The idea for this podcast came from a simple email I received: “Review your personal creative ‘why’. Take some time to reflect and journal on why you create art and why you are committed to your creative journey. Display your why so you can see it every day.” I had no idea why. So I went on a journey and I finally figured out that I think it’s a Venn Diagram. I actually learned a lot about myself through doing the exercises I suggest in the podcast. Here’s what I...

On this episode of the Adventures in Arting Podcast, Mom and I chat with Design Boot Camp grads, Ellen Goodloe and Karen Hall. Ellen Goodloe Karen Hall Ellen Goodloe is a painter. Not only does she use paints, but sometimes she incorporates textiles, threads, and papers into her creations, and uses a variety of techniques to include printmaking and collage. She is inspired by the world around her, desiring to transform the everyday, the seemingly mundane, into the...

If you’ve ever wondered how an art exhibit comes together…this podcast details all of the things that went into planning mine. You can visit the exhibit webpage HERE to see all of the art in the exhibit and read a bit about each piece. Some thoughts I have on what makes a “good” exhibit: * It’s good for you and good for the venue – meaning: you both get what you want.  So what do you want?* It’s authentic to you.  Andy J. Pizza/Creative Pep Talk Podcast – True not...

Defining the skill levels of artists, whether they are beginners, intermediate, or advanced, is somewhat subjective. But here are the divisions as I see them (it’s important to note that you can be an expert in one area and a beginner in another): Technical Skills: * Beginner: Limited Technical Skills* Intermediate: Solid Technical Skills* Advanced: High-Level Technical Proficiency Composition: * Beginner: Limited Composition Understanding* Intermediate: Improved...

In this episode of the Adventures in Arting Podcast, Julie and Eileen delve into the intricacies of developing an artistic practice, emphasizing its dynamic and personal nature. The discussion unfolds in four parts, covering various aspects of an art practice. Part 1: Introduction to Artistic Practice Julie introduces the concept of an artistic practice, highlighting its multifaceted nature. She draws parallels between her art practice and other daily practices, such as...

Be sure to check out Julie’s new class: Practical Color for Painters. In episode 134 of the Adventures in Arting Podcast, Julie and Eileen explore the importance of creative reinvention, adapting to change, and connecting with new audiences. You can listen to the podcast or watch the video version: Take Aways for You: * People Change: As people evolve, as time marches on, your perspectives, interests, and skills naturally change. Reinventing yourself...

On today’s episode of The Adventures in Arting Podcast, Mom and I are discussing making art in bursts. This is the concept that you don’t need two or three hours or a full day to get art done.  You can make a lot of art in short bursts of time — 10 minutes here and 10 minutes there. Be sure to listen to the end because we have a new segment: Listener Mail!  I hope you enjoy the conversation.  As always, you can listen to the podcast, subscribe to it on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, or...

On today’s episode of The Adventures in Arting Podcast, Mom and I are discussing Planning and Organizing.  They are two separate things, in case you’re wondering.  During the podcast Mom and I go into detail with our tips for planning and organizing as well as our own struggles in those areas.  I hope you enjoy the conversation.  As always, you can listen to the podcast on this page, subscribe to it on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, or watch the video version on YouTube. Here is the...

Mom and I sat down last week and recorded this podcast.  It’s a fun premise.  We each got to ask the other three year-end questions.  You can watch the video version on my YouTube channel, or you can listen above (or anywhere you get podcasts): And, I did find a discount code for the Bombas socks.  New customers can use this link (it’s an affiliate link) to get 25% off your purchase.  Please let me know what topics you’d like us to discuss on the podcast in 2023. We’d love to...

I love a good mash-up.  You know, a bit from column A and a bit from column B smushed together and suddenly you’ve got something brand new!  Historically speaking, mash-ups are how innovation works.  People rarely invent something from scratch.  It’s the brilliance of putting two things together (or twenty things together) to create something new and necessary.  Here’s the official definition from Merriam-Webster: On today’s podcast, Mom and I discuss mash-ups and why they matter...

Today’s episode of The Adventures in Arting podcast was fueled by an email I get almost every single day: “I can’t access my class.” It’s a statement that makes me crazy because there’s no way for me to help the emailer.  The questions I usually write back with are: * What’s the class?* What’s the specific issue with accessing the class?* Is there an error message you’re seeing? My frustration with this unspecific way of asking for help, led me to think about WHY...

When I told Mom that today’s podcast topic was “failure,” she said, “Again?!” Back on September 18, 2012 we published our very first podcast (almost exactly 10 years ago) and the topic was failure.  I figured a ten year gap was enough time to chat about it again.  I hope you feel the same way. During the podcast we share concrete tips for re-framing failure as an opportunity, along with strategies for defining your own ideas about success and failure. ...

Mom is under the weather today, so instead of chatting with her, I’m sharing portions of three interviews I did with artists who are a part of The Artful Holiday online class. I’m chatting with Barb Smucker… …about her daily art practice. This is a picture of the beautiful collage calendar she’s teaching you how to make in The Artful Holiday class: You can watch my full interview with Barb HERE. May Flaum… …and I chat about being...

