
Drawing Inspiration
Join self-taught artist Mike Hendley who shares his ongoing experiences in learning how to draw and paint with those interested in exploring art at any age. Mike also talks about the challenges of being creative, making space for these passionate pursuits in our hectic lives and beginning the artist journey late in life. Grab a pad and pencil or an iPad and follow along with Mike on his journey to become a better artist through tips, tricks, interviews, and stories.
Latest episodes

Aug 9, 2021 • 1sec
59: Turning a Passion into a Tool for Change with Wildlife Artist Sophie Green
Mike gets a little too close to a possessed 1936 Dodge and draws some more insects. Wildlife artist Sophie Green joins the podcast to talk about her creative journey from teacher to an accomplished and successful artist. Sophie talks about her recent pieces from elephants, to bisons, penguins and whale sharks. Sophie donates a percentage of her income to various charities around the world focused protecting animals and their environments. They also discuss the role social media has for an artist.
Donna Stewart on Instagram
Louise (1936 Dodge)
Monarchs
Starting a dragonfly
’Hannibal’ (elephant)
Golden Paint
’Resurgam’ (whale shark)
The March
Grid method
’Revival’ (Bison)
David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation
David Shepherd Wildlife Artist of the Year 2021
Tusk
Shark Trust
===== How to reach Sophie Green =====
Web site
Instagram (@sophiegreenfineart)
Twitter (@sophiegreenart)
Art Basket
===== How to reach Mike Hendley =====
MikeHendley.com
Instagram @Mike_Hendley
Twitter @MikeHendley
Show notes at DrawingInspiration.fm
===== Want to Support the Podcast ??? =====
Support "Drawing Connections" on Substack
Rate and Review on Apple Podcasts
Share the podcast with friends and family
Podcast theme music is “Acid Jazz”
By Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Jul 27, 2021 • 38sec
58: Discovering Something Special with Nature Journaling
Mike has had some recent success in exploring nature journaling. He shares his tools, techniques, and some tips along the way. He also talks about some of his recent nature illustration pieces.
Jo Brown (@bernoid on Twitter, @taojb on Instagram) - Episodes 13 and Episode 40
Secrets of a Devon Wood
Unsplash
Pixabay
Daniel Smith Watercolor
Water brushes from Pentel
Etchr Sketchbook (cold and hot press)
Faber Castell Polychromos
Bees
Stoat
Cecropia moth
===== How to reach Mike Hendley =====
MikeHendley.com
Instagram @Mike_Hendley
Twitter @MikeHendley
Show notes at DrawingInspiration.fm
===== Want to Support the Podcast ??? =====
Support "Drawing Connections" on Substack
Rate and Review on Apple Podcasts
Share the podcast with friends and family
Podcast theme music is “Acid Jazz”
By Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Jul 12, 2021 • 1sec
57: Cars, Coconuts, and Letting Go of Perfection with France Van Stone
Mike continues his work with watercolor by painting a tractor and some bees and then he draws some rocks. France Van Stone then joins the podcast to share her creative journey. France has been able to carry her passion for art through her life while working full-time as a French teacher. She talks about the influence of living near a large car manufacturer in France when she was younger and the lovely accidents along the way that shape our art. They explore the tools, materials, and approaches she has used to develop her work. They also talk about the impact of social media on creating and sharing and services like Micro.blog and owning your own content.
Danny Gregory (book “Creative License”)
R60 Motorcycle with Alvin
BIC Pen
Pentel
Alvin Chong
Liz Steel
Moleskine Sketchbook
Blick Smooth Bristol paper
Procreate Brushes
Micro.blog
Sketch! (Book)
Procreate
Paper
Linea
Happs.tv
The Boneyard
Christine
The Car
===== How to reach France van Stone =====
Instagram (@wagonized)
Sketch! (Book)
Web site
Procreate Brushes
===== How to reach Mike Hendley =====
MikeHendley.com
Instagram @Mike_Hendley
Twitter @MikeHendley
Show notes at DrawingInspiration.fm
===== Want to Support the Podcast ??? =====
Support "Drawing Connections" on Substack
Rate and Review on Apple Podcasts
Share the podcast with friends and family
Podcast theme music is “Acid Jazz”
By Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Jun 29, 2021 • 43sec
56: Birds, Bunnies, and Cars, Oh My! It’s Time for Creative Check-in
Mike reflects on the last few interviews and the year to date. He talks about his recent foray into watercolor with more detail around some recent pieces as well as his toolkit. It’s also time for a creative check-in to consider what is important and whether you are on the right track. He also talks about finding art time within the nooks and crannies of life and also some interesting homework using your phone.
