Today, Ceri introduces you to the extraordinary artist Peter Gronquist. Peter grew up surrounded by creative energy and unconventional thinkers. His work is rooted in resilience, experimentation, and emotional connection to the natural world.

Peter and Ceri discuss his artistic journey, the importance of persistence, parenting, and the messy beauty of making work that defies categories. If you’ve ever wondered how to stay true to yourself while navigating the sometimes-maddening art world, this episode is for you.

The Artist Mastermind Circle: Ready to stop second-guessing and start building momentum in your art career? Applications are now open for the next Artist Mastermind Circle—a six-month coaching programme for mid-career artists who are serious about growing their confidence, income, and opportunities.

Apply by 21 July at https://cerihand.com/artist-mastermind-circle/ and take the next bold step.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Being surrounded by creative people is inspirational, but a quiet space to create is essential.
• Start anywhere – Peter started with coffee shops.
• Consistency and structure enable you to sustain creative output over years and facilitates a balanced family life.
• Work with dealers who back you while experimenting and evolving.
• Be persistent – continue to create through dry spells and uncertainty.
• Without reinvention, creativity dies. Don´t allow commercial success to trap you.
• Writing about your work fuels your creativity.

BEST MOMENTS

“Whenever I have a new series and it starts doing very well, I feel that's when I need to get out.”

“Almost every day I'll write something in my notes, a stream of consciousness, almost. Later, they're invaluable.”

“I can get them to school, work all day, and then go home and pick them up, make dinner, all the normal balance of life things.”

EPISODE RESOURCES

https://www.petergronquist.com

https://www.instagram.com/petergronquist

PODCAST HOST BIO

With over 30 years in the art world, Ceri has worked closely with leading artists and arts professionals, managed public and private galleries and charities, and curated more than 250 exhibitions and events. She sold artworks to major museums and private collectors and commissioned thousands of works across diverse media, from renowned artists such as John Akomfrah, Pipilotti Rist, Rafael Lozano-Hemmer and Vito Acconci. Now, she wants to share her extensive knowledge with you, so you can excel and achieve your goals.

****

Ceri Hand Coaching Membership: Group coaching, live art surgeries, exclusive masterclasses, portfolio reviews, weekly challenges. Access our library of content and resource hub anytime and enjoy special discounts within a vibrant community of peers and professionals. Ready to transform your art career? Join today!

https://cerihand.com/membership/

****

Build Relationships The Easy Way

Our self-study video course, "Unlock Your Artworld Network," offers a straightforward 5-step framework to help you build valuable relationships effortlessly. Gain the tools and confidence you need to create new opportunities and thrive in the art world today.

https://cerihand.com/courses/unlock_your_artworld_network/

****

Book a Discovery Call Today

To schedule a personalised 1-2-1 coaching session with Ceri or explore our group coaching options, simply email us at hello@cerihand.com

****

Discover Your Extraordinary Creativity

Visit www.cerihand.com to learn how we can help you become an extraordinary creative.

This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

This week's shorty is about one simple but powerful shift: getting clear on your goals, what you really want, and how to start getting there. Not just in theory, but in practice, with examples from artists who've done it inside The Artist's Mastermind Circle.

There is a difference between working and progressing. You can be busy every day, posting, planning, painting, and still feel like nothing's actually moving. If that sounds familiar to you, this episode is definitely going to help you to break free.

The Artist Mastermind Circle: Ready to stop second-guessing and start building momentum in your art career? Applications are now open for the next Artist Mastermind Circle—a six-month coaching programme for mid-career artists who are serious about growing their confidence, income, and opportunities.

Apply by 21 July at https://cerihand.com/artist-mastermind-circle/ and take the next bold step.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Getting clear on your goals is essential.
• Set 3 big goals in 3 different areas of your work, e.g. creative, financial, relationships and visibility.
• When you define your goals out loud, momentum starts to build.
• Creative goals don't have to be tied to external validation.
• Goals need to stretch you enough to energise you.
• Set a financial goal that you can actually measure.
• Working out the steps you need to take to achieve each goal, prevents overwhelm and provides you with a full road map to follow.

BEST MOMENTS

“These (goals) aren't vague hopes. They're specific, time-bound and slightly scary.”

