Making art isn't always an easy path to take. But it's one we choose because it enriches our life, even when the conditions may never feel perfect. Today's discussion centres on what your art can teach you when you accept the invitation to step forward. We are joined by abstract artist and teacher Nicholas Wilton to discuss how a learning mindset feeds back into your art. As Nick says "the art is just the artefact of the process" and discovering how to stay engaged in the long term will open up how you create and make more opportunities for you to be satisfied with the work you make. Alice suggests that the frustration of learning can be more easily overcome once you have some key knowledge which builds up your confidence, and ultimately we settle on ways you can feel satisfied, in life and art, by activating the way you think, and optimising how you approach this journey of onward learning.  You can join in with the free Art2Life online workshop HERE.  Mentioned The Art2Life workshop starts on 14th Feb 2022 Join HERE using the ArtJuice link  Find our websites and sign up for our newsletters at: www.alicesheridan.com  www.louisefletcherart.com Follow us on Instagram: @alicesheridanstudio @louisefletcher_art Credits: "Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

This week, we answered a question from listener Paige, who asked about our experiences with scaling up. Paige wrote: "I am struggling to scale up, especially in my chosen media of collage but I see you work both small and large and I wondered if there was a formula for that." Spoiler alert: neither of us have a formula, but we do share our own challenges, experiences and tips. Our conversation covers the challenges of space (both in buyers' homes and our own studios); the need to use bigger tools; and the importance of mixing up a lot more paint. We also look at the inherent difficulties of scaling up collage work, and offer a few suggestions of how to handle that transition. In the end, making large work is a new challenge for each of us, and requires us to find our own solutions, but we have both found the process rewarding enough to make it worthwhile. Mentioned Sam Lock https://www.samlock.com/ Bibby Gignilliat large scale collage https://www.bibbyart.com/ Paranormal cold case podcast: Battersea poltergeist https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-battersea-poltergeist/id1548946506 Michelle Walker: Paintbrush & Ivories podcast https://michellewalker.com.au/podcast/ Art 2 Life podcast (episode 12) https://www.art2life.com/2022/01/12/the-artists-gift-nicholas-wilton-ep-12/ Find our websites and sign up for our newsletters at: www.alicesheridan.com  www.louisefletcherart.com Follow us on Instagram: @alicesheridanstudio @louisefletcher_art Credits: "Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

In this episode, we explore limitations. When - and why - is it a good idea to place limits on your work? First, we discuss the benefits of limiting ourselves in some way. That might mean limiting colours or setting rules for a certain body of work; it might mean keeping everything to one size; or it could mean limiting the media we use. But whatever parameters we set, limits can open up our creativity. The we look at the flip side - where might we benefit from challenging our limitations? What do we believe that might not be true? We hope this free-ranging discussion will help you to assess where limitations might fit into your practice.  Find our websites and sign up for our newsletters at: www.alicesheridan.com  www.louisefletcherart.com Follow us on Instagram: @alicesheridanstudio @louisefletcher_art Credits: "Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

In this episode, we explore the idea of intuitive painting. What does that term even mean? And how does it relate to what we do? Regular listeners will not be surprised to learn that we have different ideas about the importance and role of intuition, but in the end we agree that there is a difference between pure intuitive painting (aka process painting) and painting that relies heavily on intuition. The former is a process without a desired end result while the latter is a delicate balance between thinking and intuiting. In pure intuitive painting, personal growth is the only objective, whereas our work is designed to communicate with others. Perhaps some of us lean more to one side or the other, but all must find the balance that is right for them.  Mentioned Stewart Cubley's Process Arts https://www.processarts.com/ Sally-Anne Ashley https://www.sally-anneashley.com/ Cheryle Bannon https://cherylebannon.com/what-is-intuitive-art/ Find our websites and sign up for our newsletters at: www.alicesheridan.com  www.louisefletcherart.com Follow us on Instagram: @alicesheridanstudio @louisefletcher_art Credits: "Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

This week, Louise is joined by brand strategist and web designer Mariana Durst. Mariana specialises in working with artists to develop their brands, create compelling copy and graphics, and build effective websites. Having worked with all kinds of artists she has a unique perspective on the challenges and rewards of a strong brand. In this conversation, we discuss what it means to have a brand (and why we all have one even if we don't know it). We also dive into the questions you can ask yourself to identify and refine your own artist brand, and Mariana shares some of the  mistakes she sees artists make. If you would like more people to see and/or buy your art, you won't want to miss this episode.  Mentioned Mariana's website: https://www.deskanddesign.com/ (scroll down for the free branding masterclass) Essentialism https://uk.bookshop.org/books/essentialism-the-disciplined-pursuit-of-less/9780753558690?gclid=Cj0KCQiA-qGNBhD3ARIsAO_o7ykRhTiAhzJJRGX8Yk3C9kt_y49oMEqu7CsBHJymG7D4zpJacX_oLQ4aAn9pEALw_wcB Find our websites and sign up for our newsletters at: www.alicesheridan.com  www.louisefletcherart.com Follow us on Instagram: @alicesheridanstudio @louisefletcher_art Credits: "Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

