as a chat about persevering with unfamiliar materials, but it soon broadened into a conversation about change in our work. We discuss the importance of finding ways to shift our work, and the role materials can play in that. We both strive to constantly push our work in new directions, but this can lead to real feelings of discomfort if we are also seeking results in the form of finished paintings. In the end, we both agree that new ideas need time and space in which to grow. If we give up at the first hurdle, we never get to find out what might have been possible. So Alice has decided to persevere and make life difficult sometimes with new materials while Louise will continue to make paintings she doesn't yet understand. 

Mentioned

Khadi paper https://www.jacksonsart.com/brands/khadi

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Credits: "Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

This week, we're talking support systems - what are they? How do we find them? And why do we need them? We have supported one another over the last few years and we have both found the relationship valuable for different reasons. But what are the other ways we have found to support ourselves? In this episode, we talk about the value of online communities and real life relationships, but also the importance of asking for help and support in other parts of our life, so that we can make room for art. We also talk about learning to say no, and asking for support from the wrong people, which can be so destructive. We hope this episode inspires you to look at how you might be able to shore up your art practice by leaning a little bit on other people - even if only now and then.

Mentioned

Alice's Connected Artist Group www.soulrocketstudio.com/connected-interest

Louise's Art Tribe https://www.louisefletcherart.com/art-tribe

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Credits: "Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

This week, we dive into a successful launch and tease out the lessons we can all learn. Louise recently released her book Life Force which is about the process of making a series of paintings and then she released the actual paintings online. This had always been her plan but along the way, she encountered people who questioned the idea, and suggested that a physical exhibition would be a better idea. Despite temporarily losing focus, she eventually returned to her original vision, a decision which paid off. In this episode, we discuss the importance and value of going your own way with your work, even when (or especially when) you are not sure where it will lead. We also examine how to tune in to inspiration and intuition so that you ARE actually pursuing your own unique direction.

Mentioned

Louise's book "Life Force" at Bird Eye Books https://birdeyebooks.com/products/life-force-a-painters-response-to-the-nature-poetry-of-ted-hughes

See Louise's Ted Hughes paintings online https://www.louisefletcherart.com/shop/life-force

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Credits: "Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

This week, we discuss the recent outage of Facebook, Instagram and Whats App and share our thoughts on the realisations it brought up. We rely on these apps for all sorts of things - we connect with our friends, we share our art, and some of us run our businesses using at least one of these platforms. When they vanish, we can feel lost. But we believe this outage reminds us that there are other ways to stay in touch and other ways to market our work. And that in fact, we could focus our efforts a little more widely. Neither of us believe that we will have to do without social media, but we can make it a little less central. We end our chat with a challenge to you, so stick with us to the end!

Mentioned

Louise's book from her publishers https://birdeyebooks.com/products/life-force-a-painters-response-to-the-nature-poetry-of-ted-hughes

Louise's book from Amazon https://www.amazon.co.uk/Life-Force-Painters-Response-Nature/dp/1914079647

George Pointon on Twitter https://twitter.com/GeorgePointon_

Grand Designs https://www.channel4.com/programmes/grand-designs

Location, Location, Location https://www.channel4.com/programmes/location-location-location

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Credits: "Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

This week, Alice welcomes special guest Jo McCarthy to the podcast. Jo is a small shop mentor who helps creative professionals build their e-commerce businesses and in this episode, she shares her expertise on how to successfully market your work online. Alice and Jo discuss blocks to selling (and how to overcome them) and also discuss the importance of taking small steps rather than trying to make giant leaps. 

Jo suggests reframing the idea of productivity, and viewing your business in terms of capacity rather than time. She also explains why she she uses a 'can do' list rather than a 'to do' list. Perhaps most importantly, Alice and Jo discuss the importance of showing up and starting to sell even thought everything is not yet perfect. If you've been feeling unsure about selling online, this episode should make you feel much more comfortable about just getting out there and "evolving in public."

Mentioned

Find Jo on Instagram at  @jo_at_firain
And her website www.firain.com

Seth Godin blog post: https://seths.blog/2016/03/show-your-work/

Alice's Time to Shine course: www.soulrocketstudio.com/shine

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Credits: "Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

We've all been there - bursting with ideas and new directions! It's exciting, it feels fun BUT when should you follow these nudges or when should you be disciplined and stick to a plan? Ideas can often shift during work in progress and it can be hard to know what's a natural variation or a misleading distraction.

We have some pointers to help you identify when things can feel too scattered and some ways you can review and bring yourself back on track, whether that's creating a cohesive group of work, when it's good to say no and how safely 'shelving' an idea may not be as risky as it feels. 

Mentioned

Find out about Alice's Time to Shine Alice's challenge : www.soulrocketstudio.com/shine
or on her website here:  https://alicesheridan.com

Barbara Sher: Refuse to Choose book 

Katherine Palmers Needham colour sketchbook post on Instagram here
Instagram @KatherinePalmersNeedham_art

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Credits: "Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

How comfortable are you sharing your art? Are you one of those people who shares regular videos or blog posts? Or do you tend to shy away from being public about your work? Alice is preparing to launch an exciting new visibility challenge and that sparked a discussion about the importance of this facet of our art careers. It's simply not enough to just make wonderful art - we also have to put it out into the world and that means putting ourselves out there too. The truth is that people buy art from artists they can connect with and they can't connect with you if they've never seen you. In this episode we discuss some of the blocks to visibility and share our own thoughts on the importance of making ourselves visible.

Mentioned

Find out about Alice's Time to Shine Alice's challenge : www.soulrocketstudio.com/shine

or on her website here:  https://alicesheridan.com

This is my House https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/m000tjfz/this-is-my-house

The Cleaner https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p09pm3dv/the-cleaner-series-1-1-the-widow

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Credits: "Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

How much time should we spend thinking versus painting? Are we wasting time if we simply sit in a chair and look at what we made? And how can we approach analysing our own work? In this episode, we discuss the importance of spending time with our work at various stages - including setting intentions, assessing progress during the making of the work, and reflecting on paintings once they are complete. Time pressures, and a focus on productivity, can make it challenging for some artists to take a pause, but we both agree that it's important to step back and find some distance from our work - whether that is halfway through a painting or once a series is complete. In fact, we think that pause improves our productivity because it allows us to clarify our thoughts and set clear intentions for our next moves. 

