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

“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 :)

Find Alice Sheridan at: 

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.

Find Alice Sheridan at: 

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

Find Alice Sheridan at: 

Today, we have the pleasure of speaking with writer Christine Coulson, whose background as a writer for the Metropolitan Museum of Art has inspired her to create a unique book; "One Woman Show" is a novel that uses the structure of museum wall labels to weave together the captivating life story of Kitty.

This is a discussion about using restructions in your work and how you can find the freedom to take liberties when you explore within different constraints. Lots of ideas to take: word shopping and using catalysts in your work. We also talk about patterns of habit, even when it may not the most efficient, and finding the fuel in the enjoyment of your own work.

We hope this encourages you to take risks to explore a more unexpected route, and trust your audience is more than capable of filling the gaps.

And of course, we invite you to go and discover the book for yourself.

"One Woman Show" by Christine Coulson is available now in all good bookshops or online retailers.

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Can you design a better painting? This week we answer a listener question about how we use design in our paintings, including the use of line. As we discuss the benefits or constraints of an informed academic approach vs intuition Alice draws on her graphic design background and perhaps the dangers of 'getting it right' too soon. As you look at your own work, what stands out to you? We'll all have our own preferences and ways to draw attention and bring clarity.

And we share some honest truths about procrastination - come on - we all have our perfect guilty waste of time!

Find Alice Sheridan at: 

After a week in which Alice's Facebook account was hacked, we discuss the negative sides to social media, emails and online life in general. Is there a way to build community and market our work without having to constantly guard against people who don't deserve our attention? Whether it is scammers trying to take your money, hackers trying to take your accounts, or trolls trying to take your happiness, it seems the online world is fraught with potential pitfalls. But maybe there are ways to mitigate the effects of all this - after all - they can't upset us unless we let them :)

In this solo episode, Louise explores the idea of critiques and feedback. When is is valuable to seek critique? What kind of feedback is helpful? And how does this all relate to finding our own authentic, unique way of making art? We'd love to hear your thoughts as we suspect this is different for everyone, but we hope it offers some food for thought and debate.

Find Alice Sheridan at: 

How do you feel about emails? Do you like receiving them? Do you use them effectively to market your artwork? Or do you find the whole idea a giant turn-off? This week we discuss the ins and outs of email marketing, share our own experiences, and even learn a few things along the way. If you find yourself wondering how to sell more art, or struggling to come up with a regular email newsletter, this the episode for you.

Find Alice Sheridan at: 

This week we're tackling the topic of vulnerability - what does it mean for artists and why does it matter? In this wide-ranging discussion, we touch on the relationship between vulnerability and risk-taking; the importance of connecting with your work and your audience; and the fears that hold us back from showing our true selves. We close with a challenge to you - where can you allow yourself to be just a little bit more brave, just a little bit more open?

Louise's free course is open for a few more days at: https://www.louisefletcherart.com/free-course

Find Alice Sheridan at: 

Recently we have both been reevaluating parts of our life - both work and home. Perhaps this has to do with chronological age, but perhaps it also relates to the stages we've reached in our careers. All creatives are inherently driven by the desire to make new things, but success can sometimes lead us to settle into comfortable repetition. Personally, we both feel the need to make changes in order to keep things interesting and this week, we explore where that might lead. If you are feeling the need to step back and reevaluate your art goals, this is the episode for you.

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Eight years ago, Carlene Bronner was told she had only 18 months to live. Luckily, that prognosis was wrong and today she joins Louise to discuss how the illness spurred her into new efforts with her art, and where those efforts led her. Carlene's journey has been remarkable and she now sells her artwork around the world. Our conversation covers the importance of play, the value of coming into alignment with yourself, and the importance of welcoming mistakes. Carlene is a true inspiration, so settle back and enjoy her wisdom.

This week's solo episode finds Louise musing on a quote from the writer Cheryl Strayed, who describes how she found her way with her writing. Instead of trying to write an amazing book, she says she simply "surrendered to the idea of my mediocrity" and then started writing anyway. This phrase seems to capture so much of what it means to be an artist. If we stop striving to be better than we currently are, we are free to experiment and play and find our way. In the process, we may create something better than we ever thought possible.

This week we were inspired by two different creative documentaries to consider what we might learn from two rather unexpected masters of their craft; from developing a persona to where we look for outside validation. We discuss constructing in the process of creating, the benefit outside influences can bring - and when to say no! There are also practical suggestions about the benefit of keeping a scrapbook (or at least a record or your progress) and the pitfalls of only seeing one side of success.

