The FASO Podcast

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In this episode, we sat down with Grace DeVito, fine artist who shares her remarkable artistic journey from illustration to becoming a renowned portrait painter, revealing the dedication and passion required to master one's craft. Her transition from working in commercial art to creating deeply personal and meaningful portraits demonstrates the power of perseverance and continuous learning in an artist's career. Grace's approach to portraiture goes far beyond mere representation, capturing the essence and spirit of her subjects with a nuanced understanding that transforms each painting into a timeless piece of art. Her insights into the commission process illuminate the intricate dance between artistic vision and client collaboration, showing how a true artist can navigate the delicate balance of personal expression and professional commitment. With wisdom gained from decades of experience, Grace offers aspiring artists invaluable advice about the importance of dedicated practice, developing a unique artistic voice, and understanding that true mastery comes from thousands of hours of intentional work. Her story is a testament to the enduring value of traditional art in a digital age, proving that human connection, craftsmanship, and emotional depth can never be replaced by technology. Finally, Grace announces her upcoming workshops at the Scottsdale Artists' School, the Franciscan Life Process Center, and at the Kinstler Studio in Connecticut.

Grace's FASO site:

https://www.gracedevito.com/

Grace's Social Media:

https://www.instagram.com/gmdevito/

https://www.facebook.com/grace.devito.98

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Get over 50% off your first year on your artist website with FASO:
https://www.FASO.com/podcast/
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On today's episode, we sat down with Mark Shasha, a vibrant, passionate artist whose life embodies the true spirit of creative pursuit, weaving together illustration, painting, and storytelling with an infectious joy and unwavering commitment to artistic truth. Mark shares insights from his artistic journey, emphasizing the importance of pursuing passion and staying true to oneself as an artist. He offers valuable advice about the creative process, highlighting the need for artists to be critical of their own work and continuously seek personal growth and connection. Mark emphasizes how creativity is not just about technical skill, but about capturing the essence of life through his Bohemian philosophy of pursuing truth, beauty, freedom, and love. Throughout the conversation, Mark shares his experiences of navigating the art world, from being a starving artist to becoming a successful painter and illustrator, demonstrating that persistence and genuine passion are key to artistic success. His approach encourages artists to focus on connecting with others through their work, viewing art as a means of expressing deeper truths and human experiences. Finally, Mark tells us about his upcoming participation in the Cape Ann Plein Air event in October and his plans for studio work in the summer and fall.

Mark's FASO site:

https://www.markshasha.com/

Mark's Social Media:

https://www.instagram.com/mark_shasha_arts/

Mark's Book "Night of the Moonjellies":

https://www.markshasha.com/book/3026/night-of-the-moonjellies

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For today's episode, we interviewed Donald Yatomi a multifaceted artist whose journey from graphic design to illustration to concept art and fine art exemplifies creative resilience and passion. His advice to aspiring artists centers on carrying a sketchbook everywhere, capturing fleeting ideas, and never stopping one's artistic pursuit. Donald emphasizes the critical importance of networking, highlighting that success often depends more on who you know than what you know. He candidly shares insights about handling rejection, noting that sometimes a rejection says more about the viewer's limitations than the artist's talent. Throughout his career, from working at DreamWorks to creating album covers for metal bands, Donald has demonstrated the value of diversifying artistic skills and income streams. His most profound wisdom lies in understanding that artistic success isn't just about money, but about maintaining creative freedom and continuously pursuing what you love. Finally, Donald tells us about his upcoming solo exhibition at Frame of Reference Art Gallery in Whitefish, Montana, on August 7th!

