PODCAST · arts
Art, Parenthood, and Beyond
by Miwa Gardner
"Art, Parenthood, and Beyond with Miwa Gardner" is where I share my journey as a watercolor artist and, well, a mom too. In this podcast, I explore the unspoken emotions that come with creating art and navigating parenthood, exploring into how these two worlds mingle.I’ll share insights into my artistic process and the inspirations behind my paintings, along with various resources that have influenced my journey. Whether you're a fellow parent, an art lover, or simply curious (like I often am:), join me as I explore the complex layers of life through my experiences.
Episodes
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My Last Episode: What This Podcast Taught Me — 5 Lessons For Every Artist | #artiststruggles Ep. 050
This is my last podcast episode—at least for now. In this goodbye, I reflect on what this podcast journey has taught me and share 5 creative lessons every artist should remember. These aren’t tips about algorithms or visibility—they’re the deeper truths that shape how we show up to create. From...
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What's Your Art Fear? MBTI Loops, Burnout, and Finding the Way Back | #artiststruggle Ep. 049
Art fear doesn’t always scream — sometimes, it loops quietly in the background. In this episode, I share how my ENFP stress loop of ideas and over-action led me straight into burnout… and how my friend Eli, an INFP, shut down completely after a painful creative experience. We both had to find…
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Finding Your Artistic Voice — And Why I’m Still on the Road There | #findyourartisticvoice Ep. 048
In this episode, I’m opening up about something deeply personal: how I’m still figuring out my artistic voice — and why that process is probably more about returning than discovering. I share my own winding path, from quitting art school for survival reasons, to reigniting my practice thanks to…
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The Role of Goals — How We Tune In, Adjust, and Stay Dedicated to Our Craft | #artistjourney Ep. 047
In this episode, I’m opening up about the deeper, less-talked-about side of goal setting for artists. It’s not just about writing down what you want — it’s about learning how to stay tuned in, adjust, and realign your goals as you grow. I reflect on my own journey — from painting every day after…
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Facing Art Fears & Finding Your Creative Identity: Embracing Fear as Part of the Process | #artidentity Ep. 046
In this episode, I dive into the fears that all artists face — and the role fear plays in shaping our creative identity. From fears of failure to the struggle of imposter syndrome, I explore how these emotions don’t have to stop us. Instead, I share how I’ve learned to embrace them as part of the...
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Navigating Art Fairs and Rejection: Learning from the “No” Without Losing Heart | #artrejection Ep. 045
In this episode, I open up about my first applications to art fairs here in Washington — and the rejections that came with them. I share what those moments brought up for me, how I reframed the experience, and why I’m still moving forward with more clarity. If you’ve ever felt discouraged by…
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Making the Most of Creative Time: Protecting Your Hours Without Pressure | #artisttime Ep. 044
In this episode, I share how I learned to work with the time I have — not the time I wish I had. From carving out studio structure as a parent to using even small windows intentionally, this episode is for anyone who’s juggling life and still wants to show up for their art in a meaningful way.…
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Painting to Improve, Not Just Produce: Why Skill Must Come Before Selling | #artpractice Ep. 043
In this episode, I reflect on a shift I’ve been feeling — from just producing paintings to deeply focusing on improving my skills. Inspired by a quote from Christian Hook, I explore the difference between passive and deliberate practice, what counts as “study” versus “finished work,” and how...
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Artist Lessons from Agnes Cecil, Aine Divine, Kelogsloops, and More: On Rejection, Letting Go, and Growth | #ArtistLessons Ep. 042
This episode is extra special because it marks the anniversary of when my partner and I met. He’s a big podcast listener (and honestly way smarter than me), and I’ve been nudging him forever to come up with his own questions to interview me. Well — it finally happened! I was pretty nervous right...
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Refinding Your Rhythm: When Burnout Reshapes Your Creative Focus | #artistburnout Ep. 041
In this episode, I’m sharing a quiet turning point in my creative path — the moment I realized I was burned out. Not just tired, but truly stretched thin from creating too much content and not enough art. I talk about how I recognized the signs, what helped me shift, and how I’m now reshaping my...
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Creating Around Birth: A Conversation on Art, Naming, and Reflection | #artandbirth Ep. 040
In this episode, I sit down with my artist friend Alexandra — a fine art craftsperson and doula whose work revolves around the theme of birth. We talk about creating art that honors life’s beginnings, the vulnerability of naming a piece, and the quiet strength in letting work unfold naturally. As...
