Savvy Painter Podcast with Antrese Wood

Latest Episodes:

Capturing Emotion in Art and “Getting it Wrong” with Linda Christensen Feb 01, 2019

Show notes

Can you really capture emotion in art? Is there something that you can convey on the canvas that transfers to the viewer? Emotion is such a complicated and complex human experience that the effort to capture it on canvas seems like an impossible task. My guest, Linda Christensen is proving that notion wrong with her amazing artwork.

Linda is a Northern California based artist who paints a moment in time in women’s lives, she looks for the emotional connection and tries to capture it. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree and her Graduate Certificate from the University of California, Santa Cruz.

In our conversation, Linda opens up about how she got started as an artist, habits and rituals that keep her in a creative flow, how a David Park painting influenced her, why she is ok with “getting it wrong,” tips for connecting with a gallery and pricing artwork, and much more. I know that artist like you will get a lot out of our wonderful conversation.

Expressing emotion in art.

Have you ever had that moment in your career where you finally found someone who expressed themselves creatively as you do? Who was that artist for you? What was it in their work that resonated with you? For Linda Christensen, that moment came when she was viewing a painting by the figurative artist, David Park. When she saw one of his paintings, Linda had an immediate and emotional connection that she’d never experienced before. That encounter with the David Park painting told Linda that emotion could be captured in a painting.

Embracing distraction.

What is your process like in the studio? Do you have a checklist you go through so you can get into your creative flow? Some artists love to work with music playing or after they’ve spent time in an art book, but everyone has to find their groove. I’ve found it helpful over the years to hear from my peers like Linda Christensen who are more than willing to share what they’ve found useful as they approach the canvas. Linda likes to knock out all of her errands and personal tasks before she steps foot into her studio. She also loves to have an old black and white movie playing in the background that she’s seen before so she can have a contrast to her painting process. I loved hearing all about Linda’s studio process and her love for Catherine Hepburn movies; I hope you enjoy it too.

Getting it wrong.

Do you ever find yourself jumping through hoops and trying to please someone else or working fulfill some idea of what you “ought” to be doing with your artwork? Do you give in to those voices and let them shape your art or do you try to silence them? Artist Linda Christensen has embraced the idea of “getting it wrong” because she knows that she’ll never “get it right.” Someone will always have a critique ready but Linda is ok with that, and she encourages other artists to embrace this mindset as well. At the end of the day, none of us are, as Linda says, “movie-ready” we all have flaws, why not embrace them?

Outline of This Episode

[2:30] I introduce my guest, Linda Christensen.
[4:00] What led Linda to a career as an artist?
[5:30] Linda talks about how David Park influenced her artwork.
[7:45] How Linda describes her artwork and how her process plays out.
[11:20] Habits and patterns that help Linda in her studio.
[15:30] Silencing the inner critic.
[17:15] How do you decide if you’ve finished a painting?
[19:40] Linda talks about how she navigated her early career.
[22:00] Advice Linda has for artists trying to get their artwork featured in galleries.
[26:00] How does Linda price her artwork?
[31:45] Linda talks about how her process changes each time she goes to the canvas.
[37:00] What does it mean to “get it wrong?”
[43:00] What does Linda hope people walk away with after viewing her paintings?

Other

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The Influence of Dreams & How to Start Painting, with Suzanne Unrein Jan 17, 2019

Show notes

Do your dreams impact your creative process? Have you ever explored this aspect of intersection between your imagination and your art? Does your approach to starting a painting differ from your peers? My guest, Suzanne Unrein took the time to explore these fascinating topic and much more throughout our conversation.

Suzanne is a California native and current New Yorker. Her paintings and works on paper explore a vibrant world of humans and animals. Her work is characterized by vibrant colours and expressive gestures.

In our conversation, we discuss intuition and how dreams influence her paintings from time to time. We also touch on some differences in how we start painting. I can’t wait for you to learn from the fascinating insights and unique perspective that Suzanne brings to the table.

Is there a “right way” to start painting?

Where you ever taught that there was a “right way” and a “wrong way” to start painting? Did that direction cause you to have a dogmatic approach? Suzanne Unrein explained to me that she doesn’t have a set pattern that she goes back to when she approaches the canvas. She wants to put herself in a position to hear from the canvas in a new way each time she goes to start painting. As she explained her process, Suzanne did confess that she occasionally slips into some technical patterns but that emphasis to listen to the canvas is always in the back of her mind. What approach has worked for you as you’ve developed as an artist?

