Comments on: : Recent Episodes
None
What happens on your canvas is a direct reflection of what is going on in your mind. That’s why it’s so important to be intentional with your thoughts about your […]
For many artists, art is one of the top relationships in their life. It is something we have thought about, strived after, suffered for, and been fulfilled by for years, […]
When the studio becomes an overwhelming place for artists, it may be time to apply some constraints to your creative process. Constraints are often viewed as things that limit options […]
A lot of artists struggle with finding their voice. To the point that some believe they don’t have one at all. This is absolutely false! Every artist has a voice, […]
Savvy Painter
How to Create Clarity and Focus in Your Art Practice – EP 284
So many artists desire both clarity and focus in their art practice. We yearn for a practice that is stable, dependable, and free of distractions and confusion. Yet often, that […]
The post How to Create Clarity and Focus in Your Art Practice – EP 284 appeared first on Savvy Painter.
Savvy Painter
Releasing Other People’s Opinions About Your Art – EP 283
So many artists (and humans) struggle with the opinions of others. Having an unhealthy view of external opinions can negatively impact your art practice. And your life ! In this […]
The post Releasing Other People’s Opinions About Your Art – EP 283 appeared first on Savvy Painter.
Savvy Painter
Choosing Your Own Beliefs About Your Art – EP 282
When we change one thought in any area of our thinking it changes everything else. The more I think about this principle the more I begin to question what is […]
The post Choosing Your Own Beliefs About Your Art – EP 282 appeared first on Savvy Painter.
Savvy Painter
Trusting Your Decisions Is Trusting Your Voice – EP 281
One of the most important habits you can have is trusting your decisions. We often look at the outcome of a decision to determine whether or not the choice was […]
The post Trusting Your Decisions Is Trusting Your Voice – EP 281 appeared first on Savvy Painter.
Savvy Painter
Having Your Own Back – EP 280
Just like our paintings, we have visions for how we think our art journey should turn out and who we want to be as an artist. In order to achieve […]
The post Having Your Own Back – EP 280 appeared first on Savvy Painter.
Savvy Painter
Thoughts on Commissioned Art – EP 279
Getting commissioned to create a piece of art for someone can be an incredibly validating experience. Finally, all of your hard work has paid off. All you have to do […]
The post Thoughts on Commissioned Art – EP 279 appeared first on Savvy Painter.
Savvy Painter
Your Self-Concept as an Artist – EP 278
Have you ever thought about what it means to YOU to be an artist? Do you have a good grasp of your identity? I invite you to gain clarity on […]
The post Your Self-Concept as an Artist – EP 278 appeared first on Savvy Painter.
Savvy Painter
The Stories We Tell About Our Art – EP 277
Does your art practice feel limited? Is your mindset preventing you from achieving your full potential as an artist? Our possibilities are determined by the kinds of stories we tell […]
The post The Stories We Tell About Our Art – EP 277 appeared first on Savvy Painter.
Savvy Painter
Creating Ease in Your Studio – EP 276
Is your art studio a place of peace or chaos? How do we intentionally create a sense of ease in our art practice? On this episode, I’ll take a deep […]
The post Creating Ease in Your Studio – EP 276 appeared first on Savvy Painter.
Savvy Painter
How We Grow and Evolve as Artists – EP 275
Is there a general path to success when it comes to our art? I’ve come to embrace that success is determined by how we grow and evolve as artists. On […]
The post How We Grow and Evolve as Artists – EP 275 appeared first on Savvy Painter.
Savvy Painter
When the Muppets in the Balcony Are Yammering Away – EP 274
Get a taste of what it’s like to be a part of the Savvy Painter Community as I share a recent talk I gave during Mindset Monday all about our […]
The post When the Muppets in the Balcony Are Yammering Away – EP 274 appeared first on Savvy Painter.
Savvy Painter
The Artist Thermostat: Why It Can’t Be That Easy – EP 273
Are limiting beliefs holding you back from being the artist and person you want to be? Many artists are not satisfied in their art practice but fail to see why […]
The post The Artist Thermostat: Why It Can’t Be That Easy – EP 273 appeared first on Savvy Painter.
Savvy Painter
Patience Is about More than Waiting – EP 272
What do you do when it feels like things aren’t happening in your art practice fast enough? Maybe you’ve taken lots of workshops, established a consistent painting practice, and you […]
The post Patience Is about More than Waiting – EP 272 appeared first on Savvy Painter.
Savvy Painter
The Messy Middle Is an Essential Part of the Art Journey – EP 271
Are you in the messy middle? That part of creating where it starts to get a little uncomfortable or uncertain. Or maybe, that’s how you feel about your art practice […]
The post The Messy Middle Is an Essential Part of the Art Journey – EP 271 appeared first on Savvy Painter.
Savvy Painter
Punishing Yourself Doesn’t Make You A Better Artist. Here’s What Does – Ep 270
A lot of artists think that if they are not hard on themselves, they won't improve their work. I have a different approach. One that doesn’t leave you feeling like […]
The post Punishing Yourself Doesn’t Make You A Better Artist. Here’s What Does – Ep 270 appeared first on Savvy Painter.
Savvy Painter
The Secret to Becoming a Great Painter Is Right Under Your Nose – EP 269
One of the most underrated qualities of a successful art practice is consistency. There is an insane amount of power that comes from showing up to your studio on good […]
The post The Secret to Becoming a Great Painter Is Right Under Your Nose – EP 269 appeared first on Savvy Painter.
