We help heart-centered artists like you feel better, write better and sell better--- by being yourself. www.thecharmedstudio.com
Listen to episodes
60 recent
July 13, 202629 min
The Surprising Benefits of a Messy Studio for Artists
Incredible archival photos of the studio as it was at 7 Reece Mews by photographer Perry Ogden.
Great written interview of Bacon by Photographer Francis Giacobetti.
Go here for a transcript of the podcast and to see an image of Bacon's Studio at Hugh Lane Gallery.
Frances Bacon and The Hugh Lane Gallery info, lots of images on this site as well.
Correction:I mention in the podcast that "Bacon was not a trust fund baby." But in truth his mother was an heiress to a fortune from coal mining. But Bacon did not get that money. His relationship with his family was strained (it seems due to violence and anti- homosexual bigotry that he was on the receiving end of in childhood.) He may have received a small stipend from them, but not enough to live on. His early career was filled with debt.
Other Charmed Studio Posts You Might Like:
How To Get an Artist’s Residency? Don’t Apply For One, Do This Instead
13 Thrilling Artists’ Homes You Can Visit That Will Ignite Your Art or Writing Practice
Why Are Some Art Teachers So Mean? How To Blast Through Envy and Bloom as an Artist
Diane Arbus: 4 Little-Known Facts About Her Life That Can Make You a Better, More Successful Artist
Forgot to add this, here is a great BBC documentary for any of you who want to discover more about the life of Francis Bacon.
To be charming and subscribe to the blog and get free access to my writing toolkit for artists click here.If you enjoy this strange show, I would be really grateful if you left a review over on Apple Podcasts. Creating is a solitary business and kind words in public help us artists feel we are not spending our days whistling in the dark, right? If you have are signed in to Apple, Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let me know why on earth you occasionally listen to me of all people. Blessings on your lovely head, in advance.For info on one-on-one writing coaching with Thea go here. This blog is produced by The Charmed Studio Blog and Podcast™, LLC. And when you get scared about writing and want to relax, remember what Anne Lamott says."100 years, all new people."You can do this. Occasionally, my show notes may contain an Amazon affiliate link. This means if you buy books or stuff via my podcast link, I may receive a tiny commission and do a happy dance. There is no extra fee for you. I only link to items I personally use and love: products I feel help heart-centered artists and writers. Thank you. :)
May 27, 202624 min
Substack for Artists: How to Build Your First Real Audience Before It Gets Too Crowded
Please ask current subscribers for permission before transferring them to your Substack mailing list.
And conversely, when Substack speeds up and starts using ads, and you leave Substack and begin your own list again, it's a great plan to get consent to transfer your Substack people to your personal email list.
It could be argued that Blue Sky is absolutely still in its heyday as of this writing in 2026.
Bluesky is social media. Therefore, it's fast-paced and approval-based. BUT- unlike Substack, Bluesky enforces a strict anti-hate-speech policy. I admire that.
Bonus material from other artists and writers I respect to help you decide.
Here is a piece by artist Heather Murray about how to sell your art on Substack vs Etsy.
And a good short piece on making money as an artist from Katie Stack's Substack.
Check out The Calm Creative's My results after 1 1/2 years on Substack (And why I'm leaving).
She has since re-joined Substack. This is a comprehensive, heartfelt take that most artists will benefit from watching. She grew her mailing list exponentially, and her art is very cool. :)
Do you consider yourself a writer and not an artist?
Here's a solid YouTube interview of Jane Friedman which answers the question, Is Substack the Best Platform for Writers?
To be charming and subscribe to the blog and get free access to my writing toolkit for artists click here.If you enjoy this strange show, I would be really grateful if you left a review over on Apple Podcasts. Creating is a solitary business and kind words in public help us artists feel we are not spending our days whistling in the dark, right? If you have are signed in to Apple, Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let me know why on earth you occasionally listen to me of all people. Blessings on your lovely head, in advance.For info on one-on-one writing coaching with Thea go here. This blog is produced by The Charmed Studio Blog and Podcast™, LLC. And when you get scared about writing and want to relax, remember what Anne Lamott says."100 years, all new people."You can do this. Occasionally, my show notes may contain an Amazon affiliate link. This means if you buy books or stuff via my podcast link, I may receive a tiny commission and do a happy dance. There is no extra fee for you. I only link to items I personally use and love: products I feel help heart-centered artists and writers. Thank you. :)
April 14, 202625 min
Writing Coaching for Artists: A Clear Path From Idea to Published Book
Find out more about coaching with me here:https://thecharmedstudio.com/writing-coaching/
If you're interested in my upcoming group coaching for artists who want to start a Heart-Centered, Successful Substack or Blog, please leave me a note here:https://thecharmedstudio.com/contact/
Group coaching is an economical, supportive way to meet, work with me, and begin your Substack or Blogging adventure. I only do these once a year or so. Don't be shy. Pop on over and reach, I will give you all the deets then.
