Amy Scherer is a contemporary painter who works out of her home studio just outside of Seattle.

In this episode, Amy and I talk about making art even when the people around you don't quite get what it is you do. Ever have any one come into your studio and ask - "Wait, where's the TV?" 🤦‍♀️ IYKYK, right?

Amy lives in the suburbs and most of the people she's around just don't understand what she does, and that yes, there really is an actual artist living among them!

For Amy, what helps her stay sane is teaching other artists how to paint. She absolutely loves the chance to geek out on art with other artists! It gives her the opportunity to share her ideas on color theory, composition, and all the nuances that make a great painting.

So OF COURSE in our conversation, we geeked out on ALL THE THINGS:

• how to arrange subjects in a painting.
• why seeing the world as an artist matters.
• tips on how to manage time between making art and daily life.
• why making mistakes is important for growing as an artist.
• the challenges of being seen as a real artist when you live in the suburbs.
• being true to yourself in your art.
• how being kind and understanding can help people love art even more.
• how Amy keeps her passion for art alive.
• how she balances creativity with her other responsibilities.

Hope you enjoy this episode! If you do, let me know your biggest takeaway at @savvypainterpodcast

And while you're there, check out Amy's work: @A_Scherer_

 

Ever felt like you're in a rut with your work?This week we I share practical strategies for boosting your creativity.

In this episode, you'll learn three ways to make creative thinking part of your everyday practice. It's quick and easy but highly effective.

The more you practice creativity, the more effortlessly it appears in your painting.

We'll talk about how to think about other artists work so that it inspires unique ideas in your own (without copying their ideas). Letting your mind wander - yep DAYDREAMING is your best friend for creating unique ideas and tapping into your authenticity.

Listen to this episode for some straightforward tips on revitalizing your artistic practice in a relaxed and simple way.

Getting your work out there is scary for a lot of artists. Sometimes it’s because we’re afraid no one will like it, but more often it's because we are so worried about whether or not the paintings will sell.

That creates a ton of pressure.

This episode is for you if you want to show your work but secretly resist taking actions to get it out there.

I give you 3 ideas to make it easier:

Showing your work makes you a better painter: you get to see how people react to your work. Art is communication, part of communication is listening to the response.

Putting your art out there helps you find the people who will truly love and appreciate your unique voice. These are the collectors who will support you as an artist. Help them get to know you.

Sharing your work, even if it’s scary (especially if its scary) boosts your confidence. The more you do it, the easier it gets ( I promise!)

Start small, go slow until you build your confidence. Sales is just one of the byproducts you get when you purposefully practice sharing your work with other humans.

@savvypainterpodcast

 

In this special episode of the Savvy Painter podcast, we're celebrating an incredible milestone: 10 years of being part of your art journey! Over the last decade, I've had the joy of connecting with so many amazing artists, sharing stories, struggles, and, most importantly, lessons. So, I thought, what better way to celebrate than to share my top 10 lessons from 10 years of Savvy Painter? These are the gems I've gathered from talking with hundreds of artists and diving deep into the art world. Let's dive in!

1. What's on Your Canvas Reflects What's in Your Mind: The biggest game-changer for me was realizing how directly our thoughts shape our art. It's all about noticing how your feelings and thoughts come alive on your canvas through your brushstrokes.
2. Be Intentional with Your Work and Time: Having a plan isn't just about avoiding distractions; it's about setting intentions for your art and focusing on them. Even something as simple as a sticky note with your goal can make a huge difference.
3. Your Work Matters: Always remember that your art makes a difference. Even when doubts creep in, know that what you're creating has value, both to you and to the world.
4. Perfection Isn't Good Enough: Chasing perfection can actually hold you back. Connect with people through your art instead of getting caught up in making every detail flawless.
5. Be Selective About Who You Let into Your Studio: Not every voice deserves a say in your creative space. Keep out the negativity and focus on the positive influences that help you grow as an artist.
6. The Four Stages of Your Practice: Embrace the cycle of making art, showing it, selling it, and then resting. Recognizing and honoring each stage is key to a fulfilling art practice.
7. Community Is Key: Never underestimate the power of being part of a community of artists. It's comforting to know you're not alone in your artistic journey.
8. Advocate for Your Work: Believing in your own art is the first step to getting others to believe in it too. Learn to talk about your work with confidence and love.
9. Stay Out of Your Collectors' Wallets: Pricing your art isn't about guessing what others can afford; it's about valuing your work appropriately and letting the buyers decide for themselves.
10. Love the Art and the Artist Who Creates It: This journey is all about love—loving the process, the creation, and, most importantly, yourself as the creator. Your art is a love letter to yourself, so cherish it and the person who brings it to life.

Celebrating 10 years with you has been such an honor. Your stories, feedback, and the community we've built together have made Savvy Painter more than just a podcast; it's a shared space of inspiration and growth. Here's to many more years of painting, learning, and growing together.

Thank you for being a part of this incredible journey!

Let's chat about embracing experimentation, playfulness, and bringing a childlike sense of curiosity into your creative process! In this episode, Antrese Wood shares her experiences and insights on how fear of failure and perfectionism stifles creativity, and offers strategies to overcome these obstacles.

How do we do that? Bring back play and experimentation into your creative process.

Play and experimentation leads to authenticity, growth, and learning. Our fear of failure and perfectionism blocks creativity, so we discuss concrete techniques to recognize and work through these fears. Embracing mistakes and imperfections as part of your process, and maintaining a sense of curiosity and joy, are keys to creating meaningful and emotional art.