“Name a creative goal that actually motivates you.”

“Write down a number, then ask, ‘Where could that income realistically come from without overextending myself or compromising my values?’”

“Apply now, and within six months, you won't just feel clearer, you will be moving ahead.”

PODCAST HOST BIO

With over 30 years in the art world, Ceri has worked closely with leading artists and arts professionals, managed public and private galleries and charities, and curated more than 250 exhibitions and events. She sold artworks to major museums and private collectors and commissioned thousands of works across diverse media, from renowned artists such as John Akomfrah, Pipilotti Rist, Rafael Lozano-Hemmer and Vito Acconci. Now, she wants to share her extensive knowledge with you, so you can excel and achieve your goals.

****

Ceri Hand Coaching Membership: Group coaching, live art surgeries, exclusive masterclasses, portfolio reviews, weekly challenges. Access our library of content and resource hub anytime and enjoy special discounts within a vibrant community of peers and professionals. Ready to transform your art career? Join today!

https://cerihand.com/membership/

****

Build Relationships The Easy Way

Our self-study video course, "Unlock Your Artworld Network," offers a straightforward 5-step framework to help you build valuable relationships effortlessly. Gain the tools and confidence you need to create new opportunities and thrive in the art world today.

https://cerihand.com/courses/unlock_your_artworld_network/

****

Book a Discovery Call Today

To schedule a personalised 1-2-1 coaching session with Ceri or explore our group coaching options, simply email us at hello@cerihand.com

****

Discover Your Extraordinary Creativity

Visit www.cerihand.com to learn how we can help you become an extraordinary creative.

This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

For this episode, Ceri is joined by the fiercely honest, endlessly generous Erika B Hess, a painter, the artistic director of Chautauqua Visual Arts and host of two brilliant podcasts. She's exhibited nationally and internationally, curates shows and publications and has helped build an entire support system for artists.

Erika shares her artist journey, including the moment her paintings stopped being something she controlled and became something she listened to. She talks about learning to say no, building a life with intention and the magic that happens when you let go of good to make space for great. If you're juggling a creative life with caregiving, craving more time in your studio, or learning how to say yes to what truly matters, this episode is for you.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Early on, Erika learned to pivot, which enabled her to pursue her passion as an artist.
• It took Erika nearly 20 years to completely trust her work and produce work that is 100% hers.
• Be honest in your work. People respond to authenticity.
• Don´t hesitate to hire help.
• Say yes to rest, schedule your downtime.
• Talk about your work in an accessible way.
• When your career takes off, saying no and getting in the studio more is essential.
• Don´t be a slave to social media. Use it to showcase your work and keep it up to date.

BEST MOMENTS

“That was the turning point… having to be brutally honest with myself.”

“This kind of success is actually a new space to navigate.”

“Say yes to the painting waiting inside you.”

“You can't make room for new, wonderful, beautiful things if you don't let go of the other behind you.”

EPISODE RESOURCES

https://www.erikabhess.com

https://www.ilikeyourworkpodcast.com/submitwork

https://www.instagram.com/erikabhess

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Field-Guide-Getting-Lost-Canons-ebook/dp/B002VM7FYO

PODCAST HOST BIO

With over 30 years in the art world, Ceri has worked closely with leading artists and arts professionals, managed public and private galleries and charities, and curated more than 250 exhibitions and events. She sold artworks to major museums and private collectors and commissioned thousands of works across diverse media, from renowned artists such as John Akomfrah, Pipilotti Rist, Rafael Lozano-Hemmer and Vito Acconci. Now, she wants to share her extensive knowledge with you, so you can excel and achieve your goals.

****

The Artist Mastermind Circle: Ready to stop second-guessing and start building momentum in your art career? Applications are now open for the next Artist Mastermind Circle—a six-month coaching programme for mid-career artists who are serious about growing their confidence, income, and opportunities.

Apply by 21 July at https://cerihand.com/artist-mastermind-circle/ and take the next bold step.

