Best Rebecca Crowell Podcasts (2024)

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Episode 270: Rebecca's Interview on Art Ladders Podcast 1:03:33

4M ago1:03:33

1:03:33

Today’s episode is thanks to Valerie Allen and Armin Mersmann, producers of the podcast, Art Ladders: the Creative Climb. In May, they interviewed Rebecca about her background as an artist, her process, development, teaching, and ideas. Their conversation also delves into the unique characteristics of cold wax medium, and why Rebecca was drawn to d…

1
Episode 269: Influences and Copying 33:46

6M ago33:46

33:46

All artists are influenced by others, but when an artist has an authentic voice, their influences are well-integrated with their own unique vision. But sometimes the influence from another artist is so strong that the boundaries between the two are blurred. Today we’ll talk about being influenced by other artists -- when it is too much, and what it…

1
Episode 268: What are Your Boundaries? 31:27

8M ago31:27

31:27

What sorts of boundaries do you put around your studio practice? What new ideas are you willing–or not willing—to explore in your work? We all have limited time and energy, so how do you decide where to focus? Which new materials, media, or directions are worth pursuing? It’s a part of learning to sometimes spend time and resources on things that a…

1
Episode 267: Questions for the New Year 31:45

10M ago31:45

31:45

It's once again the time of year when many of us make resolutions and set goals. We’ve talked about goals and plans at the start of the year in previous podcasts, but in this episode, we would like to recognize that sometimes having questions about what lies ahead is just as important. The nature of creative work means focusing on what we don’t kno…

1
Episode 266: Gratitude and the Artist's Life 27:02

12M ago27:02

27:02

This is the traditional time of year to focus on gratitude for the blessings in our lives. And while gratitude can and should cover a lot of areas of life, since this podcast is mainly aimed at artists, today we’re going to consider some of the ways that we as artists can be uniquely grateful. These include being thankful for being able to do our w…

1
Episode 265: Studio Tour Tips 41:44

12M ago41:44

41:44

Podcast: Studio Tours Being part of a studio tour is a unique opportunity to show your work in the one place where you feel most at home with your work, and where you have total control over what to show and how it will be displayed. It’s a time when you can meet people who are excited about what you do and of course, make direct sales and helpful …

1
Episode 264: Interpreting Experience: Abstract Approaches 35:01

1y ago35:01

35:01

We may think of abstract painting as exploring the visual elements and the process of painting strictly for their own sakes, but that’s only one kind of abstract work. Many abstract artists have a more personal approach, in which aspects of their lives, memories and experiences fuel their work. They want to feel a direct connection between their in…

1
Episode 263: After The Exhibit 31:26

1y ago31:26

31:26

It’s what so many artists work toward—a solo exhibit or small group show-- when a large body of work is shown at its best, to an appreciative audience. Preparation for an exhibit like that can take months, even years. Slowly you produce the work, experiencing everything from panic to satisfaction as the finished pieces for your exhibit accumulate. …

1
Episode 262: Self Promotion For The Reticent 31:22

1y ago31:22

31:22

If you’re an artist who wants to get your work out into the world to be seen, appreciated, and even purchased, you will face the need for self-promotion. If that idea makes you squirm, you are not alone --and this podcast is for you. Why do so many artists hate the idea of promoting themselves? Probably because many of us were taught from an early …

1
Episode 261: Moving Your Studio: Emotions and Memories 32:14

1+ y ago32:14

32:14

In our last episode we talked about some of the practicalities of downsizing, clearing out, or moving your studio, and tips about ways to deal with your artwork, supplies, and other items that you’ve accumulated. But what about the emotional side of this? We’re going to focus today on how it feels to move out of a studio that has been a very import…

1
Episode 260: Downsizing For Artists 33:24

1+ y ago33:24

33:24

The contents of an artist’s studio tend to be anything but minimal. Most of us accumulate a lot of art supplies not only for our current needs but for other projects that we have in in mind, or just because we love the possibilities suggested by a new material or tool. Then there is our inventory of older work, sometimes going back decades, as well…

1
Episode 259: Surviving Your Opening 36:19

1+ y ago36:19

36:19

Art openings are fun, right? Your friends and family are there to celebrate, your work is beautifully displayed, you meet new people who are interested in what you do, and you may see some red dots appear. So why do so many artists approach their opening receptions with mixed feelings or even dread? Even if you feel excited about the show and grate…

