Extraordinary Creatives

Ceri is joined by Richard Malone, a groundbreaking Irish artist whose work has been commissioned for the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Permanent Collection and is held in MoMA. Coming from a working class background in Ireland, Malone talks about forging a unique creative path, rejecting conventional systems, embracing being an outsider and keeping artistic integrity despite opportunities for commercial success.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• The colours and materials in Richard's work connect directly to his experiences on building sites and his grandmother's textile work.
• Despite not following traditional paths, Richard's commitment to making work on his own terms has led to significant recognition, including being the first Irish artist commissioned for the Metropolitan Museum's Permanent Collection.
• Richard believes in maintaining complete creative control, rejecting commercial opportunities (including creative director positions) that would compromise his artistic integrity.
• For Richard, success means having the daily privilege to create in his studio rather than external validation, fame, or financial reward, which helps him maintain perspective.
• Richard views trust as essential to the creative process, crediting collaborators who created psychological safety for his most successful projects, including his Royal Academy installation.
• Coming from a working class background in Ireland has given Richard a different perspective on institutions like the Royal Academy, allowing him to approach them with both respect and necessary irreverence.
• Richard believes artists need to become comfortable with failure and rejection and accept things when they don’t happen the way you would like or expect.

BEST MOMENTS

"The further that you get from where you started, the more you realise the importance of those things in constructing who you end up becoming."

"I think there is a part of me that really resists that art market in the way that I resisted the fashion system because it doesn't feel right to me.”

"The real luxury and the real joy, which I don't think a lot of people understand now, is that I get to come and sit in a studio and make whatever I want in a day. That is unbelievable to me from where I have come from."

"Like it reads immaculately, award, award, award, show, show, show, institution, institution, institution. But like, none of that was planned. And there's so much shit that's in between."

"I've been rejected for everything at least once. And I think now when I get rejected for something, it means nothing. It means absolutely nothing to me. I'm just like, oh, it's just not in my path.”

"Get off social media. It's not real and stop looking sideways."

EPISODE RESOURCES

Guest Links:

https://www.richard-malone.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/richardmalone/?hl=en

PODCAST HOST BIO

With over 30 years in the art world, Ceri has worked closely with leading artists and arts professionals, managed public and private galleries and charities, and curated more than 250 exhibitions and events. She sold artworks to major museums and private collectors and commissioned thousands of works across diverse media, from renowned artists such as John Akomfrah, Pipilotti Rist, Rafael Lozano-Hemmer and Vito Acconci. Now, she wants to share her extensive knowledge with you, so you can excel and achieve your goals.

****

Ceri Hand Coaching Membership: Group coaching, live art surgeries, exclusive masterclasses, portfolio reviews, weekly challenges. Access our library of content and resource hub anytime and enjoy special discounts within a vibrant community of peers and professionals. Ready to transform your art career? Join today! 

https://cerihand.com/membership/ 

****

Build Relationships The Easy Way
Our self-study video course, "Unlock Your Artworld Network,"  offers a straightforward 5-step framework to help you build valuable relationships effortlessly. Gain the tools and confidence you need to create new opportunities and thrive in the art world today.

https://cerihand.com/courses/unlock_your_artworld_network/

****

Book a Discovery Call Today 
To schedule a personalised 1-2-1 coaching session with Ceri or explore our group coaching options, simply email us at [email protected]

****

Discover Your Extraordinary Creativity 
Visit www.cerihand.com to learn how we can help you become an extraordinary creative.

Ceri talks about why many artists feel guilty about receiving support. Whether it’s financial, emotional backing or practical help, many struggle with feelings of guilt after asking for or receiving help. Ceri talks about how to shift from guilt to gratitude and embrace support as a fundamental part of the creative process. She also shares how to use reciprocity in a way that feels good for you and those who support you. Ceri ends the episode with a short exercise to help you reframe your mindset and truly own the support you receive.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Support is not charity, it’s an investment. People believe in your work and its potential to make an impact. Your creative work deserves investment, in the same way businesses would find investors and scientists source funding for research.
• When you feel guilt from accepting help you aren’t allowing yourself and those who believe in you to grow.
• Artists work hard to help others make sense of life. They challenge perceptions and expand our understanding. They improve every aspect of our lives, often asking for nothing or very little in return.
• Another reason artists can feel guilt is because of unspoken expectations, be clear and define any reciprocation or expectations with those who support you.
• Money and creativity have a complicated relationship. Many of us internalise the idea that making money from art taints it or financial support means we’re not independent. But thriving in your creative practice often means finding a healthy relationship with money.
• Write down three instances where you’ve received support. It could be financial help, encouragement, mentorship or a practical hand with something related to your creative work. Then think about why you felt guilty about accepting it, what story you were telling yourself at the time and think of a reframed perspective, that acknowledges why the support was given and why you deserved it.