Savvy Painter
Why I Do What I Do – EP 268
The Savvy Painter Podcast is officially 8 years old! I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to talk about why I do what I do. I’m often asked why […]
The post Why I Do What I Do – EP 268 appeared first on Savvy Painter.
Savvy Painter
Future You is Waiting to Meet You – EP 267
How do I become the artist I’ve always wanted to be? Asking that question can be dangerous because often the answer isn’t for the faint of heart. Working on ourselves […]
The post Future You is Waiting to Meet You – EP 267 appeared first on Savvy Painter.
Savvy Painter
Your Art Matters. – EP 265
Last week, I talked about how we find meaning in our art practice by connecting the dots of our art journey. This week, I want to connect a few more of those dots and talk about why sharing your work matters so much. I’ll dive into why sharing your art makes it better and how it can actually change the world. We’ll also take an in-depth look into how we need both sides of our brain to produce our best work.
Outline of This Episode * [0:40] What expands your mind also expands your art * [4:23] Why sharing your art makes it better * [6:14] How to change the world with your art * [7:30] Using both sides of our brain in the process of making and sharing art
Embracing the process So many artists that I talk to believe that their art doesn’t matter. I am 100% convinced that not only does your art matter to you, but it also matters to us. ALL of us. I also understand that my belief doesn’t help someone going through a funk. This episode might inspire someone for a week, however lasting change only happens when we can hold that belief for ourselves. But be patient with yourself! Some of those negative thoughts have dug really deep roots into your mind and they can take a good amount of time and intention to weed out. The same thing goes for planting and nurturing healthier thoughts. It’s a gentle process, but the growth that happens and the results of those changes will compound for the rest of your life.
Creating a dialogue I love Seth Godin. His work has taught me so much. One of my favorite things is that in sharing our art or anything we create, we have to just “ship it”. Meaning as artists, we have to do the work then share the work. We have to get our ideas out into the world where people can see them. So that they can be tested. This creates a dialogue. If art is a form of communication, you want to make sure it doesn’t stay a monologue. It’s okay to keep some of your work for yourself, but ultimately you need to share your vision with the world to find your people. It’s the only way that you will be able to refine your ideas and make them better, clearer, and more meaningful to you.
Changing the world Another brilliant Seth Godin quote states that “Art is a personal act of courage. Something that one person does that creates change in another.” Our art always has the potential to make an impact on someone, even when we least expect it. That’s why when we follow his advice to just “ship it” we become what he calls “agents of change” who have the ability to change the world. When was the last time you looked at your art as world-changing? Have you ever looked at your art this way? Admittedly, I struggled with this at first. It felt arrogant to believe that anything I make has that kind of potential. But the longer I sat with this I realized that it wasn’t a ridiculous thought because we ALL have that potential. Your work may not impact everyone, but it will impact someone. And THAT is why your work matters so much. Even if the person it impacts is you.
Resources Mentioned on this episode * The Savvy Painter Growth Studio * The Savvy Painter Community * Check out Seth Godin’s blog!
Connect With Antrese * On Facebook * On Pinterest * On Instagram * On Twitter
The post Your Art Matters. – EP 265 appeared first on Savvy Painter.
Savvy Painter
How To Create Meaningful Paintings – EP 264
Every artist wants to produce meaningful work. Yet the pressure to constantly do so can be an ironic obstacle to creating art that is meaningful. I want to help alleviate that pressure by showing you that meaningful work doesn’t always need to make a big statement. On this episode, I’ll dive into why that is, how to create our own meaning, and why you might be painting for the wrong people.
Outline of This Episode * [0:55] The artist’s unnecessary burden * [4:37] Appreciating the small moments * [10:00] Being the source of your own meaning * [18:00] Painting for your people and not your critics * [21:10] Listening to your voice
Identifying negative thinking Art is about making sense of what it means to be human and then sharing that with the world. It’s all about connection. Artists want to create meaningful work. They want their work to make an impact and help people feel things or stir their thoughts. However, it’s easy for artists to feel like they have to say something deep or revolutionary all the time with their work. Even though that’s an impossible feat to achieve with every painting, so many of us artists cling to the idea that everything we paint needs to be IMPORTANT. One of the reasons we hold on to this so tightly is because our brains get stuck in black and white thinking. We automatically assume that just because one of our paintings doesn’t have a gigantic meaning, the painting itself is meaningless. What a terrible thought!
Connecting the dots All art is important. The problem is we think that “important” is measured by whether or not our art makes a big statement. We rely on lightning bolt moments for our work to be filled with deep emotional meaning, and when they don’t happen, we assume whatever ends up on the canvas is less valuable. That’s a total lie! The truth is, art happens in the small moments. It is the culmination of every small step we take in our art practice that creates meaning in our work. For me, art is a life-long love letter to myself. For you, it may be something different. We find the answer when we take the time to appreciate the small moments and connect the dots of our art journey.
Finding meaning in the mundane Have you ever gotten lost in the background of a painting? Some of the deepest paintings I’ve ever experienced pay great attention to the mundane details. It’s those details that captivate us and allow us to tell our own stories in the deep green of a forest or the crystal blue of a beautiful seascape. Similarly, it’s in the mundane that we experience life’s most memorable and precious moments. It’s the lazy Sunday mornings and quiet cups of coffee at sunrise that color our world. We miss the joy in our painting when we underestimate the small details while waiting for a big dramatic moment. That’s backwards! The big, dramatic statements actually come from the small, seemingly insignificant moments. Listen to this episode for more insight on creating meaningful paintings!
