The FASO Podcast

Join our next FASO Show Live!
https://artists.boldbrush.com/p/the-faso-show

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

--

For today's episode we sat down with Trent Gudmundsen, a professional oil painter whose life and work are shaped by his family, rural Idaho surroundings, and decades of experience. He says plein air painting taught him more about composition, color, and light than classroom study, and advises beginners to use inexpensive panels so they can experiment without worrying about wasting materials. For artists pursuing a career, he stresses keeping expenses low because income from art can be unpredictable. His career advice is to focus on a recognizable subject or style at first, then broaden your work once people know what you do. He also encourages artists to take creative risks, let go of imagined criticism, and make room for interests beyond their main art form to allow them to grow their creative expression. Finally Trent tells us about his participation at the upcoming public Zion’s Bank art show in the Salt Lake City area.

Trent's FASO site:
https://www.trentgudmundsen.com/

Trent's Social Media:
https://www.instagram.com/trentgudmundsen/

Trent's Youtube Channel:
https://www.youtube.com/@TrentGudmundsen

Trent and Lorajean's Sculptures:
https://www.frosthollowfarm.com/

Join our next FASO Show Live!
https://artists.boldbrush.com/p/the-faso-show

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

--

For today's episode we sat down with Mick McAndrews, a professional watercolor artist from Pennsylvania who turned to painting after a long career in IT and has spent decades developing his craft. He credits practice, design fundamentals, workshops, and learning from failed paintings with helping him grow as an artist. His watercolor approach embraces the medium’s unpredictability and aims for “sophisticated simplicity,” using shapes, values, and edges to suggest rather than depict every detail. Mick encourages artists to paint regularly, keep learning, and approach their work with confidence, even when the result is uncertain. For those seeking a professional career, he recommends sharing work through exhibitions, art organizations, networking, and a well-maintained website and newsletter, in other words: get out of the studio and into the world. He also described his teaching, plein air experience, Alaska-inspired paintings, and involvement with the Whiskey Painters of America. Finally, Mick mentions that he teaches workshops throughout the year at the Wayne Art Center in Pennsylvania, with more planned in New Jersey, Georgia, and Maryland, and is exploring a possible upcoming workshop in Italy.

Mick's FASO site:
https://www.mickmcandrewsfineart.com/

Mick's Social Media:
https://www.facebook.com/mickmcandrewsfineart/

The Whiskey Painters of America:
https://whiskeypainters.org/

Join our next FASO Show Live!
https://artists.boldbrush.com/p/the-faso-show

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

--

In this episode, we sat down with Brenda Boylan, a lifelong creator who moved from corporate graphic design into fine art, working primarily in oil painting in recent years while continuing to value pastel. Brenda discusses her journey from studying applied art and working as a graphic designer for Nike and Jantzen to building a career in fine art. She describes discovering pastel through local artists and workshops, and explains its vivid, tactile qualities as well as the care it requires in framing and handling. Reflecting on her career, Brenda says corporate work taught her discipline, while creating itself—not sales—is what keeps her going; she also highlights people skills and self-care as important for an art business. She encourages artists to connect with other creatives through local groups, plein air painting, conventions, and open studios, where they can learn from one another and build relationships. For growing an art business, she says people skills matter: building genuine connections with collectors and fellow artists can help sustain a career. Finally, Brenda tells us about her participation in Portland Open Studios, where visitors can see her work and oil and pastel stations.

Brenda's FASO site:
https://www.brendaboylan.com/

Brenda's Social Media:
https://www.facebook.com/tendustyfingers/
https://www.instagram.com/brendaboylanart/

Join our next FASO Show Live!
https://artists.boldbrush.com/p/the-faso-show

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

--

To kick off season 16, we sat down with Donna Montgomery, a retired teacher and accomplished watercolorist who looked at her own landscapes and felt something was missing. What she found was play: she now treats her studio days like a kid's day at the playground, layering line, color, collage, and more into intuitive abstracts. Donna says letting go of the fear of mistakes—and embracing the messy middle—helped her find greater creative freedom. She encourages artists to make time for regular studio practice, try things without worrying about wasting materials, and learn to recognize when a painting feels finished. She also highlights the value of community for learning the business of art, finding opportunities, and staying connected. Her advice to aspiring artists is to do the work, discover what feels authentic, build a cohesive body of work, and have the courage to put it out into the world. Finally, Donna tells us about her watercolor workshops at Simcoe Woods Community Center.

