On this episode of The Adventures in Arting Podcast, Julie and Eileen dive into the often uncomfortable—but absolutely essential—topic of critique in the creative process. From school report cards to artistic peer reviews, Julie & Eileen explore how feedback shapes our growth, why it sometimes hurts, and how to develop a healthier, more productive relationship with it.



This episode is part of the current My Art Practice cycle theme: “Banishing Fear”—and critique is a major fear point for many artists.



Topics Covered:




* What an art practice is and how critique fits into it



* Personal stories of critiques that stung (and stuck)



* The difference between subjective opinion vs. objective feedback



* Ego vs. Openness: two sides of receiving critique



* How to process feedback without taking it personally



* Why even “positive” critique can feel negative



* Recognizing when critique is helpful vs. harmful



* Physical/emotional responses to critique (yes, it can literally hurt!)



* Tips for giving and receiving better critiques



* The “shopping cart” metaphor for feedback Julie swears by



* How to use critique to accelerate your creative growth




Key Takeaways For You:




* Critique is not criticism—it’s a tool for insight and evolution.



* Your emotional reaction to critique may be more about your own doubts than the feedback itself.



* Feedback can hurt, but growth almost always involves a little friction.



* Openness is a mindset that will help you filter, adapt, and improve.





Links:




* Make a Contribution to keep the podcast going: PayPal.Me/balzerdesigns



* Sign up for the Friday FREE newsletter: https://forms.feedblitz.com/bco 



* Monthly Membership: https://www.myartpractice.com/



* Take an online class: https://balzerdesigns.com/Classroom/



* Shop: https://www.juliebalzer.com/shop.html 



* Let’s connect on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/balzerdesigns/ 



* Favorite Things: https://www.amazon.com/shop/balzerdesigns 




Thanks for listening and subscribing!

In This Episode:



Julie and Eileen dig into how artists can define who they are, what they offer, and why people should follow or support them. Whether you’re writing an artist bio, pitching a class, or just figuring yourself out—this episode gives you the language and tools to clarify your creative identity.



You’ll learn:




* Why defining your identity is key—even if you’re “just” a hobbyist



* The difference between personal identity and creative branding



* How to write bios for different platforms (professional, casual, reflective)



* Julie’s 3-part identity framework: Who you are, what you offer, and why people should stick around



* How to find your “special sauce” (and believe that you have one)





Links:




* Make a Contribution to keep the podcast going: PayPal.Me/balzerdesigns



* Sign up for the Friday FREE newsletter: https://forms.feedblitz.com/bco 



* Monthly Membership: https://www.myartpractice.com/



* Take an online class: https://balzerdesigns.com/Classroom/



* Shop: https://www.juliebalzer.com/shop.html 



* Let’s connect on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/balzerdesigns/ 



* Favorite Things: https://www.amazon.com/shop/balzerdesigns 




Thanks for listening and subscribing!

In this episode, Julie and Eileen explore how frameworks can transform your creative process from scattered to sustainable. Discover why the best artists—from jazz musicians to painters—use structure to fuel, not restrict, their creativity. 



Learn how to: 




* Overcome blank page paralysis 



* Use the “P.E.E.” method (Practice, Experiment, Embrace) 



* Improve your work with the Art Parts method 



* Apply design tools like the Rule of Thirds 



* Build your own sustainable creative process 




Whether you’re a hobbyist or pro, this episode offers practical tools and a fresh mindset to support your artistic growth. 

Episode 167: 10 Questions to Catch Up and Spark Creativity



Welcome back to the Adventures in Arting podcast! After a much-needed hiatus, we’re diving back in with an episode designed to help you reboot your creative engine—whether you’ve taken a break from art, podcasting, or anything else.



In this episode, we’re sharing 10 thoughtful questions that can guide you through a creative reset. The questions are arranged along the natural arc of the creative journey: Reflection → Inspiration → Action.



Listen in as we:




* Catch up on what’s been keeping us busy



* Reflect on the value of breaks and self-awareness



* Share what’s been inspiring us (including toddlers, crossbody bags, and Henry Moore sculptures)



* Explore how to overcome creative “pebbles”—those little roadblocks that get in the way



* Talk about finding joy in the everyday and reframing productivity



* Chat about how personal experiences shape our art




Whether you’re looking to get back into a daily arting habit or reignite your passion for your art practice, this episode offers a mix of practical strategies and personal stories to help you move forward creatively.



—-> My Art Practice Members: A downloadable PDF of the 10 Questions is available in the online classroom.



