Extraordinary Creatives

Have you ever sat staring at your work, wondering why it’s not resonating? In this episode, Ceri talks about why you might be stuck in how you are being seen, or not seen and why this doesn’t mean you are failing. She shares six real-world strategies to help you shift gears and make your creative practice feel energised, intentional, and visible again. KEY TAKEAWAYS Share the real reason behind yo...

Ceri speaks with Chantelle Purcell, a curator, producer, and visual artist who co-founded Hive Curates and Other Landz. Chantelle shares her experiences, from grassroots creative spaces to large public art projects, discussing how she manages the balance between community engagement, inclusive spaces and the art. With a passion for creating inclusive spaces and championing culturally diverse artis...

In this solo episode, Ceri talks about how museums decide what art to collect and how you can get your work chosen. She reveals the strategic thinking behind how museums select artwork, from collection policies to board decisions and gives advice for artists looking to get their work into prestigious collections. Ceri explains that successful museum acquisitions happen when artists help institutio...

Ceri is joined by Richard Malone, a groundbreaking Irish artist whose work has been commissioned for the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Permanent Collection and is held in MoMA. Coming from a working class background in Ireland, Malone talks about forging a unique creative path, rejecting conventional systems, embracing being an outsider and keeping artistic integrity despite opportunities for comme...

Ceri talks about why many artists feel guilty about receiving support. Whether it’s financial, emotional backing or practical help, many struggle with feelings of guilt after asking for or receiving help. Ceri talks about how to shift from guilt to gratitude and embrace support as a fundamental part of the creative process. She also shares how to use reciprocity in a way that feels good for you an...

Ceri interviews award winning filmmaker Halina Dyrschka, whose documentary "Beyond the Visible: Hilma af Klint" brought worldwide attention to the pioneer of abstract art. Halina shares her creative experiences, from acting and classical singing to filmmaking, the challenges of securing funding for her documentary and her battle against institutional gatekeeping in the art world. She also talks ab...

Ceri talks about something that’s essential for every artist, how to spot your best work and see it objectively. She talks about why it is so important for your artistic career and how you can learn to make choices about your work, from submitting your work to group exhibitions.   KEY TAKEAWAYS Step back and create distance. If you are too close to your work then you will never be able to see it o...

Ceri interviews Rodolfo Groenewoud, co-founder of In4Art an institute pioneering art driven innovation. Rodolfo has secured funding for over 75 experimental projects, working between art and the sciences and industry.  Rodolfo talks about how artists function as influential researchers, capable of changing businesses and scientific breakthroughs through their unique thought processes. He demonstra...

What if the biggest thing stopping you from selling your art is the way you think about selling? Join Ceri in this short solo episode as she talks about how you can fix your mindset around sales and sell more of your art. KEY TAKEAWAYS Selling your art isn’t selling out but about backing yourself. You will keep finding reasons you can’t sell if you are holding onto this idea. BEST MOMENTS "Selling...

Ceri speaks to art collectors Darryl de Prez and Victoria Thomas about their art collection, their approach to collecting and their views on why the art world needs to start recognising the true cost of art. They share their 30 year journey from meeting at the Courtauld Institute to building a stunning contemporary art collection. They talk about how their home has become an intimate evolving gall...

In this solo episode, Ceri talks about a common thing that holds artists and creatives back, waiting for funding, permission or the perfect time to get started. She shares why there is never a perfect time to start and how to succeed as an artist in any field, is just to begin and make things happen. KEY TAKEAWAYS The Work Comes Before the Money: Funding follows momentum, funders, collectors, comm...

Ceri welcomes Emma Richardson, a polymath creative who seamlessly navigates music and visual art. Currently the bassist and vocalist for Pixies while maintaining her painting career, Emma talks about creative courage and change. She shares her experience with Band of Skulls, her pivot towards painting during lockdown and her unexpected invitation to join one of rock's most influential bands. Emma'...

