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To end off season 13, we sat down with Matthew James Collins, a figurative painter, portrait painter, and sculptor living and working in Florence, Italy. Matthew traces his path from a creative childhood in Oak Park and frustration with contemporary-focused art school to then find classical, atelier-based training in Florence. Matthew explains how Old Masters like Titian, Van Dyck, Rembrandt, and Velázquez shaped his devotion to painting from life, Baroque optical effects, and the idea of following their principles—especially observation of nature—rather than copying their style. Matthew also explains how cameras and screens distort our sense of seeing, why young painters should “go cold turkey” from photographic reference when possible, and how experiencing art in person and in context is radically different from viewing it in what Matthew calls “art zoos” (museums stripped of original context). Matthew shares concrete insights on portraiture—sight-size work from life, historical palettes, thoughtful posing and lighting, and the slow, conversational sittings needed to reveal character—as well as his teaching method of painting alongside one or two students and correcting in real time. Underneath it all, the conversation keeps returning to bigger themes: the likeness of artistic voice to a lifelong "Odyssey", the role of culture and curiosity, the practical and emotional difficulty of being an artist today, and the enduring importance of making ambitious, sincere, beautifully crafted work that lives with people in everyday spaces.

Matthew's FASO site:

matthewjamescollins.com/

Matthew's Social Media:

instagram.com/matthewjamescollinsartist/

facebook.com/matthewjamescollinsartist/

Matthew's Articles:

Historical Approaches for Contemporary Portrait Practice

Dancing Faun of Pompeii: Removed From Habitat, Out of Context

Join our next BoldBrush LIVE! Webinar by signing up here:
register.boldbrush.com/live-guest

Learn the magic of marketing with us here at BoldBrush!
boldbrushshow.com

Get over 50% off your first year on your artist website with FASO:
FASO.com/podcast

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In this compilation episode, we are focusing on tips about one of the most important parts of an artistic career: collectors. Our past guests emphasize that fine art is sustained by strong, long-term relationships with collectors, not just technical skill or gallery placement. They describe collectors as people who often want a personal connection and ongoing dialogue—through conversations at shows, home salon events, and gallery openings. Many of our guests highlight using newsletters, social media, and even texting to stay in touch, share new work, and make collectors feel appreciated and involved. Several artists stress the importance of gratitude and reciprocity, from handwritten thank-you notes to remembering birthdays and asking how collectors discovered their work. Overall, collectors are not only buyers but possible friends, supporters, and “connectors” whose loyalty and enthusiasm can sustain an artist’s career over many years.

Episodes mentioned in order of appearance:

• 81 Steve Atkinson
• 87 Johanna Spinks
• 94 Karen Blackwood
• 61 Nanci France-Vaz
• 99 Heather Arenas
• 101 Joseph Gyurcsak
• 120 Kim Casebeer
• 130 Scott Ruthven
• 162 David Griffin
• 166 Miriam Schulman
• 170 Kim Lordier

Join our next BoldBrush LIVE! Webinar by signing up here:
register.boldbrush.com/live-guest

Learn the magic of marketing with us here at BoldBrush!
boldbrushshow.com

Get over 50% off your first year on your artist website with FASO:
FASO.com/podcast

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For today's episode, some of our past guests share the creative “aha” moments that transformed both their work and careers. You’ll hear how structured projects and daily discipline can unlock unexpected growth, and why understanding value matters more than obsessing over color. Our guests reveal how real artistic voice emerges naturally over time, rather than from trying to “find a style.” They also discuss the power of painting from memory and imagination instead of copying reality. Finally, they explore mindset shifts—reframing commissions, embracing the process over the product, and using creativity in marketing—as key breakthroughs on their artistic journeys.

Episodes mentioned on this episode:

• 62 Aaron Schuerr
• 77 Aaron Westerberg
• 79 William Schneider
• 118 Shuang Li
• 129 Brian Bateman
• 137 Chris Krupinski
• 139 Jeff Legg
• 144 Christine Code
• 170 Kim Lordier