That “lost” feeling? It’s not a problem. It’s the process.

Today kicks off a special series I’ve been quietly building behind the scenes for a while now.

It’s called the CREATE Spiral, and it’s a new framework I’ve developed to help artists understand why we get stuck and how to move forward—gently, without shame, and without needing to have it all figured out.

In this first episode, we’re talking about the very first phase of the spiral: Curiosity.

If you’ve been in a fog, wondering why nothing’s exciting you in the studio anymore…

If you’ve felt disconnected from your work, unsure what you want to paint next…

If you’ve caught yourself saying, “Is this all there is?”—this episode is for you.

You’ll learn why this phase is not a detour—it’s a necessary (and powerful) part of your creative growth. And I’ll show you how to move through it in a way that invites clarity, energy, and momentum back into your practice.

Your Episode Map

Major moments, minute by minute.

• [0:00–3:00] – Growth isn’t linear—meet the Create Spiral
• [4:00–6:00] – Fear and uncertainty aren’t problems—they’re part of the path
• [7:00–8:00] – Curiosity is your most underrated studio tool
• [9:20–12:00] – That “blah” feeling? It’s a clue, not a dead end
• [12:00–14:00] – You can’t rush clarity—give curiosity room to grow
• [15:00–16:30] – Follow the tiniest spark—even if it makes no sense (yet)

📌 For Your Studio Wall

The words worth pinning up next to your easel.

What to Bring Into the Studio With You

Because listening is just the beginning.

If you're in that murky place where everything feels kind of blah, you’re not broken. You’re just in the curiosity phase—and that’s a vital part of your growth as an artist.

Try this:
Open a journal or sketchbook and finish the sentence:
👉 “I'm really curious about…”

Let that be your starting point.
Not what will sell. Not what looks impressive. Just what feels quietly alive for you right now.

Let it be messy. Let it be uncertain.
Let it be enough.

And if this episode hit home, come say hi on Instagram:
@savvypainterpodcast
I’d love to hear what your curiosity is whispering to you.

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JD Wissler 1963-2025

This is a re-broadcast of an episode from August 2015.

JD was an incredible painter and a beautiful soul.

Go outside. Look up. Be in awe of what you see.

❤️

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You ever look at another artist and think, “Ugh—I wish I had their confidence”?
That thing they just seem to have—like it came standard and yours got left out?

Yeah. Let’s talk about that.

This week’s episode breaks down the myth that confidence is something you’re either born with or not.

I’ll show you how confidence works more like painting—something you build, refine, and grow with each stroke (even the messy ones).

Whether you’re struggling to price your work, share it online, or just get yourself back into the studio, this is for you.

Because here’s the truth: You don’t need confidence to start.
You need to start to build confidence.

Your Episode Map

• 00:38 – Confidence ≠ personality trait. It’s a practice.
• 01:30 – Two types of confidence: Experience vs. Self-confidence
• 04:24 – Why waiting for confidence keeps you stuck
• 09:39 – That time I gave a talk at Disney… and panicked
• 13:09 – Borrowing confidence from what you do know
• 14:44 – The truth behind people who “just seem confident”
• 17:10 – Why the tiniest baby steps matter
• 20:00 – Megan’s workshop nerves—and why they’re totally normal
• 22:31 – You grow into the person who can handle it
• 24:28 – Your creative fingerprint and trusting your own rhythm
• 25:00 – The only wrong move? No move.

📌 For Your Studio Wall

Words worth pinning next to your easel.

Thoughts to Bring Into the Studio With You

Because listening is just the beginning.

If confidence feels out of reach right now, remember this: every time you show up—paint a stroke, post your work, have the awkward conversation—you are practicing confidence.

Try this: pick one small thing that’s been making you hesitate. Then do it before you feel ready.

I'd love to see what you do with this episode! DM me on Instagram (or tag me) and tell me what you’re trying this week.
@savvypainterpodcast

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Today, we’re talking about something that every artist encounters—but few talk about openly: rejection.

Whether it’s a juried show, a gallery application, or simply putting your work on social media, the fear of hearing “no” often holds artists back in big ways. But here’s the truth: rejection isn’t the problem. It’s the meaning we attach to it that creates so much pain and paralysis.

Antrese breaks down:

• Why rejection feels so intense—and why that’s totally normal
• The science behind the physical response to rejection (it’s not all in your head)
• How your brain turns a simple “no” into a worst-case-scenario spiral
• Real stories from Growth Studio artists navigating fear, discomfort, and unexpected wins
• What it means to build rejection resilience—and how to do it

You’ll also hear about a two-month Rejection Challenge happening inside Growth Studio, and why some artists are already discovering that the “no’s” they feared are turning into surprising “yeses.”

If rejection has ever stopped you from taking action, this episode is for you.

