Extraordinary Creatives

For this episode, Ceri is joined by Danielle Krysa, host of "The Jealous Curator" podcast, author and a highly successful mixed media artist. Danielle shares her very rocky artistic journey, including why she stopped creating art for 20 years and how she rediscovered her creative voice through therapy, mentorship, and self-acceptance. The Artist Mastermind Circle: Ready to stop second-guessing and...

Is it really worthwhile for an artist to start a newsletter, these days? Ceri’s answer is - yes. She explains why, even in the age of AI, endless algorithm tweaks and dopamine-driven social scrolls, newsletters are still the most effective way to generate sales. Ceri concisely explains how to start your own artist newsletter and shares 4 real world examples. The Artist Mastermind Circle: Ready to...

In this episode Ceri is joined by the incomparable John Smith—artist-filmmaker, mischievous narrator, cinematic magician. Over the past five decades, John has created more than 60 award-winning films, videos and installations that have screened in cinemas and museums around the world, from MoMA in New York to Tate Modern, and earned him honours including the Jarman Award and a Paul Hamlyn Foundati...

In this episode, Ceri looks at why so many artists feel completely drained after a big show. She explains why this is a natural part of the creative cycle, how to build up your resilience before a show so the drop in energy you feel is less drastic, and the practical things you can do to enable yourself to recover faster and ignite your creative spark again. The Artist Mastermind Circle: Ready to...

Today, Ceri is joined by Hunter Braithwaite, an artist, writer, editor, and cultural strategist who is Senior Vice President of Cultural Counsel and has led strategic communications for the Chicago Architecture Biennial, Hyundai Artlab and the Ford Foundation. Hunter shares how to craft powerful narratives that tell your story and engage decision makers and how to use your creativity to connect wi...

Today, Ceri talks about reaching out to someone you haven't spoken to in years. Most artists dread speaking to that curator, collector, collaborator, who once loved their work, got their vision, maybe even worked with them, but who they over time lost touch with to the point where contacting them again feels kind of awkward. Ceri shares 4 simple ways to reach out that cut through all of that awkwa...

In this episode, Ceri is joined by the dynamic Chris Do—designer, entrepreneur, educator, and founder of The Futur. Chris shares his journey from refugee to renowned creative force. He and Ceri discuss the power of inner narratives, building confidence through action, and why you should share your process. If you suffer from imposter syndrome, are unsure of how to grow your creative career, or stu...

Today, Ceri talks about something that causes more anxiety than almost anything else in an artist's career - confidence. She demonstrates that confidence is not a single magical personality trait that you either have or you don't, it is actually a toolkit of slightly different skills that any artist can learn. Artists need to develop 5 types of confidence, Ceri explains what they are and how to bu...

Today, Ceri is joined by Laleh Khorramian, painter, printmaker, animator and textile artist, whose work spans drawing, light, costume and collage. Laleh reveals the roots of her creative life, from drawing under duress to discovering Van Gogh in Costco. Laleh shares how growing up between cultures shaped a dual sense of self that still informs her work.   She explains how she rebuilt her practice...

In this episode, Ceri talks about something every artist faces – getting stuck. That moment where everything grinds to a halt, you feel overwhelmed and unable to make progress. Ceri has helped all kinds of artists overcome this issue, everyone from emerging artists, mid-career artists, even artists with solo shows at major institutions, so she will help you too. Stuck happens to everyone, but stay...

For this compelling episode, Ceri is joined by artist Jeremy Hutchison, whose subversive, multi-disciplinary practice spans performance, sculpture, video and text. They cover essential takeaways for artists today: how to subvert the aesthetics of capitalist spectacle without shame, how humour disruption and wrong-headed commercialism can be radical tools for change; and why artists must stop waiti...

In this empowering episode, Ceri dismantles the myth that you are not achieving enough as an artist. Something that virtually every artist that comes to her for coaching tells her is true of them. Ceri explains how to use honest reflection, and mindset shifts to put things into perspective, fully appreciate your achievements and celebrate your wins. This episode will enable you to reclaim your con...

