Check out a fresh, new installment of “Ask Me Anything,” where I answer listener questions with my raw, honest opinion on all things art and business. And while we talk about a lot of things on this show — like how to use social media as an artist, how to apply to galleries, and even what makes something “real art” — today, we’re going to get a lit…

Like forging your mom’s signature on your report card, your artist's signature cannot be copied or replicated. It may look great to you, but others can tell it is not unique. So, instead of trying to mimic what others are doing, it’s time we find our own style so our most authentic art can shine through. How can you do that? In this episode, I’ll g…

Size matters…with your art. So many artists think that just because they have a little skin in the game, they also need to size up their work. But that’s not true AT ALL. Size doesn’t necessarily equate to success. In fact, there’s a lot to consider before you start creating bigger pieces of work, and it may not be right for you depending on what k…

Feeling uninspired? Find yourself comparing your work to others? Does art feel more like a chore than your lifeblood? Well, y’all…those are tell-tell signs of needing an artist’s detox. But it doesn’t involve rehab. Actually, it’s going to be WAY more fun! In this episode, we’ll unpack some of the root causes of feeling “meh” when it comes to your …

This episode goes out to all the representational artists out there. Whether you paint chickens, cows, cars, or flowers, I hate to break it to you, but your work is probably missing one REALLY important thing…. YOU! As a representational artist, it’s so easy to get swept up into creating a perfect piece. But the truth is, if you want to elevate and…

Ready to see what happens when you combine fun, creativity, and friends? That’s what I’m getting into on this episode of the Honest Art Podcast. On April 11th, I’ll be hosting the Power of Three, a group art exhibition with Ana Stapleton and Stephanie Moore — and it’s going to be a rip roarin’ good time. But this episode isn’t just to tell you more…

On this episode, I’m challenging the notion that, in order to be happy, we have to have the things we want. Instead, what if we focused on being the person who made those things possible? As artists, we’re so often holding ourselves back from happiness because we don’t “have” our goals yet. We don’t have a gallery show, we don’t have collectors, we…

Thinking it’s time to break into the teaching side of art? Workshops are the perfect way to get your feet wet and see what it’s all about. And in this episode, I’ll share some of my best tips for hosting your very own workshop — from pricing to marketing and even how to have a good time doing it! Even if you don’t think teaching is for you, I still…

What does it mean when a piece of art “has it”? When you hear people say, “I get it”? To someone who doesn’t understand abstract art, it can feel like everyone else is speaking a language you don’t — but I’m here to break down what makes abstract art great. The truth is, abstract art is about so much more than technique and skill. They’re important…

What’s keeping you stuck? Is it your fear of failure? Or your fear of success? Or maybe — and hear me out on this one — it’s the fear of something else entirely. Something we’re using “fear” and “success” as a blanket term for when really it’s a bigger, more personal, more important concern. On this episode of the show, I’m talking about why the fe…

When I first picked up the paintbrush, I had no idea how much art would one day impact my life. At first, painting was just a fun hobby, a way to add some me time in my life. I didn’t know that it would SAVE my life. The truth is, though: Art heals. Not just mentally, but physically, too. In this episode of the Honest Art Podcast, I want to talk ab…

You’re in for a treat with this episode, because I’m joined by the amazingly talented Warwick Saint, award-winning photographer, painter, and mixed media artist! We discuss Warwick’s journey and evolution as an artist, plus what it means to tap into YOUR own evolution to make your best, most honest art. If you’ve been struggling to find your voice …

I’m a big believer in doing things with intention, and that includes the art supplies I buy. I know all too well how easy is to drop big money on art supplies you don’t need. So in this episode, I’m going to show you how to save some bucks on art supplies, and be a little more intentional with the space in your studio. You’ll also hear how this can…

There’s nothing quick and easy about abstract expressionist art. We MUST avoid falling into the trap of thinking that our most honest art can come in “5 minutes or less.” This isn’t a hot and ready pizza — this is FINE art. Still, staring at a blank canvas can get frustrating. But that rut may be because you’re making one of the 10 mistakes I’m sha…

What do you think makes your work unique as an artist? Is it the style you paint in, like abstract work or oil pastel paintings? Or is it something much deeper than that? I’ll spoil this one for you: It’s so much deeper than your “style.” What makes your artwork unique is your voice, the thing that is pulled through any type of art you create. From…

It’s time we stop making excuses, y’all. You’re not stalled out on social media for your art because you’re too old, too inexperienced, or even because of the algorithm. It might actually be you — because you just aren’t showing up. I know it’s hard, and you may even have valid reasons for not using social media for your art. That’s why, in this ep…

“Honest Art” is a phrase I use often. What started out as a simple hashtag is now the motto for my business and my life. But after almost two seasons of the Honest Art Podcast, I realized I haven’t really done a deep dive into why this phrase is so important to me —or why it should matter to you. So in this episode, I’m getting REALLY honest with y…

