New Podcast Episode: Matt Smith - The Disciplined Pursuit of Passion

For today's episode we sat down with Matt Smith, an accomplished plein air painter with a deep love for the outdoors, especially in his home state of Arizona. Matt discusses his artistic journey from early exposure to art through his family, to finding his passion in landscape painting. He shares the challenges of becoming a full-time artist, emphasizing the importance of community, discipline, and embracing failure. Matt describes his painting process, starting with outdoor inspiration and refining in the studio. He also describes the role of galleries and social media in his career. He offers advice to aspiring artists, highlighting the value of maintaining a work structure, climbing up the ladder slow and steady, and maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Finally, Matt shares details about his upcoming shows and online teaching opportunities.

Robert Johnson - Commitment and Unexpected Opportunities

In today's episode, we sat down with Robert Johnson, an accomplished artist with a love of a plethora of subject matter. Robert shares his journey from practicing law to pursuing his passion for traditional art forms like portraits, still lifes, and landscapes. He describes the influential role his brother played in introducing him to the art world and the pivotal advice he received from a teacher named Frank Wright. Robert also discusses the unexpected opportunities that arose when he committed to becoming a full-time artist, including a residency in France. Throughout the conversation, Robert emphasizes the importance of following one's deep inner motivation and being open to the universe's surprises. He offers advice to aspiring artists about finding the right galleries and marketing their work effectively.

Thomas Torak - Breathe Life Into the Canvas

To kick off season 9, we sat down with Thomas Torak, an oil painter who embraces the long held principles of classical painting. Thomas shares his journey into classical painting, inspired by a life-changing experience seeing Rubens' painting of The Prometheus. He discusses his mentors, Frank Mason and Robert Beverly Hale, and their influence on his approach to painting focused on light, space, and form. Thomas explains his technique of building up opacity and transparency to create luminous, dynamic paintings and therefore breathing life into the canvas. He emphasizes the importance of understanding anatomy and the human form to make art more relatable. He also advises aspiring artists to study the old masters, especially through copying drawings. Our conversation highlights the joy and privilege of the creative process and the goal of connecting with viewers through impactful, emotive paintings.

A Hidden Gem - Why Artists Need a Newsletter

In this episode, we compiled insights from artists on the benefits of having and maintaining an email newsletter. Our guests share how a well-curated newsletter can foster deeper connections with fans, turning casual followers into loyal supporters. You'll hear tips on how newsletters can be used to promote new artwork, offer exclusive content, and build a dedicated community outside of social media platforms. They also discuss the advantages of owning your own contact list, and share strategies for keeping subscribers interested, such as sharing behind-the-scenes stories or exclusive previews. Tune in to learn why investing time in a newsletter can lead to long-term success and growth for your art career.

Rob Rey - Cosmic Curiosity & Letting Yourself Explore

In today's episode, we sat down with Rob Rey, a fine artist who creates narrative scenes with allegorical figures representing aspects of science and space. He aims to help people feel a meaningful connection to the universe and natural world through his "Cosmic Perspective" series, which explores concepts like being made of stardust. Rob discusses his artistic journey, from being influenced by Joseph Campbell and Carl Sagan to developing his unique painting process and style. He shares the challenges of transitioning to a full-time art career, emphasizing the importance of living frugally and diversifying income streams. Rob also provides advice for aspiring artists, encouraging them to paint what they love, be patient as they build their careers, and to allow themselves to follow their curiosity. Rob's work and story remind us of the profound ways in which science, nature, and creativity can intertwine to foster a profound sense of belonging in the cosmic tapestry.