Here's what you learn how to do today in this episode:

• Embrace experimentation and playfulness in your creative process to unlock authenticity and growth.
• Recognize when fear of failure or perfectionism is driving your actions and stifling creativity.
• Name and acknowledge your fears, then paint your way through them by reconnecting with your purpose as an artist.
• Remind yourself that "perfection is not enough" – technical mastery alone does not create emotional connection.
• When you make a "mistake," say "how interesting" to shift into a mindset of curiosity and exploration.
• Check out the teachings of Benjamin Zander (composer/teacher) for inspiration on embracing imperfection and connecting with audiences.
• Keep your adventurous, childlike spirit alive in your artwork.
• Create space and habits that allow for joyful, uninhibited creative expression.

Show notes and links are here

Noah Saterstrom and Antrese Wood delve into the intersection of art, space, and personal evolution. Noah shares insights into his art practice, shedding light on how artists navigate their creative process and the challenges they face. Here are some key takeaways:

• Exploring New Spaces: We discuss the impact of transitioning to a larger studio space and how it influences artistic practice.
• Adapting to Economic and Environmental Changes: The conversation shifts towards adapting to economic fluctuations in Argentina where Antrese lives and its effect on art creation and sales.
• Navigating the Art Market: Insights into the challenges of selling art in different economic climates, and the creative strategies artists employ.
• Creative Process and Evolution: A deep dive into Noah's artistic journey, the evolution of his work, and how social media has transformed the way artists share and sell their art.
• The Importance of Failure in Art: Noah emphasizes the role of failure in the creative process and how it drives innovation and growth.

This episode offers you a unique glimpse into the life of an artist navigating the intersections of creativity, market dynamics, and personal growth.

 

Full show notes on SavvyPainter.com

Connect with Noah: @NoahSats

 

Building unshakeable trust in yourself is a gamechanger and it affects more than just your artwork.

Learn why and how you can start building it today.

• Self-trust allows you to take risks, explore, and play in your painting without worrying about seeming scattered. You trust your creativity.
• With self-trust, you know you can choose one idea without fear of losing others. You feel calm and free while creating.
• Self-trust helps you feel calm and open when showing your work, talking about it, and discussing pricing.
• Without self-trust you doubt choices, compare yourself, second-guess, become stagnant, jump between projects, feel caged by past successes.
• Ways to build self-trust: recognize what you like/dislike, practice keeping tiny promises to yourself, have grace when you make mistakes, turn down the volume on your inner critic.
• Building self-trust is a practice - your brain has decades of lying to you that you can't be trusted. But you can rebuild trust in yourself.

In this episode, I answer questions about my evolution and growth over the past couple years. I'm back from a lengthy break with fresh perspectives to share.

A few takeaways from this episode:

• I obtained several advanced coaching certifications and feel they complement my artistic side. My vision for the podcast and community is even stronger now.
• Progress in art and life is not linear.  I encourage reframing frustrations as opportunities to grow rather than indications of failure.
• Find balance across periods of your life, not daily. Different priorities may have more focus (and time) during different seasons of your life. It's supposed to be that way.
• Time management is a learnable skill. Set boundaries and create small creative spaces amidst obligations.
• What's next for Savvy Painter? Going forward, I have 10x more conviction in my vision of supporting artists through this podcast and community. I see frustrations in art and life as invitations to grow so that I can make an even bigger impact. I'm more convinced of that than ever.
• This is just the beginning.

Got questions for the next Q and A episode? Send me a message on Instagram or shoot me an email - I'd love to hear them! 

What's next with Savvy Painter? After a much needed (and longer than expected) break, Savvy Painter is back! 

I'm thrilled to reconnect with you and continue the conversation with our artist community. In this episode, I share what I experienced during this pause.  I reflect on the importance of mental health and trusting your intuition. I explore self-imposed deadlines and the realization that growth often comes from stepping back rather than pushing through.

I have so much gratitude for the unwavering support of the podcast community.  I am continually in awe of the interconnectedness of artists and the power of collective encouragement.

Moving forward, the podcast will return to a weekly schedule, with upcoming episodes featuring Q&A sessions, discussions on creative thinking, and occasional interviews. To submit questions for the Q&A episodes, email me at [email protected] 

Thank you for being a part of the Savvy Painter community—I'm excited for this next chapter together!

Talk soon!

~Antrese

 

Goal setting is an important part of any artistic journey. However, we often think goals are about achieving the thing and getting to the end rather than treasuring the gold that can be found along the way. On this episode, I want to share how setting goals is the way to mastery and how missed goals can be the path to creating the art practice of your dreams.

Outline of This Episode

• [0:01] The real power of goals
• [4:48] Unpacking the gift of resistance 
• [14:10] Exercising the skill of overcoming doubt
• [28:43] Lessons learned from goal setting

Resources Mentioned on this episode

• The Savvy Painter Growth Studio
• The Savvy Painter Community
• The War of Art (Book)

Connect With Antrese

• On Facebook
• On Pinterest
• On Instagram
• On Twitter

Humans are pretty generous when it comes to loving other artists. It’s loving ourselves as artists with the same intensity that often needs some work. On this episode, I’m sharing insights from my recent and wonderfully unexpected time off around expectations, identifying when and why previously successful thought processes are no longer working, and leaning into appreciation to find and strengthen your inner voice.

Outline of This Episode

• [3:15] When helpful thoughts no longer serve you 
• [7:56] Identifying unhealthy expectations
• [15:36] Leaning into appreciation

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