Savvy Painter Podcast with Antrese Wood

There's something that happens when you pick up a sketchbook with no plan. It's lighter, not so dang serious. And that's what this episode is about. It might be the most important thing you do for your art practice right now. This week, Antrese shares what's been happening inside her own Trust Challenge. What started as cafe sketching turned into filling pages with drawings of her dogs. Just because it made her heart full. Inside that simple choice lives one of the most honest examples ...

Transcribed - Published: 9 May 2026

You are so much more powerful than you realize. This episode is the evidence for that — three real artists, three specific moments where the capability they needed turned out to be something they already had. Leslie walked into something considerably bigger than she expected and handled it. Rachel had been stuck on a painting for months until she stopped pushing on the door that wasn't opening and found a completely different one. Krys had the means, the desire, and the opportunity for two ye...

Transcribed - Published: 23 April 2026

Your comfort zone isn't holding you back. Used right, it's the thing that makes growth possible — and this episode shows you exactly how. Most artists have been told to get out of their comfort zone and stay out. But the artists who grow most consistently do something different: they stretch, they come back, they stretch further. Over and over. That cycle — and knowing where you are inside it at any given moment — is what this episode is about. Antrese walks through what each zone feels like ...

Transcribed - Published: 26 March 2026

If you’ve felt stuck in a painting (not a technique problem, but something else entirely) this episode is for you. Your canvas has been reading your mind, and once you understand that, so many opportunities open up for you. One of the core things I teach is this: what happens on your canvas is a direct reflection of what’s happening in your mind. I mean that literally. The confident, committed brushstroke and the dabby, revised-to-death one aren’t just about skill — they’re about where your m...

Transcribed - Published: 19 March 2026

Every time you catch yourself mid-spiral (the comparison, the self-criticism, the I’m-doing-it-wrong loop) that’s a huge win. It’s bigger than you realize. In this episode, we talk about why noticing is the most powerful move you can make as an artist. Most of us move through our practice on autopilot. Old thought patterns run in the background, and because they’re automatic, they feel like facts. Like just the way things are. Until we start to notice. And that noticing (that tiny pause betwe...

Transcribed - Published: 12 March 2026

Most artists are trying to do everything at once: making art, sharing art, selling art, resting — all at the same time, every day. This episode is about what that costs you, and what opens up when you stop. The focus here is on two of those seasons specifically: Making and Sharing. They have a unique tension. When you're in the studio, head down, focused on the canvas, there's a voice that says "the sharing isn't happening". And when you're out in the world sharing your work, the voice says "...

Transcribed - Published: 5 March 2026

Most artists aren't stuck because they're doing it wrong. They're stuck because they don't know where they are. No destination makes sense without a starting point, and this episode gives you one. Underneath most of that stuckness is a belief that there's a rule book somewhere. A guide that says exactly how to build a practice, when to share your work, how to price it, when you're allowed to rest. And a quieter thought beneath that: that everybody else got the rule book except you. Here's wh...

Transcribed - Published: 28 February 2026

Waiting often feels responsible. Thoughtful. Even smart. But for artists, waiting isn’t neutral and it’s rarely free. In this episode, Antrese looks at how indecision quietly drains energy, undermines self-trust, and creates far more stress than taking the “wrong” action ever could. This isn’t about pushing harder or forcing yourself to be fearless. It’s about seeing what waiting is actually costing you—and why momentum begins the moment you decide something. In This Episode 02:00 – Why wai...

Transcribed - Published: 29 January 2026

If self-doubt shows up every time you try to paint (or finish something) and you’re tired of trying to think your way out of it, this episode is for you. Artist and tapping coach Melanie Fay explains how tapping for artists works, why your nervous system might be the real obstacle in the studio, and how to use this simple, science-backed tool to move through creative blocks and actually make things again. Whether you’ve heard of EFT (emotional freedom technique) or not, this conversation brea...

Transcribed - Published: 15 January 2026

If you’re feeling even a tiny bit of pressure to have this new year figured out already, I just want you to know you’re not alone. This episode is a gentle pause before you decide what you’re aiming for. It’s about listening to your own voice first. Really listening. Especially to the quieter parts of you that tend to get rushed or talked over. Once you get aligned with that voice, then it's time to set some goals (or intentions if you're not a goal person). Goals are helpful and I'm all for ...