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The Moment I Saw Myself in My Son: How Parenthood Flows Into My Paintings | #ParenthoodAndArt Ep. 039
What happens when your child’s behavior mirrors something unspoken in yourself? In this episode, I share a tender, raw journey that started with a daycare conversation and ended with one of my most meaningful paintings yet—Child, Blossom, inspired by Van Gogh’s Almond Blossoms. From reflections…
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Momentum and Intuition: Balancing Structure & Spontaneity in Creativity | #CreativeMomentum Ep. 038
How much of creativity is structure, and how much is intuition? Is it better to carefully plan a piece, or should we follow the flow and see where it takes us? In this episode, Eli and I explore how we each approach creative balance—when to trust a plan, when to let spontaneity take over, and why...
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Finding Your Flow: Creative Routines, Rituals, and Making Space for Art | #CreativeFlow Ep. 037
How do you build a creative routine that actually works for you? Do you need a structured plan, a clear space, and a calm mind before you can create? Or do you dive straight in, letting the act of making art come first? In this episode, Eli and I break down our creative rituals, how we navigate...
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Chasing Numbers vs. Chasing Art: Finding Your Own Path as an Artist | #AuthenticArtJourney Ep. 036
In a world where social media seems to determine success, how do we, as artists, find a path that truly feels right? In this episode, I share a raw reflection on the frustration of seeing others grow faster, the struggle of balancing content creation with actual painting, and the realization that...
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Kelogsloops: On Art, Storytelling & Why Your Style Is Always Evolving| #Chasingdreams Ep. 035
In this special episode, I talk with watercolor artist Kelogsloops (Hieu)— known for his dreamy, ethereal portraits, masterful control of watercolor, and down-to-earth honesty about the artist’s journey. Even as a full-time artist with a million fans and a newly released book, The Art of...
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Mastering Art Commissions: 10 Essential Tips for Every Artist | #OwnYourArt Ep. 034
In this episode, I’m sharing 10 crucial tips for artists just starting with commissions. From pricing to contracts and communication, I’ll walk you through the steps to handle commissions like a pro and avoid common mistakes. Whether you’re new to the process or looking to refine your approach,...
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When Composition Finally Clicked: My Journey Through Books, Tools & a Workshop | #ArtComposition Ep. 033
Composition in art can feel like a mystery—why do some paintings just work? In this episode, I share my long journey of trying to understand composition, from studying books and using golden ratio tools to my partner’s photography advice. But nothing quite clicked until I attended Kelogsloops'...
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Finding My Signature: The Journey to Owning My Art | #Ownyourart Ep. 032
For years, I didn’t sign my paintings—because I didn’t think I was worthy of a signature. That changed when a client asked a simple question: Does it come signed? This episode dives into my journey of embracing my identity as an artist, designing my own signature inspired by the masters, and...
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Making Painting a Habit: How to Build a Sustainable Practice | #MaketimeforArt Ep. 031
Have you ever wished you had more time to paint? I get it. Life is busy, and it’s easy to push painting aside. But what if painting became as automatic as brushing your teeth? In this episode, I share how I built a painting habit that sticks—why it feels strange not to paint now, how I structure…
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Creativity is Play: Why Experimentation Matters in Art | #ArtExperimentation Ep. 030
Art thrives on experimentation. In this episode, I dive into the joy of playing with materials without expectations—a process that led to a surprising creative breakthrough. Inspired by Rick Rubin’s idea of “seeds” in creativity, I revisited Bombay inks, Ecoline inks, and Gelli plate printing to...
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Embracing the Unfamiliar: Finding Growth in Kelogsloops’ Workshop | #ArtGrowth Ep. 029
What happens when you finally get to learn from one of your biggest artistic inspirations, and it doesn’t go as planned? In this episode, I reflect on my experience attending Kelogsloops’ workshop in Munich, how our contrasting styles challenged me, and the unexpected lessons I took away. From...
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Letting Go: How Agnes Cecil’s Workshop Transformed My Artistic Journey | #ArtGrowth Ep. 028
In this episode, I share the story of attending Agnes Cecil’s workshop in Munich and how it became a turning point in my art journey. From conquering my fear of sketching portraits to embracing the beauty of loose brushstrokes, this experience reshaped how I approach watercolor and creativity.…
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When Inspiration Finds You: How a Deer Encounter Led to Watercolor | Ep.27
Inspiration doesn’t always strike all at once—it arrives in fragments, waiting for us to notice. In this episode, I share how a quiet, sacred encounter with a deer in my garden transformed into a watercolor painting, a meditation on presence, and a lesson in creative flow. I also have a Youtube...
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From Burnout to Authentic Creation: Finding Your Artist Voice Again | #ArtistHealing Ep. 026
In this episode, I sit down with my artist friend Eli to unpack the challenges of 2024 and the creative struggles they revealed. I realize my fear of her stepping away from painting was shaping our conversation, while she simply needed space to heal and reconnect on her terms. We explore creative...
