Art Juice: A podcast for artists, creatives and art lovers

This week's episode was prompted by a question from Kate, an Australian artist who asked: "Should you like your own work? Do you ever stop fighting that inner critic (and external critics) and just start enjoying the process?" We both believe that loving your own work is crucial, touch on how we evaluate our work (and the importance of doing so) and share our feelings about where we find ourselves currently. We also ask whether  what we love changes,  whether this is an issue, and what to do with those older pieces that no longer make us feel excited. As for the inner critic ... Alice suggests there is a difference between criticism and critique. Can we analyse/assess our work without ever allowing that self-critique to stray into negative thoughts about ourselves or our level of talent? Finally, we each offer concrete steps that we believe artists can take to begin making work that they love. Mentioned: Alice's Connected Artist Club: https://alicesheridanstudio.mykajabi.com/connected-interest Louise's Art Tribe: https://thispaintinglife.mykajabi.com/art-tribe Sign up for our newsletters at: www.alicesheridan.com www.louisefletcherart.com Submit a question at bit.ly/artjuicepodcast Buy us a coffee at: https://ko-fi.com/artjuice Follow us on Instagram: 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

This week, we’re considering the shifts that we see happening in our artist communities. As galleries closed and art fairs were cancelled, many artists began to look for different ways of selling art.. Many are setting up (or re-designing) websites or sending out their first newsletter or getting more active on social media and we are both thrilled to see it. We have both long been huge advocates for this approach and so we find it exciting and energising to watch artists taking control. In this episode, we also discuss new approaches to open studios, the limiting beliefs that might be stopping us selling at this time, and the importance of building connections. We also have a rare disagreement about Tik-Tok but concur on the power of a tidy studio space. Mentioned: Alice's Marie Kondo blog post: https://alicesheridan.com/how-to-kon-mari-your-studio/ Funny Journalist on Tik-Tok Gary Vee on Tik-Tok Join our membership sites: Alice's Connected Artist Club: https://alicesheridanstudio.mykajabi.com/connected-interest Louise's Art Tribe: https://thispaintinglife.mykajabi.com/art-tribe Sign up for our newsletters at: www.alicesheridan.com www.louisefletcherart.com Submit a question at bit.ly/artjuicepodcast Buy us a coffee at: https://ko-fi.com/artjuice Follow us on Instagram: 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

As the UK lockdown continues, we discuss the unfolding situation and the continual emotional shifts we are all experiencing. Here in Britain we are seeing some of our most well-known artists responding in different ways. Tracy Emin wrote an online diary; David Hockney is making new paintings; and Grayson Perry is filming a new TV show designed to encourage people to make art. We ask whether these are helpful reactions. In troubled times, what is the point of it all? Is art relevant? And is this an opportunity for us to switch from a focus on producing work for shows to a new emphasis on creativity and exploration? We also discuss the importance of mental health for our physical well-being, debate potential societal changes, and ask whether we are currently in the midst of a global existential crisis. Mentioned Mark this time on Instagram  https://www.instagram.com/markthistime2020/?hl=en Mark this time on Facebook  https://www.facebook.com/markthistime2020/ Tracey Emin - online diary https://www.instagram.com/whitecube/?hl=en David Hockney paintings https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-52109901 Grayson Perry/Anthony Gormley art kit home.https://firstsite.uk/art-is-where-the-home-is/ Lewis Howes podcast with Dr. Joe Dispenza https://youtu.be/RTuf7OfZ-yY Sign up for our newsletters at: www.alicesheridan.com www.louisefletcherart.com Submit a question at bit.ly/artjuicepodcast Buy us a coffee at: https://ko-fi.com/artjuice Follow us on Instagram: 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

This week, we are joined by special guest Karen Stamper. Karen is an accomplished painter and collage artist with a special passion for sketchbooks. She teaches workshops in person and online and in this episode, we pick her brains about helping adults loosen up, have fun and learn. As a former art teacher in high schools, Karen has an interesting perspective on the difference between adult students and kids. We also discuss the importance of being generous with your knowledge and have an extensive conversation about how artists can take their teaching online, an important topic in this time in which workshops are being cancelled around the world.  Our discussion includes how to know if you will enjoy teaching, how to get over fear of the camera, which platforms work best. how to build an audience for your online course, and the importance of encouraging and supporting students through the challenges of learning new things.   Mentioned: Karen's website: https://karenstampercollage.com/ Find Karen's online workshops HERE (new platform) Sign up for our newsletters at: www.alicesheridan.com www.louisefletcherart.com Submit a question at bit.ly/artjuicepodcast Buy us a coffee at: https://ko-fi.com/artjuice Follow us on Instagram: 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

