The Spiritual Artist Podcast

Podcast host CJMiller chats with artist and author Sharon J. Burton about affirmations and her upcoming book release, "Creative Sparks: 21 Affirmations and Inspiration for Creativity at Midlife."  Sharon believes that many people from her generation have been suppressed from being creative, and when they arrive at midlife, they often have time and money to be creative but encounter blocks. Sharon shares her story of rediscovering her art side and describes her book as a love letter to others, saying, "You can do this."  Each chapter shares her personal story and presents a starting affirmation. The reader can adopt that affirmation or create one more specific to their needs. An affirmation should be written in the present tense. She encourages artists to pivot negative beliefs into positive language that begins a new thought pattern.  The author shares how she selects a new affirmation each day based on her intentions for that day. Before she journals, she writes an affirmation seven times. This ritual puts her in the right frame of mind before beginning the creative process. She also suggests putting your affirmations where you see them in your studio throughout the day. CJ places his affirmation on his mirror to read every morning.  Each chapter deals with issues often faced by artists. CJ and Sharon discuss an issue artists deal with imposter syndrome. Sharon asks the listener to locate where the feeling came from; did someone say something, or was it a voice in your head? Then, write the opposite in an affirmative statement. Write who you truly are.  She cautions that affirmations are a good tool but not a magic pill. Sometimes, we encounter blocks that require professional help. Affirmations are just tools that are part of your arsenal for being a creative person. The artist concludes the podcast by encouraging everyone to celebrate and embrace their creativity.  Sharon J. Burton is an artist, art curator, poet, teaching artist, yoga nidra guide, certified creativity coach, and founder of Spark Your Creative based in the Washington, DC, area.    She is also the host of Spark Your Creative Podcast, which features artists and other creatives using their unique talents to create more mindful communities and a safer world.   She is the author of Creative Sparks: 21 Affirmations and Inspiration for Creativity at Midlife, published by Swiner Publishing Company, which will be released on May 14, 2024.    The book launches on May 14 with a sale on the ebook Kindle version (let's not share the price)  A Virtual Launch Party will start at 7 pm ET on the Spark Your Creative Facebook and YouTube page.  There will be book and swag giveaways, a reading from the book by me, and interviews with two artists who contributed to the book.  To learn more about the book, people can visit https://www.sparkyourcreative.com/book.html.  More information about CJ, can be found at https//www.spiritualartisttoday.com 

Podcast Host CJMiller sits down with SUNY Old Westbury Assistant Professor and Mixed Media Artist Fred Fleisher to discuss symbolism in art. Fred talks about creating art that deals with duality issues and the perceived separateness of each other. The imaginative artist shares his process and expanding practice in maintaining presence and flow when creating his 2-dimensional paintings and sculptural installations. Fred incorporates humor, cynicism, and satire into his work by combining symbolistic elements from our everyday social fabric. In essence, the artist uses humor in art to "get through the day" and deal with society's current challenges. His process includes surrounding himself with a studio full of iconic "parts," entering a flow state and combining different elements to express himself. He discovers an idea for something, works it out, and then allows some freewheeling while sketching the image.  Fred uses his phone and iPad to set up his rough composition. From there, he goes to his canvas, where the idea progresses and emerges. "I allow energy to unfold and see what happens when I put disparate things together," he said.  His creations include assemblage art as well as 2-dimensional surfaces. Fred sources " Spiritual Moderns: Twentieth-Century American Artists and Religion" by Erica Doss and "The Spiritual Artist" by Christopher J. Miller as inspired sources.  In conversation, Fred ponders whether symbolism can stop us from spiritually communicating something more significant, while CJ ponders the opposite. As CJ prepares for an upcoming show, he struggles with not adding symbolic elements. CJ shares how many of us try to qualify our spiritual worth by whether our art is successful. We are not trying to validate our worth when we create art. Both agree that we shouldn't let our perceived identities stop us from connecting to Spirit.  CJ and Fred also discussed the writing process. CJ encourages writers to get their thoughts down quickly and edit later. Fred references "The War of Art" by Steven Pressfield. According to Fred, creating art is a way to stop the mind chatter, the thoughts of duality, and practice presence. The podcast concludes with Fred sharing how communication, both verbally and through art, is the key to personal growth. For more information and samples of Fred's work, visit https://www.fredfleisher.net. Fred Fleisher is originally from Pennsylvania and has lived in the New York metropolitan area for over twenty-five years. After enlisting in the Army, he earned an MFA from Queens College, CUNY, a BFA in Painting & Drawing, and a BS in Art Education from Penn State University. Both nationally and internationally, Galleries have represented his work, and he has had recent solo exhibitions in Brooklyn and New York City.  He has been included in several exhibitions and numerous group exhibitions while working with curators in the art world. He also organizes and curates exhibitions and is an Assistant Professor at SUNY Old Westbury. For more information on CJ and his art retreats, visit www.spiritualartisttoday.com. His book, "The Spiritual Artist," is available on Amazon. 

