Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast Savvy Painter Podcast with Antrese Wood

There's something that happens when you pick up a sketchbook with no plan. It's  lighter, not so dang serious. And that's what this episode is about. It might be the most important thing you do for your art practice right now.

This week, Antrese shares what's been happening inside her own Trust Challenge. What started as cafe sketching turned into filling pages with drawings of her dogs. Just because it made her heart full. Inside that simple choice lives one of the most honest examples of having your own back she's seen in her own practice: the small, daily decision to let some of your creative time be just for you.

We also talk about where this kind of making lands in the Four Seasons of an Art Practice — and why it's okay (actually, important) when it doesn't fit neatly into any single season. If your practice has started to feel heavy, this one's for you.  

In this episode: 

• You'll hear why drawing in ink — where you can't erase — is actually an act of self-trust, not bravery. 
• You'll hear Antrese talk through the moment her Trust Challenge veered from the plan, and what she did with that. 
• how the making that used to feel like play gradually picked up pressure — and how to find your way back to the version that didn't. 
• You'll get practical tactics for sketching in public without making people uncomfortable 
• How to treat yourself when you veer off your original plan — with curiosity instead of criticism.

Want a place where your practice gets to feel like play and serious work at the same time? Growth Studio is the place where you get the container, the community, and the coaching to build a practice that is uniquely yours. Join us in Growth Studio

Support the show

And hey - if this episode hit home, do me a favor, leave a review on Apple Podcast or come say hi on Instagram: @savvypainterpodcast
I’d love to hear this episode resonated you. ❤️

You are so much more powerful than you realize. This episode is the evidence for that — three real artists, three specific moments where the capability they needed turned out to be something they already had.

Leslie walked into something considerably bigger than she expected and handled it. Rachel had been stuck on a painting for months until she stopped pushing on the door that wasn't opening and found a completely different one. Krys had the means, the desire, and the opportunity for two years before she finally gave herself permission to say yes. None of them found something new. They found access to what was already there.

This episode closes out a run of episodes where we've been building the map together — the Four Seasons, the Three Zones, the GPS metaphor, the practice of noticing. This is where all of it lands. And it ends with one question worth taking into your studio this week.

In this episode:

• You'll hear why the frustrating moment that feels like a setback is often the next chamber forming
• You'll hear Leslie's story — what happened when she walked into something she didn't know was coming
• We talk about what it actually looks like when your canvas is reflecting what's happening in your mind
• You'll hear what having your own back looks like in its most everyday form
• We close with one question to try the next time something in your studio isn't working

Support the show

And hey - if this episode hit home, do me a favor, leave a review on Apple Podcast or come say hi on Instagram: @savvypainterpodcast
I’d love to hear this episode resonated you. ❤️

Your comfort zone isn't holding you back. Used right, it's the thing that makes growth possible — and this episode shows you exactly how.

Most artists have been told to get out of their comfort zone and stay out. But the artists who grow most consistently do something different: they stretch, they come back, they stretch further. Over and over. That cycle — and knowing where you are inside it at any given moment — is what this episode is about. Antrese walks through what each zone feels like from the inside, shares the story of a Growth Studio member who turned his personal Tower of Terror into his comfort zone over three years, and leaves you with a simple practice you can bring into your studio this week.

Rest isn't laziness. It's what makes growth possible. 

In this episode:

• You'll learn what each of the Three Zones actually feels like from the inside — not just what they're called
• You'll hear Andrew's story: three years of going out and coming back in, until the Tower of Terror became his comfort zone
• We talk about why pushing past your limit doesn't produce growth — and what to do instead
• You'll walk away with a one-week studio practice for naming your zone in real time
• We talk about why rest is not the opposite of growth — it's the reason growth is possible

Support the show

And hey - if this episode hit home, do me a favor, leave a review on Apple Podcast or come say hi on Instagram: @savvypainterpodcast
I’d love to hear this episode resonated you. ❤️

If you’ve felt stuck in a painting (not a technique problem, but something else entirely) this episode is for you. Your canvas has been reading your mind, and once you understand that, so many opportunities open up for you.

One of the core things I teach is this: what happens on your canvas is a direct reflection of what’s happening in your mind. I mean that literally. The confident, committed brushstroke and the dabby, revised-to-death one aren’t just about skill — they’re about where your mind was when you made each one. The ceiling on your technical growth is often set not by your hand but by what you’re thinking while it moves. And here’s why that’s actually good news: your mind is accessible to you in a way that the perfect studio, the right teacher, or the ideal conditions never will be. The real work is available to you right now.

This episode goes into the places this principle shows up beyond the canvas itself: in how you talk about your work, in the email you finally sent to the gallery, in the conversation you had at someone else’s opening. You’ll hear two stories from Growth Studio about what the movement from fear to self-trust actually looks and feels like in real situations.

In this episode:

• You’ll hear why being stuck in a painting is almost never a technique problem
• We talk about how your brushstrokes change depending on where your mind is while you’re painting
• You’ll hear Megan’s story about moving from hiding her work to holding her composure in a moment that would have rattled her a year earlier
• You’ll hear about a different way to approach the gallery conversation — one that feels a lot less like a high-stakes ask
• You’ll leave with one question to ask yourself the next time the canvas feels stuck

Support the show

And hey - if this episode hit home, do me a favor, leave a review on Apple Podcast or come say hi on Instagram: @savvypainterpodcast
I’d love to hear this episode resonated you. ❤️

Every time you catch yourself mid-spiral (the comparison, the self-criticism, the I’m-doing-it-wrong loop) that’s a huge win. It’s bigger than you realize. In this episode, we talk about why noticing is the most powerful move you can make as an artist.

Most of us move through our practice on autopilot. Old thought patterns run in the background, and because they’re automatic, they feel like facts. Like just the way things are. Until we start to notice. And that noticing (that tiny pause between the thought firing and the response) is where everything becomes available to you. It’s where you get to choose. The fixing and the changing can come later. The noticing is the first move, and it’s also the most important one.

This isn’t just a nice idea. It’s a practice. And it’s one we work on together inside Growth Studio, celebrating the small moments of awareness as the wins they actually are. Because the noticing itself is the shift.

In this episode:

• You’ll hear why catching yourself in a negative thought pattern is a hero moment, not a reason to feel bad
• You’ll learn how awareness interrupts automatic thought patterns and creates a pause where you can choose differently
• We talk about two Growth Studio artists and how noticing changed the experience they had in a genuinely hard moment
• You’ll leave with a simple body-based noticing practice to try in your studio today

Support the show

And hey - if this episode hit home, do me a favor, leave a review on Apple Podcast or come say hi on Instagram: @savvypainterpodcast
I’d love to hear this episode resonated you. ❤️

Most artists are trying to do everything at once: making art, sharing art, selling art, resting — all at the same time, every day. This episode is about what that costs you, and what opens up when you stop.

The focus here is on two of those seasons specifically: Making and Sharing. They have a unique tension. When you're in the studio, head down, focused on the canvas, there's a voice that says "the sharing isn't happening". And when you're out in the world sharing your work, the voice says "why aren't you painting?". Most artists end up half in one, half in the other. Which means neither one is getting full attention.

When you know which season you're actually in, the distraction loses its grip. You can just be where you are.

In this episode

• What actually happens in your nervous system when you're asking yourself to make, share, sell, and rest all at once — and where the good work lives instead
• Why the discomfort of the Sharing season is worth staying with — and what it means that it's hard
• Hélène's story: three and a half months away from the studio, a full rest, and what she came back to
• What becomes available when you find the right name for the way you naturally work
• One question to sit with after you listen: Am I actually behind, or am I in a season?

Key concepts in this episode

• The Four Seasons framework (Making Art, Sharing Art, Selling Art, Rest)
• The Artist GPS and Current Location framework
• Three Zones: Circle of Comfort, Growth Zone, Ring of Terror 😱
• "The noticing itself is the shift"
• The CREATE Spiral and curiosity as the entry point

Support the show

And hey - if this episode hit home, do me a favor, leave a review on Apple Podcast or come say hi on Instagram: @savvypainterpodcast
I’d love to hear this episode resonated you. ❤️

Most artists aren't stuck because they're doing it wrong. They're stuck because they don't know where they are. No destination makes sense without a starting point, and this episode gives you one.

Underneath most of that stuckness is a belief that there's a rule book somewhere. A guide that says exactly how to build a practice, when to share your work, how to price it, when you're allowed to rest. And a quieter thought beneath that: that everybody else got the rule book except you. Here's what's true. There is no rule book. There never was. What there is is a map.

Today I'm walking through the three frameworks that make up that map. The Four Seasons of your art practice (Making, Sharing, Selling, and Rest) explain why the pressure to do everything at once is so exhausting, and what it actually means to be in a season. The Three Zones (Circle of Comfort, Growth Zone, Ring of Terror) give you the emotional terrain, so you know when to stretch, when to hold, and when to come back in and rest. And the CREATE Spiral is a full recap of the upward cycle you're already inside. By the end of this one, you'll have language for where you actually are. And once you have that, everything else starts to fall into place.