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You can find the Wham documentary on Netflix and the Sinead O'Connor documentary is available in various places: In the UK it is on Sky or Now TV. In the US it is also available on Showtime. It’s also available as a paid one-off in Amazon Prime. You may have to google for listings in your part of the world. It’s called “Nothing Compares.”

Find Alice Sheridan at: 

What do you want from your art life? In this episode, Alice and Louise discuss the trials and joys of navigating through their own art careers. How do you know when it's time to change? And how do you find the courage to make that change, when there is no way of knowing the outcome? In this honest conversation, we emphasise the importance of reflection and self-awareness. If we don't regularly check in with ourselves, we can start to drift, or to be led by the needs and desires of others. Alternatively, we can become so overwhelmed by our many ideas, that we have no idea which path to take, or we can find ourselves pushing towards a goal that doesn't really align for us anymore. We hope this conversation inspires you to check in with yourself, just to make sure you're still heading in a direction that feels good to you.

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Debbie Taylor-Kerman is a New York-based artist who paints about the issues that most concern her. This week she joins Louise to discuss her life and her work. Debbie shares her formative experiences as a fish-out-of-water art student and explains how that time resonates in her work even today. Her early feelings of isolation and of never being "good enough" led her to a deep and abiding interest in issues of equality. She believes passionately that everyone is equal, no matter their race or gender or sexual orientation (or any other trait or quality that can be used to discriminate) and she makes art about this core value. Whether she is celebrating love of all kinds, or observing subway riders, or memorialising essential workers, Debbie is constantly exploring what it means to live in a diverse society. We know you'll find this an enlightening, inspiring and thought-provoking conversation.

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This week, we share our thoughts on Meta's new social media platform Threads. Do you need to join? Do you have time to make the most of it? Is this something to help with your art career/business, or is it just a nice way of meeting new people and having interesting chats? Our conversation touches on introversion vs extroversion, the beauty of a platform with no algorithm, and the likely changes we can expect. If you're up for it, we recommend having a dabble with Threads - you might just find it really suits you :)

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“I think, no, you're not a real artist. I think we can all agree, Alice is not a real artist because she doesn't want to draw villages."

And so it exists... amidst the every day trials of backache, family commitments we still carry around a load of rubbish ideas about what creativity looks like. So, today we are encouraging something different and asking "What does your should-free summer look like?"

It can be so easy to jump to the negative comparison rather than the self celebration and what with all the bossy ads on social media telling you you are doing everything wrong, today we are championing sticking two fingers up to that and honouring your own process, your own life, and your own need to step away at at times (and celebrating where we did just that! )

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This week Louise is joined by Trayci Tompkins, a south African native who recently uprooted her life and her art practice and moved to the UK. As artists, many of us crave change and yet change can also derail us - especially when we don't take the time to understand and acknowledge just how much we have been affected. Change can leave us completely disconnected from the work we were making, and if we're not careful, we can find ourselves avoiding the studio altogether. In this conversation, we explore the role change often plays in creative blocks, discuss our own experiences of change, and share some of our tips for staying inspired during periods of upheaval.

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This week, we’re discussing the benefits and challenges of showing our artwork, whether that is online or in person. Making art is a deeply personal experience but, for many of us, showing our work is also a vital part of the process. We made the work as a way of communicating something, and it's not communication unless someone else sees it. On the flip side, some artists shy away from exhibiting for a variety of reasons. In this conversation, we explore the benefits of showing our work and also the potential upsides of keeping it to ourselves. Our wide-ranging discussion covers artistic growth, purity of expression, vulnerability, and the ever-present fear of rejection. If you regularly exhibit, we hope our discussion offers food for thought, and if you don’t, maybe it will inspire you to have a go :)

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Drowning in piles of paper? Find it hard to decide what you still need to keep in your studio...? Today we take a closer look into the psychology of your creative space with Helen Sanderson, author of The Secret Life of Clutter. With a creative background herself, Helen believes in our key strengths; we are resourceful and have a strong desire to gather - because that's often when we are inspired. But when yesterday's things start to impact your creative space in the NOW, that can be detrimental to how your work can develop.

Throw in whole host of unhelpful beliefs about creative identity thriving in a muddle and you have a recipe for clutter taking over. You'll get to hear Helen's thoughts about our homes being a Flight Deck, the links between decisions being made visible and the maturing process which can help you on this journey.