In this episode, host CJ Miller questions Peace and Human Rights Activist Hadi Jawad on ways each of us can promote peace in our communities. How does someone promote Human rights and Peace on an individual scale? Hadi encourages the listener to familiarize themselves with the 30 principles of the Univeral Declaration of Human Rights and begin looking at news articles through the Human Rights lens. Podcast Host CJMiller met Hadi Jawad while serving on an Interfaith Panel with a diverse group of Christians, Muslims, and Jews and quickly became friends. According to Hadi, it is ingrained in the human spirit to love and be kind to each other. Hadi is a Dallas peace, justice, and human rights activist. He is a follower of the principles of non-violent resistance, as exemplified by the Reverend Martin Luther King and Mahatma Gandhi, and he opposes militarism and war. He served on the board of the Dallas Peace Center as an organizer from 1997 to 2015, chairing their Middle East Peace Committee and media spokesperson. He led efforts to organize protests against the US invasion of Iraq that culminated in the largest anti-war demonstration in Dallas history on February 15, 2003.   Hadi comes from a culture steeped in oral tradition and values the importance of storytelling and shares a story from his youth playing in his neighborhood. A wandering Sufi walked by and engaged him. The Sufi was dressed in traditional clothes and holding a begging bowl. At the end of the conversation, the Sufi stabs the dirt with his stick and picks something up. He motions for Hadi to put it in his mouth. In his memory, Hadi tasted the sweetest candy that he had ever had in the whole world and recognized the mysticism of the world.  The future activist was always gravitating to finding the good and miraculous in relationships. While Hadi was passionate about mathematics, he didn't want to enter the arms industry as an engineer, and instead, he pursued managing and owning a forklift business. Only years later did he listen to his true calling and decide to be an advocate for Peace and nonviolence. According to Hadi, Judaism is the root of a tree, the trunk and the branches are Christianity, and Islam/Sufism is the foliage. Hadi explains some principles of Sufism. Sufis believe that anything material and non-material is one being, regardless of the question: Love is the answer. He defines this as the unity of being. How do you stay in the centeredness of Peace: When you're heart is being pierced, feel the pain and stay true to yourself. We are connected through our suffering. Reach out to others. Express gratitude for being alive.  Hadi is drawn to helping the underserved. He tends to look for opportunities to help those who have fallen through the cracks, and he believes that comes from his mystical side. He's drawn to mysticism and mystical thought and believes that love is mysticism.  According to Hadi, mystics understand that many of our desires are counterfeit coins and that mystics know where to find the real gold. Hadi shares a story about a villager who demands a diamond from a mystic. The diamond is represented as a rock, and the villager returns it the next day and says, "Give me the wealth that made it so easy for you to give the largest diamond in the world away." Hadi believes that mystics know where the wealth is. It's not in your car. It's not in your relationships. It's not in a mansion. It's in our hearts. It's in love. Hadi is working with  Rick Halpern, Director of the Human Rights Program at SMU, to make the City of Dallas a Human Rights City that supports the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This document is uploaded to the Spiritual Artist Today website and can be found in the practice guides section. He concludes the inter

CJ interviews Dan about his current one-person show, "Pollinator / Not Pollinator (But mostly Bees)," at the Texas Discovery Gardens at Fair Park until April 28, and about the challenges of a solo show. Dan shares how he considered many different aspects when theming his show: The Texas Discovery Gardens location His attraction to drawing insects His environmental consciousness His poetry A bit of humor  He explains how producing a solo show differs significantly from submitting to a group show. It forces you to focus on your message, quality, and intent. A solo show expresses a unique aspect of you; who are you?  Environmental awareness is a strong message for Dan's show. Art has a responsibility to express the existential issues that we face today. You cannot find a place on the earth that doesn't have evidence of human beings.  Dan's show features paintings of insects and animals, all represented in a square format. Dan chose to present each creature abstractly to make an environmental statement. Additionally, he wanted to challenge himself compositionally by working within the confines of a small square. This exhibition showcases Dan's unique artistic style and his commitment to environmental awareness.  Dan uses writing and fine art separately as well as together. CJ and Dan discuss how he included poetry in his show and agree that artists don't have to "stay in our lane." We can mix different artistic disciplines.   Dan Collins, the local Dallas artist and poet, has maintained an artistic practice his entire life, participating recently in group shows such as Fresh Faces 2 x 2 at the White Rock Bath House and community art events such as the White Rock Studio Tour. He is co-owner of Tree House Studio with his wife, Rebecca, where they offer classes and workshops. His poetry has been published in various print journals and online. He is a commercial printer by profession. Now that he is closing in on retirement, he is looking forward to devoting all his time to visual and literary creative pursuits. He has contributed to and participated in the local literary scene in various capacities for over a decade. For more information on CJ, visit www.spiritualartisttoday.com.Instagram: cjmillerart, thespiritualartistpodcast TikTok: spiritualartist123 YouTube: spiritualartist123 Facebook: @thespiritualartistpodcast

