Show Up or Shut Up with Wendy Solganik

Host Wendy Solganik welcomes longtime Fodder Schoolparticipant Cathy Watson, an artist in Christchurch, New Zealand, to discuss Cathy’s creative journey and how the global Fodder School community supports sustained making. Cathy describes growing up with creativity, learning to sew at age 10,loving art at school, and later becoming deeply involved in scrapbooking—working in stores, teaching classes, and navigating limited product access in New Zealand, including reliance on imported supplies and delayed magazines. She explains her transition into mixed media through influences, local classes, and conventions, and shares how Fodder Schoollessons—especially Angela Kennedy’s drawing and Karen Elaine’s Wild Watercolor—build her skills through step-by-step learning. Cathy talks about retirement routines, making art in focused windows, and running a monthly “crop and craft” gathering that supports creative wellbeing. 00:00 Meet Cathy Watson 01:24 Podcast Premise 02:46 Zooming From New Zealand 03:50 Fearless With Art 06:15 Sewing And Scrapbooking Roots 09:31 Life In Christchurch 14:50 Supplies And Access Limits 25:00 Mixed Media Enters Scrapbooking 29:32 Travel Albums And Memory Keeping 32:12 Trips Abroad And Family 37:45 Back To Art Skills 40:10 Wild Watercolor Breakdown 41:53 Watercolor Control Struggles 42:28 Learning Curve and Confidence 42:57 Memory and School Stories 44:23 What Creativity Feels Like 45:49 Retail Career and Retirement 50:55 Morning Routine and Cats 55:50 Fodder School Habits 56:37 Supply Hunting in NZ 58:02 The Pen That Worked 01:01:16 When Art Time Happens 01:04:38 Family Reactions to Art 01:06:56 NZ Friends and Immigration 01:10:21 Crop and Craft Community 01:15:59 Wrapping Up and Goodbye

Host Wendy Solganik interviews UK mixed media artist andlongtime Fodder School member Emma Hudson, first discussing the mixed feelings around AI art as a tool that won’t replace human making. Emma shares her path from studying textiles/fashion and working in London—teaching for years in a special needs school and later in a creative nursery team—to focusing on art after medical retirement, rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune issues, caregiving for her mother-in-law with Alzheimer’s, and her daughter leaving for university. She describes lifelong sketchbooks, making cards and projects, anda childhood of “make do and mend,” plus early inspiration from the TV show Take Hart. After starting Instagram in March 2022, she joined Fodder School, posted daily, embraced process over perfection, found community, and now identifies as an artist, exploring collage, gel printing, embroidery on paper, watercolor, pattern, and an earthy sea-and-rust palette. 00:00 Meet Emma Hudson 03:28 AI Art Debate 13:48 Emma In England 14:16 From Seaside To London 17:25 Teaching And Family 20:29 Rheumatoid Arthritis Shift 22:21 Sketchbooks And Projects 26:26 Instagram To Fodder School 30:27 Finding Her Tribe 34:12 Early Art Roots 34:53 Scrap Collage Roots 36:10 Childhood Materials Memory 38:28 Take Hart Felt Tips 39:57 Sketchbooks Without Notes 43:58 Art Through Life Shifts 45:22 Finding Purpose as Artist 49:56 Online Community Connection 52:28 Art Shops and Access 58:49 Always Making Projects 59:39 Originality and Inspiration 01:04:03 Aging Into Freedom 01:06:21 Detaching From Doomscrolling 01:07:28 Workday Without News 01:09:34 Kids In The Rage Machine 01:10:31 Personal Art Practices 01:12:34 Learning Styles And Teaching 01:16:44 Altering Clothes For Comfort 01:21:44 Ancestors And Showing Up 01:24:44 Freedom Without Judgment 01:27:41 Finding Your Color Palette 01:29:51 Why We Love Decay 01:33:27 Final Push To Make Art

