The Inspiration Place

As artists, you're likely great with painting a story on canvas, in watercolor, through music or whatever medium you play in, but storytelling is a wonderful skill we can all benefit from improving. Telling stories well is art, and it's something that each and every one of us can do easily every day.   Matthew Dicks is an international best seller with awards for being a nationally recognized stor...

The question we all really want to know is how to do more with the time we have. Some people crush a 2-hour window, whereas others of us struggle along and get distracted by TV series and social media.   Matthew Dicks is an international best seller with awards for being a nationally recognized storyteller. His latest book, Someday Is Today, 22 Simple Actionable Ways to Propel Your Creative Life i...

When you pause and consider the many ways creativity is expressed, it feels overwhelming and beautiful. Beyond painting, drawing, digital art, and watercolor, there's music, fashion, interior design, and even the world of business and creative problem-solving.   Today's guest, Maria Brito, is in over 13 years deep into the art scene from an indirect and surprising path. From a Harvard graduate to...

Unlike many careers you can commit to, art and creativity is unique for many reasons. You may find other skillful careers people do as a side hustle in addition to their day job, but unless it's creative work, how many accountants are doing taxes because it just feels good to their soul and their mental health?    Art releases dopamine, it is therapeutic, and often it's a form of self-expression a...

Reinventing yourself can sound intimidating, it may sound like betrayal on some level, and it can even feel inauthentic to some. To others, reinvention is an opportunity for rebirth and realizing your full potential.   People often reinvent themselves to let go of what no longer serves them, get to new heights of success, and shed what they don't like about themselves. Reinvention is something you...

"Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up." Pablo Picasso   Whether this is a proven fact or not is irrelevant. What matters is that there is an innate connection between children and creativity in all forms. Whether it's through paint, imagination, or creative play in a universe far, far away, there is an inner child in each of us that could help our creati...

One of the best parts of being creative is deciding to live with intention, on purpose, with passion and heart. Art cannot be contained and restrictive. It's meant to be liberating for the artist and a sacred escape from a world that judges and sometimes lacks the vibrant colors of the artistic spirit.   Today's guest, Shereen Sun, Founder of Radiant Wild Heart, embodies the rebellious spirit of a...

When you're just getting started and getting your feet wet in a new space, it's natural to look around and study the industry standards and norms. Obsessing over what you should do, how you should look, how you should be showing up can be paralyzing. Even worse, when you arrive and no one there looks like you, the thought of running away is hard to ignore.   Think about this…   There is no one pat...

Let's talk about the dirty secret most professional artists don't want you to know about. Before you go any further, it's important to note that this episode isn't about shaming or challenging anyone's talents or skills as a portrait artist. It's about giving you the inspiration you need to try a new medium of art with a skill that can be developed with time and practice.   Using photography, proj...

Doing the things you don't feel qualified to do while stepping out of the ordinary, mundane existence to allow yourself the space to show up is more than terrifying. Imposter syndrome is real! If you consider the most creative and amazing people you know, it's safe to say that their greatness came on the other side of a lot of internal dialogue.   Terry Runyan is a visual artist and creative encou...

Journaling has been proven to reduce stress and anxiety. It's known to help with finding inspiration as well. Since you are here, it's a safe bet you too are looking for inspiration. We are deep diving into creative art journaling.   Creative journaling, also known as visual journaling and art journaling, is known to today's guest, Abbey Sy, as travel journaling. Abbey is a published author, creat...

Journaling is well known for reducing stress and anxiety while allowing you to process emotions and go deeper into self-discovery. Art therapy also has very similar effects and can boost your confidence while allowing you to express yourself.   When you combine art therapy into a form of journaling, something magical is created that can really lead to transformation and healing. For many people, a...

As we continue to deal with the tail end of the pandemic that rocked us all in 2020, we are starting to see artists emerging that found perseverance and something to hold on to.   Sarah Matthews is an accomplished artist that specializes in printmaking and binding. She's an Alma Thomas Fellow at the Studio Gallery in Washington, DC, and part of the permanent collections of Yale's Manuscript Librar...