BEST MOMENTS

“Why do we feel guilty about getting support? So often, it’s because society loves the story of the self-made genius who did it all on their own.”

“Whether it’s financial help, emotional backing, or practical assistance, many of us feel like we’re somehow on the backfoot or even a bit of a scrounger when people step in to help.”

“Artists enrich culture, challenge norms, and hold up a mirror to society, often without the recognition or compensation that matches the profound impact they have. Your creative practice has value, your work is vital and those who support you are investing in something that helps move humanity forward.”

“Often the person offering support isn’t looking for anything extravagant, they just want to feel appreciated and involved.”

“Instead of apologising for being supported, embrace it as part of your creative ecosystem.”

EPISODE RESOURCES

PODCAST HOST BIO

With over 30 years in the art world, Ceri has worked closely with leading artists and arts professionals, managed public and private galleries and charities, and curated more than 250 exhibitions and events. She sold artworks to major museums and private collectors and commissioned thousands of works across diverse media, from renowned artists such as John Akomfrah, Pipilotti Rist, Rafael Lozano-Hemmer and Vito Acconci. Now, she wants to share her extensive knowledge with you, so you can excel and achieve your goals.

****

Ceri Hand Coaching Membership: Group coaching, live art surgeries, exclusive masterclasses, portfolio reviews, weekly challenges. Access our library of content and resource hub anytime and enjoy special discounts within a vibrant community of peers and professionals. Ready to transform your art career? Join today! 

https://cerihand.com/membership/ 

****

Build Relationships The Easy Way
Our self-study video course, "Unlock Your Artworld Network,"  offers a straightforward 5-step framework to help you build valuable relationships effortlessly. Gain the tools and confidence you need to create new opportunities and thrive in the art world today.

https://cerihand.com/courses/unlock_your_artworld_network/

****

Book a Discovery Call Today 
To schedule a personalised 1-2-1 coaching session with Ceri or explore our group coaching options, simply email us at [email protected]

****

Discover Your Extraordinary Creativity 
Visit www.cerihand.com to learn how we can help you become an extraordinary creative.

Ceri interviews award winning filmmaker Halina Dyrschka, whose documentary "Beyond the Visible: Hilma af Klint" brought worldwide attention to the pioneer of abstract art. Halina shares her creative experiences, from acting and classical singing to filmmaking, the challenges of securing funding for her documentary and her battle against institutional gatekeeping in the art world. She also talks about how artists can embrace true creativity by recognising the essentialness of exploration and that reality is often overrated! 

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Halina's creative journey began in acting and classical singing, but frustration with the narrow minded theatre system led her to filmmaking, to maintain creative independence and tell stories that matter to her.
• When first seeing Hilma af Klint's work, Halina experienced an immediate emotional connection and became angry at how institutions had overlooked such powerful art, revealing systemic problems in museum culture.
• The art world often operates on institutional thinking rather than individual vision, people in museums across different countries think similarly because they prioritise career and success over the true purpose of art.
• Creating great work requires collaborating with people who will challenge you; Halina values working with editors and composers who bring different strengths and aren't afraid to push back when something isn't working.
• Funding is a major challenge for independent filmmakers, but Halina emphasises the importance of starting projects through self-funded research and following your enthusiasm before securing complete financing.
• After winning film prizes, Halina realised the happiness didn’t last and that what matters most is the inner journey and connecting with even one person who understands your work.
• Halina is drawn to extraordinary, overlooked biographies like Maria Sibylla Merian, a 17th-century female scientist and artist who travelled to South America to study insects when people were still burning witches in Europe.
• True creativity often emerges from spiritual exploration; both Hilma af Klint and James Howell (subjects of Halina's documentaries) were interested in spiritual questions.

BEST MOMENTS

"Reality is highly overrated. Especially as an artist.”