Host Wendy Solganik interviews longtime Fodder School participant Tina Lee-Cronkhite, an artist in Grand Rapids, Michigan, about her creative path and community. Tina grew up around her mother’s fine art (portraits, oils, landscapes) and shifted from mechanical engineering after a GM supervisor encouraged her to apply to the Center for Creative Studies, where she studied graphic design and later worked at ad agencies doing print design before the digital era. She became deeply involved in calligraphy—helping start a Kalamazoo guild, attending in-person workshops and conferences, exploring bookmaking, and valuing traditional tools—while also embracing looser, mixed-media approaches over time. Tina joined Fodder School in its first year during COVID, credits it as a lifesaver, works from a basement studio, displays art throughout her home, gives pieces away, and typically completes most monthly projects while adapting teachers’ processes to her own style. 00:00 Meet Tina Lee-Cronkhite 01:46 Show Intro Theme 03:07 Tina Background 04:46 Mom Artist Roots 08:02 Engineering to Art 11:44 Graphic Design Career 13:42 Calligraphy Discovery 15:41 Guild Workshops 23:42 Online Classes and Fodder 24:58 Studio Space Reality 28:16 Displaying Finished Work 29:40 Selling vs Making Joy 31:09 Gifting Art Without Fear 31:58 Keeping Up With Fodder School 34:16 UFOs From Loving Projects 36:34 Art Outside The Lessons 37:58 Pickleball And Productivity 39:37 Following Teachers Your Way 43:10 Master Boards And Style 46:20 Traditional Calligraphy Vs Trends 49:44 Guilds Aging And Craft Magic 53:06 Lefty Struggles And Imperfection 55:50 Calligraphy Guild Nostalgia 57:41 Postcards And Wrap Up

Host Wendy Solganik interviews mixed media and collage artistCrystal Marie (formerly Crystal Neubauer), author of The Art of Expressive Collage and a 2018 Racine Art Museum Artist Fellowship recipient, about her life, art, and teaching. Crystal describes moving into a Chicago Little Village live/work storefront to stay near the art scene on an artist’s budget andtraces her maker roots to a craft-filled childhood. She recounts attending a university-affiliated high school, becoming a teen parent, working up through printing-industry project management, and later burning out while raising sevenkids in a blended family. Her professional art career began in the early 2000s through eBay paper packs, Somerset Studio, blog/Flickr communities, early publications and the book A Charming Exchange, then teaching at Art & Soul. Crystal explains evolving from whimsical collage to more restrained work, discovering encaustic to preserve ephemera, coping with mold-related illness that forced her to discard her paper collection, shifting to online teaching during the pandemic, and planning Fodder School projects including a handmade hair calligraphy brush challenge and texture-based collage lessons. 00:00 Meet Crystal Marie 02:26 Podcast Premise and Subscribe 03:49 Crystal’s Chicago Studio Life 08:26 Finding the Perfect Live Work Space 13:10 Early Making Roots 15:35 Scholarship to University High 22:04 Teen Parenthood and Survival 30:06 Creativity Through Beads and Sewing 31:50 Printing Career and Moving to Chicago 36:51 Brady Bunch Burnout 39:36 eBay Paper Hustle to Collage 41:57 Somerset Studio Spark 46:59 Blog Era and First Teaching Gig 49:54 Discovering Encaustic Wax 53:59 Basement Studio Beginnings 55:29 Shifting to Abstract Collage 59:24 Selling Art Online Early 01:01:12 Finding the Old Work 01:04:00 Book and Name Change 01:06:15 Intuition and Altering Papers 01:10:45 Mold Loss and Rebuilding 01:16:25 Pandemic Online Teaching Boom 01:19:51 Where to Buy and Follow 01:28:11 Illness and Career Upside Down 01:38:30 Fodder Challenge Hair Brush 01:43:05 Texture Fodder Classes Wrap

Wendy Solganik introduces season six, episode six of theShow Up or Shut Up podcast with guest Connie Fong, a longtime Fodder School member now teaching in Fodder School six. Connie, a Bay Area native and retired computer science professional who worked at IBM and in e-commerce at WilliamsSonoma, shares her lifelong crafting journey through knitting, scrapbooking, bookmaking, and mixed media, plus her love of bold black-and-white contrast, typography, and grungy pops of color influenced by artists like Robin Marie Smith. They discuss how Fodder School’s variety, pacing, and supportive community helped Connie develop her distinctive style, and her surprise atbecoming a teacher. Connie previews her Fodder Challenge whimsical paper dolls (inspired by Mindy Lacefield) and her Fodder School project: a collage-style monthly calendar using ransom letters. She also talks about learning to film online classes with help from her daughter’s former YouTube setup, selling journals on Etsy (Artful Play), daily pickleball, and her shyness about posting publicly on Instagram (@myartfulplay). 00:00 Meet Connie Fong 02:01 Podcast Premise 03:23 Bay Area Roots 06:03 Early Crafting Life 07:39 Supplies And Shopping 10:25 Tech Career Path 13:57 From Crafts To Mixed Media 18:31 Finding Her Style 25:03 Becoming A Teacher 27:41 Why Fodder School Works 33:00 Her Fodder Challenge Dolls 35:07 Finding Your Own Style 36:03 Paper Dolls Project 36:30 Calendar Collage Plan 37:21 Ransom Letters Method 39:38 Why Make Art Calendars 43:54 Storing Cutout Letters 45:51 How Style Evolves 50:44 Teaching Online Leap 51:52 Daughter’s YouTube Journey 55:15 Etsy Shop and Instagram 58:49 Pickleball and Family Life 01:00:17 Confidence and Closing

