Art & Cocktails – Details, episodes & analysis

In this must-listen episode of Art & Cocktails, host Ekaterina Popova is joined by the phenomenal Amie McNee, artist, author, and the creative force behind the Instagram sensation @inspiredtowrite. Together, they have an honest and empowering discussion about the transformative power of self-acceptance and why now, more than ever, it’s crucial to stop hiding your art and start sharing your unique voice with the world.

Amie candidly shares her journey from self-doubt to self-publishing success, offering invaluable insights into navigating the challenges of the creative process, dealing with online misunderstandings, and the importance of diversifying income streams as a creative. She also gives us an exclusive preview of her highly anticipated upcoming book, We Need Your Art, a guide designed to help artists break through creative blocks and fully embrace their potential.

Whether you're an emerging artist or a seasoned creator, this episode is packed with actionable advice, inspiration, and the push you need to stop f*king around and start making your mark. Don’t miss out on this deep dive into what it truly means to be a creative in today’s world.

Sponsored by: Create! Magazine – Your go-to online platform for creative business support, education, and publishing opportunities. Unlock your potential at Create! Magazine.

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Next Steps:

• Pre-order Amie McNee's upcoming book We Need Your Art, releasing on March 13th 2025. https://www.amiemcnee.com/we-need-your-art-book
• Share the episode on Instagram and tag @inspiredtowrite and @createmagazine.
• Learn more at www.amiemcnee.com

This conversation will inspire you to embrace your creativity, overcome self-doubt, and boldly share your art with the world. 

In this special episode of Art & Cocktails, host Kat (Ekaterina Popova) welcomes the incredible artist, writer, and mystic Rebecca Campbell. Dive into an inspiring conversation that explores the profound intersection of creativity and spirituality. Rebecca shares her journey from a successful career in advertising to fully embracing her soul’s calling, offering powerful insights on trusting the creative process, navigating change, and the importance of creating from the heart rather than producing for external validation.

Kat and Rebecca delve into the challenges artists face in today's fast-paced, content-driven world and how to reconnect with the deeper essence of creation. Rebecca's mantra "Be the mystic, not the machine" serves as a guiding light for creatives feeling overwhelmed by societal pressures. Discover how to honor your unique pace, embrace the cyclical nature of creativity, and find the courage to release what no longer serves you.

Tune in to hear about Rebecca’s latest book, Your Soul Had a Dream, Your Life Is It, a powerful exploration of change, rebirth, and the sacredness all around us. This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to align with their true creative path.

Powerful Quotes:

• "Create, don’t produce. The world may push you to keep producing, but true magic comes from creating from within."
• "Our time here is precious; trust the spark and let your creations originate from you, not from external demands."
• "Be the mystic, not the machine. Stay in your potency and create for yourself, not for validation."

Connect with Rebecca Campbell:

• Website: RebeccaCampbell.me
• Preorder Your Soul Had a Dream, Your Life Is It here https://rebeccacampbell.me/yoursoulhadadream/
• Follow Rebecca on Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/rebeccacampbell_author

In this conversation, host Ekaterina Popova chats with Marina Press Granger, about the powerful blend of spirituality, intuition, and business. Marina shares how artists can build an unshakable sense of self-worth and lean into their spiritual gifts to navigate their careers with confidence, no matter the external circumstances.

• Meet Marina Press Granger: Get to know Marina's inspiring journey from working in New York City's museums and galleries to becoming a certified Reiki master and spiritual guide.
• Deep Dive into Spirituality: Learn how Marina integrates spirituality into her coaching and programs, helping artists tap into their intuition and overcome limiting beliefs.
• Raw Stories & Spiritual Awakening: Ekaterina and Marina share personal stories from their post-Soviet childhoods, highlighting the significant role of spirituality in their lives.
• Tips for Artists: Gain practical advice on connecting with your intuition and incorporating spirituality into your creative processes.
• Breathwork & Mindset: Discover the transformative power of the box breath technique and mindset shifts to help manage stress and manifest your goals.
• Navigating the Art World: Insightful discussions on how the internet and social media are empowering artists to take control of their careers.

1. Spiritual Growth: Embrace spiritual practices to build courage and resilience.
2. Practical Spirituality: Simple techniques like the box breath can help regulate your nervous system and unlock your creativity.
3. Power Shift: The internet has democratized the art world, offering artists more opportunities to showcase their work independently.
4. Manifestation: Cultivate a mindset of neutrality and openness to attract the opportunities you desire without the pressure of neediness.

A big thank you to our sponsor, Create! Magazine. If you’re interested in getting access to our digital archive and upcoming issues, consinder supporting independent artist-run publishing by becoming a digital subscriber at createmagazine.com/subscribe and save 20% with the code NEWREADER.

• Instagram: instagram.com/the_artist_advisory
• Website: theartistadvisory.com
• Podcast: theartistadvisory.com/podcast

Marina is hosting a three-day live training on how to get into galleries that don’t accept submissions. Learn what galleries are looking for, how to show them, and how to get out of your own way to achieve your creative goals. Sign up at theartistadvisory.myflodesk.com for the training on July 10, 11, and 12.

