Art Ladders: The Creative Climb

I met Amy Keever at the wonderful ADC Fine Art Gallery in Cincinnati. We were both attending the 2023 Art Summit led by our past podcast guest Litsa Spanos and her sister, Sylvia Rombis. She walked in with the most wonderful hot pink pom-pom earrings and white artist smock and I, of course had to comment. That's all it took for us to hang out for 3 days before the Art Comes Alive Gala. Amy ended up winning Best of Show for that exhibit with her unique style. What a night. Here is more about Amy in her own words: "As long as I can remember I have had a passion for artistic expression and love the idea of challenging mediums in ways they aren't exactly created to be used- I love the play of hard and soft , like choosing to manipulate concrete to have a tenderness and elegance, painting in oils to give a work translucency and welding my sculptures that are actually quite strong to have a sense of delicacy. Somehow intuitively, I have chosen to embrace the road less traveled in both the way I think and the creative choices I make on a daily basis. I love to educate young artists on how I work as I don't think its typically a process they've seen before and have mentored young adults for many years now through teaching them an artform or giving them a chance to exhibit in a professional setting and experiencing all parts of being an artist." Amy is launching a new podcast called "Creatively Audacious" in May with the mission to spread kindness and happiness. She is definitely an #artistshelpingartists person. She also has a feature in the international "Where Women Create" magazine releasing on April 30th. Be sure to check it out. Enjoy Episode 72 and our time with Amy! Show Notes Amy's Website Amy's Instagram Where Women Create Magazine Website Crystal Bridges in Bentonville, AK

Passion can be elusive and it is always a good thing to consider how you can find your muse when times seem rough or even dull. Armin and Val approach art making as a relationship that needs to be cultivated and held in esteem. Let us know how you keep passion alive in the studio. Show Notes: Valerie Allen Art Armin Mersmann Workshops for the Summer: Armin at Atelier in April now 20% off until April 12. Valerie at Grosse Pointe Artists Association for a two-day Print-a-thon. Creative 360 Experimental Drawing Workshop with Val and Armin

We met Jeannette MacDougall during an exhibition at Calvin College's (106) Gallery at ArtPrize 2015. In this exhibit "Weighing the Landscape", installed by curator Joel Zwart, Jeanette, Armin and I were hanging next to each other. Our friendship began during that time as we all felt our artwork had a very cohesive aesthetic and professionalism. Jeannette now resides in Texas and continues her travels and artist residencies across the nation and internationally. Her background in being the director in France for the art residency program of the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts has given her the expertise to not only pursue her own residency goals but also advise artist who are looking to pursue that lifestyle in their art practice. She also hosts teaching workshops in the countryside of the south of France and in Scotland. "I am an Artist-Painter on a gypsy sojourn. I seek the solitude of the landscape; content to travel the distance through my work to capture what I long for; a sanctuary in nature. I come away with what I can carry in memory and inspiration." states Jeannette. I am a contemporary artist who works in a multitude of mixed paint mediums. My process culminates in the studio but the joyful inspiration comes from seeking out a piece of the landscape that stops me in my tracks. Like a hunter I observe what is hidden. It is in the underbrush and the dark beauty in nature that appeals to me. Dead limbs, fallen trees are evidence of our impermanence. Perfection is unreal but the imperfect is perfectly beautiful. I build fresco-like paintings in plaster on birch wood panels which can handle the distress of marred surfaces. The application of various layers and removal of pigment is not unlike an excavation. I search for the undiscovered strata beneath the surface only to leave it be and carefully move on to new ground. Southwest School of Art, San Antonio Texas / Graduate of Parsons School of Art NYC / Trinity University SA Texas Jeannette's Plein Air Workshop in Roane, France is June 11 - 18. You can email her for all the details. Show Notes: Jeannette's Website Res Artis: Worldwide network of Arts Residencies Artist Communities Alliance for artist residencies. VCAA France: Moulin a Nef

We've been creating this podcast over two years and it's fun to check out the rankings. Here we have a replay of our #1 episode to date with UK artist Sally Hirst while we are installing a new exhibition. Sally has boundless energy and you can't help but get fired up for your own art as you listen to this replay. She is an artist, teacher, and mentor. She works in painting, collage, printmaking and mixed media. Her use of texture and pattern in her work gives it a global aesthetic that is timely and universal. Sally Hirst is currently based at her studio in Norwich, UK – where she also co-coordinates an exhibition space called oneuppergoat. She is a Certified Golden Artist Educator and teaches online courses titled Pushing Paint, Urban Explorations , Discover Collagraphy, and Approaches to Abstraction to students worldwide. ⁠Click here to read more on Sally's website.⁠ ⁠Visit Sally's Instagram Account by clicking here.⁠ ⁠Facebook Page for Sally Hirst Artist and Tutor⁠ Here are links to artists mentioned by Sally in the podcast. ⁠Instagram for artist Daryl Burtnett⁠ ⁠Instagram for JFK Turner⁠ ⁠Instagram for Karen Stamper⁠ ⁠Instagram for Nicholas Wilton⁠ ⁠Instagram for Louise Fletcher⁠ ⁠Instagram for Alice Sheridan⁠ ⁠Instagram for David Mankin⁠ ⁠Instagram for Jane Davies⁠