Host Wendy Solganik introduces season six, episode five ofthe Show Up or Shut Up podcast featuring Stefanie Hunsaker, a mixed media collage artist in northeastern Washington whose vibrant, layered portraits combine acrylic paint, fabric, scrapbook paper, and occasional embroidery and beading to explore self-love, trust, and empowerment. Stefanie shares herupbringing in eastern Washington near the Hanford Nuclear Reservation, early creative influences including stained glass and sewing, and shift from high-school photography and marketing interests to a University of Washington visual arts degree spanning photography, printmaking, sculpture, ceramics, and jewelry. After years running a natural-light portrait photography business, she phased it out as her kids grew and, after moving to Spokane, found a new creative outlet through online classes that led her into portrait painting and collage. She discusses developing her portrait style over seven years, sellingoriginals and some prints via her website, challenges with marketing, preferred surfaces (mostly canvas), local art markets, and interest in more gallery opportunities. 00:00 Podcast Intro and Guest 03:19 Growing Up in Washington 05:02 Hanford and Stained Glass 12:01 Early Crafty Roots 15:40 School to Art Degree 25:45 Motherhood and Scrapbooking 30:16 Photography Business Era 37:54 From Photos to Fine Art 41:21 Starting Art Instagram 42:00 Curating the Feed 43:25 Finding Her Genre 46:30 Seven Years of Style 48:21 Chuck Close Advice 51:00 ADHD and Hyperfocus 52:53 Selling Originals and Prints 57:25 Materials and Embroidery 59:46 Kids and Art School 01:04:26 Sewing Machine Renaissance 01:07:07 Galleries and Local Shows 01:09:38 Art Markets and Booth Setup 01:11:20 Wrap Up and Thanks

Host Wendy Solganik introduces UK mixed media artist, artjournaler, bookmaker, and new Fodder School Six teacher Lisa Goddard, who lives in Sheffield near the Peak District. Lisa describes studying fine art with a focus on textiles and sculpture, feeling lost after graduating in 2006, anddiscovering art journaling through artist Jen Worden, which became a daily practice for processing emotions, experimenting, and storytelling. While working for 18 years in University of Sheffield admin (including cybersecurity),raising two daughters, and teaching aerial hoops, she kept making art, built a social-media audience, taught in-person (and later online), and left her job just after COVID to focus on art. She discusses her studio setup, favorite techniques (collage, gesso, inky marks, stamping, textiles), thoughts on shifting social media, and previews her Fodder School projects: mixed mediamessage-in-a-bottle challenge and textile scroll books on vintage wooden spools. 00:00 Meet Lisa Goddard 02:06 Podcast Premise 03:28 Life in Sheffield 07:55 From Fine Art to Mixed Media 11:41 Art Kid Origins 13:45 Day Job and Family Balance 15:54 Aerial Hoop Surprise 18:45 Discovering Art Journaling 22:01 Finding Community Online 23:43 Daily Journaling Ritual 24:47 Go To Techniques 27:35 Sharing on Social Media 29:55 Teaching Beyond Journals 31:44 Process Versus Product 33:23 Life After Instagram 39:59 Fixing Your Instagram Feed 41:58 Teaching History and Family 43:13 Kids and Creative Talents 45:16 Fodder School Projects 47:28 Thrifting and Car Boot Sales 50:40 Scroll Books on Spools 53:15 Live Zoom Class Community 59:05 Retreat Dreams in Nature 01:02:26 Course Creation and Admin 01:04:35 Boundaries and Customer Support 01:10:13 DIY Course Platform Tech 01:12:50 Wrap Up and Thanks