"It would have been a completely different film if we had gotten funding immediately. It took me quite a long time, five years for the research and doing it. But those were important years because even in the last half year, things were discovered."

"When my film was finished, I was refused from festivals for weeks, over months. Then I had an interesting moment; I felt that if I could just reach one person with it, that would be a huge success."

"If you put yourself alongside people who you are happy to be challenged by, I think that's a really great and exciting creative environment, where someone can playfully tease you into another way of thinking."

"The ego is the biggest problem for all of us. It's something we really have to get rid of, hopefully in this life."

"If it happens, it happens. If it should be, it will be. And if not, it does not. You have to trust life a bit, always trust life."

"The most important thing is that you trust yourself because then other people can trust you as well."

EPISODE RESOURCES

Guest Resources:

https://ambrosiafilm.de/en/film/jenseits-des-sichtbaren-hilma-af-klint/

PODCAST HOST BIO

With over 30 years in the art world, Ceri has worked closely with leading artists and arts professionals, managed public and private galleries and charities, and curated more than 250 exhibitions and events. She sold artworks to major museums and private collectors and commissioned thousands of works across diverse media, from renowned artists such as John Akomfrah, Pipilotti Rist, Rafael Lozano-Hemmer and Vito Acconci. Now, she wants to share her extensive knowledge with you, so you can excel and achieve your goals.

****

Ceri Hand Coaching Membership: Group coaching, live art surgeries, exclusive masterclasses, portfolio reviews, weekly challenges. Access our library of content and resource hub anytime and enjoy special discounts within a vibrant community of peers and professionals. Ready to transform your art career? Join today! 

https://cerihand.com/membership/ 

****

Build Relationships The Easy Way
Our self-study video course, "Unlock Your Artworld Network,"  offers a straightforward 5-step framework to help you build valuable relationships effortlessly. Gain the tools and confidence you need to create new opportunities and thrive in the art world today.

https://cerihand.com/courses/unlock_your_artworld_network/

****

Book a Discovery Call Today 
To schedule a personalised 1-2-1 coaching session with Ceri or explore our group coaching options, simply email us at [email protected]

****

Discover Your Extraordinary Creativity 
Visit www.cerihand.com to learn how we can help you become an extraordinary creative.

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Ceri talks about something that’s essential for every artist, how to spot your best work and see it objectively. She talks about why it is so important for your artistic career and how you can learn to make choices about your work, from submitting your work to group exhibitions.  

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Step back and create distance. If you are too close to your work then you will never be able to see it objectively. Time separation is a great way to practice this, put your work away for days or even weeks before you look at it again. You can also separate yourself by creating distance, hanging it up for example or seeing it in a different context.
• Look at your work as an image first. View your work as an image on a screen as in most cases this will be the first way people will see your work.
• Flip the question, what is the work trying to do? Ask yourself, What’s it really about? Where does the energy sit, where do your eyes go first? Does it surprise you, or does it feel predictable?
  Are you holding onto this piece because it’s genuinely strong, or just because it was a nightmare to make?
• Get clear on your core line of enquiry. If your work doesn’t align with what you care about most, it’s probably not your best!
• Ask for feedback and be realistic about it. Don’t just ask friends or people you know already like your work, ask people who will give honest and real feedback you can work with.
• Use your own best work to compare with. Stop comparing yourself to other artists. Your goal should be to keep pushing your own boundaries, rather than measuring up to someone else.
• Trust your body’s response, your instincts often know more than your rational brain, so don’t ignore them

BEST MOMENTS

"When you’re too close to your work, it’s impossible to see it objectively.”

“People are seeing your art as a digital image before they ever encounter it in person”

“If your work is driven by rage at the destruction of nature but it comes across as calm and decorative, it’s not hitting the mark.”

“You don’t need endless opinions that send you round in circles. But you do need to be prepared to hear something that challenges your assumptions.”

“Be ruthless with yourself, not in a self-critical way, but in a strategic way. You’re not just making work to tick boxes; you’re making work to move your practice somewhere new, somewhere you haven’t been before. That’s where the real progress happens.”

“Your body doesn’t lie. Even when your brain is trying to rationalise and talk you into liking something, your body’s reaction cuts straight through that noise.”