Want to go deeper in your art practice? Join our community at MyArtPractice.com, where we create, connect, and thrive together.



If you enjoyed the episode, please share it with a friend, leave a review, or tag us on social media @balzerdesigns. Thanks for listening—and we’ll see you next time!




Links:




* Make a Contribution to keep the podcast going: PayPal.Me/balzerdesigns



* Sign up for the Friday FREE newsletter: https://forms.feedblitz.com/bco 



* Monthly Membership: https://www.myartpractice.com/



* Take an online class: https://balzerdesigns.com/Classroom/



* Shop: https://www.juliebalzer.com/shop.html 



* Let’s connect on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/balzerdesigns/ 



* Favorite Things: https://www.amazon.com/shop/balzerdesigns 




Thanks for listening and subscribing!

Episode Summary:



Welcome back to Adventures in Arting! After a long break, we’re diving back into inspiring conversations about creativity, art practice, and the artistic journey. In this episode, Julie interviews award-winning mixed media artist and instructor, Mary Correa. Mary shares her journey from corporate trainer to full-time artist, her approach to building a creative business, and her insights into branding, teaching, and running artist retreats.






About Our Guest:



Mary Correa is a mixed media artist and instructor dedicated to helping others find their creativity.






Her work has been featured in Somerset Studio, Cloth Paper Scissors Magazine, and more.






She is the founder of Artish Creative Retreats, an immersive three-day art retreat experience based in Central Florida.






Mary has taught throughout Florida and in international online classes.






In This Episode, We Discuss:




* The evolution of Mary’s art journey and how she transitioned into being a full-time artist.



* How teaching became an unexpected but essential part of her creative career.



* The importance of branding and how it plays a role in building a recognizable art practice.



* The balance between personal art practice and art education.



* Her experience working on a solo exhibit and the lessons learned from seeing her work in a series.



* Insights into running Artish Creative Retreats and the importance of building community.



* The role of rituals in an artist’s daily practice and how small habits can help creativity flow.




Resources & Links:




* Connect with Mary Correa: MaryCorreaStudios.com



* Follow Mary on Instagram: @MaryCorreaStudios



* Learn about Artish Creative Retreats: MaryCorreaStudios.com/retreats



* Join My Art Practice and be part of a supportive art community: MyArtPractice.com




Stay Connected with Julie:




* Website: JulieBalzer.com



* Instagram: @BalzerDesigns



* Subscribe to Julie’s Weekly Newsletter: Sign Up Here




Support the Podcast:



If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a review, sharing it on social media, or telling a friend. Your support helps us continue to bring inspiring conversations to you.



Thanks for listening,

Episode Title: Organizing Small SpacesPodcast: Adventures in Arting with Julie Fei-Fan BalzerHosts: Julie Fei-Fan Balzer & Eileen Hsu-Balzer







Episode Summary:In this episode, Julie and her mom, Eileen, dive into practical strategies for organizing small art spaces. They explore ways to maximize creative space, whether you’re working in a tiny apartment, a shared living area, or a dedicated studio. Julie shares her own experiences—from her NYC apartments to her current attic studio—and offers flexible storage solutions, organization tips, and advice on making the most of every inch of space.



What You’ll Learn in This Episode:✔️ Mindset shifts for working in a small space✔️ Flexible and space-saving furniture ideas✔️ Vertical storage, pegboards, rolling carts, and other smart solutions✔️ How to choose and manage your art supplies efficiently✔️ Why a “healthy” art space matters (lighting, ventilation, and ergonomics)✔️ Creative ways to declutter and make room for more art-making



Resources & Links Mentioned:




* My Art Practice – myartpractice.com



* Julie’s blog – https://blog.balzerdesigns.com/



* Instagram: @BalzerDesigns



* Article from Curbed: “When Your Art Studio is Also Your Apartment”



* Julie’s YouTube video on workstations




Help the Podcast Grow!If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review, share it on social media, or tell a friend!

On this podcast (recorded over three weeks), I share my highs and lows, break throughs and frustrations with a drawing class I’m taking at the Danforth Art Museum in Framingham, MA.



Overall, this experience reminded me that the creative process often involves pushing beyond simple exercises. It’s about synthesis — connecting ideas — and allowing for unexpected discoveries. The key is to continually experiment and to lean into the structure of your art practice for support.




