The Messy Studio with Rebecca Crowell - Episodes Tagged with “Personal Development”

Episode 219: The Confidence Game

Rebecca Crowell — Sun, 04 Sep 2022 16:00:00 -0500

As artists and as creative entrepreneurs we all know the challenges of building confidence—in our own attitudes and in our encounters with people we want to engage with our work. To a large extent, we invent ourselves as we go along, developing a vision for our work and an audience to appreciate it. And often we tackle all of this without much emotional or practical support, and the times when we struggle have a way of depleting our confidence. Today we will talk about understanding the role of confidence in your work and in your business dealings.

Self-confidence provides you with energy in the studio, optimism, motivation, and a positive mindset that can get you through the inevitable issues of a creative practice. It can also, unfortunately, be rather fragile if you don’t have a strong foundation of confidence.

Confidence in your work itself is basic, and has to come first. With focus and diligence you may find confidence in the privacy of your studio more easily than in your more public dealings with marketing, galleries, exhibits, and so on. For some people, the latter situation may always be a challenge. But just as with the need to practice your art skills, practice in engaging with the outside world can also build confidence, and sometimes it's important to take opportunities that require you to go beyond what you think you can do.

Confidence has its roots not in ego, but in a realistic and humble assessment of your own artistic development and goals. When you understand your own situation, your confidence can be maintained through inevitable failures and difficulties. Confidence can be built by taking action, building your skills, and committing to your studio practice. Making time for your work, finishing work, being patient and compassionate with yourself, and accepting cycles of more and less productivity all help grow your self-confidence. .

There are no easy answers to finding and maintaining confidence in your work and in dealing with the art world—but it may help to know how common this problem is, even for people who seem to have it all in terms of recognition and success. Dealing with the outside world is easier if you have inner confidence but accepting challenges that feel uncomfortable is also a way of improving your confidence in a more public way over time.

Thanks to everyone who has been sharing the show and donating! If you would like to donate to the Messy Studio Podcast donate here.

When you buy art supplies at Blick remember to use our affiliate link to support the podcast! Bookmark this link and then you don't even have to think about it again. This is one of the best ways to support the show. It takes a few seconds and costs you nothing! The Blick website works exactly the same way, but we earn 10% every time you buy art supplies.

www.messystudiopodcast.com/blick

What's new at Cold Wax Academy?
The Summer Quarter of Cold Wax Academy's membership program is now underway. Rebecca and Jerry's upcoming weekly live, online sessions will explore Personal Voice and Composition and continue the topic of Professional Development with some special guests. Member Critiques and Painting Clinics, Cold Wax Academy's new feature, are ongoing. You can join the membership program anytime and catch up with past recorded sessions at your own pace. Please visit http://www.coldwaxacademy.com for more information.

Also-- stay tuned for information coming soon about Rebecca and Jerry's newest project, Espacio, dedicated to providing beautiful living and working spaces for artists and writers. Espacio's first offering is Casa Clavel, a modern, fully equipped house opening this September in the beautiful cultural city of San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. You can learn more and make a reservation by emailing info@coldwaxacademy.com. A dedicated Espacio website is coming soon!

Here is what a member named Sandy has to say about her own experience with Cold Wax Academy:
"Rebecca and Jerry have presented the most professional, authentic and structured approach to a creative activity I have ever come across. Their selfless sharing of all their knowledge and encouragement is a gift in my life unsurpassed."

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.coldwaxacademy.com

The Messy Studio Podcast is a Tick Digital Media Production.

Episode 208: Counterproductive Habits

Rebecca Crowell — Sun, 19 Jun 2022 13:00:00 -0500

Being productive in the studio means different things to each artist--but wanting to grow and achieve new levels in our work is basic to the creative process. Yet there are many practices and attitudes that work against productivity, causing frustration and creative blocks, and wasting valuable studio time. Today we will talk about some of these counterproductive situations and how to challenge them in your own studio practice.

If we consider that the definition of counterproductive is “tending to hinder the attainment of a desired goal” it makes sense to try to get a sense of what your own goals are for productivity. For example, some people work consistently for a certain number of days a week, while others are fine working in shorter spans of time that are available to them. Having a good sense of your own goals for productivity helps you recognize any habits that work against that. Counterproductive habits include procrastination, wanting the studio to be in perfect order, or failing to finish work. Overthinking is another major issue for many people, inhibiting their decision-making process, and getting in the way of intuitive flow in the studio.

An interesting perspective on these habits is that you don't have to be the same person in the studio as you are in the rest of life. By making your studio a refuge, separate from the rest of life, you may be able to shed personal counterproductive habits. When you walk into the studio, if you can leave the rest of life behind, shutting out the demands of normal life, you may find that you can better maintain your focus and do what feels exciting and right to you.

Anything that hinders your creative flow can be frustrating and slow your overall development. If art is a big part of your life, it makes sense to challenge attitudes and behaviors as they relate to what you do in the studio.

Right now Michael Harding Artist Oils are 25% off, and Blick disposable palette pads are also marked down!

www.messystudiopodcast.com/blick

What's new at Cold Wax Academy?
Rebecca and Jerry are busy planning the Summer Quarter of their membership program which begins on July 13. These exciting sessions will explore Personal Voice and Composition and continue the topic of Professional Development with some special guests. Member Critiques and Painting Clinics, Cold Wax Academy's new feature, are ongoing. You can join the membership program anytime and catch up with past recorded sessions at your own pace. Please visit http://www.coldwaxacademy.com for more information

Episode 200: Our Milestone 200th Episode: Behind the Scenes

Rebecca Crowell — Sun, 12 Dec 2021 16:00:00 -0600

We have reached a milestone here at the Messy Studio that we are excited to report. We recently surpassed half a million total downloads of our episodes, which we first published in late December 2017. This week also marks our 200th episode, and we are also coming up on our 4th year anniversary as well. We’re proud of our podcast and grateful to our many listeners, and to celebrate we decided to talk today about the podcast itself—how it got started, how it has grown, and the challenges and rewards of this project.

