My Art is My Voice

Most people think being an artist is about talent, inspiration, or creativity. It’s not. In this episode, we talk about the part no one really prepares you for—the middle. The repetition. The patience. The moments where nothing feels like it’s working, but you keep showing up anyway. Tom shares what learning clay is teaching him about control, timing, and letting go. Rebecca talks about the tension between creating art and running a business—and how easy it is to feel like you “did nothing” even when you did everything. We also get into: – Why play creates your best work (but can’t sustain it) – The pressure to become “iconic” as an artist – What watching Andy Warhol’s life revealed about success and unhappiness – Why the label “artist” might not even matter – The balance between joy, work, and expectations This is an honest conversation about what it actually feels like to make art in real life—not the highlight reel. If you’ve ever felt stuck, behind, or unsure if you’re doing it “right”… this episode is for you. 🎧 New episodes every week. instagram @myartismyvoicepodcast email [email protected] Rebecca Danger's Website: rebeccadanger.com Tom Ferry's Website: tomferrystudio.com #artpodcast #creativeprocess #artistlife #makingart #creativity #artjourney #studiolife #authenticcreators

What does it really take to grow as an artist—while still dealing with self-doubt, business challenges, and the pressure to keep showing up?In this episode of My Art is My Voice, Rebecca Danger and Tom Ferry talk honestly about the messy middle of being a working artist.From learning new mediums and navigating creative identity, to the realities of selling art and building a business online, this conversation explores what it looks like to keep going—even when things feel uncertain.In this episode:Learning new skills (and embracing the beginner phase)The difference between making art vs making productsPeople-pleasing and finding your own creative voiceWhy selling art is a skill (not just talent)The power of making a new choice tomorrowGrowth, setbacks, and showing up anywayThe challenge of staying visible in a constantly changing online worldThis is a real conversation about what it means to build a creative life over time.💬 What’s been harder for you—making the art or learning how to sell it?🎧 New episodes every week.instagram @myartismyvoicepodcast email [email protected] Rebecca Danger's Website: rebeccadanger.comTom Ferry's Website: tomferrystudio.com#ArtistLife #CreativeProcess #ArtBusiness #ArtistMindset #CreativeJourney #MakeArt #SellingArt #CreativeGrowth #RebeccaDanger #TomFerryStudio #ArtPodcast #CreativeLife #ArtistsOnYouTube

What if you spent years making beautiful art and never thought it was good enough to show anyone? In their first ever interview episode, Rebecca and Tom sit down with artist Lori VanEtta for a conversation full of warmth, laughter, and a few things that will quietly stay with you. Lori has taught art across schools and studios, including to people living with dementia — and what she learned about creativity in those rooms will shift something in you. She assembled a body of work, convinced it wasn't ready, until a mentor pushed her toward galleries. She's been showing ever since. We talk about what it means to create with intention — to genuinely want your art to make people feel better — and what happens when you finally silence the inner critic that's been running the show. Lori's answer to that one is worth the listen all on its own. We also get into artist collaboration, the magic that happens when creative people find each other, and yes, we reference Big Magic because of course we do. If you have ever had a collection in the closet — art, writing, ideas, anything — that you haven't shown the world because it isn't ready yet, Lori's story might be the nudge you didn't know you needed. New episodes weekly. instagram @myartismyvoicepodcast email [email protected] Rebecca Danger's Website: rebeccadanger.com Tom Ferry's Website: tomferrystudio.com Lori VanEtta’s Website: lorivanettaartist.com

Bots, burnout, clay, and knitting. Tom and Rebecca get real about control, creative exhaustion, and why some days you just feel like Eeyore.

This week on My Art is My Voice, we’re talking about the real, unfiltered experience of being a full-time artist. From farmers markets and art walks… to gallery shows and festival rejections… This is what it actually looks like to build a life in art. We dive into: – The ups and downs of selling at markets and shows – Getting accepted into festivals… and rejected the next year – The reality of building (and rebuilding) an art career – The business skills no one tells you that you need – The risks that come with different levels of success – Why trying something new isn’t failure—it’s growth – The emotional weight of feedback (and how not to carry it) – The idea of trading problems… and why you probably wouldn’t – Using AI as a tool in your art business – The truth behind the 10,000 hours of mastery – Finding meaning in the small moments along the way This episode is a reflection on years of living as working artists—what’s worked, what hasn’t, and what keeps us showing up. If you’ve ever questioned your path, your progress, or your place as an artist… this conversation is for you. Rebecca's Art Story: https://youtu.be/2CwPwtpneTU Meet the Darlings: https://www.rebeccadanger.com/meetthedarlings 🎧 My Art is My Voice Podcast 🌐 rebeccadanger.com