Podcast Host CJ Miller sits down with writer, artist, and podcaster Sally Jean Fox to discuss her new book, "Meeting the Muse After Midlife, a memoir about finding hope and meaning after 50"– mainly through creative expression. Sally's journey includes releasing limiting beliefs, tapping into her intuition, and listening to the guidance of two muses, Isabel and Marco. She explains that aging is not all doom and gloom, nor a bed of roses, but the ideal place to take creative risks. We keep our imagination and creative power throughout our entire lives. CJ opens the podcast by asking Sally to unpack one chapter of her book, “Finding the Girl in Madras." Sally explains how the "girl in Madras" is her own younger self and shares how two boys teased and humiliated her in fourth grade. She carried the shame of the experience for many years. As she began her muse-led journey, she released the pain caused by their comments and accepted herself. Part of her healing included drawing faces and realizing that there are no ugly faces for an artist. Ultimately, it became a healing journey. CJ encourages listeners to find a childhood photo, re-examine it with fresh eyes, and send love to their youthful selves. Sally recommends drawing the photo, writing about it in your journal, or even singing a song about it. Sally originally hesitated to share the concept of her muses, subtle personified presence that came into her life for guidance. Her first muse, Isabel, was gentle and maternal. Her second Muse, Marco, had a stronger, encouraging voice. While she wrestled with the question of their source, she decided it didn't matter; her muses rebuffed her inner critic and provided a counterweight. Approval is seductive, she emphasizes, but ultimately, we should enjoy the freedom to be ourselves. Sally refers to some of Father Richard Rohr's teachings: the first half of our life is about building infrastructure, ego, and financial gain; the second half is an opportunity to embrace our spirituality. Ultimately, she encourages the listener by issuing this challenge, "Do you help people in life? Do you forgive? Do you seek joy? Do you want to eliminate suffering in the world? Those are the things that speak to me." The writer holds an MBA and PhD from Fielding Graduate University and lives with her horse and husband on an island near Seattle. For more information, visit her site, www.engagingpresence.com, and follow her Engaging Presence blog, or listen to her podcast, "Vital Presence."  For more information on CJ's book, podcast, or Spiritual Artist Retreats, visit www.spiritualartisttoday.com. His book, "The Spiritual Artist," can be found on Amazon. 

How do we use our perceived disabilities and turn them into assets? In this episode, Host CJ Miller interviews Photo Realism Artist and Art Educator Leonard Buscemi (Lenny) on a unique gridding system that has propelled his students to win state and national awards. Born with ADD and dyslexia, Lenny was raised in a "disability-aware" household and forced to discover fresh ways to navigate his artistic skills. He's developed a precise method of gridding to create stunning works of photorealism, leading to a life-long passion for helping those with mental handicaps and disabilities. While waiting for his father during a sales call, Lenny found a book with an art activity where you draw as you look at a grid overlay on an original image. Later, he read about Johannes Vermeer and the use of a camera obscura. A camera obscura is a box, tent, or room with a small hole in one side or the top. Light from an external scene passes through the hole. The artist used a projector to trace the image. Lenny was experimenting with these techniques when his teacher emphasized the imp His art mentor often said, "It doesn't matter how you get to the result with artwork. It's the result that matters. You don't walk around a museum and say, "How did they do that." Lenny discusses how to make a grid for painting to help his students with their process. He found a way to use the system without leaving marks on the art and recommends starting with black-and-white projects before moving on to color.  Lenny references the book by Betty Edwards, "Drawing from the Right Side of the Brain," as good reference material. He recommends breaking the art process down into bite-sized pieces. CJ and Lenny discuss the importance of honoring art students by displaying their work at home and in schools to encourage creativity. He believes in positive reinforcement. Lenny says, "Inspiration is for amateurs. It's about doing the work." Lenny paraphrases Romans 8:28, "All things work together for those who love the Lord." According to the art educator, "We can experience bad things and say they destroyed us, or we could say that they created character in us so we can assist others." 