Are you afraid to come out of the art closet? I get it — I’ve been there. I was scared to call myself an artist and open myself to the eye-rolls and the “Get a real job” comments. But you know what’s on the other side of that fear? So many amazing things. That’s what guest Christen Horner and I get into for her interview on the Honest Art Podcast. …

Painting and hoping is not a strategy. You can’t just paint a beautiful picture and HOPE that someone finds it. We as artists need to put ourselves out there and CREATE our own opportunities. Because they don’t just fall from the sky. Not sure how to create more opportunities for yourself and your art? Don’t know where to start? In this episode, I’…

Sex and creativity…what do they have in common? Turns out, a LOT more than you may think. But how do we tap into those similarities? And how can we use them to improve BOTH? Even both at the same time? It’s what I’m digging into on this episode of the Honest Art Podcast. Tune in to see the correlation between sex and creativity, and how improving o…

Is resolve the only thing you need to find success as an artist? Nope. In fact, I see so many artists hustling day in and day out (myself included, once upon a time). Despite all their work, they’re still stuck and can’t seem to get the one thing every artist needs to build a thriving art career: a sale of their work! Talking about money can be tou…

Is it ever too late to start (or start over)? My guest, a widely talented artist named Betty Franks, doesn’t think so. Betty worked in customer service management for YEARS before she ever picked a paintbrush. In fact, she didn’t take the leap to become an artist until she was 50. Let Betty be proof: It’s never too late to do the things your soul a…

Rejection: What can we learn from it? THAT is the question we need to be asking, not “How can I avoid rejection?” Because we can’t — failure and rejection are just parts of life. It’s also a part of your journey as an artist. Rejection doesn’t mean you suck. Hell, even the greats faced failure and rejection. Any time you fall down, it simply means …

Ever heard the saying, “Hard work beats talent when talent fails to work hard?” As an artist, you might not think about your art as “hard work” — but it is. And hard work requires showing up consistently. If you want to improve your skills and create your best art, if you want to take things to that next level, you HAVE to be consistent. You have t…

WARNING: This episode is a juicy one. We’re going to be talking about something pretty taboo, so buckle up! Disclaimer: My only goal with the Honest Art Podcast is to help artists excavate their own authentic art and freedom through creativity. Never to judge, never to be the boss of YOUR life. And sometimes, that means exploring topics that are a …

Offering commissions…is the effort worth the reward? That’s what I’m uncovering in this episode. As an artist who has worked on several commissioned pieces, I’ve got a lot to say! And a lot that I think you, as a fellow artist, will find helpful. Catch the full episode to hear about things like: Why commissions DON’T need to be completed before the…

Forget the rules! … except maybe these ones. Art is deeply personal and I love seeing the expression that comes alive when we, as artists, let go of our inhibitions. But when it comes to composition? Those are rules I can get behind. Because sometimes those rules are the very thing we need to turn our art in the right direction when we feeling it g…

What’s on the other side of your comfort zone? Life-changing experiences, that’s what. And on this episode of the Honest Art Podcast, Ana Stapleton and I really dig into why artists NEED to look for ways to break free from our norms and find new opportunities to grow. Because it’s in those moments that we inevitably have experiences that shape who …

What’s the one thing you need to create your best art — and sell more of it? Believe it or not, it’s not the most advanced art techniques or a business school degree. It’s… a spiritual practice. Before you roll your eyes, hear me out. A spiritual practice (or a self-care routine, if you prefer) is one the BEST ways to consistently hit your creative…

The sky’s the limit, right? When you’re an artist, that feels anything but true some days. Between the gallery rejections, the side eyes when you tell people what you do for a living, and the endless effort to try and find YOUR style… this whole “artist” thing can feel like an uphill battle. But don’t give up. You were MADE to do this y’all. I just…

Can music boost creativity? Absolutely! Can it help us as artists make our best, most honest art? Eh…not so fast. I’m a HUGE music lover, but I have guidelines I like to abide by when adding music to the creative process. No, it’s not about pressing play on one genre over the other. It’s about making sure your music is in alignment with your mood. …

Do you know when to walk away from your art? No matter how long you’ve been painting or how much natural talent you have, there WILL come a time when you don’t know what that next right move is. But instead of forcing the creativity out of you, you need to know when to put down the paintbrush and walk away. In this episode, I talk about how to know…

For years, getting my art into a gallery was how I defined success as an artist. It was all I wanted to do. It was my number one priority and I hustled hard to make it happen. But to my surprise, it didn’t happen overnight like I WANTED it to. It actually took an entire DECADE after I started my art career. Because I know gallery shows are probably…