EPISODE RESOURCES

PODCAST HOST BIO

With over 30 years in the art world, Ceri has worked closely with leading artists and arts professionals, managed public and private galleries and charities, and curated more than 250 exhibitions and events. She sold artworks to major museums and private collectors and commissioned thousands of works across diverse media, from renowned artists such as John Akomfrah, Pipilotti Rist, Rafael Lozano-Hemmer and Vito Acconci. Now, she wants to share her extensive knowledge with you, so you can excel and achieve your goals.

****

Ceri Hand Coaching Membership: Group coaching, live art surgeries, exclusive masterclasses, portfolio reviews, weekly challenges. Access our library of content and resource hub anytime and enjoy special discounts within a vibrant community of peers and professionals. Ready to transform your art career? Join today! 

https://cerihand.com/membership/ 

****

Build Relationships The Easy Way
Our self-study video course, "Unlock Your Artworld Network,"  offers a straightforward 5-step framework to help you build valuable relationships effortlessly. Gain the tools and confidence you need to create new opportunities and thrive in the art world today.

https://cerihand.com/courses/unlock_your_artworld_network/

****

Book a Discovery Call Today 
To schedule a personalised 1-2-1 coaching session with Ceri or explore our group coaching options, simply email us at [email protected]

****

Discover Your Extraordinary Creativity 
Visit www.cerihand.com to learn how we can help you become an extraordinary creative.

Ceri interviews Rodolfo Groenewoud, co-founder of In4Art an institute pioneering art driven innovation. Rodolfo has secured funding for over 75 experimental projects, working between art and the sciences and industry.  Rodolfo talks about how artists function as influential researchers, capable of changing businesses and scientific breakthroughs through their unique thought processes. He demonstrates how collaboration creates innovation when artists are given the psychological safety to experiment. If you want to know how to connect your creative work to industries beyond the arts and find new ways to secure funding, you won’t want to miss this episode.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Rodolfo discovered artists were natural innovators during his honeymoon in Cuba, realising their studios weren't just creative spaces but laboratories of research and experimentation. This led him to establish In4Art to bridge artistic approaches with business and scientific innovation.
• Traditional innovation follows linear thinking, while art driven innovation allows for ‘meandering’, letting creators explore unexpected pathways that businesses typically avoid, resulting in breakthrough solutions when properly facilitated and protected.
• In4Art develops interdisciplinary partnerships between artists, scientists and businesses through an iterative process, beginning with small scale exploration phases before securing larger funding opportunities, ensuring all participants receive value regardless of project completion.
• Artists applying for collaborative opportunities should focus on communicating their motivation and vision rather than detailed project proposals. Showing genuine interest in collaboration and the subject matter is more compelling than technical details.
• Successful collaborative projects require psychological safety, with Rodolfo serving as a translator between corporate timelines and artistic processes, helping companies understand that apparent lack of progress often masks profound development happening.
• The most successful projects achieve recognition across multiple domains, appearing simultaneously in museums as artwork, at scientific conferences as research as well as in businesses as practical applications.
• Emerging artists should align their financial needs with their preferred working style, working out realistic income requirements before targeting opportunities, rather than applying to every available funding source.
• Art driven innovation creates more responsible and sustainable technology by encouraging reflection, questioning and testing. It also demystifies complex innovations like AI. Artists are essential collaborators in any development process.

BEST MOMENTS

"I wasn't just entering places where artists were being creative or painting or sculpting. I was entering places of research and experimentation and prototyping, very similar to the laboratories and companies I'd been working with."

"The main word and how it differs is meandering. It's allowing for the possibility of meandering. Artists can go from step one to step four and then decide they want to spend two weeks thinking about step two B in order to reach step six afterward."

"We slice up potential long term collaborations into phases and try to be open. We have this amount of money so we can get it to there, we'll search for more. If we have it, we can take the next step."

"Artists are one of the most important groups we have that can help with testing, experimentation, questioning, and demystifying. For that alone, they should be a normal party in any innovation process."

"When entering artist studios, I realised these were places of research and experimentation, similar to business laboratories I'd worked with - just smaller, often centred around one person or team."

"I know of many organisations who are very restless and want to see results quickly. The biggest advice I have, give it a year or a year and a half. Don't try to judge too much what goes on in between."

"My special sauce is that I'm an easy collaborator. I can easily work with people from very different walks of life, understanding just enough about every topic to avoid asking stupid questions."