Mentioned

Talking Heads "Stop Making Sense" on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JjBvRURtc-Q

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Credits: "Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

We've all experienced it - we're working on a painting we love and then ... oops, we make a few wrong moves and the whole thing feels ruined. Or, as recently happened to Louise, we'e working in a painting late at night, feeling really good about it, and then come back in the next morning to find nothing is as we thought. But is this really a problem? In this episode, we discuss that sinking feeling and offer a different viewpoint. During our conversation, we dig into the stages of a painting, discuss whether we have ever actually ruined anything, rail against the use of gesso to 'just cover it up,' and agree on the importance of intention as a guiding principle. We also share our thoughts on a new art book and digress into a slightly nerdy discussion about Mailchimp. 

Mentioned

Remembering in Paint by David Mankin https://www.david-mankin.com/book

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Credits: "Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

We have returned from a break - except was it really a break? We both seem to have been almost as busy and this realisation sparked a discussion about time management, priorities, and what we want from our art - including how important it is to make sales. Over the break, Alice has been developing new ideas in a supportive group while Louise has been considering how she wants to share her work. But we've also been reconsidering where we spend our time (we even allow ourselves a little moan). This isn't an episode with "how to" tips or a focused message - it's an honest conversation about the artist life, including throwing paintings on bonfires, managing "to do" lists, paring back our ideas, and finding time for ourselves. There is also a bonus discussion on finding the perfect coffee mug - you're welcome lol.

Mentioned

Courtyard Pottery Grassington https://www.instagram.com/david.ashby.ceramics/?hl=en

Linda Bloomfield mugs https://lindabloomfield.co.uk/product-category/handmade-porcelain/mugs-cups/

John Hall obituary https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/whats-on/music-nightlife-news/rip-john-hall-perfect-mancunian-21348415

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Credits: "Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

As we prepare to take our summer break, we discuss the value of rest and recuperation. While some work requires consistency and regularity, we think making art is different and we both find our work ebbs and flows. Sometimes we are inspired and motivated to paint and other times we take a break and do something else, whether that is a vacation or simply a change of focus. Our conversation also turns to the pressure some of us impose upon ourselves to always be producing, and the benefits of just letting go of the idea of 9-5, 365 days a year. We will be testing out our own theories over the next few weeks as we take a summer break. Hopefully we will come back full of vim and vigour and ready to tackle a new season of the Art Juice podcast. See you then!

Mentioned

How to Paint a Dead Man https://www.amazon.co.uk/How-Paint-Dead-Sarah-Hall/dp/0571224903

The Yellow House https://www.worldofbooks.com/en-gb/books/martin-gayford/yellow-house/9780141016733

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Credits: "Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

If you have ever wondered "Should I make prints of my art?" this episode will help unpick some of the things to consider.

We're talking reproduction giclée prints (not to be confused with the prints made by printmakers). Alice has built a good revenue stream from prints of her original paintings while Louise has not made the leap and we share our reasons and lessons.

Our conversation covers:

• the difficulty of choosing which paintings to reproduce
• the importance of good photography
• how you might find someone to help you create prints
• the challenge of keeping your print collection current
• the logistics of numbering and shipping
• how to price for profit

We also discuss the importance of knowing your 'why' for adding prints to the art you offer as this will help direct your decision making... And we have a suggestion for an easier way to dip your toe into the water.

Mentioned

The Yellow House by Martin Gayford
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Yellow-House-Gauguin-Turbulent-Weeks/dp/0141016736/ref=asc_df_0141016736

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Credits: "Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

Last week's conversation with David Mankin sparked a conversation about process. This week, we're sharing our own processes and discussing our own ideas about, and approaches to, painting. As you might have guessed there are some differences, but we both share a belief in the importance of process in art-making. We think knowing what works for you is a vital piece of the artistic puzzle. In a wide-ranging conversation we cover the role of ideas in our art-making and discuss the assertion that all artists must know what they are exploring in their work. We also discuss whether inspiration comes externally or internally (or both) and the importance of reflection and thought in our work. Finally, we share the questions we are currently asking ourselves in order to move our work forward. 

Mentioned

Louise's book Life Force can be pre-ordered at: https://www.louisefletcherart.com/book 

In the Heights trailer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0CL-ZSuCrQ

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Credits: "Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

In this episode, Louise chats with Cornish painter David Mankin about his new book Remembering in Paint. The book brings the reader inside Mankin's process, from initial inspiration all the way through to finished paintings, and the idea of the artistic process is central to the book. We begin the conversation with an introduction to David's career and the importance of chance encounters, and then move on to delve into process. David poses a question he believes every artist must answer; describes the importance of his process to his work; explains the balance of thought vs. feeling in his paintings; and shares his passion for the Cornish coast. Finally, we learn why he is currently excited about cauliflowers and smiles. This is a conversation not to be missed with an artist who is most definitely on the rise.

Mentioned 

David's book can be pre-ordered on his website at https://www.david-mankin.com/book 

You can also find him at https://linktr.ee/davidmankinart 

Louise's book Life Force can be pre-ordered at: https://www.louisefletcherart.com/book 

All About Process by Kim Grant https://blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/product/9780271077451?

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Credits: "Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

Do you struggle to let paintings go? This week we're answering a question from Gill Allen, who says "Why do I find it so hard to part with my work? I know I need to get over this impending feeling of loss but just how do I do that? Why do I feel like I'm losing part of myself even contemplating selling a piece of work?" We discuss this question from a number of different angles and also share our own experiences. Neither of us has struggled to let work go, but we have sometimes chosen to keep breakthrough paintings for a while. As we discuss Gill's question, we ponder the idea of selling work - maybe some people don't want to do that? We also ask whether there are underlying issues behind a desire to keep everything and we suggest a simple reframe that might be helpful. If you feel your paintings are precious babies to be held on to at all costs, this episode is for you.

