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The Creative Kind
Fiona Verity- Art School
In this week's episode, I’m thrilled to sit down with Fiona Verity, a UK born, but Australian-based artist and co-host of the Art Wank podcast. Fiona discusses her return to art school after a decade of being a practicing artist, seeking to fill gaps in her creative practice, art history and academic writing. We discuss how Fiona is finding value in the immersive and collaborative environment at the National Art School in Sydney, where she majors in printmaking.
We talk about her appreciation of peers, reserach, criticism and the opportunity to engage deeply with her art. She describes how art school has provided her with the time and space to think, and develop her practice without the pressure of commercial success.
You can find Fiona here
You can find Fiona’s podcast Art Wank that she hosts with Julie Nicholson here
You can find the Creative Kind Podcast Instagram here
Thanks so much for listening! Feel free to rate, review & share if you enjoyed it, this helps other people find the show
Mentioned in this episode
- Interview with Willy Russo
- National Art School
- Debbie Mackinnon - Mentioned as a mentor for Fiona.
- Judith White - Mentioned as a mentor for Fiona at the Willoughby Arts Centre.
- Mary Cassatt - American painter and printmaker
- Katie Hessell - UK writer, author of The Story of Art Without Men
More episodes
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33. Secret Santa
36:52||Season 3, Ep. 33In this episode we’re celebrating the end of the year with the first-ever Creative Kind Secret Santa! This episode is about the simple magic of exchange and talk within a creative community. Through a Secret Santa format, various guests from the past three seasons share questions and answers, covering topics such as the impact of large and small artworks, unique techniques like paint carving, the value of gallery relationships and email databases, the influence of music and other art forms on creative practices, and the significance of trusting your instincts and staying authentic.Thank you so much to Claire Te Au, Emily Raubenheimer, Madeleine Simson, Hannah Jensen Fox, Jenni Stringleman, Lisa Doust, Willy Russo, Jordan Barnes, Peter Aitken, Frank Gordon, Chiu, Viv Wotton and Amanda Billing for your questions and your answers,And thank you to everyone for your questions, for listening and for your support this year! Happy Festivus!Find the podcast here on instagram: @thecreativekindpodcastOr on Substack32. Season Finale- Endings and Beginnings with Danielle Krysa, Jordan Barnes, Susan Nethercote, Lisa Doust, Anita De Soto & Rosie Holt
01:10:02||Season 3, Ep. 32To round out the season I'm talking to almost all of this seasons guests again, with Danielle Krysa, Jordan Barnes, Susan Nethercote, Lisa Doust, Anita De Soto & Rosie Holt coming back to share their thoughts on endings and beginnings. We talk about how these artists see the end of an artwork, the end of a body of work, the cyclical nature of themes and work that can carry over into many years, or a lifetime as well as how they generate and explore new ideas. I thought this would be a particularly great topic to explore close to the end of the year.I also give you two small projects1- Share the pod ( Merry Christmas to me)2- Top 9- Will you join us in sharing 9 artworks of others that have made a difference to you or your work this year? If you do join in, find 9 artworks (from other artists) that you love and want to share and put them in a 3 x 3 grid, tag me or the pod @thecreativekindpodcast or share the post with me so that I can share it too and we can all see more art from different people and all get to explore some more art & artists for Christmas (Merry Christmas to us!). I'll pop and example in the newsletter this week.hopefully one more Secret Santa episode to come out next week, maybe the week after! stay tuned :DxJB31. Danielle Krysa (The Jealous Curator) - Imposter Syndrome
54:28||Season 3, Ep. 31What a way to end the year! In the last interview episode of the season I talk to Danielle Krysa the woman behind The Jealous Curator about imposter syndrome.Danielle candidly discusses how imposter syndrome has shown up for her, some of the strategies she has used to overcome it and quieten down her inner critic.We chat about the importance of self-discovery and perseverance and being ok with following your own unique path. Danielle highlights the value of overcoming challenges to create work that truly resonates with others.Throughout the conversation, Danielle also talks about the power of connection, whether it's through conversations with other artists or informal advice shared within the art world, there’s strength in realising you're not alone & how artists can support one another to overcome self-doubt. I hope you enjoyed this one as much as I did!Mentioned in this episode:Danielle Krysa (The Jealous Curator):The Jealous Curator Newsletter ‘Art Delivery’Danielle’s podcast: Art for your earAndy J PizzaPiper BangsAlexis MixterDanielle’s Ted Talk Danielle’s Art for your Ear episode with Wayne White You can find the podcast hereAnd the podcast newsletter hereThanks so much for listening! Feel free to rate, review & share if you enjoyed it, this helps other people find the show30. Susan Nethercote- Reasons for doing her Masters
55:56||Season 3, Ep. 30In this episode, I sit down with Australian artist Susan Nethercote to chat about her decision to pursue a Master’s in Fine Art. We discuss some of the differences in further art education in Australia, the evolving relationship between her artistic practice and her art business, and the complicated juggle between creativity and commerce. We talk about the importance of reflection and reflexivity in the creative process, emphasising the importance of understanding your motivations. Susan talks about the value of self-knowledge in navigating this journey and the importance of being honest about personal and professional commitments.Susan’s WebsiteSusan’s InstagramSusan’s You Tube Channel29. Anita De Soto - Lessons from teaching & doing a MFA