For our last episode of 2021, we decided to look back over the year. We look at what went well, we assess what we learned, and we start to think about what we might like to change next year. We both feel that it's important to take this time out each year and to think about these things before w start making plans for the next year. As the conversation evolves, we cover the importance of looking at the whole year and examining where we are out of balance and also where we might be seeing things with a negative slant. We also discuss the areas of life where we would like to make strides next year. This is an honest conversation that we hope will help you feel less alone and also inspire you to find the lessons in your 2021.  Mentioned The Beatles Get Back documentary https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Auta2lagtw4 Essentialism https://uk.bookshop.org/books/essentialism-the-disciplined-pursuit-of-less/9780753558690?gclid=Cj0KCQiA-qGNBhD3ARIsAO_o7ykRhTiAhzJJRGX8Yk3C9kt_y49oMEqu7CsBHJymG7D4zpJacX_oLQ4aAn9pEALw_wcB Find our websites and sign up for our newsletters at: www.alicesheridan.com  www.louisefletcherart.com Follow us on Instagram: @alicesheridanstudio @louisefletcher_art Credits: "Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

This week, we're answering a listener question from Helen, who asked why we chose to represent ourselves rather than pursue the gallery route. Helen also asked: "can a female artist be self-representing and still find her place in the history books - or is it important to have the testimonial from an established gallery?" When thinking about galleries, we believe that it's important to know (a) where you want to go and (b) where you currently are. We also point out that the art world often catches up and "discovers" artists late in life (or after their death), and we debate whether galleries will continue to play an important role as we move forward. Of course, we also answer Helen's question and explain why we each decided not to market primarily through galleries. There's lots more in this conversation, so don't miss it! Mentioned "Painting Abstract Landscapes" by Gareth Edwards https://www.amazon.co.uk/Painting-Abstract-Landscapes-Gareth-Edwards/dp/1785009737/ Soul Smile Event https://www.facebook.com/groups/613090909814919 Find our websites and sign up for our newsletters at: www.alicesheridan.com  www.louisefletcherart.com Follow us on Instagram: @alicesheridanstudio @louisefletcher_art Credits: "Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

In this episode, Louise meets gallerist Sarah Collier who runs the beautiful Silson Contemporary gallery in Harrogate, North Yorkshire. Sarah explains how and why she started her gallery and offers lots of sound advice to artists seeking gallery representation. The conversation covers how to choose the right galleries, how to approach a gallery owner, how to price your work, and how to present it to best effect. During the conversation, Sarah also shares the ins and outs of running a gallery and discussed some of her role models. This interview is packed with practical tips and inside insights - if you want to interest galleries in your work, listen now!  Mentioned Silson Contemporary https://silsoncontemporaryart.co.uk/ Cupola Gallery http://www.cupolagallery.com/about Gallery at Home https://www.galleryathome.co.uk/ Eastwood Fine Art https://www.eastwoodfineart.com/ Find our websites and sign up for our newsletters at: www.alicesheridan.com  www.louisefletcherart.com Follow us on Instagram: @alicesheridanstudio @louisefletcher_art Credits: "Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

With only 6 weeks until Christmas, we're talking gifts. But we're not focusing on what you can sell - we're interested in what you can ask for. So we spent some time thinking and came up with a suggested Christmas list to help you drop heavy hints this year. Our list includes small surprises such as new paint colours or a special brush, all the way to high-price courses or artworks. But we also suggest some ideas you may not have considered - including ways in which your family and friends could give you the gift of time. Along the way, you'll get a sneak peek into our own Christmases, including Alice's frugal approach to gifts and Louise's tendency to ask for books she ever reads. We hope this episode inspires you to brighten your own Christmas by asking for something that will inspire you - and maybe even jumpstart a new phase of your art. Mentioned "Unquiet Landscape," Christopher Never https://www.amazon.co.uk/Unquiet-Landscape-20th-Century-British-Painting/dp/0500295476/ "Why Your Five Year Old Could NOT Have Done That," Susie Hodge https://www.amazon.co.uk/Your-Five-Year-Could-Have/dp/0500290474 Kyle Cease on Youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLCjITkn87w https://alicesheridan.com/gift/ https://www.louisefletcherart.com/shop/gift-certificates Alice's Connected Artist Waiting List https://alicesheridan.com/artists/ Find our websites and sign up for our newsletters at: www.alicesheridan.com  www.louisefletcherart.com Follow us on Instagram: @alicesheridanstudio @louisefletcher_art Credits: "Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

This week, we're talking time, priorities and organisation. But this isn't a "10 quick tips to organise your life" - this is a deep dive into the real truths behind the ways we spend our time. We discuss the importance of knowing your 'why' when you make decisions about your time. We debate the role of identity in those decisions, and we discuss some of the challenges we face in our own art lives. Each of us only have limited bandwidth which means we simply have to make decisions. So, above all, we urge honest self-reflection ... it's so important to understand what we want out of art art lives and where we are straying from that path. If you struggle with time management, you are not alone and we hope this discussion helps you find some clarity about your own priorities.  Mentioned Kelly Wynne Conrad https://www.kelleewynnestudios.com/ The Dresser with Julian Clary and Matthew Kelly https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2021/sep/16/the-dresser-review-bath-matthew-kelly-julian-clary Find our websites and sign up for our newsletters at: www.alicesheridan.com  www.louisefletcherart.com Follow us on Instagram: @alicesheridanstudio @louisefletcher_art Credits: "Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License