What if the only thing standing between you and the creative career you dream about is the courage to put yourself out there?

The magic happens when you’re willing to be seen. Your vulnerability isn’t a weakness. It’s the very thing that makes your art unforgettable. - Brandi

In this episode of the Colour Me Happy Podcast, I sit down with portrait artist Florence Lee for an honest conversation about finding your artistic voice, embracing imperfection, and allowing your work to evolve. Florence shares how completing the 100 Heads Challenge transformed her portrait practice and why creating volume instead of chasing perfection helped her discover a style that was unmistakably her own.

This is your cue to be inspired, put yourself out there, be afraid and then do it anyway!

If this conversation inspires you to take that next brave step, I’d love to invite you to join me in Portugal for Portraits Without Fear, an intimate creative retreat on the breathtaking Algarve coast. Don't hesitate, or this will pass you by...We’ll paint, explore, build confidence, and reconnect with the joy of creating alongside an incredible community of artists.

Learn more and reserve your spot HERE

1. Your creative career begins the moment you let yourself be seen. You don’t have to have it all figured out before you share your work. Growth happens through showing up, being vulnerable, and trusting .

2. Every painting you share, every opportunity you say yes to, and every imperfect step forward opens the door to possibilities you could never have planned.

Our creativity doesn’t have an expiry date. Every life experience has been preparing you to create the art only you can make.
This week on the Colour Me Happy Podcast, I’m joined by one of my dear friends, Susan Salvati, joining us from the beautiful west coast of Canada. We talk about what it means to pursue your passions at any age and why it’s never too late to begin. Susan shares how years of life experience, raising a family, and following unexpected paths have shaped the artist she is today.

We dive into creative blocks, letting go of perfectionism, and embracing the freedom that comes from creating for yourself. If you’ve ever thought you’ve missed your chance, this conversation is the reminder you need that your best creative years may still be ahead of you.

2 Takeaway Tips:

1. It’s never too late to follow what lights you up.
   Your life experiences are not detours. They are the foundation of the artist and person you’re becoming. There is no deadline on living a creative life.
2. Stop waiting for the perfect moment and just start creating. Create the small piece. Fill the sketchbook. Make the messy first attempt. Every page and every painting brings you one step closer to the work you’re meant to make.

“The moments that changed my life the most were the ones where I believed in myself before I had any guarantees.”

Artist Jaime Hamilton joins me to share about the power of surrounding yourself with inspiring people, finding mentors who encourage your own voice, and why some of the biggest opportunities in life only happen after you take the leap. Jamie talks about how stepping away on a creative retreat in the south of France became the reset she didn’t know she needed. If you’ve been waiting until everything feels certain, this conversation is your reminder that creativity often grows on the other side of courage.

Two Takeaway Tips

1. Don’t wait until it feels safe. Whether it’s applying for a grant, booking the retreat, or starting the project, some of the best opportunities only appear after you decide to trust yourself. In our book we call it "Be Brave Days", where you just go for it, apply, ask, and go for it! The worst thing that can happen is a no!
2. Find spaces that fuel your creativity. Being surrounded by encouraging people and inspiring places can completely shift your confidence and help you create work that feels more like you.

The life you’re dreaming about isn’t waiting for the perfect time. Take the leap, trust yourself, and discover the extraordinary hidden in the ordinary.

-Brandi

Artist Clare Howell shares how one spontaneous trip to Ireland changed everything... What began as an unplanned adventure grew into a life of creativity, connection, and courage. From traveling solo across Europe in a motorhome to becoming a full-time artist at 60, Clare reminds us that the biggest barriers are often the ones we create ourselves. This conversation is an invitation to stop waiting, book the trip, say yes to the experience, and trust that every step toward creativity leads you exactly where you’re meant to be.

2 Takeaway Tips

1. Don’t let money become the reason you never live your life. There may never be a “perfect” time. Simplify where you can, take the leap, and invest in experiences that move you closer to the creative life you truly want.
2. Find the extraordinary in the ordinary. Leave room for the unexpected. Some of life’s greatest moments happen when you stop over planning, stay curious, ask for help, and let adventure unfold one step at a time.

Every experience, every detour, every season of your life becomes part of your art. Trust the journey because it’s quietly shaping the artist you’re becoming.

-Brandi

Not every lesson happens in the studio. In this heartfelt conversation, Charlotte Hamilton shares how travel, life experience, curiosity, and years of creating have all shaped the artist she is today. We explore why some creative lessons can’t be rushed, how play helps us move past perfectionism, and why the fear of not creating exactly what’s in our minds keeps so many artists stuck.

If you’ve ever questioned your path or wondered if you’re “behind,” this episode is a reminder that every experience has value. Trust your creative journey, embrace the unexpected, and let your life become part of your art.