Art Ladders welcomes artist Sally Hirst to the podcast! This lively interview with Sally is about creating art, teaching and what it means to be an artist in this changing world of technology. Sally is a painter and printmaking who describes herself as a tutor, nomadic, restless, curious, experiential, irreverent, untidy, loud…lol...and we can add that she is a champion for discovering new mediums, fresh perspectives and innovative use of art supplies. As well as being a professional artist educated to Masters level, Sally is also a qualified teacher with many years of teaching experience. She currently teaches a range of online courses that enable her to reach students at all stages of their creative journey, worldwide from her studio in the UK. Sally Hirst is currently based at her studio in Norwich, UK – where she also co-coordinates an exhibition space called oneuppergoat. She is a Certified Golden Artist Educator and teaches online courses titled Pushing Paint, Urban Explorations , Discover Collagraphy, and Approaches to Abstraction to students worldwide. Click here to read more on Sally's website. Visit Sally's Instagram Account by clicking here. Facebook Page for Sally Hirst Artist and Tutor Here are links to artists mentioned by Sally in the podcast. Instagram for artist Daryl Burtnett Instagram for JFK Turner Instagram for Karen Stamper Instagram for Nicholas Wilton Instagram for Louise Fletcher Instagram for Alice Sheridan Instagram for David Mankin Instagram for Jane Davies

Finding time to create artwork can be a real challenge just for one artist in the family. This becomes even more challenging when others depend on you as a family member, studio group or community. Events appear, marketing needs to be processed, household chores get in the way and the never-ending pick up and drop off of artwork to exhibits. In themselves these are all worthy and even celebratory activities but when your intent is to wake up and get in the studio as fast as you can, well, then you experience the rub. In this episode, Armin and Val discuss ways to handle the stress and offer coping skills to make the extracurricular activities that artists participate in joyful. It's not always sunshine and lollipops but we are finding ways to not turn positives into negatives. We hope you enjoy this episode.

Finding time to create artwork can be a real challenge just for one artist in the family. This becomes even more challenging when others depend on you as a family member, studio group or community. Events appear, marketing needs to be processed, household chores get in the way and the never-ending pick up and drop off of artwork to exhibits. In themselves these are all worthy and even celebratory activities but when your intent is to wake up and get in the studio as fast as you can, well, then you experience the rub. In this episode, Armin and Val discuss ways to handle the stress and offer coping skills to make the extracurricular activities that artists participate in joyful. It's not always sunshine and lollipops but we are finding ways to not turn positives into negatives. We hope you enjoy this episode.

Artist Kenneth Hershenson found his muse in a set of ball and jacks that qualifies him to say, he does know Jack! So much so that he feels he has enough conceptual ideas to keep him painting for another 20 paintings or so. In this episode we hear the many twists and turns he took in his career. Those bends taught him lots about the business of art as well as honed a work ethic that values clean and concise professionalism combined with a communication style that is natural to teach other artists. He will be announcing summer workshops in painting with acrylics, in particular, slow drying acrylics. Kenneth Hershenson is a contemporary fine artist who creates photorealistic acrylic paintings. He has been painting and drawing for over 50 years. The majority of those years were spent teaching himself how to paint and draw and taking workshops from some notable West Coast artists: Eric Weigardt and Lee Wexler (watercolor), Butch Krieger (life drawing), Ned Mueller (portraiture and gouache), and Ann Kullberg and Gary Greene (colored pencil). Kenneth’s artistic approach is rooted in the twin disciplines of realism and illustration. Architectural design and illustration are the basis of much of his professional life, which included serving as an architectural designer with Disneyland and designing Japan stores for Starbucks while living in Seattle. His art influences include 17th century Flemish realists, the creativity and surrealistic styles of Dali and Magritte as well as the craftsmanship and humor of early Donald Roller Wilson. Kenneth has participated in many juried art shows and has won a number of awards in watercolor, drawing and painting. His acrylic painting A Pair of Jacks has won several People’s Choice Awards and a Best in Show Award. It also won an Honorable Mention in the December 2015 issue of The Artist’s Magazine. His most recent painting, Pepper Jack Cheese, won the People's Choice Award in the 2023 Richeson75 International Still Life & Floral Competition. The first 5 paintings in the “I DO Know Jack!” series was in the final Top 25 Public Vote (out of nearly 1,000 entries) in ArtPrize 7, the largest international art competition and exhibition. Kenneth is a member of the National Oil & Acrylic Painters' Society and the International Guild of Realism. He also teaches acrylic painting at the Atelier School of Art in Royal Oak, Michigan. Follow Kenneth on Instagram to learn the latest news on his classes, workshops, exhibits, and awards. Show notes: Kenneth Hershenson's Website Kenneth Hershenson's Instagram International Guild of Realism National Oil and Acrylic Painters Society Thank you to our sponsor: Golden Apple Studio and Residency