Exploring the influence of dreams.

Dreams are such a fascinating topic, from poetry and song to film and artwork, as a species we’ve long tried to understand and come to grips with what our minds process while we sleep. Have your dreams seeped into your creative process or vice versa? Suzanne shared with me that she once dreamt that she was getting eaten by a lion. She shared this with me in the larger context of her exploration of animals and the influence they have on our imagination and our society. Animals also play a huge role in Suzanne’s artwork. Have you played with the concept of dreams or animals in your artwork?

Getting unstuck.

What does it take to get past a creative block? Do you have any tips or tricks that have worked for you throughout your career? I’ve been stuck plenty times creatively, and I am always eager to hear from my peers to get their perspective on getting unstuck. Suzanne says that she gets stuck from time to time due to her perfectionist nature, she’ll focus on one aspect for too long that she can’t see anything else. When that happens, she’ll just pull back and remove the section that has her stuck, and she’ll start fresh the next day. I hate getting stuck but hearing from artists like Suzanne can be helpful in developing different remedies to this common occurrence.

Outline of This Episode

[2:30] I introduce my guest, Suzanne Unrein.
[4:15] What led Suzanne to her career in art?
[7:30] Suzanne talks about getting her start in LA.
[10:30] How does Suzanne describe her artwork?
[17:30] Is there a good “way” to start painting?
[23:00] Suzanne talks about her process and a project she is working on.
[30:40] Is there anything that scares Suzanne about painting?
[35:15] Questions that Suzanne is interacting with in her artwork.
[40:00] How does Suzanne deal with creative block?
[43:30] Art that Suzanne would love to have from a living artist.
[49:00] Where you can find Suzanne’s artwork.

Other artists mentioned on this episode

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And hey - if this episode hit home, do me a favor, leave a review on Apple Podcast or come say hi on Instagram: @savvypainterpodcast
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Exploring the Role of Truth in Art, with Vincent Giarrano Jan 03, 2019

Show notes

What comes to mind when you consider the phrase, “Truth in art?” Do you think of artists who have a bold message in their artwork or do you think of more subtle approaches? It was my pleasure to speak with the artist, Vincent Giarrano. Vincent received his BFA from the State University of New York at Buffalo and his MFA from Syracuse University. In our conversation, we touched on the vital role of truth in art and how that concept has shaped him as an artist. We also discussed what it means to leave a legacy, how writing can fuel the creative process, what it looks like to create a business plan, and much more. I know that artists like you will enjoy hearing from Vincent’s wonderful perspective.

How writing can fuel the creative process.

Does writing play a role in your creative process? If not, have you ever considered taking up the practice of writing? I’ve seen writing impact my artwork over the years, so I love taking the opportunity to explore this important practice with my peers. Vincent Giarrano also enjoys the practice of writing; he says that writing helped him as he transitioned from his work in illustration to fine art. He also credits his writing for helping him work out ideas for various projects, staying focused and organized, and with his research. If writing doesn’t help you in the ways that it has helped Vincent, what is it that fuels your creative process?

Leaving a legacy.

When you think about your legacy as an artist, what is it that you want to be known for? Do you want to be known for your excellent technique? Your innovative style? Your bold message? Or do you want to be known for something completely different? After surveying the landscape of the art world, Vincent Giarrano yearned to create art that communicated truth and sincerity. Vincent isn’t after complexity for complexity’s sake; he wants to produce a body of work that is true to his convictions. Make sure to check out images of Vincent’s artwork located at the end of this post.

Building a business plan.

Let’s face it as a community; artists aren’t known for their business acumen. How have you fared when it comes to the business side of your art career? Have you found certain practices and strategies that have helped you succeed? For artist Vincent Giarrano, it all came down to taking the time to develop a business plan. In this particular area, Vincent says that he approached building his business plan logically. Step by step, he thought through how he’d promote his artwork, how he’d sell it, who his ideal customers were, and what level of craftsmanship he’d need to commit to. While this process wasn’t easy for Vincent, looking back, he is glad that he took the time to put together a cohesive plan.

