Savvy Painter Podcast With Antrese Wood

Why don’t we see more women painting women? The subject of some of the best paintings and sculptures throughout history has been the female form. However, the majority of those works of art have been created by men. This has led to a distinct bias in how women are portrayed in an artistic fashion. My guest, Alia El-Bermani hopes to change that portrayal and give the power of female representation back to women artists! "Women Painting Women" explores how contemporary women painters are handling women as subjects. The blog was founded by artists Alia El-Bermani, Diane Feissel and Sadie Valeri. Check out the link to the blog in the “Resources” section at the end of this post! Lessons learned as an artist working in a gallery You’ve heard the perspective of gallery owners on this website before. I’ve had the fortune of interviewing some AMAZING gallery owners. In this conversation, there is a little bit of a twist on the gallery perspective. My guest, Alia El-Bermani spent some time early in her career

You know that art that you love to make, that personal art that you know won’t sell in galleries? Don’t be discouraged, you aren’t alone! My guest Julyan Davis has a personal collection of art that he makes for himself. This is his way of separating his personal art from what he knows will sell on the marketplace. In our conversation we talk about creating art that no one will ever see, making deep personal connections, professional habits, personal promotion and much more. Julyan also tells the fascinating story of how he made his way from growing up in England to establishing himself as an artist in the American South that you won’t want to miss! Art that no one will ever see Would you still make art if no one could ever see it? That’s a difficult and fascinating question. Julyan Davis and I discuss our own answers to this question. It raises an important point, especially with the way that Julyan separates his art. Because of his style and the way that he likes to experiment, Julyan has created two differe

The public perception of a person's journey toward becoming an artist is usually an ethereal and happy go lucky one. As many of you know, that’s not the case. In my conversation with artist Kami Mendlik, we discuss her journey of becoming an artist. Kami emphasis that luck had nothing to do with her skill, talent, and success as an artist. She isn’t shy talking about the stubbornness, difficulty, and perseverance that is required to have a thriving art career. In our conversation we also touch on the impact of a mentor, finding the time to paint, her life raising children and much more. The impact of a mentor Can you think back to a time when someone helped you on your career path in vital ways? Everyone doesn’t get such a special person in their life. Usually, a mentoring relationship doesn’t just fall into your lap. Kami Mendlik had to hunt down and pursue her mentor Mary Pettis. Kami was relentless because she knew she had to learn from one of the best in her field. Mary was a huge hero and mentor to

Wouldn’t it be great to hear inside tips for artists from a gallery’s perspective? Most of my interviews are with artists but I jump at the chance when I get to connect with a gallery owner. They provide such a helpful and unique perspective! My guest Jennifer Farris is the owner of Studio Gallery. Jennifer and Rab opened the gallery in 2003 to showcase the work of Bay Area artists. Jennifer and I discuss the role of social media in the art world, the story behind the artwork, setting the right prices, helpful tips for artist engaging with galleries and much more! Leveraging Social Media to Promote Art With the interconnectedness the internet age gives us, it can seem like brick and mortar stores are becoming increasingly irrelevant. You might be tempted to think that social media promotion threatens the role of galleries in the art world. Gallery owner Jennifer Farris doesn’t see social media promotion as an obstacle but rather as a platform she can leverage alongside the artists her gallery works with. In o

What is your artistic motivation? Has it always been the same, or has it changed? Artist Scott Conary would say that it has changed over the years. He describes a time when his artwork and his career came from a different place of motivation, that was before his daughter was born. Once she came into the world, Scott’s life, including his artwork took a new direction. In our conversation, Scott shares about his struggle with perfectionism, why every question doesn’t need an answer, the health difficulties that his daughter has faced from birth, and so much more. The illusion of perfectionism As a creative individual, you want your art to resemble the vision you have for it in your mind as much as possible. This can be both frustrating and exciting. When it comes together just right and looks exactly how you envisioned it - satisfying. On the rare occasion that it exceeds your expectations and imagination - ecstasy. My guest Scott Conary and I spent some time in our conversation around the subject of perfection