Resources Mentioned on this episode * The Savvy Painter Growth Studio * The Savvy Painter Community
Connect With Antrese * On Facebook * On Pinterest * On Instagram * On Twitter
The post How To Create Meaningful Paintings – EP 264 appeared first on Savvy Painter.
Savvy Painter
Scarcity vs. Abundance – EP 263
Have you ever felt like an hourglass that’s always running out? Of time? Of ideas? Of patience? You may be struggling with a scarcity mindset. It truly damages our ability to create with confidence and find our voice. On this episode, I want to dive into why we as artists feel like we don’t have enough, the differences between scarcity and abundance, and how to rewire your brain so you can thrive creatively.
Outline of This Episode * [0:50] The relationship between time and a scarcity mindset * [6:38] Creating from abundance * [12:22] Breaking out of the “fight or flight” response * [13:07] How scarcity and abundance impact our ideas * [21:56] Why choosing abundance changes everything
A picture of scarcity Most of us struggle with time. We’ve all felt like there is not enough time in the day to get everything done on our list. However, when a scarcity mindset takes over, our brains become a broken record, constantly telling us how busy we are and that we have so much to do. We start hoarding our time and get super possessive of it. We don’t want to let one second of it go. Even our relationships might suffer because we always feel like someone is trying to get a piece of us. Everything becomes big and overwhelming because we really believe that we don’t have enough time. Ironically, the more we worry about having enough time, the less time we have to accomplish the things we are worried about completing. If we create from scarcity, we just end up creating even more scarcity. We also become hyper-focused on making sure our time matters. We want to know that time investment is worth the return before we ever make a decision. The result is refusing to take risks as artists because doing so might mean failure, which feels like a waste of time even if the experience was meaningful.
A portrait of abundance Scarcity may feel like a broken record playing in our heads, but what would happen if we turned it off and walked outside? What if we chose an abundance mindset as artists instead of one steeped in scarcity? When we live in abundance, we tell ourselves that we have enough time. We start creating from our vision instead of our fears. Cultivating an abundance mindset means we don’t do sloppy paintings because we’re rushing to get things done. It means we allow ourselves to focus on the canvas in front of us instead of all the other ones that will come after. Choosing abundance over scarcity means we’re able to take risks. This is what allows our voice to come through our work! Abundance releases our most authentic selves into our art. It helps us trust ourselves instead of stressing over a deadline or filling every moment with the pressure to succeed.
Rewiring your brain to thrive Abundance is possible when we’re not stuck in a “fight or flight” response, the part of our brain that is solely responsible for survival. Who wants to simply survive, anyway? It’s time to thrive! We need to access the part of our brain that controls rational thought and imagination called the prefrontal cortex. This is where our ability for creative problem solving comes from. It helps us find the solutions that work best for us in any given situation. Like, using our scheduled painting time much more efficiently so that we have increased productivity overall. It’s amazing what can happen when we use these thought processes to rewire our brain so that we can perceive what is happening to us differently. For more insights on scarcity versus abundance, listen to this episode!
Resources Mentioned on this episode * The Savvy Painter Growth Studio * The Savvy Painter Community
Connect With Antrese * On Facebook * On Pinterest * On Instagram * On Twitter
The post Scarcity vs. Abundance – EP 263 appeared first on Savvy Painter.
Savvy Painter
If You’re a Good Enough Artist… – EP 262
Do you like your art or yourself as an artist? Do you believe you’re good enough? I think too many creators would answer those questions NO. Despite a mountain of evidence to the contrary! On this episode, I’m going to tackle why it can be such a struggle to feel good about our art and how we can change our mindset and embrace our potential.
Outline of This Episode * [0:34] Exploring the artist’s mental struggle * [8:10] Identifying negative thought patterns * [15:10] Dealing with imposter syndrome and creative anxiety * [18:38] Going to the source and getting to know your mind * [20:04] Why perfection is overrated * [24:21] The most important thing we create as artists
Whatever you believe gets multiplied I often hear people say that If they can only finish the painting or sell enough pieces, THEN they’ll feel accomplished, validated, or credible as an artist. These things represent a desire to feel good enough as an artist. Even if there are aspects of your art-making that can improve, achieving those things won’t change how you feel about your art. The moment we start to believe we’re good enough because we reached a goal, our brains will just move the target and we’re right back to where we started. Suddenly, being “good enough” can start to feel like embracing mediocrity rather than a vote of self-confidence. We get stuck in a cycle of chasing happiness that is always slightly out of reach. Rather than getting frustrated or staying stuck, we need to change the underlying thought patterns that make us feel this way. If we constantly approach art with the mindset that we can’t do it, we’ll feel like a failure even when we succeed. Likewise, if we always tell ourselves that we don’t sell enough paintings, we’ll never enjoy the moments when one gets sold. Whatever we believe, we create more of, regardless of what’s happening around us. If we allow them to, negative beliefs about ourselves and our art will rob every ounce of joy the process has to offer.
Nobody’s perfect The subjectivity of art is one of the reasons it’s so great. There is not a governing body or a rule book that tells you if art is objectively good or not. Within the genres of painting, there are ideals and standards that we can use to improve ourselves, but there are no black and white rules on how to be successful. Even the greatest artists of all time have noticeable imperfections in their work and we still consider them great. Certainly, good enough. The human hand NEEDS to be visible in the art we create. We are not machines. Imperfection is often what makes art so intriguing and accessible in the first place. Of course, understanding the overall language, technical skill, and history of art still matters greatly. But it is incredibly unhelpful to compare yourself to the vast infinity that is the world of art. Focus on being the best and most authentic you instead of someone else.
