October 2019 - Alice Sheridan: contemporary artist

Can We Really Get Anything We Want? Woo-Woo and the Law of Attraction [41]

Louise received a remarkable letter this week and it sparked a discussion about manifestation, the law of attraction and all things “woo-woo.”

This is definitely not an area of expertise for either of us, but we have both experienced some surprising results from changing our mindset. Is there something to the law of attraction? Or is it just that when we change our thoughts, we take different actions?

We debate this, discuss our personal experiences, and touch on the emerging science that suggests the way we think really does alter our physical reality.

We also answer a question from a listener who worries that her buddhist practice might smooth out her emotional ups and downs and negatively impact her work.

Mentioned:

Marisa Peer and Lewis Howes interview:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4TqTkks7AA

If you have a question you’d like us to discuss, click here to send it to us

If you are enjoying the podcast this is an easy and inexpensive way to help support it and ensure it continues. The demands of making it each week can be challenging. Your support is allowing us to hire some editing help. If you’d like to help out with a one-time or a monthly donation, you can “buy us a coffee” us at Ko-fi.com

Contribute to the podcast here:

Follow Alice on Instagram @alicesheridanstudio
or Louise @louisefletcher_art

Credits
“Monkeys Spinning Monkeys” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

Coaching Creativity with Judith Morgan [40]

podcast episode

Today’s special guest believes creatives best get clear “with our mouths open”. Talking, and more importantly, listening is key to her role as a coach.

Judith Morgan has been coaching for 15 years and Alice’s coach – rather on a whim – for the past 5 years and before that has launched and sold a number of successful businesses in different areas.

Today though we are talking about what exactly coaching involves for creatives. We share some of the practices and discoveries which have helped many different creative entrepreneurs and discuss impatience, creating a sanctuary, the impact of emotions, leaving an imprint and the risks of helping others at your own expense.

If you’ve ever wondered about how coaching could help you, we hope this might clarify your ideas about what to look for to choose the right way for you. After all, that’s what we both strongly believe finding your personal way is the only way we could both keep going. Do you agree?

Mentioned:

Find Judith’s book “Your Biz Your Way” HERE

If you’d like to get in touch with Judith, the best way is to message through her Facebook page

If you enjoyed this and would like to hear more, you can find the “Own It!” podcast with Judith Morgan and Nicola Cairncross HERE

Read some of the stories behind the Peter Doig exhibition at Michael Werner gallery HERE

If you have a question you’d like us to discuss, click here to send it to us

If you are enjoying the podcast this is an easy and inexpensive way to help support it and ensure it continues. The demands of making it each week can be challenging. Your support is allowing us to hire some editing help. If you’d like to help out with a one-time or a monthly donation, you can “buy us a coffee” us at Ko-fi.com

Contribute to the podcast here:

Follow Alice on Instagram @alicesheridanstudio
or Louise @louisefletcher_art

Credits
“Monkeys Spinning Monkeys” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

The Role of Intention in Our Work [39]

podcast episode

Here we go… this seemed a good idea when we planned it, but perhaps I’m finally ready to face up to some harsh truths…

Alice is feeling a shift in direction and has been exploring the idea of intention for her work. This sparks a discussion about the role of intention in art-making. Do we need it? Do we have to decide it right from the start? Or can we find it as we go?

We explore the pros and cons of intention in a discussion that ranges from the compositions of an art-making chimpanzee to Steve Jobs’ wise words about how we can connect the dots.

We also discuss the super practical topic of studio flooring with a few different suggestions for comfort and ways to preserve your floor from paint, ponder the challenges of teaching art workshops and reveal our thoughts about fancy dress (Gold star if you can guess which one of us has never ever worn a fancy dress costume!)

