The Open Sketchbook Podcast

Welcome to a special three-part series where host Evan Kitson sits down with three remarkable teaching assistants from the New York Academy of Art. In this episode, Evan talks with artist, printmaker, and educator Sarah Annesley, who has spent the last seven years transitioning from student to studio leader. Together, they explore: Affordable framing and archival storage strategies for artists on...

In this host-led episode, Evan explores the multifaceted concept of creative peers - from trusted studio mates and former instructors to students, teaching assistants, and even art-historical influences. This episode was inspired by two simultaneous exhibitions Evan is participating in: “In Good Company” at the Demuth Museum and “6x10B” at Curio - both of which revolve around collaboration, friend...

In this episode, Evan Kitson sits down with one of his longtime painting heroes, Julie Heffernan, for a rich and wide-ranging conversation. Julie is renowned for her lush, allegorical paintings, but in recent years, she’s taken a surprising and thrilling turn into the world of graphic novels with her debut book Babe in the Woods: or, The Art of Getting Lost. Together, Evan and Julie dive into: The...

Welcome to The Open Sketchbook Podcast! In this host-led episode, Evan Kitson explores how the Pomodoro Technique can help creatives reclaim their time and boost productivity- without burning out. From studio habits to classroom parallels, Evan shares how this simple time-chunking method supports deep focus, rest, and sustainable creativity. In this episode: Why “productivity” became Evan’s word o...

In this episode, I sit down with painter Leah Gardner, whose luminous still-life paintings capture the magic of light & form, and focus on composition. Leah shares how she pivoted from a career in marketing to becoming a full-time artist, the role that daily painting played in developing her skills, and how she navigates running an art business as a full time artist. We also discuss the challe...

In the first episode of the Open Sketchbook Podcast, host and artist Evan Kitson discusses the profound impact of Juliette Aristides' work on his artistic journey. They delve into the creation of her influential book, Classical Drawing Atelier, and explore the Atelier movement's significance in contemporary art. The conversation highlights the challenges of writing about art, the interpl...

In this episode of The Open Sketchbook podcast, Nicolás Uribe shares his journey as a painter, reflecting on the personal connections in his work, the challenges of the art world, and the influence of family and social media on his artistic expression. He emphasizes process over product, the power of vulnerability in art, and his transition from a gallery-focused painter to taking control over his...

In our first host-led episode of the Open Sketchbook Podcast, episode three, Evan Kitson reflects on his artistic journey, highlighting the significant influence of Juliette Aristides' book, Classical Drawing Atelier, and the impact of the highly influential graphic novel Arkham Asylum. He discusses the challenges of learning proportion in art, the importance of community in artistic growth,...

In this introduction for the Open Sketchbook Podcast, Evan Kitson shares his excitement about launching a new platform for exploring creativity through interviews with authors, artists, educators, and other creatives. Through preview sound bites, painter and graphic novelist Julie Heffernan emphasizes the importance of curiosity in fostering empathy and imagination, and artist Adrian Brandon share...