Supportive Resources to go with this episode:
How Do I Begin To Write My Book? Outline Your Book in 7 Mornings with 7 Cups of Tea by Thea Fiore Bloom.
Daily Writing Ritual to Banish Fear and Ignite Creativity by Thea Fiore Bloom.
Here is a short Tarot-centered guided meditation for artists to overcome writing fear. I created it to help you on the days it is tough to get to your desk. You got this. :)
Books mentioned in this podcast:
Save The Cat by Blake Snyder (Great for screenplays, but check out the other books in the Save The Cat series for novels, etc.)
The Courage to Write: How Writers Transcend Fear by Ralph Keyes
The Writer's Journey:Mythic Structure for Writers by Christopher Vogler
To be charming and subscribe to the blog and get free access to my writing toolkit for artists click here.If you enjoy this strange show, I would be really grateful if you left a review over on Apple Podcasts. Creating is a solitary business and kind words in public help us artists feel we are not spending our days whistling in the dark, right? If you have are signed in to Apple, Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let me know why on earth you occasionally listen to me of all people. Blessings on your lovely head, in advance.For info on one-on-one writing coaching with Thea go here. This blog is produced by The Charmed Studio Blog and Podcast™, LLC. And when you get scared about writing and want to relax, remember what Anne Lamott says."100 years, all new people."You can do this. Occasionally, my show notes may contain an Amazon affiliate link. This means if you buy books or stuff via my podcast link, I may receive a tiny commission and do a happy dance. There is no extra fee for you. I only link to items I personally use and love: products I feel help heart-centered artists and writers. Thank you. :)
March 3, 202629 min
How Smart Artists Get Fooled By Scammers: Why We Get Targeted and How To Thrive Anyway
Final Caveat For Artists:
One thing I forgot to mention is that a heck of a lot of scammers "work on oil rigs." Or in other burly, remote situations where they conveniently can't be reached when you want to ask about the issue with the money order.
Resources Mentioned in Podcast
Four Surprising Benefits of a Small Mailing List by Thea Fiore Bloom, PhD
The magical wool sculpture art of Charmed Studio subscriber Gin Blische.
Here is that solid video by Tosmo I mentioned on scam prevention for artists that includes a nice philosophical take on why we are targeted.
Watch this video by Art Business With Ness on avoiding more scams than I could mention in this podcast. Ness is the one who clued me in to why scammers claim to have hearing or speech impairment. Listen for her other smart observations.
To be charming and subscribe to the blog and get free access to my writing toolkit for artists click here.If you enjoy this strange show, I would be really grateful if you left a review over on Apple Podcasts. Creating is a solitary business and kind words in public help us artists feel we are not spending our days whistling in the dark, right? If you have are signed in to Apple, Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let me know why on earth you occasionally listen to me of all people. Blessings on your lovely head, in advance.For info on one-on-one writing coaching with Thea go here. This blog is produced by The Charmed Studio Blog and Podcast™, LLC. And when you get scared about writing and want to relax, remember what Anne Lamott says."100 years, all new people."You can do this. Occasionally, my show notes may contain an Amazon affiliate link. This means if you buy books or stuff via my podcast link, I may receive a tiny commission and do a happy dance. There is no extra fee for you. I only link to items I personally use and love: products I feel help heart-centered artists and writers. Thank you. :)
February 2, 202626 min
How Writers and Artists Can Use AI Without Losing Their Creative Voice
SEO for Artists- How to Get Found Without Becoming a Marketer
The Easy Way To Write a Blog Post. Here's the Single, Simplest Method for Artists
How Vulnerability Can Make Your Art Writing Shine
The article I mentioned on Orhan Pamuk that will help you fly your "Freak Flag."'
Tea was mentioned often in this podcast, so just for fun:
How Tea Helps Artists: Plus the 10 Top Tea Books Ever
Generative AI is great for learning a language, mastering chess, or inventing a damn good book title or pen name.
3 more AI resources I love are found in this article: Write Better With These 3 Free Apps.
