The Healthy Artist

In this episode, we sit down with artist Khadija Ceclile Niang to explore how her practice bridges the gap between structured planning and pure intuition. Born in Norway to Senegalese parents, Khadija shares how discovering the rich connection between her family’s fishing heritage and the history of African surfing completely transformed her relationship with paint. We also dive deep into a topic...

In this week's episode we dive deep into what it means to be successful and discuss how we can shift from a lack mentality when it comes to our creative paths. We discuss how to redefine ambition as a daily roadmap, rather than hyper-focusing on an imaginary 'sparkly castle' that we want to arrive at. "Man plans, and god laughs" is a quote we reflect on and how leaning into the everyday is the mos...

What happens to your creative practice when your body suddenly forces you to stop? In this episode, Martha sits down with artist Sophie Smorzweski to discuss her "Kitchen Table" series and the profound impact of periods of illness on her work. Sophie opens up about navigating this at the age of 18, experiencing periods of isolation as "mini lockdowns," and how the kitchen table transformed from a...

In this month's Wellness Journal, Martha Lamont and guest co-host Damaris Athene break the silence around two of the most isolating feelings in the studio: jealousy and comparison. Unpacking Julia Cameron’s famous quote on the topic, they discuss handling the reality of rejections, projection and the 'compare-and-despair' trap, alongside the huge disconnect between a successful Instagram grid and...

In this episode, we continue the conversation on motherhood through a deeply personal lens. Eri, a Japanese artist living in Paris, shares her experience of navigating pregnancy while being confronted with unresolved parts of her own upbringing. As she describes it, it can feel like opening a dark box, one that asks you to face old patterns and question the kind of parent you want to become. There...

In this episode, we unpack the role of criticism in an artist’s practice: how to receive it, how to give it, and how to keep creating through it. When is feedback helpful, and when does it start to pull you away from your own voice? We talk about trusting your instincts, recognising useful critique, and those rare moments when feedback sparks a real shift in the work. We have opened up 5 mentorshi...

Grab a pen, or a notepad… or open a notes app and give yourself a bit of space. As we go, I’ll be asking you some questions and I’d really encourage you to pause the podcast after each one… give yourself the time to actually sit with it… and respond. Even though this is a short episode, I would give yourself 30-60 mins with the pauses. If you would like to share your reflections please do email th...

In this episode of The Healthy Artist, we’re exploring a feeling many artists quietly carry but don’t always speak about, this sense that making art can feel pointless, indulgent, or even unnecessary when there is so much difficulty happening in the world. Together, we sit with that discomfort and look at where it comes from: guilt, productivity culture, attention, and the pressure to justify crea...

In this weeks episode we explore motherhood with Eleanor May Watson. Eleanor shares how her first child made her confront barriers she put in her own way in her practice and her journey in letting go and becoming a stronger painter. Eleanor bravely shares the struggles alongside the triumph, and we are beyond grateful for her honesty. Follow her work at @eleanormaywatson and https://eleanormaywats...

In this weeks episode Martha connects with Damaris on her residency in Stavanger. After catching up on their wellness this month they dive into the theme of "The Fear Of Being Seen", covering topics such as the ideas that fuel the work, how we approach writing personal statements and titles for artworks, social media and creative boundaries. Martha also shares details on the first London Meet-up t...

In this episode of The Healthy Artist we interviewed Ken Nwadiogbu, we explore how to stay grounded in the everyday while holding big dreams. How do you dream boldly without rushing the process? We talk about creating without pressure, mapping the journey instead of chasing outcomes, and why abstraction became a powerful language in his work. He shares how he built an artist community in Nigeria,...

In this episode, Martha Lamont is joined by artist Valentino Vannini for a conversation about using art as a way to understand ourselves and the world around us. Together they explore social engagement in art, working with materials that carry meaning, queering structure and form, and how vulnerability, humour, and imperfection can open up new ways of connecting with an audience. To sign up to The...

A gentle wellness journal for artists, loosely inspired by The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron. In this episode, we explore the tender, often tricky feelings that surface at the start of a new year- rebuilding self-trust, learning how to recognise our gut feeling, and sitting with the vulnerability of beginning new projects when certainty feels far away. Martha is moving through a season of slowing...

As The Healthy Artist turns one, Martha shares a gentle New Year reflection on creative care, grounding practices, and what the next chapter will look like. This short episode touches on finding a softer rhythm, setting values-led boundaries, working within limits, and staying connected to your creative practice without rushing towards outcomes. A quiet invitation to begin the year with care.

In this episode, we sit down with Claudia Kennaugh, professional artist coach and advisor, to explore her mission to empower artists with clarity, confidence, and sustainable creative practice. Claudia shares the most common challenges artists face today, from finding an authentic artist voice, to the essential theme of slowness- why it matters, how it supports creativity, and how artists can invi...

Heeyoung Noh is an emerging painter from South Korea, who explores themes of intergenerational trauma, diaspora and the female body.  We talked to Heeyoung about her experiences working with intense and personal subject matter, her experience studying and working across multiple countries and cultures, and how she maintains a healthy artist community in times of isolation. 

As artists we can feel that we are not deserving of a community. That our work is not good enough or real enough to connect with other artists, and that we are the only ones who feel like this. What is the solution to this feeling of isolation? Carving out your own community, and finding those like you. This week we dive into the radical act of building artistic community and lay some foundations...

In this week we interviewed Hector Campbell. Hector is an art historian, writer and curator based in South London. He is the director of Soup Gallery in Elephant & Castle and runs a weekly newsletter called The Shock of the Now and much much more. We loved hearing about Hector's journey, work ethic and advice for artists. Make sure to sign up to his weekly newsletter here . To subscribe to our...

In this weeks episode we discussed 6 ways of breaking free from creative blocks for ourselves and for you. Tune in to hear us discuss the following ideas: 1- Acting from your values not from your mood 2- Doing something familiar 3- Doing something wild and different  4- Looking to a non art source 5- Engaging with other artists work 6- Working it out in community Join our creative community here: ...

In this week we interviewed Lydia Figes. Lydia is a writer, editor and art historian who is currently curator of digital at Contemporary Art Society. Lydia has just released her debut book called Survival Notes, Life Lessons From Contemporary Artists in which she interviews established artists from all areas of the art world on topics such as art education, self-discipline, gallery representation...

This week we had the chance to talk online with artist Damaris Athene, on the verge of her first major London commercial solo exhibition. We talked with Damaris about her recent successes and opportunities that have come out of committing an intense amount of time to her practice, but also the other side of success - how running on the treadmill of the art world has caused burn out, unhealthy prac...

Its easy to believe that the 'Art World' is all nepotism, privilege or pretentious nonsense - and to get stuck in a space of frustration about the whole damn thing. But what might a reframing of this idea, or this place, look like? This week we challenged ourselves to define what the art world is, and how we might work to make it the kind of art world we want to be in.

Episode 16 is out now!! This week Martha, co-host of The Healthy Artist, interviewed Ocki Magill, founder and director of Blue Shop Gallery in South London. We spoke about subjects such as her ethos as a gallery, their journey so far, the power of creative community and her hopes for the future. If you would like to support us, it is greatly appreciated. You can do so through Kofi: https://ko-fi.c...

Part 02 of our two part episode looking at the amazing Art and Fear by David Bayles and Ted Orland. We chose another four quotes that resonated deeply with us and hopefully will with you too! 

This week we are taking a deep dive into 'Art Fear' the amazing book by David Bayles and Ted Orland. The book is all about why and how art gets made, but also why it doesn't, and what makes so many artists give up along the way. We share some of our favourite quotes and discuss how they have been influential in how we approach our practice.