In this episode, Louise chats with Cornish painter David Mankin about his new book Remembering in Paint. The book brings the reader inside Mankin's process, from initial inspiration all the way through to finished paintings, and the idea of the artistic process is central to the book. We begin the conversation with an introduction to David's career and the importance of chance encounters, and then move on to delve into process. David poses a question he believes every artist must answer; describes the importance of his process to his work; explains the balance of thought vs. feeling in his paintings; and shares his passion for the Cornish coast. Finally, we learn why he is currently excited about cauliflowers and smiles. This is a conversation not to be missed with an artist who is most definitely on the rise. Mentioned  David's book can be pre-ordered on his website at https://www.david-mankin.com/book  You can also find him at https://linktr.ee/davidmankinart  Louise's book Life Force can be pre-ordered at: https://www.louisefletcherart.com/book  All About Process by Kim Grant https://blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/product/9780271077451? 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

Do you struggle to let paintings go? This week we're answering a question from Gill Allen, who says "Why do I find it so hard to part with my work? I know I need to get over this impending feeling of loss but just how do I do that? Why do I feel like I'm losing part of myself even contemplating selling a piece of work?" We discuss this question from a number of different angles and also share our own experiences. Neither of us has struggled to let work go, but we have sometimes chosen to keep breakthrough paintings for a while. As we discuss Gill's question, we ponder the idea of selling work - maybe some people don't want to do that? We also ask whether there are underlying issues behind a desire to keep everything and we suggest a simple reframe that might be helpful. If you feel your paintings are precious babies to be held on to at all costs, this episode is for you. Mentioned Gill Allen: https://gillallen.co.nz/ Arvon Foundation Writers Centers https://www.arvon.org/ Mark Steel's in Hull https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SV8-lktieDs 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 Alice is joined by Emily (or Emz) Finch an artist and mother from London to discuss the power nature, but also how finding a really strong driver in your work can propel your ideas. Trigger warning, we mention miscarriage briefly as this is the start of Emily’s story and project. The work Emily is doing now was prompted by a particular moment after a difficult series of personal experiences. Emily has found the power of nature to has helped with her PTSD flashbacks and has an ambition to build an installation that will hopefully start conversations about loss during COVID and will offer a multi-sensual space to explore the healing quality of trees and nature and reflect on what we all might have lost during this difficult time at a point the world is starting to emerge from lockdown. This is an inspiring story - on a personal level, and for artists I hope this will encourage you that sharing what you can have such a positive impact in the world.... look what started from that painted pebble! Mentioned Emily’s website: www.emzfinchart.co.uk If you want to talk to Emily about this project, do get in touch via her website. Do this and hear more about the project by singing up to her newsletter Tickets for Somerset House - https://www.somersethouse.org.uk/whats-on/london-design-biennale-2021 More about the Forest for change https://forestforchange.globalgoals.org/ If you have been affected by miscarriage, Tommy’s, the miscarriage association are just two of the amazing organisations that can give support. 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 are talking Teflon bubbles, and how to be completely normal to avoid all criticism! We had some listener feedback which prompted us to consider how we manage to stay focused, and also feeling less hurt when you receive feedback which could throw you off-track. In the 'old' days we both would have felt this harder - so what's changed?  As artists one of the things we need to learn is how to keep going and not be swayed by opinions. We recognise that some feedback can be helpful and share how we distinguish between them, two opposing views to keep at arms length, and a magic question to keep asking yourself so that you can get more grounded in whatever YOU are showing up and sharing.  It's the last chance to join Louise's Find Your Joy 2021 and if you take one thing from this week - go out and do one bit of promotion for yourself. xx Mentioned Last chance to join Louise's Find Your Joy here: https://www.louisefletcherart.com/find-your-joy Just Bloody Post it podcast from Helen Perry (look for Episode 4 with Nat Lue) https://www.helen-perry.co.uk/the-just-bloody-post-it-podcast/ Robert Pagliarini article in the Chicago Tribune https://www.chicagotribune.com/ct-tribu-pagliarini-stop-pleasing-everyone-column-column.html 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 responding to a question from Sara, a listener who recently exhibited a series of paintings. Sara hung 49 paintings in a "gallery wall" style display and she asked "do you think less is more when it comes to displaying your work?" This prompted a great discussion about curation when it comes to our art and why it matters so much. We both believe that curating our work is a way to guide the viewer's experience. Just as we edit a painting, we should also edit our exhibitions or online galleries in order to guide the viewer and help them understand or appreciate the work. But how to do that is the question? What do you include and what do you omit? We discuss the idea of creating a coherent story, the importance of not creating a visual onslaught, and the value of putting yourself into the shoes of buyers in order to understand what they are experiencing when they look at your work. Our key question is 'what do you want people to think or feel when they look at your work?' Mentioned Jason Stephenson meditations on Youtube I Can't Believe it's Not Bhudda Podcast  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