Mentioned

Gill Allen: https://gillallen.co.nz/

Arvon Foundation Writers Centers https://www.arvon.org/

Mark Steel's in Hull https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SV8-lktieDs

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Credits: "Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

This week Alice is joined by Emily (or Emz) Finch an artist and mother from London to discuss the power nature, but also how finding a really strong driver in your work can propel your ideas. Trigger warning, we mention miscarriage briefly as this is the start of Emily’s story and project.

The work Emily is doing now was prompted by a particular moment after a difficult series of personal experiences. Emily has found the power of nature to has helped with her PTSD flashbacks and has an ambition to build an installation that will hopefully start conversations about loss during COVID and will offer a multi-sensual space to explore the healing quality of trees and nature and reflect on what we all might have lost during this difficult time at a point the world is starting to emerge from lockdown.

This is an inspiring story - on a personal level, and for artists I hope this will encourage you that sharing what you can have such a positive impact in the world.... look what started from that painted pebble!

Mentioned

Emily’s website: www.emzfinchart.co.uk
If you want to talk to Emily about this project, do get in touch via her website. Do this and hear more about the project by singing up to her newsletter

Tickets for Somerset House - https://www.somersethouse.org.uk/whats-on/london-design-biennale-2021

More about the Forest for change https://forestforchange.globalgoals.org/

If you have been affected by miscarriage, Tommy’s, the miscarriage association are just two of the amazing organisations that can give support.

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Credits: "Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

This week we are talking Teflon bubbles, and how to be completely normal to avoid all criticism!

We had some listener feedback which prompted us to consider how we manage to stay focused, and also feeling less hurt when you receive feedback which could throw you off-track. In the 'old' days we both would have felt this harder - so what's changed? 

As artists one of the things we need to learn is how to keep going and not be swayed by opinions. We recognise that some feedback can be helpful and share how we distinguish between them, two opposing views to keep at arms length, and a magic question to keep asking yourself so that you can get more grounded in whatever YOU are showing up and sharing. 

It's the last chance to join Louise's Find Your Joy 2021 and if you take one thing from this week - go out and do one bit of promotion for yourself. xx

Mentioned

Last chance to join Louise's Find Your Joy here:
https://www.louisefletcherart.com/find-your-joy

Just Bloody Post it podcast from Helen Perry (look for Episode 4 with Nat Lue)
https://www.helen-perry.co.uk/the-just-bloody-post-it-podcast/

Robert Pagliarini article in the Chicago Tribune
https://www.chicagotribune.com/ct-tribu-pagliarini-stop-pleasing-everyone-column-column.html

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Credits: "Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

This week we're responding to a question from Sara, a listener who recently exhibited a series of paintings. Sara hung 49 paintings in a "gallery wall" style display and she asked "do you think less is more when it comes to displaying your work?" This prompted a great discussion about curation when it comes to our art and why it matters so much. We both believe that curating our work is a way to guide the viewer's experience. Just as we edit a painting, we should also edit our exhibitions or online galleries in order to guide the viewer and help them understand or appreciate the work. But how to do that is the question? What do you include and what do you omit? We discuss the idea of creating a coherent story, the importance of not creating a visual onslaught, and the value of putting yourself into the shoes of buyers in order to understand what they are experiencing when they look at your work. Our key question is 'what do you want people to think or feel when they look at your work?'

Mentioned

Jason Stephenson meditations on Youtube

I Can't Believe it's Not Bhudda Podcast 

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Credits: "Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

It's kind of magical how one thread of an idea can carry through so many different projects in so many different ways. And for Kellee Wynne Conrad that has been colour (or color!)

With a Virtual Art Summit coming in June 2021 listen how this single focus has lead her through creating courses, memberships and a book deal. Having this focus has helped Kellee through what she calls 'the curse of all artists' and maintain a core vision for what she creates. 

We talk about circling back on your own creative journey and how collaborations with other artists can propel you... in fact it was promising to record a lesson for Kellee which was the first (and so far only!) online workshop Alice has created. 

The upcoming Virtual Art Summit 2021 will include lessons from both Alice  and Louise, and offer you live conversations with all artists taking part as well as lessons you can re-watch anytime you need some colour inspiration so do sign up to take part. 

Mentioned

Join the Virtual Art Summit here: www.virtualartsummit.com/go

Get Alice's lesson in the True Colors bundle here: alicesheridan.com/courses

Visit the home of the Color Crush palettes here: www.colorcrushcreative.com/

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Credits:

"Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

This week, we’re discussing Louise’s story with Alice leading the conversation. We track back through Louise’s life and discuss the touchpoints - three key moments when things shifted for her.  These include moving back from New York to Yorkshire, meeting Alice and following her instincts, and finding a life coach who helped her move past her limiting beliefs. 

We also discuss Louise’s journey into teaching, which came about in a slightly unusual way when the idea for a course came to her almost fully formed. That course is now in its fourth year and we discuss the philosophy behind the life-changing concept that simply following what you love is all you ever need to do.

Mentioned

Louise's free Find Your Joy taster course: https://www.louisefletchercourses.com/wait-list-FYJ-2021

Alice's Connected Artist Club is open now  https://soulrocketstudio.com/connected-open

Find out more about Georgina Noel https://www.georginanoel.com/

BBC: The Life and Times of Hans Holbein by Franny Moyle HERE

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Credits:

"Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

Have you ever wondered how we came to be doing what we're doing? If so, the next two episodes are for you. This week, we're diving into Alice's story, in a conversation led by Louise. You'll learn all about Alice's journey from graphic design to a full-time career as an artist, and what exactly that entails. We travel through Alice's past, talk about the role depression played in making her an artist, and explore the idea of intentionality ... how much of what we do is clearly envisaged from the outset versus that which is arrived a gradually and in incremental steps. Finally, we discuss Connected Artist Club, the online membership group that Alice built from fledgling idea into thriving community. If you have ever wondered about how to build a successful art career, this episode is for you.

