Are you present when working in your art studio? Where is your mental focus when engaged in art-making? On this episode, I’m going to share how much presence and staying in the moment have impacted my self-portrait journey so far. We’ll also dive into slowing down to speed up and the power of baby steps. You don’t want to miss it! Outline of This Episode [0:42] Studio check-in and the concept blowing my mind right now [2:25] Overcoming obligation in your studio [8:57] What presence can do...

What happens on your canvas is a direct reflection of what is going on in your mind. That’s why it’s so important to be intentional with your thoughts about your art. On this episode, I’m going to show you how to curate your thoughts so that you can create whatever emotion you want in your studio. Outline of This Episode [2:27] The myth of multitasking  [7:32] Why the HOW isn’t that important [13:31] Choosing what you want to feel and how you want to think [21:59] The cumulative effect of...

For many artists, art is one of the top relationships in their life. It is something we have thought about, strived after, suffered for, and been fulfilled by for years, even decades. On this episode, I want to show you how unconditional love for your art can transform your art practice and help you create with the confidence and freedom you desire.  Outline of This Episode [5:04] You are in a relationship with your art and the power of unconditional love [11:17] Roadblocks to...

When the studio becomes an overwhelming place for artists, it may be time to apply some constraints to your creative process. Constraints are often viewed as things that limit options within our art practice. However, they can be the key to freedom and creativity in our work. On this episode, I’m giving you an inside look at the constraints I’ve placed on my current 100 Day Self-Portrait Challenge and my thought process behind them. I’ll also share some ideas about how to use constraints in...

A lot of artists struggle with finding their voice. To the point that some believe they don’t have one at all. This is absolutely false! Every artist has a voice, and I want to help you find it. On this episode, we’ll dive into what our voice looks like and how to listen to it, cultivating awe in your art practice, and the results you get from finding your voice. Outline of This Episode [6:25] What is your artistic voice?  [9:37] Learning how to listen to your voice [14:54] The practice of...

So many artists desire both clarity and focus in their art practice. We yearn for a practice that is stable, dependable, and free of distractions and confusion. Yet often, that is far easier said than done. On this episode, I’ll show you how to gain greater clarity and focus in your art practice so that you can focus all of your energy on the art you want to create. Outline of This Episode [1:57] The role clarity plays in art and decision making [5:02] How being clear and focused helps you...

So many artists (and humans) struggle with the opinions of others. Having an unhealthy view of external opinions can negatively impact your art practice. And your life ! In this episode, I discuss why other people's thoughts matter, the unhelpful ways we think about other people's opinions and strategies for breaking the cycle. Outline of This Episode [3:54] Why other people’s opinions matter and creating safety within ourselves [14:49] Cultivating curiosity creates better art [20:38]...

When we change one thought in any area of our thinking it changes everything else. The more I think about this principle the more I begin to question what is possible through my art and creativity. On this episode, we’re going to talk more about negative underlying beliefs and how choosing our beliefs on purpose is a powerful habit for our art practice. I’ll also prepare you for what to expect from yourself when you begin to change your thinking, as well as how and when you need to change...

One of the most important habits you can have is trusting your decisions. We often look at the outcome of a decision to determine whether or not the choice was good or bad. And we use that metric to determine how much we can trust ourselves. But what if I told you that the quality of a decision has nothing to do with the outcome? On this episode, I’ll discuss the importance of trusting your decisions, how trust builds confidence, and how a habit of trust leads to mastering your skills and...

Just like our paintings, we have visions for how we think our art journey should turn out and who we want to be as an artist. In order to achieve our full potential, we need to learn how to have our own backs and be our greatest advocates. On this episode, I’ll discuss how to shut down negative self-talk while maintaining high standards and embracing our humanity. Outline of This Episode [1:58] Why you need to have your own back  [5:32] The art of being kind to yourself [15:10] Why you...

Getting commissioned to create a piece of art for someone can be an incredibly validating experience. Finally, all of your hard work has paid off. All you have to do now is iron out the details and paint the painting, right? Unfortunately, creating commissioned artwork is not always that easy. On this episode, I’ll dive into an often-overlooked obstacle with creating a commissioned piece, and communicate the tools you need to overcome it. Outline of This Episode [1:28] The destructive power...

Have you ever thought about what it means to YOU to be an artist? Do you have a good grasp of your identity? I invite you to gain clarity on how you define that for yourself so you can have more confidence in your studio. On this episode, we will explore our self-concept and take a deeper look at why the way we see ourselves matters so much to our art practice.  Outline of This Episode [1:18] The three concepts of art creation [5:43] Why our self-concept is so important  [10:58] The art of...