What if the words you say to yourself are shaping your reality more than you realize? In this episode of My Art is My Voice, Rebecca Danger and Tom explore the idea of “spell casting”—how everyday language like “I’m not good enough,” “I don’t have time,” or “I’m so clumsy” can quietly influence your creativity, your confidence, and your life as an artist. They talk about the balance between positive and negative self-talk, the difference between feeling awkward vs anxious, and what it really means to “just show up” even when it’s uncomfortable. This conversation also moves through the emotional side of being a creative—crying, processing, working through frustration—and how art can act as both expression and therapy. Along the way, they reflect on: – The power of self-talk and “spell casting” – Why your inner dialogue matters more than you think – The 10:1 ratio of positive to negative input – Awkward vs anxious (and why it matters) – The challenge of putting yourself out there – “Just show up” as a creative practice – Art as therapy and emotional processing – Working alone vs with other artists – How creativity unfolds in layers – Why the muse shows up when you start moving – Dreaming big vs dreaming realistically This is a real, honest conversation about what it means to be an artist—not just in your work, but in your thoughts. If you’re navigating your own creative path, you’re not alone. 🎧 New episodes weekly 🌐 rebeccadanger.com instagram @myartismyvoicepodcast email [email protected] Rebecca Danger's Website: https://www.rebeccadanger.com/ The Darlings: https://www.rebeccadanger.com/meetthedarlings Tom Ferry's Website: https://www.tomferrystudio.com/ Farmette Fresh Website: https://www.farmettefresh.com/ #artistmindset #creativity #selftalk #creativeprocess #artistlife #makersgonnamake #artpodcast #creativejourney #mentalhealth #selfgrowth #mindsetshift #authenticity #createeveryday #arttherapy #personaldevelopment

What is art actually worth—and who gets to decide?In this episode of My Art is My Voice, Rebecca and Tom explore the many layers of value in a creative life—from bartering and trading artwork to selling it, sharing it, and being judged by it.This conversation moves through the realities of being a full-time artist: – Trading art vs. selling it – The ups and downs of making a living creatively – How we judge art—and how we feel judged by our own work – Comparing your work to what you see onlineThey also reflect on: – The myth of the “starving artist” – The idea of not being appreciated in your own time – Failing as an artist—and finding your way back – Life on and off the internet as a creativeAlong the way, a central idea comes up again and again: Art comforts the disturbed and disturbs the comfortable.At its core, this episode is about navigating value—not just in money, but in meaning, identity, and the act of continuing to make.🎧 My Art is My Voice is a podcast about creativity, identity, and the lived experience of being an artist.Subscribe to follow new episodes.instagram @myartismyvoicepodcastemail [email protected] Danger's Website: https://www.rebeccadanger.com/Tom Ferry's Website: https://www.tomferrystudio.com/Farmette Fresh Website: https://www.farmettefresh.com/#creativity #artistlife #creativeprocess #artistmindset #makingart#starvingartist #artandmoney #valueofart #fulltimeartist #artcareer

Art Is Trifficult (Why Making Isn’t Easy) What if the challenge of making art isn’t something to avoid—but something to understand?In this episode of My Art is My Voice, Rebecca and Tom explore the idea of “trifficult”—a word that captures the strange balance between things being both tricky and difficult at the same time.This conversation moves through the real experience of being an artist:– Why work that comes easily doesn’t always feel valuable– The difference between adding and subtracting in different mediums (like clay vs. painting)– How your unique “hand” shows up through imperfection– The tension between working alone and showing up in public spaces like gallery openingsThey also reflect on:– Flow state and what it feels like to be fully in the work– The pressure of “should” and how it shapes creative decisions– How sales can affect your sense of identity as an artist– The gap between the idea of making (like working outside) and the reality of itAt its core, this episode is about accepting the complexity of the creative process—where difficulty, uncertainty, and imperfection are not problems to solve, but part of the work itself.Because making art isn’t about getting it right—it’s about staying in it.🎧 My Art is My Voice is a podcast about creativity, identity, and the lived experience of being an artist.Subscribe to follow new episodes.instagram @myartismyvoicepodcastemail [email protected] Danger's Website: rebeccadanger.comTom Ferry's Website: tomferrystudio.comFarmette Fresh Website: farmettefresh.com