Mentioned

Alice's Connected Artist Club  https://soulrocketstudio.com/connected-interest

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Credits: "Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

Recently, we both launched a series of paintings via our websites, and in this episode, we discuss the experience and what we learned. For both of us, this was a relatively new experience - Alice usually launches her new works at in-person events and Louise has traditionally added paintings to her website on an ad-hoc basis, rather than as a series. Both our launches went well, and we hope our experiences can help you plan something similar.  In a wide-ranging conversation, we cover the benefits of building (and communicating regularly with) a mailing list; the importance of storytelling in sales, and the value of thoughtful presentation. We also discuss the downsides of selling this way, including the inevitable fear of failing in public, and the amount of time required for emailing buyers, packaging, and arranging shipping. As an extra bonus, we introduce the word "wally" and "sodding" to listeners outside the UK (you're welcome).  

Correction!! I made a mistake (blame menopause brain!) the artist I mentioned is Amy Dury (not Sarah) and you can find her on Instagram @amy_dury 

Mentioned Louise's private view page: https://www.louisefletcherart.com/private-view 

Alice's Wild Swimming collection 2021 https://alicesheridan.com/wildswimming/ 

See a previous more complete virtual event listing here: https://alicesheridan.com/artistsathome2020/ 

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Credits:
"Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

This week we're celebrating our one millionth podcast download, something neither of us imagined when we started. And it made us think about expectations ... where do they come from? What effect do they have? And how can we learn to manage them? During the course of the discussion, we unpick the difference between intentions and expectations and discuss whether Shakespeare had it right when he declared that "expectation is the root of all heartache.” 

This episode starts with a rather long discussion about technical challenges, which is so on the money - because none of us expect that, when we decide to become an artist, we will spend large amounts of our time solving technology problems. But, it turns out to be a large part of the life of a working artist. As always, that gap (between what we expect and what is reality) can really catch us out. Perhaps the answer is to have no expectations, but neither of us can claim to have attained that level of enlightenment just yet. But maybe being aware of the trap, and catching ourselves when we fall into it, is all we need to do.

Mentioned

Small Pleasures by Clare Chambers https://www.amazon.co.uk/Small-Pleasures-Between-Covers-Book/dp/147461390X/

Alice's Connected Artist Club is opening soon - sign up to be notified here: http://alicesheridan.com/artists/

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"Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

We start today's discussion with a quote from artist Chuck Close, who said "inspiration is for amateurs. The rest of us just show up and get to work." This sounds a little confrontational, but the he continues with an explanation: "If you wait around for the clouds to part and a bolt of lightening to strike you in the brain, you are not going to make an awful lot of work. All the best ideas come out of the process; they come out of the work itself.” We both agree that this is the way it works for us - we paint and the ideas come. If we simply waited for an idea, we both think nothing would happen -the  bolt of lightening would never strike. But we wonder whether there are some people who really do have to wait for the spark of an idea? Who have to respond to external stimuli rather than stimuli that come from within. This leads us to contemplate how the pandemic has effected our inspiration, both in positive and negative ways. For many artists lockdown took away their source of inspiration but in many cases that resulted in new and creative ideas. Finally, we ask how you can find inspiration when it has gone, and offer some of our own solutions for getting past that stuck feeling.

Mentioned:

Louise course: https://www.louisefletcherart.com/

Gary Peters' manifesto: https://garypeters.info/manifesto

This Naked Mind: https://www.amazon.co.uk/This-Naked-Mind-Annie-Grace/dp/0008293430

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"Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

Scott Denholm is a rapidly emerging and award winning ocean artist, living on the Sunshine Coast, Australia. It was his love of the natural world and previous work which first inspired his art, and also to find ways of making better choices for less impact on the environment. He has gathered a decade of research into The Artist Guide to Eco Friendly Art.

We asked, and you had questions; lots of them! So listen to the conversation and see what changes you can bring to your practice. Which materials make a greener choice? Does it matter what canvas you choose? What else might you want to consider around packaging and marketing? The book has covered a lot of ground and is a thorough guide with links and suppliers and will save you loads of time. So if this is something you have been meaning to look into this is a great start. 

While Alice starts by feeling a little guilty that she could be doing more, every decision can add to the impact (or not) we are making so Scott's advice is just to start with ONE thing... what will be yours?

Mentioned

Buy the book here: https://theartistguide.to/books/artist-guide-to-eco-friendly-art/   
(ebook $7US or paperback or buy from Amazon)

Find Scott's art on his website:  scottdenholm.com

Find Scott on Instagram @scottdenholm_oceanart

Andy Goldsworthy video:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FPDH8yCnlk0

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"Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

What kind of person are you? What are your personality traits and what are your quirks? This might seem like an odd question for an art podcast, but we both believe that it's a vital one and in this episode, we get into why. For us, the ancient greek aphorism "know thyself" applies perfectly to art-making and may impact our style, our medium and our process. If you love detail and precision, you may prefer slow and deliberative forms of art. If you like to pre-plan, you may be suited to complex printmaking or ceramic techniques. And if you love surprise and lack of control, intuitive abstracts might suit you to a tee. Our choice of media can also be totally related to our personality preferences - want the element of surprise? Maybe inks or watercolours would appeal most. Love to work fast and furious? Quick-drying acrylics might be your forte. And finally, our process and workspace will work best for us if they are aligned with who we are.

Our discussion takes a quick detour into enneagrams, whizzes past the Myers-Briggs test, touches on the role of age, and wends its way through various rather tortured analogies - all in an effort to spark thought and discussion about this most important of topics. Above all, we are asking: where you think your personality is already in your work - and where you think there is room to bring more of yourself into your art.