"Instead of going for everything, think about why it should be you to go for this opportunity. Most of the time, we can pick out the applications that have spent time thinking about their fit."

EPISODE RESOURCES

PODCAST HOST BIO

With over 30 years in the art world, Ceri has worked closely with leading artists and arts professionals, managed public and private galleries and charities, and curated more than 250 exhibitions and events. She sold artworks to major museums and private collectors and commissioned thousands of works across diverse media, from renowned artists such as John Akomfrah, Pipilotti Rist, Rafael Lozano-Hemmer and Vito Acconci. Now, she wants to share her extensive knowledge with you, so you can excel and achieve your goals.

****

Ceri Hand Coaching Membership: Group coaching, live art surgeries, exclusive masterclasses, portfolio reviews, weekly challenges. Access our library of content and resource hub anytime and enjoy special discounts within a vibrant community of peers and professionals. Ready to transform your art career? Join today! 

https://cerihand.com/membership/ 

****

Build Relationships The Easy Way
Our self-study video course, "Unlock Your Artworld Network,"  offers a straightforward 5-step framework to help you build valuable relationships effortlessly. Gain the tools and confidence you need to create new opportunities and thrive in the art world today.

https://cerihand.com/courses/unlock_your_artworld_network/

****

Book a Discovery Call Today 
To schedule a personalised 1-2-1 coaching session with Ceri or explore our group coaching options, simply email us at [email protected]

****

Discover Your Extraordinary Creativity 
Visit www.cerihand.com to learn how we can help you become an extraordinary creative.

What if the biggest thing stopping you from selling your art is the way you think about selling? Join Ceri in this short solo episode as she talks about how you can fix your mindset around sales and sell more of your art.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Selling your art isn’t selling out but about backing yourself. You will keep finding reasons you can’t sell if you are holding onto this idea.

BEST MOMENTS

"Selling your art isn’t about selling out”

EPISODE RESOURCES

PODCAST HOST BIO

With over 30 years in the art world, Ceri has worked closely with leading artists and arts professionals, managed public and private galleries and charities, and curated more than 250 exhibitions and events. She sold artworks to major museums and private collectors and commissioned thousands of works across diverse media, from renowned artists such as John Akomfrah, Pipilotti Rist, Rafael Lozano-Hemmer and Vito Acconci. Now, she wants to share her extensive knowledge with you, so you can excel and achieve your goals.

****

Ceri Hand Coaching Membership: Group coaching, live art surgeries, exclusive masterclasses, portfolio reviews, weekly challenges. Access our library of content and resource hub anytime and enjoy special discounts within a vibrant community of peers and professionals. Ready to transform your art career? Join today! 

https://cerihand.com/membership/ 

****

Build Relationships The Easy Way
Our self-study video course, "Unlock Your Artworld Network,"  offers a straightforward 5-step framework to help you build valuable relationships effortlessly. Gain the tools and confidence you need to create new opportunities and thrive in the art world today.

https://cerihand.com/courses/unlock_your_artworld_network/

****

Book a Discovery Call Today 
To schedule a personalised 1-2-1 coaching session with Ceri or explore our group coaching options, simply email us at [email protected]

****

Discover Your Extraordinary Creativity 
Visit www.cerihand.com to learn how we can help you become an extraordinary creative.

Ceri speaks to art collectors Darryl de Prez and Victoria Thomas about their art collection, their approach to collecting and their views on why the art world needs to start recognising the true cost of art. They share their 30 year journey from meeting at the Courtauld Institute to building a stunning contemporary art collection. They talk about how their home has become an intimate evolving gallery, reflecting their commitment to supporting artists and living with art in a very personal way.

• KEY TAKEAWAYS
• Art collecting for Darryl de Prez and Victoria Thomas isn't about investment or status but about supporting artists' practices and living with work that continues to reveal new meanings over time. They've never sold a piece and loan works freely to exhibitions.
• The couple prioritises work with layers beyond aesthetics, pieces that intrigue, unsettle and challenge them. They're drawn to art that feels slightly sinister or mysterious, with an absence of humanity that creates a space for potential.
• Their collection evolved organically from individual purchases to collaborative decisions. They often recognise instantly when a piece speaks to them both, sometimes watching video works repeatedly before deciding to acquire them.
• Gallery relationships are crucial to their collecting. They value gallerists who educate them about artists and provide insight into practices, acknowledging galleries' vital role in supporting artists.
• They buy work regardless of medium, from paintings to video installations. They embrace artists who work across different disciplines. They respect artists' evolving practices, believing an artist's distinctness remains recognisable even as their medium changes.
• When hanging work in their home, they initially placed pieces wherever space allowed but now arrange more thoughtfully, discovering that works naturally develop relationships and conversations with each other across themes and concepts.
• Budget constraints shape their collecting, typically spending under £5,000 per piece and relying on galleries' payment plans. They've noticed financial barriers can prevent artists from continuing their careers.
• The couple wishes the art world would recognise the true cost of creating art and compensate artists fairly. They advocate for supporting artists' ‘thinking time’ and value art for its own sake, not just for economic benefit.