Get ready for a java-sipping chat with Val and Armin in Episode 66! These two art aficionados spill the beans on networking for artists - from schmoozing the room to FaceTiming with fellow creatives. We all know that feeling of stage fright and self-doubt that can hit when we enter a room full of art-world movers and shakers. But fear not! It's all about how we show up and make the most of opportunities. Val and Armin share some great tips on how to ace events, whether they're in-person or virtual. Plus, they discuss how to build a community of like-minded artists. Let's keep the conversation brewing - tell us your networking secrets. Here is the collection of online classes that Val and Armin are teaching starting in February. The Art Ladders Online Class Collection

Get ready for a java-sipping chat with Val and Armin in Episode 66! These two art aficionados spill the beans on networking for artists - from schmoozing the room to FaceTiming with fellow creatives. We all know that feeling of stage fright and self-doubt that can hit when we enter a room full of art-world movers and shakers. But fear not! It's all about how we show up and make the most of opportunities. Val and Armin share some great tips on how to ace events, whether they're in-person or virtual. Plus, they discuss how to build a community of like-minded artists. Let's keep the conversation brewing - tell us your networking secrets. Here is the collection of online classes that Val and Armin are teaching starting in February. The Art Ladders Online Class Collection

Driven by a passion for art and the desire to bring beauty into as many homes, healthcare facilities, and corporate offices as possible, Litsa Spanos opened the doors of Art Design Consultants, Inc. (ADC) thirty years ago. With just two clients and limited space, her ultimate goal was to create exquisite and inspiring environments. Litsa has an uncanny ability to select beautiful artwork and discover talented artists for her clients. This success has lead her to amass a desirable collection of fine art for a wide range of clientele. Her vision continues to grow even bigger, opening a 13,000 square foot mega-gallery and framing facility in the West End of Cincinnati. As the recipient of numerous prestigious awards, ADC currently ranks in the top 2% of all women-owned business in the nation. Thanks to her company’s continued success, Litsa is uniquely positioned to support many nonprofit organizations that she cares passionately about. Valerie and Armin brought their questions to Litsa in this episode on the business of art. As an industry expert, she has answers that only someone in the field would have. This is valuable information for Art Ladders' listening audience of artists and art lovers. Thank you, Litsa, for sharing your knowledge and time with us for Episode 65. Here's to a prosperous 2024! Show Notes: ADC Fine Art in Cincinnati, Ohio Website ADC Fine Art Instagram ADC Fine Art Facebook Litsa Spanos Instagram Secrets of the Art World by Litsa Spanos SmartSell Artists led by Litsa Spanos

Art Ladders is excited to announce that 2024 will be guided by the word, prosper. We intend to flourish and thrive by creating new habits that will benefit our art, finances and health. In this episode a review of habits to help us prosper will be examined. We talk about the importance of planning ahead and dreaming big. A practical list of doable habits is attributed to, Ruben Chavez, who maintains the Instagram page, @thinkgrowprosper. There will be a Pinterest link to the list in our show notes. Well, it's a brand new year and we are looking forward to sharing our journey with you all. Our studio is expanding and by springtime there will be a gallery space that will be open by appointment. Keep an eye on our Facebook page for announcements regarding this progress. Let us know your plans for 2024. We can keep each other accountable while showing support. It's going to be a great year! Show Notes Ruben Chavez's Instagram Page Book by Litsa Spano: Secrets of the Art World Pinterest link of "Habits to Help You Prosper" List by Ruben Chavez Valerie's Second Sunday of the Month Mentoring Group Armin's First Tuesday of the Month Mentoring Group

With over 30 questions collected over that past years of the podcast, Val and Armin draw five specific questions from their sunflower bowl to answer in this end-of-the-year episode. Diving in to teaching and communication styles of artists to keeping a budget, you will learn areas that artists need to know for success. Val and Armin are very honest in what they do best and what they need to work on.....think budget. By showing vulnerability, they are honest about imposter syndrome appearing during tough times and how they handle advice that may not be welcomed at the time but prove to be correct in the future. Enjoy this episode and Art Ladders with Val and Armin wish you all a very happy holiday and peaceful New Year for 2024. Thank you for all your support of Art Ladders and our art careers. Here is our Linktree Bio with more information.