In this podcast, CJ Miller explores and unpacks the effects of trauma and creativity with psychotherapist Dr. Don St. John.  Dr. Don has spent a lifetime exploring healing modalities after being raised by a physically and verbally abusive mother and an "almost non-existent" father. His recently revised book, "Healing the Wounds of Childhood and Culture," is available on Amazon. He has been engaging the four pillars of wholeness for almost 60 years: the Somatic, the Psycho-emotional, the Relational, and the Spiritual," and has taught and presented to the US, Canada, New Zealand, and Brazil. CJ shares how he often asks his art students to reflect on their lives and see how their artwork was received as a child. He has found that moving past these situations can release new levels of creativity. Dr. Don explains that his first response to the abuse was to freeze and live in a fantasy world. It wasn't until his early twenties that he recognized a need for healing. "Trauma affects your entire being, even your very tissues," said Dr. Don.  "It affects our ability to relate to each other and our capacity for love." There is a creative aspect in turning those wounds into gold. The interview includes the importance of listening to ourselves and others, addressing stored trauma in the body through the Continuum Consciousness movement, reexamining cultural belief systems, expressing gratitude, and listening to that internal voice for guidance.  Dr. Don reminds us to view trauma resolution as an "adventure of a lifetime" and recognize that you're having this moment because of everything that came before. Dr. Don is certified as a Continuum Consciousness Teacher and believes in releasing trauma through the body. Trauma keeps us from living in the present because we are trying to protect ourselves from the wounds of the past. He assists people in fluid movement explorations to release trauma and resistance. Continuum is an approach to exploring how we live in and move through our bodies. Continuum is a portal to a deeper awareness of, and connection to, embodiment, movement, learning, growth, well-being, and creativity. Attention to internal experience through breath, sound, meditative awareness, and fluid movement expands our experience of embodiment. Listeners can find local teachers for this modality by visiting www.continuumteachers.com. In conclusion, Dr. Don encourages listeners to embark on their healing journey and become lifelong learners. He encourages everyone to be aware of the benefits of therapy and concludes the interview by asking, "Can you let love in? Can you increase your capacity for love?" For more information on Dr. Don St. John, visit https://pathsofconnection.com/ Facebook: facebook.com/don.s.john.90 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/don-st-john-36636a55 For more information on CJ Miller, visit https://spiritualartisttoday.com 

Crystal Nelson is a mixed-media artist based in the DFW area. She studied printmaking and painting at the University of Texas El Paso and recently retired from teaching art for over 25 years. In this college artist interview, Crystal shares seven ways to make shapes. Crystal often starts her work with collages by working out the color, shape, and textures. She uses a variety of methods to create exciting shapes in her work.Crystal recognized that she has a limited visual vocabulary after realizing she tends to repeat the same shape repeatedly and has investigated novel ways to discover new shapes. Number 1: Look at the packaging in your recycling bin and examine it for new shapes.Number 2: Cut plastic letter stencils in half to create fresh shapes.Number 3: Explore negative space around letter forms on stencils.Number 4: Before glazing, move the layer of transparent shapes around to see if they reveal a 3rd shape. Number 5: Paint your tissue paper with watered-down Golden Fluid and gel medium, and let it dry before using your stencils to cut out new shapes.Number 6: Use cheap Sulphite drawing paper and paint with sample house paint. Both paints are latex and work together. Extra tip: Use pre-painted Sulphite drawing paper to test placement. Number 7: Cut your shapes of old newsprint or porous book pages. According to Crystal, creating a story, whether layered or textured, is essential. Painting is a dance of adding and subtracting. At the end of the episode, Crystal reminds the listener, "In creativity, there is getting attention and paying attention," and there's room for both. Crystal has created art as long as she can remember, but for the last 4-5 years, she has primarily focused on making process-driven abstract art. She loves exploring intuitive abstract acrylic painting through textures, shapes, and color and finding the story within her surfaces. She teaches mixed media and Gelli printing workshops and recently curated the Deconstructed Exhibit for the Visual Arts League of Lewisville at the Lewisville Grand Theater. Crystal's motto is "Seek Beauty, Seek Truth". For more information, follow Crystal Nelson on Instagram @crysdnelson. For more information on CJ, follow him on Instagram @thespiritualartistpodcast or @cjmillerart 

In this podcast, Chris and Jennifer Roig Francoli discuss her new book, "Make Great Music with Ease! The Secret to Smarter Practice, Confident Performance, and Living a Happier Life." The book is now available on Amazon. Jennifer Roig-Francolí is a prize-winning violinist, certified Alexander Technique teacher, and creator of The Art of Freedom® Method for conscious living and masterful artistry. Jennifer and Chris share the importance of the body when creating music and art. Jennifer shares how she overcame her mind/body split caused by her upbringing through a traditional religion, which denied the body. She unconsciously believed that the mind was more important than the body, but now she knows that is entirely wrong. We are one undivided self: mind, body, and spirit. How does the body come into play? According to Jennifer, what is happening in the body correlates with what is occurring mentally and emotionally inside of us. You must get to the source of the problem, which is how you think. When we have thoughts of judgment, fear, or anxiety, it affects our bodies. As children, we often develop fears of the creative process. When we introduce anxiety or fear into the equation, it is translated as tension in our body. It reveals itself in our artistry when we grip our bodies or grind our teeth. According to Jennifer, art is a minimalist process, a subtractive technique. When you get all the excess stuff out of the way and leave only you, you allow the ideas to come through you. They will be shaped by the container that you are in. When musicians play, it is never the same way twice. Jennifer emphasizes the importance of recognizing that you don't know what is coming through you, but you are open to discovering it. Her process involves the whole self, mind, body, and spirit. If we do not examine our whole selves, then unpleasant habits creep in. She emphasizes the importance of being carefree instead of being too careful or careless. It is the middle space where we find our freedom. Jennifer reviews her "Art of Freedom Method," which has five life pillars: purpose, mind, body, spirit, and artistry. She describes this as a conscious awareness or being the witness to ourselves. It's about being present with curiosity. Jennifer and Chris agree that the creative process involves letting oneself become an instrument of something more significant than our little self. Jennifer reminds the listener that we become open to experiencing our artistry when curious and aware.  For more information on Jennifer, visit her Facebook community https://www.facebook.com/groups/J30DPC/ or her website at www.ArttofFreedom.me. Her unique and inspiring online coaching programs empower musicians of all kinds to break through personal blockages to healing, joy, and musical success. 

