We often overlook appreciating how far we have developed, but in order to consider what we want to take forward it’s a good idea to think about how much we have achieved, what we want to progress and what to let go. Which habits just aren’t cutting it any more.

What did you commit to, but didn’t do-is that because it was someone else’s idea and just doesn’t fit you? Who distracted you? Why did you let them?!

What’s been great? What worked?

This week we’re taking a pulse. Taking a moment to figure exactly what lights us up and let’s ditch what doesn’t!

As artists, Karen and Gaynor have some solutions, ideas and aspirations for balancing creativity in all its guises while taking a realistic look at what needs to change.

Now, we invite you to tell us what you’re up to… as always, there’s lots more to chat about.

Thank you, too, to all who listen, DM, send messages and have made the last four years so much fun with #artchatterpodcast

Sign up to receive Karen’s Studio News  https://www.karengeorgeart.co.uk/  (https://www.karengeorgeart.co.uk/)and Gaynor’s emails https://gaynorljart.com/pages/contact (https://gaynorljart.com/pages/contact)

Links and mentions:

The Design Trust

Atomic Habits - James Clear

Opal App

Cheryl Taves

Insight Creative

Anna F MacDonald Decluttering

@karengeorgeart

@gaynorljart

@artchatterpodcast

About the podcast

⁠Gaynor Leverett-Jaques⁠ (https://www.gaynorljart.com/%E2%81%A0) and ⁠Karen George⁠ (https://www.karengeorgeart.co.uk/%E2%81%A0) are both full time artists, living and working in South West of the UK, sharing experiences and the ups and downs of living the painting life.

You can find more about them and their work on their websites or by following them on instagram where they share their work and practice on a regular basis. 

⁠Karen George Art⁠ (https://www.karengeorgeart.co.uk/%E2%81%A0) ⁠https://www.karengeorgeart.co.uk/⁠ (https://www.karengeorgeart.co.uk/)

@karengeorgeart on instagram

⁠Gaynor Leverett-Jaques⁠ (https://www.gaynorljart.com/%E2%81%A0) ⁠https://www.gaynorljart.com/⁠ (https://www.gaynorljart.com/)

@gaynorljart on instagram

Thanks always to our wonderful sound editor, Ben Leverett-Jaques, who also wrote and performs the opening song 'Strangler Fig'

Ben's IMBD page: ⁠https://www.imdb.com/name/nm7425880/⁠ 

Ben's Music - Low Cinnabar: https://low-cinnabar.bandcamp.com/album/four-songs-from-the-tree

Summer is lovely; blissful long days and warm evenings, holidays, playing on the beach, in the park, visiting places and visitors making memories. But what about our art? How can we integrate the absolute need to create with fully living, engaging and making the most of the welcome distractions we face daily?

What can we do that provides a creative fix while still meeting the needs of the people around us (who we’re obviously very glad to see!).

As artists, Karen and Gaynor have some solutions, ideas and aspirations for balancing creativity in all its guises while having people they love around more.

Now, we invite you to tell us how you manage the balance… as always, there’s lots more to chat about.

Thank you, too, to all who listen, DM, send messages and have made the last nearly four years so much fun with #artchatterpodcast

Sign up to receive Karen’s Studio News  https://www.karengeorgeart.co.uk/  (https://www.karengeorgeart.co.uk/)and Gaynor’s emails https://gaynorljart.com/pages/contact (https://gaynorljart.com/pages/contact)

Links and mentions:

Photo by Tim Broadbent (https://unsplash.com/@timbrofrance?utm_content=creditCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=unsplash) on Unsplash

(https://unsplash.com/photos/colorful-beach-huts-in-a-row-iXwf7HmSaDE?utm_content=creditCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=unsplash) (https://unsplash.com/photos/person-holding-black-and-white-electronic-device-HNPrWOH2Z8U?utm_content=creditCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=unsplash)The Bird of Prey Project  https://birdofpreyproject.org

(https://birdofpreyproject.org)

Cotswold Sculpture Park https://cotswoldsculpturepark.co.uk (https://cotswoldsculpturepark.co.uk)

Opal https://www.opal.so (https://www.opal.so)