Most people don’t stop to consider the artistry involved with the framework that houses paintings. In many cases this is done on purpose, too elaborate or extravagant framework might detract from the detail and message that the artist is trying to convey. But artist Holly Lane has a different approach. She combines both aspects in a harmonious creative endeavor. The result is breathtaking. Holly carefully and litigiously plans how her work with carving and designing her frames will complement and enhance her painting as if they were one unified piece of art. Words don’t do Holly’s work justice, you have to see this brilliant and gifted approach - make sure to scroll down to the bottom of this post to see the images she provided. Early affirmations in carving out a creative path Not all artists receive the encouragement and enthusiasm for their early work as much as they’d like. Many artists use this adversity and challenge to fuel their creativity drive to succeed and make a name for themselves. Artist Holly

Do you realize the power an art mentor has? They have the ability to guide and shape the next generation of artist. Unfortunately, this relationship is often underutilized. My guest Joe Gyurcsak believes strongly in the mentoring relationship. He has experienced the impact that older artist have had on his life AND he has had the opportunity to act as a mentor to the generation of artists coming up behind him. In our conversation, we cover the impact of having a mentor, his transition from illustration to fine art, how creative writing enhanced his artwork, and much more. The transition from illustration to fine art Have you ever imagined what it would be like to junk your current career path and make an abrupt change? That is exactly what my guest Joe Gyurcsak did. One night after a frustrating project as an illustrator, Joe decided that he was done. He made the decision and walked away. It wasn’t really a decision to turn from one thing and begin another at that point. But before long, Joe began producing p

When you meet someone who is passionate about a subject it can be contagious, whether you like the subject or not. But it takes a unique individual to really transfer and ignite that passion into someone else. It was a joy to sit down with my guest, Rey Bustos. Rey is a talented artist and an experienced educator. Our conversation covers the influence that Burne Hogarth had on both of us, his journey toward teaching art, and the role of passion and gratitude. We had a wonderful time discussing all these subjects and so much more. Influence from a giant in the art world When I went to school at Art Center I had the privilege to study under renowned illustrator Burne Hogarth. My guest, Rey Bustos also studied under Burne and ended up teaching his class soon after his passing. Rey and I had a wonderful time discussing the impact Burne had on both of us. He truly was a giant in the art and illustration world. Rey talked about how Burne’s passion and deep knowledge of illustration and anatomy ignited a passion in

Sometimes you just need to shake things up. Routine and patterns can foster complacency and stifle creativity. My guest Robert Chiarito lives to change things up when it comes to his artwork. Much of our conversation centered around the theme of “Breaking the mold.” Our conversation spanned some great topics like walking away from gallery representation, to being critical of work that “Comes easy,” and cultivating a flavor of unpredictability in his work. Robert was exceedingly gracious with his time and with his level of honesty. Make sure to catch the images of his inspiring work at the end of this post! Walking away from gallery representation In an ever-changing art world, is it realistic to expect to make a living by showing your work in art galleries? Robert Chiarito resolved early on in his career to creating the art he wanted to make regardless of what galleries or art collectors wanted to see. This decision has afforded him the freedom to cultivate an unpredictable flavor to the artwork he produces.

I had the wonderful privilege of sitting down with renowned artist and educator Langdon Quin. We discussed his work with observational art and invented imagery. Langdon was gracious enough to provide some images of his work that you can see at the end of this post. He shared how he started working with invented imagery and how his work as an observational painter has influenced his growth and evolution. Langdon’s passion for art is infectious, we discussed some of his influences over the years and how his role and educator has also impacted his life and work. Invented Imagery Art What is “Invented Imagery?” Invented imagery in the term artist Langdon Quin puts it is creating paintings of objects or scenes that he has created in his mind. This can also include a memory of a place the artist has seen but the art is created solely on that memory. Another fascinating example that Langdon shared was a painting he did of a landscape that he often travels by, but instead of painting that scene from the angle he had