Mentioned

Shrine of Duty podcast https://open.spotify.com/show/53IJZX2FH4pLtrAZl9yR5m

Obsessed with Line of Duty podcast https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0742833/episodes/downloads

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"Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

Probably! We all are to some extent... After all, it's not unusual to enjoy it when other people like our work. However there are times it can become a problem and block you from moving forward. 

We discuss times when we have been guilty of making work with too much consideration for what other people may think of it and have some ideas about how to spot when this may be having a detrimental impact on your own work. It's a fine line sometimes between caring too much and thinking "f*ck it" with pure abandon, so perhaps it's about honing your own personal criteria. After all - YOU are the artist. 

Hopefully this conversation will help if you are ready to release yourself from other people's ideas and get closer to your own vision. Louise shares where this has also shown up recently in her book project and Alice shares the thrill of seeing other people's wins in her Connected Artist Club membership - not surprisingly usually when people have taken that brave step to try something which feels adventurous and personal.

Mentioned

Alice's video on Youtube: Starting a New Series

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"Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

This week, Louise is joined by special guest Lewis Noble. Lewis is a UK-based contemporary landscape painter with a unique style and a well-established reputation. He exhibits widely and has been teaching workshops for over 15 years.  In this episode, we discuss his approach to abstracting from reality, a unique process that involves a combination of plein air painting and studio work. Our wide-ranging discussion covers issues such as getting away from the horizon line, the role of collage, and how to know when a painting is done. Lewis also shares his experience of turning in-person teaching into an online learning experience and the discoveries he has made along the way.

Mentioned

Lewis's website: https://www.lewisnoble.co.uk/

Lewis's online workshop: https://www.lewisnoble.co.uk/online-workshops

Lewis on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2ojuGFqdy4DO8Tf7tsVBfA

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"Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

This week, we're discussing the challenges of finding time to make our art when we all have so much else going on. Many of us balance family, work and art-making and then somewhere in there, we also need to find time to market the work and manage the admin side of things. This means posting on social media, managing a website, keeping inventory, dealing with galleries, communicating with buyers, packing and shipping, doing our accounts .... the list goes on and, truthfully, it can be a challenge. Neither of us claim to have this all worked out, but we have found some ways to make things a little easier on ourselves. These solutions include creating good systems, asking for help, making clear choices, and being careful not to bite off more than you can reasonably chew (something we both find easier to say than to do!)

Mentioned:

Laura Horne Art podcast https://www.laurahornart.com/thepodcast

Unforgotten  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7mLwTNqJLRw

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"Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

This week, we're diving into the world of Instagram. This is perhaps the most popular social media platform for artists, but it can feel overwhelming, confusing or just downright frustrating. What are the right hashtags? Why do some posts do better than others? How can you increase your following? Do your clothes have to match your paintings? And what on earth is a reel? In this wide-ranging discussion, we share our own strategies for success on Instagram and explain how we have built up a following over time. Our tips include taking things slowly, considering your grid, having conversations, and only using extra features such as stories, reels and IGTV if they really appeal to you. We also discuss the dreaded algorithm and explain the simple secret to making it work for you. This might not be the definitive guide to Instagram - we'd need more time for that! - but we hope it sparks some ideas, eliminates some fears, or inspires you to get more active on the platform. Instagram really can be fun!

Mentioned

Heavyweight podcast: https://gimletmedia.com/shows/heavyweight

Bibby G: www.bibbyart.com

Word Hippo https://www.wordhippo.com/

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"Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

We recorded this episode in response to a listener question about the ways in which we both use sketchbooks. The ensuing discussion demonstrated how different we are in this regard. Louise uses many of her sketchbooks as judgement-free playgrounds, places in which to relax and explore while Alice does this kind of work on loose sheets of paper and keeps her sketchbook for a more thoughtful development of ideas. We both also have a practice of journalling about our art, although again in slightly different ways. During today's chat, we also share how we've worked in the past, debate our favourite sketchbooks, and share the different ways that our sketchbook work feeds into our finished paintings. As always, we agree that sketchbooks are intensely personal - there is no right or wrong - and we hope our ideas help to make sense of your own feelings about your sketchbooks (or lack thereof!)

Mentioned:

Seawhite sketchbooks (regular): https://www.amazon.co.uk/SEAWHITE-Hardback-Artists-Sketchbook-195X195/dp/B0067JPQR0

Seawhite concertina: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Seawhite-A5-Concertina-Sketchbook-Case/dp/B00BUPIPMO

Moleskine sketchbooks: https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=moleskin+art+sketchbook&adgrpid=54075308395

Stillman & Birn books: https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=Stillman+%26+Birn&ref=bl_dp_s_web_3818381031

Hannemuehle sketchbooks: https://www.hahnemuehle.com/en/artist-papers/sketch-drawing/sketch-books.html

Handbook sketchbooks: https://www.jacksonsart.com/brands/hand-book-journal-company

Robert Motherwell Storming the Citadel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9V1ccTOBoQ

Artholes Podcast: https://artholespodcast.com/

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"Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

This week's main topic was inspired by some recent events within online art communities. These included an anonymous letter intended to hurt and intimidate one artist, an ill-informed discussion of Cy Twombley's work, and an angry email that turned out to be the result of a mistake. We discuss how our attitudes shape our experience of the world. It is true that our assumptions often determine not only the outcome of any situation, but how we feel on a day-to-day basis. Neither of us is perfect (no really!!) but we share how we look at challenging situations and some of the ways we turn things around in our minds. 

We also answer a listener question about the amount of work we produce - do we just have lots of ideas or is it something about our process that allows us to produce so many paintings in a year? This leads to a discussion about the value of working in series, and the extent to which one idea can feed many paintings.