With a complex mix of efficiency and emotions, wanting to be stimulated while also having spaces which serve us, this is something we all approach with a variety of history and different process. You can find lots of resources and take the quiz on Helen's website:

Alice and Louise are together for the first time in weeks and their arty catch-up turns into an exploration of the importance of honouring our own creative processes. This includes resting when necessary, but also understanding when you need to take action. When is it worthwhile to push a little, and to test out different ideas before settling on a direction? And how important is it to keep taking steps forward, even though you can't know where they are actually leading? We also cover the confidence that comes with experience - perhaps we no longer need to worry so much about "getting it right" because we've learned it will all work out OK anyway. This is quite a philosophical discussion, but we think it's one worth having.

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See Alice Sheridan at: 

Well, hello and welcome to this rather different episode where Alice is put on the spot (gently!) by Jo McCarthy who works as a mentor for creatives - and also within Connected Artist Club (it's open now - but we close on 31st May, so don't delay!)

This conversation digs a bit deeper into what it really means to build a creative life... is it always easy? And if not, then why is it so important? ‘How does she do it all’ could actually be the wrong question - why does she do it all

We talk about a focus on relationships, not just transactional and documenting the messy parts of being an artist. Is that where the real work lies? What if it's not comfortable - how do you decide what to share?

And we finish with ideas for what would be on your vision board - and talk about sea-salted chocolate!

Connected Artist Club is open until 31st May 2023

This week Louise is joined by mindset and business coach Georgina Noel. Georgina regularly works with artists who want to take their business (or their life) to the next level and she's here to drop some truth bombs on us! Our conversation centres around our mindset and the limiting beliefs we carry with us. Georgina walks us though some of the most common limiting beliefs she has seen in her artist clients, and also explains just how easy it can be to let some of those things go once we have recognised them.

For her part, Louise shares some of her personal experiences with limiting beliefs and how she has been able to move past them (plus the ones she still finds herself stuck on). The gnarly thing about limiting beliefs is that they are often subconscious. We are not even aware that we hold them OR we do recognise them, but we view them as facts rather than beliefs. Hopefully this episode will challenge you to check in with yourself and understand just where you might be holding yourself back.

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Have you ever been worked really hard at something and then been told you were lucky to have it? This week, we're diving into the topic of luck - how much of what happens to us is simply good (or bad) fortune, and how much is within our control? Last week, guest artist Faye Bridgwater talked about the importance of being your own champion.

This week we're following up and exploring this idea of making your own luck. Is any successful person there by luck alone? Do "lucky" people get away with never having to work hard? And how much of what we see in others is true and how much is simply our own projection? We also touch on the idea of privilege, and on the importance of being honest about our own choices. We all have things we'd like to change - maybe this episode will help turn envy into action, or help you spot places where you are holding yourself back from creating your own "lucky" situations!

The Connected Artist Club is open during May

Today we hear from award winning south coast artist Faye Bridgwater. Faye makes bright, uplifting paintings from her home studio, but it hasn't always been this way.... At various steps over the last few years some bold moves have been needed. We talk about growing in to your own space and investing in yourself. While it's up to you to be your own advocate we also discuss how you can work to your own strengths by involving others to support different elements of being an artist. And we discuss a risky move Faye has made in attempt to reach a wider audience on the eve of Brighton's Artist Open Houses.

You can visit in person throughout May, or check the link below to discover a wealth of artists to explore online.

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If you have ever wondered how to sell more art, this discussion is for you. This week, we dive into the topic of making sales in a discussion that touches on the importance of email marketing, the value of a good social media presence, and the need to reduce friction wherever possible. We both believe in the power of an effective launch, but we also believe that selling is not a one-time thing. The reality is that we are always selling ourselves and our work, and the only question is how well we do it. We share our secrets for ongoing marketing, including understanding our buyers; inviting people into our process; building relationships; and engaging people in conversation. We also discuss the need to constantly evaluate both our work and our sales strategies and agree on the importance of being remarkable.

If you're interested in selling more of your art, we hope our conversation inspires you to take some new actions.

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Alice first discovered Denise Gasser as she was sharing the challenges of making art as a mother with young children with her "Art After..." project. There was a refreshing honesty, which also showed up in this reel Denise filmed in her car which meant we finally connected to record this conversation about two ways social media could be impacting the way art is made.... what we see others do as markers of success, and our own need for validation which can lead us away from making our truest work.

But is Social Media the culprit? Or; comparison, insecurity, envy, lack of self worth—these are the culprits. Social media will challenge our resolve in these areas, but ultimately it’s up to us to manage our own experience and create healthy patterns that allow social media to be a tool for our benefit rather than a weapon of self destruction.

While this tool puts more power in the hands of artists to promote ourselves and thrive as artists without relying on the gatekeepers of the fine art world. Are you wielding this power? Or are you crumbling?

Let this conversation re-balance you (and yes there are issues with that word!) so you don’t lose yourself.