1
Episode 258: Making Assumptions 33:46

1+ y ago33:46

33:46

As artists we are often in uncertain territory when dealing with the world of galleries, exhibits, and other opportunities, and leaning on assumptions --what we believe you know about a situation --can help you feel more grounded or confident. But when you find out you’ve misread a situation, you may be left feeling angry or frustrated, or blame yo…

1
Episode 257: More Than One Direction 38:24

1+ y ago38:24

38:24

In the interest of having a consistent style, artists are generally advised to stick to one type of work --both in the studio and when exhibiting. But many artists are experimental, curious, and explore more than one direction—so this advice can seem too restrictive. In our last episode, we touched briefly on the idea that a range of the same artis…

1
Episode 256: When Art Travel Ends 33:24

1+ y ago33:24

33:24

We’ve talked several times in the past about the experience of attending an artist residency program when you are away from your home studio, focused exclusively on your work in a stimulating environment. We’ve also talked about the importance of travel in general for feeding your creative ideas. But what about when that residency or the travel is …

1
Episode 255: Silence, Solitude, and the Creative Pause 35:14

1+ y ago35:14

35:14

Many creative people embrace quiet, solitary moments as portals to being in synch with their work. Stepping away from everyday distractions is a way of nurturing your creative self, bringing you more in touch with your emotions, ideas, and the bigger picture of what you want to express. Yet true silence and solitude tend to be rare in our lives, un…

1
Episode 254: Intuitive, Spontaneous, or Random? 32:15

1+ y ago32:15

32:15

Intuition and spontaneity are important to many artists. But what about randomness? While these words are related in superficial ways, they have very different meanings in the context of art practice. Intuition and spontaneity play positive roles. Intuition can be a powerful guide and a source of new ideas, and spontaneity leads to energy and excit…

1
Episode 253: Dealing with Rejection 36:03

1+ y ago36:03

36:03

It’s never easy putting your work in front of others to be judged and scrutinized, but if you don’t it’s very hard to gain a wider audience or grow as an artist. Submitting work to galleries, grant panels, juried shows, and competitions tends to become a routine part of what artists do. But for every time you’re chosen for an opportunity, there are…

1
Episode 252: Personal or Formal? 31:43

1+ y ago31:43

31:43

We tend to think of artistic expression as being very personal, as coming from the artist’s experiences, emotions, memories, and responses. But there are also many works of art that are not focused on personal expression. Instead, the artist is motivated to explore a more impersonal realm of ideas, patterns, and more universal concepts. For most ar…

1
Episode 251: Travel Tips for Artists 35:48

1+ y ago35:48

35:48

The ideas and energy gained from travel are important to many artists, and when you travel, you seldom leave your art self behind. The stimulation of travel and new experiences tends to create strong impressions and bring on the urge to create while you’re away from home, no matter the overall reason for your trip. This means bringing along at leas…

1
Episode 250: Expressions of Gratitude 30:15

1+ y ago30:15

30:15

As artists, what role can gratitude play in our work and practice? On a personal level, we know that focusing on what we’re grateful for is good for overall mental health and contentment. Today we’d like to talk about specific situations in which appreciation and gratitude can help artists cope with some of the tougher aspects of art practice. Expr…

1
Episode 249: Explaining Abstraction 36:28

1+ y ago36:28

36:28

Lots of people misunderstand abstract art and don’t respect it as a valid form of expression. We’ve all heard remarks that imply that abstract artists lack talent or skill or are trying to fool people into appreciating something that has no value. If you are an abstract artist, how do you deal with this attitude? Do you have family and friends who …

1
Episode 248: Feedback Time 38:21

1+ y ago38:21

38:21

As artists, we know it’s good to get feedback now and then so we can understand how our work is seen by others. But managing how and when to solicit feedback can have a lot to do with how valuable and appropriate it will be. While feedback at the right time and situation can be exactly what you need, feedback can also have the opposite effect, and …

1
Episode 247: Making Progress 29:02

1+ y ago29:02

29:02

It seems to be a given that as artists we want to see growth and progress in our work --and many episodes of this podcast have focused on taking on the challenges and mindset that feed progress in the studio. But what does it really mean to make artistic progress? Is there any way to measure or quantify progress as an artist? And how is a sense of …

1
Episode 246: Balancing Art and Business 37:09

1+ y ago37:09

37:09

For many artists that want to market and sell their work, finding a balance between studio practice and business life is challenging. There are pitfalls in spending too much time on the business side of your practice, and drawbacks to not paying enough attention to this. Finding a good balance between your art and your art business is not simply a …