Donald's FASO site:

https://www.donaldyatomi.com/

Donald's Digital Artwork:

https://www.artstation.com/dyatomi

Donald's Social Media:

https://www.instagram.com/donaldyatomiart/

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Get over 50% off your first year on your artist website with FASO:
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To start off the new season, we sat down with Jeff Legg, an accomplished artist whose journey began with an innate passion for art, nurtured by an inspirational mentor who recognized his exceptional talent from a young age. After mastering classical techniques through rigorous training at Atelier Lack in Minneapolis and the Minneapolis College of Art and Design, Jeff demonstrated remarkable entrepreneurial spirit by successfully running a bicycle business before courageously pursuing his true calling as a fine artist. His paintings are characterized by a profound symbolic depth, metaphysical beauty, and an extraordinary ability to capture mystery and emotion through luminous, transparently layered techniques that set him apart from his contemporaries. He advocates for working from memory and imagination, encouraging artists to break free from rigid techniques and develop a unique voice by consistently creating, with his mantra being to "just paint" and trust that your individual style will naturally emerge. He also stresses the importance of pursuing art that one loves, rather than trying to create something purely original or market-driven. Finally, Jeff tells us about his upcoming solo exhibition "Alchemy of Light and Shadow" at the Spiva Center for the Arts, showcasing his remarkable artistic evolution through a stunning collection of paintings that represent the pinnacle of his creative journey.

Jeff's FASO site:

https://www.jefflegg.com/

Jeff's Upcoming Show:

https://spivaarts.org/exhibition/jeffrey-c-legg-alchemy-of-light-and-shadow/

Jeff's Social Media:

https://www.instagram.com/jefflegg_art/

https://www.facebook.com/p/Jeff-Legg-100062958714196/

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Get over 50% off your first year on your artist website with FASO:
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For our last episode of this season, we sat down with Michelle Dunaway, a professional fine artist who creates deeply authentic portraits and landscapes, travels internationally to teach workshops and paint, and is passionate about capturing the essence of her subjects through a unique, emotionally resonant artistic approach. She discusses the journey of developing artistic skills while maintaining a unique creative vision, highlighting the need to balance technical proficiency with authentic self-expression. Michelle shares insights from her mentors, particularly Richard Schmid, about pursuing excellence rather than perfectionism and the value of vulnerability in art. Her artistic process involves careful observation, pre-planning compositions, and leaving space for spontaneous creativity, with a focus on capturing the essence of her subjects.  Throughout the conversation, Michelle emphasizes the importance of staying curious, present, and true to oneself, viewing art as a continuous journey of discovery and personal growth. Finally Michelle tells us about  her upcoming workshops, including online sessions and Africa-based workshops, focusing on immersive experiences and cultural integration in art!

Michelle's FASO site:
https://www.dunawayfineart.com/

Michelle's Workshops:
https://www.dunawayfineart.com/workshops

Michelle's Social Media:
https://www.instagram.com/dunawayfineart/

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Get over 50% off your first year on your artist website with FASO:
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On today's episode, we sat down with Chris Krupinski, a watercolor artist and graphic designer who has been creating art throughout her life, transitioning from oils to watercolors when her children were young. She emphasizes the importance of daily practice, discipline, and staying true to one's artistic vision, believing that time and consistent effort are key to artistic growth. Chris approaches her paintings methodically, focusing on intricate details, dramatic lighting, and purposeful color choices, which she attributes to her background in graphic design. She diversifies her income by maintaining a graphic design business while pursuing fine art, and markets her work through national competitions, social media, and word-of-mouth recommendations. Her artistic philosophy centers on being fully immersed in her work, doing everything to the best of her ability, and avoiding the trap of imitating others' styles. Finally, Chris reminds us to sign up to her newsletter to stay updated with her gorgeous new work and fantastic advice!

Chris' FASO site:
https://www.chriskrupinski.com/

Chris' Social Media:
https://www.instagram.com/chris.krupinski/

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Get over 50% off your first year on your artist website with FASO:
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For today's episode, we sat down with Bill Davidson, a former lawyer turned passionate plein air artist, with a love for painting and teaching. He emphasizes the importance of playfulness and a growth mindset in learning art and pursuing it either as a hobby or a career. He tells us about his unique approach to painting that focuses on mastering values and shapes before introducing color, using techniques like creating gray puddles and designing compositions in black and white. Bill highlights the significance of plein air painting, not just as an artistic practice but as a transformative social experience that builds friendships and provides continuous learning opportunities. His teaching philosophy centers on breaking down artistic challenges, avoiding harsh self-criticism, and maintaining curiosity and passion throughout the creative process. He advises artists to take risks, attend workshops, and not be afraid of making mistakes, believing that style develops naturally over time through consistent practice and exploration. Finally, Bill offers resources like his newsletter "Bill's Tip Jar", his upcoming workshops, and videos to help artists improve their skills and enjoy their artistic journey.

