The Laura Horn Art Podcast

This week I have the most incredible guest. I am chatting with Carrie Schmitt!  Carrie paints gorgeous expressive floral paintings. If you haven't seen her work, be sure to check it out over on Instagram (@carrieschmitt).  Without saying too much (trust me it is better if you hear it from Carrie), this is a conversation about being brave enough to listen to your intuition even in the darkest of times. Carrie talks about how moments of struggle while hard are also ripe with inspiration, information and possibilities for change. She also shares how tapping into positive memories from her past has helped her and provided inspiration for many creative projects. There is so much wisdom in this conversation and one thing I particularly took away from it is the relationship that Carrie has with her creativity and the way that she treats it with nothing but respect, kindness and love. Find the show notes for this episode and this week's bonus video (vlog) at https://www.laurahornart.com/thepodcast/68. 

I’ve got nothing! That’s how this week’s episode starts. A creative block leaves me wondering if I need to return to a more rigid schedule. Maybe I’ve slowed down too much? This leads to an interesting chat with Richie about the pros and cons of scheduling creative work. I talk through my guilt over not working so much over the past few weeks and realise that maybe I have been confusing busyness with productivity all along! With a few pertinent questions, Richie helps me to decide on a new approach that combines both structure and spontaneity. If you want to take a peek at the tools and hear about the approach I use for scheduling my work, make sure you check out this week's vlog! Find the show notes for this episode and this week's vlog at - https://www.laurahornart.com/thepodcast/67

If you know that you want to make art but often find yourself making excuses, this is the episode for you. I am joined today by abstract artist, Pamela Bates. Pamela worked in marketing and design for 22 years until a visit to the Gardner Art Museum in Boston changed the direction of her life. She realised that what she truly wanted to do was paint and since that moment she has been doing exactly that. Painting, exploring, healing, growing and embracing all aspects of living a creative life. In this episode, Pamela shares her story. We also dig in deep with the mindset side of making art. Find the show notes for this episode and a bonus video (vlog) where I get started on a big abstract canvas at https://www.laurahornart.com/thepodcast/66. 

What art products can you not live without? What is the best way to protect your finished paintings? How do you get over the pressure to create something great every time? Just a few of the questions I am answering in today’s Q&A style episode. Thank you to everyone that submitted questions via Instagram and apologies to those that I wasn’t able to get to! If you are itching for more, pop over to the vlog. Yes, the vlog is back!!!!!! And I am answering more questions over there! Plus you get the added bonus of seeing what I am talking about! Find the show notes for this episode and this week's vlog at - https://www.laurahornart.com/thepodcast/65

My guest today is UK artist, Mary Price, who is also known over on Instagram as the Artist In the Shed! I absolutely love Mary's colourful and vibrant work.  In this episode, she talks about transitioning from making art as a hobby to selling her work and setting up a professional art business. We chat about all the different avenues that artists can explore. Things like art markets, cafes, prints, workshops, online classes and even lifestyle products. If you are also at the stage where you are beginning to sell your work or maybe you are thinking about it - this episode will give you plenty of ideas and encouragement! Access the show notes for this episode at https://www.laurahornart.com/thepodcast/64

Abstract art. I LOVE it so much and this week I am chatting about why! I am also sharing 5 tips for making abstract art. From feeling your feelings to using techniques that help you to let go of control. This episode will bring out your inner abstract artist! Access the show notes for this episode - https://www.laurahornart.com/thepodcast/63 Browse my online classes - https://www.laurahornart.com/classes

Imagine giving yourself 6 months to find your style and become a ‘real artist’. On the one hand, it sounds dreamy, painting every day, but when you dig into it, that’s a whole lot of pressure! In this episode, Australian artist, Amica Whincop shares her story. This is an honest conversation about the harder side of being an artist. The struggle to find your authentic voice, the challenge of putting yourself out there and the stress of pushing so hard. Amica takes us through her journey including what happened when she realised that she needed to slow down, get healthy again and re-focus on what is important! Access the show notes for this episode at https://www.laurahornart.com/thepodcast/62

Recording podcasts. Filming vlogs. Making online classes. Just a few of the things that you’ll find us doing on any given week. In this episode, we chat about why we love taking on these kinds of creative endeavours. We also talk about the different ways that we batch our work so that we can fit it all in and still have some down-time! Access the show notes for this episode and take a peek at our latest online class - https://www.laurahornart.com/thepodcast/61

