The FASO Podcast

Latest Episodes:

139 Jeff Legg — Just Paint! Jul 09, 2025

Show notes

To start off the new season, we sat down with Jeff Legg, an accomplished artist whose journey began with an innate passion for art, nurtured by an inspirational mentor who recognized his exceptional talent from a young age. After mastering classical techniques through rigorous training at Atelier Lack in Minneapolis and the Minneapolis College of Art and Design, Jeff demonstrated remarkable entrepreneurial spirit by successfully running a bicycle business before courageously pursuing his true calling as a fine artist. His paintings are characterized by a profound symbolic depth, metaphysical beauty, and an extraordinary ability to capture mystery and emotion through luminous, transparently layered techniques that set him apart from his contemporaries. He advocates for working from memory and imagination, encouraging artists to break free from rigid techniques and develop a unique voice by consistently creating, with his mantra being to "just paint" and trust that your individual style will naturally emerge. He also stresses the importance of pursuing art that one loves, rather than trying to create something purely original or market-driven. Finally, Jeff tells us about his upcoming solo exhibition "Alchemy of Light and Shadow" at the Spiva Center for the Arts, showcasing his remarkable artistic evolution through a stunning collection of paintings that represent the pinnacle of his creative journey.

Jeff's FASO site:

https://www.jefflegg.com/

Jeff's Upcoming Show:

https://spivaarts.org/exhibition/jeffrey-c-legg-alchemy-of-light-and-shadow/

Jeff's Social Media:

https://www.instagram.com/jefflegg_art/

https://www.facebook.com/p/Jeff-Legg-100062958714196/

138 Michelle Dunaway — Pursue Excellence, Not Perfection Jun 25, 2025

Show notes

For our last episode of this season, we sat down with Michelle Dunaway, a professional fine artist who creates deeply authentic portraits and landscapes, travels internationally to teach workshops and paint, and is passionate about capturing the essence of her subjects through a unique, emotionally resonant artistic approach. She discusses the journey of developing artistic skills while maintaining a unique creative vision, highlighting the need to balance technical proficiency with authentic self-expression. Michelle shares insights from her mentors, particularly Richard Schmid, about pursuing excellence rather than perfectionism and the value of vulnerability in art. Her artistic process involves careful observation, pre-planning compositions, and leaving space for spontaneous creativity, with a focus on capturing the essence of her subjects. Throughout the conversation, Michelle emphasizes the importance of staying curious, present, and true to oneself, viewing art as a continuous journey of discovery and personal growth. Finally Michelle tells us about her upcoming workshops, including online sessions and Africa-based workshops, focusing on immersive experiences and cultural integration in art!

Michelle's FASO site:
https://www.dunawayfineart.com/

Michelle's Workshops:
https://www.dunawayfineart.com/workshops

Michelle's Social Media:
https://www.instagram.com/dunawayfineart/

137 Chris Krupinski — Time & Consistent Effort Jun 18, 2025

Show notes

Join our next BoldBrush LIVE! Webinar by signing up here:
https://register.boldbrush.com/live-guest
Order your exclusive da Vinci BoldBrush paintbrush set!
https://brushoffer.com/collections/boldbrush
Learn the magic of marketing with us here at BoldBrush!
https://www.boldbrushshow.com/

Get over 50% off your first year on your artist website with FASO:
https://www.FASO.com/podcast/
---
On today's episode, we sat down with Chris Krupinski, a watercolor artist and graphic designer who has been creating art throughout her life, transitioning from oils to watercolors when her children were young. She emphasizes the importance of daily practice, discipline, and staying true to one's artistic vision, believing that time and consistent effort are key to artistic growth. Chris approaches her paintings methodically, focusing on intricate details, dramatic lighting, and purposeful color choices, which she attributes to her background in graphic design. She diversifies her income by maintaining a graphic design business while pursuing fine art, and markets her work through national competitions, social media, and word-of-mouth recommendations. Her artistic philosophy centers on being fully immersed in her work, doing everything to the best of her ability, and avoiding the trap of imitating others' styles. Finally, Chris reminds us to sign up to her newsletter to stay updated with her gorgeous new work and fantastic advice!