Links and Resources:

• Learn more about Growth Studio
• Connect with Antrese: @savvypainterpodcast

Like what you hear?
Please take a moment to rate and review the podcast—it helps more artists find this show. And if you know someone who needs to hear this, send it their way.

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Have you ever been so immersed in your painting that you completely lost track of time? That magical moment where everything clicks, the inner critic goes quiet, and it feels like the brush is moving on its own? That’s what we’re diving into today—flow state.

But here’s the twist: is flow always a good thing? Or can it actually hold you back from experimenting and growing as an artist?

In this episode, I’m bringing you inside Growth Studio for a real, unfiltered conversation with artists who are wrestling with those exact questions. You’ll hear how each of us defines and experiences flow, the unexpected ways it shows up (or doesn’t), and why your version of it might look completely different from anyone else's.

Whether you’ve had that dreamy, meditative painting session or you’re wondering why it feels so elusive, this conversation will make you think differently about what flow actually is—and how it might be the key to unlocking your most authentic work.

In This Episode:

• What flow state actually feels like—and why it’s different for everyone
• The surprising relationship between flow and experimentation
• How presence and letting go of self-judgment are key to deep creative focus
• The role of technical skill in entering (and sustaining) a flow state
• Why some artists lose track of time, and others feel like they “wake up” to a finished painting
• How being seen by others can either block or boost your creative rhythm
• And why finding flow might just be a form of falling in love—with your art and with yourself

Big Takeaways:

• Flow isn’t a formula—it’s deeply individual and may even shift over time.
• Being fully present is what unlocks your most powerful creative moments.
• Community matters—having other artists to talk with, compare notes, and challenge your thinking expands what’s possible.
• And maybe most importantly: flow feels like love—something you never want to end.

If this episode speaks to you, imagine having these kinds of conversations all the time. That’s exactly what we do inside Growth Studio. If you’re looking for a supportive, inspiring artist community that challenges you and cheers you on—come join us.

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Do you often feel guilty or frustrated when you see a piece of unfinished art in your studio? Instead of seeing that as proof of something wrong with you or your art practice, let’s transform your relationship with your works-in-progress and unlock new (and often overlooked) possibilities!

In this episode of the Savvy Painter Podcast, learn how unfinished work holds the key to your next creative breakthrough. I explore the various types of incomplete pieces and the emotional baggage attached to them, how to overcome the self-criticism surrounding unfinished work, how to know when it’s time to release your hold on partly-done artwork, as well as advocate for embracing the untapped potential of unfinished art as part of creating a positive practice.

1:39 – How I tend to categorize unfinished work
5:05 – Internal and external reasons for leaving paintings unfinished

6:58 – Common negative thoughts about unfinished work and my philosophy for creating a positive art practice
13:05 – How to embrace the idea of letting go of a painting without feeling like a quitter

19:42 – Other ways you can utilize unfinished paintings

23:58 – How to know when it’s time to let go of a piece of incomplete artwork

28:47 – What trusting in your creative process and the potential of unfinished paintings offer you

Mentioned in Finding Joy and Creative Possibility in Unfinished Work

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Art is inherently slow. It demands time, thought, and presence, so embracing that slowness is essential for creating meaningful work and maintaining your artistic well-being. Yet, many artists feel behind in their art journey because they’re not producing fast enough.

In this episode of the Savvy Painter Podcast, I’ll challenge the idea that faster is better in the art world. You’ll discover how hustle culture distorts our perception of the artistic process and get a refreshing perspective that’ll help you reclaim the joy and depth of art-making in a fast-paced world.

3:57 – The mindset that clashes with the time-sensitive nature of art creation
7:51 – How social media puts pressure on artists to create faster
10:54 – The drawbacks of chasing quick results with your art

14:52 – The perks of embracing a slower approach with your art

17:53 – Four quick steps to reclaim time, space, and creative joy in your art practice

Mentioned in The Slow Art Revolution — Because Instant Results Are a Scam

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Does staring at a blank canvas sometimes cause you to question your abilities? Many artists (even those you admire) struggle with self-doubt and imposter syndrome, and the current chaotic world only amplifies those feelings. But what if the only thing holding you back is the mere thought that you aren’t an artist?

In this episode of the Savvy Painter Podcast, we’ll dismantle the myth of the "real" artist and explore why waiting to embody this ideal is a waste of time. You’ll discover how imposter syndrome can signal that you're in the wrong environment (not the wrong career), how external stress fuels self-doubt, and how to regain control of your thoughts and stop looking for permission to be the artist you truly want to be.

3:15 – Challenge your inner critic who thinks you're not a real artist
10:33 – Re-define for yourself what it means to be an artist
14:00 – The importance of identifying who you want (and don’t want) to support you
17:54 – The power of choosing to embrace imperfection and uncertainty

22:38 – Questions to ask when in self-doubt about your status as an artist

Mentioned in How to Make Art When You Don’t Feel Like an Artist

The Work of Byron Katie

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