Rachael Johnson Artist https://www.instagram.com/rachael.johnson20art?igsh=MTY2bTN1aW1pODhxMQ== (https://www.instagram.com/rachael.johnson20art?igsh=MTY2bTN1aW1pODhxMQ==)

Sam Waters artist https://www.instagram.com/samwatersartist?igsh=ajg1NjhlbXN1cnRw (https://www.instagram.com/samwatersartist?igsh=ajg1NjhlbXN1cnRw)

Karen Stamper https://karenstampercollage.com/workshops/ (https://karenstampercollage.com/workshops/)

Jayne Emerson Artist https://jayneemerson.co.uk (https://jayneemerson.co.uk)

Dr Sarah Joy Ford http://sarahjoyford.com/about (http://sarahjoyford.com/about)

Jo Hill art https://johillart.co.uk (https://johillart.co.uk)

Debbie Lee art https://johillart.co.uk/about (https://johillart.co.uk/about)

Debby Bird art https://www.debbybird.com (https://www.debbybird.com)

@karengeorgeart

@gaynorljart

@artchatterpodcast

About the podcast

⁠Gaynor Leverett-Jaques⁠ (https://www.gaynorljart.com/%E2%81%A0)

and

⁠Karen George⁠ (https://www.karengeorgeart.co.uk/%E2%81%A0)

are both full time artists, living and working in South West of the UK, sharing experiences and the ups and downs of living the painting life.

You can find more about them and their work on their websites or by following them on instagram where they share their work and practice on a regular basis. 

⁠Karen George Art⁠ (https://www.karengeorgeart.co.uk/%E2%81%A0)

⁠https://www.karengeorgeart.co.uk/⁠ (https://www.karengeorgeart.co.uk/)

@karengeorgeart on instagram

⁠Gaynor Leverett-Jaques⁠ (https://www.gaynorljart.com/%E2%81%A0)

⁠https://www.gaynorljart.com/⁠ (https://www.gaynorljart.com/)

@gaynorljart on instagram

Thanks always to our wonderful sound editor, Ben Leverett-Jaques, who also wrote and performs the opening song 'Strangler Fig'

Ben's IMBD page: ⁠https://www.imdb.com/name/nm7425880/⁠ 

Ben's Music - Low Cinnabar: https://low-cinnabar.bandcamp.com/album/four-songs-from-the-tree

Artists. 

Let’s free up our brains and shake off the constraints of painting or producing work for a reason. Developing our work, our skills and our practices comes in so many forms. @gaynorljart is finding freedom in actually using a sketchbook after years of envy and frustration-and @karengeorgeart is sharing her love of outdoor sketching with others, which is fun and freeing too. 

Same, Same But Different. We make the rules. We get to do what works for us. 

Over to you! We invite you to tell us how you rip off the constraints of producing work to discover what else you like… as always, there’s lots more to chat about. 

Thank you, too, to all who listen, DM, send messages and have made the last nearly four years so much fun with #artchatterpodcast

Sign up to receive Karen’s Studio News  https://www.karengeorgeart.co.uk/ and Gaynor’s emails https://gaynorljart.com/pages/contact

Links and mentions:

Photo by Priscilla Du Preez 🇨🇦 on Unsplash

Rick Rubin - always paint for myself 

Karen George Sketch & Explore sessions

Cheryl Taves Sketchbook Course 

Louise Fletcher - collage post

Louise Fletcher Art Tribe

@janeynaturally 

Gaynor Leverett-Jaques

@karengeorgeart 

@gaynorljart

@artchatterpodcast

About the podcast

⁠Gaynor Leverett-Jaques⁠ and ⁠Karen George⁠ are both full time artists, living and working in South West of the UK, sharing experiences and the ups and downs of living the painting life.

You can find more about them and their work on their websites or by following them on instagram where they share their work and practice on a regular basis. 