The challenge of pricing your artwork.

It is the dreaded decision that every artist has to face, what price to place on your art. Do you still struggle with this aspect of your career? Some artists figure out this aspect of their business easily while some struggle for an extended period. According to Vincent Giarrano, the best practice is to take a look at the marketplace and see what other artists, comparable to your skill and experience are charging. There is no need to leave this aspect of your business up to guesswork; you can come up with a good idea on what to charge based on what your peers are doing. Vincent has a ton of helpful insights to share with artists who are just getting started, and I know that seasoned artists will also benefit from his unique perspective.

Outline of This Episode

[1:00] I introduce my guest, Vincent Giarrano.
[2:45] Vincent opens up about how he got started as an artist.
[7:00] How did Vincent get involved with illustration?
[10:45] Vincent talks about how working with comic books shaped him as an artist.
[13:30] How writing helps Vincent’s creative process.
[20:00] Why it’s help

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And hey - if this episode hit home, do me a favor, leave a review on Apple Podcast or come say hi on Instagram: @savvypainterpodcast
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Happy Holidays! Here's to an exciting 2019 Dec 22, 2018

Show notes

Happy Holidays!

Last week we celebrated over 2 million downloads of the Savvy Painter podcast!

None of this would be possible without you. I'm so grateful that you choose to tune in, that you share your stories, and continually support this podcast.

This is a recap of just a few of the behind the scenes highlights of the year and what that means for 2019.

If you're in the L.A. area, hopefully we can meet :)

And if you've been curious about painting in Italy with JSS in Civita... I have some news! I hope to see you there in 2019!

Enjoy your holidays with your family and friends, may 2019 bring you loads of love, laughter, and painting bliss!

Talk soon,

~Antrese

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And hey - if this episode hit home, do me a favor, leave a review on Apple Podcast or come say hi on Instagram: @savvypainterpodcast
I’d love to hear this episode resonated you. ❤️

The Process behind Encaustic Art, with Lisa Kairos Dec 13, 2018

Show notes

Have you ever seen encaustic art and found yourself drawn in? There is something about encaustic artwork that grabs the viewer in a way that is different from other techniques. My guest, Lisa Kairos is an accomplished encaustic artist who was kind enough to open up about her process. In our conversation, we also touch on the positive impact that motherhood has had on her development as an artist, why she loves to write, books that have helped her grow, and much more. I can’t wait for you to learn from Lisa’s refreshing perspective!

Exploring the positive impact of parenthood.

Over the years as I’ve interviewed artists who are parents, I usually get a mixed bag of responses. While they’ve all said that they enjoy family life, there tends to be more of a focus on the challenges that parenting brings to the profession. When I broached this topic with Lisa Kairos, we kept the discussion on the positive impact that parenthood has had on her career. One particular aspect that Lisa honed in on was the fact that she is quicker to dive right into her creative flow since she has become a parent. She used to take her time and ease into the work at hand; now she jumps in with vigor!

Let your curiosity guide you.

When was the last time you genuinely let your curiosity guide your creativity? Has your interest taken a back seat to some of the more goal driven aspects of your career? For Lisa Kiros, the two thankfully melded into one expression with her recent Periphery Project. Chasing her curiosity, Lisa began walking 400 miles of the San Francisco Bay Trail sketching and taking photos along the way. She started his project as a way to connect to the memory of her father who has passed away. It was fascinating to hear Lisa talk about this deeply personal and beautiful project, make sure to check out images from this series located at the end of this post.

Encaustic Art.

Do you get the chance to view encaustic art very often? I found myself enamored with this technique as Lisa Kairos opened up about her studio time and how she creates her artwork. If you need a refresher, encaustic art is also known as hot wax painting and involves using heated beeswax to which colored pigments are added. Lisa Kairos has been working with the encaustic technique for the last 15 years. She works hard to embed layers of imagery into each layer of wax meaning that each painting has between 15 and 25 layers. As you can imagine, this particular method is not for the impatient or timid.

How writing can make you a better artist.

