That “lost” feeling? It’s not a problem. It’s the process. Today kicks off a special series I’ve been quietly building behind the scenes for a while now. It’s called the CREATE Spiral , and it’s a new framework I’ve developed to help artists understand why we get stuck and how to move forward—gently, without shame, and without needing to have it all figured out. In this first episode, we’re talking about the very first phase of the spiral: Curiosity . If you’ve been in a fog, wondering why nothi...
Jul 10, 2025•18 min•Ep. 350
JD Wissler 1963-2025 This is a re-broadcast of an episode from August 2015. JD was an incredible painter and a beautiful soul. Go outside. Look up. Be in awe of what you see. ❤️ Support the show
Jul 04, 2025•1 hr 15 min•Ep. 349
You ever look at another artist and think, “Ugh—I wish I had their confidence”? That thing they just seem to have —like it came standard and yours got left out? Yeah. Let’s talk about that. This week’s episode breaks down the myth that confidence is something you’re either born with or not. I’ll show you how confidence works more like painting—something you build, refine, and grow with each stroke (even the messy ones). Whether you’re struggling to price your work, share it online, or just get y...
Jul 03, 2025•25 min•Ep. 348
Today, we’re talking about something that every artist encounters—but few talk about openly: rejection. Whether it’s a juried show, a gallery application, or simply putting your work on social media, the fear of hearing “no” often holds artists back in big ways. But here’s the truth: rejection isn’t the problem. It’s the meaning we attach to it that creates so much pain and paralysis. Antrese breaks down: Why rejection feels so intense—and why that’s totally normal The science behind the physica...
Jun 06, 2025•24 min•Ep. 347
Have you ever been so immersed in your painting that you completely lost track of time? That magical moment where everything clicks, the inner critic goes quiet, and it feels like the brush is moving on its own? That’s what we’re diving into today—flow state. But here’s the twist: is flow always a good thing? Or can it actually hold you back from experimenting and growing as an artist? In this episode, I’m bringing you inside Growth Studio for a real, unfiltered conversation with artists who are...
May 29, 2025•48 min•Ep. 346
Do you often feel guilty or frustrated when you see a piece of unfinished art in your studio? Instead of seeing that as proof of something wrong with you or your art practice, let’s transform your relationship with your works-in-progress and unlock new (and often overlooked) possibilities! In this episode of the Savvy Painter Podcast , learn how unfinished work holds the key to your next creative breakthrough. I explore the various types of incomplete pieces and the emotional baggage attached to...
Apr 17, 2025•34 min•Ep. 345
Art is inherently slow. It demands time, thought, and presence, so embracing that slowness is essential for creating meaningful work and maintaining your artistic well-being. Yet, many artists feel behind in their art journey because they’re not producing fast enough. In this episode of the Savvy Painter Podcast , I’ll challenge the idea that faster is better in the art world. You’ll discover how hustle culture distorts our perception of the artistic process and get a refreshing perspective that...
Apr 10, 2025•22 min•Ep. 344
Does staring at a blank canvas sometimes cause you to question your abilities? Many artists (even those you admire) struggle with self-doubt and imposter syndrome, and the current chaotic world only amplifies those feelings. But what if the only thing holding you back is the mere thought that you aren’t an artist? In this episode of the Savvy Painter Podcast , we’ll dismantle the myth of the "real" artist and explore why waiting to embody this ideal is a waste of time. You’ll discover how impost...
Apr 03, 2025•28 min•Ep. 343
Why does your art matter when the world feels heavy, uncertain, or even chaotic? If you’ve ever found yourself asking, “Who am I to create right now?”—you’re not alone. But that might be the wrong question. In this episode of the Savvy Painter Podcast , we’re talking about what it means to make art during difficult times. If you’re an artist feeling disconnected, stuck, or unsure whether your work even matters right now, this conversation is for you. We’ll look at why creative burnout is so comm...
Mar 27, 2025•25 min•Ep. 342
How often have you heard phrases like, “Go big or go home,” or “Just put yourself out there”? Society loves to advocate for taking big risks. Yet too many end up freezing or avoiding risk-taking entirely when the leap they’re being asked to make feels too big for them. Thankfully, there’s a middle ground between taking a big risk and taking no risks at all. In this episode of The Savvy Painter Podcast , I’ll show you the power of taking small, controlled risks to build your confidence and gradua...