We began with the simple idea of an art-related podcast that would be a conversation between the two of us and would also branch out into the other areas included in our tagline: "travel, entrepreneurship, philosophy, and life in general." We wanted to put our focus on art but allow for other topics that would come up as we talked, or sometimes to allow those to take the main spotlight. We've covered many topics having to do with art business, content about finding your way as an artist, bringing meaning to your work and general attitudes for healthy living. While we've interviewed fascinating guests in various fields our main intention has always been to express our own thoughts about these topics.

Here are some facts and figures about our listener demographics: On a consistent basis, about a quarter to a third of our 2500 regular listeners tune in from countries other than the US. These come mostly from the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and Ireland but there are almost 40 thousand listeners grouped as an unspecified “other “category. Our most downloaded episode to date has over 8000 downloads. This is Episode #13, Diving into Abstraction. The topic of abstraction has always generated noticeable interest; we have discussed it in many episodes and featured it in about ten. Another very popular topic has been any topic relating to art business. Other very popular episodes have covered elements that help make strong works of art and engage an artist in growing and learning.

The Messy Studio is an exciting collaboration that we love doing together. It gives us the opportunity for in-depth conversation every week with each other and to our listeners. We’ve both learned a lot in the process and have benefitted from talking about many topics in a deep way. Knowing that so many of you are listening, connecting, and hopefully taking some ideas away with you and into your studio and life in general is very rewarding.

www.messystudiopodcast.com/blick

Rebecca and her partner Jerry McLaughlin are excited to be launching year two of Cold Wax Academy's membership program, which began in October of 2020. In the coming year, live online learning sessions will feature an entirely new set of topics---beginning with a deep dive into technique and the steps involved in developing a painting. Other topics for year 2 include professional development, abstraction and realism, principles of design, and expanded uses for cold wax medium.

As always, members have access to recordings of all previous sessions including everything from the first year, so it's easy to join anytime. Fall Quarter begins October 6th. Please visit http://www.coldwaxacademy.com for details about membership levels and to sign up for a year of exciting learning experiences.

Here is what a member named Sandy has to say about her own experience:
"Rebecca and Jerry have presented the most professional, authentic and structured approach to a creative activity I have ever come across. Their selfless sharing of all their knowledge and encouragement is a gift in my life unsurpassed."

Episode 186: Decluttering: Can A Messy Studio be Too Messy?

Rebecca Crowell — Sat, 10 Jul 2021 16:00:00 -0500

Artists are always given the good advice to be productive as they can, to make lots of work, to go to the studio nearly every day. That’s because only by doing a lot of work can you really progress and explore your full potential. Yet the results of all that creative output will inevitably pile up in the studio and in your home, leading to storage problems and other more personal issues. Today we will talk about the challenges of dealing with the accumulation of your own artwork.

Few of us are able to sell or give away everything we do as we go, if we are at all productive or have been making art for any length of time. We all have different amounts of storage and wall space so for some people it is easy to hang onto things if they have room. Yet for all of us the day will come when we want or need to downsize our past work-- if only to make it easier for others to deal with it when we no longer can.

This is an emotional and demanding task. But athough it is often tedious, there are also some pleasurable aspects to reviewing your work over the years and choosing the best pieces to keep. Some of this work may end up in your own collection, and some may be offered for sale or given as donations or gifts. While selling or gifting may sound easy, the reality can be complicated. What is the best way to run a sale of your work? Do you need to take your local gallery into consideration? Can you find a place for a donation where the work will be on public view?

The mediocre work, bad work, or repetietive work that you cull is also challenge to dispose of. Some artists choose a ritual buring, others brace themselves to fill a dumpster. Probably the best strategy is to avoid massive accumulations of work in the first place by purging your stacks periodically.

PS: if you are interested in the older work that Rebecca is offering for sale from her own studio/moving sale, please visit
https://www.artworkarchive.com/profile/rebecca-crowell

www.messystudiopodcast.com/blick

A new quarter is underway at Cold wax Academy, the online learning program developed by Rebecca and her partner Jerry McLaughlin. This summer, the weekly online sessions focus on Mark-making, Setting and Following Intentions, and Composition. All sessions are recorded so that you can learn at your own pace, and there are supplementary assignments and other opportunities to participate. Join Rebecca, Jerry, and current members to take part in this exciting international community of artists. Please visit http://www.coldwaxacademy.com to sign up and start taking advantage of all that Cold wax Academy has to offer its members.

And just in --for a limited time, Jerry and Rebecca are offering a new membership level that provides access to their extensive video workshop only-- the cost is $249 for 6 weeks of streaming access, plenty of time to watch and rewatch all the in-depth content provided in this unique video.

Episode 182: Dealing with Disrespect

Rebecca Crowell — Sun, 13 Jun 2021 13:00:00 -0500

Anyone who cares about the work they perform wants to have that work appreciated and respected. And while certain professions and high-level positions can elicit that respect almost automatically, people in many other fields have to build that regard from others over time. They need to constantly reinforce respect for what they do-- and most importantly, feel it within themselves in order to create it. Those in creative fields may have special challenges in building respect in a society that tends to look at what they do as unimportant, a hobby or sideline, or something they do simply to please themselves. Or their work may be regarded for its commercial or decorative value only. Today we’ll take a look at the ways artists and other creative people struggle to establish respect in the circles in which they move.

Unfortunately, stereotypes about artists are often not favorable. We may be thought of as self-indulgent, irresponsible, arrogant, and perhaps not fully contributing members of society. So, situations in which artists are disrespected, not taken seriously, or valued for their contributions are common. Self-respect is key to identifying and –ideally--reacting constructively to such situations.

