The Creative Kind

In today’s episode I'm talking with Joshua Brew, an Australian artist working on Whadjuk Noongar Boodja country in Perth. Joshua explores contemporary masculinity in his graphite drawings. His practice looks at identity & vulnerability, often turning the focus inward and using his own body as his subject, examining what it means to see and be seen.Joshua and I talk about his experience of being an emerging artist while balancing a full-time teaching job, a relationship, a mortgage and everything else that comes with life after art school. We talk about how he finds time to make work, using deadlines and awards to create structure, and making his practice more manageable by working at a smaller scale.Joshua discusses his ongoing exploration of masculinity and his interest in making different representations of male bodies visible. We also talk about life drawing, community, experimentation and giving yourself permission to play. Joshua shares some of the artists, books, shows and other things that have influenced or interested him, and talks about the challenge of believing that what you have to say is worth saying while also seeing the opportunities that come with being at an emerging stage of an art practice.You can find Joshua here on instagram and here on his websiteMentioned in this episode:Book- How to Art by Kate BryantTV Shows: The Great Pottery Throw Down & AdultsAndrew Sleeman on The Creative Kind Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of The Creative Kind, I’m joined by Jasmine Kroeze and Petrina Jose for a conversation about pivoting, what it really looks like to change direction creatively, professionally, and personally.We talk about how Jasmine moved from fashion and textile design into mural work, why Petrina stepped back from painting to rebuild her branding business, and how both of them navigate the tension between following new ideas and knowing when something is actually worth pursuing.We also get into the less glamorous side of creative careers, inconsistent income, burnout, rejection, overthinking, working for free, and the challenge of putting yourself out there when there’s no guarantee things will work. Jaz shares how she tracks opportunities, applications, and rejection rates in spreadsheets, while Petrina talks about evolving from painting into branding work, and how she’s learned to build creative businesses that genuinely fit the way she wants to work and liveSomething I loved about this conversation was hearing how differently people approach ideas. Some ideas are fleeting experiments, some become careers, some need to be tested properly before you know whether they’re sustainable or simply a curiosity. We talk about why creative people are often drawn toward multiple paths at once, the pressure to “niche down,” and why sometimes the best thing you can do is give yourself permission to try something without knowing exactly where it will lead. This episode also veered into a conversation about friendship and creative support systems - the value of having people around you who understand the realities of creative work, people who can workshop ideas with you, and can also tell you the truth when you need to hear it.You can find Petrina Jose  here on instagram and also on her personal page here.and her website here at www.heartsandeyes.comYou can find Jamsine Kroeze here on instagram and her website here: jasminekroeze.comYou can find the podcast here on Instagram & here on substackThanks so much for listening! Feel free to rate, review & share if you enjoyed it, this helps other people find the show Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week I'm talking to Col Mac, a Brisbane-based interdisciplinary artist whose practice is grounded in painting but regularly extends into text, sculpture, and installation. His work explores time, place, memory, and history. Col has been a finalist in the Archibald Prize and the Brisbane Portrait Prize, with work featured in The New York Times and the Washington Post.In this conversation we're focused on critique; the different forms it's taken across Col's practice, from design briefs and university critique sessions, to the regular group he's kept going with artist friends since graduating, to the more public feedback loop of prize entries and outdoor projections. We get into what happens when you action too much feedback at once, how to filter voices without shutting them out, and why a second set of eyes sometimes surfaces something in your work that you couldn't yet name yourself.Find Col Mac here on instagram and here on his website. You can find the podcast here on Instagram & here on substackThanks so much for listening! Feel free to rate, review & share if you enjoyed it, this helps other people find the show Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today I'm talking with sisters Kass and Lauren Hernandez, the fibre artists behind Crossing Threads. This was an interesting conversation about what creative strategy actually looks like in practice; the real, week to week decisions that go into building a sustainable creative practice.Kass and Lauren are first generation Australians of Filipino heritage, living and working on Wangal and Gadigal Land in Sydney. They create one of a kind fibre and textile artworks; tapestries, woven pieces, soft sculptures, and framed textiles for both residential and commercial spaces.We talk about their weekly WIP structure (which they complete on Fridays and come back to fresh on Mondays), how they use Slack to communicate across the business, and why they time-track everything using Toggl. We get into how they filter every opportunity through a set of ROIs; financial gain, brand positioning, exposure, relationships, community, and creative growth; and why saying no is one of the most valuable things they do.We also chat about what it means to work with your sister, navigating feedback, dealing with imposter syndrome, and how becoming mothers was ultimately the catalyst for going full-time.This is one of those conversations that made me want to take notes! I hope you get as much out of it as I did. We mentioned a lot of different systems and tools in this one and you’ll find a complete list on the Substack post here. Find Kass and Lauren here on their website and here on Instagram.You can find the podcast here on Instagram & here on substackThanks so much for listening! Feel free to rate, review and share if you enjoyed it, it really does help other people find the show. