Three questions artists should probably never ask [72]

Apple podcast

This week, we share 3 of the questions that we are most often asked, and discuss why they’re really not helpful.

Often, especially when we are starting out or when we are switching to a new medium, we ask questions as a kind of shortcut … it feels easier to ask than to work it out for ourselves… “tell me what you use”.

Question 2 is around how to find your approach to making abstract work and Question 3 is a money one! But the truth is that the answers to these questions are unique for each of us. Only you can find the answer that works for you. That said, we do have some suggestions that we hope are helpful and will prompt your own thinking.

This week we are also moving back to working on larger paintings, which feels really good, and we are both working hard on our membership groups. As an added bonus, you get my lockdown TV recommendations!

Mentioned:

Last chance to join Louise’s Art Tribe at the founder’s discount rate: https://thispaintinglife.mykajabi.com/art-tribe

Sally Hirst free courses on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCewJ2YXT8hN8Gb3g7LMkQKw

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

Should Artists Work for Free? [71]

Apple podcast

This week’s main topic was prompted by Alice’s decision to lend a painting to a leading home decor magazine. The painting appears on the front cover this month, but some people were critical of her decision to loan the piece free of charge.  So in this episode, we discuss whether it’s OK to work for free and what criteria you might apply when deciding.

We cover loans like the one Alice made as well as charitable donations, fundraising events, speeches and workshops, and we weigh up long-term brand benefits versus short-term financial gains. In the end, each artist has to decide where he or she draws the line, but we hope this conversation helps you determine what might be right for you.

shoot for Ideal Home magazine
with thanks to Joanna Henderson, photography and Gemma Gear, stylist

Mentioned:

Connected Artist opens TODAY (19th May) – add your name to the list to receive info here:  https://alicesheridan.com/artists/

See the full range of Motherhood prints here: https://motherhoodprints.co.uk/motherhood

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

Art and Motherhood (or just a busy life) with Marissa Huber [70]

Ever felt that the odds of making art were stacked against you? Busting this myth was what prompted today’s guest Marissa Huber to start a series of interviews with other artists. She wasn’t prepared to sit back and be told there was no longer time in her life to do what was important for her.

Apple podcast

Two children later and still with a full time job she has just published ‘The Motherhood of Art’ with Heather Kirtland and we talk about when self-care came into existence, following the natural flow of any creative project and the reality of current situations vs. your dreams. 

We also touch on boundaries of sharing online and how collaborations with others can help propel you forward. Whether you are a mother or not there will be ideas here to encourage you. The book is beautiful, but real,  and would make an amazing gift for any woman balancing her own creativity along with raising a family. Do take a look …

Mentioned:

Read interviews and buy the book: 
http://www.carveouttimeforart.com/the-motherhood-of-art

Carve Out time for Art on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carveouttimeforart/

Find Marissa Huber on Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/marissahuber/

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

Frayed nerves, broken glass, and really … what’s the point? [69]

Reaching breaking point isn’t much fun. So what do you so when it all just gets a bit too much?

Apple podcast

This week, we address an email from a listener who writes “Could you and Alice address the “what’s the point of art”, “what do I do with all this crap” sort of issues? I’ve not listened to the news for a while now, but am actually listening to very little at all. Sometimes I find people too jolly, too positive, so I guess I’m looking for gentle, encouraging, empathetic. I can’t seem to pull myself up at the moment.”

In response, we discuss how much it is our responsibility to change our mental state … and how can do it. We also suggest that the question should be ‘what is the point of art for ME?’ Understanding this gives you motivation to show up even when you don’t feel like it.

Interestingly, we feel differently about this question and have different solutions, so hopefully you will resonate with one of us.

We also discuss the ‘butterfly effect’ and why it might be a good thing and we share the ways in which we change our own moods (including a rather drastic strategy Alice recently employed (and is not recommending to others!)

Mentioned:

Extras outtakes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_thjUPE1i4 and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQMg8Ve1Gy0

Abraham Hicks Find Yourself First: https://youtu.be/1ddJyJoSOrg

Art in Isolation episode 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AoqTM4IljJM

Gretchen Rubin Four Tendencies Quiz 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