When it comes to creating honest art, color values are EVERYTHING. They set the mood, build depth, and create that undeniable connection in a piece. If you’re wondering what might be missing in your work, tune into this episode to learn more about the basics of color values, how they set the mood, and why balancing high and low contrasts can give y…

Think it’s too late to pursue your art career? Think again. In this episode, I’m talking to Caleigh Parsons, an artist who started painting in her 40s and is now making some MOVES. We’ll unpack her journey from gallery owner to artist, how powerful a community is for growing, and how creating your own opportunities can take you further than you’d e…

It’s time for another “Ask Me Anything” episode! I’m answering listener questions with my raw, honest opinion on all things art, and your career as an artist. And while I get a lot of listener questions about ALL KINDS of things, on this week’s episode, I’m digging into some specifics when it comes to pricing and selling your art. We’ll talk throug…

The number one thing holding you back in your art? Self-doubt. That feeling of not-enoughness. That wondering if you’re even a real artist because you didn’t go to art school, you don’t have all the fancy supplies, you’re painting at your kitchen table…I could go on. It’s time to tell that voice to take a hike, y’all. Our work as artists is too imp…

I’m getting EXTRA honest in this episode of the Honest Art Podcast. We’re talking menopause — more specifically, my personal experience with it and its unexpected impact on my creativity. I’m leaving no stone unturned. You’re going to hear about my menopause symptoms, how I knew it was time to go to the doctor, how I improved those symptoms, and wh…

From Picasso to Beyoncé, there’s a laundry list of artists who have changed their style and still found success (myself included!). There’s no need to put yourself or your art in a box. In fact, when you honor that shift…THAT’S when the real fun happens! In this episode, we’re talking about how embracing that evolution is crucial to keeping your cr…

Are you stuck in a cycle of perfectionism? Does making art feel like more pressure than play? In this episode of The Honest Art Podcast, Nina Berenato and I dive into one of the biggest challenges artists face: letting go of the need to get it just right and instead, rediscovering the joy of creating. We’ll dive into how play, persistence, and bein…

Ever stared at a finished piece, proud of your work, knowing you gave it your all…only to feel completely stuck when it comes to giving it a title? I get it. It can feel daunting, but here’s the thing — it’s one of the most powerful tools you have as an artist! In this episode of The Honest Art Podcast, we’ll talk about why a well-chosen title is m…

Color is strategic, not just creative. And it has the power to take your work from ordinary to extraordinary. In this episode, we’ll look at how to use this powerful tool to make art that’s both authentic and eye-catching so you can sell more! You’ll also see how to leverage color to express your unique voice as an artist. We’re going to dig deep s…

Are brand photos great for an artist? You bet. Don't believe me? I've brought on my own brand photographer, Alicia Leigh Rios, to help me out! Alicia has an incredible talent for bringing out the best in others, and really knows how to make even the most camera-shy people feel confident (that’s me!). But I didn’t just bring her on the show to tell …

I used to think that because I was introverted, there was no reason to have an art community. I already had the support of friends and family — wasn’t that enough? The truth is, it wasn’t. Because of us artists? We NEED people who innately understand the creative process and can provide us with constructive feedback to improve our work. We aren’t m…

I probably don’t have to tell you this, but…social media isn’t giving you the full story. It’s really easy to play the comparison game when you see people (successfully) selling their art online. I’m guilty of it, too. The truth is, most artists don’t JUST sell on social media. More than likely, they’re using multiple channels to show their work to…

As adults, we’ve lost our playful spark. It’s been buried under expectations, self-doubt, and the pressure to create. But it’s time to bring the fun back into our art so we can dig deep and make our most honest work yet! In this episode, we’ll talk about things like: How to lean into play and stop self-editing Why showing up to play takes away the …

Art validates the human experience. Whether you believe it or not, so does your work (yes, even if you’re just painting for fun!). Every piece has a story to tell and someone to connect to, so we can’t be afraid to get vulnerable when making art. Someone out there needs the raw, real version of what you have to say. Your art matters, really. In thi…

What happens when an artist takes a leap of faith and decides to commit to the process? If you tune into this week’s episode of the Honest Art Podcast, you’ll find out. I’m joined by Jodie Gear, an artist from one of my previous Studio Elite cohorts. Jodie consistently inspired other Studio Elite members, and myself, with her authenticity, support,…

Talking about your art — why is it always SO difficult? Can’t you just tell people that the piece is what it is, and leave them to admire what they see? Not quite. While this strategy can work if you’re just having fun with art (nothing wrong with that, by the way), if you want to SELL it, you’ll need to know how to articulate your WHY. Does the th…

Feeling like your work is missing that special “something?” Put down the paints and brushes — you’re going to want to listen to this episode before you touch anything else! Because the secret to giving your work that elevated, effortless look? It’s got nothing to do with paint at all. If you want a few practical ways to add interest and depth to yo…