Have you discovered different avenues and channels that deepen your abilities as an artist? Maybe for you, it's your rockclimbing hobby that enhances your creative process. Artist Lisa Kairos can trace a direct link between her growth as an artist and her growth as a writer. Learning from the likes of Anne Lamott and Ted Orland, Lisa says that she has learned more about the creative process from writers than her fellow artists. She has found so much encouragement and growth by reading these authors talk about the creative process in ways that few artists have. What can you learn from Lisa’s story? Do you have a similar outlet that enhances your artwork?

Outline of This Episode

[1:10] I introduce my guest, Lisa Kairos.
[2:45] What led Lisa to follow her desire to become an artist?
[5:00] Lisa opens up about parenthood and how it has impacted her career.
[9:45] The positive advantages that parenthood brings to Lisa’s art.
[14:30] Allowing your curiosity to fuel creativity.
[22:40] Why you need to be flexible when it comes to your artwork.
[25:00] Dealing with disappointment.
[28:45] Lisa talks about her process in the studio.
[39:00] How writing has impacted Lisa’s artwork.
[48:30] Lisa shares some book titles that have helped her grow.
[51:30] The best work comes f

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And hey - if this episode hit home, do me a favor, leave a review on Apple Podcast or come say hi on Instagram: @savvypainterpodcast
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Diving Deep into the Creative Process, with Cecil Touchon Nov 29, 2018

Show notes

How often do you get the chance to do a deep dive into the creative process? Sure, you may have enjoyed the ability to do this when you were in school or early in your career but have you thought about it lately? It was an honor to sit down for a wide-ranging conversation with the artist, Cecil Touchon as we explored the creative process. Cecil creates collage and paintings out of typographic elements; his paintings are called Post-Dogmatic paintings. I know that artists like you are going to a lot out of our in-depth conversation.

Looking closer.

One of the primary responsibilities of the artist is to look closer at the aspects of the world around us and through their work, help others to do the same. While this responsibility is a great one, the skill of looking closer takes time to develop. Observing the artwork of various artists, you can see this skill or lack thereof in full effect. Cecil Touchon is one of the most thoughtful and detailed artists that I’ve had the pleasure of interviewing. He takes the shapes, angles, and patterns he studies very seriously and does his best to convey this passion in his artwork.

The evolving creative process.

How has your creative process evolved over the years? Do you approach your canvas or your medium the same way today as you did when you first started? What has caused you to change and improve your process over the years? Looking back on his career, Cecil Touchon says that he has remained committed to the process of excellence. Through all the highs and lows of his career, the one constant focus for Cecil has been this strive to produce artwork that can compete with those at the top of his field. The challenge for many artists is staying committed to a certain level of creativity while evolving and adapting their process along the way.

How the digital revolution has impacted the art community.

Can you think of a primary way you’ve been impacted as an artist by the digital revolution? Has your artwork improved or has it been negatively affected by the technological advancements of our society? According to Cecil Touchon, we are still in the middle of sorting the impact of the technological and digital revolution out. When you consider how quickly everything has changed in the last 20 years or so, you can see what Cecil is referring to. As the rise of the internet has impacted so much of our lives, it seems that many sectors including the art community are still trying to find their bearings.

Don’t let distractions rob you of your creativity.

Given the high-speed environment that the digital revolution has ushered in, many artists find themselves looking for ways to stabilize their process. What habits and routines have worked for you? Do you have a set place and time to practice your craft? Cecil Touchon is convinced that the best way to quiet all the noise that surrounds us both audibly and visually is to stay committed to a schedule. Throughout his career, Cecil has enjoyed the consistency and predictability of his set time and place to work on his art. Do you thrive in that type of environment or you do you feed off of a more haphazard approach?

Outline of This Episode

[3:15] I introduce my guest, Cecil Touchon.
[5:30] Cecil talks about how he got started as an artist.
[9:30] How does Cecil describe his artwork?
[12:00] The evolution of an artist.
[20:30] Exploring creativity and going deeper.
[25:30] Learning to notice and appreciate depth, angels, and shapes.
[43:30] Cecil talks about what he is trying to accomplish with his artwork.
[55:30] What has been the impact of the information age on the art community?
[1:02:30] Moving from a looking culture to a watching culture.
[1:09:00] Why you need a designated space and time to work on your art.

