Paintbrush & Ivories

For the past 2 years, more people have been staying home and searching for creative outlets. If you are an artist with an idea for an online art class, now’s the perfect time to dive in. So, have you been thinking you want to create your own art course and deliver it online? Maybe you already have a course but are interested in learning what other artists are doing and how they approach the ideas...

In this episode Michelle is joined by Whitney Freya, creator of the Creatively Fit Coaching program, artist and author, and Kim Sales an artist and Creatively Fit Coach to talk about their experiences and learning from working with women through creativity. We hear about their creative journey, what brings joy in their world, books and advice that has changed their lives and more about a wonderful...

Is writing a passion of yours? Do you see your artistry expanding to include writing, but not sure if you know how to go about it? This episode is for you. Jennifer and Michelle talk about their experiences and learning from writing multiple books – for different audiences and with different messages. Key topics, like knowing how to get set up to start, ways to keep the momentum going, where to go...

The world has been experiencing major events - east coast Australia, where Michelle lives has had devastating floods, and we are all aware of the invasion of Ukraine by the Russian army. In this episode, Jennifer and Michelle begin their conversation with this quote from George Inness - "The true use of art is, first, to cultivate the artist's own spiritual nature" in the context of the big upheav...

Many artists have favourite tools of their craft. Do you? In this episode, Jennifer and Michelle discuss their best tools and a story or two about how they came upon them and what they use it for. One of Michelle's is her tree stump - used for holding her anvil and steel block, while Jennifer discusses her rhyming dictionary and vocal notebooks.  You can find your hosts at these places: Michelle’s...

Being away from the usual place where we create, whether because we are moving house or just away for a short trip, can be a disruption or a source of inspiration. In this episode, Jennifer and Michelle discuss where you can get ideas for travel art kits, to what their 'must haves' are when they are on the move. Resources mentioned in this episode: Episode #16 - Welcoming & Dreaming into Your 2022...

Everyone loves setting goals, right? Yes, well you'll love this episode. Join Michelle for a look at what a BeeHAG (that's Big Hairy Audacious Goals) are  and why they are so powerful for you and the business of being an artist... A simple process to magnetise them so you're attracting what you need to make them a reality using the skills you have as an artist... and A Critical Barrier to watch fo...

NEW Year Blessings! Are you ready to embrace 2022? To get you into the swing, in this episode Jennifer and Michelle step you through their 'Welcoming the New Year' rituals. If you already have a way of bringing in the new year, you might like to add some new ideas... If you don't, then download the handout ( www.michellewalker.com.au/podcast ), grab a cuppa and settle in for some serious dreaming...

…And just like that, it’s a wrap! 2021 is rapidly coming to an end. What do you do to celebrate the wins and acknowledge the challenges so you feel ready to move into the new year? Jennifer and Michelle take you through their ‘end of year’ rituals – what they do to reflect on their year and harvest the gems from it. This episode comes with a downloadable handout!   Artists, inspirational people an...

Do you get those times when your ‘dance card’ is crazy full, and you don’t seem to have time for your art? If that’s something you’ve wrestled with, then this episode will be just the thing. Jennifer and Michelle talk about how to juggle caring for our creative practice and ourselves when life is throwing a ton at you. Some of the answers are about how we approach our days in our thinking and in o...

In this episode, Jennifer and Michelle dive deeper into their conversation about money. They explore the 5 different types of money and how it can show up in our lives with different experiences and beliefs. Understanding what is true for you around your money situation is the first step to shifting your experience. If you are interested in the money piece of your creative business and life, then...

As creatives, we know we need to share our work to grow and improve. Listening to the marketing gurus, we are told we need to make our *brand* stand out and grow our audiences to have a successful creative business. The logic is a big audience of raving fans will lead to lots of adoring customers. Along the way, putting ourselves 'out there' in the world of the interwebs, means we may attract comm...

So you’ve just returned to the studio from a workshop or class… What happens next? The way we integrate new ideas and techniques for our art-making matters. In this episode, Jennifer and Michelle discuss Michelle’s recent week-long art retreat, the importance of her studio sketchbook for capturing the ideas and how she approaches the workshop integration process after the class is finished. Artist...

Developing an idea from the creative spark through to a finished product has a certain ‘arc’. In this episode, Jennifer and Michelle talk about what’s involved for their music / song-writing and painting / jewellery design fields. In particular, how it is experienced from a head and heart level as well as the role of control and surrender. Inspirational people and resources mentioned in this podca...

It's September, which is a special month for Michelle - she is celebrating the release of her Spring 2021 Collection of enamel jewellery, her 10th wedding anniversary with Ian and her 56th spin around the sun. In this episode, Jennifer and Michelle talk about marking and celebrating milestones and what it looks like when we have big achievements or bodies of work come to a close. Michelle also tal...

Many creatives love sharing what they’ve learned along their creative journey, but sometimes receiving one piece of advice can have a profound impact. In this episode, Jennifer and Michelle discuss the key pieces of advice they have received that have made a huge difference for them in their creative practice. Artists and inspirational people mentioned in this podcast include: Dick Grove School of...

Interested in how to navigate big changes in your creative practice? This episode focuses on what happens for artists when they release a new product, embrace a new practice or are working from new motivations. Jennifer and Michelle talk through the anxiety that might arise if an artist fears losing their existing fan base and how to talk about the new direction to maintain the connection and attr...

In this episode, Jennifer and Michelle talk about the road to mastery, what it entails, and how this concept relates to their practice. It’s a journey towards excellence and level of accomplishment and happens in levels and stages, as an artist progresses in learning their craft. Artists, inspirational people and resources mentioned in this podcast include: Malcolm Gladwell’s book, Outliers – The...

So you've lost 'the groove' in your art-making? What you do next matters. In this episode, Jennifer and Michelle discuss the difference they've found between short-term stuckness and a longer term drought in their creative practice. Tips and ideas to reconnect and regain the flow as well as managing expectations about producing are all covered. You can find your hosts at these places: Michelle’s w...

In this episode, Jennifer and Michelle talk about a topic that plagues many creatives and that's the big subject of money! Earning enough, getting paid what you are worth and wrangling with cash flow. Diving into the stories around money that they learnt at the family kitchen table, Jennifer and Michelle compare growing up in east Africa and in Australia and how that influenced their thoughts abou...

Calling ourselves an 'artist' can be a hurdle for many. In this episode, Michelle and Jennifer talk about the barriers they have experienced and those they've witnessed their artistic friends wrangling with... Blocks like needing outside acknowledgement, comparing ourselves to others or fear of doing work that is sh*t only we don't know it! Artists and inspirational people mentioned in this podcas...

Charting your creative path in life can reveal insights into where your inspiration comes from and what form your creativity takes. In this episode, Michelle and Jennifer talk about their own creative journeys. They delve into what's influenced them, what have been the big turning points and insights, and how they see their creativity in the broader perspective of living life with joy and happines...

Welcome to a new podcast for artists, creatives, and art and music lovers with generous conversations that connects creativity with heart and soul. Michelle Walker is a visual artist and creativity and business coach who lives on a farm on the east coast of Australia and works out of the old dairy's milking bales which have been converted into her studio. Jennifer Ruth Russell is an award-winning...