Key concepts in this episode:

• The Art GPS / Current Location metaphor
• Four Seasons: Making, Sharing, Selling, Rest
• Three Zones: Circle of Comfort, Growth Zone, Ring of Terror
• The CREATE Spiral: Curiosity → Resistance → Explore → Absorb → Trust → Expand

In this episode:

• You'll understand why the belief that "everyone else got the rule book" keeps artists stuck — and how to let it go.
• You'll know what season of your art practice you're actually in right now, and why naming it matters.
• Hear why going back into your Circle of Comfort is not slacking off, it's recovery, and it's what makes the next stretch possible.
• We talk about the CREATE Spiral as an upward cycle you're already inside, not a system you need to follow step by step.
• You'll leave with one clear question to orient yourself with: What season am I in right now?

Support the show

And hey - if this episode hit home, do me a favor, leave a review on Apple Podcast or come say hi on Instagram: @savvypainterpodcast
I’d love to hear this episode resonated you. ❤️

Waiting often feels responsible. Thoughtful. Even smart.

But for artists, waiting isn’t neutral and it’s rarely free.

In this episode, Antrese looks at how indecision quietly drains energy, undermines self-trust, and creates far more stress than taking the “wrong” action ever could. This isn’t about pushing harder or forcing yourself to be fearless. It’s about seeing what waiting is actually costing you—and why momentum begins the moment you decide something.

In This Episode

02:00 – Why waiting doesn’t feel like procrastination

How hesitation disguises itself as being careful, intentional, or “not ready yet.”

05:45 – The subtle signs you’re stuck in waiting mode

A few familiar patterns that don’t look dramatic—but add up over time.

07:05 – The mental weight of open loops

Why unresolved decisions create low-grade exhaustion, even when you’re “not thinking about them.”

10:00 – The opportunity cost most artists never see

What quietly slips past when you delay decisions—and why this cost is so easy to miss.

Support the show

And hey - if this episode hit home, do me a favor, leave a review on Apple Podcast or come say hi on Instagram: @savvypainterpodcast
I’d love to hear this episode resonated you. ❤️

If self-doubt shows up every time you try to paint (or finish something) and you’re tired of trying to think your way out of it, this episode is for you. Artist and tapping coach Melanie Fay explains how tapping for artists works, why your nervous system might be the real obstacle in the studio, and how to use this simple, science-backed tool to move through creative blocks and actually make things again.

Whether you’ve heard of EFT (emotional freedom technique) or not, this conversation breaks down why it’s showing up more and more in artist communities—and how you can use it right away, even if you feel silly doing it.

You walk into the studio and your chest tightens. Or you finish something and immediately start picking it apart. Or that mean voice shows up the second you pick up a brush, whispering that you don’t belong here.

Sometimes the biggest block isn’t time or skill—it’s your nervous system treating creativity like a threat.

This conversation with tapping coach and artist Melanie Fay gets into what that actually looks like—and what you can do about it.

In this episode:

• How Melanie discovered that art was the doorway to feeling herself as a being instead of machinery (and the specific moment time stopped in her high school studio)
• What tapping actually is—the mechanics of how tapping on acupressure points sends a calming signal to your amygdala and why that matters when you're stuck
• The painting teacher who took viridian green and painted over Melanie's work the night before a show
• Why "I'm not good enough" shows up when you're staring at an unfinished painting, and how to trace that thought back to its actual source
• The demonstration: where the tapping points are and what happens in your body when you use them (even if you feel ridiculous doing it)
• How to use EFT for creativity—in your studio, before a show, or when that courtroom voice starts up

BONUS: Antrese and Melanie are offering monthly group tapping sessions specifically for artists—fourth Wednesday of every month at 2:30 PM Eastern. 

👉 Join the tapping group here

Plus you'll find a free demonstration video you can use anytime you need to shift your inner state here.

Support the show

And hey - if this episode hit home, do me a favor, leave a review on Apple Podcast or come say hi on Instagram: @savvypainterpodcast
I’d love to hear this episode resonated you. ❤️

If you’re feeling even a tiny bit of pressure to have this new year figured out already, I just want you to know you’re not alone.

This episode is a gentle pause before you decide what you’re aiming for. It’s about listening to your own voice first. Really listening. Especially to the quieter parts of you that tend to get rushed or talked over.

Once you get aligned with that voice, then it's time to set some goals (or intentions if you're not a goal person). Goals are helpful and I'm all for it, but let's just make sure they're the right goals for you and where you're at.

In this episode I share how I’m approaching this year, why goals sometimes start to feel heavy, and a simple question I asked my Growth Studio community that opened up way more than I expected.

You don’t need all the answers yet. You just need a little room to hear yourself so that you can start. 

Episode Highlights

00:00 — That weird January pressure
You know the feeling. Everyone’s in a hurry and you’re not sure what you’re hurrying toward yet.

04:05 — The voice that keeps getting interrupted
Not the loud obnoxious ones. The quieter “eh… I don’t know about this” that usually gets ignored.

08:40 — When goals start feeling heavy
This is where things get tricky (it’s not because you’re doing anything wrong).

13:25 — A quick gut-check before you commit to anything
Something simple I use to tell if I’m stretching myself… or setting myself up to shut down.

18:35 — The permission question I can’t stop thinking about
It has nothing to do with adding more — and it might change how you approach this year.

Support the show

And hey - if this episode hit home, do me a favor, leave a review on Apple Podcast or come say hi on Instagram: @savvypainterpodcast
I’d love to hear this episode resonated you. ❤️

As artists, we go through several phases on our way to creating pieces. It all starts with this period of play and discovery that I call the exploratory phase, and to talk about it with me are Growth Studio members Sabrina Setaro, Alyssa Marquez, and Jess Fredrick.

In this roundtable episode of The Savvy Painter Podcast, you’ll go on a deep dive into the first stage of artistic creation: the exploratory phase. Sabrina, Alyssa, Jess, and I will discuss what happens in this stage and what they’ve discovered about their work in the process, techniques to balance play with purpose during your exploration, how they avoid overwhelm and overthinking during this discovery phase, and more!

Support the show

And hey - if this episode hit home, do me a favor, leave a review on Apple Podcast or come say hi on Instagram: @savvypainterpodcast
I’d love to hear this episode resonated you. ❤️

Money and pricing your art can feel like tricky, even uncomfortable topics, but they’re also some of the most powerful conversations we can have as artists. Why? Because our beliefs about money and pricing often run deep and show up in ways we don’t even realize. They influence how we value our art, how we show up for it, and ultimately, how we create a practice that truly supports and sustains us.

In this final roundtable episode of The Savvy Painter Podcast, I’m joined by Growth Studiomembers Merrie Koehlert, Leslie Cannon, and Beverly Woodhall. We dig into how your thoughts about money and pricing impact your relationship with your art, and we get real about the hidden mindset blocks that can hold you back. Whether it’s pricing your work with confidence, valuing your time, or shifting your money beliefs, this conversation is filled with insights to help you move forward and thrive as an artist

1:23 - Quick self-introductions for Merrie, Leslie, and Beverly as artists

2:56 - Assumptions about money as it relates to art that the roundtable have had or heard from others

8:44 - How your subconscious programming can impact the lens through which you see your art

14:04 - Critical junction points in Merrie’s life that reinforced her negative assumptions about selling art

18:40 - How Leslie, Merrie, and Beverly view pricing their artwork and how their thoughts about pricing have changed

31:09 - Getting around the drama in your head so you can learn to get comfortable with your pricing 

34:55 - How each participant has internalized what “the value of the painting” means to them

43:25 - The value to the art collector and why buying a piece of art because it matches other room decor shouldn’t be considered an insult

50:12 - Painting pieces you know people buy when you need to make more money versus painting what you really want and not selling as frequently

57:11 - Thoughts around money or pricing that the participants now notice that they were oblivious to before and how Growth Studio has helped 

Support the show

And hey - if this episode hit home, do me a favor, leave a review on Apple Podcast or come say hi on Instagram: @savvypainterpodcast
I’d love to hear this episode resonated you. ❤️

Welcome to another roundtable series! This time I’m joined by Growth Studio members Louisa Jornayvaz, Braighlee Rainey, Jack Wray, and Elisabeth Svendby in a discussion about finding your voice as an artist.

In this episode of The Savvy Painter Podcast, you’ll learn about what it means to find your voice and ways you can connect with it. You’ll also get personal insights into how the participants’ have connected with their voice and how it brings meaning into their artistic practice.