Start reclaiming your brainpower Right now, ask yourself, “What do I think of myself as an artist?” Do you like the answer? Who you are today influences the artist you’ll become tomorrow. The freedom from negative thoughts and emotions that you’ve been looking for is not in your future, it has to start right NOW. You don’t have to wait for it to come to you or somehow earn it, it’s an active choice that you need to make daily. When you start experiencing feelings of inadequacy, just notice them. YOU get to decide how you respond to those thoughts. My recommendation is to give your brain a more productive question to answer. Instead of asking, “Am I good enough to paint my next painting?” ask yourself, “What do I want to say with my next painting, and what skills and materials do I need to accomplish that?” These questions focus on the actual goal rather than fruitlessly comparing yourself to every artist who has ever picked up a brush. By doing this, we reclaim our brainpower from going off in multiple directions and we can channel that energy into creativity. We have everything we need to make our art. We just have to believe it.
The post If You’re a Good Enough Artist… – EP 262 appeared first on Savvy Painter.
Savvy Painter
Yes, You Can Create Flow On Purpose – EP 261
Have you ever found yourself in a flow state while creating? A place where distractions don’t exist and all of your creativity is available to you. Is it something you struggle to duplicate with consistency? On this episode, I’m going to define what a flow state is, how we experience it, why it matters to our practice, and how to create it on purpose.
Outline of This Episode * [0:38] What is flow? * [3:31] Why and how we experience flow states as artists * [12:21] Connecting the dots between flow and confidence * [13:33] Why flow matters in your practice * [19:15] Creating flow on purpose
Going with the flow Ok, so what is flow? We hear fellow artists talking about it all the time like it’s a mystical force that shows up to our studio on a whim, but is it really like magic? While it certainly can feel that way, it’s actually far more practical. Childhood is often filled with flow states. I remember getting lost for hours drawing, playing, and figuring out puzzles. I was completely engrossed in whatever I was doing that helped me express my creativity. Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi defines flow as a state of heightened focus and immersion in activities such as art, play, and work that is achieved by the fact that our brains can only take in and truly focus on a limited number of inputs. That’s why it feels like time stops and everything except what’s in front of you fades away. We lose connection with ourselves which is the most magical and other-worldly part of the experience. While flow can certainly be defined by what it is, it’s also defined by what it is not. Csikszentmihalyi goes on to say that feelings of anxiety, worry, apathy, and boredom need to be absent or minimized to successfully achieve flow. It’s not just about what you put in your creative environment to enter a flow state. What you remove or minimize is equally important!
Silencing the inner-critic Self-conscious art is boring. I’m just going to say it. When we are so focused on pleasing our teachers, our critics, and ourselves the work we produce is often safe, average, and inauthentic. That’s why flow matters so much in our practice. When you’re in a state of flow, you’re in tune with your inner voice. That part of yourself that is so wise and so uniquely YOU. If you’re someone who worries that your work is average or unrecognizable as your own it could be due to a lack of flow. The ability to get into a flow state and connect with your higher self creates that uniqueness. It allows you to sift through internal noise and start a dialogue with your authentic self without anyone else weighing in. Including you! Sometimes our fear-based thoughts get the best of us and keep us from achieving flow because they tell us “that’s not what art is supposed to be” or “you’re doing it wrong”. To paraphrase Phillip Guston, we’re only really painting when we let our critics and ourselves leave the art studio. THAT is flow! Silencing the hypercritical part of your brain in the act of creating. And when you’re creating, your analytical side has no functional purpose. You have to trust your instinct and let it do its job. Give yourself constructive criticism later on when you’re not actively painting. Flow allows you to say things on a canvas that your inner critic is too scared to say. Flow doesn’t worry about if people will think you’re weird. Flow doesn’t care what other people think at all. Flow just creates boldly and authentically.
Managing the mind The ability to consistently enter a state of flow depends on our ability to manage the mind. We create flow by managing our thoughts and an awareness of what those thoughts create. We have to intentionally cultivate thoughts that invite possibility and creativity. Ultimately, it boils down to getting in the habit of practicing mindfulness. For me, painting serves as an act of meditation. We need to gently and mindfully bring ourselves back into focus every time we feel our mind wandering. An unmanaged mind constantly criticizes and judges every action and intent. It turns any mistake or misstep into a source of anxiety and worry instead of what it actually is: just another step on the journey. And when we keep our mind unmanaged we lose any sense of flow we had because we can’t stop overthinking. The truth is you can put a line in the wrong place, notice it, fix it, and then forget about it without giving it any meaning whatsoever. We need to be kinder to ourselves. We need to allow our mistakes to be simply that instead of immediately becoming judgemental and hypercritical. By managing our minds, flow becomes a part of our practice instead of a mystical lighting bolt that strikes whenever it wants.
Resources Mentioned on this episode * The Savvy Painter Growth Studio * The Savvy Painter Community * Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience (Book) * Episode 24 with Errol Gerson * Episode 29 with Tom Wudl
Connect With Antrese * On Facebook * On Pinterest * On Instagram * On Twitter
The post Yes, You Can Create Flow On Purpose – EP 261 appeared first on Savvy Painter.
