“We do not always create works of art, but rather, experiments.
It is not our intention to fill museums. We are gathering experience.”
Josef Albers
![Eight Instagram caption ideas for artists](https://taraleaver.com/wp-content/uploads/et_temp/8-instagram-caption-ideas-for-artists-893703_700x675.png)
Eight Instagram caption ideas for artists
Ah Instagram. For many of us as artists, it can be a tumultuous relationship. Whether it's trying to do all the 'supposed tos', wondering whether it's worth the time and effort, or the frustrations of low engagement and getting sucked into the algorithm, Instagram can...
![Before and After: Artists share their results from Finish It Week](https://taraleaver.com/wp-content/uploads/et_temp/Before-and-After-5-artists-share-their-results-from-Finish-It-Week-555159_700x675.png)
Before and After: Artists share their results from Finish It Week
I recently ran an experiment I called Finish It Week. Open to any kind of artist, it offered five days of prompts, tips, encouragement, and a pop up Facebook group to help get some of that stack of unfinished works completed, or at the very least progressed! It was by...
![Is it too late for me to start making art?](https://taraleaver.com/wp-content/uploads/et_temp/Is-it-too-late-for-me-to-start-making-art-79707_700x675.jpeg)
Is it too late for me to start making art?
I was doing a bit of research on Google recently, and found this question in the 'people also asked' section: "Is 30 too late to start making art?" My heart actually squeezed with a mix of sadness and indignation {maybe a little outrage} on behalf of anyone asking...
![How to create and use a studio journal](https://taraleaver.com/wp-content/uploads/et_temp/How-to-create-and-use-a-studio-journal-821529_700x675.png)
How to create and use a studio journal
Do you have a studio journal? Despite being someone who has written a journal in some form for most of my life since the age of eleven, I've never kept one specifically for my studio practice. I write about my art in my daily journal, but the insights get lost and...
![Make Cards From Your Art: A mini workshop for repurposing old or unfinished paintings](https://taraleaver.com/wp-content/uploads/et_temp/Make-Cards-from-your-art-a-mini-workshop-649735_700x675.png)
Make Cards From Your Art: A mini workshop for repurposing old or unfinished paintings
There are times in the year, or in our lives, when making art simply cannot be a priority the way we'd like it to. That said, I don't believe that we need to lose our creative selves altogether when there's a lot going on. I'd go so far as to say that those are the...
![Ten great gift ideas for artists](https://taraleaver.com/wp-content/uploads/et_temp/10-great-gift-ideas-for-artists-779144_700x675.png)
Ten great gift ideas for artists
For the last few years I've shared a list of gift ideas for artists for the festive season, and since it's that time again, behold! I bring tidings of great joy. π Whether it gives you ideas for your own list, for your artist friends, or to let your loved ones know...
![Drowning in your own artwork? What to do with what you make](https://taraleaver.com/wp-content/uploads/et_temp/Drowning-in-your-own-artwork-What-to-do-with-what-you-make-822419_700x675.png)
Drowning in your own artwork? What to do with what you make
A very common question asked by artists - often in slightly panicked tones - is, what do I do with it all?! π€― I know. When you love what you do and you're endlessly curious, those creations can stack up in your creative space until you find yourself squeezed into a...
![The magic of artistic experimentation – a tip to take into the studio](https://taraleaver.com/wp-content/uploads/et_temp/The-magic-of-artistic-experimentation-728838_700x675.png)
The magic of artistic experimentation – a tip to take into the studio
Today's Happy Artist Tip: β¨Try making experiments a cornerstone of your practice.β¨ Why? Because experiments are: π forgiving π fun π a fantastic way to find out what's 'yours' as an artist If you have an idea, and have or can create the means to try it - try it!...
![The path of a happy artist](https://taraleaver.com/wp-content/uploads/et_temp/The-path-of-a-happy-artist--937769_700x675.png)
The path of a happy artist
What does the path of a happy artist look like? Although we're all walking the artist path, and many of us go through similar ups and downs, each of us experiences it differently. And knowing that other artists out there {*waves hands around vaguely*} feel the same in...
![Seven new ways to think about a ‘failed’ painting](https://taraleaver.com/wp-content/uploads/et_temp/7-new-ways-to-think-about-a-failed-painting-811533_700x675.png)
Seven new ways to think about a ‘failed’ painting
Let's have a quick chat about something we can all relate to - the 'failed painting' conundrum.π Whatever words you use - disaster, crap, a mess, a waste of materials - we all know that that kind of thinking leads nowhere helpful, and yet it can be so easy to slip...
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