Mentioned:

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD YOUR BOOK GUIDE

How to Create a Mood Board for Your Art
https://alicesheridan.com/how-to-create-a-mood-board-for-your-art/

Steve Jobs speech
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UF8uR6Z6KLc

Congo the chimp
https://news.artnet.com/exhibitions/congo-late-chimpanzee-painter-whose-work-sold-thousands-will-solo-show-december-1671976

If you have a question you’d like us to discuss, click here to send it to us

If you are enjoying the podcast this is an easy and inexpensive way to help support it and ensure it continues. The demands of making it each week can be challenging. Your support is allowing us to hire some editing help. If you’d like to help out with a one-time or a monthly donation, you can “buy us a coffee” us at Ko-fi.com

Contribute to the podcast here:

Follow Alice on Instagram @alicesheridanstudio
or Louise @louisefletcher_art

Credits
“Monkeys Spinning Monkeys” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

Our Ultimate Guide to books & Is my work any good? [38]

podcast episode

In this special episode Louise and I discuss some of the books that have inspired us over the years. Our choices may seem surprising but we hope they are all enlightening.

We could not fit all our recommended books into one podcast, so we’ve created a special download for you with a total of 14 amazing reads.
(see below for links).

They include a collection of letters from one poet to another, a book on marketing (with a twist), two very different artist-written books, and two very different guides to living an easier and more joyful life.

It’s easy to find artist books we admire; images we appreciate and are drawn to, but if making art is about more than creating pretty pictures we also need to be inspired in the way we think and interpret the world around us. Here we share the books which have helped us most.

Some are great gifts for artist friends (or your own Christmas wish list!) and some are decidedly practical with ways to overcome procrastination, create a stronger habit for making art in your life. I also share my current favourite image book from a contemporary British artist so there is bound to be something for you.

To download, simply click the image or text below – no email required, but if you’d like to sign up for future updates and news about work releases and artist workshops, you can do that at the bottom of this post.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD YOUR BOOK GUIDE

We also answer a listener question about how to judge our work. Is there any such thing as a perfect painting? And how do we know if what we are making is good? In fact, who decides what is good?

To join in on the perfect painting quest, see what others have shared, and add your favourite painting, you can go to this Facebook post and share away!

Mentioned:

Find further book suggestions on THIS Instagram post

If you have a question you’d like us to discuss, click here to send it to us

If you are enjoying the podcast this is an easy and inexpensive way to help support it and ensure it continues. The demands of making it each week can be challenging. Your support is allowing us to hire some editing help. If you’d like to help out with a one-time or a monthly donation, you can “buy us a coffee” us at Ko-fi.com

Contribute to the podcast here:

Follow Alice on Instagram @alicesheridanstudio
or Louise @louisefletcher_art

Credits
“Monkeys Spinning Monkeys” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

Flying Your Freak Flag: The Power of Exposing Yourself [37]

podcast episode

Most of us spend our lives trying to fit in; to get it right; to avoid causing offence. If we have unusual personality traits or experiences, we tend to keep them hidden from all but our closest friends.

This episode was conceived after a personal conversation during which Alice shared a major event in her life. That event played a major role in the way her art has developed and yet she has not discussed it publicly until now.

We explore how such experiences can shape our art and whether this is something we should share with others. Does it help us connect with art buyers more authentically? Or is it too much information? And what are the potential downsides of being open about our lives?

Our discussion touches on the work of Brene Brown, covers what to do if you don’t like exposing yourself, and includes a brief discussion of whether galleries approve of artists being vulnerable online. We also catch up with Alice after her workshop in Yorkshire and hear how she kept herself occupied during over 12 hours of driving (spoiler alert: there was singing!).

Allowing ourselves to be bolder and more comfortable with our own unique vision is a key part of being an artist. And happy human to be honest! Please share the image above to Pinterest, and I’d love to know one if your deliciously freaky facts about you if you’d like to add it in the comments.

Mentioned:

Brene Brown Dare to Lead
Brene Brown TED talk on shame
Louise’s sketchbook from Alice’s workshop
David Tress book

If you have a question you’d like us to discuss, click here to send it to us

If you are enjoying the podcast this is an easy and inexpensive way to help support it and ensure it continues. The demands of making it each week can be challenging. Your support is allowing us to hire some editing help. If you’d like to help out with a one-time or a monthly donation, you can “buy us a coffee” us at Ko-fi.com

Contribute to the podcast here:

Follow Alice on Instagram @alicesheridanstudio
or Louise @louisefletcher_art

Credits
“Monkeys Spinning Monkeys” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License