This week, we're dealing with two seemingly unrelated topics, but actually they are both linked by a common idea. That link is the idea of looking at things from a different angle. A listener asks why she constantly moves between projects without ever finishing anything, and we suggest some questions to ask and some viewpoint shifts. Meanwhile, British artists Damien Hirst launched a new project which we initially found somewhat laughable, but which morphed into something else when we gave it some thought. We also share our recommendations for an inspiring podcast and a life-giving TV show. We hope this chat inspires you to perhaps look at something in a different way - there is always more than one viewpoint.

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This week, we answer a listener question about what it means to work in a series. What is the difference between a series and a collection? And what is a "body of work"? As we break down the idea of a series, we cover the importance of an initial idea or line of inquiry; the role of parameters; and some of the things that could define a series. As always, we come at this from slightly different angles, but hopefully we can clear up some misconceptions about what it means when an artists says he or she 'works in a series.'

See Alice Sheridan at: 

This week, we tackle the topic of overwhelm. What causes it and how can we get past it? This is our second time talking about this subject, but it is fresh for us this week because Louise has just ridden the 'overwhelm wave.' We discuss how it feels to simply have too much to do and break down the difference between "real" and "perceived" overwhelm. We also discuss our coping strategies when life gets a little too hectic, including the value of outside perspectives; how you can use a brain dump to clear your head; and the questions to help guide you through times when you have a lot on your plate.

Feeling overwhelmed is probably something we've all experienced - we hope this chat helps if you're in that space... maybe with enough sensitivity we can even learn to pre-empt and reduce these times.

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We can hardly believe it, but it's 4 years on and 200 episodes in and we're still going strong. This week, we're celebrating our anniversary by doing something a little bit different.  We've both chosen questions to ask each other - these span important topics such as "what's your favourite easy dinner recipe?" and "if you could time travel, where would you go?" but also deeper questions such as "what is your greatest strength?" and "what character flaw would you like to change?" We had fun with this episode and we got to know each other a little better. We hope you enjoy it and perhaps you can share your answers to our questions ....
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This week Art Juice reached a milestone - 3 million downloads! This somewhat arbitrary number got us thinking about the whole topic of achievement - about the goals we set and the things we choose to measure. When are goals and numbers a useful way to stay on track and when can they pull us off course? And how do our goals and measurements change over time? Our conversation touches on the various goals we have set over the years and the things we have measured including art sales, social media, Youtube, Pinterest, newsletters, and studio time.  We also discuss how our attitude to achievement is changing as our careers develop and what we now consider to be success. We hope this chat inspires you to consider your own direction and maybe to have a think (or rethink) about how you can measure your progress.

See Alice Sheridan at:

This week, we're discussing what it means to be an artist. Renowned music producer Rick Rubin has written a book in which he argues that the artist is a conduit for creativity comes from source energy. Therefore, he says, the artist’s job is to open themselves up as much as possible to receive whatever wants to come through them. His book is "The Creative Act: A Way of Being" and it really is about life as well as about art. In this episode, we pull out four key ideas and offer our own perspectives - but we should stress that the book really needs to be read in it's entirety. We recommend that you do that and then think about your own reaction to his words. 

Here are the quotes we discussed:

Number One

“The goal is not to fit in. If anything it is to amplify the differences, what doesn’t fit, the special characteristics unique to how you see the world.

As soon as a convention is established, the most interesting work would likely be the one that doesn’t follow it. The reason to make art is to innovate, to self-express, to show something new, share what’s inside, and communicate your singular perspective.”

Number Two

"If you have just one seed - a very specific vision you want to carry out - that’s fine. There is no right way. You might consider the possibility however that it could end up being a limitation because you are no longer taking advantage of all that you have in you. Being open to possibility gets you to a place that you want to go that you may not know you wanted to get to.

If you know what you want to do and you do it, that is the work of a craftsman. If you begin with a question and use it to guide an adventure of discovery, that’s the work of an artist. The surprises along the way can expand your work and even the art form itself.”

Number Three

"You may sometimes wonder ‘why am I doing this? What is it for?... in the end those questions are of little importance. There doesn’t need to be a purpose guiding what we choose to make. When examined more closely we might find this grandiose idea useless. It implies we know more than we can know."

Number Four

“Art made by accident has no more or less weight than art created through sweat and struggle. Whether it took months or minutes does not matter. Quality isn’t based on the amount of time invested. So long as what emerges is pleasing to us, the work has fulfilled it’s purpose….. If you like a result, accept it graciously, whether it arrives in a sudden flash or after long bouts of difficult labour.”