Mentioned

Elaine Tobin on Instagram

Jon Clayton's website (look under books)

Joan Mitchell book

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"Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

This week, we are joined by representational painter Gabriel Lipper who has been painting professionally for over 20 years and teaching for more than 15 years. In this conversation, we discuss Gabe's transition from classical figurative work to a much looser style that brings in elements of abstraction and he shares his reasoning for making this move. During our chat, we learn about Gabe's passion for daily drawing an, his desire to portray the beauty of our world, and his commitment to sharing more of himself in his work. (We also discover that Alice has an aversion to the word "sketch!") Gabe is about to teach his "Learning to See" course, which ran for the first time last year, and we discuss both the course content and his experience of teaching it. Finally, we share two inspirational artists for you to check out.

Mentioned:

Get access to the Learning to See free workshop classes HERE
Perfect for exploring that hybrid between realism and abstraction

Learning to See course is now open (end Feb 2021)
Gabe would love you to watch the free classes first which you can do on the link above.
Find out more about joining the full program  HERE

Gabe's website

Roger Cecil: A Secret Artist 

Raimonds Staprans: Full Spectrum (out of print)

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"Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

This week, we're digging into the subject of abstract and non-objective art. We consider the different types of abstraction, from its beginnings with Hilda F. Klimt through the abstract expressionists and their focus on emotion, all the way to the more conceptual modern day abstraction. We also consider where to draw the line between art and simply making marks, and we share our own experiences with abstraction. Finally, we offer suggestions for those artists interested in abstraction, but unsure how to go about it, including the importance of identifying your 'why.' We explain why having an idea behind the work will sustain you when things get challenging and how it helps you make decisions, strengthens your desire to keep working, and protects you against ill-informed criticism. This feels like a topic we need to come back to again and again, because there is so much to discuss. But we hope this first conversation sparks some ideas or spurs a discussion.

Mentioned:

Join the free Art2Life workshop HERE. (started February 15th but you can still join)

Vitamin D:New Perspectives in Drawing: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Vitamin-New-Perspectives-Drawing-Themes/dp/0714845450

Ways of Drawing: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ways-Drawing-Royal-School/dp/0500021902/

Anna Sigmond Gudmundsdottir https://www.gudmundsdottir.com/

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"Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

This week saw us both experiencing self-doubt brought on by limiting beliefs. This inspired us to create a list of the most common beliefs that we feel hold artists back. This is so important, because these beliefs are often unspoken and we might even experience them, not as beliefs but as facts of life. When this happens, we don't even realise there is anything we can do about them. By bringing them out into the light and questioning them, we can often gather the courage to move forward despite our fears or doubts. So, join us as we discuss these pesky beliefs and share our thoughts on how to manage them. 

Mentioned: 

Join the free Art2Life workshop HERE. Starts February 15th

Find our websites: www.alicesheridan.com www.louisefletcherart.com

Follow us on Instagram:@alicesheridanstudio @louisefletcher_art

"Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

This week our special guest is Californian artist and Art2Life founder Nicholas Wilton. Nick has been helping artists to raise their game for many years and he has been a pivotal figure in both our careers. In this conversation, we discuss what it takes to elevate your work, whether talent has anything to do with success, and the magic that can happen when you start to make unique and personal work. The conversation goes deeper when Nick reveals the personal issues that made him finally commit to his art, and he also shares the vulnerabilities that come with greater success. Finally, Nick explains why teaching is so important to him and his art practice. This is a conversation you won't want to miss - and be sure to sign up for the free workshop he is teaching later this month. This once a year event has the power to transform your life (as we know all too well!)

Mentioned:

Join the free Art2Life workshop HERE. Starts February 15th

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www.alicesheridan.com
www.louisefletcherart.com

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"Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

Have you found your creative well has run dry of inspiration? Especially recently? This week we have two projects to share with you which will help inspire and re-invigorate your art.

The 100-day project was started by the designer Michael Beirut and has since become an annual free global art project for creatives. Just pick an action, do it consistently for 100 days and share it. Today we meet Lindsay Thomson who has been involved in co-ordinating the project since 2017

We talk through some tips on how to pick your project - maybe choosing one of the three key areas projects often cover: play, practice or produce. We also discuss how specific to make it, how figuring out your motivation can really help, what your starting point might be, and how to find time.

The project kicks off on 31st Jan and runs until May 10th.

What to do now:

1. There are some great FAQs and tips on the website page where you can also sign up for the newsletter.  http://the100dayproject.org

2. Go to @dothe100dayproject account on Instagram to share one of their recent posts to announce your commitment :-) Look in the Stories for a Q&A session done earlier this month

3. Think of your project and share using #the100dayproject and your own personal invented hashtag

Artist, psychologist and creativity coach Rachel Davis, who some of you may know from her AJ visits, will be offering free support, accountability, inspiration and humour through her IG account @racheldavisart.bayarea as she embarks on her third #100 day project. Rachel knows this terrain really well and is ready to help you stay on the creative track, even when self doubt, boredom and frustration show up, as they inevitably will. Follow #100daysupportwithrachel to keep up with what she’s offering and so she can comment on your journey.

Mentioned:

Don't forget to join the free Art2Life workshop HERE which starts on 15th February. These online lessons are a great guide for you to learn a new approach to making personal, powerful and authentic art. If you follow and learn from these we are happy! 

Follow and find Lindsay @lindsayjeanthomson 

“Does this sound like fun? I'm not sure. But some years, up to two dozen students start the assignment. And some years, more than half drop out before the end. Everyone starts with high hopes. But things get repetitive by day ten. By day twenty, no matter what you've decided to do, it feels like you've been doing it forever. And bridging the end-of-year break is always a big challenge. But the students who get past day thirty or forty tend to get in a groove that will take them through to the end. Here's a sampling of what's been done through the years, including some of my favorites.