Transcribed - Published: 1 January 2026

As artists, we go through several phases on our way to creating pieces. It all starts with this period of play and discovery that I call the exploratory phase, and to talk about it with me are Growth Studio members Sabrina Setaro, Alyssa Marquez, and Jess Fredrick. In this roundtable episode of The Savvy Painter Podcast, you’ll go on a deep dive into the first stage of artistic creation: the exploratory phase. Sabrina, Alyssa, Jess, and I will discuss what happens in this stage and what they’...

Transcribed - Published: 25 December 2025

Money and pricing your art can feel like tricky, even uncomfortable topics, but they’re also some of the most powerful conversations we can have as artists. Why? Because our beliefs about money and pricing often run deep and show up in ways we don’t even realize. They influence how we value our art, how we show up for it, and ultimately, how we create a practice that truly supports and sustains us. In this final roundtable episode of The Savvy Painter Podcast, I’m joined by Growth Studiomembe...

Transcribed - Published: 18 December 2025

Welcome to another roundtable series! This time I’m joined by Growth Studio members Louisa Jornayvaz, Braighlee Rainey, Jack Wray, and Elisabeth Svendby in a discussion about finding your voice as an artist. In this episode of The Savvy Painter Podcast, you’ll learn about what it means to find your voice and ways you can connect with it. You’ll also get personal insights into how the participants’ have connected with their voice and how it brings meaning into their artistic practice. 1:37 - B...

Transcribed - Published: 11 December 2025

It’s one thing to have an interest in creating art or putting something on canvas. It’s another to see yourself as an artist and have an artistic practice. What’s a difference-maker between those who do and those who don’t? Creative confidence, and to talk about it, I’m joined by Growth Studio members Alyssa Marquez, Merrie Koehlert, and Andrew Rea in another roundtable series. In this episode of The Savvy Painter Podcast, you’ll learn about the concept of creative confidence, its impact on a...

Transcribed - Published: 4 December 2025

What to do when decades of work are stacked against your walls and you can't remember the last time you made a decision about any of it. You know that feeling when you walk into your studio and see paintings leaning against every wall, flat files overflowing, canvases stacked so deep you've forgotten what's in the back? And underneath it all, that low hum of dread: What's going to happen to all of this? Maybe you've been making work for decades. Grad school pieces, late-night sessions after t...

Transcribed - Published: 13 November 2025

What to do when you catch yourself in “courtroom mode” You named it. You know you're doing it. You can hear yourself cross-examining every brushstroke, cataloging evidence that you're not good enough, delivering a guilty verdict before the paint dries. But what do you do when you catch yourself mid-spiral? This one's the follow-up to Your Studio Isn't a Courtroom — the practical side. Because recognition without tools leaves you stuck watching yourself repeat the same pattern. And if y...

Transcribed - Published: 6 November 2025

You look around your studio and see them everywhere — canvases turned to the wall, paintings shoved under the bed, works-in-progress stacked in corners. Each one started with complete conviction that this time would be different. But somewhere around the messy middle, you bailed. Again. And now you're wondering: What's wrong with me? Nothing. You're not lazy, you're not lacking discipline, and you're not broken. You're doing something that makes complete sense when you understand what's actua...

Transcribed - Published: 30 October 2025

What really happens when you return to your art — and how to make work again without getting stuck in what could have been. You took time off from your art. Maybe it was a few months. Maybe it was twenty years. You built a life, raised kids, held it together, paid the bills — and now you’re trying to come back. But instead of feeling proud of everything you carried, you feel... behind. Disconnected. Like you lost something. Like you’re supposed to apologize for the years you weren’t paintin...

Transcribed - Published: 23 October 2025

Ever spend half your studio time staring at a painting, mentally ripping it apart, but never actually picking up the brush? Or maybe you're scrolling Instagram right now instead of being in your studio. (I see you.) You're not broken. You're just stuck in a pattern. And once you can name it, it loses its power. In this episode, I'm walking through nine specific, observable behaviors that show up when artists are working through self-doubt. Not vague struggles. Actual patterns you can recogniz...

Transcribed - Published: 17 October 2025

What does it really mean to have your own back as an artist? In this episode, I share why safety isn’t just about gloves and turpentine — it’s about building trust with yourself in the studio. When you know you won’t tear yourself down for “failing,” you’re free to take risks, explore messy ideas, and grow in ways you never thought possible. This conversation comes straight from my own sketchbook experiments and our 30-day Self-Trust Challenge inside Growth Studio. You’ll hear how awkward bli...

