artchatter with Gaynor Leverett-Jaques & Karen George

It’s always interesting to us to see how artists work, their inspiration, studios, how they do their thing… and we’ve been asked what we do. So, in the spirit of sharing (you know we love it!) we compare and contrast our practices… same same but ohhh so different!  What do you do? Share your practice, someone may well find a nugget that inspires them too 😊 As always, we would love you to leave an...

Busy, busy, busy… while it’s a great problem to have, how do we find the time to prioritise what we want to do most? Finding our way through the to-do lists to get some peace with our paints.  Episode links :  Photo by  Lukas Blazek  on  Unsplash Lori Mirabelli Big Monthly Planner Bath Society of Artists annual Open Exhibition   Christine Lawes Gina Belford   Wild Escapes Exhibition at The Square...

All the talk of confidence and resilience in Epic Epi #50 gave us pause for thought. So many of our (amazing) contributors wished they’d been more confident when they were younger or starting out in their art careers. YES! US TOO! We get it.  But how? How do we gain confidence? It’s all very well thinking it, but doing it is a different thing altogether. Luckily we have some ideas… if you have som...

Ever wished you’d been given the benefit of great advice from amazing artists, maybe ahead of you on their art career path?  Well, to celebrate our 50th episode (FIFTIETH 😳 ) we invited artists we admire and love to do just that… tell us all something that they perhaps wish they’d known way back when.  We have been blown away by the generosity of the contributing artists and offer them a huge tha...

What would you do if… this week we wonder if the grass is greener in another other field. Remembering what we’ve done in past lives, and why we do art (at whatever level we choose or aim). We wander through alll the thoughts, but yet again, agree, in conclusion, that art is the best field…and we mix our own shade of juicy green. @stiffybags @sarahboden Connected artist club https://alicesheridan.c...

Okay, you’ve done the work, painted your socks off, set up on social media, prepped allll the things, booked a venue and you’re ready to chat to the public about it… and ohhhh my crikey, however lovely, they can be an odd bunch. What NOW? This week Karen and Gaynor share the highlights, pitfalls and the *sideeye* moments they’ve experienced… tell us yours?! If you enjoy our chat, please do leave u...

What’s your game plan? Soooooo are you just going with the flow, manifesting like a master or do you meticulously follow a structured plan that’s guiding your every move? Karen and Gaynor are on different sides of the spectrum… Karen has it all written down and while Gaynor appears to be winging it, there are actually some similarities after all. Tell us your plan-what’s working for you? As always...

Are you your own worst critic? Ever asked for an opinion and instantly regretted it? This week Karen and Gaynor discuss the critical eye…when it’s useful and when it’s a confidence zapper, with thanks to our lovely listener and friend @helengrace.artist for the question… what a subject! If you enjoy artchatter let others know by sharing, or hitting the follow button on the podcast- and in keeping...

Are you a course junkie, a joiner-in, a membership lover, have a love of alllll communities? This time we work out what works - Karen, as you’d maybe guess, is a considered member of groups, is the founder of an arts trail which is in its 10th year and offers sell out in-person workshops. Conversely Gaynor joins everything, but has a reluctance to engage fully…  Which are you? Do you value co...

Do you make assumptions? Do people make assumptions about you?  Can you tell who someone is and what they do at first glance? Okay, so this week we chat about lots of things we consider fact, but in reality, we’re not our own market, maybe we should chat to everyone without prejudging… and you’ll never know what could happen. Let us know what you think!  As alway, please do subscrib...

Sometimes we slip. Sometimes we slip up. Our creative time gets disrupted and we slide into the ditch. It’s about finding our way out to overcoming the banana skins life throws in our way.  We had an absolutely amazing annual planning session in our accountability group. It was great, we were all fired up, raring to go on little steps to grow big leaps - except Karen is in painting mode. She...

Whilst Karen is tucked away in her studio splashing all the paint around, ready for a solo show, Gaynor is planning and thinking and collecting thoughts. We have different motivations - in fact we are such opposites we really do complement each other! Which are you… How do you work?  Do you follow us on Instagram? Have you signed up for Karen’s studio news or Gaynor’s monthly newsletter?&nbsp...

