In today’s podcast we are talking about the benefits of starting your art journey later in life. So if you’ve been thinking about creating or know someone that is, remember it’s never too late, whatever your age.

Today's podcast guest is Carrie Waller. Carrie is an award-winning watercolour artist working in a realistic, detailed style. Her studies in Interior Design and Graphic Design as well as her time spent living in Europe and Asia have influenced her as an artist. Her unique works are bold, vibrant and dramatic. As well as exhibiting and selling her art she also teaches workshops and private classes.

Dan Whiteson is a portrait/figurative painter from London. Since graduating from Central Saint Martins, his work has since been shown in numerous group and solo shows across the UK and can be found in private collections all over the world. 

As well as his own painting, Dan also teaches. He created his life drawing classes in response to his own, negative experiences of life classes & creative education. He offers an informal approach with an emphasis on experimental techniques and exercises. He aims to create an environment in which students, regardless of ability, can feel relaxed and inspired. 

Andrea Ehrhardt is a professional mural artist based in Springfield, Missouri, but she has created murals all over the world. Many of her murals allow passer-bys a photo opportunity, such as standing in front of Angel Wings. These get shared on social media and help spread her work. She has also grown her business through video, which she shares more about in the podcast.

Today’s podcast is all about ten skills that every artist needs. That’s from the creative side of things to admin or business skills.

In today's podcast we’re going to talk about using your imagination in your art, even if you don’t think you have any. We can all use imagination in our art. The key to it is finding a way of unlocking that part of your brain. We all have it, it’s just a matter of finding out how to access it.

In today's podcast, we’re going to talk about the curse of perfectionism for artists. And one of the first things to consider is why you are striving for perfection. Are you striving for perfection because you enjoy the process of getting there? (That’s not a bad thing) Or are you just striving for perfection to prove to others, or yourself that you are ‘good enough?’

Today we are talking about the pros and cons of social media for artists of which there are many. I think at some point we will all have had some great experiences on social media, whether that is making new friends and contacts or a great comment. But of course it also has its downsides too.

Today we are talking about creating cartoon characters. Sandra received a message from Penny Henriksen who is in our Facebook Group saying  “I  would love for you to talk about your comic process. How did you develop Felicity Fizz (create her)? How do you come up with your ideas? How do you sketch her up (digital/other)? What tools do you use for her? She's been up for while now - we just need a Felicity Fizz. As both Sandra and I like creating characters and cartoons we thought it was a great topic for a podcast. We both have very different ways of coming up with them, so we’ll both talk about our own approaches.

Today we are talking about how to start oil painting. Sandra remembers feeling scared to try them initially and so she talks from her own experience. She used to use watercolours because oil painting looked so complicated…. All those weird oil painting mediums, recipes, the expense, not to mention the health issues relating to oils and thinners that she had read about… And of course that unmistakable oil paint smell! 

But about ten years ago an artist friend of hers said she should try them. The moment she tried them, she knew she had found the perfect medium to suit her style.