DucklingDave O’Neill on InstagramRabbitEgretBluejayDeSotoDucks on rocksDaniel Smith paintPentel water brushesFaber Castell Watercolor pencilsPencil caseEtchrOCV Students Grade 10 Gallery
===== How to reach Mike Hendley =====
MikeHendley.com
Instagram @Mike_Hendley
Twitter @MikeHendley
Show notes at DrawingInspiration.fm
===== Want to Support the Podcast ??? =====
Support "Drawing Connections" on Substack
Rate and Review on Apple Podcasts
Share the podcast with friends and family
Podcast theme music is “Acid Jazz”
By Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Jun 14, 2021 • 1sec
55: Creating Fantasy Landscapes Through Observation and Ink with Sam Gillett
Mike works with a new online drawing tool and plays with watercolor, again :-) Sam Gillett then joins the podcast as an early-career artist to share his journey so far. Sam has been drawing for some time but only recently started sharing his work online as well as opening his Etsy store. Sam and Mike discuss the power of observation and his inspiration for his work. Sam then talks about his recent and upcoming Skillshare classes.
Aggie.io (Magma Studio)
Owl in Procreate
Baby Killdeer
Eastern Bluebird
Barn Owl
Chronicle of Narnia
LOTR
Redwall (book series)
Eragon
Procreate post with ship
Strathmore sketch book
Moleskine
Airship Notebooks
Staedtler pens
Sakura Micron pens (005)
Skillshare
Instagram
Etsy
Color and Light (James Gurney)
Aaron Blaise (digital brush sets)
MaxPacks (Procreate brushes)
To Live and Die in LA (Podcast)
Klara and the Sun (Kazuo Ishiguro)
===== How to reach Sam Gillett =====
Instagram
Skillshare
Etsy
===== How to reach Mike Hendley =====
MikeHendley.com
Instagram @Mike_Hendley
Twitter @MikeHendley
Show notes at DrawingInspiration.fm
===== Want to Support the Podcast ??? =====
Support "Drawing Connections" on Substack
Rate and Review on Apple Podcasts
Share the podcast with friends and family
Podcast theme music is “Acid Jazz”
By Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

May 31, 2021 • 1sec
54: Chasing Your Dreams, Animal Crackers, and Painting Every Day with Scott Sava
Mike talks about an online collaborative tool for digital art as well as a couple of graphite pieces. Scott Christian Sava joins the podcast to talk about his journey and fulfilling his dream to work on Spider-Man. He then talks about his Netflix movie, “Animal Crackers”. They explore Scott’s posting and daily painting practice on TikTok. Scott shares how he does not let TikTok define him while still allowing it to affect him. Scott then shares how he is leaving breadcrumbs for himself through his work.
Aggie.io
Snapping turtle (graphite pencil)
Dragonfly (graphite pencil)
Tom Bancroft (website)
Atari (Wikipedia)
Malibu Comics (Wikipedia)
Stan Lee (Wikipedia)
Marv Wolfman (Wikipedia)
Barry Windsor-Smith (Wikipedia)
Casper (IMDB)
Alex Ross (website)
Len Wein (marvel)
Axel Alonso (Wikipedia)
The Dreamland Chronicles (Website)
Little Nemo In Slumberland (Wikipedia)
Animal Crackers (Netflix, IMDB)
The Hobbit Hole (TikTok)
Swiss Medic Bag (TikTok)
Galen Leather Writer’s Medic Bag
James Gurney Episode 18 Drawing Inspiration Podcast
Robin Williams (TikTok)
Stan Lee (TikTok)
===== Scott Christian Sava =====
Blue Dream Studios
TikTok
Instagram (@ssavaart)
Twitter (@ssava)
YouTube
===== How to reach Mike Hendley =====
MikeHendley.com
Instagram @Mike_Hendley
Twitter @MikeHendley
Show notes at DrawingInspiration.fm
===== Want to Support the Podcast ??? =====
Support "Drawing Connections" on Substack
Rate and Review on Apple Podcasts
Share the podcast with friends and family
Podcast theme music is “Acid Jazz”
By Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

May 17, 2021 • 1sec
53: Draw Your World with Samantha Dion Baker
Mike talks about some his recent works and morel mushrooms. Samantha Dion Baker then joins the podcast to talk about her evolving art practice from graphic design to illustration and author. She share her journey that has resulted in volumes of sketchbooks in her house. She talks about about her process, tools and approaches for creating wonderful memories through a mix of pencil, ink and paint. Mike and Samantha talk about her upcoming book, “Draw Your World” which will inspire artists at all stages of their careers. They also explore what it means not to be precious and in order to be a beautiful artist you don’t have to try so hard.
