How to Talk About Your Art Without Feeling Awkward
Do you ever feel anxious or freeze up when someone asks about your work? You want people to see and love your art, but talking about it can feel overwhelming. And if you struggle to talk about your art, you might miss opportunities to connect with potential buyers.In this episode of The Savvy Painter Podcast, we’re diving into why learning to talk about your art is so important. I’ll share how your words can shape the way collectors experience your work, what it really costs to stay silent, and why there’s no “wrong” way to talk about your art—even if it feels intimidating.4:24 – Why your art won’t speak for itself and why you need to help it10:26 – What happens when you stay silent instead of engaging with potential buyers13:36 – How connection shapes a collector’s experience and influences their decision to buy17:40 – How talking about your art builds confidence and conviction in your work20:37 – The impact of clear communication when applying for shows, grants, and residencies22:07 – The biggest fears artists have when discussing their work and why they don’t need to worry27:06 – The key to feeling comfortable talking about your art and a quick challenge to help you practiceMentioned in How to Talk About Your Art Without Feeling AwkwardJoin Growth StudioSupport the show
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29:52
You’re the Hero of Your Own Art Story
As a kid, did you wish you were like Cinderella and had a fairy godmother who could just wave her magic wand and president you with whatever you wished? Unfortunately, this idea of a fairy tale character coming to save the day is every bit as fantastical as the art police scenario talked about last week. Just as no one is coming to arrest you, no one is coming to save you, either.In this episode of The Savvy Painter podcast, you’ll learn how to be the hero of your own story instead and give yourself the best odds to succeed as an artist. I’ll share the scope of the responsibility you need to take on, provide insights and suggestions to help you get clear on and envision what you want inside and outside the studio, discuss the importance of focusing on what you can control instead of what you can’t (like social media algorithms), and more.3:55 - How to stack the odds in your favor and give yourself the chance to create the practice you want6:39 - How to envision your perfect day and the results you want to get in your art practice11:28 - Better questions to ask yourself about what you want so you can create a fulfilling practice13:50 - Why you often feel helpless as an artist and what happens when you don’t know what you want16:06 - What you need to know about social media and the importance of focusing on what you can control21:37 - Why you don’t need to know all the answers to start (but what is required of you right now)26:21 - One final suggestion that can keep you moving forward Mentioned in You’re the Hero of Your Own Art StoryJoin Growth StudioSupport the show
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29:22
There Are No Art Police—So Why Are You Following Their Rules?
Do you believe that if you think outside of the box and actually apply that thinking to your work that the art police will come to arrest you or take away your brushes? As absurd as that seems, refusing to follow your instincts as an artist because of your fear of negative nancy voices still has the same effect on you. You’re so worried about doing everything “by the book” that it causes you to question your decisions and your work, to the point where you stop yourself from doing it.So in this episode of The Savvy Painter podcast, we’ll dismantle the myth that there’s a correct way to create, show, or sell your art and that some invisible authority is waiting to catch you in the act if you stray away from doing it “right.” I’ll also give you some truths, strategies, and tools to help you more easily embrace your creative inner voice and artistic instincts without fearing others’ negative beliefs or thoughts.1:24 - The irony of being an artist living in a world with other human beings4:06 - How fear of the art police can manifest, regardless of your education level8:23 - Extremes that artists go back and forth between and its impact on them and their art12:27 - The long history of creativity and the cognitive dissonance artists have about mistakes16:33 - How to check in with your own voice when you hesitate to do artwork you feel called to do18:42 - Ways to introduce playfulness and experimentation into your art and how your subconscious mind helps21:14 - How tapping into your own creative voice protects and empowers you23:04 - Tools to help you clear the mental chatter and reconnect you to your instinctsMentioned in There Are No Art Police—So Why Are You Following Their Rules?The Far Side Comic Strip by Gary LarsonJoin Growth StudioSupport the show