1:37 - Braighlee, Louisa, Elisabeth, and Jack quickly introduce themselves

3:27 - How they define what the artist's voice means to them

8:46 - How to know when you’re connected to your voice

11:00 - How your background can impact your art and the journey of finding your voice

19:52 - How each roundtable participant has progressed in finding their voice

26:35 - Why this journey isn’t straightforward and how it can evolve as you continue to walk the path

33:59 - Advice if you’re really not sure where to look to help you discover your artistic voice

42:27 - The connection between finding your voice as an artist and meditation and green lights

46:46 - The importance of imperfection and challenge in bringing character and resonance to art

50:10 - The impact of being taught in curiosity and sensitivity conditioning

54:59 - What the roundtable participants learned within Growth Studio to help them find or connect with their voices 

Mentioned in How Artists Find Their Voice and Create from the Heart

Join Growth Studio

Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey

Support the show

And hey - if this episode hit home, do me a favor, leave a review on Apple Podcast or come say hi on Instagram: @savvypainterpodcast
I’d love to hear this episode resonated you. ❤️

It’s one thing to have an interest in creating art or putting something on canvas. It’s another to see yourself as an artist and have an artistic practice.

What’s a difference-maker between those who do and those who don’t? Creative confidence, and to talk about it, I’m joined by Growth Studio members Alyssa Marquez, Merrie Koehlert, and Andrew Rea in another roundtable series.

In this episode of The Savvy Painter Podcast, you’ll learn about the concept of creative confidence, its impact on artistic practice, and how it differs from self-confidence and arrogance. You’ll get personal insights into how the participants’ confidence has evolved, whether there’s such a thing as too much confidence, and how peer support can help navigate challenges and enhance artistic expression.

1:34 - Defining creative confidence and how it’s necessary for artists to create and share their work

6:46 - How you’re constantly making art (even if you haven’t always been the artistic type)

13:00 - How Alyssa’s creative confidence has evolved over time

24:42 - How an evolution in confidence has most recently affected Merrie’s and Andrew’s art

29:49 - How to distinguish between confidence, self-confidence, and arrogance

33:19 - Can you have too much confidence in your painting or art practice?

40:33 - How confidence has impacted Alyssa’s desire to take risks with art

43:03 - Impact of the Growth Studio community on the roundtable participants’ confidence

Mentioned in How Creative Confidence Impacts Your Artwork

Join Growth Studio

Support the show

And hey - if this episode hit home, do me a favor, leave a review on Apple Podcast or come say hi on Instagram: @savvypainterpodcast
I’d love to hear this episode resonated you. ❤️

What to do when decades of work are stacked against your walls and you can't remember the last time you made a decision about any of it.

You know that feeling when you walk into your studio and see paintings leaning against every wall, flat files overflowing, canvases stacked so deep you've forgotten what's in the back?

And underneath it all, that low hum of dread: What's going to happen to all of this?

Maybe you've been making work for decades. Grad school pieces, late-night sessions after the kids went to sleep, that stretch when you were working two jobs and still carved out time to paint. It's all still there. And now you're standing in front of it thinking: Did I just waste my best work in obscurity? What was I even making it for?

This episode is about how to sort through decades of accumulated work without spiraling into paralysis, and how to turn your studio back into a place where things are happening, not just stored.

In this episode:

• The real reason you can't throw anything away. (Your brain is still waiting to find out if that painting meant something, or if it was just a phase.)
• Why every painting you haven’t decided about is costing you more than shelf space.
• A 30-minute sorting system that makes the mess feel manageable
• Two questions that actually help you decide what stays and what goes. 
• How to tell the difference between a painting that wants to be seen and one that already did its job.
• The “curate your own retrospective” game, and why pretending you have a show makes you braver, faster, more ruthless (in a good way).
• What happens when you group your work by something other than chronology, like color, texture, feeling, or that weird leaf shape you kept doodling for three years and forgot about.

This episode’s for you if:

• Your studio feels more like a storage unit than a sanctuary 
• You’ve been making work for years, but the question “What if no one ever sees this?” leaves you deflated
• You don’t want to leave your kids (or your executor) shelves full of unresolved choices
• You know there’s good work in there. You just need a way to see it clearly again — and decide what it’s still here to do

Support the show

And hey - if this episode hit home, do me a favor, leave a review on Apple Podcast or come say hi on Instagram: @savvypainterpodcast
I’d love to hear this episode resonated you. ❤️

What to do when you catch yourself in “courtroom mode”

You named it. You know you're doing it. You can hear yourself cross-examining every brushstroke, cataloging evidence that you're not good enough, delivering a guilty verdict before the paint dries.

But what do you do when you catch yourself mid-spiral?

This one's the follow-up to Your Studio Isn't a Courtroom — the practical side. Because recognition without tools leaves you stuck watching yourself repeat the same pattern. And if you've ever thought okay, I see it now, but how do I stop? — this is for you.

In this episode:

• The simplest redirection tool (it sounds too easy, but it creates the split-second of space you need to choose differently)
• How to shift from prosecuting questions to investigating ones — and why "what's wrong with this?" keeps you trapped
• Why experiments can't fail, but verdicts always do
• The friend test: would you ever talk to another artist the way you talk to yourself in your head?
• What to do when you freeze — one concrete action that interrupts the spiral and starts the conversation with your painting again
• What your studio's actual job is (and why forgetting this turns every session into a trial)

This episode's for you if:

• You can see the pattern now, but you don't know how to interrupt it once it starts
• You stand there analyzing instead of painting, trying to figure out the move that won't get you criticized
• You're tired of the harsh voice winning every time — but kindness feels like giving up
• You want tools that work in the moment, not theory you have to remember later

—--------------------------------

LINKS: https://savvypainter.com/356-your-studio-isnt-a-courtroom-make-yours-the-safest-place-to-create/

Support the show

And hey - if this episode hit home, do me a favor, leave a review on Apple Podcast or come say hi on Instagram: @savvypainterpodcast
I’d love to hear this episode resonated you. ❤️

You look around your studio and see them everywhere — canvases turned to the wall, paintings shoved under the bed, works-in-progress stacked in corners. Each one started with complete conviction that this time would be different. But somewhere around the messy middle, you bailed. Again.

And now you're wondering: What's wrong with me?

Nothing. You're not lazy, you're not lacking discipline, and you're not broken. You're doing something that makes complete sense when you understand what's actually happening underneath the behavior.

In this episode:

• The moment when every painting goes sideways — and why your brain mistakes that moment for failure
• What you're actually avoiding when you start a new canvas (hint: it's not the painting)
• Why "finished" doesn't mean what you think it means — and how that misunderstanding keeps you stuck
• The real cost of a studio full of unfinished work (it's more than just clutter)
• Six concrete strategies to break the pattern and actually complete something

What to expect:
A clear-eyed look at why you abandon paintings, what finishing actually requires, and how to build the muscle to stay with your work when it gets uncomfortable. No pep talks. Just the truth about what's happening — and what to do about it.

This episode's for you if:

• Your studio is filled with more unfinished work than completed pieces
• You keep telling yourself "this one will be different" — and it never is
• You're tired of starting over every time a painting hits the hard part
• You want to finish something for once, even if it's not perfect

Support the show

And hey - if this episode hit home, do me a favor, leave a review on Apple Podcast or come say hi on Instagram: @savvypainterpodcast
I’d love to hear this episode resonated you. ❤️

What really happens when you return to your art — and how to make work again without getting stuck in what could have been.

You took time off from your art. Maybe it was a few months. Maybe it was twenty years.

You built a life, raised kids, held it together, paid the bills — and now you’re trying to come back. But instead of feeling proud of everything you carried, you feel... behind. Disconnected. Like you lost something. Like you’re supposed to apologize for the years you weren’t painting.

This episode is about that feeling — and why it’s lying to you.

This one’s for artists who made a real-life choice — and now can’t shake the feeling they’re starting all over again.

If you’ve ever caught yourself thinking I should’ve found a way or stared at a canvas wondering how much time you wasted... yeah. You’re in the right place.

In this episode:

• The invisible comparison that’s keeping you stuck (hint: you’re measuring yourself against someone who doesn’t exist)
• Why “I’m behind” feels so convincing — and what your brain’s actually doing when it feeds you that line
• What this costs you beyond just lost time (it’s happening right now, while you’re listening)
• The part nobody talks about: why that gap wasn’t wasted, even when it feels like it was
• One shift that’ll change how you walk into the studio tomorrow

What to expect:

No pep talk, no punishment. Just a clear-eyed look at what comes next — and how to make work again without dragging shame in with you.

This episode’s for you if:

• Coming back feels harder than stepping away ever did
• You can run a household or a business — but still feel like a beginner when you pick up a brush
• You’re proud of your choices and gutted by what you didn’t get to do — both can be true
• You’re in it right now, wondering if it’s even worth trying to paint again

Support the show

And hey - if this episode hit home, do me a favor, leave a review on Apple Podcast or come say hi on Instagram: @savvypainterpodcast
I’d love to hear this episode resonated you. ❤️

Ever spend half your studio time staring at a painting, mentally ripping it apart, but never actually picking up the brush? Or maybe you're scrolling Instagram right now instead of being in your studio. (I see you.) You're not broken. You're just stuck in a pattern. And once you can name it, it loses its power.

