Art, Parenthood, and Beyond – Details, episodes & analysis

This is my last podcast episode—at least for now.

In this goodbye, I reflect on what this podcast journey has taught me and share 5 creative lessons every artist should remember. These aren’t tips about algorithms or visibility—they’re the deeper truths that shape how we show up to create.

From trusting your intuition to choosing focus over noise, from crying in the car after a tough call with a hero, to realizing how hard it can be—especially as women—to say no and protect studio time… these stories are raw, honest, and full of the questions we all face as artists.

One of the biggest gifts of this podcast was the people it connected me to.

Aine Divine opened a door that helped me see myself more clearly.

Christian Hook may have closed a door, but in doing so, he anchored me to the one thing that truly matters. That clarity, even through rejection, helped me cut off distractions and devote more time to painting.
But if I hadn’t started this podcast, I wouldn’t have had the chance to even speak with him. For that alone, I’m so glad I began this path.

If you’re curious about Christian Hook’s work, you can explore it here: https://www.christianhook.com

Whether you’ve been listening since episode one or just dropped in recently, thank you. I hope this final episode gives you something to carry forward in your own creative life.

Mentioned:

Letting Go, Moving Forward: Lessons from a Bird on Starting Over| #NatureLessons Ep. 013

Listening In: Aine Divine on Art as Catharsis, Following Sparks, Surrendering to Creative Blocks, and Fully Occupying Your Body in the Creative Process| Ep.19

Kelogsloops: On Art, Storytelling & Why Your Style Is Always Evolving| #Chasingdreams Ep. 035

Artist Lessons from Agnes Cecil, Aine Divine, Kelogsloops, and More: On Rejection, Letting Go, and Growth  |  #ArtistLessons Ep. 042

Miwa’s website: Miwagardner.com

Find me on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@miwagardner_art

Art fear doesn’t always scream — sometimes, it loops quietly in the background. In this episode, I share how my ENFP stress loop of ideas and over-action led me straight into burnout… and how my friend Eli, an INFP, shut down completely after a painful creative experience. We both had to find ways to come back. If you’ve ever felt stuck, resistant, numb, or unsure what step to take next — this episode is for you. I walk through how MBTI loops play out under stress and how simple, honest shifts can help bring you back to creative alignment.
Ask yourself: what’s your art fear? And what helps you find your way back?

MBTI Test: https://www.16personalities.com/free-personality-test

Episode with Eli “When Art Hurts: Selling at Nontraditional Venues & Meta Ads Frustrations | #ArtistStruggle Ep. 025”

Episode with Eli “Finding Your Flow: Creative Routines, Rituals, and Making Space for Art | #CreativeFlow Ep. 037”

Eli’s website: https://www.elimiklavcic.com/

Miwa’s website: Miwagardner.com

Find me on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@miwagardner_art

In this episode, I sit down with my artist friend Alexandra — a fine art craftsperson and doula whose work revolves around the theme of birth.
We talk about creating art that honors life’s beginnings, the vulnerability of naming a piece, and the quiet strength in letting work unfold naturally.
As someone who loves painting toddlers and babies, I found unexpected common ground with Alexandra’s birth-inspired practice.
We also explore our very different rhythms — Alexandra, who protects her sacred creative process, and me, who shares as I go — yet we meet in a shared love for reflection and meaning-making.
This episode is for artists walking a slow or intuitive path — or anyone seeking a thoughtful moment of connection through creativity.

Miwa’s website: Miwagardner.com

Find me on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@miwagardner_art

🔗 Find Alexandra's work:
Website: https://www.aceartsanddoula.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aceartsanddoula?igsh=MW5nbnNyY2g3enVmYw==

What happens when your child’s behavior mirrors something unspoken in yourself? In this episode, I share a tender, raw journey that started with a daycare conversation and ended with one of my most meaningful paintings yet—Child, Blossom, inspired by Van Gogh’s Almond Blossoms.

From reflections on parenting guilt and public judgment to the power of subtle emotions, this episode explores how our children shape us just as much as we shape them. Whether you're a creative parent or an artist navigating emotional depth, I hope this story makes you feel a little more seen

Miwa’s website: https://www.miwagardner.com/
Masters reimagined series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfzUlxz-F0e8Z09vTfjbV3ihLB9KuC76M

Find me on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@miwagardner_art

How much of creativity is structure, and how much is intuition? Is it better to carefully plan a piece, or should we follow the flow and see where it takes us? In this episode, Eli and I explore how we each approach creative balance—when to trust a plan, when to let spontaneity take over, and why keeping momentum is essential. I also share my recent reflections on studying Van Gogh for my ‘Masters Reimagined’ series, how I realized only a fraction of my own paintings truly stand out over time, and why I believe the key to growth is simply to keep creating. If you’ve ever struggled with over-planning or not planning enough, this conversation is for you.