1
Episode 245: Art and Technology 41:39

1+ y ago41:39

41:39

As artists, many of us honor the age-old tradition of creating our work with nothing more than our hands, a few tools, and materials that have stood the test of time. Yet we also live in a high-tech world, and that impacts all of us. How artists view technology ranges from a necessary evil to a full embrace of its creative possibilities. But we sho…

1
Episode 244: Abstract Painting: Exploring Media 41:28

1+ y ago41:28

41:28

Each type of painting media that an abstract artist uses has specific qualities that make it suitable for certain approaches-- and less so for others. As part of your studio practice, it’s important to understand and work with the qualities of different media rather than trying to push against their nature. And it is also exciting to explore outsid…

1
Episode 243: Being Seen 31:05

1+ y ago31:05

31:05

A basic human desire is to truly be seen. We long to be understood by other people, acknowledged, appreciated, and accepted for who we are. As an artist, you have a literal way of being seen, of communicating who you are in a visual way. The hope that people will be able to connect with you through your work is a basic motivation for making art. To…

1
Episode 242: The Challenges of Consistency 34:05

1+ y ago34:05

34:05

As artists we know it’s important to be open to new ideas and changes—but for marketing purposes we’re also expected to have an identifiable style that is consistent and recognizable. This basic dilemma is frustrating when you have wide-ranging interests and like to explore new ideas or media. Your work can appear to be “all over the place” and see…

1
Episode 241: Where Are You Going? 31:09

1+ y ago31:09

31:09

Carrying out a creative project is rarely a straightforward process. A basic aspect of creative work is the way that ideas evolve during the process, rather than being known from the beginning. The outcome is unknown as the artist dives in, and the end is often surprising and exciting for its creator. Yet understanding and accepting this process is…

1
Episode 240: Your Studio Privacy 33:46

1+ y ago33:46

33:46

Privacy and solitude are important factors in producing creative work, allowing an artist to feel secure to explore and take the time needed to develop meaningful work without judgement or observation. Yet the outside world can sometimes push against these needs. It may seem hard to set the boundaries around your studio time, to preserve the time a…

1
Episode 239: Trusting Your Intuition 33:54

1+ y ago33:54

33:54

As artists we all recognize that intuition plays a role in what we do, but what that role is can seem mysterious and elusive. Like many concepts in art, we tend to use the words intuitive and intuition loosely because they defy exact description. But a closer look may help you understand its place in your own way of working, and to better access it…

1
Episode 238: The Laws of Creativity: An Interview with Joey Cofone 36:18

2y ago36:18

36:18

Artistic expression is driven by an inner need to be your authentic self, to express what is true and unique in your individual experiences and thoughts. That may sound straightforward, but as we know, there is nothing easy about finding the creative voice that is yours, dedicating your time and energy to its expression, or putting the work that re…

1
Episode 237: Finding Your Artist Community 34:48

2y ago34:48

34:48

Art is primarily a solitary activity. Although some artists collaborate or share studios, most of us spend our time alone with our work and our thoughts, and we value that solitude. But art is also a form of communication, and other artists are often very savvy about understanding the work of others and connecting in that way is valuable. And who b…

1
Episode 236: Clarity and Focus in 2023 34:12

2y ago34:12

34:12

The beginning of a new year is a time to consider what will bring clarity and focus to your art practice in the months ahead. For many artists, that means setting goals and intentions, and to do that means gaining clarity about what to prioritize. Artists’ goals tend to cover a lot of ground--some may be for the work itself, for improving and advan…

1
Episode 235: Lessons from an Art Practice 31:41

2y ago31:41

31:41

A studio practice of any kind is an optimal learning environment. As an artist, every day that you work, you set challenges for yourself in your work and figure out how to meet them. But beyond learning how to produce the best work you can, there are also personal life lessons that come from a studio practice. We learn patience, perseverance, the a…

1
Episode 234: A Deeper Look, Step by Step 33:58

2y ago33:58

33:58

In the process of making a work of art, the artist deals with many questions and decisions. There is a constant evaluation of asking if the piece is on the right track and considering what is needed for the next move. What will best convey the artist’s ideas and intentions? Many of these decisions are quick and intuitive, but sometimes a more refle…