We’re back and on schedule (amazingly) with another new podcast.  Yay! If you prefer, you can watch the video HERE.  We chat about a topic that has come up several times – particularly during Book Club: why having a broad range of inspiration matters.  In other words, why you should look to fashion or architecture or quilting if what you do is collage.  I share one of my favorite quotes during the podcast and I took some time to track down its origins.  It turns out that...

After a year-long hiatus, the podcast is back!  Hooray! I managed to traumatize my Mom by turning the video on. (You can watch the video HERE.)  The good news is that she has forgiven me and we had a great conversation. There are a few glitchy sound and video problems at the beginning of the recording. But, like I said, the conversation is a good one and I hope you’ll chime in with your own thoughts on the subject.  Today’s topic is “critique” and how it’s different from...

On today’s podcast Mom and I are chatting about sketchbooks!  We share lots of tips for starting your own sketchbook process along with some of the reasons (artistic by mostly personal) that you might be interested in adding a sketchbook to your repertoire.  You can either listen to the podcast recording, as normal, or you can watch the video: There are two major categories of sketchbooks in my experience — * Workbooks which are used as a place to explore ideas for...

This is a very special episode of The Adventures in Arting Podcast.  We turned on the video cameras while we recorded the podcast and streamed a live video version to facebook and youtube.  Mom wasn’t sure about it, but she did a great job and we’re definitely going to do it again! You can either listen to the podcast recording, as normal, or you can watch the video! This episode focuses on my recently finished 100 Day Project: 100 Days of Art Botanical. The 100 Day Project is a...

On this episode of The Adventures in Arting Podcast, Mom and I chat with Tina Walker about her obsession with details, antiques, art challenges, and how she uses art-making to reset herself.  I really enjoyed our conversation and I think you will too!  Tina Walker is a creator, hobbyist photographer, and dog lover. ♥ She loves all things mixed media, including art journaling, assemblage, and book making. Her project selection and medium choice are always...

On this episode of The Adventures in Arting Podcast, Mom and I chat with Tania Ahmed about her life in the craft industry.  Tania is smart and insightful and totally down-to-earth.  I really enjoyed my conversation with her and related to so much that she said and I think you will too.  I didn’t want the conversation to end because there was so much to talk about.  Tania Ahmed is an art video maker and tutor based in the UK. As a lifelong crafter, she has blended...

On this episode of The Adventures in Arting Podcast, Mom and I chat with Edva Sims about her pottery business, finding your personal style, and the belief that things made by hand are important.  Here’s a little bit about our guest, Edva: Hi, I’m Edva! I’ve been drawing, painting, sewing and sculpting since I was a little girl.   Inspired by my mother – a Potter herself, I fell in love with clay and its ability to tell a story. I thoughtfully sculpt and...

It has been several months since we’ve released a new podcast.  There’s a good reason and I’ll bet that you can relate: the COVID blahs.  But all hope is not lost, Mom and I have four solutions for you — ways to bust those blahs and get back to being creative.  If you enjoy the podcast, please tell a friend about the show.  This helps other people find the show.  Thanks so much! Some things we discuss on the podcast: The Gates. This is a photo I took of The Gates in 2005....

Mom and I are talking about goals and hopes and plans for 2021 on today’s podcast.  Give it a listen. Some things we discuss on the podcast: * The 100 Day Project* A Year of Gelatin Printing* Rug Hooking* Sketchbookery* Project Life And here are our recommendations for this episode: * Julie: your local public library to “test” books before buying* Eileen: El Anatsui & Where are all the Women? If you enjoy the podcast, please tell a friend about the...

Is it too early to wrap up 2020?  On the podcast Mom and I are discussing the lessons learned in 2020 and what we hope for 2021. If you’re interested in getting on the list to be e-mailed when a new session of Design Boot Camp opens in 2021, drop me a line. And here are our recommendations for this episode: * Julie: Ballroom Dancing Video* Eileen: Saturday of Symposia If you enjoy the podcast, please tell a friend about the show.  This helps other...

Today on the podcast I’m sharing a list of five lessons from my Design Boot Camp class. I hope that you’ll find the lessons useful in your own practice. (And speaking of practice, I just started reading Seth Godin’s book, The Practice, and my brain is exploding with thoughts. Has anyone else read it?) If you’re interested in getting on the list to be e-mailed when a new session of Design Boot Camp opens in 2021, drop me a line. And here are our recommendations for...

Today’s guest is Christina Richmond, aka Tweeny.  Christina lives in Bath, and as a Jane Austen fan, I’ve always had a fantasy version of Bath in my head.  We do chat about this at the top of the podcast, but then we get into the creative meat of the matter: when graphic design meets lino. Meet Christina: She is a designer by day, living and working in the beautiful city of Bath, and an artist-printmaker in her free time. She has been print-making for...