Do you strive for perfection in your creative work only to find it sucks the joy out of the process or keeps you from accomplishing more in your life? Perfectionism, for all that we are feed the idea the we need to be as perfect as possible, can get in the way of attaining your version of success, if not be down right ruinous for you and your art.

In this episode, I discuss the ways perfectionism presents itself, why it’s problematic, why we do this to ourselves, and ways to combat it so you can, hopefully, increase your awareness of possibly problematic levels of perfectionism, and help you sidestep any ingrained need to avoid the beauty and opportunity that can be found in imperfection.

-

CONTACT SAGE

Email Sage via the contact form or send a voice mail (use the red button, bottom right) on the show website: https://thesagearts.com/contact/

And join Sage on social media:

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thesageartspodcast/

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/TheSageArtsPodcast

-

GET WEEKLY PODCAST NOTICES & BONUS MATERIAL:

https://sagebrayvaron.com/the-sage-arts-podcast/

-

SUPPORT THIS PODCAST

· Buy me a coffee!

· Give back with PayPal

· Buy a STICKER! (Get 2 per order as of this release.)

· Buy polymer art books and magazines

-

CREDITS:

Cover design by Sage; Illustration by Olga Kostenko

Music by Playsound

Kintsugi sculpture by Billie Bond via iStock

Get full access to The Sage Memos at sagebrayvaron.substack.com/subscribe

Who is your audience and what is your relationship with them? What are you providing or sharing with your audience and what do you need from them?

A co-host artist’s chat, Brett and I work through everything from who we create for to whether we need an audience to why audience size is irrelevant and more. We really dig down to the essence of the value of what we do for the wider world as well as for the enrichment of our own lives. Gain new and surprising perspectives on what you do for others with your art and what your audience can do for you.

More about Your Hosts:

https://www.instagram.com/brett.varon

https://www.instagram.com/sagebrayvaron/

CONTACT SAGE

Email Sage via the contact form or send a voice mail (use the red button, bottom right) on the show website: https://thesagearts.com/contact/

And join Sage on social media:

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thesageartspodcast/

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/TheSageArtsPodcast

-

GET WEEKLY PODCAST NOTICES & BONUS MATERIAL:

https://sagebrayvaron.com/the-sage-arts-podcast/

-

SUPPORT THIS PODCAST

· Buy me a coffee!

· Give back with PayPal

· Buy a STICKER! (Get 2 per order as of this release.)

· Buy polymer art books and magazines

-

CREDITS:

Cover design by Sage; Illustration by Olga Kostenko

Music by Playsound

Get full access to The Sage Memos at sagebrayvaron.substack.com/subscribe

Do you consciously look at the world through your lens as an artist? In other words, do you stop to consider how you are seeing things and make a conscious effort to look at the world without bias or expectations and with intention?

Doing this takes vigilance and practice, but most importantly, it takes awareness of the issues that stop you from seeing the world as it really is or what it could be.

In this episode, Sage outlines how the brain interprets visual information, discussing the way it can sabotage the needs of the artist and how you can circumvent it’s short hand and skewed way of handling visual information in order to see what you need to see and find the kind of ideas and inspiration that will give focus to your work and feed your muse.

CONTACT SAGE

Email via the contact form or send a voice mail (use the red button, bottom right) on the show website: https://thesagearts.com/contact/

Join Sage on social media:

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thesageartspodcast/

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/TheSageArtsPodcast

GET WEEKLY PODCAST NOTICES & BONUS MATERIAL:

https://sagebrayvaron.com/the-sage-arts-podcast/

SUPPORT THIS PODCAST·

Buy me a coffee!·

Give back with PayPal·

Buy a STICKER! (Get 2 per order as of this release.)·

Buy polymer art books and magazines

CREDITS:

Cover design & sketch by Sage; Border Illustration by Olga Kostenko

Music by Playsound

For Transcript click on the episode here: https://rss.com/podcasts/thesagearts/

Get full access to The Sage Memos at sagebrayvaron.substack.com/subscribe

Practice, iteration, discipline, commitment… do these concepts bring up a sense of dread or conjure images of tedious repetition when associated with your artistic process? Well, we might just change your view on that after listening to this episode.

In “Transformational Practice”, I speak with Ginger Davis Allman, the head guru and creator of The Blue Bottle Tree, an essential informational and tutorial resource for polymer makers of all levels. We talked about what practice really means for various creatives and how to incorporate practice and iteration into your process in ways that are inspiring, transformational and just a joy to do. We take small detours into other best practices, whole life considerations, and how to properly pluralize the word chrysalis, which is important when talking about some snack foods, apparently.

Come join us and alter your take on the often tedious sounding idea of practice as a means for improving your creative work and your joy in the artistic process.