⁠Karen George Art⁠ ⁠https://www.karengeorgeart.co.uk/⁠

@karengeorgeart on instagram

⁠Gaynor Leverett-Jaques⁠ ⁠https://www.gaynorljart.com/⁠

@gaynorljart on instagram

Thanks always to our wonderful sound editor, Ben Leverett-Jaques, who also wrote and performs the opening song 'Strangler Fig'

Ben's IMBD page: ⁠https://www.imdb.com/name/nm7425880/⁠ 

Ben's Music - Low Cinnabar: https://low-cinnabar.bandcamp.com/album/four-songs-from-the-tree

Recently several instagram posts sparked a conversation between @karengeorgeart and @gaynorljart - all around the reasons why people buy art. @emuplops @carriescottcurates @iamfrancebrunel and @lorimirabelli fired our chat (specific posts linked below) and gave us pause for thought. We asked listeners if they’d like a chat around the subject and received an overwhelming yes. 

How do we want to live? Why do certain artists or paintings jump out at us? Why do we covet a certain art style? Is it because we don’t create in a certain way, or we love the story the artist is telling… is it the colours, the memories, the place, the person… perhaps it’s all of those things. Can we even articulate why? What does what we collect say about us? 

Some people don’t consider themselves creative and collect art to feel a connection to the world of art, buying a piece that brings them closer to an artist. Others invest and are quite clinical, perhaps some work is bought purely as decor. All the reasons are valid, but what’s your reason? Do you know? 

Over to you! We invite you to tell us why you’re drawn to certain works… we think there’s lots more to chat about. 

Thank you, too, to all who listen, DM, send messages and have made the last nearly four years so much fun with #artchatterpodcast

Sign up to receive Karen’s Studio News  https://www.karengeorgeart.co.uk/ and Gaynor’s emails https://gaynorljart.com/pages/contact

Links and mentions:

Photo by Towfiqu barbhuiya on Unsplash

Lori Mirabelli https://www.instagram.com/p/DLkiYU7uGc4/?igsh=MXBuZ3I5N2hqMDZodQ==

Emily Hadley. https://www.instagram.com/p/DLrNgQJIzMt/?igsh=MXJyYTgyNWdudWZlaQ==

Carrie Scott Curates https://www.instagram.com/reel/DLnH_Rcouxf/?igsh=MXRlY3lmaHZibXFmeQ==

France Brunel 

Tonia Gunstone

Terry Bridgeman 

Dragomir Misina

Polly Gough 

Gina Belford Art

Sarah Targett 

Sam Waters

Banksy

Karen George Sketch & Explore sessions

Insight Creative: Cheryl Taves Sketchbook Course 

Gaynor Leverett-Jaques

@karengeorgeart 

@gaynorljart

@artchatterpodcast

About the podcast

⁠Gaynor Leverett-Jaques⁠ and ⁠Karen George⁠ are both full time artists, living and working in South West of the UK, sharing experiences and the ups and downs of living the painting life.

You can find more about them and their work on their websites or by following them on instagram where they share their work and practice on a regular basis. 

⁠Karen George Art⁠ ⁠https://www.karengeorgeart.co.uk/⁠

@karengeorgeart on instagram

⁠Gaynor Leverett-Jaques⁠ ⁠https://www.gaynorljart.com/⁠

@gaynorljart on instagram

Thanks always to our wonderful sound editor, Ben Leverett-Jaques, who also wrote and performs the opening song 'Strangler Fig'

Ben's IMBD page: ⁠https://www.imdb.com/name/nm7425880/⁠ 

Ben's Music - Low Cinnabar: https://low-cinnabar.bandcamp.com/album/four-songs-from-the-tree

Episode 104

Are we who we show up as on social media? What does authentic really mean… what do we care about what people think of us? Does it matter?

As we’ve grown older and into ourselves, we find it easier to accept who we are and why we do what we do. Maybe it’s partly because we know what doesn’t work and we don’t want to just fit in any more.

Authenticity may be an overused word in social media AND art, but it could be time to consider what it means for us and why it matters.Thank you, too, to all who listen, DM, send messages and have made the last nearly four years so much fun with #artchatterpodcast

Sign up to receive Karen’s Studio News https://www.karengeorgeart.co.uk/ and Gaynor’s emails  https://gaynorljart.com/pages/contact

Links and mentions:

Photo by Gabriela Braga on Unsplash

Park Run https://www.parkrun.org.uk

Bréne Brown https://brenebrown.com

Brené Brown:the opposite of belonging is fitting in. Fitting in involves changing oneself to be accepted, while belonging means being accepted for who you truly are. True belonging requires vulnerability and embracing your authentic self, whereas fitting in relies on performing and adjusting to expectations

