artchatter with Gaynor Leverett-Jaques & Karen George

By artchatter

What's artchatter with Gaynor Leverett-Jaques & Karen George about?

Welcome to the artchatter podcast, a fortnightly window into the working lives of two artists, Karen George and Gaynor Leverett-Jaques. Join us for our chats as we mix up friendship and art; an inspiration for artists and art lovers alike.

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artchatter with Gaynor Leverett-Jaques & Karen George episodes:

06.19.2024
79 - declutter it all
As we dance merrily into our studios and sing happily opening our sketchbooks, loading our easels or mixing paint, there’s something joyous about studio time *sighs happily à la Snow White*. Except if you haven’t tidied. If you have your...
06.05.2024
78 - a balanced approach
We natter about self-worth, valuing ourselves, valuing our work, pricing and mindfulness… all as a result of attending an event with Alice Sheridan we’re both considering alllll the things - and invite you to do the same. This week’s links and...
05.22.2024
77 - stall wars: showing art in real life
How to show? Hang it all, go solo or team up with beautiful collaborators? Whatever you do, do it with generosity of spirit and a smile on your face! This week’s links and mentions: Image by Photo by Brigitta Schneiter on...
05.08.2024
76 - focusing up
What are we all trying to achieve? We have so many to-do lists, time pressures, work pressures, life pressures… and so many of us are spinning. Can we take time to breathe? Focus, prioritise and just let ourselves be for a...
04.24.2024
75 - walks of shame and worthy failures
How do we all handle failure? How many rejections can we deal with - do they make you stronger or knock your confidence? Do we learn or feel dejected? There’s always something to learn and we grow-so let’s do it...
04.10.2024
74 - why bother?
Sometimes life is a bit of a slog. We drag ourselves to the studio, to events, …to no avail! What to do when everything is an effort, nothing is going quite to plan and we hit a patch of despondency....
03.27.2024
73 - control
Let’s be honest, there are some things we all like to “manage” and “steer”. We want events -and artwork- to go a certain way, can any of us actually relax and go with the flow? Do you have lots of...
03.13.2024
72 - am I an artist?
Do you consider yourself an artist? Do you get to call yourself an artist even when you’re not painting, taking a break or working in paid employment as well? This week’s podcast was inspired by an Instagram Post by Harry...
02.28.2024
71 - bouncing ideas
We can all have those racing thoughts and going-nowhere ideas, but when you’re a solo artist, hiding away in your studio space, who do you turn to? Who do you share and bounce ideas off? Sometimes it takes a friend, accountability...
02.14.2024
70 - when you don't know what to do
Everyone else is doing ALLLL the stuff, they’re all great, but how do we get back into the groove when our mojo mosies off? As always, Karen and Gaynor have some ideas to share! Thanks for listening, do follow on Spotify or...
01.31.2024
69 - what's stopping you?
When you think of a big challenge, do you revel in the idea? Do you rub your hands together and relish the task … or do you fight self-doubt, second-guess yourself and tell yourself everyone else is better than you...
01.18.2024
68 - social media madness
Karen went VIRAL!!! What does this mean? Is she now a superstar with a millionty billion followers?? Yeah…nooooooo. Not so much. In a keeping it real (as opposed to reel) chat we look at the benefits and downsides of the socials. Thank...
01.17.2024
uh oh! a schedule goof-up story
Oops! Unfortunately dear friends, there’s a technical issue so please pop back tomorrow for the real thing!
01.03.2024
67 - new year ready?
How lucky are we that we get the chance to do this all again… but with the benefit of hindsight! What happened last year that lit you up? Which events felt like fun, what’s on the ‘loved it’ list and...
12.19.2023
66 - doing what it takes
“Nothing that is meant for you will pass you by” a great reminder to us from a younger artist we shared space with recently: things will happen if you can keep the faith, keep going and remember to do whatever...
12.06.2023
65 - are you having fun yet?
We all do things out of obligation, make ourselves do things we’d really rather not and keep going regardless of our heavy hearts! But, should we? Do we have to? Why not choose to do the things that are fun-which immediately...
11.22.2023
64 - slumps
Busy! Busy! Busy! Rushing to all the art events, open houses, open studios, art trails, Christmas things: prep, selling, posting out, updating the website, posting on insta (reels… carousels… oh and heck did I do story thing?) …and then… Post Event...
11.08.2023
63 - people pleasing
“You DID NOT say yes to THAT” seems to be on repeat in our heads… is it just us that can’t say no?! While it’s lovely to step in to help, sometimes priorities have to be acknowledged, work needs to...
10.25.2023
62 - on finding successes, and learning how to handle them
The guilt of success. It’s a real thing…like survivors’ guilt but the whole doing well when someone else in the room isn’t. Do you cringe either when an arts trail is going great for you, or when it isn’t… Veering...
10.11.2023
61 - comparisonitis
There’s a chronic condition many artists suffer from-and it’s contagious. Do you, or someone you know suffer from comparisonitis? Do you have insta-fatigue, art trail alarm, everyone’s-doing-better-than-me-attack, or I-can’t-do-this malaise? Here at the artchatter podcast emergency room we may not have...
09.27.2023
60 - trials and collaborations
Let’s talk collabs. Working together, working together but apart, sharing space, exhibiting with friends, inspiring each other… can it work? Why does it work? …and would you risk your arty friendships to stretch yourself? We’ve watched our lovely friend artist Bron Jones...
09.13.2023
59 - risk assessments of an artist: a summer in review
The life of an artist can be very complicated. It sounds like a breeze doesn’t it, happily painting, but reality is there’s lots to consider - not limited to health and safety! We also chat free courses, paid courses, online...
08.31.2023
58 - how to build your audience
While many of us can rely on family to LOVE that we’re creative, the ones we love often aren’t the audience for our work. They’re not our buyers. Sometimes they’ll buy a small piece or two as we step into...
08.16.2023
57 - the boat