Host Wendy Solganik introduces season 6, episode 3 guestGloria Gelo, a Cleveland-raised contemporary abstract mixed media artist now based in Calgary and a new Fodder School 6 teacher. Gloria shares her Croatian immigrant family background, early love of art and typography, and how adiscouraging community college instructor derailed her confidence and pushed her into business school and corporate roles, including foreign currency trading at Citibank in New York and a creative resume-led job at Universal Studios in Los Angeles. After moving to Calgary, raising three sons, and laterdivorcing and remarrying, she received a 2018 corporate payout that enabled her to return to art full time, experiment across media, and develop a layered, minimalist collage practice using self-made papers and asemic writing. She now teaches in person and online, is gallery-represented, and previews her Fodder School “Line to Layer” challenge and a concertina book project focused on creating personal collage papers blending analog and digital methods. 00:00 Meet Gloria Gelo 02:06 Podcast Intro and Format 03:44 Nerves and Zoom Setup 04:34 Life in Calgary 06:13 Cleveland Roots and Canada 10:17 Fodder School Connection 11:36 Immigrant Family Story 15:08 Croatian Traditions and Food 20:27 Early Art Spark 23:28 Art School Confidence Crash 28:13 Business Pivot and Corporate Life 32:13 Wall Street to LA Move 34:56 Universal Studios Creativity Win 36:59 LA Life and Cabinet Business 38:43 Life in the Valley 39:52 Business Sold Suddenly 40:33 Move Back to Calgary 42:16 Divorce and Remarriage 43:05 Layoff Sparks Art 45:00 Finding Mixed Media 49:36 From Process to Selling 52:33 Gallery Representation 55:50 Teaching Goes Online 01:00:19 Art as Communication 01:08:07 Typography Origins 01:13:58 Asemic Writing Tips 01:16:48 Fodder School Projects 01:20:49 Final Wrap and Goodbye

Host Wendy Solganik introduces Francine Dunigan as a newFodder School 6 teacher and mixed media artist known for vibrant, graphic collage using found papers, painted papers, and gel prints. Francine, based in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, shares her BFA background in communication design from Kutztown University, her shift toward fine art and fiber studies during a semester abroad in England, and how design principles shaped her visual style. She describes discovering gel printing through artists like Elizabeth St. Hilaire, creating marketable wall art and selling at local art shows, and designing stencils for Joggles. Francine discusses the complexity of resin finishing, her goals to teach more classes, and her experience navigatingendometrial cancer treatment, emphasizing self-advocacy and how art and journaling supported her during recovery. She previews teaching fussy-cut pear collage in Fodder School. 00:00 Meet Francine Dunigan 02:05 Podcast Premise 03:27 Joining Fodder School 06:51 From Gel Prints to Collage 08:33 Roots and Art School 10:56 Design Skills and Marketing 14:49 High School Art Foundations 19:52 Making Time as a Mom 21:42 Discovering Gel Printing 24:03 Selling at Art Fairs 31:56 Pricing and Originals 37:07 Health Scare and Advocacy 47:54 Art as Healing 48:49 Art Through Chemo 49:44 Hope After Clear Scans 50:20 Tennis During Treatment 51:48 Mindfulness Art Journals 52:42 New Stencil Line 55:48 Fodder School Pears 59:00 Using Tissue Layers 01:00:03 Resin Reality Check 01:06:00 Bigger Work Experiments 01:07:52 Color Inspiration Stories 01:10:39 Teaching Goals Ahead 01:17:23 Fodder School Live Event 01:19:34 Quilts From Your Designs 01:22:01 Closing Thanks