Other artists mentioned on this episode

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And hey - if this episode hit home, do me a favor, leave a review on Apple Podcast or come say hi on Instagram: @savvypainterpodcast
I’d love to hear this episode resonated you. ❤️

Exploring the Language of Painting, with Maggie Siner Nov 15, 2018

Show notes

What does it look like to explore the language of painting? How do you understand the language? What does it take to become fluent in it? I had the incredible honor of sitting down and discussing this fascinating topic with the artist, Maggie Siner. Maggie grew up in New Jersey and currently resides in France. She began her studies at the Art Students League of New York in 1968, graduated from Boston University (BFA) in 1973 and from American University (MFA) in 1976. I can’t wait for you to learn from Maggie’s fascinating and unique perspective!

Habits learned early.

Do you have certain habits and lessons you learned early in your career that shaped you as an artist? What made those habits stand out in your mind? For Maggie Siner, those early habits came from her time at Boston University. There she learned the value of a steadfast work habit and working through the challenges and hurdles that life puts in the way. Maggie also discovered profound respect for the materials of her craft that has stayed with her all these years later. Maggie stresses that she is the artist she is today due to the valuable lessons that were instilled in her during those formative years.

The language of painting.

What comes to mind when you hear the phrase, “The language of painting?” Does it take you to a place of deep intellectual contemplation or does the phrase bounce off of you with little meaning? Maggie Siner says that the language of painting is not merely about color, it's about the transformation of materials. She goes on to explain that it also has to do with the abstract structure and arrangement of color and shape that creates the meaning of a painting. I was thrilled to hear Maggie’s compelling explanation of this beautiful phrase; I hope you get value from it too!

Painting from real life.

When I asked Maggie to describe her artwork, she was quick to tell me that she doesn’t like classifications because their meanings change so often. I was able to get her to open up about her artwork and what she tries to accomplish when she approaches the canvas. Maggie pains from life, meaning she is looking at her subject as she paints it. In her approach, Maggie doesn’t like to use photos or her imagination, the subject in front of her is of the utmost value. Ultimately, her goal is to extract meaning from the chaos of the world around her.

Stay committed to the process.

Let’s face it, our line of work isn’t the easiest or most forgiving. We all struggle with self-doubt and bouts of creative block. What have you found to help you through these challenges? For Maggie Siner, it all comes down to staying committed to the process. Much of her tenacity and determination harkens back to those early days and lessons learned at Boston University. She says that persistence and hard work are the secret weapons that keep her focused on her work through the good and the bad.

Outline of This Episode

[3:15] I introduce my guest, Maggie Siner.
[4:45] What led Maggie to a career in art?
[11:30] Work habits that Maggie learned early in her career.
[14:45] The language of painting.
[22:45] How did Maggie end up in France?
[32:45] Maggie describes her artwork.
[45:00] Creating beauty in the midst of chaos.
[47:50] Why it's important to stay committed to the process.

Other artists mentioned on this episode

Support the show

And hey - if this episode hit home, do me a favor, leave a review on Apple Podcast or come say hi on Instagram: @savvypainterpodcast
I’d love to hear this episode resonated you. ❤️

Striking Landscape Paintings, with Marie Thibeault Nov 01, 2018

Show notes

Have you ever viewed a landscape painting that stayed with you for days after your viewing? Many people have had that type of response to Marie Thibeault's amazing artwork. In our conversation, Marie opened up about the inspiration for her artwork, what she wants people to take away from viewing her paintings, her process when approaching the canvas, and so much more. I was thrilled to dive deep into the topic of landscape paintings with an artist like Marie and I know you will get a lot out of her insights too.

Landscapes and tragedy.

While many landscape artists can tend to paint serene settings, Marie Thibeault takes her landscape paintings in a less common direction. Marie is interested in evoking a striking contrast that shows the beauty of the landscape in the midst of turmoil. Her early inspiration for this type of landscape painting came from plane crashes and other various disasters involving a landscape scene. Marie also created a fascinating series of paintings that centered around the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Make sure to take a look at images of Marie’s artwork located at the end of this post.

Getting unstuck.

Don’t you hate it when you get stuck creatively? Do you have any good tricks or tips that help you find your way out of that funk and back to doing what you love? Over the years I’ve had my fair share of creative block and I’m always eager to hear what has worked for my peers. Marie Thibeault says that her best method for getting back on track is to simply go through the motions. In her experience, Marie has found that time in the studio and patiently waiting for inspiration to return does the trick. She also notes that getting stuck creatively is a normal part of the artist’s experience, which is an important reminder for us all!