In this episode, I'm walking through nine specific, observable behaviors that show up when artists are working through self-doubt. Not vague struggles. Actual patterns you can recognize in yourself.

Because here's the thing: when you go from "What's wrong with me?" to "Oh, I'm doing that serial abandoner thing again," everything shifts. It's not a personality flaw. It's just a pattern. And patterns can change.

In This Episode:

[3:09] The Serial Abandoner — Starting painting after painting, always convinced the next one will be different

[5:00] The Mental Critic — Spending half your studio time cataloging what's wrong instead of actually painting

[7:53] The Comparison Scroller — More time on Instagram than at the easel, using other artists' work as proof you're not good enough

[10:00] The Permission Seeker — Asking everyone's opinion before trusting your own eye

[14:09] The Hiding Perfectionist — Making work, then stacking it facing the wall, waiting until it's "good enough"

[15:34] The Apologizer — Can't show work without immediately explaining everything that's wrong with it first

[17:03] The Workshop Collector — Taking class after class, convinced you need one more technique before you're ready

[23:54] The Overthinking Planner — Hours planning the perfect painting in your mind, but never committing to canvas

[25:34] The Corner Repainter — Repainting the same spot seventeen times while ignoring the rest of the painting

If you recognize yourself in one or more of these? You're in good company. This is what shows up for skilled artists working through doubt. The episode walks through what's actually happening underneath each pattern and what to practice instead.

Want to work with me?  

Join Growth Studio

Private Coaching for artists 

Support the show

And hey - if this episode hit home, do me a favor, leave a review on Apple Podcast or come say hi on Instagram: @savvypainterpodcast
I’d love to hear this episode resonated you. ❤️

What does it really mean to have your own back as an artist? In this episode, I share why safety isn’t just about gloves and turpentine — it’s about building trust with yourself in the studio. When you know you won’t tear yourself down for “failing,” you’re free to take risks, explore messy ideas, and grow in ways you never thought possible.

This conversation comes straight from my own sketchbook experiments and our 30-day Self-Trust Challenge inside Growth Studio. You’ll hear how awkward blind contour lines, negative space trees, and even 100 “bad” drawings can become proof that you’re on the right track.

Here’s what you’ll discover in this episode:

Episode Map

• [0:42] Why self-trust always begins with safety — and why that has nothing to do with paint fumes.
• [3:29] The awkward stage that makes most artists quit — and how to stick with it.
• [7:51] Five drawings that “failed” — or five steps closer to something new?
• [15:48] The messy middle: where ideas sprout before they make sense.
• [20:58] Could you survive 100 “bad” paintings to reach the one that works?
• [25:42] Why doubt and frustration don’t mean stop — they mean human.
• [26:34] Kindness as a creative strategy: how to meet yourself without criticism.
• [29:29] The ultimate reframe: safety, trust, and the artist you’ve always wanted to be.

Support the show

And hey - if this episode hit home, do me a favor, leave a review on Apple Podcast or come say hi on Instagram: @savvypainterpodcast
I’d love to hear this episode resonated you. ❤️

Ever notice how one “wrong” brushstroke can send you into a spiral? You’re standing in your studio, brush in hand, and suddenly the inner courtroom opens up. The judge, jury, and executioner? All you.

This episode is about what I call self-aggression. Those tiny but brutal ways we attack ourselves for daring to experiment, for not being perfect, for being… human. And here’s the thing: it’s costing you way more than you realize.

I’ll walk you through why we confuse self-criticism with professionalism, how it’s secretly strangling your creativity, and what happens when you trade all that punishment for curiosity instead. (Hint: your studio becomes the safest, most exciting place to create.)

You’ll hear real stories from Growth Studio: Leslie catching herself in an “auction spiral,” Megan reframing her supply list, Scott protecting his energy, and Cece navigating the push-pull of play vs. control. Plus, I’ll share a micro-meltdown of my own and how I turned it around.

If you’ve ever started an apology tour before showing your work, or if you’ve ever thought “I’m such an idiot” mid-painting—this one’s for you.

Your Episode Map

0:23 – The brushstroke that ruins everything (or does it?)
1:59 – How “I’m such an idiot” sneaks into your studio
5:49 – Why being hard on yourself isn’t “professional” (it’s poison)
7:39 – Curiosity vs. criticism: the C in CREATE that changes everything
8:32 – What self-aggression is secretly costing you (spoiler: it’s huge)
13:12 – Real Growth Studio stories: auctions, supply lists, and saying no
25:00 – My own meltdown over a 2-inch drawing
36:01 – The truth bomb: self-trust is the ultimate creative flex

For Your Studio Wall

Words worth pinning next to your easel:

• “Curiosity opens possibilities. Criticism shuts them down.”
• “Failure isn’t evidence against you—it’s information for you.”
• “Your studio is not a courtroom. Make it a laboratory.”
• “Treat yourself like your favorite student.”
• “The way you talk to yourself shows up on the canvas.”

What to Bring Into the Studio With You

• A daily rep: catch one micro-aggression and reframe it with curiosity.
• Neutral share rule: present your work without the apology preface.
• Constraints as safety: same size, same tools, familiar setups = freedom to explore.
• A pre-painting intention: I’m here to explore, not to be perfect.

Support the show

And hey - if this episode hit home, do me a favor, leave a review on Apple Podcast or come say hi on Instagram: @savvypainterpodcast
I’d love to hear this episode resonated you. ❤️

Welcome to the finale of our CREATE spiral series! Today we're diving into expansion - when you're ready to be seen in a bigger way but the thought of taking risks makes your heart race.

I share my three circles framework for understanding your capacity for risk: comfort zone, stretch zone, and terror zone. Plus the crucial piece most artists miss - how to recharge after expanding so you can take progressively bigger steps without burning out.

What You'll Learn:

• How to read your nervous system to know when you're stretching vs. pushing too far
• The difference between healthy recharging and avoidance
• Common expansion mistakes that lead to burnout or stagnation
• Why expansion creates an upward spiral back to curiosity
• Practical steps to start expanding strategically this week

Key Takeaway: You don't have to be fearless. You just need to take one small, strategic risk and then care for yourself afterward.

Perfect for artists ready to submit work, raise prices, or share more boldly - without the overwhelm.

Support the show

And hey - if this episode hit home, do me a favor, leave a review on Apple Podcast or come say hi on Instagram: @savvypainterpodcast
I’d love to hear this episode resonated you. ❤️

If you’ve ever felt like you want someone else to approve every brushstroke before you can call a painting “done”… this episode is for you.

We’re at the T in the C.R.E.A.T.E. Spiral, and it’s a big one: TRUST.

Not blind trust. Not perfectionist trust that only kicks in after everything looks flawless. We’re talking about real, moment-to-moment self-trust—the kind that guides your decisions while you’re still unsure.

This episode breaks down:

• Why we’re wired to outsource approval
• How to build trust as a tangible, daily practice (not just a mindset)
• What it actually looks like to trust yourself in your studio—even when doubt shows up

You’ll leave with small, doable actions to build that trust muscle—without needing to overhaul your entire process.

Your Episode Map

1:00 — Why we’re wired to seek approval—and why it’s not your fault
4:00 — When copying helps you grow… and when it starts holding you back
7:18 — The simplest trust-building practice: say what you like and don’t like, out loud
10:26 — Trust isn’t confidence—it’s resilience
11:45 — How to stop spiraling and guide your own development
15:13 — Three small ways to practice trust this week—no perfection required
16:48 — Every time you choose yourself over fear, your inner artist gets louder

What to Bring Into the Studio With You

(Because listening is just the beginning)

This week, try making one decision in your painting process without asking anyone else. Pick a color, title, price, or direction—and don’t crowdsource it. Just follow it through and observe what happens.

Then DM me on Instagram @savvypainterpodcast and tell me what you noticed. I love hearing how this lands for you.

Support the show

And hey - if this episode hit home, do me a favor, leave a review on Apple Podcast or come say hi on Instagram: @savvypainterpodcast
I’d love to hear this episode resonated you. ❤️

Ever wonder why your studio feels… suspiciously quiet?
Like things are finally working—but instead of celebrating, you start spiraling?

Welcome to the Alignment phase of the CREATE Spiral.

In this episode, I break down the strange emotional landscape of finally clicking with your voice—and why that ease can actually feel more unsettling than resistance. You’ll hear why this moment of calm might be the biggest sign that you’re doing it right.

We’ll talk about:

• The inner voice that whispers “This is too easy—what’s the catch?”
• Why your brain interprets ease as danger
• How alignment isn’t a plateau, it’s a powerful shift in momentum
• What changes (and what doesn’t) in your studio when you’re in this phase

And most importantly—how to trust this part of the journey without self-sabotaging your way out of it.