Transcribed - Published: 25 September 2025

Ever notice how one “wrong” brushstroke can send you into a spiral? You’re standing in your studio, brush in hand, and suddenly the inner courtroom opens up. The judge, jury, and executioner? All you. This episode is about what I call self-aggression. Those tiny but brutal ways we attack ourselves for daring to experiment, for not being perfect, for being… human. And here’s the thing: it’s costing you way more than you realize. I’ll walk you through why we confuse self-criticism with professi...

Transcribed - Published: 4 September 2025

Welcome to the finale of our CREATE spiral series! Today we're diving into expansion - when you're ready to be seen in a bigger way but the thought of taking risks makes your heart race. I share my three circles framework for understanding your capacity for risk: comfort zone, stretch zone, and terror zone. Plus the crucial piece most artists miss - how to recharge after expanding so you can take progressively bigger steps without burning out. What You'll Learn: How to read your nervous syste...

Transcribed - Published: 21 August 2025

If you’ve ever felt like you want someone else to approve every brushstroke before you can call a painting “done”… this episode is for you. We’re at the T in the C.R.E.A.T.E. Spiral, and it’s a big one: TRUST. Not blind trust. Not perfectionist trust that only kicks in after everything looks flawless. We’re talking about real, moment-to-moment self-trust—the kind that guides your decisions while you’re still unsure. This episode breaks down: Why we’re wired to outsource approvalHow to build t...

Transcribed - Published: 7 August 2025

Ever wonder why your studio feels… suspiciously quiet? Like things are finally working—but instead of celebrating, you start spiraling? Welcome to the Alignment phase of the CREATE Spiral. In this episode, I break down the strange emotional landscape of finally clicking with your voice—and why that ease can actually feel more unsettling than resistance. You’ll hear why this moment of calm might be the biggest sign that you’re doing it right. We’ll talk about: The inner voice that whispers “Th...

Transcribed - Published: 31 July 2025

Ever get to that point in a painting where nothing’s working the way you thought it would? Where the idea is still in there somewhere, but the canvas isn’t cooperating? That’s not a mistake. That’s the part where things get real. In this episode of the Savvy Painter podcast, we’re talking about the Exploration phase of the Creative Spiral. The phase most artists dread, not because they’re doing it wrong, but because it asks them to stay with what’s actually happening in the painting. Not the ...

Transcribed - Published: 25 July 2025

Resistance isn’t laziness—it’s fear wearing a disguise. Let's break down the REAL reason resistance shows up right after creative excitement kicks in—and how to move forward without force. If you’ve ever found yourself avoiding the studio for no “good” reason, this one’s for you. We're going to talk about why resistance is actually a turning point in your creative spiral, not a sign to stop. Plus, hear how one artist in Growth Studio used this awareness to navigate a wave of unexp...

Transcribed - Published: 18 July 2025

That “lost” feeling? It’s not a problem. It’s the process. Today kicks off a special series I’ve been quietly building behind the scenes for a while now. It’s called the CREATE Spiral, and it’s a new framework I’ve developed to help artists understand why we get stuck and how to move forward—gently, without shame, and without needing to have it all figured out. In this first episode, we’re talking about the very first phase of the spiral: Curiosity. If you’ve been in a fog, wondering why noth...

Transcribed - Published: 10 July 2025

JD Wissler 1963-2025 This is a re-broadcast of an episode from August 2015. JD was an incredible painter and a beautiful soul. Go outside. Look up. Be in awe of what you see. ❤️ Support the show And hey - if this episode hit home, do me a favor, leave a review on Apple Podcast or come say hi on Instagram: @savvypainterpodcast I’d love to hear this episode resonated you. ❤️

Transcribed - Published: 4 July 2025

You ever look at another artist and think, “Ugh—I wish I had their confidence”? That thing they just seem to have—like it came standard and yours got left out? Yeah. Let’s talk about that. This week’s episode breaks down the myth that confidence is something you’re either born with or not. I’ll show you how confidence works more like painting—something you build, refine, and grow with each stroke (even the messy ones). Whether you’re struggling to price your work, share it online, or ju...

Transcribed - Published: 3 July 2025

Today, we’re talking about something that every artist encounters—but few talk about openly: rejection. Whether it’s a juried show, a gallery application, or simply putting your work on social media, the fear of hearing “no” often holds artists back in big ways. But here’s the truth: rejection isn’t the problem. It’s the meaning we attach to it that creates so much pain and paralysis. Antrese breaks down: Why rejection feels so intense—and why that’s totally normalThe science behind the physi...

