The Art Life

For their first ever live show, Xandra and Grace brought this discussion on Digital Boundaries to Camp GLA, the virtual version of the Harry Potter Alliance’s annual fan activist conference, the Granger Leadership Academy. With much of our lives and activist work taking place online, it’s more important than ever to set digital boundaries. We must preserve our energy to prioritise taking meaningfu...

Xandra talks to sales and marketing expert Erika Lyremark (she/her) about bringing your art into your business. They discuss the value of understanding your own magic, what to do when you have too many ideas, creative packaging, and prioritising FUN! SHOW NOTES:  Erika is on Instagram @dailywhip A free copy of Erika’s book, Think Like a Stripper, and more adventures:  dailywhip.com/adventure SHOW...

Artists are healers. Grace and Xandra discuss healing ourselves and the world through art.  SHOW NOTES:  HEAL THYSELF: A Diversity Intensive for Healers and Life Coaches The Art Life Episode 30: Self Love for Artists with Amelia Fortes THE WATERMELON WOMAN DEAR WHITE PEOPLE (Netflix) SHOW DETAILS: Read more at http://theartlife.show Send letters to: The Art Life, c/o Grace Gordon, P.O. Box #4292,...

In this week’s mini episode, Xandra and Grace provide an information session on how to take anti-racist action in your art life. From diversifying your art consumption to hiring sensitivity readers, there are so many ways to help. Just a reminder: listening to this episode is not activism. This episode is a map, but you have to take the journey yourself. SHOW NOTES:  'Sensitivity Readers: When to...

Grace Quantock (she/her) is a psychotherapeutic counsellor, writer, and storyteller. With Xandra, she discusses creating ways forward every day, marginalia, and therapeutic does of poetry. Grace recommends finding friends in bibliographies. SHOW NOTES:  Grace’s book, Beyond the Boundaries: Finding Freedom and Fulfilment Within Four Walls:  http://gracequantock.com/btb/ Grace is on Twitter @grace_q...

Grace interviews actress Anjelika Washington (‘Tall Girl’, DC’s ‘Stargirl’). They discuss navigating an acting career with integrity, leaps of faith, and macaroni and cheese. We make history when we stand together. SHOW NOTES:  THE MAGIC by Rhonda Byrne DC'S STARGIRL Anjelika is on Instagram @anjelikaw  and @anjelikaeats SEND US YOUR STORIES: Our next campfire episode during the age of coronavirus...

Grace and Xandra are living in retreat mode! They discuss the balance between taking control and surrendering to life. When we’re experimenting, figuring out what we don't want is a win. SHOW NOTES:  Grace's Stephen King themed art pieces at SugarMynt Gallery:  https://www.sugarmynt.com/ourshop Grace's video ASMR Positive Affirmations:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zNf9bxDPJB4 Xandra's essay, F...

Grace interviews restauranteur Adam Fleischman about food: an artform that’s relatable to everybody. They discuss LA as a city about creativity, dinner parties, and literature. Devote everything to your art life. SHOW NOTES: FLAVOR BOMBS by Adam Fleischman Adam is on Instagram @adam.fleischman Umami Burger 'Sal Lavallo Visited All 193 Countries. So We Asked Him 193 Questions' 'An Elegy for Red Med...

Katie Hawthorne is a music journalist and a PhD student, researching how digital tools shape liveness in performance. Xandra talks with her about the hierarchical live-stream economy, what makes theatre magical, and how to support musicians and theatre makers. SHOW NOTES: Katie is on Twitter @katiehawthorne Katie's piece for The Stage on live-streaming theatre Katie's piece for The Guardian on liv...

Grace and Xandra discuss how they choose movies and tv for home viewing. With more space and time, we can be more in tune with what we need. Let this time inspire innovation and introspection. SHOW NOTES:  'To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar' ‘Interstellar' ‘Contact' ‘Succession' 'The Imagineering Story' ‘Encore!' 'Station Eleven' by Emily St. John Mandel 'Our Town' by Thornton Wilde...

Grace talks to self-love coach and healer, Amelia Fortes. They discuss healing for artists, but also how art itself is healing. Sometimes we bury the the things that bring us the most joy. Are you getting the whole cake or settling for crumbs? SHOW NOTES:  Amelia's Website: Self Love Story  https://ameliafortes.com/ Amelia's Podcast: Courageous Self Love Amelia's Instagram:  @theameliafortes Rich...

Xandra talks to singer-songwriter Rorie about her process as a musician, artists as people, and the joy of creating. Sometimes it takes years to find the right lyrics. Thanks, Rorie, for being our first guest! SHOW NOTES:  Rorie's website: http://roriemusic.com Rorie on Instagram: @roriemusic Lyric video for Rorie’s song ‘Sun’ Playlist of Rorie songs mentioned on this episode Episode 4: The Yurt L...

Xandra and Grace share how they’re doing, and what they’re doing during the coronavirus crisis. They reflect on what helps, and the value of art (and the post office). SHOW NOTES: Xandra's Disney Princess Quarantine playlist SHOW DETAILS: Read more at http://theartlife.show Send letters to: The Art Life, c/o Grace Gordon, P.O. Box #4292, Valley Village, CA 91607 Email: theartlife@heroinetraining.c...

