If you are like our typical listener, you adore making art. Maybe you don‘t have much time, maybe perfectionism gets in the way... we get it. We’ve been there too. That‘s why we created this podcast. To help people just like you to overcome those hurdles and dive into painting so you can create art you love and experience the hidden benefits too. Listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. If you like what you hear please leave us a review!
Podcast Feature Episodes
In 2019 & 2020 I was featured as a guest on the Susan Nethercote Studio Insider Podcast. There are some really interesting conversations about the path of an emerging artist, and the challenges faced when preparing for a Solo Exhibition.
Click the links below to listen.
Bringing a body of artwork to Completion.
We're off and running with the Susan Nethercote Studio Insiders Art Podcast! So let's dive straight in.
In this episode I introduce artist Laura Day, an emerging abstract artist preparing for her first solo exhibition. Laura also happens to be my studio assistant and all-round beautiful human. Listen in as we delve into the questions this process raises and I guide her along this path of becoming a professional artist.
From Fashion Designer to Artist - My Creative Journey.
In this episode Laura asks me about where it all began for me on my art journey. I talk about the winding road that led me to being a painter- from art history academic to fashion designer, to creative business consultant and and finally professional artist.
We also talk about how to maintain momentum as an artist and how to develop a consistent practice.
How to ‘Find Your Style’ when learning from others.
In this episode Laura and I talk through the process of taking online or in-person classes and then translating that experience into your own artistic language.
We talk through several aspects of this process including:
Absorbing what's right for you and progress onward seeking your own style
Being present in your body and paying attention to what feels good, bringing an element of mindfulness to your practice
The Magnetism that occurs when your work is truly coming from you
Not intellectulising the process too much.
Accepting that there are no shortcuts and that you need to make a lot of work to allow the process to happen
Leaning-in to the experience and embracing the elements that are yours wherever you are at in the process
Conquering the white space of the canvas & Strategies for self care when on a deadline.
Today we're checking in with Laura on her progress using Suse's tips from episode 1. We discuss how creating parameters around our work allows the creative spirit to enter a free-flowing zone.
You can also hear how an abundance mindset around our art supplies allows us the freedom to let loose.
I also touch on the physical health challenges faced by both Laura and I and share my strategies for looking after yourself when your body feels the strain of intensive creative output.
Respecting the ebb and flow in your art practice.
This week I share some of the hard lessons I’ve learned along the way of my life and business, including how to respect the ebb and flow and why we shouldn’t ‘push through’ the hard parts.
Laura, my studio assistant, updates us on how ‘life happened’ and got in the way of her best laid creative plans to continue painting for her exhibition. We talk about re-framing the pressures around creating art and strategies to get the most out of your creative time.
Navigating Fear when you’re feeling ‘Stuck’ in your art practice.
This episode is a juicy one! With her deadline looming, Laura shares how as she steps into the reality of her dream of becoming a professional artist it's beginning to feel uncomfortable.
I share my experiences with these feelings and dive into the paradigm shift I call the ‘up-leveling freak-out'.
I unleash my inner woo-woo and open up on my art as a spiritual practice. I share how painting with intuition has allowed me to trust the process and move through the fear. I also discuss how to take micro-actions when flashes of insight present themselves.
Tackling the challenging ‘Mid-Zone’ of a painting.
In this episode we reveal how a time-lapse video can bring clarity, clues and mindfulness to the mid-zone of a painting process.
I share my feedback on one of Laura’s paintings and my strategies to help her move forward from a ‘thinking’ to ‘feeling’ space.
We talk about:
· Shifting the goal posts and learning how to loosen up when you’re used to creating more resolved art pieces.
· Trusting that the ‘history’ of the canvas will shine through and how to keep going even when you think you’ve stuffed it up.
· Finding the clues in your work for future paintings
· Using time-lapse video as a tool to gain a fresh perspective on your art.
