Published by FASO
Learn the business of visual art from today's finest artists and art marketers.
Listen on Apple PodcastsJoin our next FASO Show Live! https://artists.boldbrush.com/p/the-faso-show Learn the magic of marketing with us here at BoldBrush! boldbrushshow.com -- Every artist knows the romanticized version of the life of the artist: the gallery shows, the canvas, the hours of creation. But the artists who actually make it will tell you something different. They'll tell you about the days when they didn't feel like showing up. The months without sales. The phone calls they had to turn down. The routines they built not because they were inspired, but because inspiration alone was never going to be enough. Today's episode is about the one thing that quietly separates working artists from wishing artists: discipline. Because it was never about talent. Not luck. Not even passion, even though that helps. Discipline . We've pulled together some of the most honest moments from past guests on what it actually looks and feels like to build a creative life from the ground up and keep it standing in the long run. Episodes Mentioned: 126 Scott Tallman Powers 137 Chris Krupinski 139 Jeff Legg 167 Stephanie Marzella 175 Emma Kalff 184 Jennifer Balkan
Join our next FASO Show Live! https://artists.boldbrush.com/p/the-faso-show Learn the magic of marketing with us here at BoldBrush! boldbrushshow.com -- For today's episode we sat down with fine artist Tony D'Amico. Tony is a full-time representational painter and draftsman based in southern Connecticut whose work spans cityscapes, landscapes, coastal scenes, interiors, and everyday local subjects, all unified by his obsession with light, atmosphere, and strong design. He began his journey in art as a child, later studying graphic design, working as a commercial artist and technical illustrator, and eventually running his own marketing and design firm before transitioning gradually into fine art. Plein air painting transformed both how he sees and how he paints, forcing him to simplify quickly, capture specific moments in changing conditions, and infuse his studio work with authentic memories of place, light, and atmosphere. Tony is highly intentional in planning his compositions—often using thumbnails, photography, and Photoshop—to design compelling paintings that go beyond mere realism and invite viewers into a story. Drawing from his marketing background, he emphasizes that artists must learn to present and promote their work, build relationships with collectors and galleries, and accept rejection as a motivator rather than a verdict. For aspiring artists, he stresses persistence, continuous learning, good materials, honest self-critique, and the understanding that developing a true artistic voice and career can easily take a decade or more. Finally, Tony tells us about his upcoming shows and his revised book! Tony's FASO site: tonydamicofineart.com/ Tony's Social Media: instagram.com/tonydamicofineart/ facebook.com/tony.damico.524/ Tony's Book: tonydamicofineart.com/books
Join our next FASO Show Live! https://artists.boldbrush.com/p/the-faso-show Learn the magic of marketing with us here at BoldBrush! boldbrushshow.com -- To start off the season, we sat down with fine artist and former software developer Maureen Dunlap. Maureen shares how a childhood immersed in traditional oil painting, guided by mentor Arthur Maynard, eventually wound its way through typography, photo typesetting, and front-end development before circling back to a full-time art career. Maureen talks about rebuilding her painting practice after years away, moving from fast alla prima pieces to highly detailed, indirect paintings that draw on Art Nouveau, Art Deco, Pre-Raphaelite, and Baroque influences. She describes her richly layered seascapes, lace-draped still lifes, and narrative figurative works that often live in ornate vintage or trompe l’oeil frames, all infused with her whimsical titles and maximalist sensibility. Maureen also opens up about the realities of being a full-time artist later in life, balancing joy and financial stability, diversifying income with small works and jewelry, navigating social media and online sales, and her growing desire to teach the next generation of painters. Maureen's FASO site: maureendunlap.com/ Maureen's Social Media: facebook.com/profile.php?id=100083217888057 instagram.com/maureenjdunlap Maureen's Jewelry Store: instagram.com/the.wonder.cabinet