Read about the original Michael Beirut project here: https://designobserver.com/feature/five-years-of-100-days/24678

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www.alicesheridan.com
www.louisefletcherart.com

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@alicesheridanstudio
@louisefletcher_art

"Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

This week, we answer a listener question from Maxine, who asked about the best ways to sell art online. This is a huge topic and perhaps a little ambitious for a one-hour episode, but we decided to give it our best shot! In a wide-ranging discussion, we discuss the importance of a website and email list as a "home base" for your marketing, so that no matter where people find you, they can sign up to stay in touch. But we also cover other options and ways to get started if you don't yet have a website, including social media, licensing opportunities and third party websites such as Saatchi Art.  And we stress that even when you do have a website, it's not enough to just set it up and then wait for people to arrive. You will always need to drive traffic to your site and finding ways to do this is an important element of your marketing strategy.

Mentioned

Louise's Art Tribe membership group is currently accepting new members. Join for a free trial month at: https://thispaintinglife.mykajabi.com/art-tribe

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Alice @alicesheridanstudio

Louise @louisefletcher_art

Credits

"Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

As working artists, we have both used social media to build an audience and make sales. In this episode, we discuss how we approached social media when we first started, what we learned along the way, and how it plays into our marketing strategies today. This is an honest and open discussion that includes what we didn't understand, what we got wrong, and where we still need to improve. But having built solid and loyal followings on platforms such as Instagram, Youtube and Facebook, we both have sound advice about different ways to leverage these free resources to build your art career. 

Building a following on social media is a slow process, but the results speak for themselves.  These platforms certainly have their downsides, but artists have never been able to take such strong control of their own marketing or been able to reach so many people free of charge. We hope you find our conversation thought-provoking and perhaps inspirational.

Mentioned:

Sketchbook Project: https://www.sketchbookproject.com/

Patrick Gale book 'Take Nothing With You': https://www.amazon.co.uk/Take-Nothing-with-You/dp/B07C2V4F5N/

Link to episode 59: https://anchor.fm/dashboard/episode/eb63c0

Mini Seawhite concertina sketchbook: https://www.cassart.co.uk/drawing/paper-3/sketchbooks/seawhite-concertina-sketchbook-70-pages-140gsm.htm

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Submit a question at bit.ly/artjuicepodcast

Support the podcast with a small donation at: https://ko-fi.com/artjuice

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Alice @alicesheridanstudio

Louise @louisefletcher_art

Credits

"Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

As we look ahead we ask if the creative space you have suits the artist you want to become and look at some ideas to help you grow.

This week we're discussing the pros and cons of our different studio set-ups. Louise has a studio in her garden while Alice recently took the leap and rented a large studio away from her home. As our discussion reveals, there are pros and cons to both arrangements. For example, home studios are ultra-convenient and allow for quick pop-ins, while studios away from home can give much more space and also more privacy. We also share some tips for maximising the space you do have and suggest that sometimes there are options we haven't allowed ourselves to consider. 

As you think about your plans for your space, Alice recommends thinking a few years ahead - what kind of artist do you want to be and what kind of space will that artist need? In this episode, we also catch up with what's been happening over the holiday, and share where we are with our planning. Finally, we would like to wish all of you the happiest and most creative of new years and to thank you for your ongoing support. We couldn't do it without you!

Mentioned:

If you are clearing your existing working space, this post gives you some key pointers to help: How to kon mari your studio

Charlie Brooker's Death to 2020

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Alice @alicesheridanstudio

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Credits

"Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

As we develop our plans for the coming year, we dive into a discussion about our goals. This episode was recorded two weeks in advance, so it’s early in our planning process, but we already have some ideas forming. Our discussion includes how we each use Trello as an organisation tool; the value of clear mission statements; and the role of limiting beliefs (how much do we shape what’s possible through our beliefs about what is impossible?). Alice also shares her new system for checking whether commitments overlap, and we discuss the need to balance teaching with time spent developing our own work. Above all, we stress that this has to be personal for you and not based on what anyone else thinks. And finally to close the episode - and the year - Louise reflects on what she wants for her work, Alice stresses the importance of flexible goal-setting and we both wish you a very happy, creative and productive new year.

Mentioned: 

Best Art Year Ever download

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Alice @alicesheridanstudio

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Credits

"Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

For our 100th episode, we are delighted to welcome Seth Godin to the podcast. Seth is a bestselling author and all-round amazing guy and his new book "The Practice" is subtitled "shipping creative work." With this book, Seth is on a mission to inspire everyone to make a powerful commitment to themselves and their art. In this lively conversation, he explains why the world doesn't need any more paintings (and what it actually needs instead); challenges us all to be artists not painters, explains why he never reads his reviews, and shares his thoughts on balancing art and commerce. We also discuss the importance of knowing your audience, and why  picking that audience determines the course of your art career. As you will hear, Seth is a genuine art lover and has lots of interesting stories to tell. Grab a notebook and prepare to be inspired!

Mentioned

The Practice by Seth Godin https://www.amazon.co.uk/Practice-Seth-Godin/dp/0241470048/

Seth's Blog https://seths.blog/

Connect with us

Find us and sign up for our newsletters at:

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Alice @alicesheridanstudio

Louise @louisefletcher_art

Credits

"Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

Last year we ran a special event called Your Best Art Year Ever, in which we led 3,500 people through a planning process to ensure that 2020 would indeed be their best year ever. Of course then Covid came along and threw everything up in the air. Nevertheless, life continued and this week, we’re looking back on our plans to see where they went well, where we had to change course, and whether we learned anything that we can take into 2021. Our conversation spans dreaming big dreams, setting clear goals, understanding your motivation, and the need for flexibility when things change. We also answer a listener question from Jennifer, who is struggling with how to stay authentic in her work.

Mentioned

The Practice by Seth Godin https://www.amazon.co.uk/Practice-Seth-Godin/dp/0241470048

Buy the Purely Abstract artist lesson bundle HERE

Find the full Artist bundle including Alice's lesson HERE

Find us and sign up for our newsletters at:

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www.louisefletcherart.com

Submit a question at bit.ly/artjuicepodcast

Support the podcast with a small donation at: https://ko-fi.com/artjuice

Follow us on Instagram:

Alice @alicesheridanstudio

Louise @louisefletcher_art

Credits

"Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

This week, we feature our third positive lockdown story - this time, our guest is American artist Rachel Davis, who transformed her attitude and her art business when Covid forced the closure of an important show and the cancellation of all her plans. Initially depressed and listless, Rachel was inspired into action after a friend held a successful online event. Despite her lack of technology experience, Rachel decided to launch her own virtual open studio and subsequently designed and managed a successful online fundraiser. She also had work selected for several prestigious shows and made a rather special sale. We both found Rachel's story super-inspiring and we hope you enjoy it too.