Links:




* Tip the Artist: PayPal.Me/balzerdesigns



* Sign up for the Friday FREE newsletter: https://forms.feedblitz.com/bco 



* Monthly Membership: https://www.myartpractice.com/



* Take an online class: https://balzerdesigns.com/Classroom/



* Shop: https://www.juliebalzer.com/shop.html 



* Let’s connect on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/balzerdesigns/ 



* Favorite Things: https://www.amazon.com/shop/balzerdesigns 




Thanks for listening and subscribing!

An Artwork Statement is a piece of writing that gives context to a specific artwork. It often explains the meaning, inspiration, techniques, and context behind a specific artwork or series. Your statement may address the materials used, the process, and the narrative or concept behind the piece.



The purpose is to provide deeper insight into a particular piece, helping viewers connect with and understand the specific artwork on a more intimate level. It often accompanies the artwork in exhibitions, galleries, or online platforms.



On the podcast, Mom and I give you lots of tips for how you can write amazing artwork statements!




Links:




* Tip the Artist: PayPal.Me/balzerdesigns



* Sign up for the Friday FREE newsletter: https://forms.feedblitz.com/bco 



* Monthly Membership: https://www.myartpractice.com/



* Take an online class: https://balzerdesigns.com/Classroom/



* Shop: https://www.juliebalzer.com/shop.html 



* Let’s connect on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/balzerdesigns/ 



* Favorite Things: https://www.amazon.com/shop/balzerdesigns 




Thanks for listening and subscribing!

This episode covers the Adventures in Arting podcast’s origin story, technical challenges, evolution, ups and downs, and the significance of surpassing 21 episodes, and most importantly: a bit about Mom’s upbringing and relationship to art. ​



And as always, you get to enjoy the dynamic between us — our banter, shared experiences, and future plans for the podcast. ​ The podcast blends personal anecdotes, technical insights, and reflections on the growth and dedication that drive us both!




Links:




* Tip the Artist: PayPal.Me/balzerdesigns



* Sign up for the Friday FREE newsletter: https://forms.feedblitz.com/bco 



* Monthly Membership: https://www.myartpractice.com/



* Take an online class: https://balzerdesigns.com/Classroom/



* Shop: https://www.juliebalzer.com/shop.html 



* Let’s connect on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/balzerdesigns/ 



* Favorite Things: https://www.amazon.com/shop/balzerdesigns 




Thanks for listening and subscribing!

From her home in northern British Columbia, Canada, through her video lessons on her website and YouTube, Angela Fehr has created a community of watercolor lovers that spans the globe.






She wants every painter to know the freedom of fearless self expression and she has made it her mission to share this empowering message through lessons in heart-prioritizing watercolour technique and loose intuitive painting.






More than anything she demonstrates that the most important thing you bring to your art is you.







On the podcast we discuss Angela’s art journey and why she does what she does.






Find Angela Online:




* https://angelafehr.com



* Online Courses at https://www.heartledartist.com



* https://instagram.com/angelfehr



* https://youtube.com/angelfehr



* https://facebook.com/angelafehrartist





Links:




* Tip the Artist: PayPal.Me/balzerdesigns



* Sign up for the Friday FREE newsletter: https://forms.feedblitz.com/bco 



* Monthly Membership: https://www.myartpractice.com/



* Take an online class: https://balzerdesigns.com/Classroom/



* Shop: https://www.juliebalzer.com/shop.html 



* Let’s connect on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/balzerdesigns/ 



* Favorite Things: https://www.amazon.com/shop/balzerdesigns 




Thanks for listening and subscribing!

Today on the podcast we’re chatting about Growth Mindset vs. Fixed Mindset:



Growth Mindset:




* Definition: A growth mindset is the belief that abilities and intelligence can be developed with effort, learning, and persistence.



* Characteristics: Embracing challenges, persisting through setbacks, seeing effort as a path to mastery, learning from criticism, and finding inspiration in others’ success.



* Example: A person with a growth mindset will likely believe that they can improve their painting skills through practice and learning.




Fixed Mindset:




* Definition: A fixed mindset is the belief that abilities and intelligence are static traits that cannot be significantly developed.



* Characteristics: Avoiding challenges, giving up easily, seeing effort as fruitless, ignoring useful feedback, and feeling threatened by others’ success.



* Example: A person with a fixed mindset might believe that they are either naturally talented at painting or not, and no amount of practice can change that.




Be sure to listen to the podcast where I share 10 Fixed Mindset Statements (such as “I can’t draw”) that you can easily transform to Growth Mindset Statements (such as “I don’t know how to draw yet, but I can improve my drawing skills with practice and dedication.”)




