What happens when you let yourself sit in the blank space...before the idea, before the plan, before the work even begins? In this episode, we’re talking about the void: that quiet, sometimes uncomfortable space where creativity starts to take shape. It’s not about forcing inspiration but learning to listen to what shows up when everything else goes still.
We’ll dig into why pauses matter, how to get comfortable with not knowing, and how that empty space can become the most honest part of your process.
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Welcome to NOvember. A month of choosing less so you can create more. In this episode, I talk about what happens when we stop saying yes to everything and start protecting our creative energy instead. It’s not about quitting or ghosting. It’s about clarity, boundaries, and making space for the work that matters. Let’s explore what shifts when you start saying no on purpose.
Life gets loud. Art can help you slow down. In this episode, we talk about using your creative time as a breathing space… a way to reset, refocus, and feel more like yourself again. You do not need hours or the perfect setup. Just a few minutes of making can bring a little calm back into your day.
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In this episode, we talk about slowing down. Not because you have to, but because your work deserves the time to become what it’s meant to be. “Slow Creation” is about learning to enjoy the pace of your own process instead of rushing to keep up with the world. We’ll explore what it really means to give your art breathing room, how to sit with unfinished work, and why slower projects often become the ones that stay with you the longest.
Whether you’re in the middle of a piece that’s taking its time or just need a reminder that art doesn’t have to be fast to be meaningful, this episode is here to help you reconnect with your process and trust your own timing.
In this episode of Art Life Plan, we’re talking about what happens when you try to plan your creativity a little too much. Every artist I know works differently. Some dive in with no plan at all and others can’t start until every detail is mapped out. Most of us live somewhere in between. I’ve been thinking a lot about how planning can help but also how it can get in the way. When does structure give you clarity and when does it start to drain the life out of your work? We’ll look at how to stay open to surprise, how to notice when your plan is holding you back, and what it feels like to let your process lead again.
What if you stopped worrying about how it all turns out? In this episode, we’re talking about what happens when you stop gripping your work so tightly and start trusting the process again. Letting go of outcomes doesn’t mean you don’t care...it means you make space for your art to surprise you. We’ll talk about the freedom that comes from releasing expectations, the calm that shows up when you stop chasing perfection, and how to create because it feels right, not because it has to prove anything.
It’s about loosening your hold… and letting the work lead for a while.
We don’t always get long studio days, but creativity can still thrive in the small windows of time that life gives us. In this episode, I talk about how to keep your practice alive in the margins, why those short bursts matter, and how they help you stay connected to your art even in the busiest seasons.
As artists we live in the tension between solitude and community. We need time alone to focus and hear our own ideas, but we also need the support and connection of others who understand what it means to build a creative life. In this episode I talk about how those two sides can work together instead of pulling us apart.
What stories do you tell yourself about your art? In this episode, I talk about the self-narratives that shape your creative life and how to start rewriting them so they leave more room for possibility.
Your art changes as you do. In this episode of Art Life Plan, I’m talking about how creativity shifts during life transitions...moves, new jobs, parenthood, loss, retirement, or any of the big moments that rearrange your world. Your themes, your pace, even your medium can evolve right alongside you, and that’s not a setback, it’s growth.
Every artist has subjects, moods, or ideas they avoid. Maybe they feel too personal, too intimidating, or just not like “you.” In this episode, I’m talking about what I call your art’s shadow side...the parts of yourself you keep out of your work, often without realizing it. We’ll look at why avoidance happens, how to notice it in your own practice, and practical ways to explore those themes without pressure. Stepping into your shadow side can open new creative possibilities, make your work feel more honest, and strengthen your resilience as an artist.
In this episode, I sit down with artist Alice Sheridan for a conversation about art, process, and the importance of community. Alice shares insights into her own creative practice and we talk about her Connected Artists group, a space designed to support artists as they grow their work and find connection along the way. If you’ve ever wondered how other artists navigate the balance of making art and staying connected, this episode is for you.
Alice's Website and Connect Artist Club information.
In this episode of Art Life Plan, I explore what it means to “listen to the work” and let your art guide you. You’ll learn simple techniques to step back, notice what your piece is asking for, and make stronger, more authentic work by staying open to the process.
What happens when you hit pause on purpose? Not because you’re burned out or stuck, but because you want to see your work differently.
In this episode, I talk about what it means to take a real break…the kind that gives your creativity space to breathe instead of shutting it down. I share how I’ve been experimenting with mindful breaks, why they actually build momentum, and why creative play can be one of the best ways to pause without feeling like you’ve abandoned your work. If you’ve been feeling scattered or restless (or guilty about not doing enough) this one’s for you.
This episode is about paying attention to the tools and materials you use every day in your creative work. How do you reach for them? How do you avoid them? And what does that say about your process? I share how my own relationship with materials shifted from “just getting the idea out” to letting the materials themselves shape the work.
We’ll talk about habits you might not even notice, why “saving the good paper” can hold you back, and how to reconnect with your tools in small, low-pressure ways. Whether you work with paint, clay, thread, or a digital stylus, this is about noticing how you show up when you createand what opens up when you do.
What happens when you stop focusing on finished pieces and start focusing on the process? In this episode, we explore the idea of art-making as an endless journey where creativity itself is the goal. I share how shifting from outcome-driven work to process-driven practice can open up your studio life, keep your ideas fresh, and help you reconnect with why you started making art in the first place. You’ll also hear practical tips for building a studio habit that values experimentation, play, and creative curiosity over perfection. Perfect for artists looking to recharge, find their flow, and rediscover joy in their work.
Let’s talk about perfection and why it can actually get in the way of making honest work. In this episode, I’m digging into how the little flaws—the things we usually try to hide or fix—are often what make a piece feel alive. I’m sharing some real examples from my own studio, what I’ve noticed in student work over the years, and why chasing polish can flatten your voice. If you’ve ever second-guessed a brushstroke, over-edited a piece, or felt pressure to make things look “right,” this is a reminder that the human parts of your art are often the most powerful.
What does it really mean to make honest work? In this episode, I'm digging into the idea of authenticity in your art practice—how to tell if your work truly reflects where you are, what gets in the way, and what to do when it doesn't feel quite like you. I’ll share thoughts from my own experience in the studio, ideas for checking in with your creative direction, and tips for reconnecting with the kind of work that actually feels right. Whether you're shifting styles, starting fresh, or just questioning what "authentic" even means, this one's for you.
What do artists owe the world… if anything? In this episode, I’m digging into the complicated question of whether artists have a moral or social responsibility when making work. Do you need to speak to current events? Should your art take a stand? Or is it enough to simply create honestly and let the work speak for itself? I’m sharing thoughts from both the studio and the classroom, plus a few practical ways to think through your own creative values and how your work fits into the bigger picture. Whether you’re an artist who likes to respond to the world or one who prefers to stay in your own lane, this one’s for you. Let’s talk about what it really means to make responsible work — on your own terms.
What happens to your art if no one ever sees it? In this episode, I’m talking about the quiet work... the things you make that live in your sketchbooks, your hard drives, or the corner of your studio. We’re digging into whether creativity needs an audience or if the act of making is enough on its own. I’ll share a bit about how I think through this in my own practice and offer some ideas for how you can protect your private work... even while navigating the world of sharing and selling. If you’ve ever felt torn between wanting to be seen and needing space to create just for you... you’re not alone. Let’s talk about it.