****

Ceri Hand Coaching Membership: Group coaching, live art surgeries, exclusive masterclasses, portfolio reviews, weekly challenges. Access our library of content and resource hub anytime and enjoy special discounts within a vibrant community of peers and professionals. Ready to transform your art career? Join today!

https://cerihand.com/membership/

****

Build Relationships The Easy Way: Unlock Your Artworld Network

Our self-study video course, "Unlock Your Artworld Network," offers a straightforward 5-step framework to help you build valuable relationships effortlessly. Gain the tools and confidence you need to create new opportunities and thrive in the art world today.

https://cerihand.com/courses/unlock_your_artworld_network/

****

Book a Discovery Call Today

To schedule a personalised 1-2-1 coaching session with Ceri or explore our group coaching options, simply email us at hello@cerihand.com

****

Discover Your Extraordinary Creativity

Visit www.cerihand.com to learn how we can help you become an extraordinary creative.

This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

If you are waiting for the right moment, gallery or person to make your art career click, you could be waiting forever. In this episode, Ceri shares four powerful ways to start earning from your art. Not someday, not once you feel ready, but today….right now.

The strategies Ceri shares are insights that come from the real-world experience of Zawadi, an exceptional artist who had great networking skills and plenty of shows but was still not earning. Then, she joined The Artist Mastermind Circle, the peer support, coaching, forums and masterclasses, shifted everything and enabled Zawadi to take things to the next level and start earning.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Understand what it really takes to be sales and commission ready.
• Ceri´s provides a masterclass to give you a full understanding of how commercial galleries, agents and art advisors really work.
• Prepare the groundwork to make it easy for potential buyers to say yes.
• Maximise the advocates you already have. Re-connect with buyers and people you have worked with or for in the past.
• Don´t let fear and the avoidance behaviours that result from that fear continue to hold you back.
• Group coaching is a powerful way to open up, recognise what is holding you back and find the support you need to take the right action, break through and earn.
• Coaching doesn't just give you answers, it shows you how.
• Registration for the next The Artist Mastermind Circle starts on 13th May.

BEST MOMENTS

“If you're stuck in a loop, waiting to feel ready, wondering when your time will come, let this be the sign - your time is now.”

“Join The Artist Mastermind Circle to get real-time feedback, insight and care from myself and artists like you.”

“She wasn’t quite ready to sell, not because her work wasn´t strong, but because her systems were missing.”

“That shift from feeling like an outsider to realising she had something valuable to offer was seismic.”

PODCAST HOST BIO

With over 30 years in the art world, Ceri has worked closely with leading artists and arts professionals, managed public and private galleries and charities, and curated more than 250 exhibitions and events. She sold artworks to major museums and private collectors and commissioned thousands of works across diverse media, from renowned artists such as John Akomfrah, Pipilotti Rist, Rafael Lozano-Hemmer and Vito Acconci. Now, she wants to share her extensive knowledge with you, so you can excel and achieve your goals.

****

The Artist Mastermind Circle: Ready to stop second-guessing and start building momentum in your art career? Applications are now open for the next Artist Mastermind Circle—a six-month coaching programme for mid-career artists who are serious about growing their confidence, income, and opportunities.

Apply by 21 July at https://cerihand.com/artist-mastermind-circle/ and take the next bold step.

****

Ceri Hand Coaching Membership: Group coaching, live art surgeries, exclusive masterclasses, portfolio reviews, weekly challenges. Access our library of content and resource hub anytime and enjoy special discounts within a vibrant community of peers and professionals. Ready to transform your art career? Join today!

https://cerihand.com/membership/

****

Build Relationships The Easy Way: Unlock Your Artworld Network

Our self-study video course, "Unlock Your Artworld Network," offers a straightforward 5-step framework to help you build valuable relationships effortlessly. Gain the tools and confidence you need to create new opportunities and thrive in the art world today.

https://cerihand.com/courses/unlock_your_artworld_network/

****

Book a Discovery Call Today

To schedule a personalised 1-2-1 coaching session with Ceri or explore our group coaching options, simply email us at hello@cerihand.com

****

Discover Your Extraordinary Creativity

Visit www.cerihand.com to learn how we can help you become an extraordinary creative.