Contact my guest:

The Blue Bottle Tree - https://thebluebottletree.com/

Other Resources mentioned:

Samunnat Nepal https://acolourfuljourney.com/shop/

CONTACT SAGE

Email Sage via the contact form or send a voice mail (use the red button, bottom right) on the show website: https://thesagearts.com/contact/

And join Sage on social media:

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thesageartspodcast/

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/TheSageArtsPodcast

GET WEEKLY PODCAST NOTICES & BONUS MATERIAL:

https://sagebrayvaron.com/the-sage-arts-podcast/

SUPPORT THIS PODCAST

Feel inclined to give back?

Buy me a coffee!

or Give back with PayPal

or Buy a STICKER! (Get 2 per order as of this release.)

CREDITS:

Cover design by Sage; Illustration by Olga Kostenko

Music by Playsound

For Transcript click on the episode here: https://rss.com/podcasts/thesagearts/

Get full access to The Sage Memos at sagebrayvaron.substack.com/subscribe

What do you do to keep your Muse well-fed and happy? We know we need to feed it, know that inspiration is important to our creative endeavors but what do we actively do to ensure that happens on a regular basis.

That's what this little chat here is all about. I'll help you see your muse as something that is within your control to bolster and talk about the many ways you can do that even when its hard because of time constraints or a lack of motivation. So grab a cup of something exciting and yummy and join me for this intimate little chat!

CONTACT SAGE

Email Sage via the contact form or send a voice mail (use the red button, bottom right) on the show website: https://thesagearts.com/contact/

And join Sage on social media:

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thesageartspodcast/

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/TheSageArtsPodcast

GET WEEKLY PODCAST NOTICES & BONUS MATERIAL:

https://sagebrayvaron.com/the-sage-arts-podcast/

SUPPORT THIS PODCAST

Feel inclined to give back?

Buy me a coffee!

or Give back with PayPal

or Buy a STICKER! (Get 2 per order as of this release.)

CREDITS:

Cover design by Sage; Illustration by Olga Kostenko

Music by Playsound

Photo on episode cover (Maui jungle/Sage in the Wild) by Ricki Cole

Get full access to The Sage Memos at sagebrayvaron.substack.com/subscribe

How do you feel about critique? Do you welcome it? Do you avoid it? What does or would the purpose of critique be in your artistic process assuming you would want to take advantage of all the wonderful things it can do for you?

Sound serious? Well, we’re not! There is a ton of fun and silliness to be had around this sometimes scary subject.

Since Brett and I have been critiquing and being critiqued all through our lives, and since we both love it for various reasons, I thought we’d do this one together. We’ll show you that it’s not about growing a thick skin so much as seeing it and giving it with an eye to the compassionate treasure it can be. We'll go over the pros and cons of the process and give you some steps and structure for both giving and receiving critique as well as talk about where to find truly supportive and compassionate critique partners.

So grab a cup of cozy comfort and settle in for this informative chat full of stories, mindset tweaking, and more than an occasional guffaw.

Contact my guest:

https://www.instagram.com/brett.varon/

CONTACT SAGE

Send me your thoughts, question, queries or criticisms... email Sage via the contact form or send a voice mail (use the red button, bottom right) on the show website: https://thesagearts.com/contact/

And join Sage on social media:

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thesageartspodcast/

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/TheSageArtsPodcast

SUPPORT THIS PODCAST

Feel inclined to contribute to the financial support of this project? Buy me a coffee!

https://www.buymeacoffee.com/thesagearts

or Give back with PayPal

CREDITS:

Cover design by Sage; Illustration by Olga Kostenko

Music by Playsound

For Transcript click on the episode here: https://rss.com/podcasts/thesagearts/

Get full access to The Sage Memos at sagebrayvaron.substack.com/subscribe

Are you looking for a challenge aimed at helping you develop a more singular focus or are you looking for ways to make your art more accessible and desirable for galleries, shows, publications, wholesale, etc? My guest Deonne Kahler and I talk about the process of creating a series or themed body of work and the advantages and challenges of taking on this type of project. We also touch on ideas and skills that could just add some fire and focus to your present your artistic process.

Deonne Kahler is an award winning photographer whose work has hung in many a gallery coast to coast. She’s bravely looking down the road to her next big artistic project, a photographic series and memoir. Join us for an insider’s view of the development of her series, why she’s choosing to do this kind of work now, what it has to offer you in the way of food for thought, and how to start on your own series or themed body of work.

Contact my guest:

https://deonnekahler.com/

https://www.facebook.com/deonne.kahler

https://www.instagram.com/deonnekahler/

CONTACT SAGE

Send me your thoughts, question, queries or criticisms... email Sage via the contact form or send a voice mail (use the red button, bottom right) on the show website: https://thesagearts.com/contact/

And join Sage on social media:

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thesageartspodcast/

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/TheSageArtsPodcast

SUPPORT THIS PODCAST

Feel inclined to contribute to the financial support of this project? Buy me a coffee!

https://www.buymeacoffee.com/thesagearts

or Give back with PayPal

CREDITS:

Cover design by Sage; Illustration by Olga Kostenko

Music by Playsound

For Transcript click on the episode here: https://rss.com/podcasts/thesagearts/

Get full access to The Sage Memos at sagebrayvaron.substack.com/subscribe

Do you prefer to primarily work in one medium and technique that gives you an easily identifiable style but makes you feel like a one trick pony, or do you have a variety of interests that might make your style and voice a bit difficult to pin down, but you wonder if you should focus more? Or are you somewhere in between?