Dealing with situations that involve disrespect can be difficult, especially for personality types that prefer to avoid conflict and let things slide. Lack of experience can also enter in, as disrespectful situations can develop because you are not sure what is expected or acceptable. For example, the first time you are in a gallery show or the first time you are asked to teach a workshop you may be asked to do things that are out of line with standard practice. But because for you it is unknown territory, you may accept them as the way things are done.

Most of us, no matter our level of experience or ability to handle conflict, have boundaries that tell us when to object or walk away. It’s important to become aware of when those boundaries are challenged and rely on our inner sense of self-respect to respond. Be alert for manipulation and unreasonable expectations from others that concern your art practice, and practice stating your needs and limits. You can certainly decide to live with some situations that are less than perfect, but that choice should include clear benefits for yourself that you judge to balance the equation.

It’s a difficult reality that we all run into disrespectful situations, and our personalities have everything to do with how we handle them. For many of us, letting things slide works for a while. But a situation that creates an ongoing sense of disrespect needs to be addressed. OPur work and self-respect are top priorities.

Thanks to everyone who has been sharing the show and donating, and special thanks to Mary J Kelly for her donation! If you would like to donate to the Messy Studio Podcast donate here.

When you buy art supplies at Blick remember to use our affiliate link to support the podcast! Bookmark this link and then you don't even have to think about it again. This is one of the best ways to support the show. It takes a few seconds and costs you nothing! The Blick website works exactly the same way, but we earn 10% every time you buy art supplies.

www.messystudiopodcast.com/blick

Rebecca and her partner at Cold Wax Academy, Jerry McLaughlin are wrapping up an exciting Spring Quarter and have announced their lineup of topics for Summer quarter which begins July 7. Their weekly live, interactive sessions will focus on Mark-making, Composition, and on Setting and Following Intentions to create strong, cohesive work.

But you don't have to wait for the new quarter to join the Academy--All sessions are recorded and fully accessible in the Member Library, and you can watch and rewatch at your own pace. In addition, joining at any time gives you access to all the perks of membership and the benefits of being part of a growing, knowledgable community of other artists.

Episode 181: Respecting Your Artist Self

Rebecca Crowell — Sat, 05 Jun 2021 12:00:00 -0500

Self-respect is one of the central ingredients for a healthy mindset yet can be one of the hardest to achieve. As artists, we may lose our grip on it when encountering the larger art world. Or lack of self-respect may interfere with our art practice itself, keeping us from dedicating time and resources to our work, or behaving in ways that undermine our success. Is your self-respect as an artist firmly in place or does it waver or fade in some situations? Today we’ll talk about ways to build and maintain your self-respect inside and outside the studio.

In a recent podcast we talked about the passion that underlies so much of what we do as artists and as entrepreneurs, and how that keeps us going even when we have times when the rest of the world does not seem to care about what we do. Part of passion is the respect we feel intrinsically for what we do; in some basic way we know how important it is and honor that. We need strong self-respect in order to put ourselves out there, keep us engaged, help us overcome obstacles, and also to recognize situations in which we are not being respected.

Many people struggle to respect their own creative passion as the result of life circumstances, such as not being supported in their interest as a young person, or the need to have a good income early in life. If you don't have a good base of self-respect as an artist, or lifelong engagement with your creative side, how can you build up this key ingredient in growing your work and art career?

This means placing priority on your studio time, buying yourself quality supplies and equipment, finding a supportive art community, and engaging with high level instruction or mentorship. It also helps to acknowledge realistically where you are as an artist. In may seem counter-intuitive but being humble as a beginner enhances self-respect, and in fact it may be crucial for getting through the initial learning phases and avoiding feeling like an imposter. In the same vein, learning to limit your interactions about your work with people who don't take you seriously is important, as is avoiding comparison with others who are further along with their work.

No matter when or under what circumstances you have started your creative practice, respecting its place in your life is crucial to growing into yourself as an artist. We are the gatekeepers who protect that practice and honor its importance, and if we don't do that, we can't expect anyone else to do so.

Episode 178: Sparking Creative Passion

Rebecca Crowell — Sat, 15 May 2021 12:00:00 -0500

Passion is a vital ingredient to staying motivated and focused on our creative work. It helps us find our own direction and voice and keeps us going even under hard personal circumstances or times when the outside world is failing to provide validation. Passion is a source of creative energy that sustains and revitalizes us. But is creative passion something we just have as an innate part of our personality? Or can it be nurtured and developed if we lack it? Today we talk about creative passion, and how to nurture and honor its role in our lives as artists.

How do you know if you have passion? It is something you feel deeply, because it is rooted in emotional intensity. It is a source of creative energy that provides consistent motivation, and a way into a flow state in your work. Passion also provides you with self-respect and confidence for ourselves as artists, and when we respect the role of art in our lives, we tend to demand that from others around us. Working from this kind of passion provides a loop of positive feedback for your work, which sustains you during times of struggle.

However, many artists may worry about a lack of passion for their work. But like many things, passion is something that can be nurtured and developed rather than something you either have or you don’t. It starts with commitment, practice, and building confidence. It also involves recognizing any inner issues that are holding back your full engagement with your art practice. Your medium and approach needs to be a good fit, and you need to be as free as you can from other people's expectations and pressures to perform. Negative self-talk can also block passion that is actually there for you under the surface. Another consideration is to seek out support and encouragement for your passion and avoid people who may want to tamp down your enthusiasm.

Passion can seem like something that you simply have, or you don’t, but even people that have it probably did not start out that way. Passion for your work can grow just like any other aspect of your character when given the right conditions and attention. If you do feel passion, never dismiss it, honor its role in your life and expect the same from the people around you.