Join our next FASO Show Live! https://artists.boldbrush.com/p/the-faso-show Learn the magic of marketing with us here at BoldBrush! boldbrushshow.com -- For our season 14 finale, we sat down with artist and veteran art-marketing writer, Lori Woodward. Lori shares how she went from burnout after art school to rebuilding her skills through workshops, portrait commissions, and writing for major magazines and art organizations. She explains how learning directly from successful peers, mentors, and collectors shaped her understanding of how the art market really works, which is very different from generic marketing advice. Lori breaks down the impact of the 2008 recession, why so many galleries and careers collapsed, and why today’s market, despite economic anxiety, is fundamentally healthier and full of new, younger collectors. Throughout the conversation, she emphasizes that no amount of marketing can replace a cohesive, competitive body of work, consistent production, and a recognizable voice that develops only through years of painting, experimenting, and failing forward. She gives practical guidance on pricing, working with galleries, outdoor shows, email lists, and social media, stressing that real relationships and in‑person experiences now matter more than chasing algorithms. Ultimately, Lori encourages artists to build a realistic vision, move slowly but steadily, and design a career that fits their personality—whether that means becoming a local favorite, a gallery regular, or a small‑scale, part‑time professional who still sells meaningful work. Sign up for Lori's Newsletter: loriwoodward.com/email-newsletter Lori's FASO Site: loriwoodward.com/ Lori's Social Media: instagram.com/woodwardartist/ Lori's Article about Pricing: https://www.artworkarchive.com/blog/how-to-price-consistently-for-art-sales-success Lori's Blog: loriwoodward.com/blog
Join our next FASO Show Live! https://artists.boldbrush.com/p/the-faso-show Learn the magic of marketing with us here at BoldBrush! boldbrushshow.com -- For today's episode, we sat down with Ned Mueller, an American artist and longtime illustrator-turned-fine-painter, known for his strong drawing, expressive plein air and figurative work, and decades of teaching and mentoring artists around the world. He shares his lifelong journey in art, from drawing as a child and training as an illustrator at Art Center School of Design to eventually transitioning into a fine artist with a distinct voice of his own. He talks candidly about facing serious health challenges, chronic pain, and burnout risks, and how having something meaningful to get up for—his painting practice and the support of his wife Karen—has kept him going. Drawing on decades of experience, Ned emphasizes the “four P’s”: patience, perseverance, practice, and passion, urging artists to find subjects they truly love so their excitement shows in the work. He underscores the importance of strong fundamentals—especially drawing and values—explaining that you must first learn to paint what you know, then what you see, and ultimately what you feel. Ned also advises artists to simplify by thinking in big shapes, values, and edges, to do lots of small studies (in plein air and the studio), and to keep sharpening their skills through critique groups, workshops, and consistent practice. Throughout the conversation, he offers grounded yet hopeful insight into building a sustainable art life: do the work, keep learning, accept the hard realities of the art market, and let your love for painting carry you through the long haul. Finally, Ned tells us about his online classes! Ned's FASO site: www.nedmueller.com/ Sign up for Ned's workshops! www.nedmueller.com/workshops Sign up for Ned's Newsletter! www.nedmueller.com/email-newsletter Ned's Social Media: www.instagram.com/nedmueller06/ www.facebook.com/NedMuellerFineArt/
Join our next FASO Show Live! https://artists.boldbrush.com/p/the-faso-show Learn the magic of marketing with us here at BoldBrush! boldbrushshow.com -- For today's episode we sat down with Jennifer Balkan, a contemporary representational oil painter and art instructor based in Austin, with an academic background in behavioral neuroscience and sociology. She describes how a lifelong love of drawing crystallized into a serious painting practice after a transformative, self-gifted trip to Paris, which led her to take her first painting class in Austin in 2001. Despite completing a PhD and following a more “rational” career path, she felt an irresistible pull toward painting, ultimately choosing to pursue art full time even amid concern and confusion from friends and family. Jennifer explains that her scientific and sociological studies deeply inform her figurative work, especially her focus on the emotional, cerebral life beneath a subject’s expression and her love of optical color mixing and visible mark-making. She discusses how her inspiration has evolved from narrative series into a stronger emphasis on shapes, light, and color relationships, and how experimenting with different media during the pandemic revitalized her practice and fed back into her oil painting. Jennifer also highlights the central role of Atelier Dojo in her life—as both a co-created figurative hub and an atelier program that nurtures students’ individual voices. Jennifer also shares practical, grounded advice for aspiring full-time artists about embracing multiple income streams, loving the process, and committing to sustained, disciplined practice. Finally, she tells us all about her upcoming shows and workshops! Jennifer's FASO site: jenniferbalkan.com/ Jennifer's Social Media: instagram.com/jenniferbalkan/ Atelier Dojo! atelierdojo.com/