Mar 20, 2025•26 min•Ep. 341
When things don’t go your way in your art practice, what do you do? Like many artists, you might beat yourself up with lots of self-criticism and judgment. You’d be better off creating the habit of having your own back instead. That way, you’ll actually speed up your progress and not look back a year from now with regret that you’re still stuck in the same place. In this episode of The Savvy Painter Podcast , I’ll reveal exactly what having your own back looks like, why it’s a crucial skill you ...
Mar 13, 2025•28 min•Ep. 340
Your brain automatically runs scripts on repeat. But are those scripts helping you or playing like mini horror movies in your head? With the right mental rehearsal approach, you can create scenarios that help turn around any unsatisfactory results of your art practice. In this episode of The Savvy Painter Podcast , we’re going to get into what mental rehearsal is and why it’s one of the most powerful, yet underutilized tools for artists. You’ll discover how you’re always mentally practicing some...
Mar 06, 2025•24 min•Ep. 339
Is the problem really your art—or just how you’re looking at it? We’ve all been there. You step back from something you’ve just created, and your brain instantly goes, “Ugh, this is awful.” Maybe even, “What if people see this and think I have no idea what I’m doing?” That little voice in your head? It’s not just being dramatic, it’s actively sabotaging you. In this episode of The Savvy Painter Podcast , we’re digging into how your brain warps your perception of your own work, why that inner cri...
Feb 27, 2025•23 min•Ep. 338
Do you ever feel anxious or freeze up when someone asks about your work? You want people to see and love your art, but talking about it can feel overwhelming. And if you struggle to talk about your art, you might miss opportunities to connect with potential buyers. In this episode of The Savvy Painter Podcast , we’re diving into why learning to talk about your art is so important. I’ll share how your words can shape the way collectors experience your work, what it really costs to stay silent, an...
Feb 20, 2025•30 min•Ep. 337
As a kid, did you wish you were like Cinderella and had a fairy godmother who could just wave her magic wand and president you with whatever you wished? Unfortunately, this idea of a fairy tale character coming to save the day is every bit as fantastical as the art police scenario talked about last week. Just as no one is coming to arrest you, no one is coming to save you, either. In this episode of The Savvy Painter podcast, you’ll learn how to be the hero of your own story instead and give you...
Feb 13, 2025•29 min•Ep. 336
Do you believe that if you think outside of the box and actually apply that thinking to your work that the art police will come to arrest you or take away your brushes? As absurd as that seems, refusing to follow your instincts as an artist because of your fear of negative nancy voices still has the same effect on you. You’re so worried about doing everything “by the book” that it causes you to question your decisions and your work, to the point where you stop yourself from doing it. So in this ...
Feb 06, 2025•28 min•Ep. 335
Noticing the small wins you’ve gained can have a big impact on your practice as an artist. That insight was what I loved hearing about most in my conversation with Leslie Rae Cannon, an artist from Atlanta, Georgia and a member of Growth Studio. She graduated with an art degree from Presbyterian College, and now as an empty-nester has traded in carpools and play-dates for canvases and paint brushes. In this episode of The Savvy Painter podcast, you’ll learn how small wins have helped Leslie grow...
Jan 30, 2025•55 min•Ep. 334
Do you feel a twinge of anxiety or regret settle in after you’ve set a goal? It’s similar to how people often feel after making a big purchase. You get really excited about your goal, only to feel this wave of doubt sink in. I call this goal phenomenon “goal remorse.” In this episode of The Savvy Painter podcast, we’ll dive deeper into what goal remorse is and why it pops up. I’ll also give you some tips to calm the overthinking of your goal, help you feel good about your decision, and stay on t...
Jan 23, 2025•30 min•Ep. 333
Setting goals isn’t just about the end result; it’s also about personal growth and transformation. You feel disappointed and perhaps like you’re spinning your wheels a bit when you don’t achieve what you’ve set out to do. And a struggle to decide the ‘right' goal for you might be getting in the way of that feeling of satisfaction, happiness, and pride in your art practice. So how do you choose if you have a million ideas and feel like you can’t pick just one to go with? In this episode of The Sa...
Jan 16, 2025•31 min•Ep. 332
There’s an affliction going around lately within artistic circles. You might be experiencing it too, even if it’s just a small voice or whisper in the back of your head. The affliction is the thought that, “My art doesn’t matter”. Now, your immediate reaction might be to refute this and tell yourself, “Of course it matters/” And I agree and am here to remind you that, yes, your art does matter. But this constant nagging doubt could make you feel like an art practice isn’t worth having after all....