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Thanks to everyone who has been sharing the show and donating! If you would like to donate to the Messy Studio Podcast donate here.

Thank you also to everyone who has written testimonials for Ross's website! Have you enjoyed the audio production quality and hearing Ross's voice? Submit a testimonial by email at rticknor.core@gmail.com or by submitting the contact form at www.messystudiopodcast.com!

When you buy art supplies at Blick remember to use our affiliate link to support the podcast! Bookmark this link and then you don't even have to think about it again. This is one of the best ways to support the show. It takes a few seconds and costs you nothing! The Blick website works exactly the same way, but we earn 10% every time you buy art supplies.

www.messystudiopodcast.com/blick

What's new at Cold Wax Academy? Rebecca and Jerry are busy preparing new presentations for their Spring Quarter weekly live, interactive sessions. The topics for Spring are Shape, Scale and Proportion, and Self-Coaching to improve your work habits and productivity.

As always, there will be plenty of opportunities to interact with Rebecca, Jerry, and other members, along with critique sessions, feedback about your paintings, and of course a deep dive into the three selected topics of the quarter. Cold Wax Academy has been receiving lots of rave reviews from its members; they know it is the best online learning for cold wax painting available and the only membership program dedicated to this medium. Find out more at www.coldwaxacademy.com

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.coldwaxacademy.com

The Messy Studio Podcast is a CORE Publication MGMT production.

Episode 173: Keeping Records: The Stress and Mess

Rebecca Crowell — Sat, 10 Apr 2021 11:00:00 -0500

There probably are a lot of artists who are able to keep accurate, up to date records of their inventory, sales, expenses, materials, and contacts. They have systems that are efficient and neat, and any information they need about their art careers can be easily retrieved from a file. Then there are those who fail miserably at organization, and whose records--if they exist--are in total confusion. A question about the location of a certain painting, or the need to put together images of work for a presentation is cause for panic. Are you somewhere in between these extremes, or do you identify with one or the other? Today we take an honest look at the challenges of recordkeeping for artists.

Rebecca and Ross fully admit that their own record-keeping needs improvement and offer a few tips along with recognizing their downfalls. The first step is noting what is not working. Where the cracks appear is where data can, and probably will, fall through. This can include failing to note the details of sales or when a work of art is moved between galleries, not taking or filing photos for each piece of art, and allowing confusion in terms of titles or the fact that certain works have been purposefully destroyed or worked over.

Messy records create more and more issues as time goes on. Once an area of record-keeping has been neglected, it becomes harder to know where to start with bringing everything up to date, and the project of going back into old records to organize them correctly can seem enormous.

To approach your own record-keeping, recognize what does work for you and be open to new systems that may be easier to maintain that what you've been using. You can certainly have a satisfying and productive art career with a few holes in it, but if you can avoid this stress, it’s a good idea. We hope this episode will inspire those of you who have the need to organize—and those of you who are on top of it all to feel very good about that!

www.messystudiopodcast.com/blick

It's time for an update on the latest news from Cold Wax Academy! Rebecca and her partner Jerry Mclaughlin are now well into their second quarter of weekly Live sessions for their members, in which they explore 3 main topics in deep, interrelated, and engaging ways. This quarter, those topics are Texture, Layering, and Writing and Talking about your Work. Weekly sessions include discussion, slide presentations, videos, critiques, special guests, and the opportunty to ask questions during the session. Cold Wax Academy Members have access to all past sessions, which are recorded each week--so if you're hesitating to join mid-quarter, no worries about missing out. There is plenty for you to explore, and you can watch previous sessions on your own schedule. Jerry and Rebecca offer for a trial month at the Core level for only $29.99. Visit www.coldwaxacademy.com and
and click on the Memberships button.

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.coldwaxacademy.com

The Messy Studio Podcast is a CORE Publication MGMT production.

Episode 170: Finding Downtime

Rebecca Crowell — Sat, 20 Mar 2021 16:00:00 -0500

As much as we may appreciate living an entrepreneurial lifestyle, juggling its many demands can be exhausting and challenging. Artists who are also involved in the business of art can easily feel scattered and stressed by all the tasks needed to stay productive and on track. But one of the most challenging demands may be stepping away from all of that on a regular basis. Today we will toss around some ideas for the type-A personalities among us who find it hard to relax.

As self-employed people, we can easily feel that we need to work all the time. Having high goals and aspirations, the drive for income, and knowing our responsibilities to other people all can lead us to ignore the need for down time. And of course, we also love what we do so that turning to our work rather than to something more relaxing is natural.

But the feelings of pressure can overwhelm us. A helpful approach is to distinguish between demands that come at you from the outside, and which demands we place on ourselves. Recognizing the difference can help you sort out how to deal with finding a better balance to work and down time. Pressures that come from outside us in the form of requests and commitments from others need to be carefully considered along with a realistic evaluation of your time. Pressure that we place on ourselves from within can challenge us to think about perfectionism, fear of failure, land ack of confidence.

Given the many aspects of managing an art career, how can you find ways to open up your time to include more leisure? Consider what can you delegate, what can you let go of instead of demanding perfection? Can you be more realistic about managing your time? What about taking days off just as you would at paid employment? Or scheduling a day a week just for your art, so that you get your studio time in and can perhaps then relax about fitting it in every day?

Taking down time may not come naturally to you at all. Some of us have to sternly demand of ourselves that we to take time off. We’re so good at all the other demands but the one that asks us to just “be” seems almost impossible. We may resist it and call it a waste of time. But it’s actually very important to live a balanced life, enjoy some down time, and trust that we will retain our ambition and sense of purpose even as we step away sometimes from the demands of our lives.