Miwa’s website: https://www.miwagardner.com/
Masters reimagined series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfzUlxz-F0e8Z09vTfjbV3ihLB9KuC76M

Find me on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@miwagardner_art

Eli’s website: https://www.elimiklavcic.com/

How do you build a creative routine that actually works for you? Do you need a structured plan, a clear space, and a calm mind before you can create? Or do you dive straight in, letting the act of making art come first? In this episode, Eli and I break down our creative rituals, how we navigate resistance (a.k.a I call it creative flow;)), and why small habits—like making tea, wearing a ring, wearing your painting jacket or even spinning a top—can be the key to unlocking creativity. We also explore whether creative blocks are real, how to protect our mental space, and why “the way we do anything is the way we do everything” like Rick Ruben says.

Miwa’s website: https://www.miwagardner.com/

Find me on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@miwagardner_art

Eli’s website: https://www.elimiklavcic.com/

In a world where social media seems to determine success, how do we, as artists, find a path that truly feels right? In this episode, I share a raw reflection on the frustration of seeing others grow faster, the struggle of balancing content creation with actual painting, and the realization that social media is just one way—not the only way—to thrive. Whether you're questioning your own creative path or feeling the weight of comparison, this conversation with me and Eli is for you.

My youtube video mentioned is: https://youtu.be/JhEQCBCV2SY

Miwa’s website: Miwagardner.com

Find me on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@miwagardner_art

Eli’s website: https://www.elimiklavcic.com/

In this special episode, I talk with watercolor artist Kelogsloops (Hieu)— known for his dreamy, ethereal portraits, masterful control of watercolor, and down-to-earth honesty about the artist’s journey. Even as a full-time artist with a million fans and a newly released book, The Art of Kelogsloops: From Sketch to Finish, Hieu reminds us that the creative path is always evolving. We talk about storytelling, style, burnout, and why it’s okay to still be figuring things out.

We cover everything from how Sailor Moon influenced his artistic journey, to why he still struggles with finding time to paint — even as a full-time artist with a book deal and over a million fans.

This interview is full of heart, humor, and grounded advice. Whether you’re an artist navigating your style or a fan of Hieu’s work, I hope this feels like a conversation between friends — because that’s exactly how he made me feel.

🎧 Music :

Mentioned Songs: "Hide and Seek" by Imogen Heap, and Kung Fu Panda Soundtrack.

Video Snippet of this interview with Kelogsloops https://youtu.be/w8qE-SjUTc8

Find more about Kelogsloops Hieu at https://www.kelogsloops.com/

Kelogsloops Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/kelogsloops

Kelogsloops Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kelogsloops/

Book hes released: The Art of Kelogsloops: From Sketch to Finish

Blog on my experience at Kelogsloops Workshop: https://www.miwagardner.com/blog/kelogsloops-workshop-2023

Podcast on my experience at Kelogsloops Workshop: https://www.miwagardner.com/podcast/029

Find me on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@miwagardner_art

In this episode, I’m sharing 10 crucial tips for artists just starting with commissions. From pricing to contracts and communication, I’ll walk you through the steps to handle commissions like a pro and avoid common mistakes. Whether you’re new to the process or looking to refine your approach, this episode is packed with advice to help you navigate your art business with confidence.

My youtube video mentioned is: https://youtu.be/JhEQCBCV2SY

Find me on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@miwagardner_art

Composition in art can feel like a mystery—why do some paintings just work? In this episode, I share my long journey of trying to understand composition, from studying books and using golden ratio tools to my partner’s photography advice. But nothing quite clicked until I attended Kelogsloops' watercolor workshop in Munich. He shared simple yet powerful composition principles that transformed how I see and create art. I also reflect on how this lesson now shapes the way I notice composition everywhere—including in children’s books while reading with my son.

Plus, exciting news—I’ll be interviewing Kelogsloops on this podcast in April 2025! Tune in to hear about composition, art journeys, and creative breakthroughs.

Episode Notes:

Composition struggles: Books, tools, and learning the hard way

The moment it clicked: Insights from Kelogsloops' workshop

Seeing composition everywhere: From painting to children’s books

The power of a great teacher: Why certain lessons resonate more than others

Upcoming interview with Kelogsloops in April 2025!

Links are affiliate links, I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you :) It will help me create more content;) Thank you*

The golden ratio acrylic tool I used:

The Artist Guide to Composition by Frank Webb: https://amzn.to/4h57RH4

Blog on Kelogsloops workshop experience: https://www.miwagardner.com/blog/kelogsloops-workshop-2023

Youtube on Kelogsloops workshop experience: https://youtu.be/ZWewFW3ZLWY

Find me on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@miwagardner_art