Season 6, Episode 1 of the Show Up or Shut Up podcastfeatures host Wendy Solganik interviewing mixed-media artist and designer Lori Siebert, a new Fodder School teacher. Lori shares early art training from age seven, her Cincinnati roots, and studying graphic design at UC’s DAAP with its co-op program. She describes founding her design firm in 1987, growing it to about 12 employees, and creating branding and illustration-based work for clients including Target, Bath & Body Works, Nickelodeon, and Universal Studios. Lori explains moving into art licensing over 20 years ago via SURTEX, how licensing works, and balancing client-driven themes with more personal work shown on Instagram. She discusses mentorship and community, building travel-teaching “street cred,” and upcoming retreats (Mexico City, Ireland, Provence, Waco, Vermont, Chautauqua, France, Connecticut). Lori previews her Fodder Challenge birds and a Fodder School fodder-flower bouquet project. 00:00 Meet Lori Siebert 02:36 Podcast Premise and Intro 04:50 Early Art Roots 05:59 Cincinnati and Staying Put 07:52 DAAP and Design Training 11:45 Family Influence and High School Art 16:06 From Design Firm to Big Clients 21:05 Burnout and Finding Licensing 22:24 How SURTEX Works 25:48 Licensing Reality vs Heart Art 28:24 Products in Stores and Samples 32:15 Turning 60 and Choosing Fun 33:08 Building Travel Teaching Retreats 37:21 Mexico City and Frida House Dreams 41:25 Mexico City Museums 42:32 Travel Health Tips 43:25 Language Barrier Hacks 44:39 Street Art Vibes 46:04 Starting the Design Firm 48:03 DAAP Fine Art Electives 49:45 Adapting the Business 52:49 Handmade to Digital Workflow 55:22 Ceramics Detour and Return 01:00:08 Clay Practice and Selling 01:01:44 Retreat Community Magic 01:03:01 Upcoming Trips and Chautauqua 01:05:11 Fodder Projects Birds Flowers 01:08:30 Wrap Up and Next Meet

Host Wendy Solganik interviews quilting instructor Heather Kojan, a modern quilter with traditional roots, founder of the Baltimore Modern Quilt Guild, and Willa Workshops instructor behind Threaded and Sewn, The Modern Improv Pillow, and the upcoming in-person retreat Fodder School Live (sold out; August 2026). Heather recounts growing up crafty (crochet, sewing), studying business, working in radio, restaurants, and a small catering business, then making her first quilt in late-80s colors and quilting casually while raising kids. She describes discovering modern quilting through blogs/Flickr, starting a guild to build community in Baltimore, and “faking it till you make it” into lecturing and national teaching, patterns, publications, and retreats (including a large Lancaster retreat). Heather explains her income streams, extensive travel, and plans to reduce travel while creating more Willa Workshops content that merges mixed media and textiles, including future collaborations and a planned co-taught Fodder School 7 lesson. 00:00 Meet Heather Kojan 02:05 Podcast Premise and Intro 03:39 Why Heather Now 04:44 From New York to Virginia 10:02 Early Craft Obsessions 12:46 College and Career Detours 16:26 Radio Restaurants and Catering 19:48 First Quilt and Family Life 23:03 Modern Quilting Awakening 25:06 Starting a Quilt Guild 28:23 First Lectures to Full Time 30:56 Income Streams and Recognition 33:35 How She Booked Teaching Gigs 34:32 Cold Email Breakthrough 35:53 Applying and Getting Noticed 37:04 Taking Over the Retreat 38:55 What Happens at Retreats 41:14 Finding Fodder School 46:13 From Student to Collaborator 50:57 Building Online Courses 59:08 Planning the Next Chapter 01:01:38 Travel Burnout and Ego 01:06:15 Slowing Down and New Hybrids 01:11:34 Recruiting Teachers and FS7 01:14:24 Wrap Up and Thanks

In this episode of the 'Show Up or Shut Up' podcast, host Wendy Solganik interviews artist, and Executive Producer of Willa Workshops, Evan Haley. Wendy really wanted to bring Evan onto the podcast to highlight an emerging opportunity for book artists within Fodder School: the opportunity to create truly unique artist books from lessons in Fodder School that aren’t specifically designed with a book as the end product in mind! They discuss Evan's unique journey from studying pre-med sciences at Princeton University to becoming a mixed media artist, and delve into the creative processes and challenges that define his art-making experiences. Wendy shares her insights on the evolution of Fodder School and the potential for members to adapt projects to suit their personal creative goals, emphasizing the importance of pushing artistic boundaries and overcoming fears. The episode also introduces a secret project focusing on learning the Procreate app, highlighting the significance of digital technology in modern art creation. (00:00) Introduction to the Podcast and Guest (01:27) Wendy's Artistic Journey and Podcast Overview (02:48) Meet Evan Haley: Background and Early Life (04:12) Evan's College Experience and Shift to Art (10:05) Evan's Artistic Development and College Projects (18:56) Fodder School Projects and Creative Problem Solving (22:32) Exploring Creative Potential and Bookmaking (28:04) Fodder School Community and Off the Beaten Path (28:41) Exploring New Projects in Fodder School (29:24) Pushing Artistic Boundaries (33:16) Overcoming Fear in Art Creation (36:07) Taking Up Space with Your Art (40:09) Letting Go of Unloved Art (47:13) The Secret Project: Procreate Course (52:27) The Challenges of Learning New Tools (56:41) Concluding Thoughts and Gratitude