Donna's FASO site:
https://donnamontgomeryart.com/

Donna's Workshops:
https://donnamontgomeryart.com/events

Donna's Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/donnamontgomeryart/

Join our next FASO Show Live!
https://artists.boldbrush.com/p/the-faso-show

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

--

For today's episode, we sat down with Nicole Troup, a Pennsylvania-based portrait artist and instructor who specializes in oil and charcoal commissions, leads workshops both online and in person, and runs her storytelling-driven nonprofit initiative, Portraits for a Cause. Nicole emphasizes the importance of saying yes to opportunities such as exhibitions, workshops, and collaborations, even when they feel outside your comfort zone, because those “yeses” often open unexpected doors for your career. She advises artists to join local and national art organizations, both for community and for the practical benefits of newsletters, exhibition calls, teaching opportunities, and referrals. Nicole stresses branding yourself clearly (for her, branding herself as a portrait artist) so that when someone needs that specific kind of work, your name comes to mind. In terms of style and artistic voice, she recommends looking more at your own work than at others online, building on what feels natural such as your own brushstrokes, colors, and tendencies, instead of constantly comparing yourself. For balance, she suggests setting clear work hours and boundaries so art doesn’t eclipse health and family, and using a separate studio space if possible to reduce distractions and increase focus. Finally, she encourages artists to follow what genuinely excites them because that intrinsic motivation is what sustains a long-term, meaningful art career. Don't forget to check out her website to see her upcoming workshops such as her upcoming online workshop with the Scottsdale Artists’ School, and her art retreat “Sketchbook Adventures in Italy".

Nicole's FASO site:
https://www.nicoletroupmasterpiece.com/

Nicole's "Portraits for a Cause":
https://www.nicoletroupmasterpiece.com/collections/139905

Nicole's Upcoming Workshop "Sketchbook Adventures in Italy":
https://hotelleonemarche.com/en/retreats/art-retreat-italy/sketchbook-adventure-in-italy-nicole-troup/

Nicole's Social Media:
https://www.instagram.com/nicoletroupmasterpiece/
https://www.facebook.com/nicoletroupmasterpiece/

Nicole's YouTube Channel:
https://www.youtube.com/@nicoletroupmasterpiece

Join our next FASO Show Live!
https://artists.boldbrush.com/p/the-faso-show

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

--

For today's episode we sat down with JM Brodrick, a wildlife painter originally from Detroit, Michigan, who trained early under her Finnish grandmother and now creates large, ethereal acrylic works that often get mistaken for oils. She explains her deep connection to wildlife—especially birds and white animals—and how she merges realism with abstraction, inspired by double-negative film accidents and her dislike of traditional, detailed backgrounds. JM describes her years in Fairbanks, Alaska, where she balanced single motherhood, a full-time career in commercial insurance, and work as a composite artist for law enforcement, all while steadily pursuing her art on evenings and weekends. She talks about the fear and liberation of going full-time in 2005, emphasizing how competitions, self-criticism, and painting faster pushed her to continually “up her game.” As business advice, she recommends watching the market while staying true to your voice, using an 80/20 balance between gallery-friendly work and more experimental competition pieces, and always investing in archival, professional materials. For artists who want to go full-time, her core guidance is to never give up on yourself, build strong drawing and color foundations, learn from “failed” paintings, be disciplined with time, and accept that a job along the way can be part of what ultimately makes you a better, more resilient artist. Finally, JM tells us about her upcoming participation at an exhibition with the American Professional Artists League at the Salmagundi Club and an upcoming group show at Cole Gallery.

JM's FASO website:
https://www.jmbrodrick.com/

JM's Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/j.m.brodrick/

Join our next FASO Show Live!
https://artists.boldbrush.com/p/the-faso-show

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

--

Welcome back to another compilation episode. Today's topic is the one almost every artist either loves to hate or just quietly avoids: marketing. Social media, email lists, galleries versus going direct. We pulled the most practical, most repeatable advice on this from across the show's run. No growth hacks, no algorithm tricks that'll be outdated by the time you hear this; just the stuff that actually holds up. Let's get into it.

