Paintbrush & Ivories

Paintbrush & Ivories

By Michelle Walker & Jennifer Ruth RussellReligion & SpiritualityArtsVisual Arts
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Paintbrush & Ivories episodes

  • Your Creative Identity with Liz Ackerley

    Have you ever pondered your creative identity and style? As artists, this is a key question.

    Prompted by a quote from Cezanne:  ‘The most seductive thing about art is the personality of the artist himself’, Michelle and her guest, Liz Ackerley, a mixed media abstract artist from the UK, discuss the pursuit of our creative identity in our work.

    The questioning of our interests, focus and intent within our artwork is an important part of coming to understand our identity as an artist. The skill of noticing what you notice, the practice of journaling thoughts and ideas and being disciplined with the quantum of time spent absorbing other artists’ work on social media are some of the topics discussed in today’s episode.

    Ways to connect with today's guest, Liz Ackerley:

    • lizackerleyart.com
  • com/lizackerleyart
  • com/lizackerley
  • facebook.com/LizAckerleyArt
  • twitter.com/LizAckerleyArt
  • online courses: https://lizackerley.podia.com/

    • Artists, links and resources mentioned in this episode:

    • Rebecca Crowell’s The Messy Studio podcast – episode #167 'The Power of Intentions' https://messystudio.fireside.fm/167
  • Cold Wax Academy - https://coldwaxacademy.com/

    • You can find your hosts at these places:

    Michelle’s website – www.michellewalkerart.com

    Michelle on Instagram – www.instagram.com/michellewalkerart

    Michelle on YouTube – www.youtube.com/c/michellewalkerart

    Jennifer’s website – www.jenniferruthrussell.com

    Jennifer on Patreon – www.patreon.com/JenniferandMichael

    37 min
  • Making Creative Collaborations Work

    The old proverb from West African country of Burkina Faso: ‘If you want to go fast, go alone but if you want to go far, go together’ underlines the topic for today’s episode – creative collaborations. Jennifer and Michelle discuss the experiences they have had, why they believe them to offer value to artists and key areas to pay attention to, to ensure they are time well spent.

    Artists, links and resources mentioned in this episode:

    • Jude White - https://www.judewhite.com.au/
  • Trent Jansen & Johnny Nargoodah - https://gallerysallydancuthbert.com/artists/53-trent-jansen-and-johnny-nargoodah/overview/
  • Pasek & Paul – Benj Pasek & Justin Paul - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pasek_and_Paul
  • Beautiful Chorus - https://www.beautifulchorus.com/

    • You can find your hosts at these places:

    Michelle’s website – www.michellewalkerart.com

    Michelle on Instagram – www.instagram.com/michellewalkerart

    Michelle on YouTube – www.youtube.com/c/michellewalkerart

    Jennifer’s website – www.jenniferruthrussell.com

    Jennifer on Patreon – www.patreon.com/JenniferandMichael

    31 min
  • The Path of Serenity for Our Creativity in Times of Change

    What happens to our creative practice when big changes occur in our lives? How does that affect how we see ourselves as artists? In this episode, Jennifer and Michelle reflect on the recent changes in their lives and how that’s affected their identities as artists and how this theme of change is part of the journey many artists experience in their lifetimes. Suleika Jaouad, a best selling author was diagnosed with lukemia at the age of 22 and has gone on to embrace her writing career with the release of her memoir ‘Between Two Kingdoms: The Story of a Life Interrupted’ and now writes the Isolation Journals that she shares with her community. Clarke Reynolds, a vision impaired artist who is currently having his first London exhibition of his brightly coloured braille dot art that tells the story of his journey.

    Artists, links and resources mentioned in this episode:

    • Suleika Jaouad
  • Clarke Reynolds’s first London exhibition
  • Michelle’s grandfather Edward (Ted) Blackmore’s book Adventure, Adversity and Achievement (2002)

    • You can find your hosts at these places:

    Michelle’s website – www.michellewalkerart.com

    Michelle on Instagram – www.instagram.com/michellewalkerart

    Michelle on YouTube – www.youtube.com/c/michellewalkerart

    Jennifer’s website – www.jenniferruthrussell.com

    Jennifer on Patreon – www.patreon.com/JenniferandMichael

    25 min
  • Self Care & The Ayurvedic Clock with Yolanda de Cuevas

    Starting out the year with a focus on self-care is the topic of today’s episode. Jennifer and Michelle are joined by artist, yogi and Ayurvedic practitioner, Yolanda de Cuevas who takes listeners through an understanding of our natural rhythms as seen in the Ayurvedic practice. Managing our activities with the natural flow of energies throughout the day ( / year / our lives) can greatly help our health and wellbeing. Taking care of ourselves first, means we are more able to be alive to our creativity and give more in the world. Join the conversation with the beautiful wisdom Yolanda has to share.