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When Art Hurts: Selling at Nontraditional Venues & Meta Ads Frustrations | #ArtistStruggle Ep. 025
In this vulnerable conversation with my artist friend Eli, we unpack our most challenging moments of 2024: her painful experience with an interior design store exhibition and my social media marketing roadblocks after moving to the US. We discuss how sometimes the art world can deeply wound us…
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My Experience with Instagram Art Communities: The Good, The Bad, and The Creative Journey | #IGartcommunity Ep. 024
In this episode, I share my journey with Instagram art communities—the highs of creative collaborations and the challenges of navigating engagement. From joining Ali Cavani's Patreon group to painting Perchta for a winter-themed project, I explore how these communities can inspire, connect, and...
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Sayonara, Obachan: My Journey Back to Japan to See My Grand Aunt Off | #JapaneseRoots Ep. 023
In this heartfelt episode, I reflect on my emotional journey back to Japan to say my final farewell to my grand aunt. The decision to fly back to Japan or not was a struggle for me since it meant taking my 3 year old with me, having to pause everything and financially. But there was few key…
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Finding Your Ideal Watercolor Surface: A Journey Through Paper #watercolorsurface | Ep.22
In this episode #22, I dive into the importance of experimenting with different painting surfaces, sharing my personal journey with various watercolor papers and other surfaces like Yupo, canvas, watercolor ground primed canvas and aquabord. I talk about how each surface affects technique and...
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Wanting Your Child to Step into Your World: An Invitation | Ep.21
In this episode, I explore the moments when parents open up their worlds to their children, sharing not just spaces and tasks, but meaningful parts of their identities. Through three stories—an artist inviting her children to lay a single brushstroke on a magazine cover, a pilot who secretly…
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Word of the Year: Emerge to Mission | #ArtGoals Ep. 020
In this reflective episode, I reflect on 2024, guided by Laura Horn’s approach to setting intentions and asking meaningful questions about what worked, what didn’t, and what to let go. My word for 2024 was emerge, inspired by both wanting more growth as an artist and from the intuitive nature of...
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Listening In: Aine Divine on Art as Catharsis, Following Sparks, Surrendering to Creative Blocks, and Fully Occupying Your Body in the Creative Process| Ep.19
In this episode, Aine Divine shares how trusting your inner voice can guide you through creative challenges, from embracing pauses during blocks to following sparks of inspiration. She reflects on transforming dark times into cathartic art, staying true to her instincts, and finding joy in the...
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Aine Divine’s Summer School: Lessons and Inspirations | #AineDivineWorkshop Ep. 018
Imagine 5 days of JUST PAINTING—learning and rediscovering creativity with Aine Divine. Set in the inspiring Willow Room at Cockenzie House in Edingburgh, this summer school new ways of approaching watercolor, from embracing bold brushstrokes to painting live models. I’ll share the challenges,...
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When Is a Person an Artist? | #ArtIdentity Ep. 017
In this episode, we explore what it means to be an artist and the journey of owning that title. Inspired by my own experiences and the story of a close friend, we dive into questions around identity, self-worth, and the desire for validation. I share insights on the distinction between “artist”…
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How I First Started Making Money with My Art | #HowIsoldmyart Ep. 016
In this episode, I share my journey of how I first started making money with my art back in April 2023. From my first commissioned work with mothers in a Singapore-based WhatsApp community, to my first Etsy sale, and even launching a Kickstarter campaign, I reflect on the lessons I’ve learned…
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Sorry this one is selfishly About ME! | #MiwaGardner Ep. 015
Mentioned: Sky Portrait Artist of the Year Aine Divine My youtube video on how to make painting a ritual My website: MiwaGardner.com Find me on Instagram: @miwagardnerart
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Talking about Artistic Style: Insights with Artist & Dear Friend Eli #Arttalk Ep. 014
Mentioned: Eli Miklavcic Agnes Cecil A good resources on what defines style: https://massart.edu/app/uploads/legacy-files/Principles%20and%20Elements.pdf Pablo Picasso not pink period, Rose Period Landscape artist mentioned by Eli is Allie Dattilio. Lisa Congdons Book Here *This is an affiliate...
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Letting Go, Moving Forward: Lessons from a Bird on Starting Over| #NatureLessons Ep. 013
Mentioned: Birds: https://www.miwagardner.com/buyart/p/ill-take-my-time My website: MiwaGardner.com Find me on Instagram: @miwagardner_art
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Artistic Challenges: Lessons in Persistence from Origami with My Son | #ArtisticJourney Ep. 012
In this episode, I share my experiences of spending quality time with my three-year-old son, focusing on our recent foray into origami. Through the delicate art of folding paper, I discover valuable lessons about patience, creativity, and the importance of balancing persistence with enjoyment in…
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Transitions Between Art and Life: Finding Balance Through Change | #CreativeSwitch Ep. 011
In this episode, I explore the challenges of transitioning between my artistic pursuits and administrative duties amidst significant life changes. Drawing from my personal experience of moving from Munich to Washington State, I reflect on the emotional complexities of balancing creativity with...