Your Episode Map:

[01:25] What alignment actually is—and why artists feel so uneasy here
[03:27] The eerie quiet of self-trust (and why it feels off)
[05:35] Your voice gets the mic for the first time
[07:41] You still feel discomfort—but you’re not layering judgment on top
[09:11] “Growth = struggle” is a lie we need to unlearn
[10:23] What alignment looks like in your studio day-to-day
[13:06] The question to ask when you feel ease: “Is this what I want?”
[15:15] Why it feels like things are falling away—not being added
[17:24] Craving chaos? You might be ready to expand
[18:32] Alignment = your voice getting stronger
[21:32] You didn’t get lucky. You got aligned.

Words worth pinning next to your easel:

• “This isn’t a plateau. This is what it feels like when you’re no longer working against yourself.”
• “The quiet is your voice finally getting a turn at the mic.”
• “You still feel discomfort. You’re just not spiraling from it anymore.”
• “You didn’t lose your edge. You stopped fighting yourself.”
• “You’re not stuck—you’re integrating.”

What to Bring Into the Studio With You

• Notice what’s not there: fewer cranky voices, less panic, more space.
• Reframe the weird quiet as a sign of progress—not a problem to fix.
• Pull out your last few paintings—look for patterns, not problems.
• Let it be enough. This phase doesn’t need a breakthrough to be valuable.

Support the show

And hey - if this episode hit home, do me a favor, leave a review on Apple Podcast or come say hi on Instagram: @savvypainterpodcast
I’d love to hear this episode resonated you. ❤️

Ever get to that point in a painting where nothing’s working the way you thought it would? Where the idea is still in there somewhere, but the canvas isn’t cooperating?

That’s not a mistake. That’s the part where things get real.

In this episode of the Savvy Painter podcast, we’re talking about the Exploration phase of the Creative Spiral. The phase most artists dread, not because they’re doing it wrong, but because it asks them to stay with what’s actually happening in the painting. Not the plan. Not the ideal image in their head.

 Just… this. Right here.

It’s uncomfortable, often messy, and full of not-knowing. But it’s also where your voice starts to take shape, not as an idea, but in the act of making.

🎧 Episode Map
[2:55] Why your painting doesn’t match the idea in your head (and why that’s normal)
[5:45] What “not knowing” really means, and why your brain fights it
[9:50] Intuitive painting isn’t winging it. There is a plan. It just looks different.
[12:40] The experimenter’s crisis: this isn’t what I thought it would look like
[15:10] The two thoughts that tend to paralyze painters in this phase
[17:30] Why looking bad might be a good sign
[20:00] This is where your voice starts to show up—in motion, not in theory
[23:45] What to do when you have no idea what to do next
[26:00] Try this instead: make it truer, not prettier
[28:30] Exploration isn’t aimless. It’s a choice to stay with what’s here, even if it’s unclear

🎨 For Your Studio Wall
Some reminders worth keeping close:

• “Messy isn’t the opposite of skill. It’s how skill gets built.”
• “The painting gets honest when you do.”
• “You’re not supposed to know before you do the thing.”
• “It’s not a straight line, and it’s not supposed to be.”

What to Bring Into the Studio With You
Because just listening isn’t the point

• A willingness to get lost, on purpose
• Permission to make 20 versions no one ever sees
• Curiosity over control
• The guts to keep going when things look weird (because they will)

💬 Talk to Me
What’s your relationship with the messy middle?

Leave a comment on Instagram (@savvypainterpodcast) or DM me and tell me how you know you’re in the exploration phase.

You’re not alone, and you don’t have to figure it out in isolation. This is what we practice inside Growth Studio, week after week.

Support the show

And hey - if this episode hit home, do me a favor, leave a review on Apple Podcast or come say hi on Instagram: @savvypainterpodcast
I’d love to hear this episode resonated you. ❤️

Resistance isn’t laziness—it’s fear wearing a disguise. Let's break down the REAL reason resistance shows up right after creative excitement kicks in—and how to move forward without force. 

If you’ve ever found yourself avoiding the studio for no “good” reason, this one’s for you. 

We're going to talk about why resistance is actually a turning point in your creative spiral, not a sign to stop. Plus, hear how one artist in Growth Studio used this awareness to navigate a wave of unexpected yeses.

Your Episode Map:

• [00:01] The real reason resistance shows up—and why it means you’re growing, not failing.
• [04:45] The “I AM” trap: how we confuse resistance with identity.
• [11:30] What your brain fears MORE than failure.
• [13:00] Growth Studio story: When you get what you asked for
• [20:00] Why your brain thinks change is dangerous—
• [25:00] The smallest moves to shift resistance and restore your momentum.

Support the show

And hey - if this episode hit home, do me a favor, leave a review on Apple Podcast or come say hi on Instagram: @savvypainterpodcast
I’d love to hear this episode resonated you. ❤️

That “lost” feeling? It’s not a problem. It’s the process.

Today kicks off a special series I’ve been quietly building behind the scenes for a while now.

It’s called the CREATE Spiral, and it’s a new framework I’ve developed to help artists understand why we get stuck and how to move forward—gently, without shame, and without needing to have it all figured out.

In this first episode, we’re talking about the very first phase of the spiral: Curiosity.

If you’ve been in a fog, wondering why nothing’s exciting you in the studio anymore…

If you’ve felt disconnected from your work, unsure what you want to paint next…

If you’ve caught yourself saying, “Is this all there is?”—this episode is for you.

You’ll learn why this phase is not a detour—it’s a necessary (and powerful) part of your creative growth. And I’ll show you how to move through it in a way that invites clarity, energy, and momentum back into your practice.

Your Episode Map

Major moments, minute by minute.

• [0:00–3:00] – Growth isn’t linear—meet the Create Spiral
• [4:00–6:00] – Fear and uncertainty aren’t problems—they’re part of the path
• [7:00–8:00] – Curiosity is your most underrated studio tool
• [9:20–12:00] – That “blah” feeling? It’s a clue, not a dead end
• [12:00–14:00] – You can’t rush clarity—give curiosity room to grow
• [15:00–16:30] – Follow the tiniest spark—even if it makes no sense (yet)

📌 For Your Studio Wall

The words worth pinning up next to your easel.

 What to Bring Into the Studio With You

Because listening is just the beginning.

If you're in that murky place where everything feels kind of blah, you’re not broken. You’re just in the curiosity phase—and that’s a vital part of your growth as an artist.

Try this:
Open a journal or sketchbook and finish the sentence:
👉 “I'm really curious about…”

Let that be your starting point.
Not what will sell. Not what looks impressive. Just what feels quietly alive for you right now.

Let it be messy. Let it be uncertain.
Let it be enough.

And if this episode hit home, come say hi on Instagram:
@savvypainterpodcast
I’d love to hear what your curiosity is whispering to you.

Support the show

And hey - if this episode hit home, do me a favor, leave a review on Apple Podcast or come say hi on Instagram: @savvypainterpodcast
I’d love to hear this episode resonated you. ❤️

JD Wissler 1963-2025

This is a re-broadcast of an episode from August 2015.

JD was an incredible painter and a beautiful soul.

Go outside. Look up. Be in awe of what you see. 

❤️

Support the show

And hey - if this episode hit home, do me a favor, leave a review on Apple Podcast or come say hi on Instagram: @savvypainterpodcast
I’d love to hear this episode resonated you. ❤️

You ever look at another artist and think, “Ugh—I wish I had their confidence”?
That thing they just seem to have—like it came standard and yours got left out?

Yeah. Let’s talk about that.

This week’s episode breaks down the myth that confidence is something you’re either born with or not.

 I’ll show you how confidence works more like painting—something you build, refine, and grow with each stroke (even the messy ones).

Whether you’re struggling to price your work, share it online, or just get yourself back into the studio, this is for you.

Because here’s the truth: You don’t need confidence to start.
You need to start to build confidence.

Your Episode Map

• 00:38 – Confidence ≠ personality trait. It’s a practice.
• 01:30 – Two types of confidence: Experience vs. Self-confidence
• 04:24 – Why waiting for confidence keeps you stuck
• 09:39 – That time I gave a talk at Disney… and panicked
• 13:09 – Borrowing confidence from what you do know
• 14:44 – The truth behind people who “just seem confident”
• 17:10 – Why the tiniest baby steps matter
• 20:00 – Megan’s workshop nerves—and why they’re totally normal
• 22:31 – You grow into the person who can handle it
• 24:28 – Your creative fingerprint and trusting your own rhythm
• 25:00 – The only wrong move? No move.

📌 For Your Studio Wall

Words worth pinning next to your easel.

Thoughts to Bring Into the Studio With You

Because listening is just the beginning.

If confidence feels out of reach right now, remember this: every time you show up—paint a stroke, post your work, have the awkward conversation—you are practicing confidence.

Try this: pick one small thing that’s been making you hesitate. Then do it before you feel ready.

I'd love to see what you do with this episode! DM me on Instagram (or tag me)  and tell me what you’re trying this week.
@savvypainterpodcast

Support the show

And hey - if this episode hit home, do me a favor, leave a review on Apple Podcast or come say hi on Instagram: @savvypainterpodcast
I’d love to hear this episode resonated you. ❤️

Today, we’re talking about something that every artist encounters—but few talk about openly: rejection.

