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

This week we're catching up (chickens and travel) and also talking about spontaneity and making space. You'll hear why there has been a bit of longer gap - and why there is no jaunty music this time.

We would say this was a hard episode to record, but the truth is it was just as easy as always. We have appreciated our conversations as much we know you do - and we will miss them. We have appreciated our guests and all of you who have listened, messaged and shared the podcast over the last 6 years. It's truly been a joy. Thank you from both of us and we hope you keep in touch - and continue to share the message ... creativity counts, your creative life matters and just go and make it happen!

Alice and Louise x

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This week, we're discussing all things studio. Both Alice and Louise recently completed major studio clean-upn projects, while Louise is overseeing the construction of a new workspace. What does it mean to set up a productive studio space? Is your space cosy or utilitarian? Is it helpful to get 'outside' help with planning or reorganising your space? And when is it time to make a change to your environment?

Hopefully, our conversation will inspire you to take a fresh look at your own space - and maybe even have your own studio clear-out :)

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This week, Louise is joined by special guest Sally-Anne Ashley for a discussion on how to develop and nurture ideas within our art practice. This is a topic that we are both passionate about and, while we approach it in slightly different ways, our end goal remains the same. We both seek to find a focus that sustains us, while also staying open and experimental.

During our conversation, we cover the importance of play, the need for self-acceptance, and the vital role that ideas play in our work.

This is a podcast about belief, embracing risk as a business owner and being open to creative opportunities despite lingering imposter syndrome.

Today we bring you an inspiring conversation with muralist Daren Todd who transitioned in to art after his boss told him to go and follow what made him happy. From painting fences for free to a collaboration with IKEA there are plenty of ideas here to help you think more expansively about how your art can impact people around you, your community, and why it really matters.

Key takeaways: keeping a short line from idea to implementation, continuing to experiment with new ideas and ways to bring your art to people, the importance of referrals and getting known for one thing and why 4hrs spent on SEO could really be am afternoon well spent.

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You can find Daren's website here:

This week we're diving into the challenges of making art when times get tough. Many people are worried about global issues such as wars, climate change and geopolitics, and these massive issues can feel overwhelming. Others are struggling with personal challenges, which can also make creativity feel impossible. So how do we keep creating in difficult times? How do we restore our equilibrium after we have been triggered into strong emotions? And how do we deal with feelings of guilt about doing something we love when others are suffering?

We hope our personal experiences and challenges help anyone who is struggling with their own creativity due to external pressures.

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This week, we're talking creative capacity. What's the ideal environment for creativity to flourish? And when should we simply accept that there is no space left for new ideas? We suspect this is different for everyone, but in this episode, we do our best to unpack the issue as we see it, and hopefully offer some support to anyone who is struggling at the moment.

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If you've got paintings stacking up, and you're either excited about what you're working on, or wondering where to go next, this episode is for you.

It can be tempting to think we have to re-invent the wheel with our art work, but truth is in following the clues from where you've already been... Today we have a few questions for you which will help you unearth and mine your own art history and build your confidence going forward because you realise all the things that you've already figured out!

We hope you enjoy this and would love to see you share your favourite question from today's episode.

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We're back, and this week we're responding to a listener message all about reflecting on and recording your life (art and otherwise). Our conversations covers journaling, annual planning, and hopes/dreams for the new year. Yes we know it's an arbitrary date in the calendar, but there is something about winter that encourages us to slow down and take stock ... if you feel the same way, this is the episode for you.

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Have you ever felt frustrated about how best to showcase your art so that collectors can see it in the best light? Today's guest is an expert at it - in fact she's made a second career out of bridging the gap between artists, art collectors, or just people who want a colourful home full of personality.

Alice welcomes Emily Hadley to Art juice and we talk about career transitions, staying flexible and remembering you get to create this in a way that suits you. We also cover how you can style your art and see how you present your work as an overall part of your expression that collectors love to see

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This week, we're talking all about collaboration. In response to two listener questions, we discuss the pros and cons of working with others, whether they be galleries, businesses or fellow artists. Collaborations can offer great rewards - as long as you ask some smart questions before committing.

