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

This week, we're diving into a topic we've both wondered about ... how much should we share? If we let people in to all aspects of our creative process, does our art lose its mystery? Do collectors really want to see the good, the bad and the ugly of our artistic process? And what about sharing with other artists? Should we keep some things as trade secrets? If we share everything, are we worried about people copying us?  During our conversation, we share some of the benefits we've both experienced from sharing our work, our processes and our creative lives. We also discuss the potential pitfalls of being open and honest. Later, we answer a listener question from Wendy about substrates ... why do we choose to work on boards or canvas or paper? What factors do we weigh and how does that decision impact our work? All this, plus the week's inspiration, which includes a kick-ass group of artists and the story of how one amazing woman turned hardship into massive success. Mentioned:  Thought for the Day: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p07vp1z4 Wharfedale Grange wedding venue: https://www.wharfedalegrange.co.uk/ Louise's free acrylics video: https://www.louisefletcherart.com/acrylics/ 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: @alicesheridanstudio @louisefletcher_art Credits "Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

This week, we welcome a special guest.  Nicholas Wilton is a Californian painter who also runs a successful online art course called The Creative Visionary Program (a course both Alice and Louise have taken in the past). Nicholas has an unusual take on the age-old topic of selling art  - and it's one that might surprise you. In this special conversation, we discuss his counter-intuitive ideas (such as the fact that the more unique your art becomes, the more others can relate to it); share our own art-making processes; discuss the value of working in a series; and consider the role intuition plays in our creative process. We also touch on the power of found materials, and learn about the profound changes that Nick and Alice are experiencing in their work. This is a conversation that is sure to energise and inspire you.  This is also the last week to join our exciting end-of-year event which started in Monday. “Your Best Art Year Ever” is an interactive live 5-day event during which we are sharing our approach to planning for success. There will be chat, laughs, sound advice, a chance to ask questions, and even a few free downloads so that you can plan your own “best art year ever.” You can join the Facebook group now and catch up with anything you missed. Join HERE.   Mentioned: Your Best Art Year Ever event: https://www.facebook.com/groups/425384981672761/ Find Nick's colour tips PDF 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: @alicesheridanstudio @louisefletcher_art Credits "Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

As the holidays approach, we discuss how you can encourage others to give your art as a gift (or to ask for your art as a gift). The challenge, of course, is that art is a highly personal choice, so buyers might be concerned about "getting it wrong." We put our heads together and came up with a range of tips and tricks designed to make it easy and risk-free for someone to give your art to a loved one. Our ideas range from the types of products you offer, to the ways in which you allow people to buy. This is also the last week to join our exciting end-of-year event scheduled for the week of November 18th. “Your Best Art Year Ever” will be an interactive live 5-day event during which we will share our approach to planning for success. There will be chat, laughs, sound advice, a chance to ask questions, and even a few free downloads so that you can plan your own “best art year ever.” You can join the Facebook group now and start to get to know everyone, so that you’re ready for when we start on November 18th. You can sign up HERE.  No sales pitch, no sign-up. Mentioned: Your Best Art Year Ever event: https://www.facebook.com/groups/425384981672761/ Paypal credit: https://www.paypal.com/uk/webapps/mpp/paypal-virtual-credit Kevin Ghiglione:  https://ghiglione.ca/critique 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: @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 art fairs. We both have a slightly different perspective on these events - one of our rare disagreements - so today we’re tackling it head on. Louise asks: “Are art fairs really a viable sales vehicle for most of us? Or are many artists paying high fees to rent space without earning a return on the investment?  We debate our differing viewpoints and discuss how you can determine whether an art fair might be the right place to show your work. This includes considerations such as whether you are ready for this step, what kind of fair would suit you best, is the event well-run and well-attended, and how do art fairs fit into your overall plans? We also announce an exciting end-of-year event scheduled for the week of November 18th. “Your Best Art Year Ever” will be an interactive live 5-day event during which we will share our approach to planning for success. There will be live chat, laughs, sound advice, a chance to ask questions, and even a few free downloads so that you can plan your own “best art year ever.” You can join the Facebook group now and start to get to know everyone, so that you’re ready for when we start on November 18th. Just click HERE to join. Mentioned: Alice's post about finishing paintings: https://alicesheridan.com/after-finished-painting/ Louise's video about sealing and framing paintings: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x435LhnbrzU Join the new Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/425384981672761/ 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: @alicesheridanstudio @louisefletcher_art Credits "Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

Today's special guest believes creatives best get clear "with our mouths open" . Talking, and more importantly, listening is key to her role as a coach.  Judith Morgan has been coaching for 15 years and Alice's coach - rather on a whim - for the past 5 years and today we are talking about what exactly coaching involves, sharing some of the practices which have helped many different creative entrepreneurs and discussing impatience, creating a sanctuary, the impact of emotions, leaving an imprint and the risks of helping others at your own expense.  If you've ever wondered about how coaching could help you, we hope this might clarify your ideas about what to look for to choose the right way for you. After all, that's what we both strongly believe is the only way. Do you agree? Mentioned: Find Judith's book "Your Biz Your Way" HERE If you'd like to get in touch with Judith, the best way is to message through her Facebook page Find Own It the podcast HERE Read some of the stories behind the Peter Doig exhibition at Michael Werner gallery HERE Submit a question at bit.ly/artjuicepodcast Follow us on Instagram: @alicesheridanstudio @louisefletcher_art See fuller show notes on our websites: www.alicesheridan.com www.louisefletcherart.com Credits "Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