Chris' FASO site:
https://www.chriskrupinski.com/

Chris' Social Media:
https://www.instagram.com/chris.krupinski/

136 Bill Davidson — Be Passionate & Keep it Playful Jun 11, 2025

Show notes

Join our next BoldBrush LIVE! Webinar by signing up here:
https://register.boldbrush.com/live-guest
Order your exclusive da Vinci BoldBrush paintbrush set!
https://brushoffer.com/collections/boldbrush
Learn the magic of marketing with us here at BoldBrush!
https://www.boldbrushshow.com/

Get over 50% off your first year on your artist website with FASO:
https://www.FASO.com/podcast/
---
For today's episode, we sat down with Bill Davidson, a former lawyer turned passionate plein air artist, with a love for painting and teaching. He emphasizes the importance of playfulness and a growth mindset in learning art and pursuing it either as a hobby or a career. He tells us about his unique approach to painting that focuses on mastering values and shapes before introducing color, using techniques like creating gray puddles and designing compositions in black and white. Bill highlights the significance of plein air painting, not just as an artistic practice but as a transformative social experience that builds friendships and provides continuous learning opportunities. His teaching philosophy centers on breaking down artistic challenges, avoiding harsh self-criticism, and maintaining curiosity and passion throughout the creative process. He advises artists to take risks, attend workshops, and not be afraid of making mistakes, believing that style develops naturally over time through consistent practice and exploration. Finally, Bill offers resources like his newsletter "Bill's Tip Jar", his upcoming workshops, and videos to help artists improve their skills and enjoy their artistic journey.

Bill's FASO site:
https://www.billdavidson.biz/

Bill's Social Media:
https://www.instagram.com/billdavidsonartist/

Bill's Videos:
https://www.billdavidson.biz/page/10111/bill-davidson-painting-videos

135 The Art of Income — Strategies from Successful Artists Jun 04, 2025

Show notes

Join our next BoldBrush LIVE! Webinar by signing up here:
register.boldbrush.com/live-guest
Order your exclusive da Vinci BoldBrush paintbrush set!
brushoffer.com/collections/all
Learn the magic of marketing with us here at BoldBrush!
boldbrushshow.com
Get over 50% off your first year on your artist website with FASO:
FASO.com/podcast

---

In this episode, we created a compilation of our past guests sharing their personal journeys of building sustainable careers in the art world, emphasizing the importance of starting small and being adaptable. They discuss various strategies for supplementing income, including teaching workshops, taking commissions, leveraging social media, and participating in juried competitions. Our guests candidly explore the financial challenges of being a full-time artist, advising newcomers to have a safety net, save money, and be prepared for fluctuating income. Many recommend starting with small projects like pet portraits, entering local shows, and gradually expanding one's network and opportunities. Personal stories highlight the significance of finding one's unique artistic voice and being willing to pivot when necessary. The overarching message is one of resilience, creativity, and the importance of persistence in pursuing an artistic career.

Episodes mentioned:

134 Palette & Purpose — Turning Passion into Profession May 28, 2025

Show notes

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For today's episode we created a compilation of advice from past podcast guests who tell us about the practical and creative aspects of pursuing an art career. They share insights on developing artistic skills, such as painting from life, practicing consistently, and mastering fundamental techniques. They emphasize the importance of passion, dedication, and continuous learning, advising aspiring artists to find mentors, join art groups, and not be discouraged by challenges. They also discuss the need to be authentic, develop a unique style, and not be overly focused on financial success. Overall, this compilation provides a comprehensive guide to navigating the artistic journey, highlighting both the creative and practical aspects of becoming a professional artist.

Episodes mentioned:

133 Ginny Butcher — The Desire is the Gift May 21, 2025

Show notes

Join our next BoldBrush LIVE! Webinar by signing up here:
https://register.boldbrush.com/live-guest
Order your exclusive da Vinci BoldBrush paintbrush set!
https://brushoffer.com/collections/boldbrush
Learn the magic of marketing with us here at BoldBrush!
https://www.boldbrushshow.com/

Get over 50% off your first year on your artist website with FASO:
https://www.FASO.com/podcast/
---
For today's episode, we sat down with Ginny Butcher, a Wyoming-based artist who fell in love with the natural beauty there as well as the adorable cows roaming the pastures. She tells us about her artistic journey which has been characterized by perseverance, overcoming internal doubts, and learning to embrace her unique artistic voice. She initially struggled with the idea of being a full-time artist, experiencing burnout and uncertainty, but eventually found her stride by remembering to take time away from painting in order to re-charge. Ginny reminds us that the gift we have as artists comes from the desire to continue pursuing our passion and not necessarily from being naturally good at drawing or painting. She also tells us about her artistic process which involves careful planning, including creating thumbnails and studies before starting a final painting, and she emphasizes the importance of understanding fundamental techniques. She discusses her marketing strategy that centers around a weekly email newsletter that connects personally with subscribers which has also helped her successfully build a career over the past 20 years. Finally, Ginny tells us about an ambitious project she's currently undertaking and her upcoming shows!

