The Creative Kind

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 instagram
And here on Patreon

Video 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.
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In this episode, I’m joined by artist and writer Diana Weymar, whose practice involves textiles, language, and collective participation. Diana is best known for the Tiny Pricks Project, an ongoing body of embroidered text works responding to political language, poetry, and cultural moments.

We talk about what it means to make and share work when the world feels overwhelming, and how artists decide what deserves their attention. Diana speaks about translating words into thread, the difference between reacting and observing, and why slowness can be a powerful artistic tool in a fast-moving information landscape.

We also discuss criticism, community, and the tension between wanting to speak out and recognising you can’t respond to everything. Diana shares how the project evolved from a small personal experiment into a global participatory archive of over 5,000 pieces, and why she’s comfortable letting a project change shape over time.

This conversation explores political art, creative responsibility, and the quiet but profound impact of making something by hand. We talk about uncertainty, nuance, and the idea that art doesn’t always need to resolve issues, sometimes it simply holds space for them.

Find Diana Weymar here on instagram and also over at @tinypricksproject
and her website here at www.tinypricksproject.com

You can find the podcast here on Instagram & here on substack

Thanks so much for listening! Feel free to rate, review & share if you enjoyed it, this helps other people find the show

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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.com
She is represented by
SYDNEY - Michael Reid Gallery - Southern Highlands & Michael Reid Northern Beaches
MELBOURNE - Kelli Lundberg Gallery

You can find the podcast here on Instagram & here on substack

Thanks so much for listening! Feel free to rate, review & share if you enjoyed it, this helps other people find the show

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In this episode, I’m joined by Sydney based curator, writer, and artist mentor Amber Creswell Bell to talk about what it really means to be an artist right now, particularly in a slower market.

Amber brings a broad perspective from working closely with emerging artists, running a national art prize, curating exhibitions, and spending years inside the commercial gallery system. We discuss what artists can focus on when sales slow, how to think more strategically about your practice, and why relying on luck alone rarely leads to sustainable outcomes.

We talk about treating your art practice as a small business, understanding your audience, and using social media with intention rather than comparison. Amber shares her thoughts on what artists often spend too much energy on, how to research galleries and opportunities more effectively, and why being visible doesn’t have to mean chasing every trend. We also discuss the role of networking and community, the importance of finding a distinct visual language, and how art prizes can help artists build confidence, credibility, and new connections.

Find Amber here on her website or here on instagram
You can find the booking link here

Upcoming Masterclasses:
MELBOURNE 13th March
SYDNEY 28th March
POMONA (Sunshine Coast) 29th April
BYRON BAY 30th April
BRISBANE 20th June
CANBERRA: to be announced soon

You can find the podcast here on Instagram & here on substack

Thanks so much for listening! Feel free to rate, review & share if you enjoyed it, this helps other people find the show

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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 instagram
You can find more information about Fleur’s courses here

Find Hannah Jensen Fox here on her website or here on instagram
You can find more information about Hannah’s courses here

You can find the podcast here on Instagram & here on substack
Thanks so much for listening! Feel free to rate, review & share if you enjoyed it, this helps other people find the show

Recommendations from this episode:
Fleur Recommended:
Song Sung Blue - The Movie
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

Hannah Recommended:
Trent Dalton Audiobooks; Lola in the mirror and Love Stories

Julie Recommended:
The Get Seen Artist Workbook by Carrie Scott
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