The Creative Couch with Sam Marshall

In this episode of The Creative Couch , I respond to three thoughtful creative dilemmas from Marilyn, Rachel and Jill – exploring the pressure to draw accurately, the weight of creative expectations after a big life change, and the paralysis that comes from overthinking and too many ideas. Marilyn has loved art her whole life but still feels held back by a voice that tells her her drawings must lo...

In this episode of The Creative Couch, I respond to three thoughtful creative dilemmas from Magdalena, Carrie and Jennifer – exploring public speaking nerves, feeling pulled in too many creative directions, and the practical realities of shipping artwork. Magdalena reached out after hearing me talk about that moment of self-awareness when you suddenly realise you’re the one leading the room. With...

In this episode of The Creative Couch , I respond to three thoughtful creative dilemmas from Becky, Emeline and Addy – exploring how to start selling your work, what to do when interest fades after success, and how to navigate creative block in a studio space that no longer feels supportive. Becky is ready to start selling her hand printed cards and watercolour sketches, but feels overwhelmed by t...

In this episode of The Creative Couch , I respond to three thoughtful creative dilemmas from Liz, Ziva and Lucy – exploring ownership and boundaries online, creativity through travel, and what happens when success starts to feel like a trap. Liz has been sharing her embroidery and stitch work online and has recently discovered her images being shared on Pinterest without permission or credit. Whil...

In this episode of The Creative Couch, I respond to three thoughtful creative dilemmas from Lucille, Siobhan and Sam.  exploring creative paralysis, letting go of old work, and how to build a meaningful practice in very limited time. Lucille has a rich and varied creative life, working across drawing, printmaking, basket weaving and decorative painting. But instead of feeling energised by her idea...

In this episode of The Creative Couch , I respond to three thoughtful creative dilemmas from Julie, Caroline and Kerry – exploring how to handle being watched while drawing in public, how to get started when you suddenly have all the equipment, and how to stop postponing taking yourself seriously as an artist. Julie has recently started drawing outside and quickly discovered something many sketche...

In this episode of The Creative Couch , I respond to three thoughtful creative dilemmas from Helen, Sue and Liz – exploring how to organise a creative life when you have multiple roles, how to navigate a shift in your artistic direction, and how to find creative community when making work alone starts to feel lonely. Helen wrote in after listening to the first episodes and asked a question many cr...

In this episode of The Creative Couch , I respond to three thoughtful creative dilemmas from Chinju, Catherine (with a nod to Siobhan, who sent in a very similar question) and Jane – each exploring creative block, creative overwhelm and the fear that your best work may already be behind you. Chinju is a busy mum who hasn’t drawn regularly for many years. She feels a deep pull to return to drawing,...

In this episode of The Creative Couch , I respond to three thoughtful creative dilemmas from Jenny, Becky and Liza – each exploring identity, overwhelm and how we move forward with courage in our creative lives. Jenny did an art degree but hasn’t made work for years. When someone close to her questioned whether she should still call herself creative, it struck a nerve. Can you claim a creative ide...

In this episode of The Creative Couch , I respond to three thoughtful creative dilemmas from Mary Ann, Liza and Melissa -  each touching on confidence, stability and how we navigate uncertainty in our creative lives. Mary Ann is struggling to stay creative when the wider world feels chaotic and overwhelming. How do you protect your practice when the news cycle, instability and external noise start...

In this first episode of The Creative Couch, I’m answering three creative dilemmas from artists at different stages of their journey. We explore: • The gap between expectation and reality, and the overwhelm that can follow  • Returning to art after a break and managing a busy, “popcorn brain”  • Finding your artistic voice and making work that genuinely feels like yours This podcast is a space for...

Welcome to Creative Couch. New episodes are released weekly. (In this trailer I accidentally say daily — this is a weekly podcast.) I’m Sam Marshall — artist, printmaker, creative coach and author based in rural Northamptonshire. In this podcast, I answer real creative dilemmas and explore how to build a braver, more sustainable artistic practice. Each episode explores confidence, creative block,...