Art + Magic

Ya'll know I love this topic, and this season I'm bringing a fresh perspective on all things artwork development with my art wife, Amanda Sandlin. In this episode we reflect on what our work used to be like, how it's changed and what that development process has been like. We also talk about our current inspiration, what we're thinking about and where we might want to take our practices next. If you're wanting to strengthen your work, there's a lot of gems in here for you! Enroll in UNIQUE: Artwork Development Workshop Series by September 20th ⁠here. For more on this topic check out these past episodes: 18. How to Develop a Unique Style | Q+A with Devon 33. Struggling to Focus Your Style or Find Direction? This Episode is For You. 34. Copying, Being Influenced and How to Weed Out What isn't Yours 46. 5 Things Blocking Your Voice [Pt. 2 Artwork Development Series] EPISODE MENTIONS Pip n Pop Helen Pashgian Adrian Cox Anthony Sonnenberg FOLLOW AMANDA www.amandasandlin.com IG: @amandasandlin www.gentlesentiments.com SUPPORT THE SHOW Visit patreon.com/devonwalz for bonus episodes, pre-chats, early access to new work and morre. FOLLOW THE SHOW @artandmagicpodcast @devonwalzart www.devonwalz.com

Amanda and I get down on the TikTok strategies we've seen work, advice for finding your own formula, our successes and frustrations with social media, how we're relating to this platform and morrrre. Listen to ep 20 with Amanda Sandlin: Busting All the Artist Myths FOLLOW AMANDA www.amandasandlin.com IG: @amandasandlin www.gentlesentiments.com SUPPORT THE SHOW Visit patreon.com/devonwalz for exclusive episodes each month FOLLOW THE SHOW @artandmagicpodcast @devonwalzart www.devonwalz.com

All things navigating the fine, blurry line between art and craft. We get into why craft is often perceived as less valuable, price point and context, expression v. product, the embrace of craft in the art world, deciding where your work fits, navigating making both art and craft, materials, and so much more. Regardless of which side you think your creations live in (and ESPECIALLY if you're trying to figure it out), this conversation will be important and applicable to you. FOLLOW MARISA www.marisasayler.com IG: @speaking_in_rainbows SUPPORT THE SHOW Visit patreon.com/devonwalz for exclusive bonus episodes each month FOLLOW THE SHOW @artandmagicpodcast @devonwalzart www.devonwalz.com

The Andrea conversation continues! In this part we talk about: - getting out of isolation - financially setting yourself for ups and downs - how trauma and mental health issues have influenced our work - making art books - art openings and how to talk to new people - what to say no to - much more! FOLLOW ANDREA https://www.andreaguzzetta.com/ IG: @andreaguzzetta SUPPORT THE SHOW Visit patreon.com/devonwalz for exclusive bonus episodes FOLLOW THE SHOW @artandmagicpodcast @devonwalzart www.devonwalz.com STUDIO SALE www.devonwalz.com/studio-sale JOIN MY NEWSLETTER https://forms.aweber.com/form/82/1951764982.htm

What didn't Andrea Guzzetta and I talk about? Nothing. And that's why this conversation is a two-parter! A bit of what we covered in part 1: -- Our mental health journeys as they relate to being working artists -- Moneyyyy -- Making feminine art in a masculine leaning art market --Seeking Validation -- Confidence -- Finding your people -- Pricing -- and much more Stay tuned for part 2 coming out next Thursday, 7/20. FOLLOW ANDREA https://www.andreaguzzetta.com/ IG: @andreaguzzetta SUPPORT THE SHOW Visit patreon.com/devonwalz for exclusive bonus episodes FOLLOW THE SHOW @artandmagicpodcast @devonwalzart www.devonwalz.com JOIN MY NEWSLETTER https://forms.aweber.com/form/82/1951764982.htm

