Savvy Painter Podcast With Antrese Wood

What does a creative journey that starts with graffiti art then moves to video game work and then ends up on a smaller scale working with acrylics look like? What lessons and tips can other artists learn from such a journey? My guest, Greg Simkins opens up about all these various transitions in his life and how he has been able to build a thriving art business with his wife. Greg’s story is fascinating and unique and I hope you can catch the lively and infectious passion that he exudes for his work. Don’t forget to catch some images of Greg’s artwork located at the end of this post! Encouragement Along the way How did you get started as an artist? Was it a gradual progression? Did you know from a young age? Or did you come to the realization later in life? Who helped you along your creative journey? Did you have mentors, friends, or family members who encouraged you along the way? My guest, Greg Simkins describes the wonderfully supportive relationship he shares with his father who was vital in encouraging an

What is the future of painting? How will the next decade of painting stack up given the current trends compared to what’s come before? Is the painting community on a positive trajectory? Or do we need to make some course corrections? My guest, Burton Silverman joins me for part two of our conversation. Burt opens up about the impact of past artists, how he chooses his subjects, the future of painting, and so much more! Burt has such a depth of experience and knowledge I know you will find his insights and perspectives as fascinating as I did! The Future of Painting Do you have an idea of where the painting sector of the art community is headed? Does it leave you troubled or optimistic? I put this question to artist Burton Silverman and he provided a helpful and nuanced response. Burt used the word hopefully to describe his outlook and I found that really encouraging. He was also quick to add that he wants to see the future of painting push the bounds and really challenge the concept of authenticity that has b

What does it take to create “Good Art?” Who decides? What elements or components are necessary to deem something good? My guest today is the renowned artist, Burton Silverman. This is part one of our two part conversation where we discuss a wide range of topics from the components of “Good Art,” discovering your artistic voice, the role of setting and presentation in art, racism and the fear of “the other,” and so much more! Burt draws from his vast wealth of experience and thoughtfulness and I know artists like you will value his contributions as much as I have. What makes for “Good Art?” How would you describe “Good Art?” Have you thought about it? Do you have a definition of it? How did you arrive at that conclusion? Artist, Burt Silverman opened up to me about what he thinks are the components of good art. Burt says that it comes down to craftsmanship and the ability to record the world in an accurate way. He further elaborates on this idea by explaining that there is an element in good artwork that trans

Do you struggle with putting in the focused and hard work required of you as an artist? You aren’t alone! I’ve struggled with carving out the time and maintaining that focused attention to the craft that I love. All artists struggle at some point with staying focused. What has worked for you? How have you been able to push through the difficulty? My guest, Steve Da Luz opens up and shares how he has wrestled with this obstacle in his life. I value Steve’s transparency and honesty and I know that you’ll find it just as refreshing and inspiring as I did. Misconceptions of the “Art World” What does it mean to follow the guidelines of the “Art World?” Is that something that you are bound to as an artist? Who are the gatekeepers of the art world? My guest, artist Steve Da Luz discusses with me what it means to be an active participant of the art world. We come to the conclusion that there isn’t some abstract and amorphous art world “out there” somewhere, but that it’s creative individuals like you and me that make

What comes to mind when you think of narrative painting? Do you think of a particular painting or a series of paintings? What is it about painting with a narrative that captures an audience? My guest, Nathan Lewis is an accomplished narrative painter. In our conversation, Nathan and I spoke about the language of painting, multi figure paintings, painting through frustration and doubt, and so much more! I know artists like you will enjoy hearing from his unique perspective. I am really excited for you to get a glimpse into the world of narrative painting by hearing Nathan’s fascinating story and insights. The Draw to Narrative Painting Do you remember what drew you to your style or type of painting? Was it an artist that captured your imagination, a teacher that opened it up to you, or was it more of a gradual revelation? For artist Nathan Lewis, he was drawn to narrative painting through his personal pursuit of finding meaning in life. Nathan describes his attraction to art as an attraction to live a life of

