What if art were less about goals and more about living? The Art Life is a podcast and emerging philosophy exploring what it means to be an artist.
Each episode questions what art has to do with life: from nature to notebooks, from happiness to home renovations.
Your host Grace Gordon shares stories of how art weaves meaning into all that we do. 'Being an artist' can be a job, but also an identity, a lifestyle, and a reminder to spend time away from screens.
In conversation, The Art Life redefines ‘art’ as expansive, inclusive, and grounding.
This show is for everyone because everyone can be an artist. Tune in for art chats and interviews. We hope you’re inspired to adopt an art life of your own.
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We’ve all heard it before: THE SHOW MUST GO ON! But how do you keep going when it feels like your vision is falling apart?
In Episode 88, Grace and Xandra discuss their year in projects, surviving Survivor, and what they’ve learned about creative resilience from their artist-mentors.
Trust your vision, no matter the scale! And don’t forget to ask yourself: Is it Fun?
Do you ask your friends to support your art? Do you struggle with authentic self-promotion? In Episode 87, Grace and Xandra discuss strategies for sharing your work, involving your friends, and coping with post-project vulnerability. As your hosts recount their friendship origin story, they're reminded: the art life is the friends we make along the way.
What's the most surprising thing about achieving your dreams? Is it "lonely at the top"? After a two year hiatus (and many creative milestones) hosts Xandra and Grace are BACK to celebrate their recent dream projects, and reunite The Art Life. We missed you, too!
Send letters to: The Art Life, c/o Grace Gordon, P.O. Box #1193, Hollywood, CA 90078
Reinventing Your Art Life (with Xandra Sunglim Burns)
Episode 85
Friday, August 19, 2022 • Duration 52:22
Are you ready to enter a new era of your art life? Will your audience accept your creative evolution? In Episode 85, Xandra returns to the show discuss her massive reinvention, breaking the "rules" of social media, and embracing the magic of change. The art life is being delusional... or is it? ;)
Send letters to: The Art Life, c/o Grace Gordon, P.O. Box #1193, Hollywood, CA 90078
Email: theartlifeshow@gmail.com
Support The Art Life by buying our recommended books from our Bookshop page:
The Heart Part is the Hard Part (with Cesar Cardona)
Episode 84
Friday, August 5, 2022 • Duration 01:03:08
EPISODE DESCRIPTION:
Cesar Cardona (he/him) is a musician, actor, writer, and boxer. Today, he's celebrating the release of his debut album, THE HEART PART IS THE HARD PART. In Episode 84, Cesar and Grace discuss their years of collaborations and peer support, self-discipline for artists, finding new role models, and the spiritual journey that facilitated Cesar's album release. The art life is facing your shadow and opening your heart.
SHOW NOTES:
Cesar's debut album The Heart Part is the Hard Part releases TODAY, August 5th 2022! Check it out on Spotify and Apple Music.
"This is my therapy," we say while entering the theatre. "That was therapeutic," we exhale after dancing out our stress. We know that art is healing, but can it truly replace therapy? In Episode 83 Grace talks with therapist Ameya Calvocoressi about the ways art can heal us, and how therapy can help us create better art.
You are not a selfie. You are not an image in a Zoom meeting. You are a body in three-dimensional space, with sensations and needs that are important to attune to.
Athena Reddy (they/them) is an actor, writer, and movement artist. Today, Athena returns to the show to talk about teaching the philosophy of movement.
Lorrie Kim (she/her) is an author who loves editing. In Episode 81, she takes a break from book revisions to speak with Grace about sending useful writing feedback, beta reading, and how the “fan fiction economy” can foster better storytelling.
Send letters to: The Art Life, c/o Grace Gordon, P.O. Box #1193, Hollywood, CA 90078
Minimalism for Artists (with Xandra Robinson-Burns)
Episode 80
Friday, May 27, 2022 • Duration 01:03:19
EPISODE DESCRIPTION:
A night owl and an early bird. An extrovert and an introvert. A maximalist and a minimalist. Grace and Xandra are opposites in many ways, and they’ve learned so much by celebrating those differences.
In Episode 80, Grace interviews Xandra about minimalism and its benefits for artists. Are you making room for what is most important?
Minimalism: A Documentary about the Important Things, Tidying Up and Sparking Joy with Marie Kondo, the To All the Boys trilogy, and Gilmore Girls are all streaming on Netflix
What is "artivism", and how can we practice it in our daily lives? In Episode 79, Grace explores the intersection of artmaking and activism, and shares ideas for creating art in service of social justice movements. Raise questions, channel your rage, and inspire action in your art life.