Tune in to this enriching conversation and subscribe to Art & Cocktails on your favorite podcast platform for more inspiring episodes.

Enjoyed this episode? Leave a review and share it with fellow artists and creatives who would benefit from these valuable insights.

Listen to Marina's podcast, The Artist Advisory Hotline: theartistadvisory.com/podcast.

Follow Marina on Instagram: instagram.com/the_artist_advisory.

Learn more at: theartistadvisory.com.

New podcast episode with Ekaterina Popova and Charlie J. Meyers.

Charlie talks about his journey of becoming an artist and curator, having grace and self-compassion for your studio practice and beyond. We also discuss how artists can incorporate more honesty into writing about their work to create compelling statements.

Charlie J. Meyers is a multi-award-winning American artist and curator of figurative abstraction and portraiture. In the past six years, Charlie’s work has toured with the Montreal Arts Council throughout Quebec in public and private galleries and has been exhibited in spaces throughout the USA, UK, and Canada. In 2020, he was awarded an Artist Relief Grant, an initiative organized by the Foundation for Contemporary Arts, United States Artists, and Creative Capital. During quarantine, he started the initiative The Moon Cheese Curator, an international curatorial project focused on the interface between art production and the body. He paints in his work-live studio in Philadelphia.

Instagram: instagram.com/charliejmeyers & instagram.com/mooncheesecurator

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In this episode, join Kat and Aggie Armstrong as they discuss the artist's journey of becoming a full-time artist and creative entrepreneur. Aggie shares the discomfort of taking the leap, leaving a corporate job, and following her dreams. 

Aggie Armstrong is known for her multimedia work that explores various states of female consciousness. Through every piece, Aggie's work serves as a record of her feelings and memories of the intersectional female experience. 

P.S. This episode includes some adult language

www.aggiearmstrong.com

www.instagram.com/aggie_armstrong/

Follow along on Instagram @katerinaspopova and @createmagazine

Join the community: www.artqueens.co

In this episode, Kat shares some tips for reviving our Instagram art accounts from the dead.

She talks about mindset shifts as well as practical steps for helping you get more engagement and action on the app we often have a complicated relationship with. 

Keep showing up and sharing your art and connecting with other humans!

Follow along on Instagram @katerinaspopova and @createmagazine

Join the community: www.artqueens.co

Cj Hendry is a hyperrealist artist who initially garnered worldwide attention on Instagram for her large-scale ink drawings of luxury objects. Always in black and white, these works would often take up to 200 hours to complete. Eventually, she branched out to work in full color with colored pencils and has since expanded her practice to include sculpture, prints and other media. Hendry is also known for coordinating and funding her own immersive and interactive solo exhibitions. The latest one, Plaid, will be on display in New York from April 14-23rd, 2023. 

https://cjhendrystudio.com/

Thank you to this episode's sponsor, Superfine! Art Fair: https://www.superfine.world/art-fairs-for-individual-artists

Mention Create! for $150 your booth fee.

Join Ekaterina Popova and master coach Olga Blias!

Olga is a master transformative mindset and life coach. She shares her story and how she began her journey. We talk all about how to start making positive changes in our lives and how to create powerful and permanent shifts. 

I ask Olga to share practical tips for artists beginning to embody the identity of the most successful, joyful version of themselves and it's way easier than you think!

We also cover:

Navigating imposter syndrome

Fear

Building confidence

Enjoy this episode!

Learn more about Olga:

https://www.instagram.com/olga_soulful_transformation
https://olgablias.wixsite.com/empowermentsession

Are you looking for an empowering art community and accessible coaching?
Check out my monthly membership, The Art Queens:
https://www.artqueens.co/membership

Join Ekaterina Popova and Rebecca Saylor Sack on an inspiring episode where the artist shares how she started exploring bats in her work and shifted her painting materials over the past few years. 

Rebecca is an artist and the the program director of the Fine Arts Program and Painting emphasis coordinator at The University of the Arts in Philadelphia.

Listen to this episode to learn about:

• How to shift your materials
• Finding references and images for new work
• Working with museums
• And more! 

www.rebeccasaylorsack.com/

www.createmagazine.com/subscribe
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How to create positive change and open yourself up to expansion and new exciting challenges!

Are you sick and tired of a recurring problem in your life? Is it finances? Lack of opportunities? 

On this episode, Kat shares the early steps of how to create positive change in your life. Acknowledging the areas of struggle you no longer want to tolerate is a great place to start the transformation.

Start by reflecting on what changes you would like to make in your life and why. Once you have identified the changes you want to make, create a plan to help you work towards them. Never be afraid to take risks and take on new challenges - you never know what you may learn and the doors that may open!

Expand with us!

Join our community and monthly group coaching for artists and artpreneurs: 

www.artqueens.co