Building Creative Communities and Embracing Change: Paddy Johnson

In this episode, Ceri speaks to writer, critic, artist coach Paddy Johnson, founder of Netvvrk, a membership that enables artists to broaden their professional opportunities. Paddy shares her journey from rural Canada to the heart of the New York art world, offering invaluable insights on navigating the creative industry, building communities, and defining success on one's own terms. This episode is a must-listen for anyone seeking inspiration and practical advice for their creative journey.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Building genuine friendships and a supportive creative community is crucial for navigating the challenges of the art world and finding your way through periods of feeling creatively lost.
• Tough feedback and provocations from mentors can help artists identify what they don't want and make choices that are right for them.
• Quitting projects or styles can be necessary for growth, even when your own identity is entangled with them.
• Understanding your audience and where you fit within the art industry is key to effective communication and decision-making.
• Clear communication and asking for what you need, are essential professional skills that demonstrate professionalism rather than weakness.
• Success is ultimately about having agency over your own time and the ability to choose when to experience stress and when to rest.
• Writing helps artists think and learn, even though the process can be challenging.
• Having a viable business structure allows for the sustainability and continuity of creative efforts.

BEST MOMENTS 

"I always consider the blog commenters to be the editors of the blog because when I started, I didn't have an editor."

"Writing helps us think. It helps us learn, and that's why writing sucks so badly. It's really, really hard to do."

"Quitting allows you to do the things that you're meant to do when you're meant to do them."

"The fact that you don't know something and are asking about it gives you more information and shows you to be a professional. It does not reveal you to be not professional."

"A successful life is really being able to choose when you experience that stress."

"It's possible to not find your way. I've seen that happen."

"Artists are not fundamentally bad at writing. They just need support."

"If I was writing about something that already existed, it was not that hard to have an idea about it."

EPISODE RESOURCES

PODCAST HOST BIO

Meet Ceri Hand, the driving force behind countless creative success stories. A creative coach, entrepreneur, and dynamic speaker, she's committed to empowering creatives to realise their dreams and make a meaningful impact through her creative coaching, mentoring and training company. With three decades in the arts under her belt, Ceri has ridden the highs, the lows, and everything in between. Now, she's here to help you achieve your goals, your way.

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PODCAST GUEST LINKS

www.vvrkshop.art

@vvrkshop.art