The beginning of the year is a time when many of us set big goals, but is this the best approach? Or are we setting ourselves up for failure? Whether you're creating art, launching a podcast, or making a film, not everything is going to hit the mark. Mediocre days are part of the journey. So with that in mind, could the answer lie in 'aiming to be average'? Join us as we chat about this idea and share the different ways that we are adopting this mindset.


Mentioned:
Beau Miles YouTube Video
Ali Abdaal YouTube Video (wheel of life exercise)
Talking with Painters Podcast on Risk


Visit my ⁠resources page⁠ for more details on my classes, YouTube videos, free guides, and more!
Find me on Instagram: ⁠@laurahornart

150. Aim to Be Average! The Hidden Benefits of Mediocre Days

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.

Arts

Literature

Performing Arts

Design

Food

Fashion & Beauty

Visual Arts

There are many ways to improve a creative space and make it feel like home. This week, Richie and I reflect back on the past year in our beloved art cottage and share the favorite updates and tweaks we've made to the space. We talk about everything from furniture, lighting, and decorating to our most recent trip to IKEA. Plus, there's plenty of laughs along the way. I'll admit I do need to stop sticking my nose into Richie's decorating! It's a fun one, but also a special conversation that goes beyond having an Instagram-worthy studio space, and instead focuses on finding space wherever you can that allows you to express your uniqueness. We hope you enjoy the conversation!



Mentioned:
Art Table Video
Studio Tour Video Playlist
Mabef Easel
Home Decoration Idea FB Page
Ikea FLÖNSA Cork Board
Ikea SKÅDIS Peg Board
Ikea FÖRHÖJA Kitchen Trolley
Ikea HOVSTA Frames
Ikea Torared Lamp Shade




Visit my ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠resources page⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for more details on my classes, YouTube videos, free guides, and more!
Find me on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@laurahornart⁠⁠

164. Studio Upgrades We've Made - Celebrating One Year in the Art Cottage!

Feeling the pressure to figure out and define your art? This conversation might get you thinking differently. What if you allowed yourself to play a little longer, to explore without constraints, and to gather inspiration from far and wide? That's exactly what I've been doing. 


Inspired by Rick Rubin's book "The Creative Act," I've discovered a fresh enthusiasm, confidence, and sense of wonder in my creative practice.


It's made me realize that if we're always in a rush to reach the finish line, there's a good chance we'll miss something even more interesting and beautiful along the way. With this in mind, I've been retreating into my sketchbooks and exploring many tangents. This week, I chatted all about it with Richie. I hope the conversation leaves you as excited and inspired as it left me!


Mentioned:
The Creative Act by Rick Rubin


Visit my ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠resources page⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for more details on my classes, YouTube videos, free guides, and more!
Find me on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@laurahornart⁠



163. Embracing Artistic Exploration Without Needing To Know “The Why”

How long should you persist with a creative pursuit, art style, or medium if you are not enjoying it? This episode could also have been titled: I really want to love acrylics, but I am not sure if I do? 
It's a personal conversation about the confusion I sometimes experience when choosing materials and processes as a mixed-media artist, but of course, it goes beyond this! If you've ever found yourself questioning whether you're on the right path creatively, or if you simply seek some encouragement in navigating your own creative decisions, this episode offers a soothing balm for your soul. I hope you enjoy the discussion!




Mentioned:
⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Episode 137: Angela Terris - It's Never Too Late To Piviot and Change Your Path
Alex Ferguson (football manager) "bouncebackability"
Marie Forleo (entrepreneur) "everything is figureoutable"


Visit my ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠resources page⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for more details on my classes, YouTube videos, free guides, and more!
Find me on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@laurahornart⁠

162. Persist, Pivot, or Pack It In?

This week, Richie and I chat about why it can be helpful to revisit previous art styles or processes in your art practice or business. This idea emerged as I've rediscovered and fallen back in love with the playful style of art from my very first online class, The Melting Pot.
We also discuss the challenges we've faced in defining a style and approach for our YouTube channel and why we're returning to simple, short videos like we used to share when we first got started. 
We hope you enjoy the episode! Remember, the creative path is anything but linear—it's okay to shed things that aren't serving you well and return to something that you loved or something that was working well and maybe didn't need to be changed in the first place!


Visit my ⁠resources page⁠ for more details on my classes, YouTube videos, free guides, and more!
Find me on Instagram ⁠@laurahornart

161. Taking a Step Back To Inspire My Art and YouTube Channel

Breaks are wonderful and necessary, but they can also make it hard to get back into your artistic groove. This week, Richie and I discuss this challenge and offer practical guidance and encouragement to help you turn your creative drought into a fresh, exciting chapter. Discover the importance of taking that first step, embracing risk-taking, optimising your workspace, and selecting a project that challenges but doesn't overwhelm. If you've been struggling to find your creative flow, you won't want to miss this one!


Mentioned:
⁠⁠⁠⁠Episode 153: Making Time for Art and Protecting Your Creative Energy!
Episode: 154: Old Art: Should You Keep, Transform, or Set Free?
Sandi Hester YouTube Channel
Helen Wells YouTube Channel


Visit my ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠resources page⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for more details on my classes, YouTube videos, free guides, and more!
Find me on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@laurahornart⁠

150. Aim to Be Average! The Hidden Benefits of Mediocre Days

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