Guests in order of appearance:

• 32 Jason Polins
• 114 Kyle Stuckey
• 12 Clint Watson
• 132 Keith Bond
• 61 Nanci France-Vaz
• 14 Jeanne Rosier Smith
• 33 Diego Glazer
• 71 Matthew White
• 125 Mary Aslin
• 117 Poppy Balser
• 118 Shuang Li
• 133 Ginny Butcher
• 52 Sarah Sedwick
• 63 Noah Buchanan
• 64 Oliver Sin
• 37 Catherine Bobkoski
• 165 Cindy Baron
• 32 Jason Polins
• 129 Brian Bateman
• 89 Orlando Whitfield
• 60 Gladys Roldan-De-Moras
• 94 Karen Blackwood
• 105 SC Mummert
• 34 Christopher Remmers

Join our next FASO Show Live!
https://artists.boldbrush.com/p/the-faso-show

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

--

Welcome back to another compilation episode. Today we're going deep on one relationship that shapes many painting careers, whether you love it or dread it: the one between an artist and a gallery. We pulled the best, most specific moments on this topic from across the show's run, from first impressions to knowing when to walk away. No new guest today, just the collected wisdom of the artists who've actually lived this. Let's get into it.

Guests in order of appearance:

• 111 Matt Smith
• 138 Michelle Dunaway
• 124 Hilarie Couture
• 184 Jennifer Balkan
• 176 Ellen Howard
• 121 Paul Batch
• 112 Philippe Gandiol
• 122 Russell Gordon
• 128 Sarah Yeoman
• 118 Shuang Li
• 105 S.C. Mummert
• 168 Stacey Peterson
• 164 Sandra Duran Wilson
• 123 Michael Orwick
• 144 Christine Code
• 111 Matt Smith
• 145 Erik Koeppel
• 132 Keith Bond
• 111 Matt Smith
• 110 Robert Johnson
• 138 Michelle Dunaway
• 170 Kim Lordier

Join our next FASO Show Live!
https://artists.boldbrush.com/p/the-faso-show

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

--

For today's episode we sat down with Rich Nelson, a signature member of both the Portrait Society of America and Oil Painters of America, with a career that grew out of an unlikely start playing in a rock band before formal illustration training pulled him toward fine art. In this episode, he breaks down Sargent's blunt advice that you can't shortcut your way into portraiture: you have to become a real, all-around artist first, mastering anatomy, landscape, and still life before you ever specialize. He'll also make you rethink what goes in your portfolio, with a simple rule: never show work you don't want to get hired to do more of, because clients will always call back asking for exactly what they saw. And he shares the deceptively simple habit that's opened more doors for him than almost anything else: reaching out to other artists and asking real questions, and maybe even visiting their studio. If you're anywhere near Tryon, North Carolina, don't miss Rich's stacked 42-piece solo show at the Tryon Fine Arts Center — up through October 17th and almost entirely painted from life. And this October, his Plein Air Painters of the East crew rolls into Charleston for a week that culminates in a can't-miss group show at the Meyer Vogel Gallery.

Rich's FASO site:

https://www.richardchristiannelson.com/

Rich's Social Media:

https://www.instagram.com/richardchristiannelson/

https://www.facebook.com/RichardChristianNelson/

Rich's YouTube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/@richnelsonpainter

Rich's Band:

https://richnelsonband.com/

Join our next FASO Show Live!
https://artists.boldbrush.com/p/the-faso-show

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

--

Welcome to a special edition of The FASO Show. If you've listened for a while, you already know the drill: near the end of almost every conversation, we ask our guest some version of the same question. What advice would you give to someone who wants to make this a full time life? Over a hundred episodes, we've collected a hundred different answers. So today, we're doing something different. No new guest, no new interview. Just the best of that advice, all in one place, back to back. Consider this your one-stop pep talk from a room full of working painters. Let's get into it!

Episodes mentioned (in order of appearance):

• 156 Shanna Kunz
• 165 Cindy Baron
• 112 Philippe Gandiol
• 179 Tanner Steed
• 142 Grace DeVito
• 144 Christine Code
• 137 Chris Krupinski
• 104 Thomas Schaller
• 121 Paul Batch
• 120 Kim Casebeer
• 145 Erik Koeppel
• 175 Emma Kalff
• 159 Barbara Jaenicke
• 167 Stephanie Marzella
• 165 Cindy Baron
• 133 Ginny Butcher
• 126 Scott Tallman Powers
• 116 Liz Haywood Sullivan
• 114 Kyle Stuckey
• 105 S.C. Mummert
• 190 Robert Goldman