Do you have questions about oil painting and the best materials to use? Look no further, it’s here! Robert Gamblin, Mary, and Pete Cole join me to answer your biggest questions about oil painting and more! I’m so excited for you to hear their helpful insights into some really great topics. You’ll hear them go over questions about pigments, stories about pigment sources, why some paints have more oil separation, some great information on oil paints and toxicity, and much more! This will serve as a great resource for artists like you to keep in your back pocket. Learn how you can connect with Gamblin and utilize their great resources! A Dedicated Focus on Oil Painting You’ve heard that old phrase, “Jack of all trades and master of none” right? That’s what comes to mind when I hear Robert Gablin talk about why his company solely focuses on oil painting instead of branching out to provide water colors, acrylic paints, and other materials. Instead of being a jack of all trades, Robert and his team have decided to

Have you ever wondered what urban paintings out of Tehran might look like? What about the status of the art community in Iran in general? My guest, Ehsan Maleki is an Iranian artist whose painting primarily focus on urban settings and nature. In our conversation, he describes “Iranian Miniature” paintings, the impact that artist Mahmoud Farshchian has had on him, why abstract art is so hard to talk about, the role of personality in artwork, and much more! Ehsan was very gracious with his time and really helped me climb into the perspective of the Iranian art community. I’m certain artists like you will get a lot of enjoyment from our conversation. Iranian Miniature Art What is Iranian miniature art? My guest, Ehsan Maleki launched into a very concise and helpful explanation of what this art form entails. Iranian miniature art has a long history stretching back to the 10th century. It was mainly used as the illustration for poetry books so it is traditionally very small in size. The paintings are usually of ga

Do you find yourself in the abstract or figurative art group? Most artists end up in one group or the other, but there some who start in one group and migrate to the other. My guest, Mario Naves is an accomplished painter, art critic, and teacher. In our conversation, Mario opens up about his journey from starting out as a figurative artist and moving more toward abstract art perspective. Mario also goes over reactions to seeing his old artwork, shedding perfectionism, his creative process, and much more! I know artists like you will enjoy hearing from such a talented voice like Mario. Reflecting on Past Artwork Have you ever taken a trip down memory lane with your artwork? Doesn’t it almost feel like it was someone else who made those pieces? Artist Mario Naves told me a story in our conversation about a time when he was reflecting on one of his paintings that hangs in one of his friend's homes. While some artists might cringe or feel uncomfortable looking back on work they produced years ago, Mario loo

What is intuitive painting? How does the intuitive process work? It has been said that the goal of intuitive painting is to allow yourself the space to be inside color, paint, and process while locating the inner core of your creative self. My guest, Alan Feltus is an intuitive painter who has a rich depth of experience to share with our Savvy Painter audience. In our conversation, we discuss the impact Sari Dienes had on him growing up, his move to Italy, his creative process using mirrors, his advice for young artists, and so much more! I can’t wait for you hear from Alan and learn from his wonderful insights. Growing up with Sari Dienes Can you imagine growing with the unique opportunity to learn from an artist like Sari Dienes? What would it be like to watch her work? Artist Alan Feltus opened up to me about his childhood and how he learned from the talented Sari Dienes. Alan talks fondly of spending time with her and watching her creative process. No artist learns in isolation and without an influence, t

Have you ever wondered how a self taught artist fares in today’s art scene? Do they have the same difficulties and opportunities as artists who have been through the traditional route? What unique lessons can we learn from this subset of creators who defy conventional expectations? My guest, Julian Merrow Smith is a self taught artist who has plenty of insight to share about his journey. In our conversation, we touched on his move to France, how he taught himself how to paint, why he decided to start teaching workshops, how he works through disappointment, and much more. I can’t wait for you to get to know the side of Julian that came out in our interview! Creative Inspiration What inspires you to create your artwork? Is it people, places, concepts, or something else? When I get the chance to peer into the mind of an artist I enjoy the wonderful opportunity to explore what inspires them, what really makes them come alive. It intrigues me to hear what inspires various artists as they approach their canvas. Art