Savvy Painter
3 Things Artists Do When We Don’t Have Self Confidence – EP 260
As someone who works with many different artists, I see too many who don’t trust themselves. It shows up in subtle ways and usually manifests as feelings of helplessness and inadequacy. Much of this struggle can be attributed to the fact that they don’t trust the unique voice inside of them. Or they are completely unaware that this voice exists in the first place. On this episode, I want to challenge how you think about your confidence as an artist. I want you to feel empowered to create again. Don’t waste another second weighed down by self-doubt!
Outline of This Episode * [0:52] The power of believing in your own capacity to “figure it out” * [11:51] Learning to trust your own opinion and listen to your voice * [25:55] Getting the most out of your “one wild and precious life” * [31:07] Loving yourself and sharing your art
Making one mark after the other Life doesn’t come with an instruction manual. It would be great if there was a book that told us how to be successful in any situation, but it seems to be missing from Amazon’s library. I know, I’ve looked. Sometimes self-confidence as an artist means trusting yourself enough to start the process even when you don’t know how to succeed or even finish. The truth is you DON’T need to know all the ins and outs of something before you try it. The only way to know is to DO! That is why it’s so crucial to develop your self-confidence. You need to trust yourself to “figure it out”! Practically, that just means figuring out what your “next best step” is in the process. By doing that, you create a result that can be measured and assessed. Now use that result to determine what worked, what didn’t, and then plan your subsequent “next best step”. Rinse, wash, repeat until what you’re working on is finished! That may seem like an oversimplification, but what is painting except making one mark after the other? Self-confidence is the same way. It’s an ever-strengthening foundation that creates its own upward spiral. The more we have faith in ourselves, the more we will accomplish because we won’t let anyone or anything (including us) stand in our way.
Your voice is trustworthy and you are enough Asking for feedback in creative spaces is a beautiful collaborative tool that can help you refine your artwork. However, have you ever asked for feedback already knowing what the answer is going to be? My guess is that when this happens you don’t ask for feedback because you need an answer, you ask because you don’t trust your own voice or opinion. You know exactly what your “next best step” is or even that the painting is done, but you still need external validation because somewhere along the way you believed the lie that you weren’t enough. That someone else has to have the answer because there is no way you possibly could. When we constantly outsource validation to those around us we train ourselves to distrust our own ideas and intuition. We can’t find authenticity in our artwork if we only trust other people’s voices instead of our own. Know this in your soul, friend: Your voice is trustworthy and you are enough.
Give life everything you’ve got Human existence is a juxtaposition of beauty and pain. Sometimes it’s easy to get so distracted by the darkness that we forget to shine our light. A big part of having self-confidence as an artist is a willingness to share yourself and your art with the world. When you intentionally hide yourself and your art, it prevents you from accessing your truth and discovering your voice. The deeper part of yourself that says, “THIS is who I am.” If you are someone who feels like they don’t have a voice and struggles with authenticity, ask yourself, “Am I holding back?” “Is a fear of rejection and failure keeping me from discovering all that I am and that I can be?” My encouragement for fellow artists stuck in this place is to live life to the fullest. Keep creating even if you never see the impact. Keep pushing, growing, evolving, and becoming until your very last breath. You only get one chance to live, so don’t wait.
Resources Mentioned on this episode * The Savvy Painter Growth Studio * The Savvy Painter Community * Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life (Book)
Connect With Antrese * On Facebook * On Pinterest * On Instagram * On Twitter
The post 3 Things Artists Do When We Don’t Have Self Confidence – EP 260 appeared first on Savvy Painter.
Savvy Painter
Why It Feels Like Your Art Making Always Comes Last EP-259
We ALL have multi-faceted lives. We are both artists AND a plethora of other wonderful things. Parents. Partners. Siblings. Friends. Do you ever feel like your art is constantly on the back burner to everything else in your life? Like your creativity is getting lost in a sea of everyone else’s needs and wants? I’ve been there and I want to help you find a healthy balance so that every area of your life gets the attention it deserves. Join me as I share five reasons why it feels like making art should always come last.
Outline of This Episode * [0:56] Signs you are putting your creativity in last place * [3:29] Learning how to say NO * [5:52] Breaking down self-care stigmas * [9:46] Why you never have time for yourself * [16:58] Breaking the people-pleasing cycle * [23:41] Why your art is valuable
Your time is valuable Have you ever said to yourself, “I would love to make more art, but I just don’t have enough time.” If that sounds like you, may I offer this paradigm shift? You do, in fact, have enough time. You just constantly fill it with other people’s problems because you think their time is more valuable than yours. If you don’t see your time as valuable you will never respect it. It won’t matter if you have already carved out the time to paint or express your creativity. Something else will always interrupt or take priority over your art if you don’t start setting and sticking to healthy boundaries. But none of those boundaries will stay in place if you don’t first believe that your time is valuable and worth protecting.
It’s okay to say NO Do you have a hard time saying no to others? Have you ever asked yourself why? It largely has to do with the fact that we think we are responsible for other people’s feelings. We’re conditioned this way! As children, we’re constantly told not to do this or that because it will hurt someone’s feelings. The truth is we can’t make someone feel anything. They decide how they feel based on their own interpretations. This isn’t an invitation to be rude or unkind. You can kindly say no, set boundaries, and STILL have a great amount of love and respect for the other person while doing the same for yourself. We have to allow other people to experience their emotions and realize we are not responsible if they don’t handle them well. All we can do is be kind to others and authentic to ourselves.
