New Podcast Episode: Calvin Liang - Paint Your Personal View of the World

To kick off season 7, we sat down with Calvin Liang, a successful landscape artist from China based in southern California. He tells us all about his youth starting with going to one of the most prestigious art academies in China, to when he moved to the US and began a career as an illustrator for projects such as The Little Mermaid and SpongeBob SquarePants, to finally being able to live full time from his paintings. Calvin reminds us of the importance of always keeping a high quality level for your work and why that would help galleries and collectors trust you more. He also advises that your work should always speak to you first before putting it out into the world, and also that it should show your own personal vision and not just be a copy of reality. Finally, he tells us about the pieces he will be sending to a show at Pepperdine University in Malibu with the California art club this month and his upcoming workshop in October!

Today, we sat down with Tim Tyler, a realist oil painter based in San Miguel de Allende with a passion for subtle narratives and wide ranges of subject matter, from portraits to landscapes to figurative to still lifes. In this episode, we discuss Tim's perspectives on the realist art movement today and art history, the importance of creative work rather than formulaic painting, and why it's important to break away from societal expectations on art and appreciate paintings from both a technical and intellectual level. He also reminds us that it's good to specialize in your subject matter of choice, and also reminds us of the value of failure and why pushing your own boundaries can help you grow and improve at your craft. Finally, Tim invites us to check out his workshops in San Miguel de Allende!

Steve Atkinson - Ride for the Brand & Ask for the Sale

In this episode, we sat down with Steve Atkinson, an illustrator turned fine artist with a deep-rooted love for the stories of the American West. He tells us all about his past as an illustrator and the lessons that it carried over; from the artistic techniques that help him tell stories through his work, to the discipline and business aspects that help him sell his artwork today. He also reminds us of the practical matters involved in the business of selling art, such as asking for the sale, not being afraid to promote yourself, building relationships with possible collectors, and to always network whenever possible. Finally, he tells us about his mission to pass it forward by teaching others on his YouTube channel and his awesome upcoming workshops at the Bosque Art Center in Clifton, Texas and at Tapatio Spring Hill Country Resort in Boerne, Texas.

Vladislav Yeliseyev - Liberation and Striving for a Masterpiece

In this episode we sat down with Vladislav Yeliseyev, a watercolor and plein air artist who emphasizes the importance of capturing the natural beauty of a place and evoking a particular mood or emotion in the viewer. He tells us about his artistic journey including his education in fine arts and architecture at the Moscow Architectural Institute. He also explains the difference between craft and fine art, why travel can really broaden your horizons both literally and figuratively as an artist, and how experimentation can lead to a masterpiece thanks to the liberation of expression. He also reminds us that developing your style is like developing your own unique handwriting: it happens with time and repetition and isn't forced. Finally, he tells us about his awesome online courses and incredible upcoming painting cruise workshop through the Italian Riviera and France!

William Schneider - Don't "Try" to Find Your Voice, Let it Emerge

In this episode, we sat down with William Schneider, a realist painter and renaissance man at heart with a passion for painting, music, and experimentation to find out how things work. Bill tells us all about his beginnings as a touring musician, how he started a financial business, and then later became a full-time artist. He reminds us of the importance of working a day-job you actually enjoy while you build up your art career, proper gallery etiquette so you always have a good relationship with your gallery, and why you shouldn't try to find your voice and instead let it come on its own as you create more paintings. He also recounts the importance of being curious about other things outside of painting and art because it may just tie in perfectly into your work. Finally, Bill tells us about his upcoming demos at the International Association of Pastel Societies and at the Plein Air Convention.