What comes to mind when you think of art and play? Do you consider art as a playful act? Imagine how this shift in mindset can bring forth a wide range of freedom and joy in the creative process. My guest, artist Jeremiah Palecek takes time in our conversation to detail how he appreciates the role of art and play. If you’ve been around the Savvy Painter community for very long, you know that this is one of my favorite subjects! I had a wonderful time discussing this topic and a wide range of other subjects in our conversation. Make sure to check out images of Jeremiah’s artwork at the end of this post! A Family of Artists Who helped shape your creative imagination as a child? Was it a parent or grandparent? Did it take longer for you to discover your creative spark? Maybe for you, it was a teacher that helped usher you in on your journey as an artist. For Jeremiah Palecek, it started at an early age surrounded by art in his grandmother's house. But it wasn’t just his grandmother, Jeremiah’s father also t

With the impact of social media and the ability to get instant feedback from your audience and fanbase, an important question for artists to consider is “What are you willing to compromise?” If the majority of your followers don’t find your new experimental process or project interesting or if they go so far as giving you negative feedback, what do you do? Do you give in to popular opinion or do you follow your convictions? This problem is unique to the issue of having your artwork exposed to the public via social media. Artist John Wentz and I spent time going deep into this subject during our conversation. He has some great points to address when considering the level of engagement an artist should have with their digital audience given the difficulties that can arise. Social Media and the inability to Slow Down One of the drawbacks to living in such an increasingly modernized and advanced society is the impact of social media on our ability to slow down. Every spare moment can be filled by pulling out that

Have you discovered your passion in life? What is that one thing that lights you up like nothing in the world can? Imagine going through life without realizing or experiencing your passion in a consistent way. Deborah Paris realized one day that she wasn’t following her passion in life. From that moment on she set out to make a change in her career and focus on what really mattered to her. She went from a career practicing law to connecting with her desire to become an artist. Deborah’s message to people unsure of their future and career is to follow your passion. Don’t let another day go by without taking the steps to really engage in what matters to you. A Reaction Beyond Words Can you think of the most powerful response to your artwork that you’ve ever received? Some artists have a few of these interactions to choose from and others haven’t had any notable reactions at all. In my time interviewing artists, it really does vary - there doesn’t seem to be a pattern to how people respond. In my recent conversa

Often it can take an artist years to discover their “Artistic voice.” It comes to each artist in a different way, some find it by learning from mentors and instructors over years, others find it by teaching the nuances of art theory or art history. There are so many beautiful paths that different individuals take to discover their unique artistic voice. My guest, Nancy Gruskin had a fascinating story to tell as she spoke with me about her journey to discovering and sharing her artistic voice. She didn’t take the “Typical” route to her career as an artist but it makes total sense for Nancy and it's an inspiring one that I know you will enjoy! Getting “Established” as an Artist Part of the process of discovering your voice as an artist is getting to that place where you feel “Established.” Similar to finding your voice, getting established comes at different points for each artist. For Nancy Gruskin, her career as an art history instructor has played a significant role in her journey and arriving at that p

What does “Being present” mean to you? Do you find that it is easy or difficult to be present in your studio time? With the cacophony of noise and distractions in our world, to be is present and in the moment could be considered an act of defiance. Artist Joseph Todorovitch is dedicated to honing in on what it means to be present with his artwork and to center on that place of stillness and focus. In our conversation, Joseph was open and transparent about his journey and how he finally found himself at a place where he is comfortable but still challenged. What does it take to be a good draftsman? The work of a draftsman is full of focus and clarity. It’s not an easy process that should be taken casually. I was curious what Joseph Todorvitch’s take would be when I asked him about the qualities and skill sets necessary to succeed as a draftsman. Joseph shared that it takes a particular type of motivation that comes from a desire to represent something faithfully. He also shared the importance of engaging in exp