Let’s talk about Self-Sabotage
This week’s conversation examines self-sabotage and it’s attempts to derail our art practice. We dive in to how it presents and how you can set up your creative space with the ambiance to nurture creative flow.
Leaning on your support network, including professional help when you’re feeling all the feelings
Having compassion for yourself when the going gets tough
Laura’s strategy for managing negative self-talk
Identifying where you’re self-sabotaging your art practice.
Using self-care practices to create structure.
Technical Questions Answered.
This episode we are getting technical and into the nerdy nitty-gritty of all aspects of finishing our work. From varnishing to questioning the conventions of signing and dating our work I spill the beans on all things practical for getting those finishing touches just right.
I've tried a lot of artists products for this process and I have shared some of my faves.
Pricing your work as an Emerging Artist.
This episode we ride the emotional roller coaster of pricing your work. As much as we would all love a magic bullet for this process there’s no simple answer to the question ‘How Much?’ when it’s time to price your work.
Join me as I help Laura along this tricky path and share some of my guiding principles.
Be clear on your pricing purpose
Pricing structures and thresholds
The power of a sale, confidence and social proof.
The cost of framing work and how that influences your pricing
Feel the priceless confidence of selling your work
Following your intuition
Knowing which pieces, you want to let go of and what you're happy to have around longer
Finding the balance between what the market demands and what you know you are worth
Naming and digitizing Artwork.
In this episode I share my systems for digitally storing your work with some tried and tested tools for making this process easier. Laura and I also talk about naming paintings and collections.
Exhibition hanging tips from a Gallery Owner.
This week I’m introducing a new guest and team member Steph Wallace. Not only is Steph the owner of the amazing brand Mostly Miniature. But she also used to own an art gallery. She also happens to be the gorgeous woman editing this podcast, hi Steph, thank you!
Join us as we draw on Steph’s extensive knowledge to guide Laura through all the options as she plans the hanging of her exhibition. You’ll learn some hot-tips for presenting works on paper!
Finding the balance between Art that sells and Art that fills your creative cup.
In this week's conversation you’ll discover that Laura’s exhibition opening has been and gone. We discuss various aspects of what her first solo exhibition experience revealed. We also talk about what to do when what your audience wants isn’t always what you’re yearning to create.
There’s also a quick dip into how to open yourself up for commissions.
Healing through Art.
This is the final episode of season 1 and it’s a deeply personal one. Laura and I finally open up about our respective healing journeys and the role that our art has played for both of us on the road to recovery. Please be aware that this episode deals with themes of mental health and childhood trauma that may be triggering for some listeners Listen as we have a rich conversation about: Art as a spiritual medium The power of colour to heal That things are not always as they seem
“The thing that I’ve found with art is it’s like an alchemical way for me to transition through really tough times.”
Preparing for a Open Studio.
Team Susan Nethercote are all hosting as part of the Ballarat Open Studios program in April 2020. Suse, Steph and Laura share what events they are hosting and the logistics in preparing for a successful event.
We talk about:
Prepping your space
presenting work for sale
Pricing
Insurance
running workshops
asking for help
Fostering creative connection through technology.
This episode contains a remote catch up with Laura Day my studio assistant. In this time of isolation we chat about how we've both taken our open studio events online. From a virtual tour of Suse's studio to a delivering workshops via Zoom we are embracing how technology can keep us connected, learning and inspired.
Making a Art Dream a Reality.
This episode we have a much needed catch-up with Laura Day, part of my studio team. In season 1 I coached Laura toward her first solo exhibition and so much has changed for her since then. Laura shares how her vision for her arts practice and coaching business has sprung to life and how manifesting that vision has propelled her forwards.
This rich conversation explores so many exciting themes including;
The power of investing in yourself
trying commissions on for size
the gift of online teaching
manifesting the vision for your art business
noticing when you're straying from the right path
how discomfort can be a sign of growth
LISTEN TO EP> HERE