Find Alice Sheridan at: 

In this episode, we dive into the joys of using mixed media—a playground for curiosity and creativity. We explore the fun (and challenges) of mixing materials, textures, and techniques, from graphic edges paired with loose lines to playful contrasts of smooth and rough textures. But it’s not all carefree: many artists find themselves relying on external materials, like magazine clippings or vintage photos, which can sometimes raise the question, "Am I enough without this?"

So, when is mixed media a tool for experimentation and trust-building? And when does it become a safe zone, holding us back from bolder artistic leaps?

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Today Louise chats with British artist Annie Tempest about her life and work. Annie is an award-winning cartoonist whose work has appeared in many newspapers and magazines, and has been a staple of Country Life magazine for over 30 years, but she is also a talented sculptor who is now exploring painting. Annie has found real freedom in her art practice, and her enthusiasm is infectious. In this conversation, Annie shares stories of her fascinating life, discusses the challenges of weekly deadlines, and explains the joy of making art just because you love it.

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Do you love the process of building up layers in your painting? Or perhaps you're wondering why layering is necessary and feeling frustrated with how long your paintings are taking you.

Today we are talking all things layering; from glazing to different substrates. Even if this isn't the way you work, they'll be something her for you as we veer into your role as an artist to orchestrate your painting or to follow your intuition.

Is layering the ultimate way to learn to 'let go'...?

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This week, Alice and Louise ponder the need for carving out time and space for our creativity. Perhaps it's even broader than that - perhaps it's about the idea of consciously designing your life; about creating an environment in which ideas can grow and flourish, and about making the necessary decisions to create that environment. We hope you enjoy this chat and perhaps it will spark some thoughts about your own priorities.

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This week we are having a post-summer catch up on ongoing projects from tractors to tab guns. But beyond the required kit for any creative project, we're talking about striving vs spaciousness, and why having longer term projects which require long term effort are actually beneficial for your health!

Find Alice Sheridan at: 

This week, Alice and Louise discuss the process of making art, and ponder the question of control. Do our paintings come from us, or from somewhere else? Why do some paintings come together quickly while others seem to involve real struggle? During the course of our chat we cover the frustration of the messy middle, the idea of conversing with our work, and the constraints of time and other responsibilities on our creative process.

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Working on a collaborative project can feel a bit daunting - but can also be a joyous creative (and logistical!) challenge that will progress your output and lead to all sorts of opportunities. Today we hear from Claire Hankey and Shilpa Agashe who share the outcomes and learnings from their common love of plants - and a mixing of their different approaches which lead to a new collection of work, and also a rather unique exhibition.

As artists we all stand on the shoulders of giants. Like magpies, we pick up inspiration and ideas as we move through the world. Hopefully we alchemise these ideas into something new and original to us ... but where do we draw the line between inspiration and emulation. When are we turning an idea into something new, versus simply lifting it wholesale. And what happens when someone takes your idea or artwork and markets it as their own?

This week Alice is joined by two UK gallery owners to discuss Open Call exhibitions - from the inside! When artists can sometimes feel submissions are a waste of time, two gallerists share why they choose to use this as part of their offer for artists, and the relationships which build from it.

They let us in on some of the behind the scenes set-up, and what it really takes to organise and run an open call, and what an ideal submission looks like.

We also push them on the tricky topic of costs and pricing - is this just a money-making scheme or after listening do you consider this a good investment. Let us know!

With thanks to Luke Tarpey from

Louise is in colour frustration as she uses paint in a different way out of the studio. And Alice is back from a third away event in as many weeks with some reflections about finding your direction and staying the course.

What does trusting your intuition really feel like? How we debate with logic and recognising what you don't even realise you need yet... when it happens in front of you.

Find Alice Sheridan at: 

This week, we're diving into what it means to live a creative life, and what toll it takes emotionally. Is there a way to regulate your emotional state through a large project or body of work? And should you even try? As Louise starts a major new project, we discuss dopamine hits, tears, and the importance of simply being present.

Find Alice Sheridan at: 

Are submitting to open calls part of your practice? Maybe you find the rejection hard to handle? Or you're fed up of losing submission fees...

This week's show was prompted by a rather shocking and sad recent scenario involving the Livingstone gallery. If you got caught up in it, you're not alone. But it prompted a discussion about whether we should be more wary about open calls, or if they can be a beneficial element in building your career.