In this episode, sculptress and mixed-media artist Molly Sanger Carpenter shares her process of listening. She starts with a sketch but listens to her inner self throughout the process and lets the image unwind. The sculptress uses oil-based modeling clay to create a latex rubber mold for her delightful frames. She often reuses her molds with different subject matter and has made over 30 unique molds. She completes each frame with unique mosaic and painted features. CJ and Molly discuss how every artist has strengths in certain senses, whether audial, visual, or kinesthetic. While each of us is unique in this aspect, learning to trust the process and believe in the magic by listening to what's happening inside you as you create is essential. As a Quaker, Molly has learned to “listen to the inner light" in the art studio. Another pillar of her faith is seeing God in others. She believes God is within everyone, no matter who they are. CJ "sees God in everyone" or sees love in everyone instead. He shares his recent experience at JFK Airport, where he projected love onto every passing person. He encourages his listeners to try this practice the next time they are in public. CJ and Molly refer to Elizabeth Gilbert's "Big Magic" and the concept of a creative muse. When we follow the guidance of this inner Muse, we receive endless amounts of creative inspiration. We learn to listen to the creative impulse and get our ego out of the way.  Molly recognizes that many artists are connected to where they are when they paint. She calls this a "sense of place." Is it necessary for your work to communicate that place when appealing to your client base? According to Molly, there is nothing inherently wrong with your work, whether it conveys a sense of place or not, but exhibiting it in the right place is vital. CJ classifies Molly's work as "Whimsical Romanticism," noting that it does reflect her place in Southern New Jersey: immense skies, sunsets, and wide-open spaces.  The podcast concludes when CJ and Molly agree that artists reach people and can choose to "Be Love" for others. Molly Sanger Carpenter works from her Salem, NJ, farmhouse studio. Trained in classical sculpture techniques and materials, she now often incorporates elements of mixed media to create her artworks. Her current focus is creating "fine and unusual" art icons, combining sculpture, glass, paint, and 24k gold elements. Molly has her work in many galleries on the East Coast. Molly has been featured in exhibitions throughout the Mid-Atlantic and beyond over a decorated 40-year career, including many galleries and venues in Delaware, New Jersey, Philadelphia, and NYC. She has an upcoming show in Traverse City, Michigan, in the Higher Art Gallery. For more information on Molly, visit https://mollycarpenter.com. She can also be found on Instagram by searching for @mollyscarpenter. For more information on CJMiller and his spiritual art retreats, visit https://spiritualartistoday.com. He can also be found on Instagram by searching for thespiritualartistpodcast. 

There is a force behind all things, and Chris calls it Creative Intelligence. He sees this force most clearly in the natural world, where an abundance of plant and animal life continues to increase and multiply. He shares that to practice creativity, we must first form a belief. We must believe that what we desire is possible. Then, we must continue to expand the boundaries of that belief to experience greater and greater creativity. He shares how this process worked for him in 2023, when he left a secure corporate position to pursue his art, speaking, and teaching practice. Chris discusses his most recent experience going beyond his edge of belief by participating in a pop-up art show in Dallas. His installation fees were higher than expected, throwing him into a fear spiral. He began to question his belief in Creative Intelligence.As artists, we must have faith and belief by stepping out and trying new things. Are there things beyond your comfort zone? Is the idea of that goal pushing beyond your belief? Do you really believe? What to you do when you challenge the edge of your belief? Write down your desire.  When we set our desires, we attract countless possibilities. Then, review your life history and check all of the times you stepped beyond your comfort zone and were met with success. Write down at least ten things. These are miracles that occurred in your life. Shore up your belief and support it with previous success. Everything you have achieved came from a creative desire and was answered by Creative Intelligence.Next, list what you can believe in. Start small and create a possibility list. If I can believe this, then maybe, just maybe, I can believe that. As you go into the new year, expand your belief. Finally, see yourself achieving what you desire in your mind's eye.  Trust that Creative Intelligence will deliver. For more information, visit www.spiritualartistoday.com. CJ's book, "The Spiritual Artist,” is available on Amazon. 