Whether it’s a juried show, a gallery application, or simply putting your work on social media, the fear of hearing “no” often holds artists back in big ways. But here’s the truth: rejection isn’t the problem. It’s the meaning we attach to it that creates so much pain and paralysis.

Antrese breaks down:

• Why rejection feels so intense—and why that’s totally normal
• The science behind the physical response to rejection (it’s not all in your head)
• How your brain turns a simple “no” into a worst-case-scenario spiral
• Real stories from Growth Studio artists navigating fear, discomfort, and unexpected wins
• What it means to build rejection resilience—and how to do it

You’ll also hear about a two-month Rejection Challenge happening inside Growth Studio, and why some artists are already discovering that the “no’s” they feared are turning into surprising “yeses.”

If rejection has ever stopped you from taking action, this episode is for you.

Links and Resources:

• Learn more about Growth Studio
• Connect with Antrese: @savvypainterpodcast

Like what you hear?
Please take a moment to rate and review the podcast—it helps more artists find this show. And if you know someone who needs to hear this, send it their way.

Support the show

And hey - if this episode hit home, do me a favor, leave a review on Apple Podcast or come say hi on Instagram: @savvypainterpodcast
I’d love to hear this episode resonated you. ❤️

Have you ever been so immersed in your painting that you completely lost track of time? That magical moment where everything clicks, the inner critic goes quiet, and it feels like the brush is moving on its own? That’s what we’re diving into today—flow state.

But here’s the twist: is flow always a good thing? Or can it actually hold you back from experimenting and growing as an artist?

In this episode, I’m bringing you inside Growth Studio for a real, unfiltered conversation with artists who are wrestling with those exact questions. You’ll hear how each of us defines and experiences flow, the unexpected ways it shows up (or doesn’t), and why your version of it might look completely different from anyone else's.

Whether you’ve had that dreamy, meditative painting session or you’re wondering why it feels so elusive, this conversation will make you think differently about what flow actually is—and how it might be the key to unlocking your most authentic work.

In This Episode:

• What flow state actually feels like—and why it’s different for everyone
• The surprising relationship between flow and experimentation
• How presence and letting go of self-judgment are key to deep creative focus
• The role of technical skill in entering (and sustaining) a flow state
• Why some artists lose track of time, and others feel like they “wake up” to a finished painting
• How being seen by others can either block or boost your creative rhythm
• And why finding flow might just be a form of falling in love—with your art and with yourself

Big Takeaways:

• Flow isn’t a formula—it’s deeply individual and may even shift over time.
• Being fully present is what unlocks your most powerful creative moments.
• Community matters—having other artists to talk with, compare notes, and challenge your thinking expands what’s possible.
• And maybe most importantly: flow feels like love—something you never want to end.

If this episode speaks to you, imagine having these kinds of conversations all the time. That’s exactly what we do inside Growth Studio. If you’re looking for a supportive, inspiring artist community that challenges you and cheers you on—come join us.

Support the show

And hey - if this episode hit home, do me a favor, leave a review on Apple Podcast or come say hi on Instagram: @savvypainterpodcast
I’d love to hear this episode resonated you. ❤️

Do you often feel guilty or frustrated when you see a piece of unfinished art in your studio? Instead of seeing that as proof of something wrong with you or your art practice, let’s transform your relationship with your works-in-progress and unlock new (and often overlooked) possibilities!

In this episode of the Savvy Painter Podcast, learn how unfinished work holds the key to your next creative breakthrough. I explore the various types of incomplete pieces and the emotional baggage attached to them, how to overcome the self-criticism surrounding unfinished work, how to know when it’s time to release your hold on partly-done artwork, as well as advocate for embracing the untapped potential of unfinished art as part of creating a positive practice.

1:39 – How I tend to categorize unfinished work
5:05 – Internal and external reasons for leaving paintings unfinished

6:58 – Common negative thoughts about unfinished work and my philosophy for creating a positive art practice
13:05 – How to embrace the idea of letting go of a painting without feeling like a quitter

19:42 – Other ways you can utilize unfinished paintings

23:58 – How to know when it’s time to let go of a piece of incomplete artwork

28:47 – What trusting in your creative process and the potential of unfinished paintings offer you

Mentioned in Finding Joy and Creative Possibility in Unfinished Work

Join Growth Studio

Support the show

And hey - if this episode hit home, do me a favor, leave a review on Apple Podcast or come say hi on Instagram: @savvypainterpodcast
I’d love to hear this episode resonated you. ❤️

Art is inherently slow. It demands time, thought, and presence, so embracing that slowness is essential for creating meaningful work and maintaining your artistic well-being. Yet, many artists feel behind in their art journey because they’re not producing fast enough.

In this episode of the Savvy Painter Podcast, I’ll challenge the idea that faster is better in the art world. You’ll discover how hustle culture distorts our perception of the artistic process and get a refreshing perspective that’ll help you reclaim the joy and depth of art-making in a fast-paced world.

3:57 – The mindset that clashes with the time-sensitive nature of art creation
7:51 – How social media puts pressure on artists to create faster
10:54 – The drawbacks of chasing quick results with your art

14:52 – The perks of embracing a slower approach with your art

17:53 – Four quick steps to reclaim time, space, and creative joy in your art practice

Mentioned in The Slow Art Revolution — Because Instant Results Are a Scam

Join Growth Studio

Support the show

And hey - if this episode hit home, do me a favor, leave a review on Apple Podcast or come say hi on Instagram: @savvypainterpodcast
I’d love to hear this episode resonated you. ❤️

Does staring at a blank canvas sometimes cause you to question your abilities? Many artists (even those you admire) struggle with self-doubt and imposter syndrome, and the current chaotic world only amplifies those feelings. But what if the only thing holding you back is the mere thought that you aren’t an artist?

In this episode of the Savvy Painter Podcast, we’ll dismantle the myth of the "real" artist and explore why waiting to embody this ideal is a waste of time. You’ll discover how imposter syndrome can signal that you're in the wrong environment (not the wrong career), how external stress fuels self-doubt, and how to regain control of your thoughts and stop looking for permission to be the artist you truly want to be.

3:15 – Challenge your inner critic who thinks you're not a real artist
10:33 – Re-define for yourself what it means to be an artist 
14:00 – The importance of identifying who you want (and don’t want) to support you 
17:54 – The power of choosing to embrace imperfection and uncertainty

22:38 – Questions to ask when in self-doubt about your status as an artist 

Mentioned in How to Make Art When You Don’t Feel Like an Artist

The Work of Byron Katie

Join Growth Studio

Support the show

And hey - if this episode hit home, do me a favor, leave a review on Apple Podcast or come say hi on Instagram: @savvypainterpodcast
I’d love to hear this episode resonated you. ❤️

Why does your art matter when the world feels heavy, uncertain, or even chaotic? If you’ve ever found yourself asking, “Who am I to create right now?”—you’re not alone. But that might be the wrong question.

In this episode of the Savvy Painter Podcast, we’re talking about what it means to make art during difficult times. If you’re an artist feeling disconnected, stuck, or unsure whether your work even matters right now, this conversation is for you.

We’ll look at why creative burnout is so common in overwhelming seasons, how to reconnect with your practice when it feels impossible to show up, and why your art is not just valid but vital. You’ll learn how to calm your nervous system, process tough emotions without pushing them down, and use your studio as a place of resistance, healing, and humanity.

Because making art isn’t frivolous, it’s how we stay connected. It’s how we resist isolation. And it’s precisely what the world needs more of.

3:31 – The importance of acknowledging your emotions without letting them take over
7:14 – The better question to ask, and why now is exactly the right time to make your art
15:16 – How to work with your emotions instead of pushing them down
19:34 – Why it feels like your art doesn’t matter (and the most powerful way to push back against that)

Mentioned in Why Your Art Is Exactly What We Need Right Now

The Marginalian

Join Growth Studio

Support the show

And hey - if this episode hit home, do me a favor, leave a review on Apple Podcast or come say hi on Instagram: @savvypainterpodcast
I’d love to hear this episode resonated you. ❤️

How often have you heard phrases like, “Go big or go home,” or “Just put yourself out there”? Society loves to advocate for taking big risks. Yet too many end up freezing or avoiding risk-taking entirely when the leap they’re being asked to make feels too big for them. Thankfully, there’s a middle ground between taking a big risk and taking no risks at all.

In this episode of The Savvy Painter Podcast, I’ll show you the power of taking small, controlled risks to build your confidence and gradually increase your risk tolerance. You’ll see why big leaps often backfire and halt your progress, and discover how to expand your risk-taking comfort zone without overwhelming yourself.