What happens in the middle of the creative process—when the excitement fades, the work becomes repetitive, and you’re not quite sure where it’s going?In this episode of My Art is My Voice, Rebecca and Tom explore what they call the middle muddle—that in-between space where most of the real work happens.This conversation moves through the many layers of being an artist:
– The repetition and uncertainty that show up in the middle
– The vulnerability of sharing your work—and the fear that comes with it
– The tension between creating for yourself and seeking approval
– How feedback (positive or negative) can shift how you see your own workThey also reflect on:
– Being recognized as an artist in public
– The difference between making art and selling it
– Finding your creative community (and protecting your energy)
– The balance between light and dark—and choosing a middle path
– The reality that most artists don’t fully know what they’re doingAlong the way, they talk about creative habits, taking breaks to reset, and how everything in art is built in layers over time.At its core, this episode is about staying in the process—continuing to show up, even when it feels uncertain, exposed, or unfinished.Because creativity isn’t just about outcomes—it’s about what happens to you while you’re in it.🎧 My Art is My Voice is a podcast about creativity, identity, and the lived experience of being an artist.New episodes weekly.instagram @myartismyvoicepodcastemail [email protected] Danger's Website: rebeccadanger.comTom Ferry's Website: tomferrystudio.comFarmette Fresh Website: farmettefresh.com

The Ugly Middle (And Why Most Artists Quit Here)What happens after the beginning—when the excitement wears off and you’re left in the long, uncertain middle of making?In this episode of My Art is My Voice, Rebecca Danger and Tom Ferry reflects on what they call the ugly middle—that stretch of the creative process where doubt, frustration, and second-guessing tend to take over.This conversation explores the internal side of making art: – The tendency to create emotional drama while creating – The challenge of making work for yourself (not for approval) – The balance and play between art, craft, and design – The “hustle trap” and chasing a lifestyle vs. a practice – How success is often just perception—and constantly shiftingRebecca and Tom also discuss: – Imperfection and why it matters (“my hand will always be imperfect”) – The connection between art and personal history – Light vs. shadow in the creative process – Keeping your circle small and protecting your energy – The feeling that time is always running out—and learning to question itAt its core, this episode is about staying in the work—even when it’s uncomfortable—and allowing your creative practice to be a reflection of something deeper.Link to Video about Practice: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=53cqxEOuHNIBecause most art isn’t just about making something—it’s about processing something.🎧 My Art is My Voice is a podcast about creativity, identity, and the lived experience of being an artist.New episodes weekly.instagram @myartismyvoicepodcastemail [email protected] Danger's Website: rebeccadanger.comTom Ferry's Website: tomferrystudio.comFarmette Fresh Website: farmettefresh.com

What does it actually take to make money as an artist—and is it worth it? In this episode, we get into the real experience of selling art, starting with a recent pet portrait commission inspired by Rebecca’s two dogs. From there, the conversation opens up into the bigger picture: what it means to create for someone else, how commissions can challenge your process, and the pressure that comes with putting a price on your work. We also talk honestly about galleries, art shows, and markets—the time, energy, and emotional investment they require, and whether they truly support artists in the way we hope. As always, we come back to the idea of choice: how you choose to show up as an artist, the paths you take (or don’t), and what it means to build a creative life on your own terms. If you’ve ever wondered how artists actually sell their work—or questioned whether it’s sustainable—this episode is for you. New episodes weekly. instagram @myartismyvoicepodcast email [email protected] Rebecca Danger's Website: rebeccadanger.com Tom Ferry's Website: tomferrystudio.com Farmette Fresh Website: farmettefresh.com

When art, money, and self-worth collide. What is the real cost of making art and how much of that cost is tied to how we see ourselves? In this Episode, we talk about self worth, transactional value and the pressure to turn creativity into income. From trying to pay the bills with art to not feeling "good enough," this is an honest conversation about the tension between creating freely and creating to survive. We explore what it means to make choices as an artist, whether you're actively creating your life or letting it happen to you, and the constant pull toward the "next thing." We also get into the idea of creating drama as fuel for art and whether that's helping or hurting the process. If you have ever questioned your value, your work, or the path you're on, this conversation will hit close to home. New episodes weekly. instagram @myartismyvoicepodcast email [email protected] Rebecca Danger's Website: rebeccadanger.com Tom Ferry's Website: tomferrystudio.com

What does it actually mean to live as an artist today?In this first episode, we sit down over coffee with Rebecca Danger and Tom Ferry to talk honestly about the creative life. From the fear of putting yourself out there to the reality of Burnout, this is a real conversation about what it takes to keep showing up.We talk about finding your voice through art, why you don't have to hustle to be an artist, and the challenge of trying to make money while staying true to your work.If you've ever wondered whether you're "doing it right" as an artist, the answer might be simpler than you think: just make art.New episodes weekly.instagram @myartismyvoicepodcastemail [email protected] Danger's Website: https://www.rebeccadanger.com/Tom Ferry's Website: https://www.tomferrystudio.com/