This week, we discuss how to handle a slump… those times when you turn up to work, and put in the hours, and yet nothing goes right; somehow the well has run dry, When this happens it’s so easy for us to start berating ourselves, but actually we both believe this is a natural part of the process. Alice has always believed in taking breaks, but Louise finds that difficult since painting is the most joyful thing she does. So we brainstorm solutions and offer tips and strategies for anyone experiencing the same thing.

Alice’s suggestions include stepping back to assess what has been working and what hasn’t so you can better understand your own practice. Louise thinks getting outside input might be one solution.  Whatever the solution turns out to be, Alice believes this is a breakthrough moment and so we end our discussion with a challenge for Louise – go explore her newest idea and just see where it leads. This is an honest and open look at one artist’s process – the good and the bad – and we hope it encourages you if you ever feel down about your work.

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 idea for this episode was sparked by the book “Coaching the Artist Within” by Eric Maisel which Alice has been revisiting. If you’ve ever caught yourself thinking you must be ‘this’ or ‘that’ in order to be a creative success this might help you shift your ideas.

We talk about the author’s ideas on dualistic thinking. Too often, Maisel suggests, we feel we must choose one way or another, without allowing for the possibility that we could actually be both. In fact, he argues, a truly creative life requires us to allow in one more than one possibility.  We discuss this idea in the context of self-judgment, defining our art style, and the rules we place on our work.  

We also debate the idea of doing ‘meaningful work’ and answer a listener question about selling prints. We both believe that prints can be a valuable addition to your business, but as with anything their success will depend on the time and energy you put into them. 

Mentioned:

“Coaching the Artist Within” – Eric Maisel

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