Art, Parenthood, and Beyond

This is my last podcast episode—at least for now. In this goodbye, I reflect on what this podcast journey has taught me and share  5 creative lessons every artist should remember . These aren’t tips about algorithms or visibility—they’re the deeper truths that shape how we show up to create. From  trusting your intuition  to choosing  focus over noise , from  crying in the...

Art fear doesn’t always scream — sometimes, it loops quietly in the background. In this episode, I share how my ENFP stress loop of ideas and over-action led me straight into burnout… and how my friend Eli, an INFP, shut down completely after a painful creative experience. We both had to find ways to come back. If you’ve ever felt stuck, resistant, numb, or unsure what step to take next — this epi...

In this episode, I’m opening up about something deeply personal: how I’m still figuring out my artistic voice — and why that process is probably more about  returning  than discovering. I share my own winding path, from quitting art school for survival reasons, to reigniting my practice thanks to my partner’s encouragement, to hitting moments of “wait, where am I going?” even after setti...

In this episode, I’m opening up about the deeper, less-talked-about side of goal setting for artists. It’s not just about writing down what you want — it’s about learning how to stay tuned in, adjust, and realign your goals as you grow. I reflect on my own journey — from painting every day after an inspiring workshop, to launching toddler portrait commissions even though my partner urged me to foc...

In this episode, I dive into the fears that all artists face — and the role fear plays in shaping our creative identity. From fears of failure to the struggle of imposter syndrome, I explore how these emotions don’t have to stop us. Instead, I share how I’ve learned to embrace them as part of the journey, using them to push through moments of doubt and continue evolving. If you've ever wondered if...

In this episode, I open up about my first applications to art fairs here in Washington — and the rejections that came with them. I share what those moments brought up for me, how I reframed the experience, and why I’m still moving forward with more clarity. If you’ve ever felt discouraged by “no,” this is a reminder that rejection is part of the path — and sometimes, all it means is  not yet....

In this episode, I share how I learned to work with the time I have — not the time I wish I had. From carving out studio structure as a parent to using even small windows intentionally, this episode is for anyone who’s juggling life and still wants to show up for their art in a meaningful way. I’ll also walk through how I split my creative hours, why that changed everything, and how you can do the...

In this episode, I reflect on a shift I’ve been feeling — from just producing paintings to deeply focusing on improving my skills. Inspired by a quote from Christian Hook, I explore the difference between passive and deliberate practice, what counts as “study” versus “finished work,” and how redefining what a “good painting” means can reconnect you to your deeper artistic goals. If you’ve ever won...

This episode is extra special because it marks the anniversary of when my partner and I met. He’s a big podcast listener (and honestly way smarter than me), and I’ve been nudging him forever to come up with his own questions to interview me. Well — it finally happened! I was pretty nervous right before we started because I had no idea what he was going to ask. I thought maybe it would be deep ques...

In this episode, I’m sharing a quiet turning point in my creative path — the moment I realized I was burned out. Not just tired, but truly stretched thin from creating too much content and not enough art. I talk about how I recognized the signs, what helped me shift, and how I’m now reshaping my creative life to focus less on output… and more on depth. If you’ve ever felt the pressure to keep prod...

In this episode, I sit down with my artist friend Alexandra — a fine art craftsperson and doula whose work revolves around the theme of birth. We talk about creating art that honors life’s beginnings, the vulnerability of naming a piece, and the quiet strength in letting work unfold naturally. As someone who loves painting toddlers and babies, I found unexpected common ground with Alexandra’s birt...

What happens when your child’s behavior mirrors something unspoken in yourself? In this episode, I share a tender, raw journey that started with a daycare conversation and ended with one of my most meaningful paintings yet— Child, Blossom , inspired by Van Gogh’s  Almond Blossoms . From reflections on parenting guilt and public judgment to the power of subtle emotions, this episode explores h...

How much of creativity is structure, and how much is intuition? Is it better to carefully plan a piece, or should we follow the flow and see where it takes us? In this episode, Eli and I explore how we each approach creative balance—when to trust a plan, when to let spontaneity take over, and why keeping momentum is essential. I also share my recent reflections on studying Van Gogh for my ‘Masters...