For this episode, Ceri is joined by British Filipino curator, writer and researcher John Kenneth Paranda. He bridges the worlds of art, science and other disciplines to shape global conversations around sustainability, resilience and regenerative practices. They unpack his journey and explore how art is mobilising change and the role institutions like the Sainsbury Centre can play in shaping climate consciousness.

Get ready for an inspiring conversation about creativity activism and the courage to take a stand.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• The language of art is powerful, globally understood and moves people on an emotional level.
• Every city or art space has its own brand and language, but in all of them art touches people, inspires and exposes them to new ideas and makes them think differently.
• Art is inspiring experts from different disciplines to work together to solve climate change.
• We all need to take a clear stand to protect the climate, despite the risks. Be respectful and polite but be effective.
• The Sainsbury centre takes an innovative approach and looks at things holistically.
• The materials and mediums used for A World of Water are deliberately varied to attract people with a wide range of interests. Ken shares examples.
• We need to reduce carbon emissions for exhibitions e.g. loaning locally.
• Artists can play a role by using more sustainable and waste materials.

BEST MOMENTS

“The climate-culture conversation needs to be bridged, needs to be unpacked.”

“The power of art is that it gives you an image, it gives you a particular kind of interface for understanding complexity.”

“Art can unpack the kinds of emotions in us that mobilise us to want to make change.”

“Museums will be very important in creating hope for our public to fight climate change.”

“Should we actually continue making sculptures out of bronze?....”

EPISODE RESOURCES

https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-kenneth-paranada

https://www.sainsburycentre.ac.uk/

PODCAST HOST BIO

With over 30 years in the art world, Ceri has worked closely with leading artists and arts professionals, managed public and private galleries and charities, and curated more than 250 exhibitions and events. She sold artworks to major museums and private collectors and commissioned thousands of works across diverse media, from renowned artists such as John Akomfrah, Pipilotti Rist, Rafael Lozano-Hemmer and Vito Acconci. Now, she wants to share her extensive knowledge with you, so you can excel and achieve your goals.

****

Ceri Hand Coaching Membership: Group coaching, live art surgeries, exclusive masterclasses, portfolio reviews, weekly challenges. Access our library of content and resource hub anytime and enjoy special discounts within a vibrant community of peers and professionals. Ready to transform your art career? Join today!

https://cerihand.com/membership/

****

Build Relationships The Easy Way

Our self-study video course, "Unlock Your Artworld Network," offers a straightforward 5-step framework to help you build valuable relationships effortlessly. Gain the tools and confidence you need to create new opportunities and thrive in the art world today.

https://cerihand.com/courses/unlock_your_artworld_network/

****

Book a Discovery Call Today

To schedule a personalised 1-2-1 coaching session with Ceri or explore our group coaching options, simply email us at hello@cerihand.com

****

Discover Your Extraordinary Creativity

Visit www.cerihand.com to learn how we can help you become an extraordinary creative.

This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

In this episode, Ceri explains how to recognise when fear is holding you back, particularly fear of what others think or of rejection. If you are constantly telling yourself you are not ready or good enough to take the next step in your creative journey, in all likelihood it is fear that is holding you back.

Ceri shares some simple strategies any artist can use to recognise, face and overcome their fears.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Most of the artists Ceri works with do not lack talent, motivation, skill or ideas, yet they struggle to make progress. Usually, it is fear that is holding them back.
• Being afraid is normal, it´s human, so there is no need to be ashamed of feeling that way.
• If you are avoiding something you need to do to make progress, name it. Say it out loud. Fear thrives in silence.
• Sharing your fears with other artists, especially in person, is incredibly powerful. It demonstrates to you that others feel the exact same fear you do, yet many have conquered it, which means you can too.
• Stop using unproductive tasks as a way to avoid the things you fear doing. Ceri shares a simple strategy you can implement immediately.
• Action beats perfectionism.
• Surround yourself with other artists and share your fears openly with them. They truly understand how you feel so you can draw on their support and experience to take action and conquer those fears.

BEST MOMENTS

“You´re not lazy, you’re not unmotivated, and you certainly are not lacking talent, but you might be afraid.”

“I’ve been avoiding pitching for a public commission I really want. I tell myself I’m not ready. But really—I’m scared they’ll say no, or worse…yes.”