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28:05
How Small Wins Impact Your Art Practice with Leslie Rae Cannon
Noticing the small wins you’ve gained can have a big impact on your practice as an artist. That insight was what I loved hearing about most in my conversation with Leslie Rae Cannon, an artist from Atlanta, Georgia and a member of Growth Studio. She graduated with an art degree from Presbyterian College, and now as an empty-nester has traded in carpools and play-dates for canvases and paint brushes.In this episode of The Savvy Painter podcast, you’ll learn how small wins have helped Leslie grow as an artist, from overcoming her fear of putting her work out there to becoming really selective about which gallery she allows to show her art. You’ll also hear about the importance of developing a supportive community and how that’s helped Leslie recognize her own progress.1:34 - A sense of who Leslie is and what she’s discovered about herself as an artist5:56 - The process Leslie goes through when working on or in between projects8:56 - How Leslie felt inspired to create her hydrangea collection and allowed herself more freedom in painting them15:25 - Leslie’s transition from being really excited about her work to wanting to show her work19:37 - One way that people have been drawn to some of Leslie’s paintings and a recent decision that saved her from sitting in frustration26:10 - How Leslie has evolved into the habit of consistently putting her toe in the water to get her work into a gallery33:50 - The impact of Leslie’s belief in the law of attraction and manifestation on her success39:17 - How Leslie has gotten into the practice of noticing her small wins41:26 - How Leslie shifted from trying to get in front of as many people as possible to being able to pick and choose her shows47:37 - What today’s Leslie would tell herself (or other artists) if this were three or four years agoMentioned in How Small Wins Impact Your Art Practice with Leslie Rae CannonLeslie Rae Cannon Art | InstagramBig Magic by Elizabeth GilbertHow to Confidently Price Your Artwork Without OverwhelmHow to Stop Procrastinating and Finally Price Your ArtworkJulep Gallery | Dunwoody GalleryJoin Growth StudioSupport the show
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54:57
Doubts Don’t Mean You Chose the Wrong Goal
Do you feel a twinge of anxiety or regret settle in after you’ve set a goal? It’s similar to how people often feel after making a big purchase. You get really excited about your goal, only to feel this wave of doubt sink in. I call this goal phenomenon “goal remorse.”In this episode of The Savvy Painter podcast, we’ll dive deeper into what goal remorse is and why it pops up. I’ll also give you some tips to calm the overthinking of your goal, help you feel good about your decision, and stay on track with your vision.1:36 - What goal remorse is, why you feel it, and questions to ask yourself when the goal you’ve set is too vague7:57 - A close cousin of “shiny-object syndrome” that leads to goal remorse and the bigger win you gain by committing to your goals14:20 - How recognizing that you’re in a negative thought pattern, challenging it, and reframing it will help defuse it17:00 - One of my favorite and constantly used tools for calming down the nervous system19:19 - The power of self-hypnosis or mental rehearsal to train your brain to trust yourself and your instincts when it comes to your goal21:44 - An important thing to remember after you’ve committed to a goal and the importance of scheduling time for reassessing24:25 - How to give yourself accountability to help eliminate any sort of goal remorse or doubts around your goalMentioned in Doubts Don’t Mean You Chose the Wrong GoalJoin Growth StudioSupport the show
Savvy Painter, hosted by Antrese Wood, offers a treasure trove of insights artists can't afford to miss. Visit https://savvypainter.com Antrese's teachings focus on nurturing a creative mindset and prioritizing mastery over perfection, making it a must-listen resource for artists worldwide.Whether you're an emerging artist looking to hone your skills or an established pro seeking fresh perspectives, the show offers practical advice and inspirationBut the real magic happens when you apply Antrese's teachings in your own studio. Her guidance can help you unlock new levels of creativity and growth in your art. If you're serious about elevating your skills and mindset, join Growth Studio—a unique opportunity to work directly with Antrese and join an amazing community of like minded artists.
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