BEST MOMENTS

"We're attracted to work where aesthetics are important, but there needs to be something behind it, something that intrigues, that takes you further than the surface image."

"I spent a lot of time exploring all these items and creating a fantasy world around them. I think that's why with art, I'm very interested in things that are speculative narratives and realities."

"The joy of living with art is that you can experience it in a way you can't if you're looking at it in a museum. Works change with the light, they change with the time of day, they change with my mood."

"When Adham thanked us for buying his work because it enabled him to do further work, that got rid of all my bourgeois guilt about acquiring art."

"We find it incredibly moving to know that our interest in someone's work has enabled them to further develop ideas and make work they otherwise wouldn't have been able to do."

"The collection starts to have a mind of its own and it kind of dictates what you buy. We can see a work and think, 'we really love this,' but it wouldn't work with the other work we have."

"I think artists should be realistic about what the true costs are for presenting art to the public in a way that is wonderful and serious and meaningful."

EPISODE RESOURCES

PODCAST HOST BIO

With over 30 years in the art world, Ceri has worked closely with leading artists and arts professionals, managed public and private galleries and charities, and curated more than 250 exhibitions and events. She sold artworks to major museums and private collectors and commissioned thousands of works across diverse media, from renowned artists such as John Akomfrah, Pipilotti Rist, Rafael Lozano-Hemmer and Vito Acconci. Now, she wants to share her extensive knowledge with you, so you can excel and achieve your goals.

****

Ceri Hand Coaching Membership: Group coaching, live art surgeries, exclusive masterclasses, portfolio reviews, weekly challenges. Access our library of content and resource hub anytime and enjoy special discounts within a vibrant community of peers and professionals. Ready to transform your art career? Join today! 

https://cerihand.com/membership/ 

****

Build Relationships The Easy Way
Our self-study video course, "Unlock Your Artworld Network,"  offers a straightforward 5-step framework to help you build valuable relationships effortlessly. Gain the tools and confidence you need to create new opportunities and thrive in the art world today.

https://cerihand.com/courses/unlock_your_artworld_network/

****

Book a Discovery Call Today 
To schedule a personalised 1-2-1 coaching session with Ceri or explore our group coaching options, simply email us at [email protected]

****

Discover Your Extraordinary Creativity 
Visit www.cerihand.com to learn how we can help you become an extraordinary creative.

In this solo episode, Ceri talks about a common thing that holds artists and creatives back, waiting for funding, permission or the perfect time to get started. She shares why there is never a perfect time to start and how to succeed as an artist in any field, is just to begin and make things happen.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

1. The Work Comes Before the Money: Funding follows momentum, funders, collectors, commissioners want to back projects, not just ideas.
2. The ‘Right Conditions’ Are a Myth: There’s this common belief that you need the perfect time, space, or set of skills before you can really commit to your work. But there is no perfect time.
3. Exploration Leads to Evolution: No amount of planning can replace doing. Once you actually start, you learn what works, what excites you, and what you really need and the more you create, the more momentum builds.

BEST MOMENTS

“If your project only exists in your head, it’s incredibly difficult for anyone else to get excited about it.”

“You don’t need ideal conditions, you just need to begin.”

“Even just saying out loud what you’re working on makes it more real. Don’t let funders, gatekeepers, or circumstances dictate your creative momentum.”

EPISODE RESOURCES

PODCAST HOST BIO

With over 30 years in the art world, Ceri has worked closely with leading artists and arts professionals, managed public and private galleries and charities, and curated more than 250 exhibitions and events. She sold artworks to major museums and private collectors and commissioned thousands of works across diverse media, from renowned artists such as John Akomfrah, Pipilotti Rist, Rafael Lozano-Hemmer and Vito Acconci. Now, she wants to share her extensive knowledge with you, so you can excel and achieve your goals.