1
Episode 233: The Compulsion to Create 31:15

2y ago31:15

31:15

There is something compelling and mysterious about the urge to make art. Those of us that make art today are part of a tradition going back many thousands of years. What is its role in your own life? What basic needs does making art satisfy? Why do so many of us spend so much of our time putting down paint, shaping clay, carving wood or marble, or …

1
Episode 232: The Demons of Procrastination 37:22

2y ago37:22

37:22

Procrastination may be human nature but identifying its role in your life can be a big help in moving forward. Instead of simple laziness or looking for distractions, procrastination can also be active avoidance behavior in which you channel energy into activities other than what you really want to achieve. You may stay busy, but you’re not doing w…

1
Episode 231: Thanksgiving Thoughts 35:22

2y ago35:22

35:22

It seems to be true for us as humans who sometimes struggle in our lives that identifying the good things in life--what you feel grateful for-- is a practice that leads to more contentment and joy. Thanskgiving in the United States is a traditional time to count one’s blessings and share time with family and friends. Today, Rebecca and Ross share a…

1
Episode 230: Artists Collecting Art 32:30

2y ago32:30

32:30

We often think of art collectors as people who love art but don’t create it themselves, meaning that the work they purchase may seem to them to come from a somewhat mysterious creative realm. Yet artists are very often collectors themselves, and have a different kind of appreciation for the work they acquire due to their deep understanding of what …

1
Episode 229: Pricing Quandries 34:05

2y ago34:05

34:05

One of the trickiest issues that artists deal with is pricing their work. While there are some well-known, basic, and useful guidelines to follow, not all pricing situations are straightforward. Artists also encounter situations that may not have obvious answers—situations that are usually not addressed in basic art-business advice. When the situat…

1
Episode 228: Creative Flow 33:02

2y ago33:02

33:02

The state of flow has been described as the mental state of being completely present and fully immersed in a task, and psychological studies have delved into what enhances this state and what types of personalities seem to be able to access it most easily, although how and why we enter this state remains rather mysterious. The experience of flow in…

1
Episode 227: The Gift of Days: An Artist Residency 41:19

2y ago41:19

41:19

We’d like to begin today with some words from John O’Donohue, the Irish poet, author, priest, and philosopher--who wrote in his poem, For the Traveler: May you travel in an awakened way, Gathered wisely into your inner ground; That you may not waste the invitations Which wait along the way to transform you. May you travel safely, arrive refreshed, …

1
Episode 226: The Importance of Place 38:50

2y ago38:50

38:50

The influence of specific locations on creative work is important among many kinds of artists, from plein aire painters to site-specific sculptors. On today’s podcast, Rebecca talks about the ways responding to certain places has impacted her own abstract work over the years, and specifically how this has evolved in recent years since her move to N…

1
Episode 225: When Less Is More 33:33

2y ago33:33

33:33

For some artists, bringing meaning to their abstract work is hard because they lack ideas, or direction, or a true sense of connection to the work. But for others the problem is the opposite. They have so many thoughts, feelings, and references they want to work with that they become overwhelmed and frustrated. Today we want to talk about the value…

1
Episode 224: The Challenges of Exhibiting 40:25

2y ago40:25

40:25

Whether it’s your first exhibit or you are a veteran of many, an upcoming show of your work can take you on a wild ride of emotions and expectations. In anticipating the planning, production, and stress involved, you may even wonder, why bother? Yet for most artists, being able to show their work in a public space is important to their identity as …

1
Episode 223: Your Upcoming Exhibit 42:03

2y ago42:03

42:03

Nothing energizes and motivates an artist like being offered an exhibit, especially one that involves showing a lot of pieces together. Even experienced artists with a history of exhibits feel excited by the opportunity, but also a little daunted by all the work and planning involved. For artists preparing for their first big exhibit, there is a lo…

1
Episode 222: Self Assertion for Artists 40:49

2y ago40:49

40:49

When artists deal with the world outside their studios, they are often called upon to state their needs, assert their rights, and sometimes to confront unfair actions by galleries, organizers, or clients. Most of us don’t have agents or employees to handle these situations for us, and so we need to handle them on our own. To be effective, you need …

1
Episode 221: Creative Momentum 33:12

2y ago33:12

33:12

Studio practice has noticeable ebbs and flows in terms of productivity, sales, exhibiting and marketing. There is also an energy flow that is less specific and harder to quantify that runs through our days in the studio. Sometimes our energy is strong, and we feel carried along by ideas and excitement, and other times we feel sluggish, lack ideas, …

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