I have been feeling burnt out recently - do you know the feeling??  When it feels like your head is in hundreds of different places, everything is coming at you at once.  It feels like you can’t catch your breath. I share in today’s episode how I have been feeling this way and how I am overcoming it. Enjoy  

“ Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not.  Remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for” - Epicurus   But, what if we have big dreams?? Is it wrong to focus on them???   Striking the balance between keeping your feet on the ground and aiming for the stars is what I talk about in today’s episode.   We can often get caught up in what we don’t have and miss the magic that is happening in our lives, right in this every moment.   Have the...

If I asked you to carve out 60 seconds this week, what would you do in that time?? How would you spend it?? We often allocate an hour or a day on tasks, but what if you allocate just one minute? What could you achieve within one minute? How would you choose to utilise that precious 60 seconds? Maybe this is the time for you to allocate 60 seconds a day to something you've been putting off? That 60 seconds may eventually become 60 minutes dedicated to something you truly want to pursue in...

For some artists, sharing everything about their artistic journey feels natural. They lay bare their motivations, inspirations, and the intricate details of their creative process.  Others prefer to reveal only a small fragment of their "why," leaving much to the imagination. Then there are those who choose to share very little, allowing their audience to interpret their work entirely on their terms. The key lies in understanding your "why" and using it as a compass when creating art.  ...

Join Michelle and award-winning artist Ronelle Reid as they talk about how Ronelle transitioned from being made redundant from her work to becoming a full-time artist. Ronelle also shares her tips on getting grants, how to network and find your WHO, plus some golden information on what artist residencies are. This was a live recording, so in some parts, we mention dates that have passed, and it is part of a longer interview, so we may notice we cut rather abruptly at the end. Ronelle shares...

Collage and book artist Jenny Stevenson joins us to share her experience working through our 7 Keys framework.  She shares how she: Developed her voice Dreamt of a solo show and made it happen Sold her marketing material and sold out in one day   We had a great discussion about Jenny's journey over the years and how she now has lots of opportunities coming her way.   Learn more about Jenny: Instagram: www.instagram.com/jennystevensonart/  Website: www.jennystevenson.com   ...

JOIN MICHELLE FOR A LIVE PODCAST RECORDING! This week, Michelle recorded a bumper live podcast episode to kick off the Make Art Your Living Workshops that start on Thursday, 7th September. In this episode, Michelle explores the meaning of Making Art Your Living, says hello to people joining live in the chat, shares their comments and takes a few questions (about 34 minutes in). If you haven't signed up for the FREE online MAYL workshops yet, and you'd like to join us, you can find out more...

Isn’t it frustrating when you post to Instagram and only a few people see your post?   My friend, Jay Kingman from Aniko Branding, did an experiment recently and posted to Instagram, and only 5 people out of 3500 people saw his post!!  He posted the same post to Linkedin and over 1000 people saw it. So, how do you stand out in today’s world? I talk about this in today’s episode, and I have set you a small challenge to get you thinking out of the box when it comes to standing out from the...

As I have been delving into my creativity recently it has left me feeling vulnerable.   I am delving into a new way of making art and am very conscious of my lack of ‘skill’ and where I want to be.   I am also writing my heart out as my book's words finally flow.   This burst of creative energy has had me feeling all the feels.   Not directly about the work I am creating, but hiding in other ways.  I have been having crazy imposter syndrome thoughts.  Wondering if I am good enough to...

Why should we care about your art? Ouch. This can be a hard question to swallow. I was given this advice recently: whenever I write a headline or have something I want to present to the world, I should ask the question, ‘So What?’ This golden advice can help you: Communicate with others Get clear on what to say yes and no to Convert sales  Discover whether your ideas have legs I explain how to do this in today’s episode. Enjoy Make Art Your Living Workshop Reminder: If...

I sat at the kitchen table and as all was quiet in the house, I had time to sit and contemplate.  I poured my oat milk onto my cereal and read the milk carton before me for the first time in years! The milk carton shared a tip: How to be curious by using the Q&Q method.  Asking a curious question and answering by asking another curious question. I love this concept as I think it can help us learn more about our art, the art of others, life - anything.   This is what I share in today’s...

Life is a tapestry of highs and lows, triumphs and tribulations. It can be difficult to see beyond the pain and frustration during our most challenging moments.  During these trying times, we are pushed to our limits and tested in ways we never imagined. While we may get caught in the whirlwind of emotions and uncertainties, it's important to remember that every struggle carries the potential for immense growth and resilience. Think back to some of the most challenging moments you've faced...