Today, Ceri sits down with prolific author, illustrator and podcaster, Andy J. Pizza. They discuss how each part of you fuels creativity, and why staying true to your weirdest self produces meaningful work.  Andy shares the evolution of his acclaimed book Invisible Things (co-created with his spouse Sophie Miller). He opens up about collaboration, resilience, letting go of perfection and advocatin...

Today, Ceri shares a personal story that she rarely talks about. It´s messy and painful, but ultimately hopeful. Ceri is sharing this story to help you reflect on the times that you have ignored your inner knowing, your instincts, and carried on working for a gallery or client that was draining you or stayed in a bad relationship. This episode will help you find a little more courage to trust your...

Today, Ceri chats with Miami-based artist Autumn Casey, whose work dances across sculpture, performance, video, and sound—from solo screams at Art Basel to directing a lo-fi Snoop Dogg video. Autumn transforms the everyday into something enchanted, uncanny, and joyfully offbeat. Her luminous sculptures now light up the design world. She shares the real story behind sustaining a creative life: the...

If confidence feels elusive for you and this is holding you back, this episode will be especially helpful for you. Confidence is not a gift, it is a habit, something you can learn and use until you reach the point where getting out there pitching, applying and connecting is something you feel comfortable doing and are good at.   To help you to do this Ceri shares the real-world journey of a member...

Today, Ceri introduces you to the extraordinary artist Peter Gronquist. Peter grew up surrounded by creative energy and unconventional thinkers. His work is rooted in resilience, experimentation, and emotional connection to the natural world.  Peter and Ceri discuss his artistic journey, the importance of persistence, parenting, and the messy beauty of making work that defies categories. If you’ve...

This week's shorty is about one simple but powerful shift: getting clear on your goals, what you really want, and how to start getting there. Not just in theory, but in practice, with examples from artists who've done it inside The Artist's Mastermind Circle. There is a difference between working and progressing. You can be busy every day, posting, planning, painting, and still feel like nothing's...

For this episode, Ceri is joined by the fiercely honest, endlessly generous Erika B Hess, a painter, the artistic director of Chautauqua Visual Arts and host of two brilliant podcasts. She's exhibited nationally and internationally, curates shows and publications and has helped build an entire support system for artists.  Erika shares her artist journey, including the moment her paintings stopped...

If you are waiting for the right moment, gallery or person to make your art career click, you could be waiting forever. In this episode, Ceri shares four powerful ways to start earning from your art. Not someday, not once you feel ready, but today….right now. The strategies Ceri shares are insights that come from the real-world experience of Zawadi, an exceptional artist who had great networking s...

For this episode, Ceri is joined by British Filipino curator, writer and researcher John Kenneth Paranada. He bridges the worlds of art, science and other disciplines to shape global conversations around sustainability, resilience and regenerative practices. They unpack his journey and explore how art is mobilising change and the role institutions like the Sainsbury Centre can play in shaping clim...

In this episode, Ceri explains how to recognise when fear is holding you back, particularly fear of what others think or of rejection. If you are constantly telling yourself you are not ready or good enough to take the next step in your creative journey, in all likelihood it is fear that is holding you back.  Ceri shares some simple strategies any artist can use to recognise, face and overcome the...

Ceri speaks with author and former CEO Margaret Heffernan about embracing uncertainty as a creative tool. From her journey through theatre, BBC production, tech leadership, to becoming a bestselling author, she shares how uncertainty isn't something to fear but a space where possibility thrives. Her latest book also explores how artists navigate and flourish in unpredictability and how in uncertai...

Welcome to the 100th episode of Extraordinary Creatives! One hundred thousand listeners, nineteen months and now ranked in the top 1.5% of podcasts and in this episode, Ceri wants to remind you what being an extraordinary creative is all about. KEY TAKEAWAYS You keep showing up, even when it’s messy. You sit with the dualities. You know risk, failure, and mistakes are part of the deal. You ask cur...

Ceri interviews Sherry Dobbin, a cultural strategist whose work spans continents and iconic spaces. From starting in theatre to transforming Times Square, Sherry shares how she crafts meaningful cultural experiences that change how we engage with public spaces. She reveals the secrets behind successful public art, innovative funding models and her approach to helping people engage and not feel int...