web01.fireside.fm Tue, 05 May 2026 15:16:21 -0500 Fireside (https://fireside.fm) The Messy Studio with Rebecca Crowell - Episodes Tagged with “Conversation” https://messystudio.fireside.fm/tags/conversation Sat, 22 Aug 2020 04:00:00 -0500 Artist Rebecca Crowell shares experiences and thoughts from three decades of painting, teaching and traveling, as well as her conversations with other artists. She is joined by her co-host, producer, and son, Ross Ticknor, who brings an entrepreneurial Millennial perspective. The conversations are broad and eclectic, focused on ideas, information and anecdotes that other artists may find helpful in their work and careers. A new episode is uploaded every weekend! en-us episodic The podcast at the intersection of art, travel, business, philosophy, and life in general. Rebecca Crowell Artist Rebecca Crowell shares experiences and thoughts from three decades of painting, teaching and traveling, as well as her conversations with other artists. She is joined by her co-host, producer, and son, Ross Ticknor, who brings an entrepreneurial Millennial perspective. The conversations are broad and eclectic, focused on ideas, information and anecdotes that other artists may find helpful in their work and careers. A new episode is uploaded every weekend! no Rebecca Crowell rticknor.core@gmail.com Episode 139: Those Awkward Moments https://messystudio.fireside.fm/139 78cd90e6-87ca-4ccf-9d25-4bda06d4223e Sat, 22 Aug 2020 04:00:00 -0500 Rebecca Crowell 139 Those Awkward Moments full Rebecca Crowell In a recent podcast, we talked about the remark often made about abstract artists --” my kid could paint that.” But there are lots of other things people say to and about artists that show a lack of understanding or even hostility toward art. When these happen in conversation, they can create some awkward moments. Most of us tend to feel defensive when this happens, and we can miss an opportunity to elevate the conversation. Today we’ll talk about some of these common remarks, consider why people make them, and ways to handle them gracefully. 42:22 no <p>In a recent podcast, we talked about the remark often made about abstract artists --” my kid could paint that.” But there are lots of other things people say to and about artists that show a lack of understanding or even hostility toward art. When these happen in conversation, they can create some awkward moments. Most of us tend to feel defensive when this happens, and we can miss an opportunity to elevate the conversation. Today we’ll talk about some of these common remarks, consider why people make them, and ways to handle them gracefully.</p> <p>As artists we’ve all had these moments. Sometimes, what we hear is an innocent question with a complicated answer, for example, “how long did it take you to paint that?" --when clock time is not the issue. Sometimes a question or remark comes across as aggressive, as when people ask about the price in order to look askance when you answer. Or an observation like “it must be so fun to just paint all day” can come across as “how nice to do whatever you please-- most of us can’t do that.” </p> <p>Most remarks are well-meant though. People who know little about art are usually just trying to find a way into the conversation, as we all do when trying to understand another person's profession that is unfamiliar to us. But many times, a remark that indicates basic ignorance of our work can seem offensive and awkward. If we make an attempt to move the conversation forward, though, it can be an opportunity to help the other person understand.</p> <p>It's easy though to feel misunderstood or hurt. Sometimes artists consider remarks critical or insulting but from an objective point of view are simply misinformed or out of context. Many times these remarks are much more about the person making them than about the artist. They are attempts to relate the artist's lifesto their own experience and as such, they should not be taken personally. Take opportunities to educate people when you feel there is an opening for a more elevated conversation and use compassion and humor to do so if you can. </p> <hr> <p>Have an art related product, service, or event you would like to advertise on the Messy Studio Podcast? <br> Email Ross at <a href="mailto:rticknor.core@gmail.com" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">rticknor.core@gmail.com</a> for current mid-roll advertising rates. </p> <p>For more from The Messy Studio:<br> <a href="http://www.messystudiopodcast.com" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">www.messystudiopodcast.com</a><br> <a href="http://www.facebook.com/messystudiopodcast" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">www.facebook.com/messystudiopodcast</a></p> <p>For more from Rebecca Crowell:<br> <a href="http://www.rebeccacrowell.com" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">www.rebeccacrowell.com</a><br> <a href="http://www.squeegeepress.com" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">www.squeegeepress.com</a></p> <p>Support The Messy Studio when you buy art supplies from Blick.com by using our affiliate link:<br> <a href="http://www.messystudiopodcast.com/blick" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">www.messystudiopodcast.com/blick</a></p> <p>The Messy Studio Podcast is a CORE Publication MGMT production. </p> Rebecca Crowell, Art, Creativity, Marketing, Self Improvement, Career, Conversation, Criticism In a recent podcast, we talked about the remark often made about abstract artists --” my kid could paint that.” But there are lots of other things people say to and about artists that show a lack of understanding or even hostility toward art. When these happen in conversation, they can create some awkward moments. Most of us tend to feel defensive when this happens, and we can miss an opportunity to elevate the conversation. Today we’ll talk about some of these common remarks, consider why people make them, and ways to handle them gracefully.

