How do you know when your work is done? Or when you are done with a show, or a marketing plan or anything in your life? This episode is about asking the question, “Am I done with this?” We might lean on instinct or the natural conclusion our material, imagery, or design dictates to determine when a piece is finished but could the work benefit from a conscious questioning of its finished state? We’ll talk about how this can help you avoid overworking as well as underworking your pieces and how th...
Dec 08, 2024•37 min
Do you ever get asked why you create, especially if you don’t sell or otherwise do something with the finished work? Have you ever questioned your own reasons for the hard work and effort you put into learning and creating your art work? Today, I have a very simple answer to a question that can be complex and hard to understand for those who don’t have a particular creative passion. It not only helps others understand why you do what you do, but it can help you understand what draws you to the s...
Nov 24, 2024•27 min
Do you ask yourself “what if?” If you do ask yourself “what if” a lot, then you're not even going to have to think about the answer to that. If you have to think about the answer, then this is an episode for you. And even if you do ask yourself “what if?” a lot, maybe you don't ask it in all the ways that you can as an artist. So, let's look into this phrase and why asking “what if” can be the key to unlocking a lot of creative potential while breaking down creative blocks. - Leave a COMMENT: ht...
Nov 09, 2024•25 min
We measure ourselves by many things but mostly by others… how talented or successful others are and how others might see us. You might be surprised to find that your ultimate yardstick is literally in your own hands. Join me today for a chat about how we judge ourselves, compare others to ourselves, what we can do to avoid the missteps these views can cause, and to discover the yardstick that can not only improve your artwork but your artistic process and artistic life. - Leave a COMMENT: https:...
Oct 27, 2024•40 min
Are you the kind of artist that sets goals and chases them or are you a person who just prefers to dream and enjoy the process of making art? Or maybe you are somewhere in the middle? Most of us creatives are dreamers, and sometimes we get caught up in the dream but turning a dream into action and that action into reality can be quite a journey. Chasing those dreams can be risky and scary and so it’s no wonder a fair number of people don’t get past the dreaming stage. But for those who do, the l...
Oct 12, 2024•44 min
How do you approach your work’s flaws? Do you try to make everything as perfect as possible? Or do you like the imperfections in your work? Do you choose to leave them sometimes or do you resign yourself to the work not being perfect and live with it? If so, how do you live with it? Can you embrace the flaws or do they make you feel inadequate or embarrassed? The way we deal with flaws in our work can help or hinder our productivity and the joy we find in out art. Let’s talk about the ways to lo...
Sep 28, 2024•24 min
As creatives, we sometimes go through periods where we lack motivation or question our purpose to the extent that it is difficult to work. Why does this happen and are there things we can do to avoid it? Or is it something that actually needs to be avoided? I bring Brett (and both the dogs) into the studio with me this week to talk about these difficult periods of malaise and ennui and other things the French are so good at naming. We go through some of the common causes, ways to combat it, and ...
Sep 22, 2024•56 min
When you are up against something tricky or it’s something that you don’t have the skill for yet or it’s just find boring, how do you handle it? Do you look for ways to get around it, or maybe you plan to just not do that step, or maybe you give up on the project all together? Or do you look at it as a challenge or, at the very least, shrug and think, that’s just part of what I need to do to get this great result I’m so looking forward to? Find out why hard work is not always thought of as good ...
Sep 15, 2024•31 min
Do you consciously go looking for inspiration or is it usually serendipitous? Do you find inspiration mostly when you are adventuring out in the world, like on trips or day excursions, or is your source primarily online or in books or magazines? Maybe you find it in the people you know or your everyday world, the place you live and the things around you? Most importantly, how do you hold onto those inspirations so they’re ready for you when you need them? In this episode, I share with you a new ...
Sep 07, 2024•48 min
Is evolution and change something you strive for in your art or do you aim for steady, predictable work maybe in hopes of steady predictable sales? There is no right or wrong answer to that question, but as you will hear in this conversation with veteran artist Kathleen Dustin, there are advantages as well as risks involved in changing up your art and evolving as an artist. Come join Kathleen and I for a lively discussion on the subject as well as hearing stories of her creative journey and how ...
