Known for their down-to-earth conversations, each week, artist Laura Horn and husband, Richie, share their experience of making art, running a business, and juggling family life. Join them as they talk about the hot topics facing artists today. From finding your style to navigating social media, this podcast is packed with relatable stories and practical strategies to help you grow as an artist.
In this season finale, Richie and I discuss the healing power of art and how creativity has helped us both process emotions, find mindfulness, and reconnect with our playful side. I share how painting helped me navigate grief and social anxiety in my twenties, while Richie talks about how he accidentally discovered the meditative benefits of photography and why, as humans, we need struggle and challenge in our lives.
Plus, I’ve got a special announcement about my upcoming course, Modern Mixed Media. We'll be taking a short break and will return later this year with new episodes—see you then!
Learn more about Modern Mixed Media Course
Visit my resources page for more details on my classes, YouTube videos, free guides, and more!
Find me on Instagram: @laurahornart
This week, Richie and I dive deep into my mixed media layering process. From the initial burst of excitement, through the problem-solving middle, to knowing when to stop, we share tips and personal insights on every stage of a painting. We chat about why planning isn’t always the best approach, and the surprising value of keeping a bit of mess (or, should I say, mystery) in our work.
We also reflect on last week’s discussion about balancing art and admin, and I share a few ideas I'm taking on board.
Don’t forget to check out my free course, Abstract Pattern Play, available until October 3, and my 6-week Modern Mixed Media course, open for a limited time. I hope you enjoy this deep dive into the creative process and all its intricacies!
Check out the show notes for this episode for further information and mentions.
Links for Limited Time Course Offerings
Abstract Pattern Play FREE Course
Modern Mixed Media 6 Week Course starts 7 Oct, 2024
Visit my resources page for more details on my classes, YouTube videos, free guides, and more!
Find me on Instagram: @laurahornart
Ever feel like you're constantly shifting between being an artist and wearing all the other hats that come with life and work? In this episode, Richie and I dive deep into the challenge of balancing creative flow with the demands of admin, routines, and the complexities of daily transitions—from work to home, from creating to planning. We share how we've been navigating a particularly rough couple of weeks, and how that experience opened up a conversation that just needed to happen. If you've ever felt overwhelmed trying to juggle it all, this one's for you. This is a heartfelt and honest discussion on how we work through these moments, and hopefully some reassurance that you're not alone.
Check out the show notes for this episode for further information and links.
Join the waitlist for my Modern Mixed Media course.
Visit my resources page for more details on my classes, YouTube videos, free guides, and more!
Sign up for my newsletter to stay updated.
Find me on Instagram: @laurahornart
Not all decisions can be made with logic or business in mind. Today, Richie and I chat about the importance of "what the heck moments"—those times when we follow a creative instinct, even though it may not make sense on paper. We share examples from our own creative journey, discussing how embracing these impulses can bring deeper fulfillment, growth, and unexpected opportunities. From taking your own approach to social media, choosing promotional opportunities that align with your values, to self-publishing a book rather than going the traditional route, this episode is all about trusting your intuition and why it matters in your creative life.
Mentioned
Beyond the Visible - Hilma af Klint Documentary
Life Force by Louise Fletcher
Rex Ray Collage Art Book by Griff Williams
Laura’s “Favourite Art Book” Series on YouTube
Check out the show notes for this episode for further information and links.
Join the waitlist for my Modern Mixed Media course.
Visit my resources page for more details on my classes, YouTube videos, free guides, and more!
Sign up for my newsletter to stay updated.
Find me on Instagram: @laurahornart
This week, Richie and I discuss how my sketchbooks came to the rescue, providing comfort after a challenging week of admin. This leads us to explore the many ways sketchbooks can benefit artists. Whether for observation, experimentation, therapy, inspiration gathering, or colour palette organisation, sketchbooks offer incredible versatility. We chat about approaches used by artists like Matisse and Frida Kahlo, and share some modern-day examples as well. Whether you’re seeking comfort or aiming to push your creative boundaries, this episode will inspire you to see your sketchbook in fresh and exciting ways.
Mentioned
Check out the show notes for this episode for further information and links.
Join the waitlist for my Modern Mixed Media course.
Visit my resources page for more details on my classes, YouTube videos, free guides, and more!
Sign up for my newsletter to stay updated.
Find me on Instagram: @laurahornart
With social media becoming increasingly fast-paced and fewer photographs of artwork showing up, my appreciation for a good old book filled with art and creativity has grown! In this episode, I talk about a new series I’m sharing on YouTube where I explore my favorite creative books across different categories. Richie and I chat about how these books inspire my art practice, and I also open up about recent challenges with my online class platform. These struggles have deepened my appreciation for creativity, which leads us to discuss the importance of staying open to inspiration, chasing dreams, and thinking about the legacy we leave behind.