Join our next FASO Show Live!
https://artists.boldbrush.com/p/the-faso-show

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

--

For today's episode, we sat down with Kate Van Doren, a multidisciplinary artist and registered art therapist of over 25 years, for a conversation packed with hard-won advice for artists building a sustainable creative life. Kate shares how she structures her studio practice (ritual, routine, and blocking out five hours a day, whether or not inspiration shows up), why she treats marketing and social media as a scheduled, non-negotiable task rather than something to dread, and why finding a trusted mentor matters as much as any technical skill. Kate also opens up about her Healing Words Project, an initiative that began in 2020 during protests against femicide in Mexico and has since grown into a global collaboration with over 2,000 women and gender-expansive participants, each choosing their own words, images, and stories to reclaim their narrative. She also explains how self-care, energy, and creative output are directly connected. It's part studio-practice playbook, part meditation on why showing up, even imperfectly, is the whole game. Finally, Kate tells us about her upcoming show at the James Baird Gallery in Pouch Cove, as well as a TED Talk on healing she has coming up in January.

Kate's FASO sites:

https://www.katevandoren.com/

https://www.healingwordsproject.com/

Healing Words Virtual Exhibit:

https://my.matterport.com/show/?m=KqjMZCxyYzc

Kate's Substack:

https://katevandoren.substack.com/

Kate's Social Media:

https://www.instagram.com/katevandoren_art/

https://www.facebook.com/Katevandorenart/

https://www.instagram.com/healingwordsproject/

Kate's Youtube:

https://www.youtube.com/@katevandorenArt

Join our next FASO Show Live!
https://artists.boldbrush.com/p/the-faso-show

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

--

Most artists don't plan to teach. They plan to paint. To show. To sell. Teaching comes later; sometimes out of necessity, sometimes out of desperation, and sometimes almost by accident. But here's what every artist in today's episode will tell you: once they started, something unexpected happened. Teaching didn't just pay the bills. It changed them.

Today we're talking about the studio that pays for itself: the teaching side of an artist's career that rarely gets discussed openly. How do you start? When are you ready? How does it actually make you money? And what does it give back that has nothing to do with money at all?

Six artists. Six different paths into the classroom. All of them still painting, still teaching, and still surprised by what one has done for the other.

Episodes mentioned:

• 77 Aaron Westerberg
• 104 Thomas Schaller
• 116 Liz Haywood-Sullivan
• 159 Barbara Jaenicke
• 174 Matthew James Collins
• 179 Tanner Steed

Join our next FASO Show Live!
https://artists.boldbrush.com/p/the-faso-show

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

--

For today's episode we sat down with Robert Goldman an American painter with over 50 years of experience, known for his vibrant, design-conscious canyon and landscape works, and his deep roots in plein air and illustration. He shares his journey as an artist, shaped early by a supportive, art-filled family and a lifelong commitment to drawing and painting. He explains how studying illustration, commercial art, and life drawing, along with influential teachers and peers, gave him the technical foundation to later develop his distinctive, color-rich canyon landscapes. Robert emphasizes the importance of critique and community, describing how feedback from his brother, his wife, and fellow painters keeps his work honest and evolving. In terms of process, he advises artists to start carefully from reference, establish strong values, and then gradually let instinct and the subconscious take over so the painting can depart from mere copying. As practical career guidance, he stresses discipline—“showing up” like a regular job, taking breaks for fresh eyes, and being prepared for a long, up-and-down journey that may require side income while you build your art life. His core piece of advice is that even if you can’t always “make a living” from art, you can “make a life” with it—by staying dedicated, continually learning, and remaining open to opportunities, community, and change. Finally, Robert tells us about his participation with the Annual Sedona Plein Air Festival and The Legacy Gallery Holiday Small Works Show.

Robert's FASO site:

https://www.robertgoldmanfineart.com/

Robert's Social Media:

https://www.instagram.com/robertgoldmanfineart/

Learn from Robert on Mastrius!

https://mentors.mastrius.com/user/494/RobertGoldman/profile

Join our next FASO Show Live!
https://artists.boldbrush.com/p/the-faso-show

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

--

Every artist knows the romanticized version of the life of the artist: the gallery shows, the canvas, the hours of creation. But the artists who actually make it will tell you something different. They'll tell you about the days when they didn't feel like showing up. The months without sales. The phone calls they had to turn down. The routines they built not because they were inspired, but because inspiration alone was never going to be enough.

Today's episode is about the one thing that quietly separates working artists from wishing artists: discipline. Because it was never about talent. Not luck. Not even passion, even though that helps. Discipline. We've pulled together some of the most honest moments from past guests on what it actually looks and feels like to build a creative life from the ground up and keep it standing in the long run.

