Emergence: How Margaret Johnson Turned a 25-Year Vision Into a Solo Show [Podcast]
Margaret Johnson had been carrying a vision for 25 years โ large-scale botanical paintings that brought together her childhood love of nature, her training at the Denver Botanic Gardens, and her roots as an expressive, intuitive painter. This episode is the story of how that vision finally came to life in Emergence, her solo exhibition at The Canyons Gallery at Frasier Meadows in Boulder, Colorado, curated through the Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art.
We talk about what it really takes to say yes to the biggest show of your career โ including how Margaret worked through her inner critic, built a month-by-month studio schedule, and used a strategic marketing plan that included personal invitations to key contacts in the art world. One of those personal invitations led directly to a new opportunity to place her work. That story alone is worth the listen.
We also go deep on what it means to work with a curator who helps you see the threads in your own work across 25 years, the unex...
The Power of Stepping Away from Your Art
How can I gain fresh insights and improve my art when I feel stuck or overwhelmed by the constant demands of my creative process and promotion?
ย If you've ever found yourself immersed in the whirlwind of creative life โ painting, marketing, and scrolling through countless art pieces on your phone โ you're not alone. I've been there too, but recently, I stumbled upon something profound. Something that's been right under my nose but took a temporary step away from my studio to truly appreciate.
For the past few weeks, I've had to hit the pause button on my artistic endeavors due to an impending move. The chaos of packing and organizing has temporarily led me astray from my beloved canvas. At first, I missed my paints and brushes like an old friend, but then, something remarkable happened.
New Perspectives, Fresh Insights
As artists, we're often caught in the never-ending cycle of creating, promoting, and seeking inspiration. It's a beautiful but hectic dance that can sometimes drown ...