We have spent the last few days working on the exhibit, Contemporary Realism with artists Frits Hoendervanger, Robert Shefman, Todd Burroughs and curated by Armin for Buckham Gallery in Flint. Armin and I work as a team for these major events in our lives. There is framing, marketing, delivery and just overall hard work involved in reaching the deadline. Being under pressure and maintaining a sane and cordial married life can be challenging. During this podcast we work through some of the emotions we go thru during the rush to complete the tasks. Deadlines are a fact of life for artists working toward goals and hopefully you will get some tips on how to go with flow. Armin's exhibit opens Friday, December 8 from 6-9pm at Buckham Gallery in Flint. There is an Artwork that will be happening the same evening. Hope to see you there. Show Notes: Buckham Gallery Website December Artwork Downtown Flint Armin Mersmann's Website Valerie's Mentor Group

Buckham Gallery has a rich history with strong connections to working artists. We are joined by executive director, Michele Leclaire and she will tells us about the behind the scenes workings of this art nonprofit that is innovative and artist-centric. She explains how nonprofits can give a voice to artists who are experimental and often cutting edge through grants and foundations designed to showcase emerging, mid-career, and established artists. The gallery encompasses exhibits for visual artists as well as literary residencies and performing arts performances Learn more about how to apply for solo and group shows, juried exhibits opportunities, and how to consider joining the board of a nonprofit. Michele and Armin will also discuss the upcoming Contemporary Realism: Four Artists/Four Voices. The exhibit will open Friday, December 8, 2023 from 6-9pm. This reception is open to the public. The show runs through January 13, 2024. The gallery is open Wednesday to Friday, 11am-5pm and Saturday, Noon-5pm. ​ Here is contact information for Buckham Gallery. 121 W Second Street​Flint, MI 48502(810) 239-6233info@buckhamgallery.org Show notes Buckham Gallery Website

Looking within and revealing the personal reasons you create art can be a meaningful way to connect with your collectors, audience and yourself. Art is influenced by so many subtle interactions in our day to day life and it is worth making note of those experiences and weaving them into your story. Armin and I were recently inspired by an Instagram reel we viewed from @SAB.GalleryCollection. It featured producer and author, Rick Rubin. He is the author of the 2023 release titled "The Creative Way: A Way of Being". In the video, Rick explains (and I'm paraphrasing), "If you want to live in a creative way, which will benefit everything in your life, you need to make it great by being personal. Being personal in all its imperfections and all its quirkiness, makes it great and how you see the world". This theme resonated with us both. By taking a cue from this riff by Rick Rubin, we discussed how being more personal has made an appearance in our own art. Were there opportunities we missed by not revealing ourselves, of course there have been some. But when we made the leap to follow our hearts, be authentic, and have the courage to reveal the real reasons, we made ground in our art making. We are hoping this episode that artists will be conscious of when they are making their art with their personality, tastes and backgrounds in the forefront. Stronger art will come out of those sessions and courage will lead to rewards. Some show notes from the episode: Rick Rubin: "The Creative Act: A Way of Being" @SAB.GalleryCollection Armin's Mastrius Mentor Group Open to Join Valerie's mastrius Mentor Group Open to Join Art Ladders Patreon Page for Podcast Membership Support Give us a cup of symbolic coffee if this episode resonates with you! :)