In honor of Mother's Day and in the spirit of embracing motherhood (however you experience it), this year I'm bringing together 6 incredible women to share how motherhood has influenced their creativity, tips they have for encouraging creativity in their own kids, and ways to balance your creative career with motherhood.   Jen Lehner, founder of Front Row CEO and Front Row VIP Masterclass shares h...

As frustrating as it may be, you cannot be in a creative state of flow 365 days a year. When you identify as a creative, that can feel like a heartbreak and a bit of an identity crisis, and yet it's a perfectly normal part of life.   You won't always feel like you're in perfect balance, and there are days that we all feel hopeless and think, I've lost my creativity for good (being dramatic time to...

As artists and creatives, it's easy to relate to how crushing criticism about your art can feel. Maybe you know people who never bothered to pick up a paint brush, a pen, or instrument because a poorly delivered comment about their craft killed their excitement and joy.   Have you struggled with self-defeating thoughts like…   Is my art good enough?   Can I call myself an artist?   Am I really cre...

Building your art business gets stressful real fast when it takes you beyond the comfort of creating art. Still, marketing, sales, and engagement are a necessity for any person building a business. Why should you know your brand archetype as an artist? You have your own style and preferred medium of art, so is branding and archetypes really important? After all, you're possibly running ads, you're...

In June 2021, something incredible happened that may have included you.  Many people have reached a breaking point and are no longer satisfied working in a job that is unfulfilling. If you've been in this situation, you may agree. It can feel like your energy and soul are literally being drained out of your body.   Christa Forrest is living her dream as a full-time artist. She walked away from the...

How much would you say your art is worth? Turning your art into a fulfilling business that does more than barely get you from one month to the next, is a business skill worth learning. There's no need to live like a starving artist when you can use your creativity, develop skills, and start thriving in ways you never thought possible. Understanding the psychology behind pricing and consumer behavi...

Have you been struggling with creative blocks lately? For artists, there is a direct correlation to creative flow and inner knowing and intuition. Are you mindfully connecting with your intuition?    Allyson Scammell is an intuitive coach and energy clearing guru that guides entrepreneurs to become more successful. By being open to connection with energy or source, and carefully exercising your in...

It's been estimated that over 75% of the population experiences anxiety around public speaking. A fear of looking foolish, forgetting your words, or lack of experience are just a few of the reasons why the fear of speaking, or glossophobia, is a crowd favorite.   Alexia Vernon, Founder and President of Step into Your Moxie, dubbed the Moxie Maven by President Obama's White House, shares expert tac...

This is part of the continuing "what's wrong with" series. I want to make sure that when you engage using Instagram, that it's effective for you. I'm sharing 5 things I see people doing that just don't work. Hear what they are, along with the steps for your Instagram makeover.    What works on social platforms changes and this is a great time to check your account and make sure you are up to date...

When you're focused on creating and selling art, understanding how to optimize your social media channels can become a major roadblock. Social media can be super effective in helping you increase your online sales, but you have to know there is more to it than just posting images of your amazing art.   Miriam brings in the Online Presence Expert, Italina Kirknis. Although she offers Done for You s...

How to license your art is one of the most-asked about topics in the artist community. I decided to do a round-up episode and highlight some of the past conversations and put them here in one helpful podcast. Ronnie Walter : How can an artist find out if licensing is a good option for them? She explains what you need to know, and the 3 pathways artists can pursue. Lilla Rogers: When another artist...

Being an artist selling art online comes with unique challenges. Maybe the dream for you as an artist didn't start with making a profitable business, but at some point, every artist realizes the need to do more than survive. Creating beautiful art that is appreciated, valued, and seen by everyone is rewarding, but how do you create high-quality art that earns more than an acceptable living? In thi...