Real life happens in the gray It’s a common misconception that self-care and doing anything for yourself will turn you into a self-obsessed monster. This is because our minds often live in black and white, but real life happens in the gray! It doesn’t have to be this OR that. We can hold two things in our hands at the same time. This is where both/and thinking is crucial. We can love and care for others AND love and care for ourselves. We can be BOTH good parents and passionate artists. I want to invite you to add primary colors to the palette of your life. Think about how many colors you can mix with those six colors and white. Too many to count, right? Remember that when your mind gets stuck in binary thinking. Self-care doesn’t mean only doing things for yourself and never making concessions or compromising. You can take care of yourself while being kind and loving to the people you care about most in your life.
Resources Mentioned on this episode * The Savvy Painter Growth Studio * The Savvy Painter Community
Connect With Antrese * On Facebook * On Pinterest * On Instagram * On Twitter
The post Why It Feels Like Your Art Making Always Comes Last EP-259 appeared first on Savvy Painter.
Savvy Painter
Knowing What You Truly Want EP-258
The post Knowing What You Truly Want EP-258 appeared first on Savvy Painter.
Savvy Painter
Your Relationship With Your Art (and the artist) Matters ep- 257
The post Your Relationship With Your Art (and the artist) Matters ep- 257 appeared first on Savvy Painter.
Savvy Painter
Wanting vs. Being Truly Committed EP-256
As artists, we all want our work to matter — for us and for those who enjoy it. But that “want” or desire can be more than it appears at first glance. It can be a false desire that drives us in strange and unprofitable directions, OR it can be a true desire that moves us to a place of commitment. Results come when we are committed, when we are willing to take repeated action consistently for as long as it takes. You manage your mindset and become the person who figures it out. The BONUS is that when you do achieve your desire you will have learned new skill sets and built new habits that enable you to build future success easier, faster, and with greater skill. This episode is about that.
Outline of This Episode * [0:06] A topic you may not think about often, but can create incredible results * [0:35] Definitions are always helpful: false and true desires * [4:49] Filling our art with our true selves (true desire) * [6:41] Why it’s important to know the difference between true and false desires * [9:10] How desires relate to commitment * [19:59] Characteristics of an artist who is committed (“figure it out” is BIG)
False desires are substitutes used to change an emotional state Sometimes what we truly desire is hidden or masked. I often ask artists what they want from their art or career and they don’t know. I find that what we really want is masked by a “false desire” that we occupy ourselves with. To me, a false desire comes from a place of scarcity or lack. It typically has more to do with changing your emotional state than creating something that is truly meaningful. For example, you may feel nervous about interacting at a social event so you resort to food or alcohol to keep yourself on an even keel. In the art space, it could look like a desire to have a massive social media following to validate that they are doing well. In both situations, the thing desired is a pretty neutral thing (alcohol, food, social media), but the are being used to NOT feel something — insecurity and nervousness in the first situation, low estimation of their value in the second.
True desire comes from a place of expansion and growth True desire comes from a place of seeing how we can fill our art with our true selves, to be the fullest expression of ourselves that we can possibly be. It’s an ache to explore and discover who you are and what you’re capable of. It’s not trying to prove anything or validate your worth as an artist. And it doesn’t need permission to exist.
This is what most artists really want — to freely create and to freely express themselves through their art. So it’s really important to gain awareness of the difference between a true desire and a false desire. When you can be aware of the difference you can make a decision and commit.
How to discover what you truly want and commit Your body and your emotions can help you understand if the options before you are what you truly desire or not. And you don’t have to get deep into the nuance of what you’re feeling to take steps in this direction. For example, if the thing you’re wondering about makes you feel open, or light, or energized, it’s probably a true desire. If it makes you feel closed, shut down, or icky. When you tune into your body you might notice physical sensations that go along with the emotional responses. Some people are more tuned into the emotional side, others are more tuned into the physical side.
In the audio, I describe an everyday situation that involves an office, a wrinkled dollar bill, a vending machine, and a bag of chips. I tell the story to help you see that you know what it means to be committed to an outcome, to show you the difference between wanting chips and doing what is needed to actually get them. Commitment is willing to feel any emotion and will continue taking action toward its true desires. That willingness is the currency for getting the things you really want.
So listen to hear the commitment-oriented questions I suggest you learn to ask yourself to make the outcome you want inevitable. Artists at all skill levels will relate to this and I’m confident that when you learn to move from want to commitment, you’ll see amazing changes in your process and your outcomes.
Resources Mentioned on this episode This episode is sponsored by: LINK IF APPLICABLE – DELETE if no sponsor
- The Savvy Painter Growth Studio
- The Savvy Painter Community
Connect With Antrese * On Facebook * On Pinterest * On Instagram * On Twitter
The post Wanting vs. Being Truly Committed EP-256 appeared first on Savvy Painter.
Savvy Painter
Hidden Beliefs That Impact our Art EP-255
Hidden Beliefs That Impact our Art EP-255
Do you feel that your art simply isn’t good enough yet? Is it your belief that artists always struggle to make ends meet? Are there skills or techniques that you feel you simply can’t do well? Is it common for you to believe that you don’t have enough time to work on your art?
These are common beliefs that I hear from members of the Savvy Painter Community on a regular basis. In this episode, I want to get out the magnifying glass and take a deeper look at what we believe and to question those beliefs. Why? So we can identify the beliefs we have that are not serving us, holding us back, or limiting our creativity and success.