****

Ceri Hand Coaching Membership: Group coaching, live art surgeries, exclusive masterclasses, portfolio reviews, weekly challenges. Access our library of content and resource hub anytime and enjoy special discounts within a vibrant community of peers and professionals. Ready to transform your art career? Join today! 

https://cerihand.com/membership/ 

****

Build Relationships The Easy Way
Our self-study video course, "Unlock Your Artworld Network,"  offers a straightforward 5-step framework to help you build valuable relationships effortlessly. Gain the tools and confidence you need to create new opportunities and thrive in the art world today.

https://cerihand.com/courses/unlock_your_artworld_network/

****

Book a Discovery Call Today 
To schedule a personalised 1-2-1 coaching session with Ceri or explore our group coaching options, simply email us at [email protected]

****

Discover Your Extraordinary Creativity 
Visit www.cerihand.com to learn how we can help you become an extraordinary creative.

Ceri welcomes Emma Richardson, a polymath creative who seamlessly navigates music and visual art. Currently the bassist and vocalist for Pixies while maintaining her painting career, Emma talks about creative courage and change. She shares her experience with Band of Skulls, her pivot towards painting during lockdown and her unexpected invitation to join one of rock's most influential bands. Emma's story shows the power of following your creative instincts, even when the path forward isn't clear.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Emma credits her early art teacher Mr. Malin for introducing her to diverse art forms and her tutor Clunie Reid for providing philosophical reading that expanded her artistic vision.
• The music industry and art world require different approaches but similar courage. Emma describes how transitioning from an established band to pursuing painting full time meant "being back to square one" but allowed her to reconnect with her original passion.
• The creative states of music and visual art have distinctly different energies. While performing music provides an immediate collective energy exchange with audiences, painting offers a private, contemplative flow state where Emma can explore deeper themes and take different kinds of creative risks.
• Performance involves a specific kind of energy management. Emma evolved from using alcohol to manage performance anxiety to developing much better self care including exercise and proper sleep, to be in the right headspace and have the right energy.
• Finding your creative community transforms solo practice. After reconnecting with painting through the Turps correspondence course and Ceri Hand Rocket Booster course, Emma discovered an essential group of fellow artists who provided both inspiration and practical support for her renewed career direction.
• Emma learned that passion alone isn't enough, understanding promotion, sales, and professional relationships is essential for building a sustainable creative career in any discipline.
• Saying "yes" to unexpected opportunities can lead to extraordinary growth. When invited to join Pixies, Emma embraced the challenge of learning their extensive catalogue and stepping into a legendary band, demonstrating how preparation meets opportunity in creative careers.

BEST MOMENTS

"Being given a book at school with Georgia O'Keeffe's work just really resonated with me, there was a feeling about her work that I got, which I loved."

"At college, just learning different skill sets of drawing from life, drawing from still life... the thrill of that, being able to draw from life and make something appear out of nowhere, which looked actually real."

"Being on tour is quite an intense experience. Early days, everything's new, you're seeing new countries and cities for the first time. There's usually quite a lot of alcohol involved for nerves. You have this sort of come up and then come down."

"With painting, it's very much still a performance but because it's solo and you're on your own in a space and no one's watching you, you can get lost a bit easier and feel a flow in a sense." 

"When you're starting a different aspect of your creative practice, where you feel like you're at a different stage, it's those early stages of 'How do I promote myself? How do I sustain my practice? How do I sell work? How do I get shows?'" 

"It's being brave enough to go out and ask for help sometimes, or ask for knowledge, or to be able to understand the business side of the art world a bit more. You want to create, but earning and living from it is another beast." 

"I think from what you were saying earlier, that sort of delight when the gallerist invited you to be in the show. There's a shared commitment to sharing the work with a wider public, that that's something that you desire." 

"Sometimes to wait for great, we have to say goodbye to good. It can be tough to walk away from people, projects, or careers we love in order to explore what's truly possible for us."

EPISODE RESOURCES

Emma Richardson
Website: emmarichardsonart.com
Instagram: @elrpainting 

Band of Skulls – I Know What I Am (Official Music Video), featuring Emma Richardson’s painting as a stunning animated backdrop, seamlessly blending her visual and musical worlds.