Alice is feeling a shift in direction and has been exploring the idea of intention for her work. This sparks a discussion about the role of intention in art-making. Do we need it? Do we have to decide it right from the start? Or can we find it as we go?  We explore the pros and cons of intention in a discussion that ranges from the compositions of an art-making chimpanzee to Steve Jobs’ wise words about how we can connect the dots. We also discuss the perennial topic of studio flooring, ponder the challenges of teaching art workshops and reveal our thoughts about fancy dress (Gold star if you can guess which one of us has never ever worn a fancy dress costume!) The Art Juice book list Brian Rutenberg Clear Seeing Places https://www.amazon.co.uk/Clear-Seeing-Place-Studio-Visits/dp/0997442301 Steve Jobs speech https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UF8uR6Z6KLc Congo the chimp https://news.artnet.com/exhibitions/congo-late-chimpanzee-painter-whose-work-sold-thousands-will-solo-show-december-1671976 Submit a question at bit.ly/artjuicepodcast Follow us on Instagram: @alicesheridanstudio @louisefletcher_art See fuller show notes on our websites: www.alicesheridan.com www.louisefletcherart.com Credits "Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

In this special episode we discuss some of the books that have inspired us over the years. Our choices may seem surprising but we hope they are all enlightening. They include a collection of letters from one poet to another, a book on marketing (with a twist), two very different artist-written books, and two diverse guides to living an easier and more joyful life. We could not fit all our recommended books into one podcast, so we've created a special download for you with a total of 14 amazing reads. (see below for links). Even if you think some of these books are not for you, it might be worth trusting us and trying them anyway - each one contains amazing wisdom to enrich our lives and our art-making. We also answer a listener question about how to judge our work.  Is there any such thing as a perfect painting? And how do we know if what we are making is good? In fact, who decides what is good?  Links: Download your "Ultimate (unusual) Book Recommendations for Artists" HERE. Find further book suggestions on THIS Instagram post Submit a question at bit.ly/artjuicepodcast Follow us on Instagram: @alicesheridanstudio @louisefletcher_art See fuller show notes on our websites: www.alicesheridan.com www.louisefletcherart.com Credits "Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

Most of us spend our lives trying to fit in; to get it right; to avoid causing offence. If we have unusual personality traits or experiences, we tend to keep them hidden from all but our closest friends.  This episode was conceived after a personal conversation during which Alice shared a major event in her life. That event played a major role in the way her art has developed and yet she has not discussed it publicly until now.  We explore how such experiences can shape our art and whether this is something we should share with others. Does it help us connect with art buyers more authentically? Or is it too much information? And what are the potential downsides of being open about our lives? Our discussion touches on the work of Brenee Brown, covers what to do if you don't like exposing yourself, and includes a brief discussion of whether galleries approve of artists being vulnerable online. We also catch up with Alice after her workshop in Yorkshire and hear how she kept herself occupied during over 12 hours of driving (spoiler alert: there was singing!). Mentioned Brene Brown Dare to Lead Brene Brown TED talk on shame Louise's sketchbook from Alice's workshop David Tress book Submit a question at bit.ly/artjuicepodcast Follow us on Instagram: @alicesheridanstudio @louisefletcher_art See fuller show notes on our websites: www.alicesheridan.com www.louisefletcherart.com Credits "Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

This week we’re diving into the topic of email and newsletters. For many artists, the thought of sending a regular email is daunting (what do you say? How do you say it?) Others haven’t even collected email addresses in the past. We’re hoping today’s discussion will inspire you to get started and/or to crank up your current efforts. The truth is that email has an important role to play in your marketing mix. Yes social media is important, but when someone gives you their email address, they are taking a step closer to you - giving you a valuable opportunity to make and keep a connection. We share tips, discuss areas where we could improve, and invite you to sign up for both our newsletters, so you can experience what happens when you do. All this as well as Bake-Off chat, new studio news and the exciting nature of the creative cycle. Mentioned https://alicesheridan.com/see-more/ https://www.louisefletcherart.com/newsletter-artists Buy us a coffee and support the podcast here  Submit a question at bit.ly/artjuicepodcast Follow us on Instagram: @alicesheridanstudio @louisefletcher_art See fuller show notes on our websites: www.alicesheridan.com www.louisefletcherart.com Credits "Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

Today’s discussion was inspired by a book and TED talk by Simon Sinek, both entitled ‘Find Your Why.’  Sinek's main point is that when you know the purpose of what you are doing, it is so much easier to make the right decisions, achieve good results, and sell it to others. As artists, we can explore this on several levels - why do I make my art? Why am I making this particular series of paintings? And, at the granular level, why am I making this one specific painting? Our wide-ranging conversation spans the desire to create things, the need to be seen, the drive to communicate our internal experience, and whether what we are really seeking is love. (Deep stuff!) We also get into how you find your purpose. It isn’t something you can just come up with in 5  minutes. For most of us, it is a gradual process of discovery and it arises from the work we do. We also acknowledge that so much of this changes over time - even if we know our why at this moment, it may well change in future years. Mentioned Simon Sinek  TED talk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4ZoJKF_VuA Buy us a coffee and support the podcast here  Submit a question at bit.ly/artjuicepodcast Follow us on Instagram: @alicesheridanstudio @louisefletcher_art See fuller show notes on our websites: www.alicesheridan.com www.louisefletcherart.com Credits "Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License