Podcast host CJMiller invites Muralist and Multi-disciplinary Artist Alex Cook to return to the show to discuss his "Your Are Loved" mural ministry and share his thoughts on empowering emotions. Alex recently completed a newly commissioned 11' by 55' mural in Downtown Dallas' Thanksgiving Square with a slightly altered message of "Love People." The Thanksgiving Foundation's mission is to come together on common ground to negotiate differences and create understanding and appreciation of our diversity.Alex shares his technique of geometric painting that explores color, line, and pattern on a large scale. He chooses to simplify letters into geometric shapes and notes that we, as a culture, agree that certain curves and lines have meaning. He explains that murals give a community a way to express their beliefs. Alex doesn't choose to control the creative process; it's about letting in new ideas. He doesn't push himself out of his comfort zone but pursues what interests him passionately. Alex has created a mural ministry to promote the concept of "You Are Loved." Alex believes that when people feel loved, it makes a difference. His murals are present in 24 states, and his goal is to have one in every state. The artist shares how a passerby was affected by his message and tries to decide if she should forgive someone. The statement triggered her reflection. Alex believes it is the artist's job to be available and answer these questions. According to Alex, we focus too much on negativity and don't notice the childlike positivity many people exhibit daily. He believes that we can create a culture where it is safe to love. The podcast ends with CJ questioning the role of emotions in the creative process. According to Alex, we are more profound beings than our emotions. Feelings can lead us to a deeper place, but sometimes they can block us. Sometimes, he chooses to abandon what he feels is in service to his greater desire to make good art. We navigate the wilderness with our eyes on Spirit, and the Northstar is love. Alex Cook is a multi-disciplinary artist living in Boston, MA. Since 1997, he has created over 240 murals in 22 states and six countries. In 2014, he made the YOU ARE LOVED Mural Project. He has written and recorded six albums of original songs and performs around the US. He recently released a book, "You Are Loved, Spiritual and Creative Adventures, A Memoir". He is an avid basketball player and collector of art books. For more information, you can follow Alex on Instagram @stonebalanceart or visit his website https://stonebalancer.com 

CJ opens this podcast by pondering the concept of gratitude. He shares his appreciation for a great year, including multiple speaking engagements at several art groups and Artisan Santa Fe, his successful solo show "Emotional RollerCoaster," and his first Spiritual Artist Retreat at Lake Texoma, north of Dallas. He mentions that the highlight of his Spiritual Artist Retreat was realizing the importance of finding an art community. He encourages the listeners to find a local group of artists in their community. According to Chris, gratitude is shifting consciousness and aligning yourself with this higher power. Creativity occurs in a space of gratitude and love. Align yourself with the love of everything around you and put yourself in that space where you can receive divine intuition from Spirit. He shares his Receptivity Chart and explains that Spirit speaks to us always, but when we are in love and gratitude, we hear the message most clearly. He describes a simple gratitude practice where you use your fingers to count up to 10 things you are grateful for and the importance of starting small. Slowly work yourself up to more substantial and decisive points of gratitude until you mention at least ten things. It will become easier and easier to feel gratitude.  We always have the choice to feel fear or see ease in any situation. Still, when we use a gratitude practice, we align with Divine Intelligence and open our receptivity channel to its guidance. For more information, visit www.spiritualartistoday.com or purchase his book, "The Spiritual Artist" on Amazon. 

CJMiller podcaster sits down with Las Vegas, New Mexico, Print Maker and Artist Julie Sola to discuss the importance of working from within and focusing on what excites you. Julie sells her work at several markets, including the Santa Fe Railyard Artisan Market. Drawing on early childhood memories of her grandparents and Mexican culture, she focuses on whimsical images of animals. Owner of Fat Crow Press, Julie Sola shares how her work tells a story.  Her business, aptly named Fat Crow Press, is based on crows because she feels that crows are loud, noisy, and demanding. According to Julie, crows ask us to get a grip and move on.  CJ and Julie discuss the importance of creating what makes you happy and interest you. Julie doesn't worry about trends; she focuses on what comes from her heart.  "If I like it and it brings me joy, there has to be others that resonate with it," she said. Based on her Mexican heritage, Julie likes to use animals to convey a story, and it is up to the reader to determine what they are seeing.  Julie enjoys creating a narrative with her work driven by imagery rather than words. She has two books available via most bookstores and Amazon, "Run Fast, Milo!" and "Possum Dreams." Chris reminds the listeners to view abundance in many ways, not just financial. There's an abundance of time, flexibility, friends, health, choice, and more. Julie lives by Abraham Maslow's phrase, "You will either step forward into growth, or you will step backward into safety." We all have moments, like oh, it wasn't a good day at the market, but you have to be brave and keep moving. We are artists for the rest of our lives. Julie shares her new obsession, "RoadRunners," and explains that her process starts with an idea that she sketches, draws onto linoleum, and then prints. Her work seems to develop a touch of whimsy as her process evolves. Julie and CJ discuss the PBS Series Craft in America. The show highlights the maker community throughout America and the importance of taking pride in your culture and learning a craft. "I'm in love with what I'm doing, so I'm going to keep going," she said. For more information or to purchase her work, visit https://fatcrowpress.com/. For more details of CJ’s work, visit www.spiritualartisttoday.com. His book, "The Spiritual Artist,” is available on Amazon.   