This week, we are joined by a special guest. Laura Horn is an Australian abstract artist who is also a successful podcaster, teacher and businesswoman. Over the years, she has worked to establish a regular art practice and build a full-time business while also juggling responsibilities as a wife and mother.  In this episode, we learn how Laura turned a short sabbatical from her office job into a full-time art career - at first simply as a painter and then later as a creator of online courses. We discuss how important it is to build a business that aligns with your values and share our challenges with balancing work and rest-time.  Our conversations also spans blogs, Instagram, social media trolling, podcasts and the challenges (and joys) of working closely with your spouse.  In 'what's inspired?' Laura shares her love of mixed media, Alice is thrilled with new frames, and Louise has decided you're never too old for something you really love. Mentioned: Laura Horn Art: https://www.laurahornart.com/ The Laura Horn Podcast: https://www.laurahornart.com/thepodcast Louise's Your Art Tribe membership site: https://thispaintinglife.mykajabi.com/art-tribe Sign up for our newsletters at: www.alicesheridan.com www.louisefletcherart.com Submit a question at bit.ly/artjuicepodcast Buy us a coffee at: https://ko-fi.com/artjuice Follow us on Instagram: 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

This episode is a little different, Usually we record with hundreds of miles separating us, but this week, we take a rare opportunity to meet up and spend some time chatting about studio spaces, art careers and whatever else comes up. We drink tea, drive through London, and eat sugared chickpeas while we geek out about recording equipment, discuss the importance of resilience, and visit both of Alice's studios (old and new). During the visit to the new studio, we discuss Alice's newest paintings and share how it feels when your work moves into surprising new territory. You can watch the accompanying short video on YouTube and get a sneak peek at Alice's new work HERE: https://youtu.be/TchzUtqwUaM And also see images of the lighting products and paintings at each of our websites: https://alicesheridan.com/artjuice60/ Surrey Contemporary Art Fair 13-15th March 2020 https://contemporaryartfairs.co.uk/surrey-spring/ Royal Watercolour Society 6-18th March 2020 https://www.royalwatercoloursociety.co.uk/exhibitions/36-rws-contemporary-watercolour-competition/overview/ Lighting products discussed: Simple ring light and phone holder for livestreams HERE Arm clamps for phone and ring light HERE Day Light Umbrella Continuous Lighting Kit HERE LED lights HERE Sign up for our newsletters at: www.alicesheridan.com www.louisefletcherart.com Submit a question at bit.ly/artjuicepodcast Buy us a coffee at: https://ko-fi.com/artjuice Follow us on Instagram: 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

This week, we’re discussing comfort zones. This is a phrase coined by a business consultant called Alasdair White who described it as: “a psychological state in which things feel familiar to a person, and they are at ease, and in control of their environment, experiencing low levels of anxiety and stress. In this zone, a steady level of performance is possible.” That doesn’t sound too bad does it? But psychologist Robert Yerkes suggested that to perform at our best we need to be in a state of what he called ‘optimal anxiety.’  Too anxious and our performance goes down, but it seems that we are at our most creative when we are just outside of what is comfortable for us. This week, we discuss these ideas and debate whether it’s necessary to stay comfortable and safe in some areas so that we can be brave and bold in others. We also offer some questions you can use to determine whether you are working at ‘optimal anxiety’ or whether you are holding yourself back. Those questions are: What areas are your comfort zones? Is this where I want to be? How am I feeling about this? (What beliefs are holding me in this energy space?) Where might a risk it take me? (Long-term benefit) Where am I over-complicating this? (how could I make it easy?) Other topics this week include the value of community, an unusual approach to painting edges, and a new way of looking at an ‘impossible’ project Mentioned: CVP sign-up: https://workshop.art2life.com/cvp-2020/ Art Juice Buddy group for CVP: https://www.facebook.com/groups/JUPbuddies2020CVP Sign up for our newsletters at: www.alicesheridan.com www.louisefletcherart.com Submit a question at bit.ly/artjuicepodcast Buy us a coffee at: https://ko-fi.com/artjuice Follow us on Instagram: 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