I recall times when I wanted to do something, but it felt so far out of reach that I procrastinated or felt frustrated that I wasn’t getting anywhere.     One of those times was setting up United ArtSpace, and it annoyed me that I never had time to work on my dream.  I was pushed and pulled in all directions.   Then I made one simple change.  A change that felt insignificant at the time but changed my life years later.     In today’s episode, I want to invite you to consider what one...

As artists, we often face unique challenges and moments of uncertainty. In those moments, we must have a network of individuals we can turn to - an S.O.S. list.    This episode delves into the power of having trusted allies who can provide guidance, support, and encouragement during those times of need.   Just like we have a list of people we turn to when we have a leaking pipe, a broken car or a hole in our tooth - creating a little black book of contacts to help navigate life has been...

In our fast-paced lives, it's all too easy to get caught up in the worries of the future or dwell on the regrets of the past, inadvertently neglecting the present moment—the very source of our creative potential.  In this episode, we delve deep into mindfulness teachings, exploring how grounding ourselves in the present moment can elevate our artistic practice, connect us to our intuition and helps us gain more control over our brains. Limiting the mental chatter! This is a super short...

Be thankful for what you have, and you’ll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you’ll never have enough. - Oprah Winfrey   Today I have recorded a super short episode and will do so for the next few weeks as a MINDSET MINUTES series. The aim is to give you a small action each week to help you make a change in your life for the better! Small mindset shifts over a few weeks can impact mental health, success, progress and more. In this episode, I share a super tip...

Have you ever felt like you're living a life on autopilot? Going through the motions day after day, but deep down, something feels off? Well, you're not alone. Many of us find ourselves drifting along the current of societal norms and expectations, but what if we could change that? What if we can consciously design a life that aligns with our values, passions, and purpose? In this podcast, we'll dive into the concept of living a life by design, not default. So, if you're ready to step out...

If only I had more time, it would make such a difference.   I would be able to keep on top of my house work, finish my book, spend more time with friends, exercise more - the list goes on!!!   We either need to cut back on what we add to the ‘to-do’ list, or we need to use our time wisely.   As I prepare for our Mid-Year Best Year Yet workshop in 26th June (the link is below if you haven’t signed up) it has been thinking about how I can carve out more time to complete all my 2023...

We are fast approaching the midway point towards this year, halfway through the year, can you believe how fast the time is going? I want to talk today about how I'm starting to get ready for planning the rest of the year and how you can too. So as we approach the midpoint, I like to do a mid-year review. And in fact, I'm going to be doing a free workshop for you all where I'll be reviewing my year and I'll be using a worksheet to review the six months gone and what I wanna be doing going...

After moving house recently, I realised that I had been living in my previous home with serious self-doubt, fear and wild stories that held me captive. In today's episode, I shed light on how easily we become trapped in the monotonous cycles of life, often failing to recognise the profound impact that an unsatisfying situation can have on our overall happiness. Enjoy 

As I film my last ever episode in the room I began in 7 years ago, I reflect on the journey.   When I first started filing and recording 7 years ago, I felt like an imposter, a fraud and incompetent.   I had friends film with me as I was terrified to do it alone.   I was afraid of people judging me and being mean. I was afraid of saying the wrong thing.   I was afraid to be myself in case I wasn’t professional enough or good enough in the eyes of others.   I now realise these...

Capucine Jenkins is a trailblazing digital art curator who is pushing the boundaries of what's possible in the realm of NFTs and the blockchain.   Before she started working with NFTs, our guest honed her skills at several prestigious museums, including the High Museum of Art in Atlanta.   She remains passionate about nurturing artists and innovating digital art spaces. I am so excited to have Capucine join me on today's podcast. We covered everything you need to know about NFT's: ...

Three years ago, Laura dreamed of becoming a full-time artist, and today she is living the dream! Laura sells her original works, hosts workshops, has been on TV, radio and in magazines - she wakes up most mornings pinching herself to make sure this is really happening. Based in Croatia and working in clay, Laura creates birds of happiness, bottles that think they are vases and volcanic flowers. In today’s episode,  we talk about Laura’s journey and how she has built a wondrous...

Overcoming self-doubt and reigniting passion for art. This is what we are talking about today with our special guest, Nish Shah. A self-taught artist who has been creating art from a young age, finding solace and comfort in the process. However, crippling self-doubt caused Nish to put his passion on hold for three decades, until the pandemic gave him the opportunity to reignite his love for art. It is truly a pleasure to speak with Nish about his journey of rediscovering his passion...