Alice is joined by Abigail Bowen and Jessie Woodward to discuss an artists view ... from getting organised to practising bravery and stepping outside your comfort zone.

We hope that later in the summer we'll hear the view from some gallery owners who organise open calls and why they organise them.

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This week, we're talking about the long journey from initial idea to fully fledged reality. So often people give up at the very first hurdle, but we have both learned the value of persistence in our art and our businesses. In this episode, we share what we've learned, including "no you haven't ruined it," and "stop staring at the problem." There is genuine wisdom in this episode, and we hope our hard-earned lessons can help you stay the course in your own art practice.

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This week, we’re talking sales - or rather, we’re talking what happens if we take sales out of the equation. Alice has just finished a gallery show while Louise has a pile of finished paintings she hasn’t yet put on her website.

We discuss the role that sales play in our creative process and in our ultimate satisfaction. Is it important to exchange money for paintings? How would it feel to give work away? Or to make work with no intention of ever sharing it? And what impact would these decisions have on our creativity?

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Louisa Sugden is a photographer, stylist, and content creator with a large social media following and a house renovation that has taken 8 years (and counting). In this episode, Louise talks to Louisa about how she learned to slow down and enjoy life, even while living in semi-chaos, and how she has learned to share honestly on social media and Youtube, without worrying what people think.

Louisa might not be a painter, but we think she's a true artist and we hope you enjoy this inspiring conversation.

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This week's episode began with a simple question: do you wash your brushes before finishing for the day? But we soon realised that work practices and studio set-up are a whole topic, so join us as we dive into storage, colour mixing, and the ways in which our spaces evolve as our work changes.

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In this solo episode, Louise reflects on a key principle of art-making - one that can take your art from good to great. If you want your art to connect with others, who better to learn from that Taylor Swift? Her new album is the most successful of all time, and Louise thinks she knows why. She also thinks we can all learn something from it. So if you want to make art that resonates deeply with other humans, this episode is for you.

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Matt Hughes (known as the King of Video) joins Alice to bring some ease and encouragement for artists who want to get started on YouTube. We talk about gaining confidence, what equipment you may need and Matt shares how a simple strategy can multiply your presence online. 

Recommended software: InShot, CapCut and repurpose.io

This week, Louise returns from a two-week residency in Sausalito, California, where she worked in the studio of another artist. This trip provided Louise with a huge creative boost, and in this episode, she shares 5 takeaways that she feels can help anyone do the same - without going anywhere. So if you're feeling a bit stuck, this episode is packed with practical tips to get the creative juices flowing.

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Jenny Grant is a Mixed Media Artist living in Stockholm, Sweden who has sold artwork, exhibited and run workshops all over the world. Over the years she’s developed an intuitive, unstructured, tactile and yes, messy (but fun!) process that has allowed her to create her unique style.. 

She’s on a mission to inspire people like you to be brave, to use your inner creativity and to do more of what you love. To learn how to be more creative in life, as well as in your art.

Today we talk about how the benefits of finding your own creative spark can have positive ripple effects in your life. Jenny has an invitation for you to join her in her 4th time hosting a free online Art Retreat…

FREE Art Retreat 3rd - 5th May 2024

“Join us for an amazing creative weekend of intuitive mixed-media creating. We hope you will join and reclaim your creative time!!”

3 Days • 12 Free Video Lessons • 2 Live Sessions

Jenny will be your creative guide over 3 inspiring days, where you’ll rediscover the tools and the courage to be creative again–step-by-step.

“The pleasure we derive from journeys is perhaps dependent more on the mindset with which we travel than on the destination we travel to.”
Alain de Botton

This week we're catching up after Alice's trip to Bali with stories of hot hikes, vibrating water beds (?!) and more!

While travel can be fun, the real benefit is how experiences like this can change the way you do things, or what you think of as possible. What can we take back in to our art practice - perhaps to nudge our edges a bit...

You can see some of Alice's travel stories in the saved highlights on her Instagram @alicesheridanstudio

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Do you ever find yourself rushing around, filling every moment, and then wondering why your art is disappointing? In today's conversation, we explore the topic of making space and allowing our art to breathe. Sometimes this means letting a single painting rest before working on it again, and sometimes it means taking a complete break to recharge and find new creative energy. For some people this comes easily - for others it can be extremely challenging. If you are one of those people, we hope this conversation is helpful :)

In a week a little squeezed by life admin we take time to explore how we feel about the idea of "keeping up". This often comes up for artists in the guise of keeping up with courses, with their own set projects (100 day project anyone?) or even the criteria we create for ourselves.