Episode 166: Reinventing Yourself

Rebecca Crowell — Sat, 20 Feb 2021 12:00:00 -0600

Many of go through times in our lives when we make radical changes—either by choice or because of something imposed on us by circumstance. But even if the big change is something, we want to make mixed feelings are inevitable and stressful as we let go of the old and step into the new. Big changes challenge the very idea of who we are and how we operate in the world. How can an art practice help us through a time when we either need --or want--to reinvent ourselves?

Sometimes our art changes as a result of our process, ideas, or other aspects of growth. But changes that comes at us from the rest of life affect our studio practice, sometimes in ways we don’t welcome. And any change, even a positive one, like retirement or moving to a place you’ve always wanted to live, creates stress that can alter our work. How can we approach life changes in a creative way?

Sometimes what is happening in our lives means that we need to take a break from the studio for more than just a few days. As long as you do something to hold onto the art-making part of yourself you can weather those times. That might be journaling, meditation, talking to a sympathetic listener. Or maybe you can keep your work going in spite of the limitations—using more portable or less messy materials so you can work anywhere in short amounts of time.

If you can continue to work at some level during your changing situation, you may find this to be therapeutic in helping you process what you’re going through. Drawing, simple collage, and other direct and quick ways of working can help you through a big transition with your art self intact. The practice of making art is itself a stress reliever, a time away from other concerns.

“Nothing is constant but change” is a saying that proves itself over and over. When big changes happen in our lives, can we sustain our art practice? We probably don’t need the additional stress of NOT making art when it is something so important to our sense of who we are.

Right now Gamblin products are 40% off, so this is a great time to buy Cold Wax or Gamblin oil paints!
www.messystudiopodcast.com/blick

It's time for an update on the latest news from Cold Wax Academy! Rebecca and her partner Jerry Mclaughlin are now well into their second quarter of weekly Live sessions for their members, in which they explore 3 main topics in deep, interrelated, and engaging ways. This quarter, those topics are Texture, Layering, and Writing and Talking about your Work. Weekly sessions include discussion, slide presentations, videos, critiques, special guests, and the opportunty to ask questions during the session. Cold Wax Academy Members have access to all past sessions, which are recorded each week--so if you're hesitating to join mid-quarter, no worries about missing out. There is plenty for you to explore, and you can watch previous sessions on your own schedule. Jerry and Rebecca offer for a trial month at the Core level for only $29.99. Visit www.coldwaxacademy.com and
and click on the Memberships button.

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.coldwaxacademy.com

The Messy Studio Podcast is a CORE Publication MGMT production.

Episode 165: Creating A Daily Series

Rebecca Crowell — Sat, 13 Feb 2021 17:00:00 -0600

Working in series is usually an involved process in terms of both time and focus. Artists are often known for series that explore ideas in a sustained, deep way. But the intriguing aspects working in series can also happen in a quicker, more spontaneous way, with a new piece each day. Today we’ll look at working in series with a sketchbook, or using other small or quick formats, and explore how this can be an important part of an artist’s practice.

Series of any kind generate and develop new ideas, grow technical ability, and help to organize your thinking and direction. Working on a series in a fairly quick, direct daily practice opens the door to new ideas and abilities even wider. Your process with such a series may be either spontaneous and open-ended, or more conceptual and defined. In either case, completing the individual pieces in a short time can yield surprising and satisfying results.

In this episode we present background on two such series, Rebecca’s Pandemic Sketchbook and James Edward Scherbarth’s Currach and Stone Series. Though they approach their work with very different intentions, these are both very personal and meaningful series to the artists. The work also is created within boundaries that help define it as a series—limitations on focus, format, materials used, and a timeline set by the artist.

By delving into the details of these two series we hope to inspire listeners to try their own practice of recording thoughts, ideas, and moods on a daily or regular basis as a series, and to consider what this might bring to their work overall.

James Edward Scherbarth website: www.jamesedwardscherbarth.com
Eric Maisel's book: The Power of Daily Practice

Episode 159: Lessons From 2020

Rebecca Crowell — Sun, 03 Jan 2021 17:00:00 -0600

At the end of 2020, we’re overloaded with reflections in the media about how society has navigated this strange and difficult pandemic year. On a personal level, we all have stories of struggles, loss, insights, and changes. Today we are especially interested in what this time has meant for us as artists. Last week, Rebecca posed the question to our listeners “How did 2020 impact your work?” and today on our first podcast of 2021, we’ll share some of the responses we received as well as our own thoughts.

The responses we received aligned with the same pattern we saw earlier in the year, when we noticed three main responses as the pandemic unfolded. The first group have experienced much difficulty with finding focus and motivation for their work. One described the situation this year as “paralyzing.” While some experienced this mainly at the beginning of the pandemic, for others it has persisted. It’s likely that very few artists have avoided these times completely, with the constant influx of bad news.

A smaller group of artists who responded have kept on in much the same ways and with similar work as before COVID arrived. In our earlier podcast, we speculated that continuing with what is familiar is helpful in making the studio a refuge from all the other changes, a steady and productive place removed from the outer chaos.

The largest number of people who responded to our question, though, experienced positive changes in their work and attitudes. They appreciated the extra studio time due to lockdowns, and looked for inventive ways to use materials on hand and to connect with other artists. Some found new directions in their work—a focus on drawing, launching into plein aire painting, discovering photography as a creative outlet. Several found meaningful connections to their immediate environment when travel was cut off. And several expressed insight into the meaning of their work for them and their gratitude for being able to pursue it.

Many of us are feeling hope that the anxiety, lockdowns, isolation and other difficult aspects of the 2020 pandemic situation will be easing up in the coming months. How will we look back at this time and what has it brought to our work that was not there before? Thankfully, for many artists there have been gains along with all the hardships and losses.