Bill's FASO site:
https://www.billdavidson.biz/

Bill's Social Media:
https://www.instagram.com/billdavidsonartist/

Bill's Videos:
https://www.billdavidson.biz/page/10111/bill-davidson-painting-videos

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brushoffer.com/collections/all

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boldbrushshow.com

Get over 50% off your first year on your artist website with FASO:
FASO.com/podcast

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In this episode, we created a compilation of our past guests sharing their personal journeys of building sustainable careers in the art world, emphasizing the importance of starting small and being adaptable. They discuss various strategies for supplementing income, including teaching workshops, taking commissions, leveraging social media, and participating in juried competitions. Our guests candidly explore the financial challenges of being a full-time artist, advising newcomers to have a safety net, save money, and be prepared for fluctuating income. Many recommend starting with small projects like pet portraits, entering local shows, and gradually expanding one's network and opportunities. Personal stories highlight the significance of finding one's unique artistic voice and being willing to pivot when necessary. The overarching message is one of resilience, creativity, and the importance of persistence in pursuing an artistic career.

Episodes mentioned:

• 40 Susan Lyon
• 61 Nanci France-Vaz
• 65 Tony Pro
• 69 Scott Burdick
• 77 Aaron Westerberg
• 78 Vicki Sullivan
• 88 Nick Eisele
• 92 Blair Atherholt
• 96 Brienne Brown
• 104 Thomas Schaller
• 128 Sarah Yeoman

Join our next BoldBrush LIVE! Webinar by signing up here:
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boldbrushshow.com

Get over 50% off your first year on your artist website with FASO:
FASO.com/podcast

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For today's episode we created a compilation of advice from past podcast guests who tell us about the practical and creative aspects of pursuing an art career. They share insights on developing artistic skills, such as painting from life, practicing consistently, and mastering fundamental techniques. They emphasize the importance of passion, dedication, and continuous learning, advising aspiring artists to find mentors, join art groups, and not be discouraged by challenges. They also discuss the need to be authentic, develop a unique style, and not be overly focused on financial success. Overall, this compilation provides a comprehensive guide to navigating the artistic journey, highlighting both the creative and practical aspects of becoming a professional artist.

Episodes mentioned:

• 110 Robert Johnson
• 120 Kim Casebeer
• 122 Russell Gordon
• 123 Michael Orwick
• 124 Hilarie Couture
• 125 Mary Aslin
• 126 Scott Tallman Powers
• 127 Jill Basham
• 128 Sarah Yeoman
• 129 Brian Bateman
• 130 Scott Ruthven
• 131 Todd Casey
• 132 Keith Bond
• 133 Ginny Butcher

Join our next BoldBrush LIVE! Webinar by signing up here:
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Get over 50% off your first year on your artist website with FASO:
https://www.FASO.com/podcast/
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For today's episode, we sat down with Ginny Butcher, a Wyoming-based artist who fell in love with the natural beauty there as well as the adorable cows roaming the pastures. She tells us about her artistic journey which has been characterized by perseverance, overcoming internal doubts, and learning to embrace her unique artistic voice. She initially struggled with the idea of being a full-time artist, experiencing burnout and uncertainty, but eventually found her stride by remembering to take time away from painting in order to re-charge. Ginny reminds us that the gift we have as artists comes from the desire to continue pursuing our passion and not necessarily from being naturally good at drawing or painting. She also tells us about her artistic process which involves careful planning, including creating thumbnails and studies before starting a final painting, and she emphasizes the importance of understanding fundamental techniques. She discusses her marketing strategy that centers around a weekly email newsletter that connects personally with subscribers which has also helped her successfully build a career over the past 20 years. Finally, Ginny tells us about an ambitious project she's currently undertaking and her upcoming shows!

Ginny's FASO site:
https://www.ginnybutcher.com/

Ginny's Social Media:
https://www.instagram.com/ginny.butcher.fine.art/
https://www.facebook.com/GinnyButcherArt/