Jun 02, 2024•1 hr 15 min
We all use shortcuts sometimes. Some of use shortcuts a lot. But how do you know when using them is advantageous and when they put you at risk of missing out on a great experience or the full potential of your work? This little chat today goes over the true necessity of shortcuts and the sometimes unexpected things we miss out on when used imprudently. Take a break and kick back for this short but important little chat about the place of shortcuts in creative work. - Leave a COMMENT: https://the...
May 18, 2024•21 min
Have you ever tried to visualize the relationship of colors in three dimensions? It's not some fancy trick. It's actually fairly easy to do so with the right tools. My guest in this episode is Tracy Holmes, the creator of the Breakthrough Colour system. We're going to talk about what that system is and how the BTC concepts can help you create a better understanding and mastery of color. We'll also discuss the creation of color palettes as well as discuss the wonderful tools she has coming up to ...
May 05, 2024•1 hr 11 min
What is the first thing that comes to mind when you fail or fall short of your expectations? Are you hard on yourself? Do you get frustrated or have moments when you just want to give up? The fact is, most people do. It’s just part of the human experience but that doesn’t mean it’s not difficult or valid. What it is though, is something to be aware of and have a game plan for dealing with it so it doesn’t get in the way of enjoying your creative experience, or any life experience! That’s what I’...
Apr 19, 2024•38 min
Have you struggled with creating color palettes or even just deciding what colors go well together? Today’s chat is a real eye-opener, breaking through the restrictive, although not wholly useless, traditional color schemes to unveil the simple reason why some colors go together better than others and how to unerringly identify what colors work well in combination and why others don’t. Pull out a CMY color wheel, if you have one, so you can visually play along or bring this one up on your screen...
Apr 06, 2024•36 min
We talk a lot about not giving up in our societies. We talk about persistence and all the ways that you can accomplish and finish things, but how often do we talk about the importance of setting things aside when they aren't fulfilling our needs? In this episode, I’ll speak about why giving up can be a really great thing to do, when it is the right choice, and how to figure out whether persisting or setting aside particular pieces, projects, or goals is the right thing for you. Because sometimes...
Mar 24, 2024•45 min
Does color theory and color mixing ever just make you feel stupid? Have you felt like there's a secret to understanding and working with color that just hasn't been revealed to you yet? Well, today, I'm going to demystify the concept of color and give you a very straightforward and rather fun way to understand and work with color that'll show you that, all along, it wasn't you. It was the system! By the end of this podcast, you'll know why color has been difficult to mix and how to mix with cont...
Mar 10, 2024•43 min
What kind of rituals do you use to start, end, or otherwise use to shift to or from a creative state of mind? Are you aware that you have rituals, or do you even have any? Brett and I got into an intense discussion about this over lunch one day and just popped into the studioto record it for you. Come join us as we explore and learn to appreciate the acts that we use to get into, wrap up, or shift gears for a creative session. - Contact my guest: Brett Varon - https://www.instagram.com/brett.var...
Feb 26, 2024•39 min
How and why do you arrange the elements in your artwork the way you do? Sure, you can just put it down so it “looks good” but did you know that you can direct your viewer and add to the experience and feel of your work through intentional arrangements? With a few guidelines and an understanding of how people take in visual work, you can lead the viewer through your art to give them specific experiences and enrich what you are sharing with them. In this episode, learn about some of these guiding ...
Feb 11, 2024•35 min
Are you an original thinker? Do you have a mindset that focuses on what’s needed or on what everyone else is doing? Those are the questions Sage aims to help you, not just answer, but give you an understanding of what original thinking really means, why you need it, and how to create an original thinking mindset from a few simple questions. ‘ Don’t miss this essential discussion for all creatives who want to stand out and live their very best version of success. - Leave a COMMENT: https://thesag...
Feb 04, 2024•37 min
How do you define success for yourself as a creative? Is success even something you want to be thinking about? In this enlightening conversation, Brett and I dig down into the concept of success, the various ways to measure it, the deceptive goal of happiness, and how to track your version of success so that you can be and feel truly, well, successful in your creative life. Contact my guest: Brett Varon: www.instagram.com/brett.varon/ - Leave a COMMENT: https://thesagearts.com/episodes/ - CONTAC...