My guest today is Phyllis Schafer. You might remember her being mentioned from the interview I conducted with Parker Stremmel. Phyllis is represented by the Stremmel Gallery in Reno, NV. We had a wonderful and wide-ranging conversation where we discussed her work painting in gouache, her journey as an artist through her undergrad work in the 70’s, and some of the difficulties she faced in her graduate work in the 80’s. Phyllis has a unique perspective as both an artist and an educator. She currently lives and works in the beautiful Lake Tahoe area and her paintings reflect her stunning surroundings. Discovering painting in gouache Through her artistic journey, Phyllis Shafer has come to love and utilize painting in gouache. Gouache is a method of painting using opaque pigments ground in water and thickened with a glue-like substance. Phyllis was drawn to gouache partly because of the prolific use of acrylics in painting at the time she was in undergraduate school in the 70’s. As she started using oils and sta

If you are anything like me, you might find math to be an intimidating subject. But math and art have had a harmonious relationship for hundreds of years. There is a rich history between the two subjects that I find fascinating. It is a huge honor to have artist Michael Schultheis as my guest on the podcast this week. Michael didn’t start his career as an artist, but he has always been captivated by the beauty of mathematics. After starting a successful career working at Microsoft in Seattle, Michael was struck with the inspiration to teach himself how to become an artist. The catalyst for this change occurred while Michael was listening to Terry Gross interview an artist who encouraged people to make art from what they knew. That set things off for Michael and his journey of bringing the two worlds of mathematics and art together with his own spin. Exciting ways art is being seen and felt When an artist can connect with their audience on a level beyond the visual, something truly special has occurred. For ma

Incremental change isn’t sexy. Big changes and bold moves get all the attention and headlines. But most of the world revolves around this slow but steady persistent and forward progress of incremental change. This has been the case for artist Deborah Zlotsky. She would be the first to tell you that she’s not someone who has many “Aha moments” but that’s ok, she loves the small changes she has piled up in her life. To hear Deborah talk about her creative process and the journey she has taken to become the artist she is today is awe inspiring. Working hard to avoid being overwhelmed It can be so difficult to drown out all the noise of life and focus on the work at hand and the things you enjoy doing. How do you avoid becoming overwhelmed? What brings the most focus and clarity? Artist Deborah Zlotsky struggled with distraction and an unsatisfying amount of productivity. Through trial and error, Deborah found her way to focus and clarity was through compartmentalizing her work into short bursts of creativity. Th

There are a multitude of factors that contribute to crafting your personality. The familiar debate of nature versus nurture comes to mind. Just as there are various pieces involved in crafting a personality, so are there in finding artistic inspiration. What inspires one person would never inspire the next and so on. On this episode of Savvy Painter, I have the pleasure of interviewing artist Ginnie Gardiner. In our conversation, we discuss her work as an MTV music video producer, what art books inspire her, her creative process, and much more! I can’t wait for you to hear from this gracious and talented artist - make sure to listen in! An artist inspired by her work with MTV You wouldn’t think there was much correlation between working on MTV music videos and developing as a painter. However, that is exactly artist Ginnie Gardiner’s story. She worked as a producer for a video company to take “Flat art” and animate it for videos and television. This job working with digital art and music videos served as her

Kirstine Reiner Hansen is an artist with a vibrant story. On this episode of Savvy Painter, I have the pleasure of sitting down with Kirstine to discuss her successful and thriving career as a “Self taught artist.” Our discussion ranges from the pros and cons of getting a Masters in Fine Arts (MFA), her experience as a self taught painter, keeping her audience updated, and making a substantial shift in her method and style of painting. Kirstine is a generous and gracious guest and I believe you will learn a lot from her wealth of knowledge and insight. Make sure to listen to this episode of Savvy Painter! Is it important to keep your audience invested and interested in your work? In the social media age, how important is it to keep your audience interested? I get the wonderful opportunity to sit down with artist Kirstine Reiner Hansen to discuss the importance of updating and including your audience on your journey. Much of our thinking around this idea is just reminding our audience that we are still around