Links:




* Tip the Artist: PayPal.Me/balzerdesigns



* Sign up for the Friday FREE newsletter: https://forms.feedblitz.com/bco 



* Monthly Membership: https://www.myartpractice.com/



* Take an online class: https://balzerdesigns.com/Classroom/



* Shop: https://www.juliebalzer.com/shop.html 



* Let’s connect on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/balzerdesigns/ 



* Favorite Things: https://www.amazon.com/shop/balzerdesigns 




Thanks for listening and subscribing!

Lydia Leonard left this comment on my YouTube channel:



“I’ve been following you for years and always marvel at your genius! Moving walls? So smart! I sort of have the same thing but I have a hard time putting everything back where it belongs! I’ve been trying to reorganize but I get distracted by all the cool things I find. Do you have any focusing ideas to keep me motivated?“



Specific to her magpie issue, which is also an issue I have, is the notion of “future me.”  I do things for future me.



“Tomorrow me will love that this is all put away. Tomorrow me will be glad that I did this today.”



But I thought we could wander into a larger conversation about focus.  One of the tenets of my art practice is “consistency.”  I think consistency and focus are deeply intertwined.




* Focus is a point of concentration. 2. : directed attention : emphasis.   



* Consistency is conformity in the application of something, typically that which is necessary for the sake of logic, accuracy, or fairness. 




Consistency is running a steady 6 minute mile during a marathon.  Focus is thinking about your breathing, the finish line, how your body is moving.



All of that is to say that focus is part of consistency and consistency requires focus. On the podcast, we talk about why focus matters to an artist.




Links:




* Tip the Artist: PayPal.Me/balzerdesigns



* Sign up for the Friday FREE newsletter: https://forms.feedblitz.com/bco 



* Monthly Membership: https://www.myartpractice.com/



* Take an online class: https://balzerdesigns.com/Classroom/



* Shop: https://www.juliebalzer.com/shop.html 



* Let’s connect on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/balzerdesigns/ 



* Favorite Things: https://www.amazon.com/shop/balzerdesigns 




Thanks for listening and subscribing!

I like to think of the podcast as a conversation — between me and Mom — between me and Mom and a guest — between me and Mom and YOU! Thank you so much to all of you who leave comments and send emails. We read them all and appreciate them all. This Listener Mail episode is packed with so many thoughtful comments from you guys! Thanks!




Links:




* Tip the Artist: PayPal.Me/balzerdesigns



* Sign up for the Friday FREE newsletter: https://forms.feedblitz.com/bco 



* Monthly Membership: https://www.myartpractice.com/



* Take an online class: https://balzerdesigns.com/Classroom/



* Shop: https://www.juliebalzer.com/shop.html 



* Let’s connect on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/balzerdesigns/ 



* Favorite Things: https://www.amazon.com/shop/balzerdesigns 




Thanks for listening and subscribing!

As I mentioned in the previous podcast, Mom and I snuck in the night before the Museum of Fine Arts (MFA) here in Boston — The museum’s annual Art in Bloom event at the end of April.  This is always one of my favorite events of the year. 



In case you don’t know what Art in Bloom is: It’s a weekend festival that transforms the MFA’s galleries into a floral showcase, with floral designers and garden clubs from across the region carefully crafting arrangements inspired by the museum’s artworks. 



The MFA invented the “Art in Bloom” idea in 1976.  Since then many other museums have taken up the idea (it’s a good one) and there might be a museum near you that does it!



“Visitors are treated to a sensory experience as they wander through the galleries adorned with imaginative floral interpretations. The captivating aromas of freshly cut blossoms fill the air, while the visual delight of artfully arranged blooms against the backdrop of world-class art stirs the imagination. The juxtaposition of natural elements with centuries-old masterpieces creates a dialogue that transcends time and medium, inviting visitors to see art from a fresh perspective.”



It’s also an invitation for selfies galore and just tons of photos in general.  This is why we went the night before.



The main feature of Art in Bloom is the collaboration between floral designers and the museum’s curators. Each floral arrangement is carefully placed next to its corresponding artwork, enhancing the aesthetic experience and creating a captivating conversation between the two art forms. And a fun conversation to have with a fellow visitor about how/if the floral arrangement captures the artwork’s essence.  There is no other time of the year when strangers are so willing to talk to you!



Art in Bloom is always a super fun experience. If a museum near you holds an annual “Art in Bloom” festival, be sure to attend.  It’s an experience you won’t want to miss!  Because these are real blooms, it’s always a short exhibit – 3 or 4 days.  So don’t miss out!



Here are the photos from the podcast, in the order we discuss them:
















































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