https://Art2Life.com - Do you ever feel like you've hit a creativity wall? What if there was a way to optimize ourselves for more creative potential? I am absolutely thrilled to have my friend and an esteemed author, Dawson Church, Ph.D., joining us for this episode. Not only is he a prolific writer, but he's a dedicated scientist and a healing researcher. Dawson is also the visionary founder of the National Institute for Integrative Health Care, an organization dedicated to exploring and...

https://Art2Life.com - Are you an artist who struggles with the business side of your art practice? Well, have I got an episode for you. Please welcome back my friend and multi-talented entrepreneur and artist, Bonnie Christine! She is a powerhouse of creativity, offering incredible resources like her eight-week course, The Immersion, which equips aspiring artists with the tools and knowledge to not only start but thrive in the world of surface design. But beyond all these impressive...

https://Art2Life.com - There’s nothing like some time away from your art practice to build excitement for the creative road ahead. I recently took a backpacking trip with my daughters through the Maroon Bells, which is situated in the Elk Mountains of Colorado. Aside from an incredible time of connection with my family, it was also a great time to reflect on art, creativity, and the struggles we collectively share as artists. From my own personal challenges to the voice submissions we get on...

Contrasts are interesting by virtue of what they are. They make art intriguing and exciting both to the artist and those who enjoy their work. Carl Heyward is a contemporary artist whose work is a powerful example of how the juxtaposition of ideas, colors, and even mediums can create a moving and powerful experience. His work centers around ideas of fragmentation, disparity, and collaboration, and the surprising part is that his art flows out of his process. He says that “In my case, the...

https://Art2Life.com - I cannot believe the 100th Episode of the Art2Life podcast is finally here! When I started this thing a little over two years ago, I didn’t really know what it would be about. But as we’ve taken this journey together, the theme of finding your way as you go has become central to not only this show but Art2Life as a whole. So I thought it would be fun to take a trip down memory lane with my good friend James Higgins. James is a yoga instructor and spiritual guide for...

https://Art2Life.com - A big theme that comes up frequently for the artists I work with is the idea of believing in yourself. Specifically, believing in yourself when others don’t. It’s completely understandable to care about what others think. Human beings are hardwired for community, after all. However, we can’t let someone else’s negative take keep us from the life we’re supposed to live and the art we’re supposed to make. Join me as I share a handful of thoughts to help you rise above the...

https://Art2Life.com - There is something so powerful about disruption. Challenging the status quo is a message in and of itself, but when you apply that to art…it simply transcends. Meet author, artist, and disruption curator John Seed. John has written two books on disruption, with the second book chronicling an entire movement happening in the art world right now. Join us for a conversation about John’s life and career, disruptive realism, creative advice, and a sneak peek into the artists...

https://Art2Life.com - Have you ever been scrolling through Instagram and some high-quality content catches your eye? Well, that’s exactly how I found the incredible Adrien Anne. Adrien is a pro skater turned travel content creator with a large online following. His gorgeous pictures and videos truly capture the essence of what it’s like to visit the destinations he showcases. Join us for a conversation about freedom, creativity, working with your partner, and the ins and outs of social media...

https://Art2Life.com - It’s time for another Q&A session with the Art2Life community! Today, we’re diving into a plethora of artist questions that I think will help all of us reach our creative potential. Join me as we discuss starting, freedom, creating a new body of work, tips for art materials, gaining brand clarity, and the art of doing hard things. ================================ LISTEN IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN… Using enough paint [1:33] Doubling down on freedom [5:36] What’s...

https://Art2Life.com - How do you handle mistakes? Early in my art career, I avoided mistakes at all costs. But now they are easily the most interesting part of my work. On this episode, I’m diving into all things mistakes! Join me as I explore different kinds of mistakes, the fear around them, and how to leverage your mistakes for creative success. ================================ LISTEN IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN… Unpacking the problem with mistakes [2:00] Exploring different kinds of...

https://Art2Life.com - Do you feel freedom when you make art? Is the process life-giving or life-draining? A big part of ease in art-making has to do with how we think about it. It’s not hard to get so bogged down by our own thoughts that we lose objectivity. Today’s episode continues a conversation I’ve had for 25 years with my dear friend Steve Lomprey. He’s a multimedia artist whose mediums include painting, videography, and music. Join us for an encouraging discussion about humanity,...

https://Art2Life.com - When was the last time walking into your studio felt like an adventure? Are you busy charting unknown territories in the land of creativity? Or are you trudging the same old paths on your canvas, hoping a breakthrough magically appears? Meet David duChemin! He’s a ​​world and humanitarian assignment photographer, best-selling author, digital publisher, podcaster, and international workshop leader. His breathtaking photos make you feel like you’re actually hanging out in...