Mel Robbins https://www.melrobbins.com

Alice Sheridan Time to Shine  https://www.soulrocketstudio.com/shine

Ottelien Huckin https://www.ottelienhuckin.co.uk

Beyond Boundaries Exhibition @footprint_gallery_jackfield
@samwatersartist @jansaustinstudio @mike_ashton @klairbaulyartist @angelaslack_studio @morvenbrowne @[email protected] @gaynorljart

Karen George

Gaynor Leverett-Jaques

Gina Belford Art https://www.instagram.com/ginabelfordart?igsh=MWQwMXpqM3Nkdml5ZA==

@karengeorgeart

@gaynorljart

@artchatterpodcast

About the podcast⁠

Gaynor Leverett-Jaques⁠ and ⁠Karen George⁠ are both full time artists, living and working in South West of the UK, sharing experiences and the ups and downs of living the painting life.

You can find more about them and their work on their websites or by following them on instagram where they share their work and practice on a regular basis. ⁠

Karen George Art⁠ ⁠https://www.karengeorgeart.co.uk/⁠
@karengeorgeart on instagram⁠

Gaynor Leverett-Jaques⁠ ⁠https://www.gaynorljart.com/⁠
@gaynorljart on instagram

Thanks always to our wonderful sound editor, Ben Leverett-Jaques, who also wrote and performs the opening song 'Strangler Fig'Ben's IMBD page: ⁠https://www.imdb.com/name/nm7425880/⁠ 

Ben's Music - Low Cinnabar: https://low-cinnabar.bandcamp.com/album/four-songs-from-the-tree

What is the simple definition of marketing?

“Marketing, in its simplest form, is about letting people know about a product or service that might meet their needs or wants. It's the process of communicating the value of a product or service to potential customers and persuading them to buy.”

Do we have answers? Not necessarily, but we do have thoughts and we’re trying to make sense of it all too. 

Thank you, too, to all who listen, DM, send messages and have made the last nearly four years so much fun with #artchatterpodcast

Sign up to receive Karen’s Studio News  https://www.karengeorgeart.co.uk/ and Gaynor’s emails https://gaynorljart.com/pages/contact

Links and mentions:

Photo by Merakist on Unsplash

BS9 arts trail https://www.bs9arts.co.uk

Rae Melody @raemelodyart

Jo Hounsome http://www.johounsomephotography.co.uk

Karen Turner https://www.karenturnerfineart.com

Go.Large https://www.go-large.com

Faye Bridgwater https://www.fayebridgwater.com

Art Share Love magazine https://www.artsharelove.com

Karen George 

Gaynor Leverett-Jaques

Gina Belford Art 

@karengeorgeart 

@gaynorljart

@artchatterpodcast

About the podcast

⁠Gaynor Leverett-Jaques⁠ and ⁠Karen George⁠ are both full time artists, living and working in South West of the UK, sharing experiences and the ups and downs of living the painting life.

You can find more about them and their work on their websites or by following them on instagram where they share their work and practice on a regular basis. 

⁠Karen George Art⁠ ⁠https://www.karengeorgeart.co.uk/⁠

@karengeorgeart on instagram

⁠Gaynor Leverett-Jaques⁠ ⁠https://www.gaynorljart.com/⁠

@gaynorljart on instagram

Thanks always to our wonderful sound editor, Ben Leverett-Jaques, who also wrote and performs the opening song 'Strangler Fig'

Ben's IMBD page: ⁠https://www.imdb.com/name/nm7425880/⁠ 

Ben's Music - Low Cinnabar: https://low-cinnabar.bandcamp.com/album/four-songs-from-the-tree

Chatting with other artists can teach us so much. Not just about them and the way they work, but also how we are, how we work, the way we speak to ourselves and manage expectations and pressure.

Listening to ourselves-our needs-has a direct impact on the way we create, appreciating what we do and that we CAN is important too.