If you are an artist, this is the time of year when you start to hear about CVP, the online 12-week course taught by Nicholas Wilton. (Full name: The Creative Visionary Program). We have both taken this course in the past and Alice now works as a CVP coach. In this extra episode, we discuss our own personal experiences with the program and answer some of the questions that we are most frequently asked. Our discussion covers financial considerations, the logistics of online learning, how much individual guidance you can expect, how much time is needed, and which kinds of artists can most benefit. Does this work for you if you are a beginner? How about a skilled professional? Should you take it if you paint realistically? Or is it just for abstract artists. We cover all this and more in a frank and wide-ranging conversation. We also invite you to a special Facebook group that we will be hosting for anybody who signs up through our link (bit.ly/cvp2020). Please note we have to check each name with Nick’s team, so please be patient as we admit you into the group. You can find that group by searching Facebook for JUP CVP BUDDIES 2020 or clicking the link below. Mentioned: Sign up for CVP via Art Juice at bit.ly/cvp2020 See stories from others who have taken the program here: https://workshop.art2life.com/cvp-2020-inspiration/ Then come and join us in our special Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/JUPbuddies2020CVP/ Sue McNenly on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/suemcnenly/?hl=en  Contact either of us via our websites: www.alicesheridan.com www.louisefletcherart.com or on Instagram:  @alicesheridanstudio @louisefletcher_art Credits: "Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

Do you ever feel overwhelmed? Do you find that your painting time is being eaten up by admin and emails and marketing and social media ... not to mention spouses and kids and parents and pets?  Even when we love what we do, it can be stressful to cope with competing demands on our time. This week Alice is fiercely protecting her painting time despite pressure to do other things, while Louise is facing up to her tendency to put others' needs ahead of her own.  We discuss our strategies for managing overwhelm, offer tips for prioritising what matters, and debate whether it has ever been possible for an artist to simply make their art on a full time basis. We also discuss the value of good framing and Alice shares her experience of receiving a very special letter. Mentioned Juiced Up Buddies group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/juicedupbuddies/ RWS Contemporary 2020: https://www.royalwatercoloursociety.co.uk/exhibitions/36-rws-contemporary-watercolour-competition/overview/ Sign up for our newsletters at: www.alicesheridan.com www.louisefletcherart.com Submit a question at bit.ly/artjuicepodcast Buy us a coffee at: https://ko-fi.com/artjuice Follow us on Instagram: 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

This week's episode was inspired by a question from an artist who wrote: "I can draw well, and I paint in watercolour and acrylics but my style is all over the place. How can I find a style and settle on it?" We discuss whether you need to settle on a specific style, or whether it's OK to have multiple strings to your bow. Perhaps this varies depending on your goals for your art. We also share our own individual journeys,  and debate whether there are concrete steps you can take to find your own style. An artist's style, we agree, is the result of many different choices (subject matter, media, process, and decisions about colour and design and value among many other things). But it is also something that evolves - and that is perhaps never fully defined. After all, many of the "greats" changed styles multiple times as they explored different ideas or different ways of making their work. Most of, we both feel that your style is something that comes through doing rather than thinking - you must make work and in the process of making that work, you find your style. This is also one with giggles over builders, a few tears and even disagreements over confectionery! Mentioned Join the free Art2Life online workshop HERE: https://www.louisefletcherart.com/for-artists/art2life/ Lesley Birch: https://www.lesleybirchartist.com/ Alice Sheridan - Canopy: https://alicesheridan.com/landscape-unlocked/ Laura Horn Art podcast: https://www.laurahornart.com/thepodcast Sign up for our newsletters at: www.alicesheridan.com www.louisefletcherart.com Submit a question at bit.ly/artjuicepodcast Buy us a coffee at: https://ko-fi.com/artjuice Follow us on Instagram: 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