If you are interested in buying a 3D Printer this is the best deal Ross could find on an Ender 3. This is not a paid endorsement, just a personal recommendation!
https://www.talkable.com/x/UqZPCK

When you buy art supplies at Blick remember to use our affiliate link to support the podcast!
www.messystudiopodcast.com/blick

Thanks to everyone who has been sharing the show and to Albi Ulat for donating via PayPal. If you would like your own shoutout on the podcast donate here.

Cold Wax Academy (formerly Squeegee Press) would like everyone who enjoys using their special cold wax tools to know that all sizes of SP Create squeegees are back in stock! Rebecca and her partner Jerry McLaughlin are also launching their online live learning sessions as part of the new membership program, and all sessions will be recorded for future viewing by members. For more information, and to become a member of Cold Wax Academy please visit their website at http://www.coldwaxacademy.com and click on the Membership button.

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.coldwaxacademy.com

The Messy Studio Podcast is a CORE Publication MGMT production.

Episode 157: Well Being

Rebecca Crowell — Sat, 19 Dec 2020 15:00:00 -0600

Every so often, we like to address the ways that creativity and well-being intersect, and it seems appropriate to do so now as we come to the end of a very difficult and stressful year. In a recent seminar on Buddhist philosophy, neuroscientist Richard Davidson spoke about four pillars of well-being—awareness, connection, insight, and purpose—all of which are practiced every day in the studios of artists as part of the creative process. Today we’ll take a closer look at these ideas and consider how an art practice enhances a positive state of mind during stressful times.

Richard Davidson regards well-being as a skill that can be learned, and he has shown in various studies that bringing certain mental approaches into people's lives creates positive changes in their brains, due to the quality of neuroplasticity. The first of these, awareness, is an imoportant one to us as artists. It's rucial to our creative practice in order to be in tune with our work and it can even be practiced while doing mundane studio chores. Developing the ability to be in the moment, to move past feelings of impatience or frustration, and to engage fully in your process is a wonderful way to develop this aspect of well-being.

Connection, the second of Davidson's pillars, emphasizes our need for interactions with other artists and also the function of our work as communication. Insight, the third pillar, comes into play in the many ways we contemplate our work, track our ideas, and find pathways between our thoughts and feelings and what we create. And finally, the fourth pillar--a sense of purpose--is innate to many artists who go to their studios as often as they can, and continually seek to develop their art. Unfortunately, this sense of purpose can dissipate in times of stress. As with the other pillars, it's helpful to constantly cultivate focus and growth, but also to be patient and kind with ourselves when we temporarily lose our way.

Even though we have many opportunities as artists to enhance our own pillars of well-being, we are certainly not immune to negative states of mind such as anxiety, depression, and self-doubt. But we do have a set of tools in our creative practice for improving our states of mind –some of which may take some time, others we already understand and practice every day in the studio. And according to Davidson, doing so can lead to actual changes in our brain structure that help to create a positive outlook.

Website mentioned in today's episode: www.richarddavidson.com

We are approaching the end of the year, which means whoever prepares your taxes is about to tell you to spend money on tax deductable items for your art business... When you buy art supplies at Blick remember to use our affiliate link to support the podcast!
www.messystudiopodcast.com/blick

Thanks to everyone who has been sharing the show and to Albi Ulat for donating via PayPal. If you would like your own shoutout on the podcast donate here.

Cold Wax Academy (formerly Squeegee Press) would like everyone who enjoys using their special cold wax tools to know that all sizes of SP Create squeegees are back in stock! Rebecca and her partner Jerry McLaughlin are also launching their online live learning sessions as part of the new membership program, and all sessions will be recorded for future viewing by members. For more information, and to become a member of Cold Wax Academy please visit their website at http://www.coldwaxacademy.com and click on the Membership button.

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.coldwaxacademy.com

The Messy Studio Podcast is a CORE Publication MGMT production.

Episode 151: Breaking The Rules

Rebecca Crowell — Fri, 13 Nov 2020 22:30:00 -0600

The limitations and parameters we place for ourselves in the studio can have both positive and negative effects on our work. Like so many aspects of art practice, the challenge is to find a personal balance that suits us—in this case somewhere between being too rigid and too scattered. What rules do we set for ourselves and how well do they serve us? Are there rules that we accept from other people that don’t suit us, personally? Can our own helpful boundaries shift over time?

We use many words to describe these boundaries, including focus, intentions, parameters, focus, and rules. When we speak about giving ourselves "permission" to go beyond these boundaries it is a recognition that sometimes they can be too limiting. But if we don't sometimes break through what we regard as our own rules, we may not take important creative risks that would be beneficial. At the same time, a narrow focus leads to mastery and depth. So, in the end, the balance between risk taking and staying with a particular focus is an individual balance, and one that changes with our current situations.

It's useful to take a close look at what rules we set for ourselves, where they originated, and how much value they have for you. Some are ideas passed along to us by parents or teachers and represent a one-size-fits-all, narrow point of view, while others from your mentors may be wise and worth following, A lot of rules from others are so integrated into our thought processes that we never even think to question them. Good rules will not feel like heavy restrictions, but instead offer ways forward.

Our personalities also create limitations, and we may rely on them to stay in a narrow comfort zone. For example, we may believe that we need to keep our work to ourselves or that we should not stretch in terms of exhibiting or approaching galleries. Some artists inhabit the other end of the self-esteem spectrum and believe that they need to charge high prices or do not ever need input from others on their work. There are also perfectionistic tendencies many artists struggle with that tell them they are not allowed to fail, to experiment, or spend time at things other than their art.

Which rules that you follow might better be regarded as guidelines or general advice rather than rigid facts? Which ones are helpful and practical?

Support The Messy Studio when you buy art supplies from Blick.com by using our affiliate link. Right now PanPastels are 20-40% off!!
www.messystudiopodcast.com/blick

Thanks to everyone who has been sharing the show and those who have donated anonymously via PayPal. If you would like your own shoutout on the podcast donate here.