Starting back up by catching you up: why I took such a long break, imposter syndrome, TikTok, collaboration, having a hard time painting, business growth, mental health, playing the long game, working 3D and morrrre. Head to patreon.com/devonwalz for bonus episodes. FOLLOW THE SHOW @artandmagicpodcast FOLLOW DEVON IG: @devonwalzart TikTok: @devonwalz www.devonwalz.com

It's time for a super practical deep dive and today we're going all in on making prints of your work. Given the upcoming holiday season, I figured this was the perfect time to talk about this. Not to mention, I recently learned some big lessons about what can go wrong in the print making process that I hope ya'll can learn from. I talk about: -- Why prints may or may not do well in your business, and how to determine if you're -- What to consider when deciding the on the details of your print offering -- The types of prints you can offer, and the pros and cons of each -- My print horror story and key mistakes to avoid when getting prints made Head to patreon.com/devonwalz for bonus episodes. FOLLOW THE SHOW @artandmagicpodcast FOLLOW DEVON IG: @devonwalzart Tittok: @devonwalz www.devonwalz.com

As it's one of our most popular episodes to date (and a personal favorite), I wanted highlight this conversation with Pennylane Shen. It's also excellent compliment to the the Artwork Development Series that we just wrapped up (check out the past 3 episodes if you haven't yet). Much of what we've been discussing is distilled nicely in this interview, and as well as given a totally fresh perspective by Pennylane. If you've heard this one before, re-listening is a GREAT check-in to see how you're relating to her points and suggestions now v. then. If you're coming across this conversation for the first time-- you're in for a treat! We talked about… -- The two overarching factors that make for strong artwork and how to know if you’re hitting the marks --Navigating experimentation and incorporating just the right dose of it -- Why you need to bulk up the “meat and potatoes” of your work and ways to bring meaning and substance to the forefront of what you make -- How to overcome the insecurity of being self-taught -- The things to become aware of in your own self (or continued!) art education -- Determining which way of selling your work is right for you: self-representation v. working with a gallery BIO Pennylane Shen is an artist consultant, curator and educator. Since 2006, her company Dazed and Confucius has offered personalized consultations, group workshops and business development with regular seminars held worldwide. Artist consultants Pennylane and David advise over 1000 artists each year. With a variety of services catered to the fine artist, Dazed and Confucius has quickly become the "one-stop shop" for artists navigating the fine art industry. Pennylane holds a Master’s Degree in Visual Culture Theory from New York University and has lectured at various forums throughout Canada, the US and the UK. Her teaching experience includes Langara College and the NYC Crit Club. For more than a decade, Pennylane has worked in commercial galleries such as the Bau-Xi Gallery, the longest standing commercial gallery in Canada. In her hometown of Vancouver, BC Pennylane has curated for the Vancouver Mural Festival. An avid supporter of art and wellness, she sits on the board for the Vancouver General Hospital and UBC Foundation, collecting notable art pieces for hospital walls. UNIQUE: a Style Development Workshop Series is open for enrollment through 10/6. Learn more and sign up here. Head to patreon.com/devonwalz for bonus episodes. FOLLOW PENNYLANE www.dazedandconfucius.com/ IG: @dazed.and.confucius FOLLOW THE SHOW @artandmagicpodcast FOLLOW DEVON IG: @devonwalzart Tittok: @devonwalz

For the final part in this series, we're looking at our work and taking some inventory. In this episode I break down five areas of our work and practice we can look at if we want to further develop our art and make it stronger. Some of these things may be obvious and some may not, but either way I find that a check-list analysis of our practice can be just what the doctor ordered when it comes to pushing our work forward, and ensuring that nothing is underdeveloped or overlooked. This is the third episode of the Artwork Development series. It's okay to listen out of order, but when you're done make sure you go back and listen to last week's episode, too! If you enjoyed this episode you'll dig my style development workshop series, UNIQUE, which is open for enrollment right now. Learn more here. Head to patreon.com/devonwalz for bonus episodes. FOLLOW THE SHOW @artandmagicpodcast FOLLOW DEVON IG: @devonwalzart Tittok: @devonwalz