Are you too late? Too late to start something new, to jump onto the new thing, is everyone else doing what you thought of a few years ago, but didn’t get around to and now you feel you just can’t?...
08.02.2023
56 - christmas in... august(?)
07.19.2023
55 - intergenerational pan-global summer art revolution
How do you summer? Are you basking in pools, drinking exotic cocktails and completely switched off, … or manically wrangling children, grandchildren, dogs, cats and longingly eyeing your pencils and paint? Or are you able to embrace your sketchbook and sit,...
07.05.2023
54 - techniques for stepping back in
We all know that feeling (not just us, surely?) when we can’t move a painting forward… worse-can’t start a painting, or worst thing ever-can’t even face stepping into our studio space. Gahhhhhhh WHAT TO DO? Worry not, dear friend, we’ve got...
06.21.2023
53 - what works for us
It’s always interesting to us to see how artists work, their inspiration, studios, how they do their thing… and we’ve been asked what we do. So, in the spirit of sharing (you know we love it!) we compare and contrast...
06.07.2023
52 - finding the time
Busy, busy, busy… while it’s a great problem to have, how do we find the time to prioritise what we want to do most? Finding our way through the to-do lists to get some peace with our paints. Episode links: Photo by Lukas...
05.24.2023
51 - confidence, confidence, confidence
All the talk of confidence and resilience in Epic Epi #50 gave us pause for thought. So many of our (amazing) contributors wished they’d been more confident when they were younger or starting out in their art careers. YES! US...
05.10.2023
50 - fifty!
Ever wished you’d been given the benefit of great advice from amazing artists, maybe ahead of you on their art career path? Well, to celebrate our 50th episode (FIFTIETH
04.26.2023
49 - what if?
What would you do if… this week we wonder if the grass is greener in another other field. Remembering what we’ve done in past lives, and why we do art (at whatever level we choose or aim). We wander through alll the...
04.12.2023
48 - putting your art out there (and how to stay safe about it)
Okay, you’ve done the work, painted your socks off, set up on social media, prepped allll the things, booked a venue and you’re ready to chat to the public about it… and ohhhh my crikey, however lovely, they can be...
03.29.2023
47 - game plans
What’s your game plan? Soooooo are you just going with the flow, manifesting like a master or do you meticulously follow a structured plan that’s guiding your every move? Karen and Gaynor are on different sides of the spectrum… Karen...
03.15.2023
46 - on critiques and criticisms
Are you your own worst critic? Ever asked for an opinion and instantly regretted it? This week Karen and Gaynor discuss the critical eye…when it’s useful and when it’s a confidence zapper, with thanks to our lovely listener and friend @helengrace.artist...
03.01.2023
45 - joining in
Are you a course junkie, a joiner-in, a membership lover, have a love of alllll communities? This time we work out what works - Karen, as you’d maybe guess, is a considered member of groups, is the founder of an arts...
02.15.2023
44 - books, covers, artists and others
Do you make assumptions? Do people make assumptions about you? Can you tell who someone is and what they do at first glance? Okay, so this week we chat about lots of things we consider fact, but in reality, we’re not...
02.01.2023
43 - overcoming overwhelm
Sometimes we slip. Sometimes we slip up. Our creative time gets disrupted and we slide into the ditch. It’s about finding our way out to overcoming the banana skins life throws in our way. We had an absolutely amazing annual planning...
01.18.2023
42 - work in progress
Whilst Karen is tucked away in her studio splashing all the paint around, ready for a solo show, Gaynor is planning and thinking and collecting thoughts. We have different motivations - in fact we are such opposites we really do...
01.04.2023
41 - first steps into 2023
Woo hoo 2023 here we come. Challenges. Goals. Plans. Oh dear lawd we’re exhausted already! How about small steps? Shall we be gentle and steady? Yeah, you with us… phew! ;) Episode Links: Image credit to: Miguel A Amutio on Unsplash Gina Belford...
12.21.2022
40 - it takes a village to raise an artist
So much love to share in this episode as Karen and Gaynor float along from the wonderful experience of taking part in an artist event in the beautiful city of Bath. Tired and cold but happy and full of Christmas...
12.07.2022
39 - change!
Ch Ch Ch Changes! Whether it’s a deliberate plan to Move On or a gradual evolution, we all make changes. To our practice, to our selves, to the way we see things. It’s interesting to look back and assess how...
11.24.2022
38 - winning
In this world of harsh realities some things are universally true. Like small victories. They may be small but they be mighty to misquote the great man himself (Shakespeare not a deity!). Every little win matters... they stack up to...
11.09.2022
37 - we can do whatever we can do
Life as an artist is one big circle of fun, amirite? yeah. Nope. Let's face it, sometimes life can be a bit of a slog. Are we really failing, or do we feel like we're failing? Is there a difference?...
10.26.2022
36 - adventures in motivation
Another day, another to-do list. Where to begin? Does it really matter? Another cup of coffee first? As artists, creatives, makers, most of us work alone. We have studio space, a kitchen table, a spare room to use. It's all set...
10.12.2022
35 - versatility
“Oh, you’re an artist?” they say. “Must be nice, playing with paint all day”
09.28.2022
34 - reset, refresh, refocus
Okay, summer is well and truly over... autumn (the pretty season) is officially here. Rich golds, falling leaves, bracing walks, hygge, fresh thinking, new plans. Fresh thinking? New plans? Ohhhh yes. This back to school vibe brings the opportunity to...
09.14.2022
33 - putting yourself forward
Collaborate, cooperate, group exhibitions… or fly solo? Can you do both..? when do we get to just prioritise ourselves, our work and what’s right for us? Things to consider!
08.31.2022
32 - inspiration
Recently when Karen was playing catch up on Laura Horn, she had a moment of realisation... she needed to check out her mood board. First question: Mood board or inspiration board? Next question, where to keep it, what to put...
08.17.2022
31 - artists abroad (& closer to home)
We are giddy as the proverbial kippers today! Karen's been sketching, holidaying and dancing at a wedding (there may have been wine). Gaynor has been painting...finally there's a little gap to focus and really enjoy the studio time. SO, what...