Jan 22, 2024•49 min
We’re diving into the wonderful world of composition here, especially the composition you already instinctively know, if you know what to listen for. We’ll talk about focal points, grids and guidelines, and classic compositional approaches but mostly, this is about your awareness of how you arrange elements in your work and the effect it has on your viewer. Come join me for the first installment of this two-parter on the wonderful and beautiful world of Other Resources mentioned: Fibonacci squar...
Jan 13, 2024•43 min
Do you have ready access to your child side? Do you often create just to amuse yourself or do you find you are primarily motivated and maybe get lost in your obligations to other people or a sense of being of service to other people and the betterment of our world in general? As you'll hear, none of these approaches are exclusive of each other but sometimes the balance between taking care of ourselves and taking care of others, attending to our needs in order to better attend to others, kind of ...
Jan 07, 2024•54 min
Let’s talk about the relationship between beauty and art. How are they related? Are they synonymous? Is all art supposed to be beautiful? I’ll answer these questions and much more as we take a deep dive into what beauty has to do with art, why we as humans seek it out, the different types of beauty to be found in our work and process, and how to use this understanding to guide your creative career or journey. Just a little something to help with the planning for the New Year! Other Resources men...
Dec 23, 2023•36 min
How much are you influenced by others in your artwork and do you think it helps or hinders or is just kind of a neutral aspect of your interaction with the people and world beyond your studio? I’d like to put forth an argument for being a lone wolf. When you try to belong there is a danger that your efforts are made and your focus is determined by the pack mentality. The Lone Wolf, on the other hand, finds its own path, discovers things in its less intrusive, less disruptive and quieter steps. T...
Dec 09, 2023•37 min
After a little break, I’m back with a new design focus for you… the concept of Space. I go over the wide range of implications from positive and negative space, to boundaries and limitations, to the mental and temporal space all creatives need for a fulfilling artistic experience. I’ll also touch on the ideas of composition and just defining the difference between design, composition, and space to unmuddle the imperfect but immenstly useful concepts that make up the elements and principles of de...
Nov 11, 2023•35 min
How often, when you are creating something, do you ask yourself “What kind of texture do I want?” Or, more importantly, “Why did I choose this texture?” I think we can all agree that texture is an extremely important part of all types of arts and crafts, but why do you choose a smooth texture versus a rough texture? Or a simple texture versus a busy one? What is that mysterious decision making process that goes on subconsciously in your very own brain? October is texture month, at least in the w...
Oct 08, 2023•31 min
For Episode #42, I couldn't go small. This had to be the answer to life, the universe, and everything (nod to my fellow nerds out there who get the reference.) But seriously, this is a really full, rich episode contemplating everything from the source of our unique voice to how to process inspiration to combating the overwhelming noise of today's modern world. In this essential discussion, I break down the difference between our source of artistic creativity versus sources of inspiration, why ac...
Sep 23, 2023•49 min
What is your relationship with simplicity in your creative endeavors? Have you ever explored the many advantages of learning to create simple pieces, even if it’s just for practice or exploratory work? Well, whether you have or not, you can get a lot out of this conversation come with ideas about how to recognize the essence of your work through the ideas of simplicity, how to apply it to your exploratory practice comma and even your everyday life period. Join Sage for this very heartfelt solo c...
Sep 16, 2023•31 min
Do you find any aspect of your art making process easy or are you looking for ways to make it easier, simpler, looking for shortcuts, and why? And in what area do you do that? In this episode, Brett and I wander through the highs and lows of the artistic struggle, try to define art itself, and work on defining when, if ever, we should be looking for easier ways to create and what that could mean for our growth and joy in the artistic process. - Leave a COMMENT: https://thesagearts.com/episodes/ ...
Sep 09, 2023•55 min
What is the role of shape and form in your art? Do you have standard shapes and forms that you find you default to or are you constantly searching for the right ones? Join me in this third installment of my design lessons series for an overview of an often sidelined couple of elements—shape and form. I’ll talk about how to define them, what they can add to your work, and ways to think beyond the usual forms and shapes you may think you have no choice in. Find out how to hone your familiarity wit...
Sep 02, 2023•28 min