Does your art practice feel limited? Is your mindset preventing you from achieving your full potential as an artist? Our possibilities are determined by the kinds of stories we tell about our art. On this episode, I’ll teach you how to notice the negative stories that keep you from the art practice you want. Outline of This Episode [1:22] Why our stories matter and finding our super power [7:04] The power of awareness in changing our mindset [9:43] Exposing the false stories we tell...

Is your art studio a place of peace or chaos? How do we intentionally create a sense of ease in our art practice? On this episode, I’ll take a deep dive into how you can bring that ease into the studio, why "hard" work is over rated, and the benefits of bringing fun, curiosity, and playfulness into our art practice. Outline of This Episode [0:57] What does (and doesn’t) ease in our art studio look like? [3:09] Why hard work doesn’t automatically make good art [11:04] Why ease and black and...

Is there a general path to success when it comes to our art? I’ve come to embrace that success is determined by how we grow and evolve as artists. On this episode, I’ll dive into what that looks like, the role each side of our brain plays in the process, and how to overcome the need for linear success. Outline of This Episode [1:15] Why we think we need linear success  [3:29] Bringing the right side of your brain into your art practice [8:28] The evolution of our art through trust [21:54]...

Get a taste of what it’s like to be a part of the Savvy Painter Community as I share a recent talk I gave during Mindset Monday all about our witness. We all have one! That inner critic sees everything we do and provides a running negative commentary like Statler and Waldorf from the Muppets. Listen to this episode to learn how to shut those guys up and turn your mindset (and your witness) into a positive one! Outline of This Episode [2:41] Can I get a positive witness?  [5:48] Recapping...

Are limiting beliefs holding you back from being the artist and person you want to be? Many artists are not satisfied in their art practice but fail to see why they haven't reached the place they want to be. Is it external circumstances or something deeper? On this episode, I’m going to discuss how our underlying belief systems impact what happens in our art studio and how you can take control of your growth. > Outline of This Episode [0:54] The reason our feelings are so powerful and...

What do you do when it feels like things aren’t happening in your art practice fast enough? Maybe you’ve taken lots of workshops, established a consistent painting practice, and you show up and put in the work, but your painting is just not at the level you think you should be at by now. Should you double down or just be patient with yourself? On this episode, I’m going beyond the understanding that patience is simply having the ability to wait without complaining. I want to offer you a more...

Are you in the messy middle? That part of creating where it starts to get a little uncomfortable or uncertain. Or maybe, that’s how you feel about your art practice as a whole. In any case, you have some decisions to make. On this episode, I’m going to give you insight on how to navigate the messy middle of both individual paintings and plateauing art practices while teaching you how to get to know your inner voice.  Outline of This Episode [0:13] Welcome to the messy middle [1:55]...

A lot of artists think that if they are not hard on themselves, they won't improve their work. I have a different approach. One that doesn’t leave you feeling like crap. In this episode, I give you some tools that will help you progress faster with your art and have fun while you do it.   When you are not where you want to be with your art, there is a tendency to get a little harsh with yourself. You think punishing yourself will make you work harder. But that just makes you miserable in...

One of the most underrated qualities of a successful art practice is consistency. There is an insane amount of power that comes from showing up to your studio on good days, bad days, and all the days in between. On this episode, get a taste of what it’s like to be part of the Savvy Painter Community as I share a Mindset Monday talk about creating an art practice that you can rely on. Outline of This Episode [1:23] The consequences of an inconsistent art practice and the struggle to find...

The Savvy Painter Podcast is officially 8 years old! I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to talk about why I do what I do. I’m often asked why I devote so much time and energy to helping other artists. The short answer is that it’s my passion. On this episode, I’ll discuss the long answer and share snippets of conversations with other artists discussing my WHY, art’s impact on humanity, and the power of invitation. Outline of This Episode [2:37] What’s your dollar amount to stop...

How do I become the artist I’ve always wanted to be? Asking that question can be dangerous because often the answer isn’t for the faint of heart. Working on ourselves isn’t always easy, but it’s always worth the effort. On this episode, I want to show you how to hold space for what is and what will be in your art journey and how to take steps right now to build the future you. Outline of This Episode [1:45] How our habits impact our results [4:01] The power of belief over doubt in your art...

Many artists are surprised by the results of their art practice. Despite feeling like they have put in the proper time and effort for success, the outcome doesn’t meet their expectations. They may even feel it’s unfair that other people have achieved more than them in a smaller amount of time. This is what I call “disempowered thinking”! On this episode, I want to help empower you when it comes to making art. I want to teach you how to stop giving your power away and make the changes needed...

Last week, I talked about how we find meaning in our art practice by connecting the dots of our art journey. This week, I want to connect a few more of those dots and talk about why sharing your work matters so much. I’ll dive into why sharing your art makes it better and how it can actually change the world. We’ll also take an in-depth look into how we need both sides of our brain to produce our best work. Outline of This Episode [0:40] What expands your mind also expands your art [4:23]...