The role of painting, today.

What is the role of painting in the art community, today? Has it changed or shifted significantly over the years? Through her role as an educator, Marie has seen many of her students experiment with painting only to veer off into other mediums. Marie is very supportive of this process as her students learn to find the right channel for their message to take its form but she remains adamant that painting is that medium for her. She has found through her career that painting is the best way for her to explore the concepts and images that she is drawn to creatively. How did your medium capture your imagination?

You have a unique perspective to share.

Do you really believe that you have a unique and valuable perspective to share through your art? For many artists, the voices of doubt and worthlessness tend to creep up and rob precious time that could be spent basking in the light of creativity. What do you do when that happens? How do you remain focused on the work at hand? Marie is convinced that each artist has a valuable perspective to contribute to the community at large. In many ways, what she describes is a mosaic. While we aren’t all coming together to form one massive piece, we do suffer when one piece is missing from the collective.

Outline of This Episode

[1:45] I introduce my guest, Marie Thibeault.
[3:00] What inspires Marie to create her artwork?
[5:45] Marie talks about her landscape influences.
[8:00] How do the concepts of chaos and order influence Marie’s work?
[10:00] What does Marie want people to take away from viewing her paintings?
[12:00] Marie talks about her process of approaching the canvas.
[14:30] How do you get unstuck?
[18:00] What are you trying to say with your artwork?
[20:30] The danger of rushing through a project.
[22:45] What is the role of painting today?
[26:30] Memorable reactions to Marie’s artwork.
[28:00] Marie talks about challenges she has faced in her career.
[34:00] The contrast between natural disasters and m

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And hey - if this episode hit home, do me a favor, leave a review on Apple Podcast or come say hi on Instagram: @savvypainterpodcast
I’d love to hear this episode resonated you. ❤️

Going Deeper Than The Surface, with Nicolas Uribe Oct 18, 2018

Show notes

It can be a challenge in the art world to stand out and appeal to art collectors and stay true to who you are as an artist. Have you faced these struggles in your art career? My guest Nicolas Uribe is familiar with this challenge in his career and was kind enough to explore the topic in our conversation. Nicolas graduated with Honours from School of Visual Arts in NY. He has had numerous solo exhibitions both in the US and South America and has exhibited his work in Mexico, Spain, Egypt, among other countries. We cover a wide range of topics in our conversation including the path to finding your artistic voice, exploring your technical limitations, what it takes to contextualize the prices for your paintings, and much more. I can’t wait for you to get a glimpse of Nicolas’ fascinating perspective!

Finding your voice.

One of the universal experiences of an artist is the journey of finding your voice as an artist. Many of my guests over the years have opened up and shared their story of finding that unique creative voice within. In my conversation with Nicolas, it took a bit of a different direction as we discussed the technical aspects of forging your own path. Nicolas says that it was a challenge for him to clear the voices of his instructors from his mind as he sought to understand the uses of color in his artwork. While he is thankful for the amazing education he received, he acknowledges that part of growing as an artist is not only finding your unique creative voice but finding your own technical understandings as well.

Looking beyond the surface.

As artwork becomes increasingly accessible to the public via the internet, there seems to be a renewed focus on the immediate and the surface value of artwork. Let’s face it, much of the general public struggle to see the layers and complexity of the artwork that we labor over. What is the solution? How do we move past the surface and help the public to look deeper? Nicolas doesn’t just lay this at the feet of the public, he says that artists are looking deep enough too. He encourages fellow artists and his students to force themselves to dive deeper and ask the tough questions that make them go beyond initial impressions.

Paint what matters to you!

When you consider your unique abilities as an artist, do you factor in the emotional element? How do you bring forth your unique knowledge of your subject through your artwork? Nicolas is convinced that the primary advantage artists have is the unique way they know their subject, especially when they know the subject intimately. Don’t let yourself fall for the trap of creating something that anyone could make. Let your unique perspective shine through! What can you learn from Nicolas’ perspective? How do you view your subject matter in a way that no other artist can?

