Finding my unique abstract language

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Finding and developing my unique abstract language

Once upon a time, I hated abstracts. I didn’t understand the fascination with Jason Pollack’s crazy lines (still don’t), or why a single stipe of red across a canvas is considered “deep and meaningful work that traces the oeuvre” of an artist’s life and work (still don’t).

And still. I felt a pull towards abstract paintings. One that I didn’t understand. I mean, didn’t I just tell you how much I hated them?

So I tried. And resisted. And failed. And tried again. I got myself some books to try and understand abstract art – two, really:

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How to silence your inner critic and create fearlessly

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How to silence your inner critic and create fearlessly

On this special Diwali episode of the Art with Soul Podcast, as we celebrate the victory of good over evil, I’ve got a quick little tip to help you silence your pesky inner critic! Because let’s be honest, as an artist and creative, your inner critic can be particularly loud – and mean. And that’s never a good thing when you’re approaching your craft, is it? You’ll find a written transcript of the podcast {edited for readability} below.

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What your art practice can teach you about breaking out of your comfort zone

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What your art practice can teach you about moving out of your comfort zone

As artists, most of us have our favorite color palette – the paint tubes and color pencils we reach for over and over again. Mine are blues, pinks, purples, and hints of orange.

Sometimes, though, it’s good to pick up the colors that you tend to ignore. For this particular painting, I spied a little-used tube of emerald green, which I decided to pair with orange and some hints of turquoise blue.

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Visibility and the artist: Honoring your artist’s soul

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In today’s episode of the Art with Soul podcast, we continue our conversation on the fear of visibility, focusing this time on the possibilities that lie on the other side of our fears of sharing our work and being seen. I share some stories from my own journey, as I shed some of my fears and reached for new possibilities, and offer some ideas and things to consider as you navigate your own artist’s journey. You’ll find a written transcript of the podcast {edited for readability} below.

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Trust the process

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Trust the process notes from an intuitive painting session

Notes from a recent intuitive painting session

Some days, you just feel so directionless, y’know? Like why are you here? What are you doing? What is the meaning of all this?

And those big questions make you feel scared and hesitant about everything. This is also something that shows up when I paint intuitively.

When I started this painting, I was just splashing paint, making marks, having fun (swipe to see – you’ll see a little arrow on the image below), and then I started getting scared.

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Visibility and the artist: Are you afraid to share your art?

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Fear of not being good enough

In today’s episode of the Art with Soul podcast, we talk about the fear of visibility, specifically the fear of sharing your artwork – or any creative work – freely. I share some tips and ideas to help you overcome this fear and awkwardness, and share some insights from my own art journey. You’ll find a written transcript of the podcast + detailed shownotes below.

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The power of visual language

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The power of visual language

In today’s episode of the Art with Soul podcast, we talk about language – visual language, written language…words and images and how they are related, or rather, how I think we relate to them. We also discuss the intersection between a creative arts practice and a contemplative writing practice as a tool for self-development, growth, and healing. You’ll find a written transcript + detailed shownotes below.

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Creative cycles: Understanding artist block and how to overcome it

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What is an artist block and how to overcome artists block

“Amateurs sit and wait for inspiration, the rest of us just get up and go to work.”
– Stephen King

In today’s episode, we’ll talk about creative cycles and how to deal with a lack of creative mojo. I share experiences from my most recent artist block, discuss some of the reasons why we get blocked, and give you some of my top tips and suggestions for how to break out of an artist’s block. You’ll also find the shownotes + highlights from the episode below.

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