Join our next FASO Show Live! https://artists.boldbrush.com/p/the-faso-show Learn the magic of marketing with us here at BoldBrush! boldbrushshow.com -- On today's episode we sat down with Sarkis Antikajian. Born in 1933 in Amman, Jordan, Sarkis discovered French Impressionism and Van Gogh as a teenager — a spark that never left him. He immigrated to the United States at 25, spent 35 years as a pharmacist building the financial independence to paint full-time, and retired in 1994 at 62 to finally live his dream. He is now 93, and still paints every day. Deeply shaped by Van Gogh's persistence, Sarkis believes in loving the process over the outcome, staying curious at every stage of a career, and painting freely without chasing validation or market trends. He has worked across watercolor, acrylic, oil, figurative, landscape, and abstraction — always seeking new ways to see.His advice to artists: find another source of income so financial fear doesn't limit your creativity, paint often and on inexpensive materials, and stop waiting for anyone else's approval to make the work that's truly yours. Sarkis' FASO site: sarkisantikajianfineart.com/ Sarkis' PBS Oregon Art Beat Video: https://www.pbs.org/video/oregon-art-beat-painter-sarkis-antikajian/
Join our next FASO Show Live! https://artists.boldbrush.com/p/the-faso-show Learn the magic of marketing with us here at BoldBrush! boldbrushshow.com --- What does it actually mean to make it as an artist? We’re not talking about the bubblegum advice you find on Instagram. We’re talking about the real work of being an artist; the day-in, day-out marathon; the changing goals artists experience as their careers progress. In this episode we wade out into the weeds of making it in the visual art business. We’ve had the privilege of sitting down with some of the most seasoned working artists we know, and when we ask them about success, the answers always surprise us. So for this episode, we’ve pulled together some of the most honest, hard-won perspectives from past guests. These veterans share what success actually requires, what it costs, and what it turns into over time. Episodes Mentioned: 100 Kevin MacPherson 101 Joseph Gyurcsak 105 SC Mummert 130 Scott Ruthven 140 Donald Yatomi
Join our next FASO Show Live! https://artists.boldbrush.com/p/the-faso-show Learn the magic of marketing with us here at BoldBrush! boldbrushshow.com Get over 50% off your first year on your artist website with FASO: FASO.com/podcast --- For today's episode, we sat down with Todd Williams, a Nebraska-born impressionistic oil painter who discovered his calling as a child, went on to study at the Kansas City Art Institute, worked a decade as an illustrator for Hallmark, and has since spent about 25 years as a full-time fine artist represented by major galleries. His work is driven by a desire to evoke emotion at both a distance and up close, with paint quality, broken color, and expressive brushwork often carrying as much weight as the subject itself. Technically, he emphasizes the “science” of painting—values, composition, clean value planes, and his value–color–mixture approach—as the left-brain foundation that lets him later enter a childlike, intuitive “spirit of painting” mode. A major milestone was his Legacy Nebraska Collection, a five-year project tied to Nebraska’s sesquicentennial that deepened his connection to place, history, and Native American subjects, and led naturally into his current series of bold, expressive Native American portraits and Western work. His advice to artists centers on perseverance, choosing strong and simple subjects to set yourself up for success, learning from both failures and wins, and accepting the ongoing tension between painting what sells and painting what most moves you. Over time, his definition of success has shifted from financial hunger and high output toward health, spiritual grounding, contentment, and relationships—treating the studio as a sacred space and the artistic journey itself as the true destination. Finally, Todd tells us about his upcoming activities, including teaching workshops with the Indiana Heritage Arts group in Nashville, Indiana and at the Merrick County Museum in his hometown of Central City, Nebraska, participating in ongoing and future Western-themed exhibitions (such as at the Museum of Western Art in Kerrville and Settlers West Gallery in Tucson), and contributing to the traveling “Painting the Arkansas Parks” exhibition organized through the Heart of America Artists for 2026–2027. Todd's FASO site: toddwilliamsfineart.com/ Todd's Social Media: instagram.com/toddwilliamsfineart/