In this episode of the Show Up or Shut Up podcast, Wendy interviews artist Jane Chipp, who is returning to Fodder School 5 as a teacher. They delve into Jane's artistic journey, from her early fascination with handmade crafts influenced by her family's Baltic heritage to her evolution into a mixed media artist specializing in collage, assemblage art, journaling, and textiles. Jane shares pivotal moments, including her participation in a three-year textile art program, her transformative experience with a found collection of personal artifacts, and her prolific work during the COVID-19 lockdown. Together, they discuss the benefits and challenges of teaching art online, the joy of crafting with found photos, and the intricate, layered techniques that define Jane's unique artistic style. Jane also offers a sneak peek into her upcoming lessons inspired by vintage lace for Fodder School 5. 00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Guest 01:21 Meet Jane Chipp: Artist and Teacher 04:03 Jane's Early Life and Creative Beginnings 05:07 Family Influence and Childhood Creativity 08:59 Career Path and Creative Pursuits 15:35 Discovering Textile Art and Mixed Media 33:46 The Turning Point: Honoring a Stranger's Life 47:54 Struggles with Large-Scale Art 48:38 Exciting New Project in Fodder School 50:09 The Importance of Artistic Community 52:07 Impact of COVID-19 on Artistic Journey 52:23 The 100-Day Project and Instagram Journey 53:42 Writing and Publishing a Book 01:00:46 Meeting Lori Canner and the Collage Community 01:03:51 The Role of Instagram in Artistic Growth 01:09:35 Teaching and Creating Online Courses 01:13:04 Artistic Preferences and Techniques 01:15:56 Signature Colors and Artistic Style 01:29:55 Upcoming Fodder School Project 01:31:53 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode of the "Show Up or Shut Up" podcast, host Wendy Solganik interviews Columbus, Ohio-based mixed media artist Susan Rossiter. Susan shares her journey from growing up in Pennsylvania, studying fine art, and moving across the country, to establishing herself as a prolific artist with a disciplined practice. The conversation delves into Susan’s inspirations—particularly the colors, shapes, and patterns of the 1950s-1970s, her love for experimental materials, and her evolution from traditional art school techniques to vibrant, mid-century-inspired mixed media works. Susan discusses balancing a full-time day job with her art career, her involvement with Studios on High Gallery, and her role as an educator for GOLDEN Paints. The episode is filled with insights on creative discipline, the realities of being a working artist, and the importance of making art that brings personal joy rather than simply following trends or market demands (00:00) Introduction to the Show Up or Shut Up Podcast (02:36) Meet Susan Rossiter: Mixed Media Artist (03:39) Susan's Artistic Journey and Inspirations (05:11) Early Art Experiences and Education (08:49) College Years and Artistic Development (17:07) Post-College Adventures and Artistic Growth (22:12) Life in Minneapolis and Transition to Ohio (25:32) Balancing Art and Life in Ohio (30:58) Exploring Mixed Media and Collage Fodder (40:49) Personal Life and Studio Setup (47:18) Editing Video in Bed (47:52) Exploring Columbus and Beyond (49:00) Joining the Art Co-op (52:21) Balancing Art and Fitness (53:08) Golden Artist Educator Program (56:15) Fodder School and Artistic Inspiration (59:06) The Influence of Mid-Century Design (01:07:51) Artistic Freedom and Day Jobs (01:20:25) Quilting and Other Artistic Pursuits (01:33:43) Future Plans and Manifesting Dreams (01:36:23) Conclusion and Gratitude