Contextualizing the price for your artwork.

What is your artwork worth? That can be a stressful question to answer for many artists. How have you set your prices over your career? Do you hope to sell one piece for a large sum or do you want to sell multiple pieces for a more modest amount? Nicolas has had the challenge of contextualizing the prices of his artwork as he made the move from the New York market to Bogotá, Colombia. At the end of the day, it’s Nicolas’ goal to reach as many people as he can with his art, he less focused on that big sale, now more than ever.

Outline of This Episode

[0:55] I introduce my guest, Nicolas Uribe.
[2:40] Nicolas opens up about what led him to become an artist.
[15:00] Why did Nicolas move back to Colombia?
[18:00] Nicolas talks about struggling to find his voice and his own technical process.
[23:00] Discovering the purpose behind the art.
[31:20] How does Nicolas choose his subject matter?
[36:20] Falling for the surface quality of images.
[40:00] Why it’s important to paint what is

Support the show

And hey - if this episode hit home, do me a favor, leave a review on Apple Podcast or come say hi on Instagram: @savvypainterpodcast
I’d love to hear this episode resonated you. ❤️

Following Your Intuition, with Jordan Wolfson Oct 04, 2018

Show notes

What role has your intuition played in your development as an artist? Have you always followed it or has it been a struggle to give yourself that permission? My guest, Jordan Wolfson has embraced his intuition and followed it down some fascinating creative corridors. In our conversation, Jordan opens up about how he got started as an artist, what his process looks like, the contrast between language and art, how he honed his skill set, and so much more. I can’t wait for you to get a glimpse of Jordan’s fascinating perspective!

Wandering in the dark and finding a path forward.

Can you think back to the start of your career in art? Did you have a clear moment when you knew that this was what you wanted to dedicate your life to or was it more of a gradual awakening? The way Jordan Wolfson tells it, his path into an art career was more of a discovery than an actual experience or decision. For the longest time, Jordan had a deep desire to spend time painting and he’s kept following that desire which led him through college and into his career today. Looking back, Jordan speaks fondly of the studio classes he took during his undergrad at UC Santa Cruz. During that time, Jordan felt like he had fallen in love with the craft of painting. Do you have a similar story, what set you on your path?

Honing the craft.

As an artist you are constantly honing and refining your craft, let’s face it, you never truly, “Arrive.” This process can look different for each of us and a lot of benefits can be found when we take the time to hear each other's stories. Jordan Wolfson’s story is no different, he has several stories to tell of renowned artists like John Walker and Andrew Forge who entered his story at critical times in his development to challenge and encourage him in his work. Listening to Jordan, you really get the sense that he knows that he has a lot to learn even though he’s quite accomplished!

Can you really follow your intuition?

Which is more important to follow, your training or your intuition? Do you have to choose between the two? In my experience, if you want to follow your intuition, you’ve got to develop an ear for it as you progress in your career. If you are constantly ignoring your intuition, eventually it’ll fade into the background. Jordan Wolfson describes following his intuition as tracking down a glimmer of light or thread to see where it came from and where it’s leading. While Jordan is quick to emphasize the influence of his art school training, he also points to this cultivation of listening to his intuition that has had a huge impact on his artwork over the years.

Clearing the mind and getting centered.

What are some of the most important aspects of your creative process? Do you have certain rituals that you follow when you enter your studio space and approach your canvas? For Jordan Wolfson, his process starts with a morning practice of sitting and meditation. He places a lot of value on being present in mind and body before he proceeds with his work at the canvas. Its Jordan’s hope that this deliberate practice of presence and centering his mind have a direct impact on his artwork. Take a look at some of the images of his art located at the end of this post and see for yourself!

Outline of This Episode

[3:20] I introduce my guest, Jordan Wolfson.
[4:50] How Jordan decided to become an artist.
[7:00] Jordan talks about his post-college pursuits.
[10:30] What it took for Jordan to hone his painting skills.
[15:30] Painting and presence.
[17:20] The contrast between language and art.
[20:45] Jordan talks about what he is currently working on.
[26:00] Trusting your intuition and seeing where it leads.
[33:30] Jordan opens up about his process of creating his artwork.
[44:15] The value of meditation and centering your thoughts.
[46:45] Artwork

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