https://Art2Life.com - Has anyone else been craving rest lately? Or perhaps you’ve been burnt out for so long that the idea of rest feels like a foreign concept. If any of that describes you, don’t miss this episode! Join me as I share why rest is such an essential part of creativity, the power of pausing our art practice, and how real progress is made away from your art studio.  ================================ LISTEN IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN… Learning the art of rest through sleep...

https://Art2Life.com - Right now, I believe artists globally are in a time of emergence. We are experiencing a kind of restlessness with how things were, and the desire for change has become inescapable. But dealing with all of the uncertainty around change as we figure out the new thing happening in our respective art practices can be such a daunting challenge. Join me for a deep dive into self-trust as I answer questions from artists trying to create better, stronger, and more interesting...

https://Art2Life.com - Every time I make art, I'm thinking about how it relates to my life. The ideas around art as a practice profoundly affect the kind of art you create and the speed and progress you make. Today, I’m going to be talking about the inherent life metaphor built into the art-making process. Join me as I take an in-depth look at getting started, why self-optimization is the key to more creativity, how to optimize yourself, and so much more. ================================ ...

https://Art2Life.com - There are a bunch of Art2Life workshops on the horizon, and all of the excitement has me reminiscing about how much of an adventure they can be. So I thought it would be fun to share some of those experiences with you on this episode! Get ready for some wild stories you’ll have to hear to believe while unpacking the benefits of curiosity, travel, and community for your art practice. ================================ LISTEN IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN… The creative energy...

https://Art2Life.com - Art-making is an invitation to presence. It’s where we learn to become more sensitive to the world around us and let go of everything that isn’t in front of us. Meet Barbara Groth. Barbara has spent 30 years pushing the boundaries for what's possible in emerging technologies, human experience, design, storytelling, and social impact with companies such as Walt Disney, Pixar, and Meow Wolf. In 2015, she founded the Nomadic School of Wonder (NSOW), which seeks to take...

https://Art2Life.com - There are so many parallels between making your art and making a business that sells your art. I deliberately don’t spend a lot of time talking about the business side of things because I believe that the creative solutions I teach on the canvas are universal for promoting our work as well. Join me as I share a different way of thinking about your art business that will help you gain clarity around your personal brand as an artist and help you get your art out into the...

https://Art2Life.com - Knowing when a painting is finished is both an art and a science. There are measurable aspects of finished work, but there are also intangible things that are difficult to discover when first starting out. Join me as I take an in-depth look at finishing, the criteria for finished work, and how to finally put your brush down and move forward. ================================ LISTEN IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN Unpacking the struggle to finish [1:24] What is the criteria...

https://Art2Life.com - I love artists whose work compels me to go deeper. That’s exactly how I felt the first time I saw one of Anna Kincaide’s figurative abstract paintings. Anna has devoted her life to the study of women and expressing the female experience through her artwork. Join us as we discuss overcoming artistic burnout, creating a sustainable art practice, the role of gender in the art journey, connecting with purpose, and using vulnerable authenticity to go deeper. ...

https://Art2Life.com - Meet Adam Rosendahl. He’s the founder of Late Nite Art where he facilitates art experiences by bringing people together from all walks of life. Adam works with teams, organizations, and conferences around the globe to connect people more with themselves and their community through art and music. Join us for a fascinating conversation as we look at Adam’s art journey, the incredible work he’s doing at Late Nite Art, and how he gets his participants to throw away critical...

https://Art2Life.com - Showing up in your art practice regularly has all kinds of benefits. But the first step is understanding that it's difficult to do. There is tremendous resistance to making art with any consistency. I’ve always struggled with consistency, but this week I want to share some tips and strategies that have been absolute game-changers for my art practice. Join me as I dive into the topic of consistency, why we need it, and how we can make showing up easier to gain...

https://Art2Life.com - The perception of our art can be different than how we see it. After all, we don’t just make art for ourselves. We make it for others too. And the viewers of our art bring their own perspectives to the canvas. If we’re too focused on authenticity and making personal work, we can lose sight of the objectivity that makes our work universal. Join me as I take a deep dive into the topic of objectivity. We’ll look at what it is, why it's important, what happens when we don't...

https://Art2Life.com - Join me as I dive into another diverse group of questions from the Art2Life Community. We’ll discuss how to trust your process, develop your intuition, use acrylics and cold wax, evaluate art world relationships, and do more of what you love. Nobody owns the “right answers” when it comes to art, but I hope my experience and perspective encourage and propel you further on your art-making journey! ================================ LISTEN IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN… ...

https://Art2Life.com - We make our best art when we are most like ourselves. But the journey to find ourselves is not always as straightforward as it seems. Today I’m joined by my friend and amazing therapist, Rick Scott. His counseling practice has helped countless couples, corporate executives, and individuals be their best selves. On this episode, we’re talking all about authenticity and how that flows into the artist’s journey. We’ll unpack what it looks like to be authentic and...