Woo hoo 2023 here we come. Challenges. Goals. Plans. Oh dear lawd we’re exhausted already! How about small steps? Shall we be gentle and steady? Yeah, you with us… phew! ;) Episode Links: Image credit to: Miguel A Amutio on Unsplash Gina Belford Art About the podcast Gaynor Leverett-Jaques and Karen George are both full time artists, living and working in South West of the UK, sharing experiences...

So much love to share in this episode as Karen and Gaynor float along from the wonderful experience of taking part in an artist event in the beautiful city of Bath. Tired and cold but happy and full of Christmas cheer..!

Ch Ch Ch Changes! Whether it’s a deliberate plan to Move On or a gradual evolution, we all make changes. To our practice, to our selves, to the way we see things. It’s interesting to look back and assess how far we’ve travelled-what’s worked… what hasn’t! Do we plan it, or do we just flit like butterflies until we find what suits us? Episode Links Photo by Sigmund on Unsplash Studio44ad Bath Humbu...

In this world of harsh realities some things are universally true. Like small victories. They may be small but they be mighty to misquote the great man himself (Shakespeare not a deity!). Every little win matters... they stack up to huge and often monumental moments. so let's count 'em all.  Make them all matter. Tick those boxes. Give yourself a pat on the back. You're here. We're here. That...

Life as an artist is one big circle of fun, amirite? yeah. Nope. Let's face it, sometimes life can be a bit of a slog. Are we really failing, or do we feel like we're failing? Is there a difference? This week we get real about the down times, finding the good in how rotten or ridiculous life can be! We explore the best ways to find the way back to creativity, good times and companions to help pick...

Another day, another to-do list. Where to begin? Does it really matter? Another cup of coffee first?  As artists, creatives, makers, most of us work alone. We have studio space, a kitchen table, a spare room to use. It's all set up nicely and we Go For It. To start with it's all very exciting, then we discover that other tasks grab our time... so how do we stay motivated? What keeps us in some sor...

“Oh, you’re an artist?” they say. “Must be nice, playing with paint all day” 🤐  Shall we explain the things we do? The prepping, the social media, the art fairs, the networking, the accounting, the… everything.  One thing we do know: Artists are amazing and creative AND versatile! Let's discuss how we navigate ALL the things without becoming overwhelmed or giving up.  Episode links...

Okay, summer is well and truly over... autumn (the pretty season) is officially here. Rich golds, falling leaves, bracing walks, hygge, fresh thinking, new plans. Fresh thinking? New plans? Ohhhh yes. This back to school vibe brings the opportunity to have a little rethink, update schedules and plan work as we scurry to our studios or hit the art trails. It's time to consider what we want from the...

Collaborate, cooperate, group exhibitions… or fly solo? Can you do both..? when do we get to just prioritise ourselves, our work and what’s right for us? Things to consider!

Recently when Karen was playing catch up on Laura Horn, she had a moment of realisation... she needed to check out her mood board. First question: Mood board or inspiration board? Next question, where to keep it, what to put on it? Colours, postcards, sketches... oh yeah we thought it through. Refresh time = fun! Episode Links:  Photo by Elena Baidak on Unsplash https://www.camvalleyarts...

We are giddy as the proverbial kippers today! Karen's been sketching, holidaying and dancing at a wedding (there may have been wine). Gaynor has been painting...finally there's a little gap to focus and really enjoy the studio time. SO, what are we prepping for? Art trail season... we dare you to get involved wherever you are! Photo Credit: Ilnur Kalimullin on Unsplash Links: Helen Swan Artist (ya...

It’s hot, it’s steamy… what shall we doooo?!

You've done the work, turned up to the event, set up in the searing heat or the pouring rain. Your display, exhibition, stand (tick appropriate) looks amazing. Your chest swells with pride that you've made it, you charge up your payment machine, check your phone speaks to it.   YOU ARE READY, open up the doors ...and wait.   So, after all that, what do you do when the sales are...