Some artists love to tell a very intentional and direct story with their artwork, and some focus on embracing the unknown. Artist Lani Irwin has a fascinating relationship with her paintings and their seeming tension of embracing the known and embracing the unknown. Lani’s work is very focused when it comes to the shapes and figures she creates but the unknown comes in when you step back and look for an underlying narrative or dialogue in her work, it’s not there. Lani likes to revel in the fact that her work embraces this tension, you can’t pin it down, you can’t define exactly what she is trying to say. Sometimes Lani wishes she had a story to tell in her paintings, and sometimes she loves the fact that there is nothing to tell. Letting the Painting Speak Many artists come to the canvas with an idea in mind and let it evolve over time or they just bring to life that original idea that existed in their head. Lani Irwin doesn’t go to the canvas with an idea in mind, rather she starts with a gesture or an obje

John Seed is an art writer, art and art history professor, and an artist in his own right. In our conversation we discuss his formative experience learning under Nathan Oliveira, his time working in galleries, what it was like hanging paintings by renowned artists like Jean-Michel Basquiat and Eric Fischl, and so much more. It was an honor to speak with such a gracious and talented artist and writer, I know you will have a great time learning about his progression from art teacher to art writer as well as all the great insights and lessons he has to share from his years in the art world. From Art Teacher to Art Writer It’s been said that every step we take in life is one of arrival. To hear John Seed explain how he found his way from being captivated with art at a young age, to working in art galleries, then teaching art and finally to writing about the subject is an engrossing story. Though each step along the way you really get the sense that John was meant to tell the story of artists because of his deep r

I’ve always been intrigued by layered paintings. I don’t know if you’ve had that same draw but there is something about the textures and the grooves that draw you in and makes you wonder why the artist added that piece or that mark in a way that is unique in its own right. My guest, Chris Liberti has a similar draw and fascination with layered paintings. In our conversation, Chris describes why the layered effect has such an influence in his work. I also share how it connects to a personal story in my life. Connecting artwork to a personal space Do you have a favorite place you like to work on your art besides the studio environment? What is it about that place that resonates with you in a way no other place does? Artist Chris Liberti shared with me that one of his favorite places to go and paint is in his parent's basement. Didn’t see that coming did you? The way Chris describes this space and why he likes to go back and paint a particular utility sink is really touching. As he describes what that artwo

When most people think of art and spirituality, they think of religious art. But what if there was a more subtle approach to art and spirituality that subverts the more common public expectations? Dozier Bell creates wonderful works of art that often convey a sense of “Presence.” She doesn’t feel the need to overtly draw the viewer's attention to the concept of God, rather she creates in a way that resonates with her spiritual experience and the way she sees the world. Once you get the chance to see Dozier’s artwork you will get a feel for the concept that she tries to convey, make sure to view some selections of her work at the end of this post. Fitting into a new environment Have you ever wanted to travel to a new location and get rooted into a new culture? Imagine the impact that would have on your worldview and artistic development. Dozier Bell had always wanted to spend time abroad expanding her skills and knowledge along with her creative pursuits. She finally got the chance when she was awarded a

Have you ever struggled with “Artist’s block?” We’ve all heard about how difficult and frustrating “Writer’s block” can be for an author who is used to having the words flow out on the page, but do artists ever face a similar difficulty? Jason Cytacki is a talented artist and educator who bravely opens up about his difficulty facing artist’s block at a particular chapter in his career. Jason’s transparency, honesty, and ultimately hopeful perspective are a breath of fresh air. I had a wonderful time discussing his work, personal journey, and everything in between. Art Inspired by the American West Often many artists are inspired by things that impacted them as children or early in their life. For some artists it’s the ocean, for others it’s human faces, other still it’s landscapes, and on and on we could go. For Jason Cytacki one aspect of his childhood that has inspired his artwork is the entertainment genre of westerns. This inspiration has led to Jason creating some amazing pieces of art that incorporate t