What does it mean to build a creative practice that’s both intentional and evolving?

In this episode of The Magic Hour Podcast, I sit down with Pennylane Shen—artist consultant, educator, and founder of Dazed and Confucius—for a grounded conversation about visual identity, creative burnout, and redefining what success looks like as a working artist today.

We explore how Pennylane’s consulting work has shaped the careers of thousands of artists, the invisible pressure creatives feel to constantly produce, and how to find your visual voice without getting lost in the noise. From breaking away from the traditional gallery path to embracing structure in your play, this episode is packed with thoughtful insights for visual artists trying to make honest, impactful work in 2025.

🎧 In this episode, we talk about:

⚡ Burnout, shame, and the pressure to constantly “do more” as an artist

⚡ Why trusting your intuition is a business strategy too

⚡ The importance of deadlines, structure, and permission to play

⚡ What it really means to find your visual voice (and how to start)

⚡ Disrupting the myth of gallery validation and what success can look like in 2025

⚡ The rise of artist coaches, and how Pennylane’s approach is different

Pennylane speaks candidly about what it really means to build a values-led business in the creative world—and why slowing down, making “bad” art, and trusting the process are essential parts of the journey. No matter what chapter you’re in, this episode offers the grounding you didn’t know you needed.

🎧 Listen to the Magic Hour Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you tune in.

📖 Read the full show notes and transcript at unicornmarketingco.ca/podcast

📝 This episode is sponsored by Shopify—the all-in-one e-commerce platform we recommend for bold, product-based brands. Ready to launch or level up your shop? Start your free trial today!

📝 This episode is sponsored by Later—your social media sidekick. Plan, schedule, post, and write captions with the help of AI and check your analytics all in one place. Try it free for 14 days using this link.

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