Transcribed - Published: 6 June 2025

Have you ever been so immersed in your painting that you completely lost track of time? That magical moment where everything clicks, the inner critic goes quiet, and it feels like the brush is moving on its own? That’s what we’re diving into today—flow state. But here’s the twist: is flow always a good thing? Or can it actually hold you back from experimenting and growing as an artist? In this episode, I’m bringing you inside Growth Studio for a real, unfiltered conversation with artists who ...

Transcribed - Published: 29 May 2025

Do you often feel guilty or frustrated when you see a piece of unfinished art in your studio? Instead of seeing that as proof of something wrong with you or your art practice, let’s transform your relationship with your works-in-progress and unlock new (and often overlooked) possibilities! In this episode of the Savvy Painter Podcast, learn how unfinished work holds the key to your next creative breakthrough. I explore the various types of incomplete pieces and the emotional baggage attached ...

Transcribed - Published: 17 April 2025

Art is inherently slow. It demands time, thought, and presence, so embracing that slowness is essential for creating meaningful work and maintaining your artistic well-being. Yet, many artists feel behind in their art journey because they’re not producing fast enough. In this episode of the Savvy Painter Podcast, I’ll challenge the idea that faster is better in the art world. You’ll discover how hustle culture distorts our perception of the artistic process and get a refreshing perspective th...

Transcribed - Published: 10 April 2025

Does staring at a blank canvas sometimes cause you to question your abilities? Many artists (even those you admire) struggle with self-doubt and imposter syndrome, and the current chaotic world only amplifies those feelings. But what if the only thing holding you back is the mere thought that you aren’t an artist? In this episode of the Savvy Painter Podcast, we’ll dismantle the myth of the "real" artist and explore why waiting to embody this ideal is a waste of time. You’ll discover how impo...

Transcribed - Published: 3 April 2025

Why does your art matter when the world feels heavy, uncertain, or even chaotic? If you’ve ever found yourself asking, “Who am I to create right now?”—you’re not alone. But that might be the wrong question. In this episode of the Savvy Painter Podcast, we’re talking about what it means to make art during difficult times. If you’re an artist feeling disconnected, stuck, or unsure whether your work even matters right now, this conversation is for you. We’ll look at why creative burnout is so co...

Transcribed - Published: 27 March 2025

How often have you heard phrases like, “Go big or go home,” or “Just put yourself out there”? Society loves to advocate for taking big risks. Yet too many end up freezing or avoiding risk-taking entirely when the leap they’re being asked to make feels too big for them. Thankfully, there’s a middle ground between taking a big risk and taking no risks at all. In this episode of The Savvy Painter Podcast, I’ll show you the power of taking small, controlled risks to build your confidence and grad...

Transcribed - Published: 20 March 2025

When things don’t go your way in your art practice, what do you do? Like many artists, you might beat yourself up with lots of self-criticism and judgment. You’d be better off creating the habit of having your own back instead. That way, you’ll actually speed up your progress and not look back a year from now with regret that you’re still stuck in the same place. In this episode of The Savvy Painter Podcast, I’ll reveal exactly what having your own back looks like, why it’s a crucial skill yo...

Transcribed - Published: 13 March 2025

Your brain automatically runs scripts on repeat. But are those scripts helping you or playing like mini horror movies in your head? With the right mental rehearsal approach, you can create scenarios that help turn around any unsatisfactory results of your art practice. In this episode of The Savvy Painter Podcast, we’re going to get into what mental rehearsal is and why it’s one of the most powerful, yet underutilized tools for artists. You’ll discover how you’re always mentally practic...

Transcribed - Published: 6 March 2025

Is the problem really your art—or just how you’re looking at it? We’ve all been there. You step back from something you’ve just created, and your brain instantly goes, “Ugh, this is awful.” Maybe even, “What if people see this and think I have no idea what I’m doing?” That little voice in your head? It’s not just being dramatic, it’s actively sabotaging you. In this episode of The Savvy Painter Podcast, we’re digging into how your brain warps your perception of your own work, why that inner c...

Transcribed - Published: 27 February 2025

Do you ever feel anxious or freeze up when someone asks about your work? You want people to see and love your art, but talking about it can feel overwhelming. And if you struggle to talk about your art, you might miss opportunities to connect with potential buyers. In this episode of The Savvy Painter Podcast, we’re diving into why learning to talk about your art is so important. I’ll share how your words can shape the way collectors experience your work, what it really costs to stay silent, ...