    Artists, links and resources mentioned in this episode:

    • Exploring New Places article from Michelle’s trip to south coast NSW - https://michellewalker.com.au/studionotes2/
  • Plein Air Mark Making with Natural Earth Pigments video - https://youtu.be/Bu9qULi4w8k
  • Yolanda’s article on the Ayurvedic Clock - https://yogahealthcoaching.com/ayurvedic-clock-war-with-time/
  • US based Cate Stillman who runs Yoga Healer Community https://yogahealthcoaching.com/
  • Dr Claudia Welsh - https://drclaudiawelch.com/
  • Episode #15 Reflect & Release: Harvesting the Gems
  • Episode #16 Dream & Bloom: Welcoming in the new year

    • You can contact our guest here:

  • Follow Yolanda on Insta - @yolandadecuevas

    • You can find your hosts at these places:

    Michelle’s website – www.michellewalkerart.com

    Michelle on Instagram – www.instagram.com/michellewalkerart

    Michelle on YouTube – www.youtube.com/c/michellewalkerart

    Jennifer’s website – www.jenniferruthrussell.com

    Jennifer on Patreon – www.patreon.com/JenniferandMichael

    44 min
  • I Want My Results Now

    At this time of year, many artists do an end-of-year review. One of the issues that can arise is the feeling of frustration and impatience with the speed at which we are achieving our goals and seeing the results we want. In this episode, Michelle, flying solo shares her thoughts about this issue and how to work through it. One of the ways she recommends to switch focus from any impatience is by joining one of the online art challenges that can ease you into the year and talks about several offered in January that might be of interest.

    Artists, links and resources mentioned in this episode:

    • Episode #15 Reflect & Release: Harvesting the Gems & Episode #16 Dream & Bloom: Welcoming in the new year
  • Susan Yeate’s 30 Day Sketchbook Challenge
  • Tara Leaver’s 21 Days in My Artworld challenge
  • Lindsay Jean Thomson’s The 100 Day Project

    • You can find your hosts here:

    Michelle’s website | on Instagram | on YouTube

    Jennifer’s website | on Patreon

    16 min
  • The Faith Walk of An Artist

    When we are called to create, we are also called to believe that our creativity is supported in every way needed so we can bring it into the world. This is ‘the faith walk of an artist’. It means to walk ‘with a trusting heart’ in the world. This is the topic of today’s episode – Michelle and Jennifer talk about these concepts as well as what happens when we trust that we are called to do our creativity and bad things, like failure and bankruptcy happen? How can we pick ourselves up and carry on.

    Links and resources mentioned in this episode:

    • Money Mojo for Artists 7-day Challenge - https://tinyurl.com/moneymojochallenge

    You can find your hosts at these places:

    Michelle’s website – www.michellewalkerart.com

    Michelle on Instagram – www.instagram.com/michellewalkerart

    Michelle on YouTube – www.youtube.com/c/michellewalkerart

    Jennifer’s website – www.jenniferruthrussell.com

    Jennifer on Patreon – www.patreon.com/JenniferandMichael

    36 min
  • Artist Vs Artisan and the Place for Controversy

    What’s in a name? Inspired by a controversial quote from performance and visual artist, Yoko Ono about what defines an artist versus an artisan, Michelle and Jennifer talk through their views on these titles and how they have come to understand the context of controversy in art-making and the important process of finding one’s voice.

