Am I the Artist, or Am I the Art?/ Elissa Brown

Welcome to The Independent Artist Podcast with your hosts Douglas and Will — the show where we pull back the curtain on the real life of working artists. Before we dive into today’s conversation, Will and Douglas kick things off by talking about the whirlwind of doing the One of a Kind Show—the highs, the hustle, and what it takes to say yes to an opportunity before it slips away. They reflect on the importance of moving quickly when the window opens, trusting your instincts, and learning to spot the difference between real opportunity and distraction. The intro wraps with a timely reminder for artists: how to recognize and ward off a scam email before it costs you time, money, or peace of mind.Today’s episode is titled “Am I the Artist, or Am I the Art?”—and it’s a deep, unfiltered conversation with mixed media artist Elissa Brown  (http://www.thefreckledarmy.com/p/mina-page.html)Elissa is a storyteller first, even when the story begins with crippling anxiety, sweating through her shirt, and stepping straight into the void. In her work, she creates entire worlds—layered, constructed realities that blur the line between facade and truth, between an impenetrable exterior and what’s breaking underneath. She openly embraces the unreliable narrator, questioning whether we ever fully control the stories we tell about ourselves.We talk about the commonality of the banal, the necessity of invention, and why, sometimes, if you can’t teach, you have to do. We talk about choosing your hard, about becoming a better version of yourself, even though you know full well it doesn’t say “asshole” on the check.This is a conversation about identity, anxiety, and the uncomfortable honesty of making art from necessity rather than comfort. Elissa’s work isn’t just something you look at—it’s a place you step into. And once you’re there, the question becomes unavoidable: where does the artist end, and the art begin?Visual artists Douglas Sigwarth (https://www.sigwarthglass.com/) and Will Armstrong (http://www.willarmstrongart.com/) co-host and discuss topics affecting working artists.FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIAInstagram https://www.instagram.com/independentartistpodcast/Facebook https://www.facebook.com/independentartistpodcastWebsite https://independentartistpodcast.buzzsprout.com/YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@theindependentartistpodcastEmail [email protected] (contact us here about advertising on our show)PLEASE RATE US AND REVIEW US.......... and SUBSCRIBE to the pod on your favorite streaming app.SUPPORT THE SHOWVENMO/ username @independentartistpodcast or through PAYPAL.ME by clicking on this link https://paypal.me/independentartistpod?locale.x=en_USSponsorsThe National Association of Independent Artists (NAIA). http://www.naiaartists.org/membership-account/membership-levels/ZAPPlication https://www.zapplication.orgMusic  "Walking" by Oliver LearBusiness inquiries at [email protected] the show