But is there a different way to look at what we take on?

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C4pJzINL3_k/?igsh=MTZnNmNicjJjZGIxeA%3D%3D

This week we consider where we may be in too much of a hurry and invite you to extend yourself a bit more grace and relaxation. But also to be really honest about priorities, where you are showing up for yourself and what you are prepared to do.

Find Alice Sheridan at: 

This week, Louise welcomes guest artist Sally-Anne Ashley, who has thought very deeply about what it means to build and sustain a creative practice. In this conversation, Louise and Sally-Anne discuss the foundations to intuitive painting; explore the importance of awareness, and dive into the challenges of trusting our own intuition. This is a deeply inspiring conversation that we hope you'll enjoy.

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This week, we’re talking titles. Yep, that stage when you think the work is complete - and there’s still the process of coming up with a title for your masterpiece. Does it even matter what we choose? Do they make you more or less likely to buy a painting? 

From locations to the disappointment of “untitled” we look back over some of our favourite ways to select relevant titles - and even try to think of the most off-putting title we can. With so many ways to choose, this is the final stage and can be deeply personal; Alice thinks “A painting title is like a free gift”. 

Do you agree? What’s your favourite way to pick a title?

Book your ticket to the SoulMade event with Alice Sheridan and Kellee Wynne here:

Often a sensitive and uncomfortable topic, but the question of how to price your art is essential to consider - and to confront if you are to avoid getting stuck in the weeds of self-doubt!

In this episode we run through some common pricing strategies artists use and cover the pros and pitfalls of each of them to help you determine prices when you’ve never sold before.

We also cover when it's time to raise your prices and factoring in elements such as gallery commission, work on paper vs 'paintings'.

Our own views on money are huge here. We all know artists who don’t charge enough and pricing too low can cause as many problems as pricing too high for the context or stage you're at. So as well as the "formulas" we offer some suggestions to bring your pricing into alignment in a way you can feel proud of.

Find Alice Sheridan at: 

Today we're talking about that tipping point moment when you know things need to change which happens at various stages of the creative path. There are times when we need a little nudge, time to reflect or sometimes even to be given permission to create what we desire OR to strip back and gain some clarity as we craft the next stage of our journey.

We're introducing a very special in-person event, to be held in the UK over 2 days in May 2024, hosted by Alice Sheridan and Kellee Wynne Conrad. You can find out more and add your name to the Priority invite list here:

If you want to sell art (or workshops or mentoring), what's the most effective way? You might think of galleries or art fairs or group exhibitions or social media, but in our experience, the answer is none of those. In our experience, the good old email list our most effective sales tool. And yet, many of us struggle to send emails - perhaps we feel we're bothering people or perhaps we don't know what to say. In this episode, we break down our own approaches to email, discuss the role of Substack, and suggest that it might be time to double down on this precious tool.

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As artists, we rarely lack ideas. But how do you nurture those ideas so that they come to full fruition? It's possible to rush that first inkling, so that it never has a chance to reach its full potential. It's also possible to have so many flashes of inspiration that you never find a focus. Both Alice and Louise are feeling the need to make a nurturing space for their current ideas, and both are working on ways to do that. We don't have all the answers - but maybe we have some thoughts that can help you find your own balance.

Find Alice Sheridan at: 

How do you use sketchbooks? Do you make beautiful illustrative drawings or is your book more of a scrapbook? Do you work regularly in sketchbooks or only now and then? And do you prefer loose sheets or actual books? This week we're diving into all this and more. Sketchbooks are a place we return to time and again to regroup, gather ideas, or simply experiment with materials. Neither of us could make our art without periods where retreat into our sketchbooks. Perhaps this conversation will encourage you to do the same :)

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The art of selling may not feel like it comes easily, but today Sara Dalrymple joins Alice to talk about how artists can see this differently.

We talk about preserving your no. 1 asset, a key non-negotiable you must be prepared for, and more than one reason why artists are perhaps BEST placed for making sales - once you have a few things adjusted and in order!