Mentioned:

Rachel Davis https://www.racheldavisstudio.com/

This American Life Kid logic  https://www.thisamericanlife.org/605/kid-logic-2016

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Alice @alicesheridanstudio

Louise @louisefletcher_art

Credits

"Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

This week's episode was inspired by two different listener questions. Cathie asked whether likability matters when it comes to appreciating art (for example, does it matter that Gauguin might not have been the nicest person?). Meanwhile, Pam asked how much she has to reveal about herself in order to sell her work. We decided it would be interesting to debate this idea of the artist persona and how much it matters. Our discussion begins with great artists who were, let's say, less than perfect. Does the fact that Caravaggio committed at least one murder mean that we can't appreciate his art? If he had been alive today, would he have been shunned by galleries and collectors, thus depriving us of his work and influence? And how much does it matter if we find out that our favourite artists have traits and habits we don't like?

We then go onto to discuss the importance of persona when it comes to selling our own work. How much - if anything - do we need to reveal? How honest do we need to be? Is it enough to simply show our work - or do we need to show more of ourselves? And what are the key messages we should be sending?

Mentioned

Alice's Connected Artist Club https://alicesheridan.com/artists/

Maggi Hambling documentary https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000nx23

Mary Wollstonecraft statue https://www.theguardian.com/books/2020/nov/10/mary-wollstonecraft-finally-honoured-with-statue-after-200-years

Find us and sign up for our newsletters at:

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Submit a question at bit.ly/artjuicepodcast

Support the podcast with a small donation at: https://ko-fi.com/artjuice

Follow us on Instagram:

Alice @alicesheridanstudio

Louise @louisefletcher_art

Credits

"Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

This week, we're returning to a listener question from episode 93, when Cherrie asked if we knew of any positive lockdown stories. As the UK enters a second national lockdown, we decided to talk with two artists about how they have made the most of this strange year. First, Alice talks to Faye Bridgewater, who has really stepped up her game in 2020, earning success after success as a result of her courage and hard work. Then, Louise chats to Gwynne Penny, who shares a heartwarming story of turning negative feelings into a beautiful and inspiring creative project. Both these conversations are a reminder that we cannot control what happens, but we can control how we react to it. We also discuss our progress on our work and send our best wishes to Tracey Emin as she recovers from major surgery following a cancer diagnosis.

Mentioned

Faye Bridgewater https://www.fayebridgwater.com/

Gwynne Penny https://www.gwynnepenny.com/

Gwynne's book https://www.gwynnepenny.com/memories-of-st-ives-in-print/

The Painter and the Thief trailer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ohk9IQrmSc

Pamela Caughey video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c6CsWdF-854

Join us

Alice's Connected Artist Wait List https://alicesheridanstudio.mykajabi.com/connected-interest

Louise's Art Tribe sign-up page https://thispaintinglife.mykajabi.com/art-tribe

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Submit a question at bit.ly/artjuicepodcast

Support the podcast with a small donation at: https://ko-fi.com/artjuice

Follow us on Instagram:

Alice @alicesheridanstudio

Louise @louisefletcher_art

Credits

"Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

This week, we answer listener questions from Maroulla, Caroline, Helen and Jane, who all wanted to know about finishing and presenting work. We start with titles... how important are they? Is it OK to go with 'untitled' or can a creative title enhance the impact of a painting? And how do we come up with titles for our own work? We also share our secrets for sealing and varnishing work, cover a variety of framing options, and finally discuss our approach to packaging (including where we think we can improve). As usual, we also catch up with what we've both been up to (spoiler alert - lots of painting this week!) and enjoy a special letter about creativity written by the author Kurt Vonnegut to a class of schoolchildren.

Mentioned:

Morten Lassen contemporary painter

Rebecca Hossack Gallery

Join us

Alice's Connected Artist Wait List https://alicesheridanstudio.mykajabi.com/connected-interest

Louise's Art Tribe sign-up page https://thispaintinglife.mykajabi.com/art-tribe

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Support the podcast with a small donation at: https://ko-fi.com/artjuice

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Alice @alicesheridanstudio

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Credits

"Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

With only two months until Christmas, this seems the perfect time to revisit a topic we first discussed in episode 43 - how to encourage people to consider giving your art as a holiday gift (or requesting it as one for themselves!) This time, we cover the importance of good copywriting; the benefit of a flexible returns policy; and the value of offering gift certificates. We also suggest ways to create and market less expensive items such as prints, coffee table art books, mugs, and calendars, and we discuss how "drop shipping" firms can reduce costs and workload. In other news, Louise has had a breakthrough on some large paintings that she feels have really pushed her into new territory and this sparks a discussion about what that means. What does it feel like to be working in a new way? How do we recognise what works and re-create those conditions over and over again? 

Mentioned

Contrado https://www.contrado.co.uk/

Red Bubble https://www.redbubble.com/

The Rabbit Hole  https://www.nytimes.com/column/rabbit-hole

Kate Green http://kategreenart.com/

Join us

Alice's Connected Artist Wait List https://alicesheridanstudio.mykajabi.com/connected-interest

Louise's Art Tribe sign-up page https://thispaintinglife.mykajabi.com/art-tribe

Find us and sign up for our newsletters at:

www.alicesheridan.com

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Submit a question at bit.ly/artjuicepodcast

Support the podcast with a small donation at: https://ko-fi.com/artjuice

Follow us on Instagram:

Alice @alicesheridanstudio

Louise @louisefletcher_art

Credits

"Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License