In this solo episode, Ceri talks about a truth many artists and creatives struggle with: Success won’t change your life. We’re told that success is the finish line, but this is far from the truth, success is fleeting and life carries on afterwards. Ceri talks about what success really means for creatives and artists and how changing your mindset around it can help you build and live a more fulfill...

Ceri is joined by Marcelle Joseph, an American independent curator and collector based in the UK whose collection champions female identifying and queer artists. Marcelle talks about her journey from corporate lawyer to art world innovator, revealing how early influences in material culture shaped her curatorial vision. With over 50 exhibitions curated since 2011, she discusses her feminist focuse...

Tired of shouting into the void? In this episode Ceri reveals how creators can find their perfect audience without compromising artistic integrity. Using climate crisis art as a case study, Ceri demonstrates how identifying ideal clients can transform creative careers. Rather than changing your work to please others, it's about strategically connecting with those who already resonate with your mes...

Ceri is joined by Rosalie Schweiker, a South German artist and cultural organiser reimagining how art can drive social justice. As co-director at Migrants in Culture, Rosalie shares her journey from EU citizen to confronting the UK's hostile immigration system and how this transformed her creativity. The conversation explores motherhood's impact on creativity, building collective driven organisati...

Ready to stop waiting for that elusive cash fairy and actually make 2025 the year your bank account catches up with your creative talents? Ceri explains how artists and creatives can rewire their financial mindsets to elevate their earnings in 2025.  Ceri reveals practical accountability frameworks, goal setting techniques and mindset shifts that turn vague money hopes into tangible results.  This...

Ceri explores the future of cultural spaces with Seb Chan, the director & CEO of ACMI, where he is redefining how museums connect with their audiences. Seb talks about his evolution from experimental music producer to museum innovator and reveals how his background in creating immersive musical experiences has shaped his approach to museum design. Seb’s unique experiences and professional knowledg...

Moving beyond the myth that bigger is always better, Ceri reveals what actually works: intentional, strategic, and well placed moves. Building the right relationships, choosing the right projects and being open to unexpected opportunities. In this short episode, Ceri shares the power of the "3P Exercise" (Possibility, Person, Place) and talks through how you can maximise your effort in the right w...

Ceri speaks with Claire Luxton, a British artist who is revolutionising the art world through her multidisciplinary approach. From self portraiture to large public installations, Claire shares her thoughts on pricing artwork, building authentic brand collaborations and maintaining creative integrity while achieving commercial success.  KEY TAKEAWAYS Claire has developed a distinctive artistic proc...

Ceri examines how to liberate creative authenticity by offering ideas for artists who feel creatively blocked. She shares five actionable methods to escape creative paralysis and embrace your unique artistic voice. Ceri also provides examples from pioneering artists like Lindsey Mendick and Laure Prouvost, who dared to be different, and suggests exercises for practising these five ways to be bolde...

Ceri speaks with artist Erica Eyres, whose work masterfully balances on the edge of discomfort and revelation. Erica shares her creative process, including how she transforms found images into haunting portraits and creates ceramic replicas of mundane objects. The conversation explores the delicate dance between artistic freedom and commercial success and how understanding and overcoming your crea...

Join Ceri for a short solo episode where she details how you can create more time to do what you love as a creative. KEY TAKEAWAYS Conduct a time audit: Where is your time actually being spent currently? Track your time in 30 minute chunks for 3 days and see where your time is going. Categorise your time and look at how you can prioritise differently and amend to free up more time for creativity....

I’ve been thinking a lot about how I can help more of you be braver, create the work you truly want to make, and stop second-guessing yourself. It feels urgent. So, I’m launching a new weekly short podcast episode called Beat the Block – a no-nonsense, straight-to-the-point shot of creative support. Each week, I’ll share three tips drawn from Donkey's years in the arts – learned from the incredibl...

From growing up in the Middle East where theatre was banned to leading one of London's most innovative cultural spaces, Tarek Iskander's journey is a masterclass in transformative leadership. In this candid conversation, he reveals how his NHS background shapes his mission driven approach at Battersea Arts Centre, championing bold, experimental work while making art accessible through initiatives...