Cold Wax Academy (formerly Squeegee Press) would like everyone who enjoys using their special cold wax tools to know that all sizes of SP Create squeegees are back in stock! Rebecca and her partner Jerry McLaughlin are also launching their online live learning sessions as part of the new membership program, and all sessions will be recorded for future viewing by members. For more information, and to become a member of Cold Wax Academy please visit their website at http://www.coldwaxacademy.com and click on the Membership button.

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.coldwaxacademy.com

The Messy Studio Podcast is a CORE Publication MGMT production.

Episode 147: Confidence

Rebecca Crowell — Sun, 18 Oct 2020 14:00:00 -0500

Confidence often seems to go along with success in the art world—when talking about the business side of things, qualities like self-assurance, decisiveness, and the ability to speak well about your work are important. In the studio, confidence may take a more private form—the ability to try new things, or to carry through with major projects. While there’s no doubt that confidence is a good thing, many artists feel they fall short of having it. Today we’re going to talk about confidence in a somewhat philosophical way that may help see it more broadly.

In this episode we reference a book by a Tibetan Buddhist monk, In Love with the World, by Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche about a spiritual journey in which he cast off his status and the trappings his esteemed position and wandered in India for several years without any resources, no money or possessions. He wrote, "To be confident you have to accept impermanent conditions." This is the opposite of the way most of us think about confidence, as a quality that results from knowing what to expect. But really, we do not ever truly know what lies ahead; we are always dealing with the unknown. Past successful experience can give us a sense of confidence but things can always turn out differently.

Many of us have developed aspects of ourselves that show true confidence but may we may not recognize them as such. All of us have met and dealt with adversity in our lives, and the ability to adapt and cope with whatever comes along is important to confidence. Confidence also encompasses a sense of trust when things are rough; going ahead even when you feel anxious. It means being prepared for what you can control but understanding that our personal control is limited. And finally, it means understanding how to support --and accept support-- from others. Confidence is a composite of many qualities that we practice all the time in daily life, rather than something that we either have, or we don't.

As artists, confidence comes through in our willingness to try new things, to be flexible, to remain true to our own vision, trusting in our art process, and to find balance with our goals and expectations.

Book mentioned in today's episode: In Love with the World, by Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche.

Thanks to everyone who has been sharing the show and those who have donated anonymously via PayPal. If you would like your own shoutout on the podcast donate here.

Thanks also to everyone who sent kind messages to Ross and Kara on their wedding day last week. The wedding registry is still active on Amazon if you would like to send a gift!

Cold Wax Academy (formerly Squeegee Press) would like everyone who enjoys using their special cold wax tools to know that all sizes of SP Create squeegees are back in stock! Rebecca and her partner Jerry McLaughlin are also launching their online live learning sessions as part of the new membership program, and all sessions will be recorded for future viewing by members. For more information, and to become a member of Cold Wax Academy please visit their website at http://www.coldwaxacademy.com and click on the Membership button.

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.coldwaxacademy.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 141: How Others See You

Rebecca Crowell — Sat, 05 Sep 2020 15:00:00 -0500

We create our art and conduct our art careers mostly from within the bubble of our own point of view. But our reputations are important to our success and they are defined by the way other people see us. From within our own perspectives, we can lose sight of how we come across to our colleagues, collectors, students, galleries, and others who define us in the outside world. Today will be talking about shaping your reputation as an artist, and why it is important.

Reputation can be a fraught topic, especially for the introverts among us who prefer not to be in the spotlight. Wondering what people think of us can trigger insecurities that go back to adolescence and young adulthood when personal reputation could seem like everything. Many of us experienced constant judging by peers and parents in those times, leaving lasting negative imprints and confusing us about what we really wanted in life. Even the desire to pursue art as a major part of our lives may have been discouraged because of fears that it could lead to a questionable image among our peers and relatives.

As adult artists, reputation includes not just personal aspects, but also how others see us as colleagues and professionals. At its core, our reputation is a reflection of our authentic self, because most people cannot fake an image even if they try. But even if aspects of your personality are quirky or challenging, it's possible to navigate an art career. In fact, a unique personality can be an asset in creating an impression. On the other hand, people who are easy to deal with may find more opportunities for networking, gallery representation, and other steps up in the art world.

The reputation of the quality of your art itself though is perhaps most important aspect of what people think of us. Qualities of strength, growth, consistency, and authenticity in your work will set you apart and establish the reputation of your work. We all start somewhere, but it can be harmful to promote your work heavily when you are a beginner and creating a weak first impression. Projecting confidence is important, and it takes time to develop your work to the point that you feel this in a genuine way.

Though we often feel that reputation is fragile, we also have the power to change and shape the way people think of us over time.

We would like our listeners to know about a big change coming to Squeegee Press, known for its award-winning book, videos, workshops, and tools - all created for artists working with cold wax medium. Rebecca and her partner Jerry McLaughlin have announced that later this month Squeegee Press will become Cold Wax Academy-- and will soon include some exciting new membership features.

As part of this change, their video, Cold Wax Medium: a Video Workshop will become available as streaming content for members only.
This comprehensive video, nearly 7 hours long, covers everything Rebecca and Jerry teach in a 5-day workshop and more. If you prefer to own the video, it's on sale at $250 off from now until the end of September when access will shift to streaming only. To purchase, and for more information, please visit www.squeegeepress.com and don't forget to join the mailing list for updates on all the new offerings from Cold Wax Academy.

