How information overload hampers your creativity

On the infinite scroll, inbox overwhelm, and the importance of conscious consumption to creative living

On this episode of the Art with Soul podcast, we talk about information overload, how it impacts your creativity and your art, and how to create healthy boundaries around how much information you consume vs how much you create. Let’s get into it!

Continue reading

An ode to the owl: a mytho-philosophical exploration of owl symbolism

A prose poem, plus an exploration of the symbolism of the owl through the lens of Indian mythology, philosophy & spirituality

Owls in Indian mythology, symbolism of owls, and a prose poem on owls

There’s something about owls —
mysterious creatures of the night,
their golden eyes, staring unblinkingly
into the shape shifting shadow
and then lightning quick —
they pounce.
fear, like a mouse, held firmly in their talons.

Continue reading

On my art table: Urban jungle

An abstract urban landscape painting and a prose poem

Abstract painting urban landscape

What a miracle you are
sweet little pea
pushing your way resolutely up
through that sidewalk crack.

There’s no one quite like you
in close vicinity —
you look around you
at all the sidewalks
and all the sidewalk cracks
as far as your eye can see.

You realize that you’re all alone
oh no, not alone — unique
swaying with the slight breeze
that swirls around your tiny leaves
beaming up at the sun
as it kisses your tiny petals
at the dog who walks around you
wondering at this tiny, fragile thing
that stands there so sure
so delighted at the simple joy
of being here
of being alive
of just being

Follow my art on Instagram!

Continue reading

The messy middle: dealing with an artist block

Peeling back the layers on my own creative block.

The messy middle: dealing with an artist's block. Creative block

On this episode of the Art with Soul podcast, we talk about how to deal with an artist’s block. As I record this episode, I’m firmly in the middle of a creative block. So I decided to peel back the layers and open up about why I think I am feeling blocked, and what I am doing during this fallow time. I hope it will prove to be of value, especially if you are in the middle of a creative block too. I see you!

Continue reading

On my art table: Family lines

And the legend of The Red Thread

Intuitive figurative painting family lines

Color. All of my paintings start with an exploration of riotous color. And marks. And scratching into paint. Painty play.

From those initial layers, images emerge. With the stories that they want to tell.

My job is to find those images. To listen to the pieces of their story that they share with me as I paint.

Continue reading

Choose your own creative journey – part 2

On this episode of the Art with Soul Podcast, we talk about how you can choose your own creative journey. In the second part of this 2-part episode, we talk about how to figure out if you want to make a living from your art, shipping creative work, and the many paths available to creatives.

Continue reading

Choose your own creative journey – Part 1

It starts with figuring out what is really important to you.

Choose your own creative journey

On this episode of the Art with Soul Podcast, we talk about how you can choose your own creative journey. In the first part of this 2-part episode, we talk about the importance of knowing what you want, and the insidious ways in which the attention economy and clever marketing messages obscure our true desires.

Continue reading

What it really takes to make good art

The answer may surprise you!

What it really takes to make good art

On this episode of the Art with Soul podcast, we talk about what it means to make good art…to make your art. We talk about the creative process, the importance of consistency, and the necessity of making “ugly art” as a stepping stone to creating your best and most authentic work.

Continue reading

Mixed media collage tutorial: Whispers from the past

Join me at the art table as I show you how to create a mixed media collage in your art journal.

Mixed media collage tutorial

It can be difficult to figure out how to begin an art journal page, but if you think about it layer by layer, it gets easier – and more fun! It is the same with collage – the key is to take it one step at a time.

I start this page by playing with marks and color. Beginning in this way, allowing for the intuitive exploration of colors and marks, makes for a much more expressive and interesting piece of art.

Continue reading

On my art table: The healing journey

The healing journey and the Hierophant

You know what they say about healing – you’re constantly spiraling back to your lessons, uncovering deeper and deeper layers that need to be healed.

And when you are in the collective year of The Hierophant, you can find yourself dismantling “the way things are done” in favor of the way you would rather live your own life, even though it may be counter-cultural.

Continue reading