Have you heard? Xandra and Grace adore pajamas. They share favourite PJ artists and sleepwear style stories. Travel light - but always pack pajamas! SHOW NOTES:  Grace’s video: Make Pajamas Sexy Again SugarMynt Gallery in Pasadena:  https://www.sugarmynt.com/ Desmond & Dempsey:  heroinetraining.com/pj  (Affiliate link) Lingerie & Literature:  https://www.lingerieandliterature.com/ Atla:  https://a...

Xandra and Grace love Patreon! Grace shares her best advice for artists using this platform. Be authentic, build community, and please - browse a bookshop. SHOW NOTES:  The King at the Edge of the World by Arthur Phillips The Art of Asking by Amanda Palmer Grace on Patreon: Patreon.com/GraceGordonOfficial Xandra on Patreon: Patreon.com/HeroineTraining SHOW DETAILS: Read more at http://theartlife.s...

Xandra and Grace are analog girls. From morning pages to financial records, they share their paper notebook methods. Don’t forget to revel in the present moment, and recognise when you’re living your dreams! 🌟 SHOW NOTES:  Gilmore Guys Show  http://www.gilmoreguysshow.com/ The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron Xandra’s Essay, ‘A Stack of CD’s’:  http://heroinetraining.com/a-stack-of-cds Grace's websi...

Xandra and Grace lead their first campfire special, sharing readers' stories of gift giving! Holidays are an opportunity to be creative. Love is paying attention. Grace just wants to have fun.  SHOW NOTES:  Big Blue Marble Books in Mt. Airy Philadelphia The Art Life Episode 5: Is Art Fun? Everyday Wonderland: http://everydaywonder.land Grace's new website!  http://gracegordonofficial.com SHOW DETA...

Be a fan of your friends - and the casting director of your life. Grace and Xandra discuss fostering your creative community. To find your people, it is necessary to be the initiator. SHOW NOTES:  Rorie's new album, Valley in the Mirror SHOW DETAILS: Read more at http://theartlife.show Send letters to: The Art Life, c/o Grace Gordon, P.O. Box #4292, Valley Village, CA 91607 Email: theartlife@heroi...

Xandra is a minimalist. Grace is a maximalist. They both travel in style, whether in a fabulous vintage suitcase, or just a handbag. How light do you travel? SHOW NOTES:  Packing: A Heroine’s Guide , Xandra’s new ebook! BECOMING SUPERMAN by J. Michael Straczynski SHOW DETAILS: Read more at http://theartlife.show Send letters to: The Art Life, c/o Grace Gordon, P.O. Box #4292, Valley Village, CA 91...

Grace has a rule: Always get popcorn. She and Xandra memorable experiences at the movies, personal fashion resolutions, and the need for sacred cellphone-free spaces.  What is your cinema-going personality? SHOW NOTES:  What's Your Favorite Part? Podcast Walt Disney World & RunDisney The Ultimate Picture Palace , Oxford, UK 'Pleasure Activism' by Adrienne Maree Brown Send us your gifting stories!...

What's the opposite of writer's block? Too many ideas! Grace and Xandra discuss the need for both structure and freedom. Gryffindors and Slytherins alike need to sort out their priorities. SHOW NOTES:  ‘The Source' by Tara Swart Passion Planner Bookmarket at Edinburgh Waverley Mall, by Fruitmarket Gallery ‘Lucky B***h’ by Denise Duffield-Thomas The Art Life: Episode 18: Art & Barter The Art Life:...

To be read or not to be read? Xandra doesn’t set reading goals. Grace reads 100 books a year. They discuss how to set self-care goals and remove the ceiling on how good life can be. Go buy a pencil! SHOW NOTES: Amelia Fortes: The Self Love Oracle: www.ameliafortes.com Big Blue Marble Books Grace on Goodreads Vivian Vette handbags: vivianvette.com Heroine Training podcast ‘What’s Your Favorite Part...

Should we always charge for our work? When is it appropriate to skillshare? Xandra and Grace discuss the difference between bartering services and collaboration. Anyone want to teach Grace sword fighting?   SHOW NOTES: 'Get Rich, Lucky B***h' by Denise Duffield-Thomas 'Becoming Dangerous’, edited by Katie West and Jasmine Elliott 'The World of IT' by Alyse Wax Erika Lyremark’s Business Confidence...

Grace and Xandra are haunted by ghosts! The ghosts of their early work. But during the episode, they discover that they are haunted by another ghost too. They discuss embarrassment, homemade advent calendars, and the freedom of creating with frequency.  SHOW NOTES:  The Art Life wants to hear your stories! Tell us about the BEST gifts you've ever received. We'll read your stories on a special epis...

Xandra loves to make admin lovely - and gets asked about this all the time! She and Grace discuss book launch joy, food shopping strategies, and setting a mindset of enjoying admin. When in doubt, add a favourite beverage. SHOW NOTES: La Voz de M.A.Y.O: Tata Rambo by Henry Barajas Xandra's essay Entertaining the Fantasy Secret link for Mini Adventure Mappings 'Better Than Before' and 'The Happines...