In this episode of the Show Up or Shut Up Podcast, host Wendy Solganik interviews mixed media artist Roxanne Evans Stout. Wendy announces that Roxanne will be joining Fodder School 5 as a first-time instructor. The conversation delves into Roxanne's artistic journey which began in her childhood in Santa Monica and evolved through various stages, including her experiences growing up in different places due to her father's Air Force career, her education in the sciences at Humboldt State, and her eventual shift to a more free-form, mixed media art style. Roxanne talks about her teaching career, her close relationship with her mother who was also an artist, and how her mother’s passing intensified her commitment to art. The episode also explores Roxanne’s teaching experiences in locations like Santa Fe and her upcoming workshop in Italy. Wendy and Roxanne discuss the unique elements of Roxanne's art, including her use of neutral colors, texture, and inspiration from nature. Roxanne shares her excitement for the new projects in Fodder School 5 and drops hints about her plans for the artistic journey ahead. 00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Guest 02:37 Roxanne's Early Life and Artistic Beginnings 04:04 Life in Santa Monica and Artistic Influences 07:48 College Years and Meeting Her Husband 13:23 Life in Northern California and Early Art Career 20:43 Teaching Career and Artistic Evolution 22:46 Developing a Unique Artistic Style 25:35 The Influence of Blogging and Artist Books 29:15 Collections and Inspirations 35:27 The Story Behind the Work Table 36:38 Challenges of Building a Custom Table 37:49 Creating an Inspiring Studio Space 39:35 The Evolution of My Art Journey 40:15 Teaching and Workshops 43:13 Artist Residencies and Their Impact 46:38 Upcoming Workshops and Inspirations 52:58 Exploring My Color Palette 58:31 Influence of My Mother's Art 01:06:03 Conclusion and Future Plans

In this episode of the Show Up or Shut Up podcast, host Wendy Solganik interviews contemporary mixed media artist Wendy Shragg. Wendy shares her artistic journey from Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota, discussing her vibrant fine art collage work, color theory, and experiences in design. She recalls childhood influences, including her family's creative environment and early artistic endeavors. Wendy also talks about her diverse careers ranging from makeup artistry to travel consulting, and how she ultimately embraced her passion for art. The conversation delves into her love for gel printing, collage, and her innovative mixed media projects that combine personal and meaningful elements into fine art. Wendy also shares her experience with digital art on Procreate and her participation in Fodder School 5, where she will be teaching a comprehensive project on creating large-scale fine art pieces. Listeners can expect a deep dive into Wendy’s creative process, her views on social media's role in the art world, and her future projects. 00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Guest 02:34 Wendy Shragg's Artistic Journey Begins 03:21 Childhood Influences and Early Art Experiences 09:16 High School and College Art Education 21:09 Post-College Career and Creative Ventures 42:19 Crafting Beginnings and Jewelry Making 42:44 Transition to Interior Decorative Painting 43:21 Becoming an Aesthetician 44:33 Exploring Intuitive Painting 45:29 Creating Imaginary Creatures 49:07 Pursuing Art Full-Time 53:01 Navigating the Art World and Social Media 56:58 Joining Art Co-ops and Community 01:00:36 Teaching and Gel Printing 01:20:18 Digital Art and Procreate 01:25:42 Conclusion and Future Plans

In this episode, Wendy Solganik interviews Cheiron Brandon, a mixed media artist specializing in greeting cards. Cheiron shares her journey from discovering a local stamp store to becoming a prolific maker with a deep expertise in Tim Holtz's distress line. The discussion covers her evolving art style, teaching workshops, and participating in design teams. She also talks about her recent personal transitions and how she integrates her creative life into her new surroundings. The episode delves into the intricacies of using various mixed media products and offers insights into the world of card making and mixed media art. 00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Guest 02:20 Meet Cheiron Brandon: A Journey from New Jersey 03:40 Cheiron's Artistic Beginnings and Inspirations 08:17 Discovering Rubber Stamping and Card Making 16:08 From Hobby to Passion: Teaching and Creating 18:41 Exploring Mixed Media and Tim Holtz Products 22:24 The Evolution of Sharon's Art Style 28:44 Collaborations and Design Teams 37:30 Teaching and Online Classes 39:09 Joining Fodder School and Continuous Learning 39:39 Learning from Different Artists 40:56 Balancing Art and Life Changes 41:47 Becoming a Fodder School Teacher 42:49 Exploring Alcohol Inks 43:09 The Evolution of Alcohol Inks 45:19 Crafting with Alcohol Inks 50:48 Teaching and Sharing Knowledge 55:11 Relocating and Creating a New Routine 59:16 Crafting Community and Retreats 01:07:24 The Joy of Card Making 01:08:27 Looking Forward: Future Projects