Jan 09, 2025•29 min•Ep. 331
Money and pricing your art can feel like tricky, even uncomfortable topics, but they’re also some of the most powerful conversations we can have as artists. Why? Because our beliefs about money and pricing often run deep and show up in ways we don’t even realize. They influence how we value our art, how we show up for it, and ultimately, how we create a practice that truly supports and sustains us. In this final roundtable episode of The Savvy Painter Podcast , I’m joined by Growth Studio member...
Jan 02, 2025•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 330
As artists, we go through several phases on our way to creating pieces. It all starts with this period of play and discovery that I call the exploratory phase, and to talk about it with me are Growth Studio members Sabrina Setaro, Alyssa Marquez, and Jess Fredrick. In this roundtable episode of The Savvy Painter Podcast , you’ll go on a deep dive into the first stage of artistic creation: the exploratory phase. Sabrina, Alyssa, Fredick, and I will discuss what happens in this stage and what they...
Dec 26, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 329
Welcome to another roundtable series! This time I’m joined by Growth Studio members Louisa Jornayvaz, Braighlee Rainey, Jack Wray, and Elisabeth Svendby in a discussion about finding your voice as an artist. In this episode of The Savvy Painter Podcast , you’ll learn about what it means to find your voice and ways you can connect with it. You’ll also get personal insights into how the participants’ have connected with their voice and how it brings meaning into their artistic practice. 1:37 - Bra...
Dec 19, 2024•1 hr•Ep. 328
It’s one thing to have an interest in creating art or putting something on canvas. It’s another to see yourself as an artist and have an artistic practice. What’s a difference-maker between those who do and those who don’t? Creative confidence, and to talk about it, I’m joined by Growth Studio members Alyssa Marquez, Merrie Koehlert, and Andrew Rea in another roundtable series. In this episode of The Savvy Painter Podcast , you’ll learn about the concept of creative confidence, its impact on art...
Dec 12, 2024•55 min•Ep. 327
If the word critique makes you tense up, this episode is for you. This isn’t a conversation about “fixing” your paintings or performing for approval. It’s about learning to see your own work more clearly —and how the right kind of critique can be the fastest path to creative confidence. I brought three Growth Studio artists— Beverly Woodhall, Elisabeth Svendby, and Sabrina Setaro —to talk about what actually happens when you put your work in front of someone else. The nerves, the breakthroughs, ...
Dec 05, 2024•51 min•Ep. 326
Perfectionism can show up in your studio and throughout your practice in many ways. Some are obvious, and others not so much. But what perfectionism looks like is often difficult to clearly define; the best way to illustrate it is by contrasting it with mastery. In the final episode of this four-part live series on The Savvy Painter Podcast , you’ll learn about the concepts of perfectionism and mastery and explore the different behaviors they can cause. I’ll also provide insight into how to reco...
Nov 28, 2024•52 min•Ep. 325
Many artists have a tricky relationship with money. The stories we tell ourselves about money can create hidden barriers to pricing and selling our work with confidence. By shining a light on these beliefs, you’ll find a path to transforming your approach to money—and building a more sustainable, abundant art practice. In part three of this live event series on The Savvy Painter Podcast , we’re exploring some common money myths that can hold artists back. Together with a few participants, we’ll ...
Nov 21, 2024•58 min•Ep. 324
You have an inner critic blocking or interfering with your ability to fully trust in yourself and your art. That harshly critical internal voice thinks it’s doing you a favor. It thinks it’s protecting you. Yet, it says things to you that you wouldn’t dare say to a loved one or friend. So let’s take the microphone away from your inner critic and hand it to the higher self that’s been patiently waiting to speak through you. It’s time to trust in your creative process and yourself as an artist. In...
Nov 14, 2024•45 min•Ep. 324
As an artist, you might have been taught (implicitly or explicitly) that your work doesn’t matter. Many artists I’ve worked with have heard it in school, at home, and in the media. Yet, your work as an artist does matter. It can help others feel, connect, and demonstrate the beauty of the world and the human experience. But only when you’re centered, present, and confident in your creative process do you allow that potential impact to flourish. In this episode of The Savvy Painter podcast, you’l...
Nov 07, 2024•56 min•Ep. 322
Have you been experimenting with your paint colors lately? Do you wonder about different colors and the best way to mix them? Well, you’re in luck! Robert Gamblin and product manager Scott Gellatly are here to answer more of your questions in our special color episode! In this episode of The Savvy Painter podcast, you’ll learn about the pigments used in modern paints, the emotional content of a color, what makes student grade paints “student grade,” the best paints to use for plein air painting,...
Oct 31, 2024•1 hr 27 min•Ep. 321