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How Opening Up Can Bring Unexpected Support | #OpeningUp Ep. 010
In this episode, I share a deeply personal moment of opening up to a close friend before leaving Munich. What started as an honest conversation about past suicidal thoughts unexpectedly led to practical support in the form of a unique, grounding technique: spicy candy. I reflects on how...
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Last Time Moments: How Noticing Helps Our Creativity | #CreativeNoticing Ep. 009
In this episode of Art, Parenthood, and Beyond, I reflect on the power of 'noticing' and how it's shaped my creativity and life. After my recent move from Germany to Washington, I found myself embracing a 'last time' mentality, which helped me see the beauty in everyday moments—from cycling…
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How I Projected My Childhood on My Son|#ArtAndParenthood Ep. 008
In this episode of Art, Parenthood and Beyond, I explore how my childhood memories, fears, and insecurities have influenced my parenting and artistic expression. I share a personal story about the transition to a new daycare for my son and how it revealed my instinct to protect him. Through the...
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The Guilt of Joy: Balancing Parenthood and the Necessity of Art | #ArtParenthood Ep. 007
Mentioned: The blog on the painting here. The statistic about parents taking time for their creative pursuits being 35% less likely to experience severe burnout comes from a study conducted by the American Psychological Association…
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What Do People Want? Lessons from Giving Away My Art in the Streets| Ep. 006
Mentioned: The blog on the painting here. Why "What the Heck Moments" are Important in Our Creative Lives-The Laura Horn Podcast I love listening to! My website: MiwaGardner.com Find me on Instagram: @miwagardner_art
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The Alien Gaze of Newborns: Surreal Moments in Sleep-Deprived Parenthood| Ep. 005
In this episode of Art, Parenthood and Beyond, join me, Miwa Gardner, as I explore the fascinating—and sometimes surreal—experience of gazing into the eyes of a newborn. With a mix of humor and heartfelt stories, I share my journey through the sleep-deprived nights of early parenthood and the...
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Caught Off Guard: The Unexpected Moments of Motherhood |Ep. 004
Welcome to Episode 4 of Art, Parenthood and Beyond! I’m Miwa Gardner, and in this episode, I dive into those unexpected moments of parenthood that can catch us completely off guard. I share a touching story about my son, who surprised me by expressing empathy in a way I never expected. It made me...
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Capturing the Feeling: The Urgency to Create|Ep. 003
In this episode, I dive into the urgency we feel as artists when inspiration strikes—like a bolt of lightning—and how that led me to paint a piece deeply connected to a friend's heartbreaking story. I reflect on whether great art always has to come from pain, or if we can find just as much power…
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How Can I Protect You? Exploring Parenthood's Challenging Feelings | Ep. 002
In this episode, How Can I Protect You? Exploring Parenthood's Challenging Feelings, I dive into the complex and often bittersweet emotions that come with parenthood. I reflect on the delicate balance between joy and sadness that many of us experience after welcoming a child into our lives. I'll...
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Creative Blocks: How can you get unstuck as artists? |Ep. 001
In this episode of Art, Parenthood, and Beyond, I dive into the often-frustrating world of creative blocks. I’ll share my personal journey of overcoming self-doubt and rediscovering my passion for painting after not painting at all for 2 weeks. You’ll discover practical strategies that helped me...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
"Art, Parenthood, and Beyond with Miwa Gardner" is where I share my journey as a watercolor artist and, well, a mom too. In this podcast, I explore the unspoken emotions that come with creating art and navigating parenthood, exploring into how these two worlds mingle.I’ll share insights into my artistic process and the inspirations behind my paintings, along with various resources that have influenced my journey. Whether you're a fellow parent, an art lover, or simply curious (like I often am:), join me as I explore the complex layers of life through my experiences.
HOSTED BY
Miwa Gardner
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Art, Parenthood, and Beyond have?
Art, Parenthood, and Beyond currently has 50 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Art, Parenthood, and Beyond about?
"Art, Parenthood, and Beyond with Miwa Gardner" is where I share my journey as a watercolor artist and, well, a mom too. In this podcast, I explore the unspoken emotions that come with creating art and navigating parenthood, exploring into how these two worlds mingle.I’ll share insights into my...
How often does Art, Parenthood, and Beyond release new episodes?
Art, Parenthood, and Beyond has 50 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Art, Parenthood, and Beyond?
You can listen to Art, Parenthood, and Beyond on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Art, Parenthood, and Beyond?
Art, Parenthood, and Beyond is created and hosted by Miwa Gardner.
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