As artists we’ve all had these moments. Sometimes, what we hear is an innocent question with a complicated answer, for example, “how long did it take you to paint that?" --when clock time is not the issue. Sometimes a question or remark comes across as aggressive, as when people ask about the price in order to look askance when you answer. Or an observation like “it must be so fun to just paint all day” can come across as “how nice to do whatever you please-- most of us can’t do that.”

Most remarks are well-meant though. People who know little about art are usually just trying to find a way into the conversation, as we all do when trying to understand another person's profession that is unfamiliar to us. But many times, a remark that indicates basic ignorance of our work can seem offensive and awkward. If we make an attempt to move the conversation forward, though, it can be an opportunity to help the other person understand.

It's easy though to feel misunderstood or hurt. Sometimes artists consider remarks critical or insulting but from an objective point of view are simply misinformed or out of context. Many times these remarks are much more about the person making them than about the artist. They are attempts to relate the artist's lifesto their own experience and as such, they should not be taken personally. Take opportunities to educate people when you feel there is an opening for a more elevated conversation and use compassion and humor to do so if you can.

Have an art related product, service, or event you would like to advertise on the Messy Studio Podcast?
Email Ross at rticknor.core@gmail.com for current mid-roll advertising rates.

For more from The Messy Studio:
www.messystudiopodcast.com
www.facebook.com/messystudiopodcast

For more from Rebecca Crowell:
www.rebeccacrowell.com
www.squeegeepress.com

Support The Messy Studio when you buy art supplies from Blick.com by using our affiliate link:
www.messystudiopodcast.com/blick

The Messy Studio Podcast is a CORE Publication MGMT production.

]]> In a recent podcast, we talked about the remark often made about abstract artists --” my kid could paint that.” But there are lots of other things people say to and about artists that show a lack of understanding or even hostility toward art. When these happen in conversation, they can create some awkward moments. Most of us tend to feel defensive when this happens, and we can miss an opportunity to elevate the conversation. Today we’ll talk about some of these common remarks, consider why people make them, and ways to handle them gracefully.

As artists we’ve all had these moments. Sometimes, what we hear is an innocent question with a complicated answer, for example, “how long did it take you to paint that?" --when clock time is not the issue. Sometimes a question or remark comes across as aggressive, as when people ask about the price in order to look askance when you answer. Or an observation like “it must be so fun to just paint all day” can come across as “how nice to do whatever you please-- most of us can’t do that.”

Most remarks are well-meant though. People who know little about art are usually just trying to find a way into the conversation, as we all do when trying to understand another person's profession that is unfamiliar to us. But many times, a remark that indicates basic ignorance of our work can seem offensive and awkward. If we make an attempt to move the conversation forward, though, it can be an opportunity to help the other person understand.

It's easy though to feel misunderstood or hurt. Sometimes artists consider remarks critical or insulting but from an objective point of view are simply misinformed or out of context. Many times these remarks are much more about the person making them than about the artist. They are attempts to relate the artist's lifesto their own experience and as such, they should not be taken personally. Take opportunities to educate people when you feel there is an opening for a more elevated conversation and use compassion and humor to do so if you can.

Have an art related product, service, or event you would like to advertise on the Messy Studio Podcast?
Email Ross at rticknor.core@gmail.com for current mid-roll advertising rates.

For more from The Messy Studio:
www.messystudiopodcast.com
www.facebook.com/messystudiopodcast

For more from Rebecca Crowell:
www.rebeccacrowell.com
www.squeegeepress.com

Support The Messy Studio when you buy art supplies from Blick.com by using our affiliate link:
www.messystudiopodcast.com/blick

The Messy Studio Podcast is a CORE Publication MGMT production.