Outline of This Episode * [0:14] A peek into my world here in Argentina * [0:57] How beliefs impact the way we live and do our art * [4:10] Beliefs usually come to us from outside influences * [8:57] We become what we believe — how it works and why it matters * [11:13] Empowering beliefs shared by Savvy Painter Community members * [14:51] Beliefs that create results that are not so positive * [19:00] Limiting beliefs
The hidden beliefs that are running our lives Studying and putting into practice daily. It’s like peeling an onion, there’s so much to discover about how we think and how it impacts our lives. In addition to those random thoughts we have, there are “inner scripts” or hidden beliefs that run our lives. We are not always aware they exist and don’t recognize the impact they have on the way we live. Here’s my definition of a belief…
A belief is a thought that you keep thinking over and over again.
This includes our thoughts about who we are as an artist, what people think of artists, what artists are supposed to do, how we are supposed to act, etc. When we decide those thoughts are true we create a belief-system. They are built by habit or we’ve actively chosen to believe it.
Where do our beliefs come from? If you take a moment to think about where beliefs come from, you’ll realize that there is a huge array of influences that feed us things to believe: our families, upbringing, culture, religion, advertising, social media, etc. and even self-created beliefs. Any time we receive these things, think about them, and internalize them, they become our beliefs and we don’t think about them consciously anymore. They just play in the background over and over and over in a constant “belief-loop.” For this reason, beliefs shape the way we experience the world, the way we see ourselves, others, and the world.
Let’s take some examples from the world of art:
There are groups that believe that painting is dead, that everything that can be said using paint on canvas has already been said. There are groups that believe painting is a living, breathing force and there is still much more to be done with it. And even within those systems there are people who believe that abstract expressionism is the only way to authentically express yourself. On a different note, some people believe that you are either born with artistic talent or you aren’t, while others believe the skills to make great art can be learned. Then there are beliefs surrounding money and art that I get into on this episode. These are all examples of “collective beliefs” and they can greatly impact the results that you get in your own studio practice.
Many beliefs you hold are helpful but some are not The point of this episode is not to encourage you to rip apart every belief you hold. There are many beliefs we have that serve us well. But if you find things that do NOT serve you well, or things that cause you to repeatedly do things in a compulsive manner, or that you do or refrain from doing things because they don’t feel like things that “should be done,” then you need to examine the inner scripts that are driving those beliefs and see if you can find untruths that are driving you in unhealthy directions.
During this episode I provide a handful of examples from Savvy Painter Community members who were open enough to share the beliefs that serve them well. I was inspired by the things that were shared. The beliefs I heard create experiences that lead to wonderful results in the studio and in our practice of art.
Listen to get the nuance of what I’m saying. You’ll probably be able to identify some areas where you could use a reset or refresh on your beliefs. My hope is that you’ll find ways to liberate yourself to do more, create more, and attain levels of growth you’ve only dreamed of up to this point.
Resources Mentioned on this episode * The Savvy Painter Community – JOIN US! * BOOK: Mindset by Carol Dweck
Connect With Antrese * On Facebook * On Pinterest * On Instagram * On Twitter
The post Hidden Beliefs That Impact our Art EP-255 appeared first on Savvy Painter.
Savvy Painter
What Happens In The Studio Is A Direct Reflection Of What Is Happening In Your Mind EP- 254
What would you say is the greatest tool you have in your studio. Don’t look down the page to see what I think it is… take a moment to answer the question for yourself.
Is it your brushes? The canvas in the corner? The turntable that spins the vinyl you listen to while painting?
Honestly answer, what is the most important thing in your studio?
In this episode, I want to walk you through my discovery that the most important tool I have as an artist is none of those things. The most important tool you have is not even talked about in most art classes. What is it? Keep reading and listen to this episode…
Outline of This Episode * [0:05] A transformational year for me and the work I’ve been doing with artists * [1:32] Your brain is the most powerful tool you have in your studio * [10:25] Your thoughts are the obstacle and that’s good news * [11:59] My results from making this mental tweak * [12:44] An example: You can’t figure out what’s wrong with a painting * [13:30] Another example: I have to make this painting work * [15:37] Start to be aware of what’s going on in your head
Your brain is the most powerful (and important) tool in your studio The things that are going on in your mind when you enter your studio are powerfully important. I’m not talking about the latest tension you saw on social media before you opened the studio door (though that qualifies), I’m talking about the beliefs about yourself and your work that you carry into the studio with you.
Those are powerful. Those are what either enable you to do great work (the work you want to do) or do less than you hope for and less than you are capable of doing.
I want you to walk through a few examples in hopes that you can come to a vital understanding: Your thoughts are not reality.
Thoughts are merely how you interpret things Have you ever wondered how 30 people can witness the same event and each of them will have their own unique perspective of what happened? It’s like there were 30 different versions of the event. How is this possible? It’s because each person interpreted the event differently in their own minds. That illustration helps us understand that our thoughts are not us and that if we can learn to change our thoughts, we can change our ability to do great work.
Up to this point in your artistic career you may have felt any number of things are your “problem,” the thing that’s holding you back.
- Do you believe that your painting skills aren’t good enough to do great work?
- Is it a belief that there are too many things in the way?
- Do you believe that there are way too many artists and not enough galleries?
- Are you uncertain what your style or voice as an artist is?
Any of these might be an issue and issues can be worked on specifically and diligently. But none of those is your real “problem.”
The real problem is WHAT YOU MAKE THOSE THINGS MEAN. Said a different way, the stories you tell yourself ABOUT those things is your problem.
What you think about is what you create As human beings, we have 60,000 thoughts a day and most of them are stories we are telling ourselves. These stories create emotion and we respond (act or not act) based on that emotion.