Patreon for the podcast
Newsletter
Eastern bluebird
Mountain bluebird
Morel mushroom
Caran d’Ache
Peg and Awl
CW Pencil Enterprise
Muji Pencil Sharpener
Copic Multiliner
Pigma Micron
Greenleaf & Blueberry
Derwent Inktense Paint
Case for Making
Daniel Smith Watercolor
===== Samantha Dion Baker =====
Sdionbaker.com (official site)
Order the book, “Draw Your World”
Skillshare
Instagram
===== How to reach Mike Hendley =====
MikeHendley.com
Instagram @Mike_Hendley
Twitter @MikeHendley
Show notes at DrawingInspiration.fm
===== Want to Support the Podcast ??? =====
Support "Drawing Connections" on Substack
Rate and Review on Apple Podcasts
Share the podcast with friends and family
Podcast theme music is “Acid Jazz”
By Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

May 3, 2021 • 1sec
52: Color Versus Line and Demystifying Oil Painting with Kimberly Brooks
Mike talks about some colored pencil pieces and future plans. Artist and author Kimberly Brooks joins the podcast to talk about her journey and her new book, “The New Oil Painting”. They talk about her beginnings and how she took control of her own journey. She talks about color versus line for all artists and not being precious about your work.
Cardinals ( version 1 digital, version 2, version 3 )
Sketch of Carter
Carter on Spotify
Interlochen Centre for the Arts
Walter Landor
White on white painting (K. Malevich)
LeonardShlain.com
Grace Coddington
Creative process in 8 steps (TEDx Talk)
===== Kimberly Brooks =====
KimberlyBrooks.com
The New Oil Painting (official site for the book)
First Person Artist
Kimberly Brooks (@kimberlybrooksartist on IG)
===== How to reach Mike Hendley =====
MikeHendley.com
Instagram @Mike_Hendley
Twitter @MikeHendley
Show notes at DrawingInspiration.fm
===== Want to Support the Podcast ??? =====
Become a patron of the show
Rate and Review on Apple Podcasts
Share the podcast with friends and family
Podcast theme music is “Acid Jazz”
By Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Apr 19, 2021 • 1sec
51: Art Education, Creating Pigments and the Clubhouse App with Sunaina Buckshey
Mike follows up on some UFOs and shares some thoughts on his current art pieces. Mike is then joined by artist Sunaina Buckshey to talk about her creative journey. As a recent graduate of the London School of Arts with an MFA, Sunaina shares her thoughts on art degrees. She then talks about her exploration of pigments and how 28,000-year-old cave paintings have inspired her to create her own paints. Mike and Sunaina then talk about the new Clubhouse app in how it works as well as the impact on creatives.
UFO Town on CBC (mentioned on Episode 32)
Tractor Painting with Ian Fennelly (Episode 25)
Snapping Turtle Final
Sunaina digital works
Lascaux caves in France
Glass muller (for grinding pigments)
===== How to reach Sunaina Buckshey =====
Clubhouse (@sunaina_kb)
The Artist’s Cove on Clubhouse
Instagram
Web site
===== How to reach Mike Hendley =====
MikeHendley.com
Instagram @Mike_Hendley
Twitter @MikeHendley
Show notes at DrawingInspiration.fm
===== Want to Support the Podcast ??? =====
Support "Drawing Connections" on Substack
Rate and Review on Apple Podcasts
Share the podcast with friends and family
Podcast theme music is “Acid Jazz”
By Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Apr 5, 2021 • 1sec
50: Combining Digital Visual Journalism and Activism with Cartoonist Liza Donnelly
Liza Donnelly joins Mike on this episode to talk about her creative journey in becoming a cartoonist for the New Yorker, Medium, Cosmopolitan, and so many other publications. She talks about her mindset, tools and what it takes to become a successful cartoonist by sharing her stories and experiences along the way. Liza’s drive to make people happy which started when she was quite young is still what drives her today. Mike and Liza discuss the role of cartoons in modern society, live draws, thoughtful reactions to news events and her role in promoting women’s rights and freedom of speech.
Cardinal sketch
Snapping turtle update
James Thurber
Sam Gross (cartoonist)
Charles Addams (cartoonist)
Roz Chast (cartoonist)
Paper app on iPad
Crow quill pen and a hunt 107 nib
Higgins black magic ink
Charlie Hebdo shooting
Danish cartoon controversy
The Nib
Jan Goodall
===== How to reach Liza Donnelly =====
Web site
Medium
Twitter
Instagram
Happs
Liza's TED talk
===== How to reach Mike Hendley =====
MikeHendley.com
Instagram @MikeHendley
Twitter @MikeHendley
Show notes at DrawingInspiration.fm
===== Want to Support the Podcast ??? =====
Support "Drawing Connections" on Substack
Rate and Review on Apple Podcasts
Share the podcast with friends and family
Podcast theme music is “Acid Jazz”
By Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
Cartoon image copyright Liza Donnelly and The New Yorker Magazine