Thank you, too, to all who listen, DM, send messages and have made the last nearly four years so much fun with #artchatterpodcast

Sign up to receive Karen’s Studio News https://www.karengeorgeart.co.uk/ and Gaynor’s emails https://gaynorljart.com/pages/contact

Links and mentions:

Photo by Victor on Unsplash

Louise Fletcher Art Tribe

Sue Pickering

Gina Belford Art

Dr Tara Swart The Source

Sharon Harvey

The Sanctuary Gallery

Jan Austin

Angela Slack

Sam Waters

Rachael Johnson

Rae Melody

Louise Drewett

Karen George

Gaynor Leverett-Jaques

Gina Belford Art https://www.instagram.com/ginabelfordart?igsh=MWQwMXpqM3Nkdml5ZA==

@karengeorgeart

@gaynorljart

@artchatterpodcast

About the podcast

⁠Gaynor Leverett-Jaques⁠ and ⁠Karen George⁠ are both full time artists, living and working in South West of the UK, sharing experiences and the ups and downs of living the painting life.

You can find more about them and their work on their websites or by following them on instagram where they share their work and practice on a regular basis. 

⁠Karen George Art⁠ ⁠https://www.karengeorgeart.co.uk/⁠

@karengeorgeart on instagram

⁠Gaynor Leverett-Jaques⁠ ⁠https://www.gaynorljart.com/⁠

@gaynorljart on instagram

Thanks always to our wonderful sound editor, Ben Leverett-Jaques, who also wrote and performs the opening song 'Strangler Fig'

Ben's IMBD page: ⁠https://www.imdb.com/name/nm7425880/⁠ 

Ben's Music - Low Cinnabar: https://low-cinnabar.bandcamp.com/album/four-songs-from-the-tree

Way back when in 2024 we took a trip to Cheltenham to check out galleries for a joint exhibition… the planning began. 

‘Journey’ came from an idea of Karen’s to show how we work, from sketching in the wild (Karen) to splashing paint and navel gazing (Gaynor) to fully fledged and framed paintings. 

It’s been fascinating to see the differences in how we create, but it’s also fun to exhibit together. This week we share the successes and mishaps along the route from booking the gallery to hanging the work. 

Thank you, too, to all who listen, DM, send messages and have made the last nearly four years so much fun with #artchatterpodcast

Sign up to receive Karen’s Studio News  https://www.karengeorgeart.co.uk/ and Gaynor’s emails https://gaynorljart.com/pages/contact

Links and mentions:

Photo by Karen George

Spring Cheltenham 

@springcheltenham

Artist Surfaces

https://www.artistsurfaces.co.uk

Karen George 

Gaynor Leverett-Jaques

Studio 44Ad  https://www.instagram.com/studio44ad?igsh=emJwcjRtNDdycDJp

Gina Belford Art https://www.instagram.com/ginabelfordart?igsh=MWQwMXpqM3Nkdml5ZA==

@karengeorgeart 

@gaynorljart

@artchatterpodcast

About the podcast

⁠Gaynor Leverett-Jaques⁠ and ⁠Karen George⁠ are both full time artists, living and working in South West of the UK, sharing experiences and the ups and downs of living the painting life.

You can find more about them and their work on their websites or by following them on instagram where they share their work and practice on a regular basis. 

⁠Karen George Art⁠ ⁠https://www.karengeorgeart.co.uk/⁠

@karengeorgeart on instagram

⁠Gaynor Leverett-Jaques⁠ ⁠https://www.gaynorljart.com/⁠

@gaynorljart on instagram

Thanks always to our wonderful sound editor, Ben Leverett-Jaques, who also wrote and performs the opening song 'Strangler Fig'

Ben's IMBD page: ⁠https://www.imdb.com/name/nm7425880/⁠ 

Ben's Music - Low Cinnabar: https://low-cinnabar.bandcamp.com/album/four-songs-from-the-tree

Gahhhhh it’s the 100th episode of artchatter. Who knew?

So here we are doing something a little different in celebration. Three-ish years, two artists and one question for four (technically five, but for aesthetics) people who inspire us…

What’s the question? Simple.

Did you have a pivotal moment in your career?

A significant moment where something clicked, you grabbed an opportunity or had a realisation that you were on to something. Conversely, when you finally decided things had to change.

Although everyone had a different story and perspective, there are so many relatable feelings and emotions for all of us.

