Passionate Painter Podcast

Welcome back. I’m excited to share my interview with Patrick Shanahan of Art Storefronts, an art website provider that provides built-in storefront functionality so artists can sell their work without having to handle all the technical aspects. The company offers both a collaborative arrangement and a done-for-you arrangement, so artists can participate as much or as little as they would like. There is also robust marketing support through webinars and educaitonal resources, and a subscription option for a year-round marketing calendar. 

As you can tell, I’m excited about this company. After hearing me talk about website companies like this one for the past two years, I’ve decided to put my money on this one. And as always, I will let you know how it goes. I’m happy to say, so far so good. So far, the company shown itself to be solid on technical support in my ongoing set up process. 

I am also impressed with my ability to get Art Storefront’s Marketing Director, Patrick Shanahan on the show to answer my myriad of questions on your behalf. As you know, any company that cares about my listeners is okay in my book. 

Please note my Art Storefronts site is still under construction as of the posting of this episode in September of 2024, They have actually been slowing the build to accommodate my availability around my day job. I have a dedicated build specialist who is walking me through the process, and I will let you know when it’s been switched over from my existing site to the new storefront.

I hope you enjoy the conversation. As always, please reach out with your questions or comments. I’m always listening.
#artistwebsites #passionatepainterpodcast #artstorefronts #carolineitaliacarlson

Moving Forward with a Body of Artwork

Welcome back. If you've listened to episode 98, you know I took a year off the podcast to attain my MFA. I'm happy to share that I completed a one-year accelerated MFA program in Media Design through Full Sail University.
Completing the heavy grad school workload while keeping my job required hours after work every day and on weekends in addition to a 40-hour work week allowed for very little sleep, even less housekeeping (thank you to my husband for hanging in there), and no time for painting or podcasting. Thank you to you, my loyal listeners, who hung in there. The show is back, and I'm excited to continue my conversations with you, my fellow artists.

Now, if you're a longtime listener, then you know that for me, this show is all about you, my sister, and what you need as an artist. But since I'm jumping back in after a long break, I am checking in and letting you know what's coming up.
This episode will give you an idea of some epiphanies I've gained during the year that can help other artists. The next podcast will resume my interviews with artists and professionals whose businesses provide resources that support artists.
In looking back on how much I was able to cram into the past year to achieve a big career goal, the key takeaways from my grad school experience that can help artists can be put into four steps:

Step 1: Have a clear picture of where you want to go.
Step 2: Know your risk tolerance.
Step 3: Pick a direction through ideation and research
Step 4: Make consistent progress your goal.

Click here to read the complete shownotes for this episode.

Welcome to part 2 of my interview with G.J. Gillespie.

In this episode we discuss ways to improve your art, pricing your art, his art supply business, his company's Trusted Creator program, and his best advice for artists seeking exposure for their art. And don't forget, you can watch the full video of this interview, see examples of Gary's work, and get links to everything we discuss in the interview at passionatepainterpodcast.com/episode98.

If you haven't yet listened to part 1, I recommend listening to that first, to hear Gary's bio and our discussion on getting published in journals and other tactics Gary uses to get exposure for his art. We also talk about his creative process as well as his creative voice. It's available now at  passionatepainterpodcast.com/episode97.

Welcome to my interview with G.J. Gillespie.

Having been published in over 90 publications, this is one prolific artist. The interview ran over an hour, so I've broken it into two parts for listening convenience. Check out part 1 for Gary's bio and discussion on getting published in journals and other tactics Gary uses to gain exposure for his art. We also talk about his creative process as well as his creative voice. And don't forget to check out the show notes for this episode to see the full video of the interview, examples of Gary's work, and to get all the links mentioned in our conversation. The show notes for part one can be found at passionatepainterpodcast.com/episode97.

Check out part 2 for our discussion on the ways to improve your art, pricing your art, his art supply business, his company's Trusted Creator program, and his best advice for artists seeking exposure for their art.
Part 2 is available now at passionatepaitnerpodcast.com/episode98.

This demo on how I paint using marble dust mixed into linseed oil instead of using solvents is for my listeners who've asked to see a demonstration after watching my interview with internationally acclaimed artist and author Kimberly Brooks in Passionate Painter Podcast episodes 70 and 71.

Kimberly is the author of The New Oil Painting: Your Essential Guide to Materials and Safe Practices. Her book is a how-to on clearing out your studio of dangerous toxins, with tons of useful advice.

I've been painting with minimal use of gambol solvent since reading the book, and I'm pleased with the results. The only time I use it these days is if I need to give my brushes a cleaning swoosh before their final wipe when I'm done with my painting session, and I'm phasing out even these brief instances as well.

After posting 70 and 71, I was surprised that my interview with Kimberly generated so much controversial buzz. Many questions about whether using marble dust is in fact less safe than using solvent.

For myself, I am comfortable using it, and this demo will show you how I use it in what I consider a safe manner. That said, I recommend Kim's book for a thorough explanation of the process. You can also reach out directly to Kim with questions through the contact page of her website at https://www.kimberlybrooks.com/about/contact

Now before we get started, disclaimer:
I am not an expert on the use of marble dust and linseed oil as a substitute for solvents. I am showing you how I personally use them and the precautions I take because you, my listeners are asking for a demo.

I am not a hazardous materials expert and cannot tell you that marble dust is 100% safe. You should be careful not to stir the dust into the air where you may breathe it in, as it is not safe to inhale.

This video is purely for informational and entertainment purposes, to provide some recommendations on keeping its use as safe as possible.