You shouldn’t have to do this art biz thing alone. And you don’t HAVE to! That’s the whole purpose of the Honest Art Podcast, and ESPECIALLY this week’s episode. I’m answering a few of our listeners’ questions about all things business, art, and everything in between. I answer questions about: Best practices for applying to galleries Creating art f…

Software is an important part of any business. But does it have a place in YOUR art biz? Absolutely. Full disclosure, I use a ton of different softwares to help me out — from podcast management to team calls, accounting, and more. There is one software/tool, however, that stands above the crowd. It’s the ONE thing I can’t live without in my art biz…

When it comes to money, what do YOU believe is possible? For many of us as artists, it’s hard to imagine that money and art can coexist in the same space. But if we want our art biz to grow, we must change how we see it. Tune into this episode to hear more about the common beliefs artists have about money, how society, in part, shapes those beliefs…

Think it’s too early to think about your holiday art sales? It’s never too early. Even as an artist, you need plenty of time to plan a collection, give yourself space to create, and promote it to potential buyers. All of that takes time and will slide by faster than you think. So in this episode, I’m covering what exactly you should be doing NOW to…

What’s better as an artist; positive feedback or criticism? BOTH! You need positive feedback to feel supported and find the motivation to continue on with your work. But you also need “negative” (aka constructive) criticism to learn how to grow as an artist. But that doesn’t mean it doesn’t hurt! After all, you pour your heart and soul into your wo…

Getting my first art studio — game changer or bad investment? I’m not one to buy into all the fancy stuff that “they” say makes you an artist, but having a studio of my own, OUTSIDE of home, was one of the best decisions I ever made in my art biz! Listen to this episode to see if getting your own studio is the right move for you, and if so, what to…

Welcome to season two of the Honest Art Podcast! Let’s get right into it with a deep one — myths about creativity. Really, I’d call them lies, because they’re straight-up NOT true. But it’s something every artist and creative will experience at one point or another, so in this episode, I talk about things like: Why we believe these lies in the firs…

I’m going to go bold here and say as artists, there’s no such thing as balance. The lines between work and play are constantly getting blurred because our work IS play. And when you’re trying to juggle creating the best work you possibly can, work you’re PROUD of, with all the responsibilities that come with running a business…you really need somet…

As artists (and creatives) we tend to feel like our work is an extension of ourselves. But my guest on this episode, Keren Toledano, makes a really good point…not to hold on to your work too tight. You need to hold onto it with open hands if you want to experience the much-needed freedom and flexibility to be an artist! Why? That’s what we’ll get i…

Working hard in business is non-negotiable. And as an artist, that means doing a lot more than JUST creating art. If you aren’t seeing the return from selling your work, or are struggling to get sales, my friends, it’s not because you’re a shitty artist. It’s almost always a backend problem instead. So what’s the reason(s)? I’ll be digging into tha…

On this episode of the Honest Art Podcast, I’m taking a deep dive into my favorite art tools! I know I may be a little biased, but through my years of experience testing out so many different brushes, pens, charcoal, paints, etc., I’ve learned a lot! And I truly think these are the best of the best. I talk about… My art tool recommendations How dif…

The jump from “real job” to becoming a full-time artist can be scary. And no one really talks about the identity shift that comes with it. But on this episode of the Honest Art Podcast, I’m talking with Studio Elite alum Meribeth Privett about what it’s really like — the good, the bad, and the straight-up messy. If this is a transition you’re wanti…

For many of us, we think that life stops as soon as we turn “middle-aged.” We wonder, “Are the good times over?” I know this is all too common among artists especially. We wonder if we’ve missed our “chance” to change careers, pursue our creative hobbies full-time, etc. But that’s exactly why I’ve brought my very own sister and author of Midlife Ba…

Ever wondered what it’s REALLY like to run an art business? It’s not always about slinging paint in the studio. Get an inside look here at what it really takes to make it successful. Because the truth? Life (and business) is so much easier when we manage our expectations! We’ll cover things like: Marketing your art biz (yes — that means social medi…

Have questions about honest art? My process? How I’ve built my art business? In this episode, I’m answering our listeners’ burning questions about creativity, life, and of course, art. I answer questions like: How do you use social media as a new artist? Do you really need a certificate of authenticity for your work? What makes art “real art” anywa…

I talk a lot about being a rebel and freedom and empowerment. Those are all part of my WHY. But there’s a not-so-bright side to those that really held me back in my early years as an artist. Because I don’t want you to have to experience the same feeling of loneliness I did, I’m sharing why, if I could go back in time, I’d get a mentor or find an a…

There’s little I love more than watching my students reflect on their growth, and I’m so honored when they agree to share their experiences! In this episode, I’m joined by Studio Elite art mastermind alumni Marsha Nieland and DeAnne Williamson. We talk about how this program can help you find out what honest art means for you, and what you uncover …