2:59 – The nervous system’s role in your risk-taking confidence and the advantage in taking small risks 

8:41 – How approaching risk-taking like a ladder or video game expands your confidence

15:23 – Signs that you’re taking too big a risk and techniques to regulate your nervous system when things feel too scary

17:41 – How to know when it’s time to level up your risk-taking and expand your tolerance

22:23 – Biggest takeaways, your challenge for the week, and a final message

Mentioned in Why Taking Big Risks Can Backfire (and What to Do Instead)

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When things don’t go your way in your art practice, what do you do? Like many artists, you might beat yourself up with lots of self-criticism and judgment. You’d be better off creating the habit of having your own back instead. That way, you’ll actually speed up your progress and not look back a year from now with regret that you’re still stuck in the same place.

In this episode of The Savvy Painter Podcast, I’ll reveal exactly what having your own back looks like, why it’s a crucial skill you must learn, and how not doing so can hold you back for years. I’ll also discuss the impact of creating this habit on you as an artist and how compassionate support (from yourself and/or others) helps evolve your art practice.

2:53 – Why self-criticism doesn’t make you a better artist

8:04 - How getting rejected isn’t really about your work

10:29 – What having your own back means and why it’s a crucial skill to develop

14:52 – How creating the habit of having your own back impacts your art practice

17:02 – Explicit and implicit messages you’ve received that encourage self-criticism

20:16 – Why compassion and empathy in the face of rejection help you evolve

24:46 – Why feeling ready to show your work isn’t likely or necessary

Mentioned in Not Having Your Own Back Has Cost You Years of Progress

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Your brain automatically runs scripts on repeat. But are those scripts helping you or playing like mini horror movies in your head? With the right mental rehearsal approach, you can create scenarios that help turn around any unsatisfactory results of your art practice. 

In this episode of The Savvy Painter Podcast, we’re going to get into what mental rehearsal is and why it’s one of the most powerful, yet underutilized tools for artists. You’ll discover how you’re always mentally practicing something repeatedly, how your current results are proof, and what happens when you change what you’re rehearsing in your brain.

2:24 – What mental rehearsal is and some ways you’re probably using it wrong

7:05 - Why the brain makes mental rehearsal so effectively powerful (with a client example)

12:42 – The effect mental rehearsing might be having on your art practice right now 

14:33 – Another example of what can happen when you switch your mental rehearsal 

17:19 – The difference between artists who succeed and those who stay stuck

Mentioned in Why Mental Rehearsal Is a Powerful Tool for Artists

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Is the problem really your art—or just how you’re looking at it?

We’ve all been there. You step back from something you’ve just created, and your brain instantly goes, “Ugh, this is awful.” Maybe even, “What if people see this and think I have no idea what I’m doing?” That little voice in your head? It’s not just being dramatic, it’s actively sabotaging you.

In this episode of The Savvy Painter Podcast, we’re digging into how your brain warps your perception of your own work, why that inner critic is so convincing, and, most importantly, how to quiet it so you can share your art with confidence. Because if you don’t believe in your work, how can you expect anyone else to?

1:58 – Negativity bias of the brain and how it affects your perspective

4:07 - One Growth Studio member’s journey from self-doubt to public recognition

6:52 – The cycle of doubt you experience with your work

10:46 – Three steps to override your brain and overcome self-doubt

16:48 – How to practice talking about your art to build confidence 

Mentioned in Your Brain Is the Worst Art Critic (And What to Do About It)

Why Get Your Work Critiqued?

Exploring Your Art Without Overthinking or Overwhelm

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Do you ever feel anxious or freeze up when someone asks about your work? You want people to see and love your art, but talking about it can feel overwhelming. And if you struggle to talk about your art, you might miss opportunities to connect with potential buyers.

In this episode of The Savvy Painter Podcast, we’re diving into why learning to talk about your art is so important. I’ll share how your words can shape the way collectors experience your work, what it really costs to stay silent, and why there’s no “wrong” way to talk about your art—even if it feels intimidating.

4:24 – Why your art won’t speak for itself and why you need to help it

10:26 – What happens when you stay silent instead of engaging with potential buyers

13:36 – How connection shapes a collector’s experience and influences their decision to buy

17:40 – How talking about your art builds confidence and conviction in your work

20:37 – The impact of clear communication when applying for shows, grants, and residencies

22:07 – The biggest fears artists have when discussing their work and why they don’t need to worry

27:06 – The key to feeling comfortable talking about your art and a quick challenge to help you practice

Mentioned in How to Talk About Your Art Without Feeling Awkward

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As a kid, did you wish you were like Cinderella and had a fairy godmother who could just wave her magic wand and president you with whatever you wished? Unfortunately, this idea of a fairy tale character coming to save the day is every bit as fantastical as the art police scenario talked about last week. Just as no one is coming to arrest you, no one is coming to save you, either.

In this episode of The Savvy Painter podcast, you’ll learn how to be the hero of your own story instead and give yourself the best odds to succeed as an artist. I’ll share the scope of the responsibility you need to take on, provide insights and suggestions to help you get clear on and envision what you want inside and outside the studio, discuss the importance of focusing on what you can control instead of what you can’t (like social media algorithms), and more.

3:55 - How to stack the odds in your favor and give yourself the chance to create the practice you want

6:39 - How to envision your perfect day and the results you want to get in your art practice

11:28 - Better questions to ask yourself about what you want so you can create a fulfilling practice

13:50 - Why you often feel helpless as an artist and what happens when you don’t know what you want

16:06 - What you need to know about social media and the importance of focusing on what you can control

21:37 - Why you don’t need to know all the answers to start (but what is required of you right now)

26:21 - One final suggestion that can keep you moving forward 

Mentioned in You’re the Hero of Your Own Art Story

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Do you believe that if you think outside of the box and actually apply that thinking to your work that the art police will come to arrest you or take away your brushes? As absurd as that seems, refusing to follow your instincts as an artist because of your fear of negative nancy voices still has the same effect on you. You’re so worried about doing everything “by the book” that it causes you to question your decisions and your work, to the point where you stop yourself from doing it.

So in this episode of The Savvy Painter podcast, we’ll dismantle the myth that there’s a correct way to create, show, or sell your art and that some invisible authority is waiting to catch you in the act if you stray away from doing it “right.” I’ll also give you some truths, strategies, and tools to help you more easily embrace your creative inner voice and artistic instincts without fearing others’ negative beliefs or thoughts.

1:24 - The irony of being an artist living in a world with other human beings

4:06 - How fear of the art police can manifest, regardless of your education level

8:23 - Extremes that artists go back and forth between and its impact on them and their art

12:27 - The long history of creativity and the cognitive dissonance artists have about mistakes

16:33 - How to check in with your own voice when you hesitate to do artwork you feel called to do

18:42 - Ways to introduce playfulness and experimentation into your art and how your subconscious mind helps

21:14 - How tapping into your own creative voice protects and empowers you

23:04 - Tools to help you clear the mental chatter and reconnect you to your instincts

Mentioned in There Are No Art Police—So Why Are You Following Their Rules?

The Far Side Comic Strip by Gary Larson

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Noticing the small wins you’ve gained can have a big impact on your practice as an artist. That insight was what I loved hearing about most in my conversation with Leslie Rae Cannon, an artist from Atlanta, Georgia and a member of Growth Studio. She graduated with an art degree from Presbyterian College, and now as an empty-nester has traded in carpools and play-dates for canvases and paint brushes.

In this episode of The Savvy Painter podcast, you’ll learn how small wins have helped Leslie grow as an artist, from overcoming her fear of putting her work out there to becoming really selective about which gallery she allows to show her art. You’ll also hear about the importance of developing a supportive community and how that’s helped Leslie recognize her own progress.

1:34 - A sense of who Leslie is and what she’s discovered about herself as an artist

5:56 - The process Leslie goes through when working on or in between projects

8:56 - How Leslie felt inspired to create her hydrangea collection and allowed herself more freedom in painting them

15:25 - Leslie’s transition from being really excited about her work to wanting to show her work

19:37 - One way that people have been drawn to some of Leslie’s paintings and a recent decision that saved her from sitting in frustration

26:10 - How Leslie has evolved into the habit of consistently putting her toe in the water to get her work into a gallery

33:50 - The impact of Leslie’s belief in the law of attraction and manifestation on her success

39:17 - How Leslie has gotten into the practice of noticing her small wins

41:26 - How Leslie shifted from trying to get in front of as many people as possible to being able to pick and choose her shows

47:37 - What today’s Leslie would tell herself (or other artists) if this were three or four years ago

Mentioned in How Small Wins Impact Your Art Practice with Leslie Rae Cannon

Leslie Rae Cannon Art | Instagram

Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert

How to Confidently Price Your Artwork Without Overwhelm

How to Stop Procrastinating and Finally Price Your Artwork

Julep Gallery | Dunwoody Gallery

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Do you feel a twinge of anxiety or regret settle in after you’ve set a goal? It’s similar to how people often feel after making a big purchase. You get really excited about your goal, only to feel this wave of doubt sink in. I call this goal phenomenon “goal remorse.”

In this episode of The Savvy Painter podcast, we’ll dive deeper into what goal remorse is and why it pops up. I’ll also give you some tips to calm the overthinking of your goal, help you feel good about your decision, and stay on track with your vision.

