The Creative Kind

In 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 show

In 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 show

In 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 show

In 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 show

In 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

In part two of this season's finale I’m talking to the remaining 5 guests of the season, Frank Gordon, Chilu, Claire Te Au, Fiona Verity and Anna Silcock  about solo shows. It’s such a lovely opportunity to hear from each of the guests again and to get a range of opinions on the same topic. We talk about the roller coaster of emotions before and after the show, the challenges of preparing, burnout, communication, themes, pre sales, how to promote on social media and so much more. I loved chatting to all of these creatives again, I hope you enjoy it as much as I did! Season 3 drops this Monday! Thank you as always for your support this season! You can find this weeks guests here:Frank Gordon, Chilu, Claire Te Au, Fiona Verity and Anna Silcock 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 show

Each season, my plan is to catch up with the guests that have been on around 1 topic. This season- the topic is Solo shows. It’s a wonderful chance to catch up with everyone and to get a range of views on one topic. The good moments, bad moments, things people have learnt, their advice and all sorts of other stories of preparing for, executing, and recovering from solo art shows. Guests Fleur Woods, Sam Michelle , Viv Wotton, Sophie Vander, and Amanda Billing share their personal experiences, providing insight into the challenges and rewards of presenting a cohesive body of work. We discuss many things including the vulnerability that comes after a show’s, the planning that goes into preparing a show, including the importance of creating a mood board and managing deadlines, the freedom that comes with having time to experiment and balance different artistic styles before committing to a show, practical advice on planning and curation, things to get people in the door like booze and social media, and ideas on processing and reflecting on your own work after the show. It was an absolute pleasure reconnecting with all of these creatives, I hope you enjoy it as much as I did! The remaining 5 guests will be on an episode that will drop later in the weekThank you as always for your support this season! You can find this weeks guests here:Fleur Woods, Sam Michelle , Viv Wotton, Sophie Vander,  Amanda BillingYou can find the podcast hereThanks so much for listening! Feel free to rate, review & share if you enjoyed it, this helps other people find the show

In this episode of The Creative Kind, I talk with Amanda Billing about managing multiple art-related part-time jobs. Amanda, an artist, actress, and portrait photographer from Auckland, New Zealand, shares her journey from teaching to a 10-year acting stint on Shortland Street and her roles in various screen productions, to becoming a visual artist. We discuss the problematic 'part-time' label, the challenges of maintaining various jobs, and the inspiration behind her photography business, which started from a 100-day project. Amanda also discusses the importance of having a structured routine to balance acting, photography, and painting, and her upcoming solo exhibition at Browne School of Art. This conversation delves into the complexity of artistic identity, the need for self-discipline, and the fulfilment derived from pursuing creative passions.You can find Amanda here, her photography business here her work with artful here and her merch collection hereHer Solo show 'Embodiment' opens on Tuesday 15th October at Browne School of Art 5:30pm and is on until the 2nd of November 2024You can find the podcast hereThanks so much for listening! Feel free to rate, review & share if you enjoyed it, this helps other people find the showMentioned in this episodeElle LunaBrowne School of ArtShortland Street (TV Show)Kid's Sister (TV Show)Under the Vines (TV Show)Artful (Online Gallery)Claire Robbie’s The School of Modern Meditation @Wearesomm

In this episode I’m talking to Frank Gordon, an artist and community mental health nurse based in Dunedin, New Zealand. We chat about how Frank juggles his dual roles, including his passion for art and commitment to both his jobs. We chat about some of the problems that come up when you’re labelling yourself, or when you’re labeled by others, and the pressures of maintaining a balance between his professional life, personal life, and artistic passion. We talk about Frank's journey from seeing art as a hobby to becoming an established artist, the importance of stepping back from work to gain fresh perspectives, and the impacts, positive and negative, that his other job has on his art. We also explore the challenges of monetising your passion and the influence of stories in his creative process.You can find Frank Gordon hereYou can find the podcast hereMentioned in this ep:Gallery DenovoThanks so much for listening! Feel free to rate, review & share if you enjoyed it, this helps other people find the show