It's kind of magical how one thread of an idea can carry through so many different projects in so many different ways. And for Kellee Wynne Conrad that has been colour (or color!) With a Virtual Art Summit coming in June 2021 listen how this single focus has lead her through creating courses, memberships and a book deal. Having this focus has helped Kellee through what she calls 'the curse of all artists' and maintain a core vision for what she creates.  We talk about circling back on your own creative journey and how collaborations with other artists can propel you... in fact it was promising to record a lesson for Kellee which was the first (and so far only!) online workshop Alice has created.  The upcoming Virtual Art Summit 2021 will include lessons from both Alice  and Louise, and offer you live conversations with all artists taking part as well as lessons you can re-watch anytime you need some colour inspiration so do sign up to take part.  Mentioned Join the Virtual Art Summit here: www.virtualartsummit.com/go Get Alice's lesson in the True Colors bundle here: alicesheridan.com/courses Visit the home of the Color Crush palettes here: www.colorcrushcreative.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

This week, we’re discussing Louise’s story with Alice leading the conversation. We track back through Louise’s life and discuss the touchpoints - three key moments when things shifted for her.  These include moving back from New York to Yorkshire, meeting Alice and following her instincts, and finding a life coach who helped her move past her limiting beliefs.  We also discuss Louise’s journey into teaching, which came about in a slightly unusual way when the idea for a course came to her almost fully formed. That course is now in its fourth year and we discuss the philosophy behind the life-changing concept that simply following what you love is all you ever need to do. Mentioned Louise's free Find Your Joy taster course: https://www.louisefletchercourses.com/wait-list-FYJ-2021 Alice's Connected Artist Club is open now  https://soulrocketstudio.com/connected-open Find out more about Georgina Noel https://www.georginanoel.com/ BBC: The Life and Times of Hans Holbein by Franny Moyle HERE 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

Have you ever wondered how we came to be doing what we're doing? If so, the next two episodes are for you. This week, we're diving into Alice's story, in a conversation led by Louise. You'll learn all about Alice's journey from graphic design to a full-time career as an artist, and what exactly that entails. We travel through Alice's past, talk about the role depression played in making her an artist, and explore the idea of intentionality ... how much of what we do is clearly envisaged from the outset versus that which is arrived a gradually and in incremental steps. Finally, we discuss Connected Artist Club, the online membership group that Alice built from fledgling idea into thriving community. If you have ever wondered about how to build a successful art career, this episode is for you. Mentioned Alice's Connected Artist Club  https://soulrocketstudio.com/connected-interest 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

Recently, we both launched a series of paintings via our websites, and in this episode, we discuss the experience and what we learned. For both of us, this was a relatively new experience - Alice usually launches her new works at in-person events and Louise has traditionally added paintings to her website on an ad-hoc basis, rather than as a series. Both our launches went well, and we hope our experiences can help you plan something similar.  In a wide-ranging conversation, we cover the benefits of building (and communicating regularly with) a mailing list; the importance of storytelling in sales, and the value of thoughtful presentation. We also discuss the downsides of selling this way, including the inevitable fear of failing in public, and the amount of time required for emailing buyers, packaging, and arranging shipping. As an extra bonus, we introduce the word "wally" and "sodding" to listeners outside the UK (you're welcome).   Correction!! I made a mistake (blame menopause brain!) the artist I mentioned is Amy Dury (not Sarah) and you can find her on Instagram @amy_dury  Mentioned Louise's private view page: https://www.louisefletcherart.com/private-view  Alice's Wild Swimming collection 2021 https://alicesheridan.com/wildswimming/  See a previous more complete virtual event listing here: https://alicesheridan.com/artistsathome2020/  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 celebrating our one millionth podcast download, something neither of us imagined when we started. And it made us think about expectations ... where do they come from? What effect do they have? And how can we learn to manage them? During the course of the discussion, we unpick the difference between intentions and expectations and discuss whether Shakespeare had it right when he declared that "expectation is the root of all heartache.”  This episode starts with a rather long discussion about technical challenges, which is so on the money - because none of us expect that, when we decide to become an artist, we will spend large amounts of our time solving technology problems. But, it turns out to be a large part of the life of a working artist. As always, that gap (between what we expect and what is reality) can really catch us out. Perhaps the answer is to have no expectations, but neither of us can claim to have attained that level of enlightenment just yet. But maybe being aware of the trap, and catching ourselves when we fall into it, is all we need to do. Mentioned Small Pleasures by Clare Chambers https://www.amazon.co.uk/Small-Pleasures-Between-Covers-Book/dp/147461390X/ Alice's Connected Artist Club is opening soon - sign up to be notified here: http://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 "Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License