In this episode of the Show Up or Shut Up podcast, host Wendy Solganik speaks with mixed media artist Dori Patrick. Together, they explore Dori's creative life, which includes owning a make-and-take art studio in Marion, Iowa, and moving on to focus on her personal artistic endeavors. Dory shares her childhood experiences growing up in Iowa, her artistic influences, and the pivotal moments that shaped her career, such as her inspirational trip to Oaxaca, Mexico. They delve into Dori's approach to making art, her distinctive colorful style, and how she navigates highs and lows as an artist. Dori offers insight into her business model, her process for creating and selling art, and her teaching experiences, including her role in Fodder School. The episode concludes with a discussion about Dori's upcoming lessons in Fodder School 5, where she will teach her unique 'split heads' project. 00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Guest 00:39 Meet Dori Patrick: Background and Personal Life 01:41 Wendy's Artistic Journey and Podcast Overview 03:42 Dori's Early Life and Family Background 09:48 Dori's Creative Upbringing and Early Influences 15:05 Dori's Artistic Career and Personal Challenges 31:42 Transition to Professional Artistry 36:42 The Dreaming Bear: Dori's Store and Workshop 51:41 The Birth of a Creative Space 54:06 Transforming the Storefront 55:55 The Decision to Close 58:47 Life After the Store 01:02:03 Embracing Artistic Freedom 01:17:55 The Split Heads Project 01:26:22 The Joy of Creating 01:32:49 Current Projects and Future Plans 01:38:13 Final Thoughts and Farewell

In Season Five, Episode 3 of the Show Up or Shut Up podcast, host Wendy Solganik interviews artist Arlyna Blanchard. Arlyna, who resides in Singapore and runs her own design firm, will be joining Fodder School 5 as a teacher for the first time. The episode explores Arlyna's artistic journey, from her early influences in the Philippines to her expansive career in graphic design in Taiwan and now in Shanghai. They discuss her experiences with urban sketching, digital scrapbooking, and the challenges of teaching online art courses. Arlyna shares personal anecdotes about balancing a demanding career while raising twins, and how her art practice evolved post-divorce. The episode offers insight into her creative process and her love for vibrant colors, particularly neon pink. This inspiring conversation highlights Arlyna's dedication to continuous learning and artistic expression. 00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Guest 00:21 Meet Arlyna Blanchard: Artist and Teacher 00:48 Wendy and Arlyna's Artistic Connection 01:55 Podcast Overview and Host Introduction 03:23 Arlyna's Background and Journey 05:43 Growing Up in the Philippines 07:23 Cultural and Linguistic Influences 13:22 Artistic Beginnings and Influences 21:29 Education and Career Path 22:52 Life in Taiwan and Move to Shanghai 33:47 Family Life and Artistic Exploration 36:11 Scrapbooking and Early Art Journaling 42:07 Struggles with Art Journaling 43:17 Finding Personal Style in Art 45:34 Balancing Art and Life 46:47 The Impact of Divorce on Creativity 48:40 Work-Life Balance and Art 54:09 Embracing Favorite Colors 01:02:19 The Joy of Learning and Teaching 01:10:25 Exploring Urban Sketching and Illustration 01:19:23 The Therapeutic Power of Art 01:21:09 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode of the Show Up or Shut Up podcast, host Wendy Solganik continues Season Five with an inspiring interview with mixed media artist Kathy Nichols. Announced as a new instructor for Fodder School 5, Cathy shares her artistic journey from her early days in Huntington, New York, to becoming a prolific mixed media artist known for her vibrant floral and nature-inspired works. The discussion delves into Cathy's transition from various day jobs to full-time artistry, the impact of her grandmother on her color palette, and the importance of bravery and intuition in her career. Wendy and Cathy explore Cathy's experiences with cooperative galleries, her online presence, and her future teaching retreats in France. This episode offers a heartfelt and in-depth look into Cathy’s evolving artistry and life challenges, providing valuable insights for all mixed media art enthusiasts. 00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Guest 00:54 Meet Cathy Nichols: A Journey of Bravery 01:18 Exploring Mixed Media Art 02:44 Cathy's Artistic Beginnings 04:25 High School Art Adventures 12:45 College Decisions and Career Path 24:34 Discovering Acrylics and Moving to Venice 36:40 Joining the 10 Women Gallery 46:04 Life in New York and Starting a New Co-op 49:19 Discovering the Firefly Artists Gallery 49:39 Balancing Art and Family Life 50:55 Transition to Full-Time Artist 51:34 Licensing Deal and Artistic Evolution 57:40 Moving to Asheville and New Beginnings 01:00:27 Developing a Unique Artistic Style 01:10:33 The Influence of Quilting and Textiles 01:15:59 The Power of Color in Art 01:30:23 Teaching and Retreats 01:35:45 Final Thoughts and Encouragement