While we can talk about all of the techniques for getting new ideas, ways to weed out our influences and different aspects of our work that might need attention, none of that will take us very far if we're being held up by any of these 5 blocks. Developing our work requires us to take risk, know ourselves well, and have the ability to show up day in and day out. Unfortunately, there are some common (yet, not always obvious reasons) why we might have a hard time doing that. In today's episode, I dig into the 5 main things that tend to stand between us and our best work and how you can address them. This is the second episode of the Artwork Development series. It's okay to listen out of order, but when you're done make sure you go back and listen to last week's episode, too! Get the 5 blocks email series for additional prompts and reflections that go with this episode here. If you enjoyed this episode you'll dig my style development workshop series, UNIQUE, which is open for enrollment right now. Learn more here. Head to patreon.com/devonwalz for bonus episodes. FOLLOW THE SHOW @artandmagicpodcast FOLLOW DEVON IG: @devonwalzart Tittok: @devonwalz

Today kicks off the first of a three part series all about Artwork Development. This is a vast and important topic and ultimately, I think, the core of what we should be focusing on as artists. In this episode I say more about what artwork development is and why it needs our attention, and dive into The 3 stages of Style Development. Understanding the common points artists hit in their development allows us to identify where we're at in that cycle and take the next best steps for our work. I talk about feeling scattered, being overly influenced, feeling disconnected to our work and more-- as well as give you the behind-the-scenes story of my of style development. Stay tuned for part two, coming out next week! If you enjoyed this episode you'll dig my artwork development workshop series, UNIQUE, that's opening for enrollment next week. Join my newsletter here to stay in the loop. Head to patreon.com/devonwalz for bonus episodes. FOLLOW THE SHOW @artandmagicpodcast FOLLOW DEVON IG: @devonwalzart Tittok: @devonwalz NEW PRINTS www.devonwalz.com/shop-prints

If you're on social media at all, you're probably familiar with the incredible Sari Shryack. Acrylic and oil painter based in Austin, Texas, Sari is known for her disco ball paintings, still lifes and embrace of color and nostalgia. She's fascinating to watch from afar, which is why I was so excited to have her on the show and get the behind-the-scenes stories on her relationship to her work, social media, having her art widely copied and cultivating connections with her audience. We talked about... – Sari’s relationship to color, low bro media and kitsch, and the resistance to those things in the larger art world – 90s imagery as a common language among peers – Being taken seriously (or not) as an artist who's embraced social media, and Sari’s opinion on going this less traditional route – What’s worked best for her on social platforms and how she balances content creation and art making – The importance of relationships, connection and storytelling – The story of the disco balls! Having them blow up and become widely copied, and Sari’s journey through it all – Advice for creating your best work and growing your sales -- Much more! FOLLOW SARI IG: @not_sorry_art www.sari.studio SUPPORT THE SHOW Visit patreon.com/devonwalz for exclusive bonus episodes each month FOLLOW THE SHOW @artandmagicpodcast FOLLOW DEVON IG: @devonwalzart Tittok: @devonwalz www.devonwalz.com Join the newsletter here to hear about upcoming workshops, courses and new art.

If you resist writing your artist's statement, talking about your work with your audience or even just putting words to what you make for your own understanding A. you're not alone and B. I pretty much give you everything I have on the subject in today's episode. I cover... -- the different kinds of art writing -- the areas you may need to develop more in your practice in order to help your writing -- specific aspects of your work to consider writing about, or at the very least, understand for yourself -- general tips about language, truth telling and structure -- prompts to get you going This episode is basically a mini workshop with a lot of info, and for that reason, I created a free guide to go along with it that includes all the tips and writing prompts I mention. Get the free episode guide at: www.devonwalz.com/resources If you enjoyed this episode, you'll probably really dig my artwork development workshop, UNIQUE, that will open for enrollment in a couple weeks. Join my newsletter here to hear about it, as well as the new limited edition prints dropping next week. Head to patreon.com/devonwalz for bonus episodes, including *more* tips and thoughts on writing about your art. RESOURCES MENTIONED Pennylane Shen of Dazed and Confucious. Listen to her interview here. Art-Write by Vicki Krohn Amorose How to Write About Contemporary Art by Gilda Williams FOLLOW THE SHOW @artandmagicpodcast FOLLOW DEVON IG: @devonwalzart Tittok: @devonwalz www.devonwalz.com Print Shop Recommendation Pretty Good Printing

