What does it really mean to have your own back as an artist? In this episode, I share why safety isn’t just about gloves and turpentine — it’s about building trust with yourself in the studio. When you know you won’t tear yourself down for “failing,” you’re free to take risks, explore messy ideas, and grow in ways you never thought possible.

This conversation comes straight from my own sketchbook experiments and our 30-day Self-Trust Challenge inside Growth Studio. You’ll hear how awkward blind contour lines, negative space trees, and even 100 “bad” drawings can become proof that you’re on the right track.

Here’s what you’ll discover in this episode:

Episode Map

• [0:42] Why self-trust always begins with safety — and why that has nothing to do with paint fumes.
• [3:29] The awkward stage that makes most artists quit — and how to stick with it.
• [7:51] Five drawings that “failed” — or five steps closer to something new?
• [15:48] The messy middle: where ideas sprout before they make sense.
• [20:58] Could you survive 100 “bad” paintings to reach the one that works?
• [25:42] Why doubt and frustration don’t mean stop — they mean human.
• [26:34] Kindness as a creative strategy: how to meet yourself without criticism.
• [29:29] The ultimate reframe: safety, trust, and the artist you’ve always wanted to be.

Support the show

And hey - if this episode hit home, do me a favor, leave a review on Apple Podcast or come say hi on Instagram: @savvypainterpodcast
I’d love to hear this episode resonated you. ❤️

Ever notice how one “wrong” brushstroke can send you into a spiral? You’re standing in your studio, brush in hand, and suddenly the inner courtroom opens up. The judge, jury, and executioner? All you.

This episode is about what I call self-aggression. Those tiny but brutal ways we attack ourselves for daring to experiment, for not being perfect, for being… human. And here’s the thing: it’s costing you way more than you realize.

I’ll walk you through why we confuse self-criticism with professionalism, how it’s secretly strangling your creativity, and what happens when you trade all that punishment for curiosity instead. (Hint: your studio becomes the safest, most exciting place to create.)

You’ll hear real stories from Growth Studio: Leslie catching herself in an “auction spiral,” Megan reframing her supply list, Scott protecting his energy, and Cece navigating the push-pull of play vs. control. Plus, I’ll share a micro-meltdown of my own and how I turned it around.

If you’ve ever started an apology tour before showing your work, or if you’ve ever thought “I’m such an idiot” mid-painting—this one’s for you.

Your Episode Map

0:23 – The brushstroke that ruins everything (or does it?)
1:59 – How “I’m such an idiot” sneaks into your studio
5:49 – Why being hard on yourself isn’t “professional” (it’s poison)
7:39 – Curiosity vs. criticism: the C in CREATE that changes everything
8:32 – What self-aggression is secretly costing you (spoiler: it’s huge)
13:12 – Real Growth Studio stories: auctions, supply lists, and saying no
25:00 – My own meltdown over a 2-inch drawing
36:01 – The truth bomb: self-trust is the ultimate creative flex

For Your Studio Wall

Words worth pinning next to your easel:

• “Curiosity opens possibilities. Criticism shuts them down.”
• “Failure isn’t evidence against you—it’s information for you.”
• “Your studio is not a courtroom. Make it a laboratory.”
• “Treat yourself like your favorite student.”
• “The way you talk to yourself shows up on the canvas.”

What to Bring Into the Studio With You

• A daily rep: catch one micro-aggression and reframe it with curiosity.
• Neutral share rule: present your work without the apology preface.
• Constraints as safety: same size, same tools, familiar setups = freedom to explore.
• A pre-painting intention: I’m here to explore, not to be perfect.

Support the show

And hey - if this episode hit home, do me a favor, leave a review on Apple Podcast or come say hi on Instagram: @savvypainterpodcast
I’d love to hear this episode resonated you. ❤️

Welcome to the finale of our CREATE spiral series! Today we're diving into expansion - when you're ready to be seen in a bigger way but the thought of taking risks makes your heart race.

I share my three circles framework for understanding your capacity for risk: comfort zone, stretch zone, and terror zone. Plus the crucial piece most artists miss - how to recharge after expanding so you can take progressively bigger steps without burning out.

What You'll Learn:

• How to read your nervous system to know when you're stretching vs. pushing too far
• The difference between healthy recharging and avoidance
• Common expansion mistakes that lead to burnout or stagnation
• Why expansion creates an upward spiral back to curiosity
• Practical steps to start expanding strategically this week

Key Takeaway: You don't have to be fearless. You just need to take one small, strategic risk and then care for yourself afterward.

Perfect for artists ready to submit work, raise prices, or share more boldly - without the overwhelm.

Support the show

And hey - if this episode hit home, do me a favor, leave a review on Apple Podcast or come say hi on Instagram: @savvypainterpodcast
I’d love to hear this episode resonated you. ❤️