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 131: The Power of Intention

Rebecca Crowell — Sat, 27 Jun 2020 12:00:00 -0500

A key aspect of establishing your personal voice is figuring out what is most important to you in your work. What do you want to communicate to other people? What responses do you hope to evoke? The process of defining these intentions can be challenging, involving some basic but important questions, and may take some time to process and refine. But clear intentions are a powerful tool. Today we will look at the process of clarifying your intentions and the advantages for doing so.

Intentions both describe and create our experiences. They express who you are, your core selfas well as the desire to continue with your ongoing concerns. Writing intentions down can be a powerful exercise, helping you to establish and integrate what you most want into your practice. The act of writing can set these concepts in motion even below conscious awareness.

How can you arrive at a list of intentions? This requires some introspection, including deeply observing your own work, that of others you admire, and asking yourself how you would like viewers of your work to respond. The process may take a while; some ideas may come to you imediately, in an obvious way, while others require contemplation. Intentions should be broad and not feel limiting--opening up ideas and new directions over time. It's also fine to have some that are closer to goals than actualities, because intentions are for the long haul. Shorter term goals and intentions can also be developed as an aside for specific projects, but the core list should be something that provides guidance, and allows for flexibility and new ideas over time.

Intentions provide many benefits in a practical sense. As a framework for statements about your work, they enable you to write and speak clearly. They also help with self-critique and to stay on track in pursuing ideas. They can refresh your sense of what you want when you are blocked creatively, and aid in your self-esteem and identity as an artist by giving you a sense of control over your art practice.

We hope this episode will help you create your own list of intentions or--if you already have one--reaffirm its importance in your art practice.

This episode is sponsored by Multimedia Artboard. Use promo code "MESSY" at checkout for 30% off!
https://multimediaartboard.com/

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

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

The Messy Studio Podcast is a CORE Publication MGMT production.

Episode 117: COVID-19 Outbreak: Coping With Isolation

Rebecca Crowell — Sat, 21 Mar 2020 15:00:00 -0500

When the news media first mentioned the coronavirus spreading through China, few of us in the rest of the world realized the huge impact it would have. A few months later we face quarantines and severe economic consequences and many of us are facing isolation, boredom, and anxiety, as well as financial stress. In this episode we address how the current measures implemented to contain COVID-19 have affected our lives as artists, as well as ideas for coping in this time of uncertainty and change.

Currently Rebecca is in quarantine in New Mexico, fortunately without symptoms. She did have to cut her time in Ireland short and return to the United States before the suspension of international travel. This meant canceling a workshop, an important source of income, and spending the next two weeks confined to her home. Like many other artists, she has also canceled other upcoming workshops and travel.

The pandemic now affects every aspect of our lives as artists, from the postponed or canceled events and galleries on the economic brink, to the need to shelter in place, possibly apart from our studios, and the loss of personal contact with other artists. It can be hard to focus on our work when we are feeling anxious and distracted by the constant flow of bad news, and worries about ourselves and our loved ones.

There is much about the current situation that is unknown and beyond our control. But concentrating on what we can control, including our attitudes is the key to staying mentally healthy. Even though many things now seem hopeless and frightening, there are also positive aspects to the situation on which to focus. Acting in generous ways, thinking of how to help others, and realizing we're all in this together can all help with remaining on track. For many of us, a spiritual component is critical to maintaining the right attitude to survive and thrive in the midst of a catastrophe. Technology is a help in many aspects of what we're now dealing with, and spirituality is no exception. Whatever your spiritual philosophy, there is an app that will send you daily devotionals, meditations, or affirmations. Spend some time every morning reading these rather than the latest COVID-19 news. This will set the tone for the rest of the day. The news is important, but it can wait a few minutes.

As artists we are very fortunate to have the commitment to our work to help us in this time of isolation. Some of us are lucky enough to have ongoing access to our studios, but if not it may help to remember times when you created in less than ideal circumstances, as most of us did starting out. We can value the chance to catch up on projects, do some online learning, or delve into some idea that has been on the back burner. For many of us, our time in the studio is now our own, without the need to prepare for upcoming exhibits or meet other outside demands., and there is a certain freedom to that. We may also be able to catch up on projects that have fallen by the wayside. because we don’t find them very fulfilling, like bookkeeping or cleaning; clearing out a backlog of such chores is a good feeling.

Besides more time in the studio, many of us also have more time with our families. Try to establish a routine to help you make the most of this time, including as much time as possible to your art. Adjusting to working in your studio while caring for school aged children who are now at home will be difficult, but there are many educational resources online to help. Your kids may also enjoy making some art with you, and learning about what you do.

Financial difficulty will hit many of us and create a great deal of anxiety. One suggestion is to develop a new income stream related to your art practice now, such as an online course, a mentoring program, or instructional video series. An art course aimed at children might be especially appropriate at this time. Think about what your specialized niche might be and have confidence that most artists have an insatiable thirst for learning and improving. While it will take weeks or longer to develop something worth charging for, starting now is a smart move. Even the isolation imposed by COVID-19 ends soon, we'll be feeling the economic strain for some time.

We are all currently faced with enormous changes and challenges, and it's all happening fast. Some people will sit at home, hypnotized by the television, waiting for this all to be over. But others will use this time to improve their work, improvise with what they do have, and address neglected aspects of their lives.

To quote the late Toni Morrison:
"This is precisely the time when artists go to work. There is no time for despair, no place for self pity, no need for silence, and no room for fear. We do language. (or in this case, art…) That is how civilizations heal."

Here are some great learning resources for you...

Access to your library online:
https://www.overdrive.com/

MIT's open courseware platform:
https://ocw.mit.edu/index.htm

Skillshare has a banner ad at the top of the screen for two months of premium for free:
www.skillshare.com

Here is a list of free resources put together by Forbes:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/martingiles/2020/03/19/free-software-for-businesses-and-schools-covid19/#467e08ee752d

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

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

The Messy Studio Podcast is a CORE Publication MGMT production.