No one has a perfect story. Light and dark, day and night, there seems to be a constant opposite element to contrast our experiences in life. We all have our moments of glory and times of difficulty. On this episode of Savvy Painter, I have the privilege to sit down with artist Emily Leonard. Emily’s journey is a fascinating one. We discuss her successes, her battle with depression, the creative process, the benefits of good habits, and much more! If you love to hear how artists have navigated their creative journey as much as I do, you don’t want to miss this episode! That magical moment when everything “Clicks” Have you ever had one of those magical moments when everything you are working on just “Clicks?” Artist Emily Leonard had one of those moments in her career that left a lasting impression on her process. She was working on a big solo show at a gallery in Seattle when she started a painting in which every brush stroke “Felt right.” She didn’t finish this painting in time for the gallery opening which

Mixed media art refers to a work of art where more than one medium has been employed. "Mixed media" tends to refer to a work of visual art that combines various traditionally distinct visual art media. For example, a work on canvas that combines paint, ink, and collage could properly be called a "mixed media" work. I had the privilege of sitting down with premier mixed media artist, Caren Canier on this episode of Savvy Painter. Caren brings years of experience and profound insight to our conversation about the art world. Hear about her experience as an artist, Rome Prize Fellowship recipient, and much more! Establishing a “Commitment” to art As an artist, you have to decide who you are making art for. If you are constantly looking for approval and checking “Which way the wind blows” your career is going to be very difficult. Caren Canier is an artist and teacher. She emphasizes the need to connect with your motivation for art. She believes that every artist needs to establish a commitment

How do artists find their creative inspiration? The answer to this question is as unique as each person who asks it. Every artist finds their inspiration differently and that inspiration varies widely. But with each exploration of this question, you get a peek into each artist's journey. On this episode of Savvy Painter, I sit down with artist Jennifer Pochinski. We have a wonderful and wide ranging conversation about creative inspiration, painting techniques, and raising a family as an artist. Jennifer brings some fascinating insights on this episode, don’t miss it! Using Instagram for Artistic Inspiration Some artists retreat to the beauty of nature to find that creative spark called inspiration, some look to literature or the human anatomy. Then there are some artists who find inspiration from Instagram. In the 21st century, some artists are finding new avenues of motivation. On this episode of Savvy Painter, I get to explore this subject with artist Jennifer Pochinski. Jennifer likes to “travel aroun

Synesthesia is a sensation that some people have when one sense is being interpreted by a different one. Some people see a color when a number is mentioned. Others smell a lemon when they see a particular shade of green. Artist Krista Harris has incorporated this sensory phenomenon into her abstract art. She lives in rural Colorado which creates a perfect backdrop for inspiration through all five senses. For example, when she hears a blackbird singing she attempts to paint that sound. Krista’s art and her way of approaching the senses and the world around her is fascinating. Check out my exciting interview with her on this episode of Savvy Painter! How do you approach your goals? With the New Year fast approaching, many people are setting goals for 2017. How do you approach goal setting? Do you grab what was leftover from 2016 that you didn’t get accomplished? What strategy works best? Artist Krista Harris found a few methods that worked for her. To start off, she focuses on a clear, specific goal. Once she i

Controversial art is often provocative. The artist wants to make you feel something on a visceral level or they want to challenge the way you think. If you haven’t ever thought of art as a medium to send a message, then this episode for you! I had the wonderful privilege to sit down with a provocative and sometimes controversial artist, Hannah Yata. In this episode we discuss her journey of becoming an artist, finding her voice, and challenging the culture. Hannah has some powerful messages to convey through her work. She has evoked strong responses from audiences of all types. You won’t want to miss hearing from this talented artist! Getting Started as an Artist Plotting your way down a career path can be very difficult. Some professions have a very clear cut route, and others don’t. Hannah Yata found herself struggling through the process of getting started as an artist. As she was finishing up her time in art school, she wondered what the next step would be. An offhand comment from one of her teachers sent