1:36 - What goal remorse is, why you feel it, and questions to ask yourself when the goal you’ve set is too vague

7:57 - A close cousin of “shiny-object syndrome” that leads to goal remorse and the bigger win you gain by committing to your goals

14:20 - How recognizing that you’re in a negative thought pattern, challenging it, and reframing it will help defuse it

17:00 - One of my favorite and constantly used tools for calming down the nervous system

19:19 - The power of self-hypnosis or mental rehearsal to train your brain to trust yourself and your instincts when it comes to your goal

21:44 - An important thing to remember after you’ve committed to a goal and the importance of scheduling time for reassessing

24:25 - How to give yourself accountability to help eliminate any sort of goal remorse or doubts around your goal

Mentioned in Doubts Don’t Mean You Chose the Wrong Goal

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Setting goals isn’t just about the end result; it’s also about personal growth and transformation. You feel disappointed and perhaps like you’re spinning your wheels a bit when you don’t achieve what you’ve set out to do. And a struggle to decide the ‘right' goal for you might be getting in the way of that feeling of satisfaction, happiness, and pride in your art practice.

So how do you choose if you have a million ideas and feel like you can’t pick just one to go with? In this episode of The Savvy Painter podcast, you’ll learn about the common fears associated with goal-setting and the part your brain plays in the process. I’ll also give you some practical tips to help you decide which goals to pursue.

1:58 - What setting goals helps you avoid and common struggles of artists who don’t have clear goals

8:32 - Why artists struggle with choosing the “right” goal and trusting their decision

16:34 - Why your brain creates obstacles to achieving your goals and how to deal with it

21:09 - How to decide if you feel like you have too many ideas

25:52 - The importance of trusting your decision once you’ve made it

Mentioned in How to Decide on the “Right” Goal

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There’s an affliction going around lately within artistic circles. You might be experiencing it too, even if it’s just a small voice or whisper in the back of your head. The affliction is the thought that, “My art doesn’t matter”. 

Now, your immediate reaction might be to refute this and tell yourself, “Of course it matters/” And I agree and am here to remind you that, yes, your art does matter. But this constant nagging doubt could make you feel like an art practice isn’t worth having after all.

In this episode of The Savvy Painter podcast, you’ll learn about what’s special about your art and exactly why it matters, not just to you but to other people as well. I’ll also discuss why you believe it doesn’t matter and how your approach to your work could change if the thought was completely non-existent in your mind.

3:20 - Why you sometimes believe that creating your work doesn’t matter and how it leads to dissatisfaction in your practice

8:09 - The most beautiful thing about being an artist and how it showcases a gift that most people don’t have

13:14 - How you impact people with your art, whether you’re aware of it or not

16:38 - The impact on you if the thought “my art doesn’t matter” didn’t exist in your head at all

23:06 - One of the greatest realizations I’ve ever had about my own artwork

Mentioned in Why Your Art Matters (Even When You Think It Doesn’t)

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Money and pricing your art can feel like tricky, even uncomfortable topics, but they’re also some of the most powerful conversations we can have as artists. Why? Because our beliefs about money and pricing often run deep and show up in ways we don’t even realize. They influence how we value our art, how we show up for it, and ultimately, how we create a practice that truly supports and sustains us.

In this final roundtable episode of The Savvy Painter Podcast, I’m joined by Growth Studio members Merrie Koehlert, Leslie Cannon, and Beverly Woodhall. We dig into how your thoughts about money and pricing impact your relationship with your art, and we get real about the hidden mindset blocks that can hold you back. Whether it’s pricing your work with confidence, valuing your time, or shifting your money beliefs, this conversation is filled with insights to help you move forward and thrive as an artist."

1:23 - Quick self-introductions for Merrie, Leslie, and Beverly as artists

2:56 - Assumptions about money as it relates to art that the roundtable have had or heard from others

8:44 - How your subconscious programming can impact the lens through which you see your art

14:04 - Critical junction points in Merrie’s life that reinforced her negative assumptions about selling art

18:40 - How Leslie, Merrie, and Beverly view pricing their artwork and how their thoughts about pricing have changed

31:09 - Getting around the drama in your head so you can learn to get comfortable with your pricing 

34:55 - How each participant has internalized what “the value of the painting” means to them

43:25 - The value to the art collector and why buying a piece of art because it matches other room decor shouldn’t be considered an insult

50:12 - Painting pieces you know people buy when you need to make more money versus painting what you really want and not selling as frequently

57:11 - Thoughts around money or pricing that the participants now notice that they were oblivious to before and how Growth Studio has helped 

Mentioned in How Your Money Mindset Shapes Your Art Practice

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How to Confidently Price Your Artwork Without Overwhelm
How to Stop Procrastinating and Finally Price Your Artwork
How Artists Can Overcome Money Mindset Blocks
Beverly Woodhall | Instagram
Merrie Koehlert | Instagram
Leslie Cannon | Instagram

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As artists, we go through several phases on our way to creating pieces. It all starts with this period of play and discovery that I call the exploratory phase, and to talk about it with me are Growth Studio members Sabrina Setaro, Alyssa Marquez, and Jess Fredrick.

In this roundtable episode of The Savvy Painter Podcast, you’ll go on a deep dive into the first stage of artistic creation: the exploratory phase. Sabrina, Alyssa, Fredick, and I will discuss what happens in this stage and what they’ve discovered about their work in the process, techniques to balance play with purpose during your exploration, how they avoid overwhelm and overthinking during this discovery phase, and more!

1:10 - The five phases of artistic creation

4:27 - Sabrina, Alyssa and Jess tell a little bit about themselves

8:00 - What the exploratory phase looks like for each roundtable participant in their studio

14:05 - Allowing further experimentation and how to keep frustration at bay during this phase

24:48 - More experimentation techniques you can use to help you get out of a rut as an artist

34:43 - Insights the participants received about their artwork during the exploratory phase

46:08 - How to know if you’re using this phase for deep exploration or as a way to hide from something else

54:07 - How being part of Growth Studio has helped Sabrina, Alyssa, and Jess in the exploration process

Mentioned in Exploring Your Art Without Overthinking or Overwhelm

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Jess Fredrick | Instagram

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Welcome to another roundtable series! This time I’m joined by Growth Studio members Louisa Jornayvaz, Braighlee Rainey, Jack Wray, and Elisabeth Svendby in a discussion about finding your voice as an artist.

In this episode of The Savvy Painter Podcast, you’ll learn about what it means to find your voice and ways you can connect with it. You’ll also get personal insights into how the participants’ have connected with their voice and how it brings meaning into their artistic practice.

1:37 - Braighlee, Louisa, Elisabeth, and Jack quickly introduce themselves

3:27 - How they define what the artist's voice means to them

8:46 - How to know when you’re connected to your voice

11:00 - How your background can impact your art and the journey of finding your voice

19:52 - How each roundtable participant has progressed in finding their voice

26:35 - Why this journey isn’t straightforward and how it can evolve as you continue to walk the path

33:59 - Advice if you’re really not sure where to look to help you discover your artistic voice

42:27 - The connection between finding your voice as an artist and meditation and green lights

46:46 - The importance of imperfection and challenge in bringing character and resonance to art

50:10 - The impact of being taught in curiosity and sensitivity conditioning

54:59 - What the roundtable participants learned within Growth Studio to help them find or connect with their voices

Mentioned in How Artists Find Their Voice and Create from the Heart

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Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey
Elisabeth Svendby | Instagram
Jack Wray | Instagram
Braighlee Rainey | Instagram

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It’s one thing to have an interest in creating art or putting something on canvas. It’s another to see yourself as an artist and have an artistic practice.

What’s a difference-maker between those who do and those who don’t? Creative confidence, and to talk about it, I’m joined by Growth Studio members Alyssa Marquez, Merrie Koehlert, and Andrew Rea in another roundtable series.

In this episode of The Savvy Painter Podcast, you’ll learn about the concept of creative confidence, its impact on artistic practice, and how it differs from self-confidence and arrogance. You’ll get personal insights into how the participants’ confidence has evolved, whether there’s such a thing as too much confidence, and how peer support can help navigate challenges and enhance artistic expression.

1:34 - Defining creative confidence and how it’s necessary for artists to create and share their work

6:46 - How you’re constantly making art (even if you haven’t always been the artistic type)

13:00 - How Alyssa’s creative confidence has evolved over time

24:42 - How an evolution in confidence has most recently affected Merrie’s and Andrew’s art

29:49 - How to distinguish between confidence, self-confidence, and arrogance

33:19 - Can you have too much confidence in your painting or art practice?

40:33 - How confidence has impacted Alyssa’s desire to take risks with art

43:03 - Impact of the Growth Studio community on the roundtable participants’ confidence

Mentioned in How Creative Confidence Impacts Your Artwork

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Alyssa Marquez | Instagram
Merrie Koehlert | Instagram

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And hey - if this episode hit home, do me a favor, leave a review on Apple Podcast or come say hi on Instagram: @savvypainterpodcast
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