Join our next FASO Show Live! https://artists.boldbrush.com/p/the-faso-show Learn the magic of marketing with us here at BoldBrush! boldbrushshow.com Get over 50% off your first year on your artist website with FASO: FASO.com/podcast --- For today's episode we sat down with Linda Doll, an 84‑year‑old lifelong multimedia artist. Linda shares how a childhood spent drawing in Brooklyn and studying at the Brooklyn Museum eventually led her to pursue art seriously after age 30, culminating in graduating with honors in painting and printmaking. She describes a pivotal moment with California watercolorist Rex Brandt, whose advice to “start with your strength” helped her stop imitating others, list her own strengths, and finally claim her unique artistic voice. Linda explains that when she began painting her family and scenes of peaceful, everyday life purely for herself, that work unexpectedly became her signature style, winning major awards, building an international reputation, and leading to teaching engagements around the world. She emphasizes that artists should find a niche at the intersection of what they love, what they’re good at, and what others respond to, while being realistic about business: pricing low at first, raising prices gradually, and building a solid collector base. Linda also shares practical and philosophical advice on staying creative over a lifetime—working in series, experimenting with multiple media, adapting to physical limitations, and maintaining a daily practice of “wetting the brush” or drawing. Above all, she urges aspiring full‑time artists to be themselves, trust their inner voice, and use their personal strengths so they’re leading with their own vision rather than constantly chasing trends. Finally, Linda tells us about her upcoming demos and urges us to keep up with her events by visiting her website! Linda's FASO Site: lindadoll.com/ Linda's Tutorials and Mentorship: lindadoll.com/page/13300/videos-and-classes Linda's YouTube Channel: youtube.com/@lindadoll Linda's Social Media: facebook.com/lindaadoll/ instagram.com/lindadoll5/
Join our next FASO Show Live! https://artists.boldbrush.com/p/the-faso-show Learn the magic of marketing with us here at BoldBrush! boldbrushshow.com Get over 50% off your first year on your artist website with FASO: FASO.com/podcast --- For today's episode, we sat down with Tanner Steed, a Denver-based oil painter and instructor who built a full-time career through self-directed classical training, mentorships with leading figurative artists, and a practice rooted in painting his lived experiences with a focus on strong composition and poetic mystery. Tanner shares how he built his career by treating art like any other skill in the brain—showing up daily, doing master copies, and effectively creating his own “atelier” when formal schools weren’t an option. He urges artists to paint what they genuinely love instead of chasing trends or specific collectors, trusting that sincere, well-crafted work will find its audience. A big part of his advice is to start paintings over and over to strengthen composition and value design, build or initiate community (from family collectors to plein air groups), and maintain multiple income streams through galleries, direct sales, teaching, and educational content. He also emphasizes persistence—reaching out repeatedly to mentors, reinventing yourself socially when needed, and committing to be “the last one standing” in the long game of artistic mastery. Finally, Tanner closes by mentioning current and upcoming projects, including his 100 Flowers Sale, a group show at Saks Galleries, an Art Renewal Center piece showing at Sotheby’s, workshops in Rome through Rome Art Residencies, and a future painting workshop along the Danube River cruise. Tanner's Sale!: tannersteedart.com/collections/228563 Tanner's FASO site: tannersteedart.com/ Tanner's Social Media: instagram.com/tannersteedart/ Tanner's YouTube: youtube.com/@tannersteedart
Join our next FASO Show Live! https://artists.boldbrush.com/p/the-faso-show Learn the magic of marketing with us here at BoldBrush! boldbrushshow.com Get over 50% off your first year on your artist website with FASO: FASO.com/podcast --- For today's episode we sat down with Alyse Firefly Russell, a figurative painter whose work blends realism with surreal, colorful, often floral elements, a style that was largely shaped by years of live painting at music festivals where she learned to paint intuitively “with the music.” She explains that her path included attending an art magnet school, art college, and then gradually building a career through live painting gigs that evolved into larger festivals and gallery shows. Returning to full-time painting after a break for family health issues, she describes dealing with imposter syndrome and how winning the BoldBrush contest and reconnecting with a gallery reassured her that she is indeed a professional artist. Her core practical advice for becoming a full-time artist is to maintain consistent studio hours, treat art like a real job, and avoid burning out by overworking, since regular rest actually helps the work improve. She also emphasizes the importance of putting yourself out there by showing up at events, talking to people, and learning basic marketing because even highly skilled artists won’t sell if no one sees their work, while less technically skilled but visible artists often do well. Alyse also highlights nurturing relationships with collectors (e.g., newsletters, personal notes, holiday cards) and reminds artists that careers usually grow gradually, through small, steady steps rather than a single “big break.” Finally, Alyse tells us about her upcoming group show “Bloom: A Kaleidoscope of Botanical Beauty” at Threyda Gallery in Denver, opening May 1, 2026 and running through the end of May, with the show also viewable online at the gallery’s website. Alyse's FASO Site: alyserussell.com/ Alyse's Social Media: instagram.com/alysefireflyart facebook.com/AlyseFireflyArt/ Threyda Gallery "Bloom: A Kaleidoscope of Botanical Beauty" threyda.com/pages/gallery