At some point, working artists are going to be faced with this crossroads. If you're struggling with whether galleries or self-selling is the better option for you, this episode will illuminate the important aspects of both that you should consider. And maybe touch on a few things you hadn't even thought about yet. I explore the pros and cons of both avenues, share my own experiences, and take a few detours about self-promotion, the biggest fallacy about working with galleries, networking, playing the long game and feeling like you're on the "outside" along the way. Join my newsletter here to hear about upcoming workshops and courses. SUPPORT THE SHOW Visit patreon.com/devonwalz for exclusive bonus episodes each month FOLLOW THE SHOW @artandmagicpodcast FOLLOW DEVON IG: @devonwalzart Tittok: @devonwalz www.devonwalz.com PREORDER ANDREA GUZZETTA'S BOOK, "STRATOSPHERE"

For all you working artists, this conversation is a dose of validation and a resourceful pep talk that you're gonna love. Andrea Guezzatta doesn't hold back re: her opinions about the perspectives in the art world she doesn't jive with and the things out there disguised as opportunities that really aren't. She's also extremely generous and transparent when it comes to her income streams, pricing, secrets to success on Patreon, cultivating an engaged collector base and how she feels about painting cute shit. She was SO fun to chat with and listen to, and is definitely the kind of guest that leaves you wanting a part II. We talked about... -- Her fine approach v. painting things because they're cute -- Viewing art as a skill set and a way to make money. And divesting from the often privileged perspective of academia. -- A break down of Andrea's income streams -- Charging a living wage and how to balance that with what your audience is buying -- How she makes Patreon work for her -- The need for more play and fun in the art world -- How doing stand up comedy has influenced her art practice and given her confidence in the world -- What to do when you feel stuck in your process -- How she approached her recent solo show, Stratosphere (and the time and cost it took) -- How she became a faster painter -- SO much more FOLLOW ANDREA https://www.andreaguzzetta.com/ IG: @andreaguzzetta "Stratosphere" solo show at Var Gallery SUPPORT THE SHOW Visit patreon.com/devonwalz for exclusive bonus episodes FOLLOW THE SHOW @artandmagicpodcast @devonwalzart www.devonwalz.com Learn about + apply to the 14 week 1-on-1 mentorship program for artists here.

I’ve been wanting to bring a curator’s perspective to this show for a long time and I’m so happy that I held out for Angelik Vizcarrondo-Laboy. Glitter-loving, down-to-earth and super fun to chat with, Angelik gives us some great insight into what it’s like on the curator's side of the exhibitions, the behind-the-scenes of putting together shows, how to connect with curators and navigate studio visits, and all things humor, cuteness and leisure. We talked about… FOLLOW ANGELIK https://www.angelikvizcarrondo.com/ listen to Clay in Color: https://www.brickyardnetwork.org/clayincolor SUPPORT THE SHOW Visit patreon.com/devonwalz for exclusive bonus episodes each month FOLLOW THE SHOW @artandmagicpodcast @devonwalzart www.devonwalz.com