How do you build a creative routine that actually works for you? Do you need a structured plan, a clear space, and a calm mind before you can create? Or do you dive straight in, letting the act of making art come first? In this episode, Eli and I break down our creative rituals, how we navigate resistance (a.k.a I call it creative flow;)), and why small habits—like making tea, wearing a ring, wear...

In a world where social media seems to determine success, how do we, as artists, find a path that truly feels right? In this episode, I share a raw reflection on the frustration of seeing others grow faster, the struggle of balancing content creation with actual painting, and the realization that social media is just one way—not the only way—to thrive. Whether you're questioning your own creative...

In this special episode, I talk with watercolor artist Kelogsloops (Hieu) — known for his dreamy, ethereal portraits, masterful control of watercolor, and down-to-earth honesty about the artist’s journey. Even as a full-time artist with a million fans and a newly released book,  The Art of Kelogsloops: From Sketch to Finish,  Hieu reminds us that the creative path is always evolving. We...

In this episode, I’m sharing 10 crucial tips for artists just starting with commissions. From pricing to contracts and communication, I’ll walk you through the steps to handle commissions like a pro and avoid common mistakes. Whether you’re new to the process or looking to refine your approach, this episode is packed with advice to help you navigate your art business with confidence. My youtube vi...

Composition in art can feel like a mystery—why do some paintings just  work ? In this episode, I share my long journey of trying to understand composition, from studying books and using golden ratio tools to my partner’s photography advice. But nothing quite  clicked  until I attended Kelogsloops' watercolor workshop in Munich. He shared simple yet powerful composition principles th...

For years, I didn’t sign my paintings—because I didn’t think I was  worthy  of a signature. That changed when a client asked a simple question:  Does it come signed?  This episode dives into my journey of embracing my identity as an artist, designing my own signature inspired by the masters, and marking my work with confidence. If you’ve ever hesitated to claim your art, this o...

Have you ever wished you had more time to paint? I get it. Life is busy, and it’s easy to push painting aside. But what if painting became as automatic as brushing your teeth? In this episode, I share how I built a painting habit that sticks—why it feels strange  not  to paint now, how I structure my time, and why consistency matters more than the perfect moment. Whether you have 20 minu...

Art thrives on  experimentation . In this episode, I dive into the joy of  playing with materials without expectations —a process that led to a surprising creative breakthrough. Inspired by  Rick Rubin’s idea of “seeds” in creativity , I revisited Bombay inks, Ecoline inks, and Gelli plate printing to see what I could create when I let go of control. Along the way, I mixed 45 new co...

What happens when you finally get to learn from one of your biggest artistic inspirations, and it doesn’t go as planned? In this episode, I reflect on my experience attending Kelogsloops’ workshop in Munich, how our contrasting styles challenged me, and the unexpected lessons I took away. From redefining composition to blending styles, this journey was more about finding my artistic voice than per...

In this episode, I share the story of attending Agnes Cecil’s workshop in Munich and how it became a turning point in my art journey. From conquering my fear of sketching portraits to embracing the beauty of loose brushstrokes, this experience reshaped how I approach watercolor and creativity. Join me as I reflect on the lessons learned, connections made, and the freedom of trusting the process. I...

Inspiration doesn’t always strike all at once—it arrives in fragments, waiting for us to notice. In this episode, I share how a quiet, sacred encounter with a deer in my garden transformed into a watercolor painting, a meditation on presence, and a lesson in creative flow. I also have a Youtube video covering this here: Where Inspiration Strikes: From Deer Encounter to Watercolor Find me on Instag...

In this episode, I sit down with my artist friend Eli to unpack the challenges of 2024 and the creative struggles they revealed. I realize my fear of her stepping away from painting was shaping our conversation, while she simply needed space to heal and reconnect on her terms. We explore creative burnout, balancing spontaneity with intention, and using guiding words for 2025. Listen to Part 1 for...