Join our next FASO Show Live! https://artists.boldbrush.com/p/the-faso-show Learn the magic of marketing with us here at BoldBrush! boldbrushshow.com Get over 50% off your first year on your artist website with FASO: FASO.com/podcast --- On today's episode we sat down with James McGrew, a landscape oil painter and longtime interpretive Yosemite park ranger whose representational landscapes and wildlife paintings blend rigorous scientific understanding with a deep emotional commitment to environmental education. James shares how a lifelong bond with Yosemite and early encouragement from teachers and family pushed him toward a career in representational painting, even when art schools favored abstraction. He explains how studying biology, geology, chemistry, and environmental education deepened his understanding of light, landforms, and ecosystems, making his landscapes more convincing and meaningful. James describes his dual life as a full-time painter and seasonal Yosemite interpretive ranger, using both roles to connect people emotionally and intellectually to the natural world. He emphasizes the power of working from life, developing visual memory, and truly knowing one’s subject—whether it’s a cliff face, endangered owl, or peregrine falcon. Over time his motivation has shifted from personal inspiration to a clear conservation mission: using art as a vehicle to advocate for fragile ecosystems and endangered species. He also advises aspiring artists to be true to themselves, spend time in nature, focus on long-term perseverance, and on building real human connections—with collectors, galleries, and fellow artists—rather than chasing awards or trends. J Finally, James tells us about his upcoming solo show at the Ansel Adams Gallery in Yosemite (opening May 4), as well as group shows including the California Art Club Gold Medal Exhibition, the Art Renewal Center Salon in New York, and invitational events at Grand Canyon and Zion later this year. James' FASO site: jamesmcgrewfineart.com/ James' Social Media: facebook.com/jamesmcgrewfineart/ instagram.com/jamesmcgrewfineart/
Join our next FASO Show Live! https://artists.boldbrush.com/p/the-faso-show Learn the magic of marketing with us here at BoldBrush! boldbrushshow.com Get over 50% off your first year on your artist website with FASO: FASO.com/podcast --- For today's episode, we sat down with Ellen Howard, a Boise-based landscape painter, instructor, art advocate, and writer who works primarily in oils and gouache, known for her tranquil depictions of nature, water, and luminous skies. In this conversation, Ellen shares how she transitioned from a demanding venture capital career into full-time art, guided by lifelong creative influences—especially her grandfather’s travel illustrations and drawings. She explains how an invitation to an oil painting class reignited her passion, leading to years of focused study, plein air practice, and a deep commitment to painting nature’s peaceful moments, from marshlands and seascapes to sunsets and Idaho’s mountains. Ellen also describes how surgery led her to experiment with gouache, a medium whose quick-drying vibrancy and spontaneity now balances and informs her slower, layered oil work. Drawing on her business background, she emphasizes time management, relationship-building, consistent marketing, particularly newsletter marketing, and “showing up and saying yes” as crucial to building opportunities and gallery representation. She encourages artists to develop a body of work they truly love, understand where it fits in the market, be patient with career growth, and actively create their own opportunities rather than waiting to be discovered. Finally, Ellen tells us about her upcoming gouache workshop in Sun Valley, her France Alps workshop, and her participation in major exhibitions like the California Gold Medal Show and the Brinton Museum invitational. Ellen's FASO site: ellenhowardart.com/ Ellen's Social Media: facebook.com/ellen.howard.5 instagram.com/ellenhowardart/ Sign up for Ellen's Newsletter! ellenhowardart.com/email-newsletter