Being an artist is vulnerable work. Slinging paint away in the studio for hours on end, trying to pull what’s in your mind out onto the canvas… It can become heavy after a while. That’s why we need a community of fellow artists to support us, which is part of why I created my Studio Elite artist mastermind. We aren’t meant to walk this artist’s pat…

I didn’t start painting because of its mental health benefits. However, it’s been an incredible benefit to my life. From the first painting I finished to slinging paint yesterday morning, art always seems to pull the deepest thoughts and feelings from the back of my mind. Art helps us move emotions and stress out of our bodies. It helps us break pa…

You may be ready to sell your art…but is your art ready to be sold? It’s easy for artists to get caught up in the magic of creating our best work, but we can’t forget the logistics, too. Especially if we want to make a living from our art. Selling your art requires knowing a few things about your ideal buyers AND what makes art sellable. And no, “g…

Ever wondered how you can get your fine art in front of more people? I’ve brought on my publicist, Nina Sadauskas, to impart some of her PR wisdom to help you find out. We talk about all kinds of things, but mainly, what opportunities to look out for and how to make the most of them when you discover one. If you know you need to put yourself out th…

I get it, pricing your art is an uncomfortable topic for a lot of artists. You’re worried people won’t buy the higher, but fair, price, so you lowball yourself over and over — until one day, you realize you’re not making any money from this gig! Being an artist isn’t all about the money, but hey, those paintbrushes aren’t going to buy themselves! S…

Artists need good copywriting. But just because it's business doesn’t mean it has to be boring. To prove it, I’ve brought in another one of my team members, Latasha Doyle to talk about ALL things content and copy. What we talk about in this episode is mission-critical when it comes to selling your art. But you’ll hear a unique perspective because w…

What are your thoughts on marketing yourself as an artist? If your first reaction was a staunch “No thanks,” listen up. You NEED to do it, especially when it comes to email marketing. It’s the most effective way to get your work out there and start making money! I dare say it’s crucial. That’s exactly why I’ve invited my business strategist, Yasmin…

Check out a fresh, new installment of “Ask Me Anything,” where I answer listener questions with my raw, honest opinion on all things art and business. And while we talk about a lot of things on this show — like how to use social media as an artist, how to apply to galleries, and even what makes something “real art” — today, we’re going to get a lit…

Like forging your mom’s signature on your report card, your artist's signature cannot be copied or replicated. It may look great to you, but others can tell it is not unique. So, instead of trying to mimic what others are doing, it’s time we find our own style so our most authentic art can shine through. How can you do that? In this episode, I’ll g…

Size matters…with your art. So many artists think that just because they have a little skin in the game, they also need to size up their work. But that’s not true AT ALL. Size doesn’t necessarily equate to success. In fact, there’s a lot to consider before you start creating bigger pieces of work, and it may not be right for you depending on what k…

Feeling uninspired? Find yourself comparing your work to others? Does art feel more like a chore than your lifeblood? Well, y’all…those are tell-tell signs of needing an artist’s detox. But it doesn’t involve rehab. Actually, it’s going to be WAY more fun! In this episode, we’ll unpack some of the root causes of feeling “meh” when it comes to your …

This episode goes out to all the representational artists out there. Whether you paint chickens, cows, cars, or flowers, I hate to break it to you, but your work is probably missing one REALLY important thing…. YOU! As a representational artist, it’s so easy to get swept up into creating a perfect piece. But the truth is, if you want to elevate and…

Ready to see what happens when you combine fun, creativity, and friends? That’s what I’m getting into on this episode of the Honest Art Podcast. On April 11th, I’ll be hosting the Power of Three, a group art exhibition with Ana Stapleton and Stephanie Moore — and it’s going to be a rip roarin’ good time. But this episode isn’t just to tell you more…

On this episode, I’m challenging the notion that, in order to be happy, we have to have the things we want. Instead, what if we focused on being the person who made those things possible? As artists, we’re so often holding ourselves back from happiness because we don’t “have” our goals yet. We don’t have a gallery show, we don’t have collectors, we…

Thinking it’s time to break into the teaching side of art? Workshops are the perfect way to get your feet wet and see what it’s all about. And in this episode, I’ll share some of my best tips for hosting your very own workshop — from pricing to marketing and even how to have a good time doing it! Even if you don’t think teaching is for you, I still…

What does it mean when a piece of art “has it”? When you hear people say, “I get it”? To someone who doesn’t understand abstract art, it can feel like everyone else is speaking a language you don’t — but I’m here to break down what makes abstract art great. The truth is, abstract art is about so much more than technique and skill. They’re important…