PODCAST HOST BIO

With over 30 years in the art world, Ceri has worked closely with leading artists and arts professionals, managed public and private galleries and charities, and curated more than 250 exhibitions and events. She sold artworks to major museums and private collectors and commissioned thousands of works across diverse media, from renowned artists such as John Akomfrah, Pipilotti Rist, Rafael Lozano-Hemmer and Vito Acconci. Now, she wants to share her extensive knowledge with you, so you can excel and achieve your goals.

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Ceri Hand Coaching Membership: Group coaching, live art surgeries, exclusive masterclasses, portfolio reviews, weekly challenges. Access our library of content and resource hub anytime and enjoy special discounts within a vibrant community of peers and professionals. Ready to transform your art career? Join today! 

https://cerihand.com/membership/ 

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Build Relationships The Easy Way
Our self-study video course, "Unlock Your Artworld Network,"  offers a straightforward 5-step framework to help you build valuable relationships effortlessly. Gain the tools and confidence you need to create new opportunities and thrive in the art world today.

https://cerihand.com/courses/unlock_your_artworld_network/

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Book a Discovery Call Today 
To schedule a personalised 1-2-1 coaching session with Ceri or explore our group coaching options, simply email us at [email protected]

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Discover Your Extraordinary Creativity 
Visit www.cerihand.com to learn how we can help you become an extraordinary creative.

In this solo episode, Ceri talks about a truth many artists and creatives struggle with: Success won’t change your life. We’re told that success is the finish line, but this is far from the truth, success is fleeting and life carries on afterwards. Ceri talks about what success really means for creatives and artists and how changing your mindset around it can help you build and live a more fulfilling life and creative career.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Success isn’t about reaching a final goalpost but about continuous growth. When you start measuring your progress by how much you’re evolving, rather than just ticking off achievements, everything changes.
• Most artists and creatives underestimate the power of slow-building momentum. You’re not just working toward some distant finish line; you’re constantly growing in ways you might not even notice.
• If you want to build a creative life that lasts, stop waiting for success to validate you. Instead:

- Redefine success – What does progress look like for you?
- Follow your curiosity – Chase ideas, not approval.
- Celebrate small wins – Acknowledge every step forward.
- Track your progress – Keep a journal, document your journey, and reflect on how far you’ve come.
- Give yourself permission to change – Your creative path isn’t fixed. It’s fluid, and that’s a good thing.

BEST MOMENTS

“That external validation wasn’t the most important part, the real reward was in the process”

"But the real joy? It comes from holding these goals like a roadmap, not a rigid itinerary. The destination helps plot the most scenic route, where you’ll meet incredible, funny, and inspiring people along the way.”

“Have you had a conversation recently that sparked a new idea? Have you experimented with a technique or approach that felt exciting? Have you shared your work with someone and received valuable feedback? These are growth moments. And they matter just as much as a big career milestone.”

EPISODE RESOURCES

PODCAST HOST BIO

With over 30 years in the art world, Ceri has worked closely with leading artists and arts professionals, managed public and private galleries and charities, and curated more than 250 exhibitions and events. She sold artworks to major museums and private collectors and commissioned thousands of works across diverse media, from renowned artists such as John Akomfrah, Pipilotti Rist, Rafael Lozano-Hemmer and Vito Acconci. Now, she wants to share her extensive knowledge with you, so you can excel and achieve your goals.

****

Ceri Hand Coaching Membership: Group coaching, live art surgeries, exclusive masterclasses, portfolio reviews, weekly challenges. Access our library of content and resource hub anytime and enjoy special discounts within a vibrant community of peers and professionals. Ready to transform your art career? Join today! 

https://cerihand.com/membership/ 

****

Build Relationships The Easy Way
Our self-study video course, "Unlock Your Artworld Network,"  offers a straightforward 5-step framework to help you build valuable relationships effortlessly. Gain the tools and confidence you need to create new opportunities and thrive in the art world today.

https://cerihand.com/courses/unlock_your_artworld_network/

****

Book a Discovery Call Today 
To schedule a personalised 1-2-1 coaching session with Ceri or explore our group coaching options, simply email us at [email protected]

****

Discover Your Extraordinary Creativity 
Visit www.cerihand.com to learn how we can help you become an extraordinary creative.