Join our next FASO Show Live! https://artists.boldbrush.com/p/the-faso-show Learn the magic of marketing with us here at BoldBrush! boldbrushshow.com Get over 50% off your first year on your artist website with FASO: FASO.com/podcast --- For today's episode we sat down with Emma Kalff, a painter living in a tiny rural town in southwestern Colorado, where she now earns 90–95% of her income from her art after years of gradual building, side jobs, and business education. She began in sociology at Boston University, realized social work wasn’t for her, and followed her heart down to the art world in New Orleans through figure modeling, eventually receiving a rigorous classical training at the Academy of Fine Arts. Her work evolved from plein air landscapes into layered, dreamlike paintings that combine candid photographs of people with Colorado’s dramatic landscapes, allowing compositions to unfold organically rather than from strict pre-planning. Emma is currently working on a series of five large 30x40 inch linen paintings—“who, what, when, where, why”—that explore existential questions about living and making art in a socially, politically, and technologically volatile era, partly through reinterpreting historical symbols in a contemporary context. She emphasizes that a sustainable art career requires treating art as both craft and business: balancing studio time with marketing and education, diversifying income streams, engaging with local communities, and not waiting passively to be “discovered.” Throughout the conversation, she is honest about the psychological challenges—discipline, burnout, distraction from social media—while still affirming that this open-ended, uncertain time offers artists unprecedented freedom and direct access to their own audiences. Finally, Emma encourages us to sign up for her newsletter and Patreon to stay updated on her work! Emma's FASO site: emmakalff.com/ Sign up for Emma's Newsletter! emmakalff.com/page/49408/newsletter-signup Emma's Patreon: patreon.com/cw/EmmaKalff Emma's Social Media: instagram.com/emmakalff/
Join our next FASO Show Live! https://artists.boldbrush.com/p/the-faso-show Learn the magic of marketing with us here at BoldBrush! boldbrushshow.com Get over 50% off your first year on your artist website with FASO: FASO.com/podcast --- To end off season 13, we sat down with Matthew James Collins, a figurative painter, portrait painter, and sculptor living and working in Florence, Italy. Matthew traces his path from a creative childhood in Oak Park and frustration with contemporary-focused art school to then find classical, atelier-based training in Florence. Matthew explains how Old Masters like Titian, Van Dyck, Rembrandt, and Velázquez shaped his devotion to painting from life, Baroque optical effects, and the idea of following their principles—especially observation of nature—rather than copying their style. Matthew also explains how cameras and screens distort our sense of seeing, why young painters should “go cold turkey” from photographic reference when possible, and how experiencing art in person and in context is radically different from viewing it in what Matthew calls “art zoos” (museums stripped of original context). Matthew shares concrete insights on portraiture—sight-size work from life, historical palettes, thoughtful posing and lighting, and the slow, conversational sittings needed to reveal character—as well as his teaching method of painting alongside one or two students and correcting in real time. Underneath it all, the conversation keeps returning to bigger themes: the likeness of artistic voice to a lifelong "Odyssey", the role of culture and curiosity, the practical and emotional difficulty of being an artist today, and the enduring importance of making ambitious, sincere, beautifully crafted work that lives with people in everyday spaces. Matthew's FASO site: matthewjamescollins.com/ Matthew's Social Media: instagram.com/matthewjamescollinsartist/ facebook.com/matthewjamescollinsartist/ Matthew's Articles: Historical Approaches for Contemporary Portrait Practice Dancing Faun of Pompeii: Removed From Habitat, Out of Context
Join our next BoldBrush LIVE! Webinar by signing up here: register.boldbrush.com/live-guest Learn the magic of marketing with us here at BoldBrush! boldbrushshow.com Get over 50% off your first year on your artist website with FASO: FASO.com/podcast --- In this compilation episode, we are focusing on tips about one of the most important parts of an artistic career: collectors. Our past guests emphasize that fine art is sustained by strong, long-term relationships with collectors, not just technical skill or gallery placement. They describe collectors as people who often want a personal connection and ongoing dialogue—through conversations at shows, home salon events, and gallery openings. Many of our guests highlight using newsletters, social media, and even texting to stay in touch, share new work, and make collectors feel appreciated and involved. Several artists stress the importance of gratitude and reciprocity, from handwritten thank-you notes to remembering birthdays and asking how collectors discovered their work. Overall, collectors are not only buyers but possible friends, supporters, and “connectors” whose loyalty and enthusiasm can sustain an artist’s career over many years. Episodes mentioned in order of appearance: 81 Steve Atkinson 87 Johanna Spinks 94 Karen Blackwood 61 Nanci France-Vaz 99 Heather Arenas 101 Joseph Gyurcsak 120 Kim Casebeer 130 Scott Ruthven 162 David Griffin 166 Miriam Schulman 170 Kim Lordier