43:18||Season 3, Ep. 29In this episode I talk to Anita De Soto about her experiences of getting her MFA and also teaching in the MFA program. Anita and I discuss how a master’s program can provoke critical thinking and creative practice. We chat about the value of a community within master’s programs, where collaboration and exchange of ideas foster a supportive network that can last well beyond graduation. Anita talks about the structured environment of a master’s program that can allow for experimentation with new materials and concepts, encouraging students to push the boundaries of their work and develop a strong artistic voice. The emphasis on hands-on making, alongside theoretical analysis, can help equip students with the tools to articulate their ideas and intentions and help clarify their artistic identity.Anita De Soto WebsiteAnita De Soto InstagramYou can find the podcast hereAnd the podcast newsletter hereThanks so much for listening! Feel free to rate, review & share if you enjoyed it, this helps other people find the show28. Rosie Holt - Business & Creatives
48:19||Season 3, Ep. 28In this episode, we dive deep into the business side of creativity with Rosie Holt. Rosie is a business coach who delivers coaching, masterclasses, community and speaking events to business owners and creative entrepreneurs. We chat about how to make informed choices in your creative practice, avoid burnout, and approach long-term growth in a sustainable way. Rosie emphasises that success doesn't come from working at 100% every day, but from showing up consistently—whether you're putting in 10 minutes or a full day's work. We also explore the importance of planning for the future, setting achievable goals, and finding joy in small wins. Rosie’s WebsiteRosie’s InstagramYou can find the podcast hereAnd the podcast newsletter hereThanks so much for listening! Feel free to rate, review & share if you enjoyed it, this helps other people find the show27. Lisa Doust - Business skills for artists
47:31||Season 3, Ep. 27In this episode of The Creative Kind I talk to Lisa Doust, an Australian journalist and art manager, about the importance of business skills for artists. We discuss Lisa's experience in managing the business side of her sister Melanie Vugich's art career, the creation of The Astute Artist course with Willy Russo, and essential business practices for artists such as being media-ready, having clear pricing, and maintaining a professional online presence. Lisa offers practical advice on writing artist statements, the significance of having a good accountant, and how networking and outsourcing can help artists grow their businesses. We also talk about the impact of social media and ensuring a coherent brand identity across various platforms. We finish the episode with a recording of Lisa’s social media audit for Julie, so you can hear what this sort of process entails. I’ll be putting a full run down of Lisa’s tips and recommendations in my newsletter this week so make sure you’re subscribed to The Creative Kind Substack where you can check that out! You can find Lisa at Alice Street Press on Instagram and at The Astute Artist websiteYou can subscribe to Lisa’s newsletter hereMentioned in this episode:Melanie Vugich Willy Russo The Astute ArtistBlue Thumb Sarah BirtlesArt Wank Interview with Lisa Interview with an artist with Melanie VugichArt Wank Interview with Melanie VugichYou can find the podcast hereAnd the podcast newsletter hereThanks so much for listening! Feel free to rate, review & share if you enjoyed it, this helps other people find the show26. Jordan Barnes- Finding Inspiration
48:30||Season 3, Ep. 26In this episode I Interview Jordan Barnes, a New Zealand artist, singer, songwriter, and actor, about his sources of inspiration. Jordan explains that his inspiration comes from within and is often fuelled by visuals and life experiences. He talks about finding inspiration in various forms—whether through observation of the world around him, personal relationships, emotional experiences, or social observations. We discuss the themes and messages in Jordans work and the importance he places on allowing room for ambiguity in his work, so that viewers can interpret his pieces in their own way. Jordan also discusses how he juggles multiple artistic disciplines, and how surrounding himself with a supportive community, including mentors and family, fuels his creative endeavours. Jordan Barnes websiteJordan Barnes InstagramOther people /places mentionedJohn McLean: Isaac Petersen:Luke Kerr Puke Ariki Museum You can find the podcast hereAnd the podcast newsletter hereThanks so much for listening! Feel free to rate, review & share if you enjoyed it, this helps other people find the show25. Carly Le Cerf - Finding Inspiration
44:45||Season 3, Ep. 25In this episode Australian landscape painter Carly Le Cerf shares how she finds inspiration for her work from the landscapes she paints and people she surrounds herself with. She discusses how feelings of awe and wonder motivate her artistic process and the message she aims to convey through her paintings. Carly and I chat about the drive to capture and communicate the feelings inspired by the landscapes she immerses herself in, to those who view her work.Carly also discusses how the act of making art is what often leads to inspiration, rather than waiting for a moment of creative clarity.Carly Le Cerf’s WebsiteCarly’s InstagramPeople & places mentioned:Johnny K Jules Beresford Big C Michael Reid GalleryPaper Pear GalleryMoray GalleryPatricia Seggebruch Talking with painters episode with Jo Bertini Carly Le Cerf on Interview with an ArtistYou can find the podcast hereAnd the podcast newsletter hereThanks so much for listening! Feel free to rate, review & share if you enjoyed it, this helps other people find the show