Episodes Mentioned:

126 Scott Tallman Powers

137 Chris Krupinski

139 Jeff Legg

167 Stephanie Marzella

175 Emma Kalff

184 Jennifer Balkan

Join our next FASO Show Live!
https://artists.boldbrush.com/p/the-faso-show

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

--

For today's episode we sat down with fine artist Tony D'Amico. Tony is a full-time representational painter and draftsman based in southern Connecticut whose work spans cityscapes, landscapes, coastal scenes, interiors, and everyday local subjects, all unified by his obsession with light, atmosphere, and strong design. He began his journey in art as a child, later studying graphic design, working as a commercial artist and technical illustrator, and eventually running his own marketing and design firm before transitioning gradually into fine art. Plein air painting transformed both how he sees and how he paints, forcing him to simplify quickly, capture specific moments in changing conditions, and infuse his studio work with authentic memories of place, light, and atmosphere. Tony is highly intentional in planning his compositions—often using thumbnails, photography, and Photoshop—to design compelling paintings that go beyond mere realism and invite viewers into a story. Drawing from his marketing background, he emphasizes that artists must learn to present and promote their work, build relationships with collectors and galleries, and accept rejection as a motivator rather than a verdict. For aspiring artists, he stresses persistence, continuous learning, good materials, honest self-critique, and the understanding that developing a true artistic voice and career can easily take a decade or more. Finally, Tony tells us about his upcoming shows and his revised book!

Tony's FASO site:

https://www.tonydamicofineart.com/

Tony's Social Media:

https://www.instagram.com/tonydamicofineart/

https://www.facebook.com/tony.damico.524/

Tony's Book:

https://www.tonydamicofineart.com/books

Join our next FASO Show Live!
https://artists.boldbrush.com/p/the-faso-show

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

--

To start off the season, we sat down with fine artist and former software developer Maureen Dunlap. Maureen shares how a childhood immersed in traditional oil painting, guided by mentor Arthur Maynard, eventually wound its way through typography, photo typesetting, and front-end development before circling back to a full-time art career. Maureen talks about rebuilding her painting practice after years away, moving from fast alla prima pieces to highly detailed, indirect paintings that draw on Art Nouveau, Art Deco, Pre-Raphaelite, and Baroque influences. She describes her richly layered seascapes, lace-draped still lifes, and narrative figurative works that often live in ornate vintage or trompe l’oeil frames, all infused with her whimsical titles and maximalist sensibility. Maureen also opens up about the realities of being a full-time artist later in life, balancing joy and financial stability, diversifying income with small works and jewelry, navigating social media and online sales, and her growing desire to teach the next generation of painters.

Maureen's FASO site:

https://www.maureendunlap.com/

Maureen's Social Media:

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100083217888057

https://www.instagram.com/maureenjdunlap

Maureen's Jewelry Store:

https://www.instagram.com/the.wonder.cabinet

Join our next FASO Show Live!
https://artists.boldbrush.com/p/the-faso-show

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

--

For our season 14 finale, we sat down with artist and veteran art-marketing writer, Lori Woodward. Lori shares how she went from burnout after art school to rebuilding her skills through workshops, portrait commissions, and writing for major magazines and art organizations. She explains how learning directly from successful peers, mentors, and collectors shaped her understanding of how the art market really works, which is very different from generic marketing advice. Lori breaks down the impact of the 2008 recession, why so many galleries and careers collapsed, and why today’s market, despite economic anxiety, is fundamentally healthier and full of new, younger collectors. Throughout the conversation, she emphasizes that no amount of marketing can replace a cohesive, competitive body of work, consistent production, and a recognizable voice that develops only through years of painting, experimenting, and failing forward. She gives practical guidance on pricing, working with galleries, outdoor shows, email lists, and social media, stressing that real relationships and in‑person experiences now matter more than chasing algorithms. Ultimately, Lori encourages artists to build a realistic vision, move slowly but steadily, and design a career that fits their personality—whether that means becoming a local favorite, a gallery regular, or a small‑scale, part‑time professional who still sells meaningful work.