Join our next BoldBrush LIVE! Webinar by signing up here: register.boldbrush.com/live-guest Learn the magic of marketing with us here at BoldBrush! boldbrushshow.com Get over 50% off your first year on your artist website with FASO: FASO.com/podcast --- For today's episode, some of our past guests share the creative “aha” moments that transformed both their work and careers. You’ll hear how structured projects and daily discipline can unlock unexpected growth, and why understanding value matters more than obsessing over color. Our guests reveal how real artistic voice emerges naturally over time, rather than from trying to “find a style.” They also discuss the power of painting from memory and imagination instead of copying reality. Finally, they explore mindset shifts—reframing commissions, embracing the process over the product, and using creativity in marketing—as key breakthroughs on their artistic journeys. Episodes mentioned on this episode: 62 Aaron Schuerr 77 Aaron Westerberg 79 William Schneider 118 Shuang Li 129 Brian Bateman 137 Chris Krupinski 139 Jeff Legg 144 Christine Code 170 Kim Lordier
Join our next BoldBrush LIVE! Webinar by signing up here: register.boldbrush.com/live-guest Learn the magic of marketing with us here at BoldBrush! boldbrushshow.com Get over 50% off your first year on your artist website with FASO: FASO.com/podcast --- For today's episode we sat down with abstract mixed media artist Nancy Crandall Phillips, who shares her artistic journey from ceramics and fiber arts to the richly layered encaustic and mixed media work she creates today. She explains how a deep interest in the chemistry of materials (acrylic vs. oil, wax, gold leaf, papers, texture paste) and an early education in composition and edges shaped her highly tactile, artifact-like surfaces. Nancy describes her iterative, experimental process, emphasizing cycles of excitement, frustration, destruction, and rescue, and how embracing “happy accidents” and letting materials behave on their own terms is central to her work. She also discusses the emotional side of being an artist, including taking breaks from painting, dealing with frustration, and building resilience and trust in the process. Nancy also talks about the practical realities of an art career—balancing freelance accounting work with painting, entering juried shows, joining art groups, and building relationships that lead to gallery representation and auctions. Nancy closes with advice for aspiring artists to persist, cultivate community, and actively create their own opportunities, and also invites listeners to explore her work on her website and Instagram. Nancy's FASO site: nancycrandallphillips.com Nancy's Social Media: instagram.com/nancycrandallphillips
Join our next BoldBrush LIVE! Webinar by signing up here: register.boldbrush.com/live-guest Learn the magic of marketing with us here at BoldBrush! boldbrushshow.com Get over 50% off your first year on your artist website with FASO: FASO.com/podcast --- For today's episode, we sat down with Kim Lordier, a California-based pastel artist, mom, and former flight attendant whose deep love of nature and travel strongly influences her landscape work. She began drawing and painting animals as a child, started earning money from pet portraits as a teenager, and later experienced a major turning point in 2001 when she saw a plein air demonstration and committed to painting from life. Influenced by early California and American impressionists, Kim focuses on value, shape, and expressive color, and credits key workshops—especially learning notan and studying with mentors like Skip Whitcomb—for sharpening her compositional and color skills. She speaks candidly about her longstanding struggles with negative self-talk and imposter syndrome, and how learning to detach from the “preciousness” of finished paintings and embrace the process has been her biggest creative “aha” moment. On the business side, Kim emphasizes professionalism, honoring gallery relationships, and balancing what she loves to paint with what sells, while accepting that each artist’s journey and “ladder” is unique. She advises aspiring artists to trust their instincts, avoid unhealthy comparison, respect the people working behind the scenes in the art world, and remember there is always another canvas to paint. Finally she tells us all about her upcoming shows and workshops! Kim's FASO site: kimfancherlordier.com Kim's Social Media: instagram.com/klordierart/ facebook.com/kim.lordier Bob Newhart's "Stop it!" vimeo.com/97370236
Keep the useful structure, then change the audience, point of view, and voice until the idea is unmistakably yours.
Open a creative brief