If you're an artist who makes stuff, chances are you're going to go through periods of not making stuff too. This can weigh on us heavily, because we often feel like we need to be making in order to be in artist (but listen in for reasons why that's certainly not true). In this episode I talk about the different reasons we might go through such periods, the external expectations that need to be addressed, coping with the big bullies like fear, comparison, self-criticism and perfectionism, and suggestions for easing your way back into making (if that's right for you at this time!). SUPPORT THE SHOW Visit patreon.com/devonwalz for exclusive bonus episodes each month FOLLOW THE SHOW @artandmagicpodcast @devonwalzart www.devonwalz.com

Today we're taking a trip down practical lane to talk about how to connect with the collectors and establishments best suited for your work. How do we figure out who are these people and places are? How do you find them? And, when you do, what's the best way to convert them from admirers to buyers? In this episode I get into how to put out the right content for the job, do outreach, and much more on the topic. If you're wanting to make more sales and create longer term strategies for selling-- this one's for you. For more on outreach, check out episode #32 with Roxy Prima and Phoebe Cornog, which I mention in the episode. SUPPORT THE SHOW Visit patreon.com/devonwalz for exclusive bonus episodes each month FOLLOW THE SHOW @artandmagicpodcast @devonwalzart www.devonwalz.com

Today’s conversation with Marisa Avila Sayler is a collaborative jam session on all things WORLDBUILDING in visual art. While Marisa and I make work that is very different, one thing that we have in common in our work is that we are each creating our own-- and we have A LOT of thoughts on the subject. For those of you who love all things fantastical, alternate reality, otherworldly, transcendent, surreal– this episode is for you. BUT even if this isn’t your home genre or main interest, this conversation gives way to a lot topics that are relatable to most any creative: the desire to create something new and better, to use art as a way grapple with the world around us, and to give ourselves a safe haven via our process. Whether we make otherworldly work or not, artists are constantly attempting to create their own world for themselves (the very cool and meta aspect of Worldbuilding that Marisa and I talk about!). In this episode we discuss... – How we each view and define Worldbuilding in the context of visual art -- Why we think there’s been an uptick in this kind of work and its current cultural relevance -- Why content for children tends to be otherworldly in nature – Worldbuilding as an act of freedom seeking and rebellion, and our personal reasons for engaging with this kind of work – The in’s and out’s of the worlds that Marisa and I build. Why we’ve chosen the characters and elements that we have to create our Cosms (worms, slime mold, nostalgia, lucky charms, oh my!) – How being self-taught v. formally trained has impacted the development of our worlds + work -- The importance of retrospect and the role that's played for each of us – The value of getting (the right kind) of feedback on your work -- much more! Love this episode? Join us Marisa and I for, "Worldbuilding: An Immersive Course in the Art of Cosm Construction for Visual Creators." More info here. Enrollment closes on April 1st and class begins on April 9th. https://marisaanddevon.wixsite.com/world-building Listen to Marisa's past Art + Magic episode: #17 Unlearning Art School + Full-time Realties FOLLOW MARISA www.marisasayler.org IG: @speaking_in_rainbows SUPPORT THE SHOW Visit patreon.com/devonwalz for exclusive bonus episodes each month FOLLOW THE SHOW @artandmagicpodcast @devonwalzart www.devonwalz.com

We're BACK and kicking off season four (finallyyyy!) with a discussion on the five main concerns I've been hearing about from artists recently. In having a lot of conversations with you all over the past month, there were some definite themes and struggles that came up on repeat. I wanted to put them all in one place so we could traverse the ground together and also to let you know: you're definitely not alone in these! In this episode where we cover a wide range of topics such as... Recommended Reading: Art Write ANNOUNCEMENT The Small Group Mentorship Program for artists is currently open for applications. We begin on 3/19 and the deadline to apply is 3/16. Spots are limited. Learn more and apply here: www.devonwalz.com/small-group-mentorship SUPPORT THE SHOW Visit patreon.com/devonwalz for exclusive bonus episodes FOLLOW THE SHOW @artandmagicpodcast @devonwalzart www.devonwalz.com Want to request a topic or ask a question to be answered on the show? Send an email to devonleewalz@gmail.com