What's artchatter with Gaynor Leverett-Jaques & Karen George about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

artchatter with Gaynor Leverett-Jaques & Karen George episodes:

79 - declutter it all

78 - a balanced approach

77 - stall wars: showing art in real life

76 - focusing up

75 - walks of shame and worthy failures

74 - why bother?

73 - control

72 - am I an artist?

71 - bouncing ideas

70 - when you don't know what to do

69 - what's stopping you?

68 - social media madness

uh oh! a schedule goof-up story

67 - new year ready?

66 - doing what it takes

65 - are you having fun yet?

64 - slumps

63 - people pleasing

62 - on finding successes, and learning how to handle them

61 - comparisonitis

60 - trials and collaborations

59 - risk assessments of an artist: a summer in review

58 - how to build your audience

57 - the boat

56 - christmas in... august(?)

55 - intergenerational pan-global summer art revolution

54 - techniques for stepping back in

53 - what works for us

52 - finding the time

51 - confidence, confidence, confidence

50 - fifty!

49 - what if?

48 - putting your art out there (and how to stay safe about it)

47 - game plans

46 - on critiques and criticisms

45 - joining in

44 - books, covers, artists and others

43 - overcoming overwhelm

42 - work in progress

41 - first steps into 2023

40 - it takes a village to raise an artist

39 - change!

38 - winning

37 - we can do whatever we can do

36 - adventures in motivation

35 - versatility

34 - reset, refresh, refocus

33 - putting yourself forward

32 - inspiration

31 - artists abroad (& closer to home)