Transcribed - Published: 20 February 2025

As a kid, did you wish you were like Cinderella and had a fairy godmother who could just wave her magic wand and president you with whatever you wished? Unfortunately, this idea of a fairy tale character coming to save the day is every bit as fantastical as the art police scenario talked about last week. Just as no one is coming to arrest you, no one is coming to save you, either. In this episode of The Savvy Painter podcast, you’ll learn how to be the hero of your own story instead and give ...

Transcribed - Published: 13 February 2025

Do you believe that if you think outside of the box and actually apply that thinking to your work that the art police will come to arrest you or take away your brushes? As absurd as that seems, refusing to follow your instincts as an artist because of your fear of negative nancy voices still has the same effect on you. You’re so worried about doing everything “by the book” that it causes you to question your decisions and your work, to the point where you stop yourself from doing it. So in th...

Transcribed - Published: 6 February 2025

Noticing the small wins you’ve gained can have a big impact on your practice as an artist. That insight was what I loved hearing about most in my conversation with Leslie Rae Cannon, an artist from Atlanta, Georgia and a member of Growth Studio. She graduated with an art degree from Presbyterian College, and now as an empty-nester has traded in carpools and play-dates for canvases and paint brushes. In this episode of The Savvy Painter podcast, you’ll learn how small wins have helped Leslie g...

Transcribed - Published: 30 January 2025

Do you feel a twinge of anxiety or regret settle in after you’ve set a goal? It’s similar to how people often feel after making a big purchase. You get really excited about your goal, only to feel this wave of doubt sink in. I call this goal phenomenon “goal remorse.” In this episode of The Savvy Painter podcast, we’ll dive deeper into what goal remorse is and why it pops up. I’ll also give you some tips to calm the overthinking of your goal, help you feel good about your decision, and stay o...

Transcribed - Published: 23 January 2025

Setting goals isn’t just about the end result; it’s also about personal growth and transformation. You feel disappointed and perhaps like you’re spinning your wheels a bit when you don’t achieve what you’ve set out to do. And a struggle to decide the ‘right' goal for you might be getting in the way of that feeling of satisfaction, happiness, and pride in your art practice. So how do you choose if you have a million ideas and feel like you can’t pick just one to go with? In this episode of The...

Transcribed - Published: 16 January 2025

There’s an affliction going around lately within artistic circles. You might be experiencing it too, even if it’s just a small voice or whisper in the back of your head. The affliction is the thought that, “My art doesn’t matter”. Now, your immediate reaction might be to refute this and tell yourself, “Of course it matters/” And I agree and am here to remind you that, yes, your art does matter. But this constant nagging doubt could make you feel like an art practice isn’t worth having a...

Transcribed - Published: 9 January 2025

Money and pricing your art can feel like tricky, even uncomfortable topics, but they’re also some of the most powerful conversations we can have as artists. Why? Because our beliefs about money and pricing often run deep and show up in ways we don’t even realize. They influence how we value our art, how we show up for it, and ultimately, how we create a practice that truly supports and sustains us. In this final roundtable episode of The Savvy Painter Podcast, I’m joined by Growth Studio memb...

Transcribed - Published: 2 January 2025

As artists, we go through several phases on our way to creating pieces. It all starts with this period of play and discovery that I call the exploratory phase, and to talk about it with me are Growth Studio members Sabrina Setaro, Alyssa Marquez, and Jess Fredrick. In this roundtable episode of The Savvy Painter Podcast, you’ll go on a deep dive into the first stage of artistic creation: the exploratory phase. Sabrina, Alyssa, Fredick, and I will discuss what happens in this stage and what th...

Transcribed - Published: 26 December 2024

Welcome to another roundtable series! This time I’m joined by Growth Studio members Louisa Jornayvaz, Braighlee Rainey, Jack Wray, and Elisabeth Svendby in a discussion about finding your voice as an artist. In this episode of The Savvy Painter Podcast, you’ll learn about what it means to find your voice and ways you can connect with it. You’ll also get personal insights into how the participants’ have connected with their voice and how it brings meaning into their artistic practice. 1:37 - B...

Transcribed - Published: 19 December 2024

It’s one thing to have an interest in creating art or putting something on canvas. It’s another to see yourself as an artist and have an artistic practice. What’s a difference-maker between those who do and those who don’t? Creative confidence, and to talk about it, I’m joined by Growth Studio members Alyssa Marquez, Merrie Koehlert, and Andrew Rea in another roundtable series. In this episode of The Savvy Painter Podcast, you’ll learn about the concept of creative confidence, its impact on a...

Transcribed - Published: 12 December 2024