My guest today is surface pattern designer, Julie Hamilton! In this episode, Julie chats about her love of learning, how she got started with art licensing and what it has been like to participate in the 100-day project for four years in a row. And of course, it wouldn’t be an art podcast if we didn’t talk about supplies and techniques! Julie takes us through her process including how she paints papers and comes up with new ideas for her work. Find the show notes for this episode and a bonus video where I take inspiration from Julie and experiment with using paper in my art - https://www.laurahornart.com/thepodcast/60

My guest today is Australian artist, teacher and best-selling author, Tracy Verdugo. In this episode, Tracy shares her story and talks about having faith in your creative journey, even when the path isn't clear. We also chat about art supplies, balancing intuition with structure and the challenge of finding your style. You can access the show notes for this episode and a bonus video where I try out one of Tracy’s tips on mixing colour - https://www.laurahornart.com/thepodcast/59

Where is the joy? That's what I found myself saying recently. This week on the podcast you can hear what I am doing about it. Find out what new gadget I have in the studio, which books are keeping me inspired and how I have set up my supplies and space to encourage more play! Access the show notes for this episode and a bonus video at https://www.laurahornart.com/thepodcast/58

This week’s conversation with Australian artist, Susan Nethercote, motivated me to get my paints out and start playing on a daily basis again! Susan talks about the importance of ‘volume’ when it comes to art and the magic that happens when you work swiftly and feel your way through the process. We also dig in deep with the business side of things and geek out over business structures, website platforms, email marketing providers and online course models. It is all very timely as Susan has just launched not one but two new websites. Find out more in this episode and don’t forget to pop over and visit Suse’s new online home. You can find the show notes for this episode at https://www.laurahornart.com/thepodcast/57 The show notes include this week's vlog where you can see how I am getting on with my September challenge to show up and make more art! Susan's Links Website (Art): https://www.susannethercote.com/ Website (Education): https://www.susannethercote.com/learn Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/susan.nethercote/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/susannethercoteart/

Procrastination almost got the better of me last week. My schedule was clear, we were all set to film an online class but suddenly I felt compelled to vacuum. I also decided that my hair wasn’t quite right and my accounting couldn’t possibly wait. When you choose accounting as an avoidance tactic something isn’t right. So what was really going on? In this episode we take a good hard look at procrastination and self sabotage. Why we do it, the role that our emotions play and how to turn things around. We share our personal experiences along with a few of our favourite resources on the topic. You can find the show notes for this episode at https://www.laurahornart.com/thepodcast/56 The show notes include this week's vlog where you can see how I take on procrastination in my own creative practice. Hint, the video includes a painting sesh and an inspiration gathering trip through my local area. Join the community: https://www.laurahornart.com/newsletter

Whether you make art as a hobby or as a profession, the cost of art supplies quickly adds up. So how do you stretch that dollar a bit further and get the most out of your materials? Join me this week as I share my top tips for spending less on supplies, getting intentional about your work all the while increasing the quality of your art output.  I’ve shared quite a few of these tips before but this time I am bringing them together in a budget focused episode!  You can find the show notes for this episode at  https://www.laurahornart.com/thepodcast/55    The show notes include this week's vlog where I share an art/life update and a summary of my top 5 budget tips.  Join the community: https://www.laurahornart.com/newsletter

My guest today, Kellee Wynne Conrad, took her time to develop her art because she wanted it to be a lifelong habit and process. A 100 day artwork challenge and a year-long passion project (Color Crush Creative) paved the way for the online art program she now runs, Experience True Colors. In this episode we chat about her journey and how she juggles being an artist, mother of three and creative business owner.  What I learned from Kellee is that if you approach your work from an authentic place and concentrate on what you can control, the other things have a way of falling into place. Oh and this all works best if you start the day with coffee! You can find the show notes for this episode at  https://www.laurahornart.com/thepodcast/54 The show notes include this week's vlog where I share a sneak peek of my upcoming guest lesson for the True Colors Art Program. Find out more about the True Colors Art Program at https://kelleewynnestudios.simplero.com/products/87723-True-Colors-Art-Program?ref=15298-Laura-Horn Kellee's Links Website: https://www.kelleewynnestudios.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kelleewynnestudios/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kelleewynnestudios/