What’s keeping you stuck? Is it your fear of failure? Or your fear of success? Or maybe — and hear me out on this one — it’s the fear of something else entirely. Something we’re using “fear” and “success” as a blanket term for when really it’s a bigger, more personal, more important concern. On this episode of the show, I’m talking about why the fe…

When I first picked up the paintbrush, I had no idea how much art would one day impact my life. At first, painting was just a fun hobby, a way to add some me time in my life. I didn’t know that it would SAVE my life. The truth is, though: Art heals. Not just mentally, but physically, too. In this episode of the Honest Art Podcast, I want to talk ab…

You’re in for a treat with this episode, because I’m joined by the amazingly talented Warwick Saint, award-winning photographer, painter, and mixed media artist! We discuss Warwick’s journey and evolution as an artist, plus what it means to tap into YOUR own evolution to make your best, most honest art. If you’ve been struggling to find your voice …

I’m a big believer in doing things with intention, and that includes the art supplies I buy. I know all too well how easy is to drop big money on art supplies you don’t need. So in this episode, I’m going to show you how to save some bucks on art supplies, and be a little more intentional with the space in your studio. You’ll also hear how this can…

There’s nothing quick and easy about abstract expressionist art. We MUST avoid falling into the trap of thinking that our most honest art can come in “5 minutes or less.” This isn’t a hot and ready pizza — this is FINE art. Still, staring at a blank canvas can get frustrating. But that rut may be because you’re making one of the 10 mistakes I’m sha…

What do you think makes your work unique as an artist? Is it the style you paint in, like abstract work or oil pastel paintings? Or is it something much deeper than that? I’ll spoil this one for you: It’s so much deeper than your “style.” What makes your artwork unique is your voice, the thing that is pulled through any type of art you create. From…

It’s time we stop making excuses, y’all. You’re not stalled out on social media for your art because you’re too old, too inexperienced, or even because of the algorithm. It might actually be you — because you just aren’t showing up. I know it’s hard, and you may even have valid reasons for not using social media for your art. That’s why, in this ep…

“Honest Art” is a phrase I use often. What started out as a simple hashtag is now the motto for my business and my life. But after almost two seasons of the Honest Art Podcast, I realized I haven’t really done a deep dive into why this phrase is so important to me —or why it should matter to you. So in this episode, I’m getting REALLY honest with y…

Are you afraid to come out of the art closet? I get it — I’ve been there. I was scared to call myself an artist and open myself to the eye-rolls and the “Get a real job” comments. But you know what’s on the other side of that fear? So many amazing things. That’s what guest Christen Horner and I get into for her interview on the Honest Art Podcast. …

Painting and hoping is not a strategy. You can’t just paint a beautiful picture and HOPE that someone finds it. We as artists need to put ourselves out there and CREATE our own opportunities. Because they don’t just fall from the sky. Not sure how to create more opportunities for yourself and your art? Don’t know where to start? In this episode, I’…

Sex and creativity…what do they have in common? Turns out, a LOT more than you may think. But how do we tap into those similarities? And how can we use them to improve BOTH? Even both at the same time? It’s what I’m digging into on this episode of the Honest Art Podcast. Tune in to see the correlation between sex and creativity, and how improving o…

Is resolve the only thing you need to find success as an artist? Nope. In fact, I see so many artists hustling day in and day out (myself included, once upon a time). Despite all their work, they’re still stuck and can’t seem to get the one thing every artist needs to build a thriving art career: a sale of their work! Talking about money can be tou…

Is it ever too late to start (or start over)? My guest, a widely talented artist named Betty Franks, doesn’t think so. Betty worked in customer service management for YEARS before she ever picked a paintbrush. In fact, she didn’t take the leap to become an artist until she was 50. Let Betty be proof: It’s never too late to do the things your soul a…

Rejection: What can we learn from it? THAT is the question we need to be asking, not “How can I avoid rejection?” Because we can’t — failure and rejection are just parts of life. It’s also a part of your journey as an artist. Rejection doesn’t mean you suck. Hell, even the greats faced failure and rejection. Any time you fall down, it simply means …

Ever heard the saying, “Hard work beats talent when talent fails to work hard?” As an artist, you might not think about your art as “hard work” — but it is. And hard work requires showing up consistently. If you want to improve your skills and create your best art, if you want to take things to that next level, you HAVE to be consistent. You have t…

WARNING: This episode is a juicy one. We’re going to be talking about something pretty taboo, so buckle up! Disclaimer: My only goal with the Honest Art Podcast is to help artists excavate their own authentic art and freedom through creativity. Never to judge, never to be the boss of YOUR life. And sometimes, that means exploring topics that are a …

Offering commissions…is the effort worth the reward? That’s what I’m uncovering in this episode. As an artist who has worked on several commissioned pieces, I’ve got a lot to say! And a lot that I think you, as a fellow artist, will find helpful. Catch the full episode to hear about things like: Why commissions DON’T need to be completed before the…