Have an art experience with us in Portugal 2027! We would love to have you! Learn more HERE!

• Your life is part of your art. Every place you visit, conversation you have, challenge you overcome, and season you live through becomes creative fuel. Don’t rush the journey.
• Play before you perfect. When fear keeps you from putting your vision on paper, explore your materials with curiosity instead of expectation. Creativity grows when you give yourself permission to experiment.

Before we were busy, we were dreamers. Creativity is how we find our way back.

- Heather

What if the artist you’re searching for has been there all along?

In this episode of Colour Me Happy, we’re joined by Joyful Living Counselling to share the heart behind our 2027 Portugal Creative Retreat. Together, we explore expressive arts therapy, rediscovering a sense of play, and reconnecting with the version of ourselves that dreamed freely before life became so busy.

Set along the breathtaking coastline of Lagos, Portugal, this unforgettable retreat with Uptrek is about so much more than making art. It’s about remembering who you are, building confidence through creativity, and embracing powerful beliefs like, I can create. I can do this. I can make art. I can be who I am.

Whether you’re coming on your own or with friends, you’ll be welcomed into a supportive community where meaningful friendships are formed, creativity comes alive, and joy is rediscovered.

Learn more and join us HERE

Takeaway Tips:

• Create from curiosity, not perfection. Play is often where your most authentic creativity begins.
• Your creative voice is still there. Sometimes all it takes is the right environment and supportive people to help you believe, “I can create.”

Sometimes the biggest creative breakthrough isn’t changing what you’re making—it’s changing the environment you’re making it in.

Artist Michelle Allen joins Colour Me Happy to talk about how a move from the rainy Pacific Northwest to sunny Tucson transformed not only her quality of life but her creative energy. We explore how the people we surround ourselves with, the places we choose to live, and the experiences we seek out can shape our creativity in profound ways. Michelle shares insights on building a life that inspires you, embracing new creative pursuits, and finding joy in the everyday. It’s a conversation about creativity, connection, and why sometimes a change of scenery can change everything.

Make Memories with us in Portugal! Learn more HERE

2 Takeaway Tips:

1. Design your environment for creativity.
   The people, places, and routines around you either drain your energy or fuel it. Pay attention to what inspires you and intentionally create more of it in your life.
2. Seek inspiration beyond your main medium.
   Whether it’s pottery, baking sourdough, thrifting, or travel, exploring other creative outlets can refill your creative well and bring fresh ideas back into your work.

Collect what you love. Your home should tell your story, not impress someone else.
We are personally obsessed with a great Gallery Wall: they allow you can hang all your memories and treasures! We were thrilled to have Gallerist & Author Liz Lidgett joins us to challenge the idea that art is only for experts or the wealthy. We talk about overcoming the fear of walking into galleries, trusting your own taste, and giving yourself permission to start collecting art at any budget.

From hanging a treasured piece on your wall to displaying meaningful objects in unexpected places, this conversation is an invitation to create a home that truly reflects who you are.

2 Takeaways:

1. Trust your gut and collect what you love. The most meaningful homes are filled with pieces that bring you joy, not what you think others will approve of.
2. Your home is meant to be lived in. Embrace the handmade, display the things that matter, and let your space evolve with your story.

If an opportunity sounds too good to be true, it probably is. The best opportunities in art are built on real relationships, not expensive promises. - Brandi

What does a genuine creative partnership look like, and how can artists protect themselves from scams disguised as opportunities?

In this candid conversation, Rosso Art and Brandi share nearly 40 years of combined experience navigating the art world. From vanity exhibitions and pay-to-play features to building authentic relationships that support a sustainable career, this episode offers practical advice every artist needs to hear.

2 Takeaway Tips:

1. Don’t pay for validation.
Legitimate opportunities are built on mutual value, not large upfront fees for exposure, awards, or exhibitions.

2. Focus on relationships, not shortcuts.
The strongest careers are built through genuine connections, collaboration, and consistent work and not promises of overnight success.

"The more materials you explore, the more skills you gain—and eventually you’ll find the medium that helps you say exactly what you want to say.”

— Viktoria Maliar

What happens when two artists start geeking out over art supplies? In this episode, artist Viktoria Maliar shares her favourite materials, why she loves working with oils, and what it really takes to build a life as a full-time artist. From experimenting with mediums to adapting in a changing creative landscape, this conversation is packed with practical insights, studio talk, and a glimpse into the everyday realities behind a successful art career.

2 Takeaways:
Experiment before you commit. Try a variety of art supplies and mediums. Every material teaches you something new, even if it doesn’t become your forever medium.

Adaptability is part of the job. Building a sustainable art career isn’t just about making great work—it’s about staying curious, evolving, and being willing to learn as opportunities change.