As we get started please note that I am wearing an N95 face mask, just as a precaution, and you will see I am careful not to stir up the dust or use it in large quantities.

I am also wearing gloves, as I always do. This is unrelated to using marble dust, however, it is because I am keeping my hands away from the paint, which is likely to trigger a reaction on my skin due to allergies.

In addition to the mask, I do keep an air purifier in my studio to help keep the air as clean and safe as possible. My model is a wind PlasmaWave 5500-2 with HEPA Filter, designed to Reduce VOCs or volatile organic compounds, such as solvents, as well as to catch airborne particles. I got mine at winixamerica.com, which I'll link to in the show notes. This is not an affiliate link — I am simply sharing my satisfaction with this product. You can also purchase them from amazon.com and other online marketplaces.

Having this filter doesn't mean I can be careless in stirring up stone dust or leaving solvents uncovered. I am still cautious with both whenever I use them, and I do recommend this type of air purifier when in a studio in which VOCs and/or stone dust or other particles you won't want to breathe are present.

Read the complete transcription of this video at passionatepainterpodcast.com/episode96

Until Next time,
Go make something.

#passionatepainterpodcast
#kimberlybrooks
#solventfreeoilpainting

Welcome to part 2 of my interview in progress with Rachel Druckenmiller. She's a singer and founder of Unmuted, the platform through which she encourages people to stop hiding their dreams and step into the light.

If you haven't yet listened to part 1, you might want to go back to that first, to hear Rachel's bio, and lots of inspiring advice.

As you know, this podcast focuses on visual artists, specifically those in the fine art realm. As I mentioned at the beginning of the video, I've brought Rachel — both a singer and motivational speaker — to you to share her message of encouragement and inspiration to build your confidence as a creative and pursue your dreams in spite of roadblocks and fear. Her message is one we can all benefit from, and the fact that she sings during parts of this interview makes it even more magical. Enjoy.

Since the interview ran to an hour, I've broken it into two parts for listening convenience. Part 1 is available now at passionatepainterpodcast.com/episode94.

#passionatepainterpodcast
#racheldruckenmiller
#unmuted

Welcome to my interview with Rachel Druckenmiller. She's a singer and founder of Unmuted, the platform through which she encourages people to stop hiding their dreams and step into the light.

As you know, this podcast focuses on visual artists, specifically those in the fine art realm. As I mentioned at the beginning of the video, I've brought Rachel — both a singer and motivational speaker — to you to share her message of encouragement and inspiration to build your confidence as a creative and pursue your dreams in spite of roadblocks and fear. Her message is one we can all benefit from, and the fact that she sings during parts of this interview makes it even more magical. Enjoy.

Since the interview ran to an hour, I've broken it into two parts for listening convenience. Part 2 is available now at passionatepainterpodcast.com/episode95.

#passionatepainterpodcast
#racheldruckenmiller
#unmuted

Welcome back to my interview in progress with American painter Lisa Daly Kansas. Please note there's a point in the interview that I jump off the mic to quickly grab something to show Lisa in our Zoom call. For those of you listening in audio-only format, it's a framed photo of two paper checks I received in the mail. You'll understand the rest when you hear it.

That said, don't forget the full video of this interview can be seen on the show notes page for either episode at passionaterpainterpodcast.com.

And if you haven't yet listened to part 1, you might want to go back and listen to that first to hear Lisa's bio and learn about her origin as an artist, how she began selling her work, her social media strategy, and advice on art fairs.

You can find it at passionatepainterpodcast.com/episode92.

Welcome back. Before I introduce my guest, I want to thank all of my listeners for your loyalty and encouragement. I love creating episodes to encourage you to chase down your art dreams and keep moving forward. That's why it's been a difficult decision to put the show on something of a sabbatical for the near future, to give me time to advance my own art career.

Producing a quality show is extremely important to me and I enjoy it, but it takes a lot of time. I do plan to continue, though at a more spaced-apart pace.  As I make progress on my own fine art journey, I'll produce shows to share my experiences with you in hopes of helping you along your own path.

I appreciate each of you, and as a thank you, I will be giving away two scholarships to my complete masterclass, the portrait code on March 26th, 2023. Sign up for my email list to be automatically entered to win by going to the sidebar of passionatepainterpodcast.com

The course comes with modules on design, composition, anatomy, perspective, color theory, mixing skin tones, a full portrait demonstration, and so much more, including a seven-lesson module on confidence.

Now, on to today's guest. I am happy to introduce you to an artist who is nothing short of a fireball. She began painting full-time in 2017 and in just a few short years seems to be everywhere in my adopted hometown of Escanaba and Michigan's Upper Peninsula.

She's fearless and tenacious and upbeat. And in the short time, I've been here in Northern Michigan, I'm happy to say, she's also become a friend. When I asked Lisa Daly Kansas — known professionally as LDK — to come on the show, I explained that you, my beloved listeners, are in all stages of your art journeys. She's got great advice to share from her experience of being largely self-taught and getting her work into the world. And I know you'll find inspiration and encouragement from her take no prisoners, never say die energy, and optimism.

This interview rand long, so I've broken it into two episodes for listening convenience.

Part two is available now at passionatepainterpodcast.com/episode93.

Welcome to part 2 of my interview in progress with internationally acclaimed painter Mark Shasha. If you haven't yet listened to episode 1, you might want to go back and listen to that first, to hear Mark's bio, his career adventures, his biggest fear, and his unique approach to commissions. You can find it at passioantepainterpodcast.com/episode90.

And check out the show notes at the same link, to see the full video interview, read Mark's bio, see some of his work, and get links to his website and other information mentioned on the show.