    Artists, resources and links mentioned in this episode:

    • Money Mojo for Artists 7-day Challenge – michellewalker.com.au/money
  • Yoko Ono - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoko_Ono
  • John Cage and his 4’33” - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/4’33”
  • Sleepify the silent album by American funk band Vulfpeck - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sleepify

    • You can find your hosts at these places:

    Michelle’s website – www.michellewalkerart.com

    Michelle on Instagram – www.instagram.com/michellewalkerart

    Michelle on YouTube – www.youtube.com/c/michellewalkerart

    Jennifer’s website – www.jenniferruthrussell.com

    Jennifer on Patreon – www.patreon.com/JenniferandMichael

     

    24 min
  • Artist’s Guide to Navigating Commissions

    It can be truly exciting when someone wants to commission us as artists to create an artwork. Navigating what comes next, takes some business savvy and belief in your artistic skills. Managing the contracting process as well as undertaking the work and delivering a well-received final piece can be tricky if you don’t know about the pitfalls. In this episode, Michelle talks you through the steps she follows to undertake commission work so you maintain your sanity and enjoy the process along the way.

    Resources and links mentioned in this episode:

    • Template for an Australian-based artist's commission agreement with a client: https://sprintlaw.com.au/articles/artist-commission-agreement/
  • To be notified when the next Money Mojo for Artists Challenge is being run, go to: https://michellewalker.com.au/money-mojo-challenge-closed/

    • You can find your hosts at these places:

    Michelle’s website – www.michellewalkerart.com

    Michelle on Instagram – www.instagram.com/michellewalkerart

    Michelle on YouTube – www.youtube.com/c/michellewalkerart

    Jennifer’s website – www.jenniferruthrussell.com

    Jennifer on Patreon – www.patreon.com/JenniferandMichael

    23 min
  • Creating in Community

    “Community hones us” is a quote from Jennifer that emerges as she and Michelle talk about how community plays important roles in each of creative lives. The formal and informal communities that support us in our growth artistically can take many forms, and it's up to each of us to find the balance between being in community and dancing out for quiet alone time in the studio.

    Resources and links mentioned in this episode:

    • Spirit Art School https://angelsofabundanceascensionacademy.com/spirit-art-school/
  • 5D Naval Chakra meditation as part of Jennifer’s Morning Light Meditations - https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/7fc3b1c3-3c5f-4283-8656-efe00b7bf6a5/episodes/a3368970-ef33-4cb1-8b41-9f0ad0405ff2/morning-light-meditations-5d-navel-chakra
  • Alice Sheridan’s Connected Artist Club - https://alicesheridan.com/artists/

    • You can find your hosts at these places:

    Michelle’s website – www.michellewalkerart.com

    Michelle on Instagram – www.instagram.com/michellewalkerart

    Michelle on YouTube – www.youtube.com/c/michellewalkerart

    Jennifer’s website – www.jenniferruthrussell.com

    Jennifer on Patreon – www.patreon.com/JenniferandMichael

    27 min
  • How to Build a Body of Work

    In this episode, Jennifer and Michelle talk about the concept of a creative's body of work and how they each go about it for their artistry – whether it’s for an exhibition or a new CD of music and songs – there are phases and tips for embarking, sustaining and finishing your project.

    Resources and artists mentioned in this episode:

    • Whitney Freya's Creatively Fit Coach Training program
  • Michelle’s book, 20,000 Brushstrokes – inspiring lessons for joyful living beyond heartbreak, loss and discontent
  • Jennifer’s new EP, I Am Golden – listen to clips here and how to access the whole album.

    • You can find your hosts at these places:

    Michelle’s website – www.michellewalkerart.com

    Michelle on Instagram – www.instagram.com/michellewalkerart

    Michelle on YouTube – www.youtube.com/c/michellewalkerart

    Jennifer’s website – www.jenniferruthrussell.com

    Jennifer on Patreon – www.patreon.com/JenniferandMichael

    33 min

About Paintbrush & Ivories

From the publisher's feed

Paintbrush & Ivories is the podcast for artists, curious creatives and art lovers that connects creativity with heart and soul. Twice a month, your hosts, Michelle Walker and Jennifer Ruth Russell share generous, soulful conversations about what it takes to have a joyful, fulfilling life while balancing and nurturing your creativity. If you are someone who feels ’called’ to your creative pursuits, then this is the podcast for you. Michelle and Jennifer wish to inspire you to be every bit the artist you’re meant to be. Michelle Walker is a visual artist who lives in a rural town on the east coast of Australia and is passionate about creating art that honours the beauty and wonder of Mother Nature. Jennifer Ruth Russell is a award-winning singer song writer and spiritual teacher based on the east coast, USA. They bring you perspectives from across the creative pursuits and the Pacific Ocean!