Once again we would like to thank the lovely women who shared their moments. We’ve watched them online for such a long time, and all feel like we know them, so it’s lovely to hear from them 💕

Thank you, too, to all who listen, DM, send messages, share and follow and have made the last three-ish years so much fun with #artchatterpodcast

Sign up to receive Karen’s Studio News https://www.karengeorgeart.co.uk/ and Gaynor’s emails https://gaynorljart.com/pages/contact

Links and mentions:

Photo by Victor on Unsplash

“It's not what happens to you but how you react to it that matters.” -Epictetus.

Ancient quote by Epictetus; he says, “It’s not what happens that determines the quality or quantity of your life, and the reason is that what happens — happens to about everyone. The sun went down on all of us last night — a common event — and the same thing can indeed happen to two different people, but one gets rich, and the other stays poor. Why is that? It’s not because of what happens but rather what you do about it.”

Louise Fletcher

Art Tribe

Alice Sheridan

Georgina Noel

Sharon Harvey

Sanctuary Gallery

Mary Price

Home is Where the Art is

Jo Whiteland

Kirsty & Andie Reels Rockstars

Dahlia Beach

Rebuildagram

Studio 44Ad

Gina Belford Art

@karengeorgeart

@gaynorljart

@artchatterpodcast

About the podcast

⁠Gaynor Leverett-Jaques⁠ and ⁠Karen George⁠ are both full time artists, living and working in South West of the UK, sharing experiences and the ups and downs of living the painting life.

You can find more about them and their work on their websites or by following them on instagram where they share their work and practice on a regular basis. 

⁠Karen George Art⁠ ⁠https://www.karengeorgeart.co.uk/⁠

@karengeorgeart on instagram

⁠Gaynor Leverett-Jaques⁠ ⁠https://www.gaynorljart.com/⁠

@gaynorljart on instagram

Thanks always to our wonderful sound editor, Ben Leverett-Jaques, who also wrote and performs the opening song 'Strangler Fig'

Ben's IMBD page: ⁠https://www.imdb.com/name/nm7425880/⁠ 

Ben's Music - Low Cinnabar: https://low-cinnabar.bandcamp.com/album/four-songs-from-the-tree

The idea that "we are the sum of the five people we spend the most time with" is a commonly attributed quote, often associated with motivational speaker Jim Rohn, highlighting the significant influence our social circle has on our lives.

This begs the question… who do we turn to when we feel stuck? what makes the difference between a good day and a bad day when we’re constantly facing challenges or our work is frustrating us? Oftentimes, it’s attitude, but sometimes the people we turn to can lift us, inspire us or, unfortunately, deflate us! We have an infinite capacity for resilience and to grow-as humans, as artists, as business owners. Obstacles will happen whether we’re smiling or angry, life will always throw us curve balls, but how we decide they will be tackled is up to us. As always, we have thoughts!

Sign up to receive Karen’s Studio News  https://www.karengeorgeart.co.uk/  and Gaynor’s emails https://gaynorljart.com/pages/contact

Links and mentions:

Photo by Josue Michel on Unsplash

Louise Fletcher Art Tribe

Alice Sheridan Connected Artist Club

Sue Bulmer

@karengeorgeart

@gaynorljart

@artchatterpodcast

About the podcast

⁠Gaynor Leverett-Jaques⁠ and ⁠Karen George⁠ are both full time artists, living and working in South West of the UK, sharing experiences and the ups and downs of living the painting life.

You can find more about them and their work on their web

sites or by following them on instagram where they share their work and practice on a regular basis. 

⁠Karen George Art⁠

⁠https://www.karengeorgeart.co.uk/⁠

@karengeorgeart on instagram

⁠Gaynor Leverett-Jaques⁠

⁠https://www.gaynorljart.com/⁠ (https://www.gaynorljart.com/)

@gaynorljart on instagram

Thanks always to our wonderful sound editor, Ben Leverett-Jaques, who also wrote and performs the opening song 'Strangler Fig'

Ben's IMBD page: ⁠https://www.imdb.com/name/nm7425880/⁠ 

Ben's Music - Low Cinnabar: https://low-cinnabar.bandcamp.com/album/four-songs-from-the-tree