On Tuesday, October 17, 2023, we had the honor and pleasure to interview author, ⁠⁠John Seed ⁠⁠via Zoom from his home base on the Central California Coast. He defines himself as an art writer and we would add storyteller with rich experiences in the world of art that tell all the sides of the art coin. From taking the path of an art student, to MFA, to gallery driver, collector, curator, installation team member, art professor, to author, he has done it all and uses all the facets to his advantage in his writings. He has written for the art section of Huffington Post, Hyperallergic, a round the clock online art newsletter, Arts of Asia and other fine publications. His books include My Art World: Recollections and Other Writings, ⁠⁠Disrupted Realism: Paintings for a Distracted World⁠⁠, and his most recent book ⁠⁠More Disruption: Representational Art in Flux⁠⁠. He was the recipient of a Society of Professional Journalist's award in art and entertainment writing. For over three decades John Seed taught Studio Art and Art History at Mount San Jacinto College. He also taught Modernism at Art Center College of Design in Pasadena and Theory and Criticism for the MFA program at Laguna College of Art and Design. Since 2013 John has served on the board of the ⁠⁠Sam Francis Foundation⁠⁠ and am currently serving as the President of ⁠⁠Greenspace: The Cambria Land Trust.⁠⁠ Here is a video interview with John Seed titled ⁠⁠"My Non-Tragic Backstory".⁠⁠ John is also teaching an online class called ⁠⁠Art Criticism for Artists⁠⁠ through the Penn Studio School of Art. Val will be taking this class starting in January and is looking forward to hearing more from John. Check out the link above to learn more about this class. Thank you, John for spending time with us and sharing your knowledge and stories. By the way, he invites our audience to email him at johnseed@gmail.com with questions and comments on any of his books. He is generous and kind with his correspondence and you will be richer by sharing an email with him. Enjoy this episode!

Val and Armin's experience highlights an important issue for artists looking for work that allows them to pursue their creative passions. While jobs in art-related professions can provide valuable experience and insights into the art world, they can also be demanding and time-consuming, leaving little time and energy for personal artistic pursuits. Here are some additional points to consider when seeking employment as an artist: Val and Armin enjoy using a casual "coffee talk" style in this episode that includes spontaneous and personal segments. They invite their audience to share their job experiences, which can benefit aspiring artists and provide interesting stories for those already in the field. Thank you for listening! Show Notes: Valerie Allen's Website Armin Mersmann's Website Join Valerie's Mentor Group (Second Sunday of Every Month 4pm Eastern.) Join Armin's Mentor Group (First Tuesday of the Every Month 6pm Eastern.) Here Is Fong Choo's website. He is an award winning potter who does beautiful clay work. Val was thrilled to help pick up his work for an exhibit at Midland Center for the Arts.

Lilongwe, Malawi in Southeastern Africa is indeed a long, long way away and we are happy to travel over the Zoom waves to visit with artist, designer, educator and mentor, Kristen Palana. Valerie met Kristen virtually a few months ago as a student in Kristen's Web Presence and Social Media Marketing class through Mastrius.com. Through Mastius, Kristen, Armin and Val are now colleague mentors with many other artists across the globe. It's a great opportunity to bring collective art knowledge to our podcast. Kristen's artist statement is rich with optimism and positivity contrasted with bringing awareness to the reality of our planet. “I draw the world not as it is but how I wish it could be. Inspired by the lofty mission statements and development goals used by the world's top organizations, my images can be used to imagine better outcomes for our lives, communities, and the planet. I'm currently developing a body of drawings that move beyond making creative visualizations at the individual level to expand to include the larger global community. I use symbols, icons, and patterns with cross-cultural significance combined with color psychology to help soothe, heal, and reinvigorate weary idealists. My backgrounds are not always content to remain quietly in the background. Through highly charged color choices, energetic lines, and regional and global textile patterns commonly made by and for women, these backgrounds sometimes ask nicely and other times demand with exasperation to be seen, heard, accepted, and appreciated.” - Kristen Palana You will hear Kristen describe how this is a "move year" for their family. It is the year where they find out the next adventurous location they will live and make home. That process can be daunting and exhilarating but always unpredictable. She and her husband are providing a lifestyle for their sons that will send them into adult life well prepared to adapt and excel. Very exciting times ahead for Kristen! We wish her all the very best. Here are show notes to learn even more about Kristen Palana and her art and life. Kristen Palana's Website Kristen's Mastrius Information Al-Tiba9 Contemporary Art Interview with Kristen Palana

Comparing yourself to other artists means that you are evaluating your own abilities, qualities, or achievements in relation to those of artists. This can involve looking at someone who you perceive as better than you in some way, or someone who you believe is worse off than you in some aspect. This type of comparison can have both positive and negative effects on your self-esteem and personal growth. On one hand, it can motivate you as an artist to work harder and strive for self-improvement. On the other hand, it can lead to feelings of inadequacy, jealousy, and low self-esteem if you constantly feel like you're falling short in comparison to others. It's important to remember that everyone is on their own journey and has their own unique strengths and weaknesses, so it's not always helpful to compare yourself to others. Instead, focus on your own progress and growth, and celebrate your successes along the way. Show Notes Upcoming Mentorship Group with Val starting October 8th Join Armin's Mentorship Group here. Val's Abstraction Now! Class starts October 4th. Register here Website of Denis Peterson Website of Erwin Lewandowski