CJ Miller invites Scottsdale, Arizona gallery owner and art blog educator Jason Horejs (pronounced Horsh) into his recording studio to challenge misconceptions about best artist practices. Jason’s recent blog titled, “Why Artists Should Focus On Quantity Over Quality,” caused an online stir. Jason unpacks the benefits of focusing on quantity over quality and shares his experience on how galleries work, how to approach galleries and create long-lasting relationships with them. According to Jason, some quality can only come through quantity. By focusing on output and striving to increase production we grow as artists. He notes a parallel between artists that are successful and prolific. The more work you put into the world, the larger your success. He declares that we should aim for both; quantity and quality. Multiple benefits come from shifting into a quantity mindset. An artist should review their current level of production and increase it by 25%. Artists may labor over artwork longer than they should according to Jason. CJ and Jason discuss Malcolm Gladwell’s 10,000-hour rule. There is no substitute for being in the studio and creating.  CJ shares the importance of following your intuition; quantity makes you better and better at following that conversation and listening to that impulse. He shares three key additional points; you deserve to be in a gallery, it’s a numbers game, and develop a consistent brand. Jason encourages artists to know that they are good enough to get into galleries. There are many different galleries and there is a place for your work. The key is to align it with collector interests and demands. Start the process of locating galleries immediately.  What does a gallery consider when choosing an artist? An artist should focus on creating consistent and cohesive work. When a gallery sells a work they need to do marketing, promote your work, and sell it multiple times. If your work is completely different, that process has to be restarted each time. When you find a passion in a style, dive deep into it. Find a common thread in your work that ties it all together and demonstrate consistency in at least five of these areas: subject matter, color palette, style, thematic elements, medium, and presentation. Finally, once you start approaching galleries remember that it’s a number game; approach many, many galleries. You’ll go through many no’s before you get a yes’s. Use the mindset of approaching 100’s of galleries. Jason claims Nike’s tagline, “Just do it,” when creating art, and keep in mind the logistics of building a successful art business. 

My solo show closes this weekend, and I'm taking a short respite in Santa Fe. I decided to re-release one of my favorite story-telling episodes about friends, trust, and guidance. I hope you enjoy this early episodeA Recap:Listen to this heartwarming story about Chris' recent trip to Santa Fe. After taking several weeks off from producing "The Spiritual Artist Podcast," host Christopher Miller shares his harrowing adventure through the hills of Santa Fe to visit a sick friend. Chris initially met artist Carolyn on his first journey to New Mexico and felt a deep desire to visit her during a time of need. A flat tire, an intermittent phone signal, and rocky terrain challenge him to understand the true meaning of control and Spiritual guidance. He is reminded to seek those moments of awe; look for beauty, release control, and trust his Spiritual guidance.For more information, consider purchasing a copy of "The Spiritual Artist" on Amazon or visiting http://www.spiritualartisttoday.com.

Trans femme, genderqueer spiritual drag artist Bonnie Violet shares how the creative process out pictures in her drag performances and speaking engagements. She has learned to lean into Grace to expand her role as an artist and let her inner child out.  As a child, she was constantly told that she was not masculine enough or big enough by her father, but drag lets her lean in and embrace her femineity. She explains how today's gay, lesbian, biracial, and trans stereotypes limit our full creative expression. Our relationship to how we see ourselves impacts how we approach our lives.  "When you see me, if you only see a trans person, then you don't see me," she said. "There's more to me than that."  Bonnie Violet shares her definition of grace. When we recognize our grace, we realize that we are already worthy. We don't practice creativity to make ourselves whole; we are creative just because.  She explains how grace has expanded her view of life. She uses the definition of a White House as a metaphor. When a 10-year-old defines the term "White House," it differs from that of a 40-year-old. Our understanding of what "a white house" means enlarges. We can lean into our knowledge.  Bonnie has learned to embrace herself wholeheartedly and continues to reveal parts of her that were always there; that is the gift of being a queer, trans, drag artist. She has the opportunity to push limits and boundaries.  Grace puts God back into her life. Bonnie Violet explains that she gets to be part of her creation. She is a co-creator with the creator and has agency. Her creator is always with her.  Bonnie ends the interview by reminding the listener that art helps us stop long enough to be present with ourselves. She has chosen to lace her narrative with a spiritual threat and enjoys teaching that process to others.  Bonnie Violet is a trans femme genderqueer spiritual drag artist and digital chaplain. She is a YouTuber & Host of a queer chaplain podcast with such series as Drag & Spirituality, TranSpirit & Faith Leaders.   She co-hosts Splintered Grace with her conservative Christian aunt & At the CCC recovery podcast.   Creator and founder of Allies Linked for the Prevention of HIV & AIDS (a.l.p.ha.), the annual Drag & Spirituality Summit.  Bonnie Violet shares her experience, strength, and hope with HIV for 24 years, recovering from drugs, alcohol, and sexual assault, among other things, for 14 years in classrooms, community centers, churches, online, and pretty much anywhere else she is invited.   As a queer chaplain, she is present with people in death and dying to self by helping to lace one's narrative with a spiritual thread to remind one of their resilience, strengthen faith in self, create serenity in the now, and instill hope for their future. For more information on Christopher J. Miller, visit www.spiritualartisttoday.com or purchase his book on Amazon.

