The Messy Studio with Rebecca Crowell

Episode 269: Influences and Copying

May 7th, 2024  |  33 mins 46 secs

art, copying, creativity, influences, rebecca crowell

All artists are influenced by others, but when an artist has an authentic voice, their influences are well-integrated with their own unique vision. But sometimes the influence from another artist is so strong that the boundaries between the two are blurred. Today we’ll talk about being influenced by other artists -- when it is too much, and what it means when another artist is being copied. We’ll also mention ways that influence can constructive and positive and part of an authentic creative voice.

Episode 227: The Gift of Days: An Artist Residency

October 29th, 2022  |  41 mins 19 secs

abstraction, art, artist residency, creativity, influences, lisbon, materials, place, portugal, rebecca crowell, travel

In today’s episode, Rebecca reflects on her recent 3 weeks of residency at the Obras Foundation in Portugal, and the challenges and rewards of this experience.

Episode 226: The Importance of Place

October 22nd, 2022  |  38 mins 50 secs

art, creativity, home, influences, place, rebecca crowell, travel

The influence of specific locations on creative work is important among many kinds of artists, from plein aire painters to site-specific sculptors. On today’s podcast, Rebecca talks about the ways responding to certain places has impacted her own abstract work over the years, and specifically how this has evolved in recent years since her move to New Mexico. We hope that her thoughts invite contemplation of your own influences from both your home environment and your travels.

Episode 130: Being Authentic

June 20th, 2020  |  38 mins 38 secs

art, authenticity, being authentic, creativity, influences, inspiration, rebecca crowell

This is a topic that we have considered covering for a while. It dovetails nicely with past episodes addressing what inspires and motivates our work. But it seems especially relevant now given the worldwide pandemic and recent social unrest, which have many artists thinking deeply about the meaning and honesty of their work.

Being authentic in your work means being true to yourself, and unafraid in your creative explorations. During this time we are experiencing massive changes all around us. Examining how authentic we are being in our work can lead to new insights and growth. The more challenges we are facing in life, the more important it becomes to bring our whole selves into our work. This results in better work and a better mental state.

Episode 86: Meaning in Abstraction

August 25th, 2019  |  30 mins 32 secs

abstraction, art, influences, intentions, italy, rebecca crowell, travel

In a wide-ranging conversation during their recent workshop in Italy, Rebecca talks with Jerry about meaning in abstract painting. They discuss ways to approach abstraction, the desire to find imagery in non-referential art, the work of setting intentions, recognizing influences, and more.

Episode 59: Merging Art and Life

February 16th, 2019  |  33 mins 44 secs

art, hobbies, influences, life, rebecca crowell

What activities, passions, or interests do you pursue outside your studio (art related or otherwise)? Do you think they feed your main work or focus? Rebecca and Ross discuss listener answers submitted on Facebook, as well as their own thoughts on the subject.

Episode 22: Nuala Clarke Interview - Ideas Tiny & Immense

May 19th, 2018  |  37 mins 19 secs

influences, interview, ireland, nuala clarke

Rebecca interviews Nuala Clarke while in Ireland. They discuss the conceptual aspects of her work which is fed by imagination, memory, what she reads, and the natural world of northern County Mayo, Ireland.