Let’s take an example…
You notice someone looking at your art…
- Do you think they see everything wrong with your work?
- Are they just being polite and are not really interested in your painting?
- Are they thinking, “How lovely!”
- Are they another artist who is looking to steal your concepts?
As you watch the person looking at your painting you could assume any of those things or hundreds more things. But those are ALL stories you’re telling yourself — and the feelings the story generates will impact how you act.
Do you see that the story you told yourself created the reality you’re living in? It’s an illustration of how your brain is the most powerful tool in your studio.
I say it that way because you and I can learn to use our brains to change the stories and therefore, change what we believe about ourselves and our work.
GOAL: Go into the studio with a clean, managed mind So back to the initial point I made. When you go into your studio to paint the state of your mind is vitally important. It’s the tool that will color (no pun intended) every observation you make about your work, every decision you make as you create it, and every response to the things that occur as you work.
We all have a muscle to develop in this area — a mental muscle. When we do, and learn to use our minds to our advantage, the change can be amazing and powerful.
Stick around for the next few episodes. I’ll be covering this more in-depth as we go along.
Connect With Antrese * On Facebook * On Pinterest * On Instagram * On Twitter
The post What Happens In The Studio Is A Direct Reflection Of What Is Happening In Your Mind EP- 254 appeared first on Savvy Painter.
Savvy Painter
252 When you’re not happy with your work
I started writing morning pages after reading The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron [Interview here], and now this practice has become essential to my art practice.
A lot of the time, what comes out of these thought downloads seems negative but that is EXACTLY why it is so important to not only write it all out, but then take the next step: Examine and clean up the thoughts that don't serve you.
This step is often overlooked and in this episode, I teach you how it can revolutionize your painting practice.
Getting your thoughts in order allows you to focus.Have you ever felt a little lost and uncertain in your studio? Trying to paint from this space just results in overworking your paintings or piles and piles of half finished canvases in your studio.
It's so frustrating to finally get time to paint, but not use it to create something you're proud of. I hear it all the time from artists I work with in Growth Studio. In this episode, I teach you how to get past these blocks so you can paint with focus so that your voice is clear.
When you are aware, you are given a choice.We tend to think on autopilot. Most of the time, we do this to our benefit - otherwise it would be impossible to get anything done. But some of our automatic thoughts work against us.
Most of the time it's the innocent thoughts that sabotage a painting. Thoughts like:
- “I’m not ready to show my work.”
- “I don’t have enough time to paint.”
- “I’m not good enough.”
You might be able to come up with tons of evidence to prove these innocent little thoughts true - but is it helpful? Maybe there is an alternative gets you better results
choosing thoughts that serve you.When you're not happy with the results you're getting in your studio, you can make huge breakthroughs with slight adjustments to your thinking.
This isn't about being optimistic, or staring in the mirror chanting "I am a great painter" that definitely won't work if you don't believe it. Small shifts in thinking are where it's at!
Outline of This Episode* Update - I'm coming home! * Morning Journals and Thought Downloads - Do they seem negative? * Why negative thought's aren't all that bad after all * How to stop feeling bad about your work * Empowering yourself with choice. * How automatic thoughts are useful, and how they can be diffused when they are not useful for you * Are you really ready to show your work? (this might make you squirm a little) * How to declutter your brain so that you can focus
Connect With Antrese * On Facebook * On Pinterest * On Instagram * On Twitter
The post 252 When you’re not happy with your work appeared first on Savvy Painter.
Savvy Painter
Does it Have to Be This Hard?
Does it have to be so hard?Painting is hard, but the suffering part is optional. Why is it that when things are hard, we pile on extra layers of difficulty? When we are not aware of our thoughts, we don't notice how much harder we make it on ourselves when we think "this painting isn't working" or "I just don't know how to paint (fill in the blank)"
In this episode I show you how painters use their very human brains for self sabotage AND I offer alternative perspectives so that you can practice on your own.
The Stories we tell Create our experiencesWhen my flight was cancelled not once, not twice... not three times, but FIVE times (updated ), and a 5 week trip turns into 12 weeks, I can tell the story of how much I miss my husband and want be home with my puppies in my own studio. I can talk about how unfair and frustrating it all is and how much it all just sucks. I'm even willing to bet that many people would agree with me.
But how helpful is that? What is a better story I can tell myself that allows me to feel and process all those negative emotions AND create a better experience?
When we fight with reality, we always loseWe fight with reality when we think certain painting skills should be easy, or that we should know this already, or that we should be in anyway different than we are in this moment.
It is not the difficulty of painting that makes it hard, it is our RESISTANCE to that difficulty that makes us miserable and creates the difficulty.
Not knowing how to do something is neutral. But when we make it mean we are "less than" or not good enough or not talented, we massively increase the difficulty level. It's like an Olympic athlete who goes out to the track and raises the bars on her hurdles, and ties a 500 pound anchor around her waist and wonders why its so hard to start, much less finish the race.
It's hard enough as it is without that extra difficulty.
But that doesn't mean we have to add even more SufferingImagine going into your studio and painting without that added weight.
You might see the hurdle in front of you simply as it is without making it mean anything other than: there is a hurdle in front of me.
Now your brain is freed up do what it does best - problem solve and figure out the best solution using all the data it has from all the paintings you've ever seen, the workshops, you've taken, the videos you've watched and the podcasts you've listened to.
Without the self inflicted drama, you can paint with curiosity and wonder, and enjoy the challenge of creating.
The post Does it Have to Be This Hard? appeared first on Savvy Painter.