Ginny's FASO site:
https://www.ginnybutcher.com/

Ginny's Social Media:
https://www.instagram.com/ginny.butcher.fine.art/
https://www.facebook.com/GinnyButcherArt/

132 Keith Bond — Constraints and Creative Growth May 14, 2025

Show notes

Join our next BoldBrush LIVE! Webinar by signing up here:
https://register.boldbrush.com/live-guest

Order your exclusive da Vinci BoldBrush paintbrush set!
https://brushoffer.com/collections/boldbrush

Learn the magic of marketing with us here at BoldBrush!
https://www.boldbrushshow.com/

Get over 50% off your first year on your artist website with FASO:
https://www.FASO.com/podcast/
---
For today's episode, we sat down with Keith Bond, a landscape artist who primarily focuses on painting scenes from nature, with a strong emphasis on plein air sketching as a research and reference tool for his studio work. He believes in the importance of painting from life to develop fundamental artistic skills, stressing that understanding principles like value, composition, and color provides a foundation for creative expression. Throughout his career, Keith has learned to approach plein air painting as a way to capture the essence of color, light, and atmosphere, rather than creating finished pieces, and uses these sketches as references for more contemplative studio paintings. His artistic journey began with a love for art in school, and he transitioned to being a full-time artist with the support of his wife, navigating the challenges of an art career through discipline and continuous learning. Keith advocates for building personal relationships with clients, maintaining an email newsletter, and having a strong website as key marketing strategies for artists. Finally, Keith reminds us of the value of constraints in fostering creativity and encourages aspiring artists to paint from life, return to fundamental principles, and understand that creativity is a dialogue between the left and right brain hemispheres.

Keith's FASO site:
https://keithbond.com/

Keith's Social media:
https://www.instagram.com/keith.bond/
https://www.facebook.com/KeithBondFineArt

131 Todd Casey — Curiosity: A Catalyst for Growth May 07, 2025

Show notes

For today's episode we sat down with Todd Casey, a fine artist, author, and teacher who embraces a way of living that values creativity, personal expression and continuous self-improvement. Todd shares his artistic journey from graphic design to atelier training, emphasizing the importance of curiosity as an excellent catalyst for personal growth. He discusses the value of developing both fast and slow painting techniques, and the benefits of exploring different mediums and approaches without being constrained by rigid artistic rules. Throughout the conversation, Todd stresses the significance of creating art for personal passion rather than external validation, highlighting that the joy of the creative process is more important than potential fame or financial success. He advises aspiring artists to remain open to opportunities, take risks, and focus on their own growth and introspection. Finally, Todd tells us about his upcoming live demo at the Guild of Boston Artists on May 17th as well as his Patreon and reminds us to keep up to date by checking out his website and social media!
Todd's FASO site:
https://toddcasey.faso.com/

Watch Todd Paint live on May 17th!
https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/77nusbr

Todd's Social Media:
https://www.instagram.com/toddmcasey/

https://www.facebook.com/toddmcaseyart

Todd's Books:
https://toddcasey.faso.com/books

130 Scott Ruthven — The Power of One Thing Apr 30, 2025

Show notes

Join our next BoldBrush LIVE! Webinar by signing up here:
https://register.boldbrush.com/live-guest

Order your exclusive da Vinci BoldBrush paintbrush set!
https://brushoffer.com/collections/boldbrush
Learn the magic of marketing with us here at BoldBrush!
https://www.boldbrushshow.com/
Get over 50% off your first year on your artist website with FASO:
https://www.FASO.com/podcast/
---
For today's episode, we sat down with Scott Ruthven, a landscape painter from Colorado who transitioned from a high-tech business career to becoming a full-time artist after rediscovering his passion for painting. He emphasizes the importance of painting from life, particularly through plein air work, which helped him develop his observational skills and capture the nuances of light and landscape. Scott's journey involved building his art business gradually, selling directly to collectors, and maintaining a professional approach that includes goal-setting, consistent communication, and nurturing relationships with art enthusiasts. He advises aspiring artists to paint frequently, start small, avoid overwhelming themselves, and focus on creating authentic work that resonates with their personal vision. He also tells us about the power of the "one thing" that artists can be doing daily to get closer to meeting their goals. Finally, Scott tells us about his upcoming workshops and exhibitions, including a plein air event in Redstone, Colorado, and the Colorado Governor's Show at the Loveland Museum.

Scott's FASO site:
https://www.scottruthven.com/

Scott's YouTube Channel:
https://www.youtube.com/@ScottRuthvenFineArt

Scott's Social Media:
https://www.instagram.com/scottruthvenfineart/

https://www.facebook.com/ScottRuthvenFineArt/

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