In this episode, I aim to help you idenfity how many grooves (aka focuses) your path can handle with an eye to getting past preconceived ideas you may have from what you see other people doing or advice you've read. Join Sage for some personal stories and not-so-usual advice on giving your art focus, or not.

Sources mentioned:

Wendy Moore's blog: http://afterthemonsoon.com/blog/

Sage’s poetry and photography Instagram page: www.instagram.com/sagebrayvaron/

International Polymer Clay Association membership (catch Sage's talk about publishing in the world of art and crafts): https://www.theipca.org/membership-2016/join-the-ipca

CONTACT SAGE

Send me your thoughts, question, queries or criticisms... email Sage via the contact form or send a voice mail (use the red button, bottom right) on the show website: https://thesagearts.com/contact/

And join Sage on social media:

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thesageartspodcast/

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/TheSageArtsPodcast

SUPPORT THIS PODCAST

Feel inclined to contribute to the financial support of this project? Buy me a coffee!

https://www.buymeacoffee.com/thesagearts

or Give back with PayPal

CREDITS:

Cover design by Sage; Illustration by Olga Kostenko

Music by Playsound

For Transcript click on the episode here: https://rss.com/podcasts/thesagearts/

Get full access to The Sage Memos at sagebrayvaron.substack.com/subscribe

How do you feel about AI creating “art”? Is it something you’d want to explore, or have already? Or would you prefer to completely extricate it from the halls of the artistic world, never to cast it’s algorithmic shadow on us again?

In this rollercoaster of an episode we explore AI from multiple angles. Bringing my good friend, author and game designer Jim Brown, along for the ride, we explore the process of creating AI imagery, how it’s presently being used, the possible advantages of AI for artists, and, of course, the potential issues and ramifications of this new technology for artists, clients, and the public in general.

If you haven’t delved deep into the AI issues and advances, I can guarantee that you’ll be surprised by the potential ally it can be for artists and the actual problems it could create. Come along with us for this deep dive and find out just where you stand on AI in Art

Contact Jim Brown (aka Layman Kingsford):

http://www.cheekydingo.com/

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/laymankingsford/inquirys-aria-an-ungendered-scifi-novel

CONTACT SAGE

Send me your thoughts, question, queries or criticisms... email Sage via the contact form or send a voice mail (use the red button, bottom right) on the show website: https://thesagearts.com/contact/

And join Sage on social media:

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thesageartspodcast/

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/TheSageArtsPodcast

SUPPORT THIS PODCAST

Feel inclined to contribute to the financial support of this project? Buy me a coffee!

https://www.buymeacoffee.com/thesagearts

or Give back with PayPal

CREDITS:

Cover design by Sage; Illustration by Olga Kostenko

Music by Playsound

For Transcript click on the episode here: https://rss.com/podcasts/thesagearts/

Get full access to The Sage Memos at sagebrayvaron.substack.com/subscribe

Do you see yourself as an artist? Why or why not? Do you give your artistic self the permission, love, and priority in your life that it deserves and that you need?

The conversation today is centered around the idea of becoming or growing as an artist and really owning the idea of what that means so you can pursue a fullfilling and successful artistic life.

My guest, Melanie West, an artist with a chronic case of curiosity, doesn’t define her artistic identity by any one of the wide variety of mediums she works in. She has not, however, always identified as artist regardless of working artistically from a very young age. She joined me to share thoughts and stories and to get you thinking about what kind of growth and understanding of your artistic self you need for your version of artistic success.

Contact Melanie:

http://www.ravensclay.com/home

https://www.facebook.com/melanie.west.528/

Sources Mentioned:

Flow by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi

SUPPORT THIS PODCAST

Feel inclined to contribute to the financial support of this project?

Buy Me a Coffee! (Use any credit or debit card.)

Send a Donation via PayPal

CONTACT SAGE

Share your thoughts on the episode's question du jour, or just send your own ideas on art and creativity to share in a future podcast. Email me via the contact form or send a voice mail (use the red button, bottom right) on the show website: https://thesagearts.com/contact/

Join me on social media:

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thesageartspodcast/

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/TheSageArtsPodcast

SUPPORT THIS PODCAST

Feel inclined to contribute to the financial support of this project? Buy me a coffee!

https://www.buymeacoffee.com/thesagearts

CREDITS:

Cover design by Sage; Illustration by Olga Kostenko

Music by Playsound

For Transcript click on the episode here: https://rss.com/podcasts/thesagearts/

Get full access to The Sage Memos at sagebrayvaron.substack.com/subscribe