Sign up for Lori's Newsletter:

https://www.loriwoodward.com/email-newsletter

Lori's FASO Site:

https://www.loriwoodward.com/

Lori's Social Media:

https://www.instagram.com/woodwardartist/

Lori's Article about Pricing:

https://www.artworkarchive.com/blog/how-to-price-consistently-for-art-sales-success

Lori's Blog:

https://www.loriwoodward.com/blog

Join our next FASO Show Live!
https://artists.boldbrush.com/p/the-faso-show

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

--

For today's episode, we sat down with Ned Mueller, an American artist and longtime illustrator-turned-fine-painter, known for his strong drawing, expressive plein air and figurative work, and decades of teaching and mentoring artists around the world. He shares his lifelong journey in art, from drawing as a child and training as an illustrator at Art Center School of Design to eventually transitioning into a fine artist with a distinct voice of his own. He talks candidly about facing serious health challenges, chronic pain, and burnout risks, and how having something meaningful to get up for—his painting practice and the support of his wife Karen—has kept him going. Drawing on decades of experience, Ned emphasizes the “four P’s”: patience, perseverance, practice, and passion, urging artists to find subjects they truly love so their excitement shows in the work. He underscores the importance of strong fundamentals—especially drawing and values—explaining that you must first learn to paint what you know, then what you see, and ultimately what you feel. Ned also advises artists to simplify by thinking in big shapes, values, and edges, to do lots of small studies (in plein air and the studio), and to keep sharpening their skills through critique groups, workshops, and consistent practice. Throughout the conversation, he offers grounded yet hopeful insight into building a sustainable art life: do the work, keep learning, accept the hard realities of the art market, and let your love for painting carry you through the long haul. Finally, Ned tells us about his online classes!

Ned's FASO site:

https://www.nedmueller.com/

Sign up for Ned's workshops!

https://www.nedmueller.com/workshops

Sign up for Ned's Newsletter!

https://www.nedmueller.com/email-newsletter

Ned's Social Media:

https://www.instagram.com/nedmueller06/

https://www.facebook.com/NedMuellerFineArt/

Join our next FASO Show Live!
https://artists.boldbrush.com/p/the-faso-show

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

--

For today's episode we sat down with Jennifer Balkan, a contemporary representational oil painter and art instructor based in Austin, with an academic background in behavioral neuroscience and sociology. She describes how a lifelong love of drawing crystallized into a serious painting practice after a transformative, self-gifted trip to Paris, which led her to take her first painting class in Austin in 2001. Despite completing a PhD and following a more “rational” career path, she felt an irresistible pull toward painting, ultimately choosing to pursue art full time even amid concern and confusion from friends and family. Jennifer explains that her scientific and sociological studies deeply inform her figurative work, especially her focus on the emotional, cerebral life beneath a subject’s expression and her love of optical color mixing and visible mark-making. She discusses how her inspiration has evolved from narrative series into a stronger emphasis on shapes, light, and color relationships, and how experimenting with different media during the pandemic revitalized her practice and fed back into her oil painting. Jennifer also highlights the central role of Atelier Dojo in her life—as both a co-created figurative hub and an atelier program that nurtures students’ individual voices. Jennifer also shares practical, grounded advice for aspiring full-time artists about embracing multiple income streams, loving the process, and committing to sustained, disciplined practice. Finally, she tells us all about her upcoming shows and workshops!

Jennifer's FASO site:

https://www.jenniferbalkan.com/

Jennifer's Social Media:

https://www.instagram.com/jenniferbalkan/

Atelier Dojo!

https://www.atelierdojo.com/

Join our next FASO Show Live!
https://artists.boldbrush.com/p/the-faso-show

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

--

On today's episode we sat down with Sarkis Antikajian. Born in 1933 in Amman, Jordan, Sarkis discovered French Impressionism and Van Gogh as a teenager — a spark that never left him. He immigrated to the United States at 25, spent 35 years as a pharmacist building the financial independence to paint full-time, and retired in 1994 at 62 to finally live his dream. He is now 93, and still paints every day. Deeply shaped by Van Gogh's persistence, Sarkis believes in loving the process over the outcome, staying curious at every stage of a career, and painting freely without chasing validation or market trends. He has worked across watercolor, acrylic, oil, figurative, landscape, and abstraction — always seeking new ways to see.His advice to artists: find another source of income so financial fear doesn't limit your creativity, paint often and on inexpensive materials, and stop waiting for anyone else's approval to make the work that's truly yours.

Sarkis' FASO site:

https://www.sarkisantikajianfineart.com/

Sarkis' PBS Oregon Art Beat Video:

https://www.pbs.org/video/oregon-art-beat-painter-sarkis-antikajian/