The Living Artist

In this episode of The Living Artist, Preston talks about the importance of not editing yourself with your artwork and process. We all have an inner critic and voice, but Preston emphasizes that the creative process really takes off when we learn to silence that voice. He also talks about the importance of improvisation and using and embracing the "accident" in your work. It is a process like anyt...

In this episode of The Living Artist, Preston leads us in a guided meditation. Times are tough right now and people are having a hard time dealing with all of the turmoil. Sometimes we just need to learn how release what we are holding onto and breathe through it. Preston leads this guided meditation to do just that. Find a comfortable spot in your home or studio, clear your mind, and let it all g...

In this episode of The Living Artist, Preston starts off by sharing something he has been working on behind the scenes with the podcast; especially since it is in the spirit of the creative process. He then shifts gears to talk about motivation and the importance of keeping that kind of energy alive in your life and art. Staying motivated, particularly in times like these, can be a challenge. Pres...

In this episode of The Living Artist, Preston dives into the social media game. He starts by confessing to having a new guilty pleasure and how it opened his eyes to the birth and exponential growth of social media and the elusive social media "influencer" in our society. So, how do you play the social media game as an artist without getting sucked into the dark side of this world? The answer is:...

In this episode of The Living Artist, Preston speaks with North Carolina based artist Taylor White . Taylor's figurative work is bold, kinetic, and semi-abstract, combining "refined techniques of classical training with bright, unexpected color choices born from the residue of street art and pop culture". Taylor is perhaps best known for her energetic and vibrant commercial and non-commercial mura...

In this episode of The Living Artist, Preston speaks with nomadic painter and New Zealand born artist Leisa Collins . Leisa specializes in Architectural Paintings that highlight historical structures and houses in the USA and beyond. Born in New Zealand, Leisa honed her craft as an artist and wet her appetite for traveling at an early age. Her travels eventually took her to the United States, wher...

In this episode of The Living Artist, Preston talks about working with frequency in your art, sales and life. This might sound like some Law of Attraction talk, and I guess it kinda is... But it is also so much more. Listen to this one with an open mind and then decide for yourself. Learn about what it is, how operating at a higher frequency can apply to your art career and sales, and how it just...

In this episode of The Living Artist, Preston talks about restoring balance to our lives and art practice. He starts off by sharing how he had recently gotten a bit out of balance in his own life and art and some telltale signs that it was occurring. He reminds us that it's important to be self-aware so that when these signs and behaviors pop up in our lives, we can spot them and steer ourselves b...

In this episode of The Living Artist, Preston speaks with California based photographer Tim Tadder . Tim has been ranked in the Top 200 photographers worldwide by the prestigious Lurzer's International Archive Magazine and by Epson as one of the top influential photographers in the world. Tim's work is colorful and provocative and is being showcased and collected worldwide through Avant Gallery, w...

In this episode of The Living Artist, Preston speaks with Los Angeles based and internationally known artist Man One . This is a wide-ranging and inspirational conversation that no artist should miss. Man One has been instrumental in creating and solidifying graffiti and street art as a legitimate, highly-recognized and essential art form and movement, that is now cemented in the public consciousn...

In this episode of The Living Artist, Preston talks about setting our sights on a post-"virus which will not be named" world. He challenges everyone to set some big art goals coming out of the pandemic and mentions some of his own to get started. He also talks about the importance of making lists and the efficacy of writing them down in a certain way that triggers the brain to jump into action. Do...

In this episode of The Living Artist, Preston speaks with Los Angeles based filmmaker and writer Tony Lugo . In this conversation PMS and Tony are back and recording live in the studio! In this broad and engaging conversation, Tony talks about his experience growing up in Austin Texas, joining the Marine Corp, working for the Postal Service, losing his brother before going to film school in Los An...

In this episode of The Living Artist, Preston talks about the importance of knowing your art history and learning what has come before you to better understand your place in it all. Taking that a step further, Preston encourages trying on some of your favorite artists' styles, as a powerful learning tool. By figuring out some of their process, you can not only appreciate it more, but also help dev...

In this episode of The Living Artist, after getting some random 80's nostalgia out of the way, Preston talks about the importance of enjoying the process. More specifically, falling in love with the process of being an artist. This is where all good things come from. All goals and achievements are ultimately transitory, but if you can be in love with the process of creating art and of being an art...

In this episode of The Living Artist, Preston talks about his recent experience with moving his studio space. He shares some tips and tricks to make moving your paintings/art a bit more effortless and secure as well as giving some general advice on  reusing and "scavenging" materials. Wherever you are and wherever you are planning to be in your studio, it is always a good time to express some...

In this episode of The Living Artist, Preston talks with Los Angeles based artist Amy Smith . In this fun and wide ranging conversation, Amy shares so much about her art, life and message as an artist. Topics include working and thriving during the pandemic, Amy's recent and upcoming mural projects, creating stencils, working with neon, empowering women and social change themes in her art, her pow...

In this episode of The Living Artist, Preston talks about being fearless in your creative process. Inspiration comes from many sources, and Preston cites Larry David , Alanis Morissette , Billie Eilish and Billie Joe Armstrong as some recent sources of both inspiration and reminders to tap into that fearlessness as an artist. Nobody is ever inspired by "playing it safe" or hiding your own humanity...

In this episode of The Living Artist, Preston clears the cobwebs out of his brain with some random art world related thoughts. Topics include success as an artist, learning to become a tourist with your pain and darkness, getting into a flow state with your creativity, and showing some character when interacting on social media. All topics were decided during the process of recording this episode...

In this episode of The Living Artist, Preston has a second conversation with his wife on a Sunday morning. This is a palette cleanser episode where they get a bit wacky and just check in with each other on the status of life, shows, work, art, NFT's and more as we all navigate our way out of this "pandi". Have fun with it and chill with Magz and PMS! For more information on Preston M. Smith and hi...

In this episode of The Living Artist, Preston talks about the importance of saying "no" sometimes in your art career. Everyone wants to be busy and productive with their art and business, but if you have crossed over into the realm of burnout, anxiety, or apathy, maybe it is time to pump the breaks and use this magical word from time to time. Life and art are all about balance and we just can't be...

In this episode of The Living Artist, Preston talks with Los Angeles based artist and actress Christina Elizabeth Smith , aka Amrta . In this super fun and deep conversation, Christina shares her (destined to be made into a movie) origin story that goes from being a military child, through conquering the dancing world as teenager, into her acting and fine art journey in Los Angeles, where she has...

In this episode of The Living Artist, Preston follows up multiple conversations on Clubhouse, with this episode focusing on the importance of telling stories with your art and career. He breaks it down into a handful of different levels of storytelling that range from back stories of the creation of specific art pieces to the stories we tell in building our own mythology as artists. Each type of s...

In this episode of The Living Artist, Preston discusses the art of creativity within a time constraint. We all experience the madness of life sometimes, but we still need to be able to create our art at our best in the window of time we have. Preston talks about developing the ability to trick your brain into fast-tracking your best creative self during a busy day, or even in a period of creative...

In this episode of The Living Artist, Preston takes a moment to celebrate the One Year Anniversary of the podcast! He thanks his listeners for making the podcast what it is today and also highlights some favorite achievements as well as announces a special new broadcast of The Living Artist on KSPC through Prison Arts Collective . He then shifts gears to talk about taking responsibility for some a...

In this episode of The Living Artist, Preston interviews Maryland based artist Rachel Alvarez . Rachel has a wonderful story that will resonate with many working artists. In this fun and informative conversation, Rachel shares with Preston her wonderful family history in the arts, her transition from artist to the corporate world, before diving back into painting with a vengeance, having two child...