]]> Episode 115: Art: A Conversation With Your Viewers https://messystudio.fireside.fm/115 51285f32-dd21-44f7-896e-c688a999bcbe Fri, 06 Mar 2020 15:00:00 -0600 Rebecca Crowell 115 Art: A Conversation With Your Viewers full Rebecca Crowell Most artists would agree that their work is an attempt at communication, even if a non-verbal one. The idea of a conversation with viewers is a helpful perspective because it implies that this communication does not exist in a vacuum, going in one direction only. We use the term “personal voice” in reference to what we are trying to communicate, but we should grant a “voice” of sorts to our audience as well. 29:00 no <p>Most artists would agree that their work is an attempt at communication, even if a non-verbal one. The idea of a conversation with viewers is a helpful perspective because it implies that this communication does not exist in a vacuum, going in one direction only. We use the term “personal voice” in reference to what we are trying to communicate, but we should grant a “voice” of sorts to our audience as well. </p> <p>The conversational aspect of our work begins with an inner dialog as we track our progress. Later, when this work is in front of an audience, it speaks with our viewers. Thinking about our work as a partner in a conversation with the viewer forces us to consider an outside point of view.</p> <p>Mark Tobey once stated that “art needs to come through the avenues of meditation, only then can one have a conversation with a painting”. </p> <p>We can think of the work as existing between two sides of this conversation. The artist communicates with as well as through the piece, while the audience also communicates with the work. In order to achieve this creative conversation, something deepers must be instilled in the work, beyond the superficial appearance. If a viewer can take in the whole piece with one glance, it will not be much of a conversation. </p> <p>Part of the self-critique process involves evaluating what you offer your viewer. Have you considered your own intentions and meanings deeply enough? How will your work engage your audience? Have you given too much, or too little information? Respect your viewer, engage their intellect, and give them more than they are expecting.</p> <p>The Messy Studio Podcast is a CORE Publication MGMT production.</p> <p>More Messy Studio Podcast:<br> <a href="http://www.messystudiopodcast.com" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">www.messystudiopodcast.com</a><br> <a href="http://www.facebook.com/messystudiopodcast" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">www.facebook.com/messystudiopodcast</a></p> <p>More from Rebecca Crowell:<br> <a href="http://www.rebeccacrowell.com" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">www.rebeccacrowell.com</a><br> <a href="http://www.squeegeepress.com" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">www.squeegeepress.com</a></p> Rebecca Crowell, Art, Conversation, Voice, Audience Most artists would agree that their work is an attempt at communication, even if a non-verbal one. The idea of a conversation with viewers is a helpful perspective because it implies that this communication does not exist in a vacuum, going in one direction only. We use the term “personal voice” in reference to what we are trying to communicate, but we should grant a “voice” of sorts to our audience as well.

The conversational aspect of our work begins with an inner dialog as we track our progress. Later, when this work is in front of an audience, it speaks with our viewers. Thinking about our work as a partner in a conversation with the viewer forces us to consider an outside point of view.

Mark Tobey once stated that “art needs to come through the avenues of meditation, only then can one have a conversation with a painting”.

We can think of the work as existing between two sides of this conversation. The artist communicates with as well as through the piece, while the audience also communicates with the work. In order to achieve this creative conversation, something deepers must be instilled in the work, beyond the superficial appearance. If a viewer can take in the whole piece with one glance, it will not be much of a conversation.

Part of the self-critique process involves evaluating what you offer your viewer. Have you considered your own intentions and meanings deeply enough? How will your work engage your audience? Have you given too much, or too little information? Respect your viewer, engage their intellect, and give them more than they are expecting.

The Messy Studio Podcast is a CORE Publication MGMT production.

More Messy Studio Podcast:
www.messystudiopodcast.com
www.facebook.com/messystudiopodcast

More from Rebecca Crowell:
www.rebeccacrowell.com
www.squeegeepress.com

]]> Most artists would agree that their work is an attempt at communication, even if a non-verbal one. The idea of a conversation with viewers is a helpful perspective because it implies that this communication does not exist in a vacuum, going in one direction only. We use the term “personal voice” in reference to what we are trying to communicate, but we should grant a “voice” of sorts to our audience as well.

The conversational aspect of our work begins with an inner dialog as we track our progress. Later, when this work is in front of an audience, it speaks with our viewers. Thinking about our work as a partner in a conversation with the viewer forces us to consider an outside point of view.

Mark Tobey once stated that “art needs to come through the avenues of meditation, only then can one have a conversation with a painting”.

We can think of the work as existing between two sides of this conversation. The artist communicates with as well as through the piece, while the audience also communicates with the work. In order to achieve this creative conversation, something deepers must be instilled in the work, beyond the superficial appearance. If a viewer can take in the whole piece with one glance, it will not be much of a conversation.

Part of the self-critique process involves evaluating what you offer your viewer. Have you considered your own intentions and meanings deeply enough? How will your work engage your audience? Have you given too much, or too little information? Respect your viewer, engage their intellect, and give them more than they are expecting.

The Messy Studio Podcast is a CORE Publication MGMT production.

More Messy Studio Podcast:
www.messystudiopodcast.com
www.facebook.com/messystudiopodcast

More from Rebecca Crowell:
www.rebeccacrowell.com
www.squeegeepress.com

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