“Turn that big shadowy monster into something small enough to hold…name the thing you´ve been avoiding.”

“Fear loves to dress up as perfectionism.”

“You don’t need a bigger network; you need a braver one.”

“Being in a group of artists who are generous, smart and real, changes how you see yourself.”

PODCAST HOST BIO

With over 30 years in the art world, Ceri has worked closely with leading artists and arts professionals, managed public and private galleries and charities, and curated more than 250 exhibitions and events. She sold artworks to major museums and private collectors and commissioned thousands of works across diverse media, from renowned artists such as John Akomfrah, Pipilotti Rist, Rafael Lozano-Hemmer and Vito Acconci. Now, she wants to share her extensive knowledge with you, so you can excel and achieve your goals.

****

Ceri Hand Coaching Membership: Group coaching, live art surgeries, exclusive masterclasses, portfolio reviews, weekly challenges. Access our library of content and resource hub anytime and enjoy special discounts within a vibrant community of peers and professionals. Ready to transform your art career? Join today!

https://cerihand.com/membership/

****

Build Relationships The Easy Way

Our self-study video course, "Unlock Your Artworld Network," offers a straightforward 5-step framework to help you build valuable relationships effortlessly. Gain the tools and confidence you need to create new opportunities and thrive in the art world today.

https://cerihand.com/courses/unlock_your_artworld_network/

****

Book a Discovery Call Today

To schedule a personalised 1-2-1 coaching session with Ceri or explore our group coaching options, simply email us at hello@cerihand.com

****

Discover Your Extraordinary Creativity

Visit www.cerihand.com to learn how we can help you become an extraordinary creative.

Welcome to the 100th episode of Extraordinary Creatives! One hundred thousand listeners, nineteen months and now ranked in the top 1.5% of podcasts and in this episode, Ceri wants to remind you what being an extraordinary creative is all about.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

1. You keep showing up, even when it’s messy.
2. You sit with the dualities.
3. You know risk, failure, and mistakes are part of the deal.
4. You ask curious questions. You stay open.
5. You feel deeply, and it all goes into the work.

BEST MOMENTS

"You know that consistency doesn’t mean doing it perfectly. It means turning up with curiosity, with vulnerability, and with the willingness to try again, even if yesterday felt like a failure.”

“You make because you have to, not for applause, not for approval but because there is something in you that refuses to be silenced.”

“You’re not trying to make safe work, you’re trying to make true work and there’s nothing more courageous than that.”

“You know that the clues to your best work are usually hidden in your foundations, in the early obsessions, the weird childhood drawings, the thing you couldn’t stop doing when no one was watching.”

“You don’t need to be louder. Or quicker. Or more polished. You just need to keep choosing creativity in a world that’s constantly nudging you to quit. You’re not behind, you’re becoming and we’re lucky to witness it.”

EPISODE RESOURCES

PODCAST HOST BIO

With over 30 years in the art world, Ceri has worked closely with leading artists and arts professionals, managed public and private galleries and charities, and curated more than 250 exhibitions and events. She sold artworks to major museums and private collectors and commissioned thousands of works across diverse media, from renowned artists such as John Akomfrah, Pipilotti Rist, Rafael Lozano-Hemmer and Vito Acconci. Now, she wants to share her extensive knowledge with you, so you can excel and achieve your goals.

****

Ceri Hand Coaching Membership: Group coaching, live art surgeries, exclusive masterclasses, portfolio reviews, weekly challenges. Access our library of content and resource hub anytime and enjoy special discounts within a vibrant community of peers and professionals. Ready to transform your art career? Join today!

https://cerihand.com/membership/

****

Build Relationships The Easy Way
Our self-study video course, "Unlock Your Artworld Network," offers a straightforward 5-step framework to help you build valuable relationships effortlessly. Gain the tools and confidence you need to create new opportunities and thrive in the art world today.

https://cerihand.com/courses/unlock_your_artworld_network/

****

Book a Discovery Call Today
To schedule a personalised 1-2-1 coaching session with Ceri or explore our group coaching options, simply email us at hello@cerihand.com

****

Discover Your Extraordinary Creativity
Visit www.cerihand.com to learn how we can help you become an extraordinary creative.