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode I’m talking with painter Alyssa Monks about how feedback, both internal and external, shapes an artist’s work and confidence.We explore what kinds of critique have helped her over her career and how she learned to distinguish useful feedback from noise. Alyssa shares how critical comments that bother you can sometimes be the most revealing.We also dive into the psychological side of creativity: transforming your inner critic from an adversary into a problem-solving partner, trusting your own vision while staying open to perspective, and why asking who you ask for feedback matters.Alyssa reflects on navigating personal and professional critiques, choosing when to ask for input, and why hope and curiosity are essential ingredients in the studio.You can find Alyssa here at her website:  alyssamonks.com,  Here on instagramAnd here on PatreonVideo Available here:If you'd like to watch this conversation, you can find selected episodes of The Creative Kind on YouTube and on Substack. Later this year I should be able to publish videos on Apple and Spotify and will update this feed then too.  Just search The Creative Kind Podcast or follow the link in the show notes to watch the full interview with Alyssa. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, I’m joined by landscape painter Debbie Mackenzie, who lives and works on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula. Debbie shares how her paintings grow out of the places she spends time in, and how her ideas evolve naturally as she works toward a solo exhibition.We talk about what it means to build a body of work rather than individual paintings, and how each piece can influence the next. Debbie explains her unusual process of photographing inspiration and then never looking at the images again, relying instead on memory and feeling to guide her compositions.We also get into the realities behind the scenes; logistics, deadlines, long studio days, balancing family life, financial gaps between shows, and the emotional comedown that can happen after finishing a major series. Debbie also reflects on consistency, why she rarely changes her palette, and how small shifts like music or brushes can spark experimentation without disrupting cohesion.You can find Debbie on instagram here, her website here: www.debbiemackenzieart.comShe is represented bySYDNEY - Michael Reid Gallery - Southern Highlands & Michael Reid Northern BeachesMELBOURNE - Kelli Lundberg GalleryYou can find the podcast here on Instagram & here on substackThanks so much for listening! Feel free to rate, review & share if you enjoyed it, this helps other people find the show Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

n this episode of The Creative Kind, I sit down with artists Fleur Woods and Hannah Jensen Fox to talk about the impact and significance of art workshops. Fleur, a fiber artist and paint carver Hannah, share their experiences teaching workshops and how these sessions have benefited their practices and personal growth.We explore the dynamics of workshops, the invaluable connections and community that form, and the surprising ways teaching has strengthened their own skills and confidence.  We also touch on the logistical and financial challenges of running workshops, and the rewarding ripple effects of teaching. Our conversation highlights their shared belief in the transformative power of creativity and the joy of fostering a safe, encouraging, and collaborative environment for artists.Find Fleur Woods here on her website or  here on instagramYou can find more information about Fleur’s courses hereFind Hannah Jensen Fox here on her website or here on instagramYou can find more information about Hannah’s courses hereYou can find the podcast here on Instagram & here on substackThanks so much for listening! Feel free to rate, review & share if you enjoyed it, this helps other people find the showRecommendations from this episode:Fleur Recommended:Song Sung Blue - The MovieThe Alchemist by Paulo CoelhoHannah Recommended:Trent Dalton Audiobooks; Lola in the mirror and Love StoriesJulie Recommended:The Get Seen Artist Workbook by Carrie Scott Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we explore the theme of experimenting and how it shows up across different art practices and life stages. Featuring returning guests Laura Brinin, Robyn Rich, Jenni Stringleman, Kate Owen, Ashley Longshore, and Salma Price-Nell, we look at the many ways artists approach play, curiosity, and taking creative risks.Across these conversations, we discuss what experimentation looks like in practical terms, from changing mediums and revisiting older works, to navigating the tension between intuition, commercial pressures, and personal capacity. The artists share how factors such as parenting, time limitations, and energy levels affect their willingness to take risks, and how small acts of play can keep a long or complex project moving.We also cover the importance of staying connected to a sense of discovery, even in established practices. Whether it’s exploring film, returning to ceramics, testing new colour palettes, or seeking moments of flow, each guest offers insight into how experimentation supports growth, confidence, and momentum.Find Laura Brinin at Side Gallery, website here and their instagram here:Find Robyn Rich's website here and on instagram hereFind Jenni Stringleman's website here and her newsletter here Find Kate Owen's website here and on instagram hereFind Ashley Lonshore's website here and on instagram hereFind Salma Price-Nell's website here and on instagram hereYou can find the podcast on instagram hereThanks so much for listening! Feel free to rate, review & share if you enjoyed it, this helps other people find the showIf you've got a question you'd like me to explore- you can ask it here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.