In this episode of Art Life Plan, we explore how half-formed, vague, or messy ideas can actually lead to powerful creative breakthroughs. Whether you're staring at a sketch you don’t know what to do with or sitting on a sentence that’s been living in your head for months, this is for you. I talk about how I save fragments, how they show up later in my work, and how you can start using your own half-ideas as creative fuel. This one’s for anyone who's ever had a “what even is this?” moment in the studio. Let’s turn those into something real.

The Art of Starting Ugly explores why messy beginnings are not only normal but necessary in creative work. If you've ever frozen at the start of a project because it didn’t feel “good enough,” this episode is for you. I talk about the value of imperfect first drafts, how to move past the pressure to be polished, and ways to build momentum when you feel stuck. Whether you're a seasoned artist or just starting out, you’ll find real talk, practical tips, and creative permission to begin… exactly where you are.

Hosted by artist and educator Cookie Redding, this episode of Art Life Plan explores how making art can be a steady act of resistance in a world that often feels overwhelming. Cookie shares real talk about staying creative during heavy times, building a sustainable art practice, and why showing up to your work still matters. Whether you're new to art or deep in your studio life, this conversation invites you to reconnect with your creative process in honest, grounded ways.

Invisible Success: Celebrating the Wins No One Sees
In this episode of Art Life Plan, artist and educator Cookie Redding talks about the creative victories that often go unnoticed...the internal shifts, quiet decisions, and personal growth that fuel a lasting art practice. If you’ve ever felt like your progress doesn’t “count” unless it’s public, this one’s for you. Tune in for a real conversation about what success can look like behind the scenes... and why that matters more than ever.

Letting Go of Outcomes: How Non-Attachment Can Free Your Creative Flow
Hosted by Cookie Redding, artist, professor, and creator of Art Life Plan, this episode explores how releasing attachment to results can actually unlock more creative momentum. Cookie shares personal studio experiences and actionable ways to reconnect with your art by focusing on the process rather than the outcome. Whether you're feeling creatively blocked or just burned out from always chasing results, this episode offers grounded insight to help you reset. Tune in for real talk on what it means to make work that feels free, open, and present.

Ever feel like your creative time keeps getting pushed to the bottom of your to-do list? In this episode, we talk about how to organize your calendar so studio time isn’t just a nice idea...t’s something that actually happens. No rigid systems or hustle talk here...just real strategies that work for real artists with real lives. Whether you’re juggling a full-time job or trying to focus in an open day, this conversation is about figuring out what works for you and making space for the work that matters.

I’m resting this week while I feel a bit under the weather (plus it's finals week!) but I didn’t want to leave the space empty. This short episode offers one gentle creative prompt to carry with you. No pressure, no goals—just something small for yourself. Back next week with a full episode. Thanks, as always, for being here.

Starting something new can be the hardest part. In this episode, I’m talking about that familiar hesitation in front of a blank canvas and how you can shift it into a mindful, grounded ritual instead of letting it spiral into avoidance. Whether you're just getting back into your art practice or starting your hundredth piece, this is a conversation about slowing down, noticing your resistance, and finding a better way to begin.

A conversation about making art that actually feels like you. This episode explores how your core values can shape what you create, how you work, and how you share it with the world.

Ever wonder if your art is more about your own story or the world around you? In this episode, we talk about the difference between making personal work and making work that looks outward—how it affects your process, how people connect with it, and why it’s okay to land somewhere in between.