Are you in the channel of love? Are you practicing love consciousness?  After Podcast host Christopher Miller spends the afternoon volunteering in the Equity Texas booth during Carrollton Pride, herealizes that we have one resource that will never run out; love. Why celebrate LGBTQ diversity? Because diversity inspires creativity. Chris notices the incredible creativity in dress and expression. Each attendee demonstrates their self-love through their clothing and generosity. Why do we often find ourselves hesitant to practice love? What are we afraid of? We have two main reasons we resist love; we're worried that we only have so much available, and we think we must be totally like those we love. Real love isn't limited. When we love one thing, it doesn't take our love away from us. There is no limitation to the amount of love we can share, and when we love and accept others, it doesn't make us all alike. If those reasons aren't enough, Chris explains a practical reason to demonstrate love. When we practice love consciousness to release creativity, we create possibilities. When we are feeling love, we are most aligned with Spirit. When we are in a state of love without judgment or fear, that is when creativity and ideas flow. These ideas have no limitation to solving any world crisis. Are you in the channel of love? Chris encourages the listener to practice loving those they encounter this week despite whether they are like you or of the same beliefs.

In this episode, Dallas-based multi-media artist Ann DeRulle shares how she receives intuitive guidance to create her transformative, inspirational, and uplifting paintings. She sees an image or hears words instructing her to create detailed pictures that display sacred geometry, often tiered through plexiglass layers that emanate transformative energy. Ann and Chris discuss her creative process and how she receives Divine Guidance to make art that resonates with energy. Chris experiences an "aha" moment when he realizes that he can receive guidance during the planning stage of a project as well as during the creative act. According to Ann, humanity is migrating from an external world of 3-D external sustenance to a 5-D world of eternal sustenance. She deconstructs her "Love Without End" painting to share how her geometry, grids, color choice, line work, and position provide an energetic charge. Other images in her 5-D Transformative Series include Evolution, Inspiration, Consciousness Manifested, and Ascension. Ann's ever-evolving work synthesizes 25+ years of scientific/spiritual/art study, including more than 15 energy-balancing modalities plus intuition. In addition to her artistic creations, Ann provides energy healing to individuals and environmental remediation to home and office locations through her Quantum Solutions business. Ann asks the listeners to recognize themselves and their environment. What are you resonating with that you don't want to be resonating with? And what do you want to resonate with? Ann DeRulle founded Life Changes Unlimited in 1997 and integrates 25 years of scientific and spiritual training in personal empowerment consultations using her exclusive Quantum Solutions process. Ann also clears toxic, detrimental energies in our homes and offices by transforming them into positive, life-enhancing energy through her Zapp Technique. For more information, visit https://annderulleart.com. 

Dallas Glass Artist Amy Voss shares her process for making glass sculptures from damaged guitars, dealing with criticism of your art, and other essential life lessons. Amy was passionate about music and was attracted to creating art from old guitars. She explains that she avoids huge grout lines by cutting precise glass and using Frit and gold leaf gilding. She doesn't use resin on the entire face of the guitar because it creates a manufactured look; she prefers leaving a raw, organic look to her glass sculpture. During the interview, Amy and Chris discussed the importance of being present while working and spending the appropriate amount of time. According to Amy, you enjoy the process for what it is, or you shouldn't be doing it. Ourr art comes from a place that is personal to the artist. What's important about your art is your experience when you make it. Amy and Chris discuss stepping out in embarrassment. Amy often stands anonymously by her work during a show while listening to the viewers' comments. Amy encourages artists not to respond to negative criticism. She needed her life experiences to learn how to let things go. Get to a point when you have zero fucks to give. Surround yourself with people that do get you. Take the good with the bad, and don't take it personally. Sometimes making your point and making yourself heard happens by being silent. You cannot separate personal growth from creativity. According to Amy, life imitates art. The more confidence you have in your work, the better your work is going to be. Amy grew up in Houston, TX, and graduated from Southern Methodist University in Dallas. After graduating college, Amy worked in the entertainment industry as Southwest Promotions Director for Lyric Street Records, Affiliate Relations Director for ESPN Radio and ABC Television network.  A self-taught artist, Amy experimented with various approaches before she landed on her signature style: One-of-a-kind glass sculptures that incorporate the body of an acoustic guitar as the canvas. In 2009, she launched glass Axes to sell bespoke works and educate customers about her process. Many of Amy's guitar sculptures have been acquired by private collectors, including entertainer Katy Perry and renowned entertainment industry execs, hotels, and restaurants. She is currently represented in Europe by Hiren Kothari of Gallery Privé. Amy currently resides in Dallas with her husband and son. For more information about Amy, visit https://glassaxes.com/