Check out the show notes for this episode for all the book links.
Catch up on my art book video series over on YouTube.
Join the waitlist for my Modern Mixed Media course.
Visit my resources page for more details on my classes, YouTube videos, free guides, and more!
Sign up for my newsletter to stay updated.
Find me on Instagram: @laurahornart
Ever feel like you have too many tabs open in your brain? In this episode, I share my recent struggles with overwhelm and how simplifying my art business and practice helped me find balance. I chat with Richie about the clarity I gained from organising my thoughts on a whiteboard and the comfort of returning to simple watercolour techniques. This conversation also helped me refine my vision for the new online classes I’m working on and emphasised the importance of keeping things simple and accessible.
I hope you enjoy the episode! Tune in for a fresh perspective on embracing simplicity in your creative process.
Mentioned:
Watercolour Sketchbook YouTube Video
Watercolour Supplies YouTube Video
Watercolour Explorations Online Course
Episode 89: 5 Ways To Simplify Your Art Practice
Visit my resources page for more details on my classes, YouTube videos, free guides, and more!
Sign up for my newsletter to stay updated.
Find me on Instagram: @laurahornart
In today's episode, Richie and I explore the evolution of my art sales strategy. I reflect on my early days exhibiting at cafes and art markets, where community connections and personal interactions were key (the butterfly approach). We then look at my more recent experience utilising online sales, e-course teaching, and art licensing (the hermit approach). We chat about the pros and cons of each method and consider whether there's a better option somewhere in between! Whether you're a social butterfly or prefer the solitude of the hermit life, this conversation offers plenty of food for thought for your art sales strategy.
Mentioned:
South Australia Living Artists Festival
Life Book Online Art Course hosted by Tamara Laporte
Visit my resources page for more details on my classes, YouTube videos, free guides, and more!
Sign up for my newsletter to stay updated.
Find me on Instagram: @laurahornart
Have you ever embarked on a creative project only to find yourself questioning your choices midway through? In this episode, I talk with Richie about my recent attempt at re-branding my website and social media. What started as a fun day of choosing new colours, fonts, and design elements quickly escalated into website chaos, leaving me questioning my artistic identity. It wasn't what I had hoped for, but I learned some valuable lessons about planning, staying true to yourself, processing feedback, and allocating time for creative projects rather than acting on a whim. While this episode focuses on branding, it's also about being mindful of what you take on and when. I hope it's encouraging and maybe provides a few laughs along the way. You've gotta love a "what-not-to-do" episode!
Mentioned:
Building Your Brand As an Artist PDF
Episode 34: Building Your Brand As an Artist
Visit my resources page for more details on my classes, YouTube videos, free guides, and more!
Sign up for my newsletter to stay updated.
Find me on Instagram: @laurahornart
This week, I chatted with Richie about how I had a bit of a wobble. Maybe we'll call it mid-year panic. Suddenly, I could feel the year slipping away with goals unmet. Specifically, I've been feeling blocked when it comes to making online classes. How much prep does one need to do and is a rebrand of my website colours really what I should be doing right now? Yep, it's an honest one. But it's not all doom and gloom, as my procrastination led me to watch a YouTube video, which helped me figure out the real issue at hand. Tune in to find out how I turned my mid-year panic into some mid-year progress. Whether you're feeling overwhelmed or just need a bit of motivation to stay on track, this episode is for you!
Mentioned:
Rachel in Theory Mid Year Reset Video
Visit my resources page for more details on my classes, YouTube videos, free guides, and more!
Find me on Instagram: @laurahornart
The ebb and flow of creativity is inevitable. There will be times when we are itching to paint and know exactly what we want to do, and there will be times when turning up feels hard. In this episode, I answer your questions on this topic and share the ways I stay inspired, build compassion for quieter periods, honour my own rhythms, and continue seeking self-discovery and self-expression, even in small acts. From finding colour palettes to compiling sketchbook prompts, tidying up the studio, and more, there are myriad ways to respect and support our creativity, no matter the season.
Richie and I hope you enjoy this short and sweet season finale. We'll be taking a little break and returning in late July with a new season filled with fresh insights and inspiration.
Mentioned:
Episode 167: Is It Okay to Have Multiple Art Styles?
1,500 Color Mixing Recipes Book by William F Powell
Collecting Colour Palette Ideas (YT Video)
Note: Some of these links are Amazon affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission (at no cost to you) if you make a purchase through a link.
Visit my resources page for more details on my classes, YouTube videos, free guides, and more!
Find me on Instagram: @laurahornart
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