Paintbrush & Ivories

Oct 19 2023

Paintbrush & Ivories Podcast artwork

Paintbrush & Ivories is the podcast for artists, curious creatives and art lovers that connects creativity with heart and soul. Twice a month, your hosts, Michelle Walker and Jennifer Ruth Russell share generous, soulful conversations about what it takes to have a joyful, fulfilling life while balancing and nurturing your creativity. If you are someone who feels ’called’ to your creative pursuits, then this is the podcast for you. Michelle and Jennifer wish to inspire you to be every bit the artist you’re meant to be. Michelle Walker is a visual artist who lives in a rural town on the east coast of Australia and is passionate about creating art that honours the beauty and wonder of Mother Nature. Jennifer Ruth Russell is a award-winning singer song writer and spiritual teacher based on the east coast, USA. They bring you perspectives from across the creative pursuits and the Pacific Ocean! Michelle Walker – www.michellewalkerart.com and www.instagram.com/michellewalkerart. Jennifer Ruth Russell – www.jenniferruthrussell.com and www.patreon.com/JenniferandMichael.

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Finding Ease in the Creative Process

Oct 19 2023 29 mins

After a pause in their podcasting, Michelle and Jennifer get back together to talk about what creative life has been like over the last six months. One key idea that has emerged has been about letting go of the turmoil that sometimes surrounds us in our creative practice and how releasing this leaves more bandwidth for our artistry. Artists and resources mentioned in this episode:

Art that works for Nature

Aug 03 2023 36 mins

Mending & Tending: Art that works for Nature is a commissioned project by local artists Samantha Moss, Jess Poulsen and Shona Wilson currently happening in the Byron Shire. Each artist shares a deep connection and appreciation for the environment, as well as an established art practice working with nature and its precious resources. In today’s episode, Michelle speaks with Je

Reflections on Mounting an Exhibition

Jul 08 2023 33 mins

After two months in the gallery, Michelle’s Ash, Mud & Tears exhibition has come down. In this episode, Michelle is joined by her exhibition collaborator, Jude White to discuss what’s emerged from the exhibition experience. They discuss the impact of the exhibition on their art practice and the learnings about how to mount a great show and make it a success. Artists and res

Need to Recharge Your Energy Levels?

May 18 2023 25 mins

Do you sometimes feel too tired to make art? Do you ever struggle with managing energy levels in the ebb and flow of your creative practice? If yes, then this episode is worth a listen. Michelle and Jennifer talk through the energy dips that can result from finally getting a big project across the line or just the life of a multi-hat wearing creative with many, many projects on the

Completing an Exhibition of Work with Jude White

May 04 2023 30 mins

After months of intense work, Michelle Walker and her creative collaborator, Jude White have finished their artwork for the 'Ash, Mud & Tears' exhibition. In this episode, Jude joins Michelle and Jennifer to talk about the making of the work, the ideas behind the show and some early learnings from how it all came together. In Ash, Mud & Tears, Michelle Walker & Jude White present a

Reflecting with Jennifer on her new book: Opulence Infusion

Apr 20 2023 31 mins

On the equinox, Jennifer Ruth Russell released her 4th book, Opulence Infusion. In today episode, Michelle interviews Jennifer and finds out more about how the lessons and processes contained in the newest book serve artists in the practice of their craft. Resources mentioned in this episode: The Seven Sacred Flames book by Aurelia Louise Jones Opulence Infusion book by Jennifer -

The Power of Daily Habits

Apr 06 2023 29 mins

Do you ever think about how your daily choice of activities affects your life and what you want to ultimately achieve? It’s the automatic (sometimes) unconscious behaviours that we do repeatedly that's in focus today. Jennifer and Michelle consider the things they do daily (or don’t do) to ensure they are strong, centered and able to give their greatest in the studio. What’s

Masterminds for Artists with Lisa DePamphilis

Mar 15 2023 33 mins

In this episode, Michelle and Jennifer welcome their dear friend and fellow ‘mastermind’ goddess, Lisa DePamphilis to the podcast. Through meeting (nearly) weekly for the past 7.5 years, the three women have grown an understanding about how to do this activity well. Masterminds can be hugely beneficial for your life and creative practice… and they can be an energy drain. In t

Can You Really Make Money in Art? with Michele Luminato

Mar 02 2023 48 mins

If you have you ever struggled to believe that you CAN make good money from art, then this episode will be of interest. Michelle and her guest, American born contemporary artist Michele Luminato talk about the importance of mindset in our journey as artists making an income from our art. Michele brings a depth of experience from “corporate creative” and discusses the knowledge

Your Creative Identity with Liz Ackerley

Feb 20 2023 36 mins

Have you ever pondered your creative identity and style? As artists, this is a key question. Prompted by a quote from Cezanne: ‘The most seductive thing about art is the personality of the artist himself’, Michelle and her guest, Liz Ackerley, a mixed media abstract artist from the UK, discuss the pursuit of our creative identity in our work. The questioning of our interests, f