I didn’t go to art school, and I learned a LOT the hard way. When I picked up a paintbrush at 35, I had no training, no YouTube tutorials, and no clue what I was doing. Which meant I learned everything through trial, error, and a mountain of fugly canvases.

In this episode of the Honest Art® Podcast, I share the 7 lessons I wish I had known sooner. The ones that would have saved me years of struggle and helped me create stronger work right from the beginning.

If you’ve ever felt frustrated by your paintings, this episode will help you move past the struggle and into the flow … much faster than I did.

Make sure to subscribe to this podcast so you don’t miss a thing! And don’t forget to come hang with me on Instagram @jodie_king_.

Interested in being a guest on a future episode of Honest Art? Email me at amy@jodieking.com!

Resources mentioned:

• Watch this full episode on my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLMquJfuMsSg0fr46BRdia1cWd-81GThzF

• Honest Art Society: https://www.jodiekingart.com/has

• The Color Course for Rebels: https://www.jodiekingart.com/ccfr

• Join me in Austin, TX for my Honest Art Workshop: https://jodieking.com/workshop

• Nova paint: https://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-100603656-15198765

• Pastels: https://amzn.to/4mlvspC

• Charcoal: https://amzn.to/469VnvF

• Graphite: https://amzn.to/46baULF

• Varnish: https://amzn.to/46d8j41

• Medium: https://amzn.to/4ms1AIi

• Fixative: https://amzn.to/3I2Js9S

• Spray bottle: https://amzn.to/4698NYQ

• Scott shop blue paper towels: https://amzn.to/47KvYKf

• Alcohol Wipes: https://amzn.to/3Vo56s1

• Power Sander: https://amzn.to/3I8dHMC

• Have a question for Jodie? Ask it here: https://forms.gle/hxrVu4oL4PVCKwZm6

• How are you liking the Honest Art® Podcast? Leave us a review on your favorite podcast platform and let us know!

Got a graveyard of abandoned canvases in your art studio? You’re not alone. Every artist has a pile of half-finished or fugly paintings collecting dust. But here’s the good news: they’re not failures. They’re opportunities.

In this episode of the Honest Art® Podcast, I’m giving you 9 creative, cathartic, and sometimes rebellious ways to deal with those ghost canvases. From painting over them to cutting them into journals or even burning them in a ritual of release … you’ll never look at abandoned work the same way again.

Make sure to subscribe to this podcast so you don’t miss a thing! And don’t forget to come hang with me on Instagram @jodie_king_.

Interested in being a guest on a future episode of Honest Art®? Email me at amy@jodieking.com!

Resources mentioned:

• Honest Art Painting Workshop - Austin, TX October 22-26, 2025 : https://jodieking.com/honest-art-workshop-austin-october-2025

• Honest Art Society Monthly Membership: https://www.jodiekingart.com/has

• Electric Sander: https://amzn.to/3V8e9xh

• Exacto Knife: https://amzn.to/3Vvqhsp

• Art From The Streets non-profit organization: https://artfromthestreets.org/

• Purchase Jodie’s Honest Art Journal here: https://shop.jodieking.com/collections/jodie-king-merch/products/the-honest-art-mixed-media-journal

• Gesso Surface Prep Medium: https://amzn.to/3JTRu5r

• Episode 103: The Texture Toolbox: Tips on How to Elevate Your Art with Texture: https://jodieking.com/episode-103-the-texture-toolbox-tips-on-how-to-elevate-your-art-with-texture/

• Episode 16: How to Get Out of the Fugly Stage of Art: https://jodieking.com/episode-16-how-to-get-out-of-the-fugly-stage-of-art/

• Have a question for Jodie? Ask it here: https://forms.gle/hxrVu4oL4PVCKwZm6

• How are you liking the Honest Art® Podcast? Leave us a review on your favorite podcast platform and let us know!

• Watch this full episode on my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLMquJfuMsSg0fr46BRdia1cWd-81GThzF

• For a full list of show notes and links, check out my blog: www.jodieking.com/podcast

Think you need a perfect website to sell your art? Total BS. Here’s what actually matters (and what to skip).

I’ve worked with countless artists who sold plenty before ever hitting “publish” on a site. But if you do have a website, you'd better make sure it’s not silently sabotaging your sales.

In this episode of the Honest Art® Podcast, I’m breaking down exactly what artist websites need to connect with collectors (and the fluff you can ditch right now).

Make sure to subscribe to this podcast so you don’t miss a thing! And don’t forget to come hang with me on Instagram @jodie_king_.

Interested in being a guest on a future episode of Honest Art®? Email me at amy@jodieking.com!

Resources mentioned:

• Save On Your First Year of Artwork Archive: https://www.artworkarchive.com/jk

• Join the Honest Art® Society: https://www.jodiekingart.com/has

• Learn More about In-Person Workshops with Jodie: https://jodieking.com/workshop

• Check out Jodie’s website here: www.jodieking.com

• Join Jodie’s Email List here: https://www.jodiekingart.com/jointhelist

• Squarespace: https://www.squarespace.com/

• Learn How to Hang & Wire a Painting: https://www.jodiekingart.com/how-to-hang-a-painting

• Mailchimp: https://mailchimp.com/

• Episode 67: Fight Me! Yes, An Artist Needs An Email List With Yasmine Kashefi: https://jodieking.com/episode-67-fight-me-yes-an-artist-needs-an-email-list-with-yasmine-kashefi/

• ChatGPT: https://chatgpt.com/

• VSCO photo editing platform: https://www.vsco.co/

• Matte Varnish: https://amzn.to/3JHIsbH

• Let’s be Instagram friends!: https://www.instagram.com/jodie_king_/

• Have a question for Jodie? Ask it here: https://forms.gle/hxrVu4oL4PVCKwZm6

• How are you liking the Honest Art® Podcast? Leave us a review on your favorite podcast platform and let us know!

• Watch this full episode on my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLMquJfuMsSg0fr46BRdia1cWd-81GThzF

• For a full list of show notes and links, check out my blog: www.jodieking.com/podcast