Art Life Plan Podcast

Not financial. Emotional. In this episode, we do an emotional budget review of the year. What drained you more than it was worth. What refilled you that you didn’t protect enough. Where your creative energy really went. A simple reflection that helps you reset without shame and choose one small change for the next season.

This episode sits right in that in-between space ...the moment where one creative year is closing and another hasn’t quite begun yet. We’re talking about thresholds… standing between two doors, one behind you and one ahead, and deciding what you want to leave behind and what you’re ready to carry forward. It’s not about setting resolutions or having everything figured out. It’s about pausing long...

In this episode we look back at your creative year by listening to what your work has been trying to tell you. I walk you through simple ways to review your art, notice patterns, pay attention to what kept showing up, and see where you felt most alive in your practice. If you are craving a gentler year in review for your creative life without pressure or perfection, this reflection is for you.

Today we’re talking about what it really means to close your creative year on purpose. In this episode I walk you through simple ways to mark the end of this season in your art life… tidying your studio, choosing a “year’s piece,” letting go of unfinished projects, and naming what this year felt like in your practice. If you’re craving a gentle end of year reset for your creativity without pressur...

This episode explores the value of unfinished art and why not every piece needs to be complete. We talk about how half-finished work can spark new ideas, support experimentation, and reveal deeper patterns in your creative process. If you struggle with unfinished projects or feel pressure to complete everything you start, this conversation will help you see your creative practice with more clarity...

Ever find yourself half-painting, half-emailing, half-scrolling, and wondering why your brain feels fried? Yeah… same. In this episode, we’re talking about single-tasking and giving one creative thing your full attention. It’s not about being perfect or disciplined; it’s about slowing down enough to actually enjoy what you’re making. We’ll dig into what happens when you stop trying to do it all at...

What happens when you let yourself sit in the blank space...before the idea, before the plan, before the work even begins? In this episode, we’re talking about the void: that quiet, sometimes uncomfortable space where creativity starts to take shape. It’s not about forcing inspiration but learning to listen to what shows up when everything else goes still. We’ll dig into why pauses matter, how to...

Welcome to NOvember. A month of choosing less so you can create more. In this episode, I talk about what happens when we stop saying yes to everything and start protecting our creative energy instead. It’s not about quitting or ghosting. It’s about clarity, boundaries, and making space for the work that matters. Let’s explore what shifts when you start saying no on purpose.

Life gets loud. Art can help you slow down. In this episode, we talk about using your creative time as a breathing space… a way to reset, refocus, and feel more like yourself again. You do not need hours or the perfect setup. Just a few minutes of making can bring a little calm back into your day. Sign up for the newsletter at: https://www.cookieredding.com/newsletter Say hi on instagram at: https...

In this episode, we talk about slowing down. Not because you have to, but because your work deserves the time to become what it’s meant to be. “Slow Creation” is about learning to enjoy the pace of your own process instead of rushing to keep up with the world. We’ll explore what it really means to give your art breathing room, how to sit with unfinished work, and why slower projects often become t...

In this episode of  Art Life Plan , we’re talking about what happens when you try to plan your creativity a little too much. Every artist I know works differently. Some dive in with no plan at all and others can’t start until every detail is mapped out. Most of us live somewhere in between. I’ve been thinking a lot about how planning can help but also how it can get in the way. When does structure...

What if you stopped worrying about how it all turns out? In this episode, we’re talking about what happens when you stop gripping your work so tightly and start trusting the process again. Letting go of outcomes doesn’t mean you don’t care...it means you make space for your art to surprise you. We’ll talk about the freedom that comes from releasing expectations, the calm that shows up when you sto...

We don’t always get long studio days, but creativity can still thrive in the small windows of time that life gives us. In this episode, I talk about how to keep your practice alive in the margins, why those short bursts matter, and how they help you stay connected to your art even in the busiest seasons.

As artists we live in the tension between solitude and community. We need time alone to focus and hear our own ideas, but we also need the support and connection of others who understand what it means to build a creative life. In this episode I talk about how those two sides can work together instead of pulling us apart.

What stories do you tell yourself about your art? In this episode, I talk about the self-narratives that shape your creative life and how to start rewriting them so they leave more room for possibility.

Your art changes as you do. In this episode of  Art Life Plan , I’m talking about how creativity shifts during life transitions...moves, new jobs, parenthood, loss, retirement, or any of the big moments that rearrange your world. Your themes, your pace, even your medium can evolve right alongside you, and that’s not a setback, it’s growth.

Every artist has subjects, moods, or ideas they avoid. Maybe they feel too personal, too intimidating, or just not like “you.” In this episode, I’m talking about what I call your art’s shadow side...the parts of yourself you keep out of your work, often without realizing it. We’ll look at why avoidance happens, how to notice it in your own practice, and practical ways to explore those themes witho...

In this episode, I sit down with artist Alice Sheridan for a conversation about art, process, and the importance of community. Alice shares insights into her own creative practice and we talk about her Connected Artists group, a space designed to support artists as they grow their work and find connection along the way. If you’ve ever wondered how other artists navigate the balance of making art a...

In this episode of  Art Life Plan , I explore what it means to “listen to the work” and let your art guide you. You’ll learn simple techniques to step back, notice what your piece is asking for, and make stronger, more authentic work by staying open to the process.

What happens when you hit pause on purpose? Not because you’re burned out or stuck, but because you want to see your work differently. In this episode, I talk about what it means to take a real break…the kind that gives your creativity space to breathe instead of shutting it down. I share how I’ve been experimenting with mindful breaks, why they actually build momentum, and why creative play can b...

This episode is about paying attention to the tools and materials you use every day in your creative work. How do you reach for them? How do you avoid them? And what does that say about your process? I share how my own relationship with materials shifted from “just getting the idea out” to letting the materials themselves shape the work. We’ll talk about habits you might not even notice, why “savi...

What happens when you stop focusing on finished pieces and start focusing on the process? In this episode, we explore the idea of art-making as an endless journey where creativity itself is the goal. I share how shifting from outcome-driven work to process-driven practice can open up your studio life, keep your ideas fresh, and help you reconnect with why you started making art in the first place....

Let’s talk about perfection and why it can actually get in the way of making honest work. In this episode, I’m digging into how the little flaws—the things we usually try to hide or fix—are often what make a piece feel alive. I’m sharing some real examples from my own studio, what I’ve noticed in student work over the years, and why chasing polish can flatten your voice. If you’ve ever second-gues...

What does it  really  mean to make honest work? In this episode, I'm digging into the idea of authenticity in your art practice—how to tell if your work truly reflects where you are, what gets in the way, and what to do when it doesn't feel quite like  you . I’ll share thoughts from my own experience in the studio, ideas for checking in with your creative direction, and tips for reconnecting with...

What do artists  owe  the world… if anything? In this episode, I’m digging into the complicated question of whether artists have a moral or social responsibility when making work. Do you need to speak to current events? Should your art take a stand? Or is it enough to simply create honestly and let the work speak for itself? I’m sharing thoughts from both the studio and the classroom, plus a few p...