Having grown her own photography business, Sara founded a specialist sales consultancy, mentoring other creatives selling their products and services online. She has helped hundreds of business owners bring in consistent sales through confident, sleaze-free self-promotion.

Now, Sara is extending her mission to help even more small business owners find consistent sales success, through her book More Sales Please! which is out now and filled with inspiring advice and practical steps.

Roll on 2024! It's been a while since we've recorded together and we really enjoyed getting back together for this catch-up chat. Our primary focus this week is the the differing ways we have both begun the new year. Alice eased in to 2024 with a lot of family time, while Louise took an exciting trip to New York ... and yet perhaps we're not so different after all. Our chat reveals that we are approaching this year with a new attitude and a new appreciation for things other than work (although art will still feature prominently of course!).

Perhaps this meandering conversation will help you reflect on your own plans and intentions for this year, and also give you "permission" to do things your own way.

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As we bounce (?!) back into 2024 after a seasonal break I'm joined by JoMcCarthy for an informal discussion around how we find ourselves using Instagram - or planning to.

This isn't a strategy plan, or top tips for getting the best marketing results, but about how we use the platform, and finding ways to enjoy what it offers.

We dip into phone addiction, habits, what content we like to consume and to create. When social media is viewed by many as a time suck, what should you consider if you are thinking of taking a longer break? Are the alternatives?

As we head for our Christmas break, we look back on 2023 and ask ‘how did it go?’

For this episode, we pulled out planners and notebooks to look back on what we hoped to achieve and how it all went. This process can be so valuable; the pause is a chance to reflect on your priorities and an opportunity to realign them if need be. It can also be an opportunity to recognise your own achievements, to start thinking about new goals, and perhaps also to notice what you no longer desire.

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This week, we’re all about inspiring women. Louise reveals a surprising fascination with medieval history, and explains how it led her to reflect on the value of patience, persistence and self-belief even when it seems unwarranted. If one determined woman can beat seemingly insurmountable odds to find a long-dead King, what might we be capable of? How often do we give up on something just before the big breakthrough? Where might childhood trauma be holding us back in later life? And how much selfishness is too much? We explore all this and more in this inspiring episode. Who knows, maybe we have it in us to do great things if we simply believe it’s possible.

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This week, we answer a question from a new listener who has recently begun to paint. Eric is wondering how to make the leap from copying images to making his own unique work. This question sparked a discussion about the ways in which artists find their own unique path. For us, this has included gathering visual references, noticing (and valuing) our own preferences, trusting our instincts, learning about other artists, and finding ways to learn in-person. For beginners there is always a gap between what we want to create and what we are capable of creating, and this gap can feel frustrating. In this episode, we encourage a different way of looking at the issue because learning to enjoy the process of discovery can become a true and enduring source of joy in your life.

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Curtis Holder portrait artist of the year in NT

Let’s talk about events - specifically, getting ready for them. As Alice prepares for Manchester Art Fair, we share our top tips for event prep. When you do you order frames? How can you promote the event in advance? What should you store in your event box? How will you take payments? What kind of shoes should you wear? (!)  These are just some of the points we raise this week. An event can be a really fun and rewarding thing to do as long as you prepare well in advance, so we hope this conversation sparks some ideas to make it easier and more fun.

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Sumup card reader here (discount referral link)

This week, we've been thinking about measuring - specifically about choosing what we measure, and how that can (and should) change over time. The truth is that what gets measured tends to get done - by tracking things, we place our focus on them, and when we place our focus on something, we are more likely to do it. Over the years, we have chosen to focus on studio time, social media results, sales, expenses and much more. But we are now noticing how much our focus has changed as our priorities have shifted.

Perhaps it's wise to continually revisit the things we measure, so that we can ensure we're heading in the direction we want. After all, if we don't set our priorities, life will set them for us.

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This week, we revisit episode 228 (an interview with author Christine Coulson) and discuss the key ideas we found inspiring. In the process, it's possible we have defined a framework for creativity - a set of ideas that can ignite new ideas and new ways of working for anyone. If you feel you want to take your work forward in new or different ways, this is the conversation for you. Make sure to have a way of taking notes, because this is a doozy :)

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Picasso documentary https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/p0fjh4zl/picasso-the-beauty-and-the-beast

David Beckham documentary https://www.netflix.com/title/81223488

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