To be charming and subscribe to the blog and get free access to my writing toolkit for artists click here.If you enjoy this strange show, I would be really grateful if you left a review over on Apple Podcasts. Creating is a solitary business and kind words in public help us artists feel we are not spending our days whistling in the dark, right? If you have are signed in to Apple, Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let me know why on earth you occasionally listen to me of all people. Blessings on your lovely head, in advance.For info on one-on-one writing coaching with Thea go here. This blog is produced by The Charmed Studio Blog and Podcast™, LLC. And when you get scared about writing and want to relax, remember what Anne Lamott says."100 years, all new people."You can do this. Occasionally, my show notes may contain an Amazon affiliate link. This means if you buy books or stuff via my podcast link, I may receive a tiny commission and do a happy dance. There is no extra fee for you. I only link to items I personally use and love: products I feel help heart-centered artists and writers. Thank you. :)
October 1, 202526 min
The Weekly Newsletter Myth: Why Artists Don’t Need to Email Constantly
Resources for Artists and Writers mentioned in this post:Access the original post for extra info and images or to leave a comment. I would so appreciate if you were brave enough to head over to the post and scoll down to the bottom to leave a comment. Or ask a question. I love helping fellow artists and writers.https://thecharmedstudio.com/no-you-dont-need-to-send-out-a-weekly-art-newsletter/Writing Coaching for Artists with TheaThe Number 1 Thing Artists Leave Off Their Websites That Hurts Them The MostTransform Your Art Blog or Newsletter in Just 3 QuestionsHow To Thrive After an Unsubscribe (Especially Supportive for Art BloggersGo here to discover how to “give more value” in mailings and why it is such a wise and generous act on the part of creatives.Visit Linda Blondeheim’s or Lola Jovan’s blogs for examples of artists who mail weekly and share deep value. For young people, listening here is a link to the famous 80s commercial “Time to make the donuts”.Check out LAUREN MANTECÓN's dive deep programs if you are looking to improve your painting. And remember: Don't fall for the marketing shaming. You go be you out there.“Go weird, not wide.”– Rich Litvin
To be charming and subscribe to the blog and get free access to my writing toolkit for artists click here.If you enjoy this strange show, I would be really grateful if you left a review over on Apple Podcasts. Creating is a solitary business and kind words in public help us artists feel we are not spending our days whistling in the dark, right? If you have are signed in to Apple, Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let me know why on earth you occasionally listen to me of all people. Blessings on your lovely head, in advance.For info on one-on-one writing coaching with Thea go here. This blog is produced by The Charmed Studio Blog and Podcast™, LLC. And when you get scared about writing and want to relax, remember what Anne Lamott says."100 years, all new people."You can do this. Occasionally, my show notes may contain an Amazon affiliate link. This means if you buy books or stuff via my podcast link, I may receive a tiny commission and do a happy dance. There is no extra fee for you. I only link to items I personally use and love: products I feel help heart-centered artists and writers. Thank you. :)
September 2, 202518 min
The One Thing Artists Are Missing From Their Websites (That Could Grow Their Audience)
Here are some helpful links.See the entire original post here for the most support. This video will help most WordPress users get the drift of how to set up the widget to create a sign-up form. Setting up this widget will only take 15 minutes.Congratulate yourself after you do it. Now do one more thing. Set up an account with a free email service provider like MailChimp.You want to do this so you can nab that necessary bit of custom code you'll need to paste into that WordPress subscribe form widget you just set up.Learn how to wed your MailChimp account to your WordPress widget here.Congratulate yourself even more profusely after this step. Get yourself some roses or something.Because you just did something huge for your art business. Oh God, Do I Have to Add MailChimp?Unlike Gmail, MailChimp will gift your readers with an easy way to update their preferences or to unsubscribe altogether.You want to give people that option, right?It's the polite thing to do, and it keeps you safe from GDPR compliance troubles.Plus, once you master MailChimp, you'll swell up with pride.You could go with other email marketing software providers like Constant Contact or ConvertKit(but they start at around $29 to $49 a month), while MailChimp is free to begin.And as of this writing, Mailchimp stays free until you have over 499 people on your list.Want extra credit?Put an afternoon's effort into learning how to make the most out of MailChimp, and you'll be giving your art business strong roots to grow from. 2. How To Create Your Weebly Email Sign-Up FormWeebly's mailing list setup could be the easiest of the bunch.We are talking 5 minutes.(I am a WordPress woman, but the intuitive setup for the Weebly box gave me momentary Weebly-envy.)To learn how to add a MailChimp sign-up form to your Weebly site, go here. 3. How To Pop In Your Wix Subscribe FormCheck out this page and video to learn how to place a "Get Subscribers" form on your Wix site and add a snazzy "pop-up" sign-up form to boot. I bet you can do both in about 30 minutes.If you want to integrate MailChimp into your Wix sign-up setup, check out this video for extra help.But if you do nothing else here today, put a darn sign-up box on your Facebook page. Oh, and while you're helping yourself attract your ideal audience, discover how to add a gorgeous email signature to the bottom of your email for free in this Charmed Studio post.Okay, now on to taking the step that could make your mailing list soar, where others sink: adding a signup box on your social media. How To Put A Sign-Up Form On Your Twitter or Facebook PageFacebook helps many artists, but it's important to start a list that's yours for keeps.The same goes for X.You don't need me to tell you that Mark Zuckerberg or Elon Musk may have forgotten to put your well-being at the top of their to-do lists today.The only simple way I found is to hook yourself up via MailChimp.For Facebook, watch this straightforward instructional video here.To share your Mailchimp subscribe form on X, read this.If you haven't set up a MailChimp account, go here first for your account set-up tutorial, then head to the Facebook Signup Form instructions.Done.You are now a captain of industry!Get yourself two bunches of tulips, one for your kitchen and one for your desk. My P.S. (For the Tech-Challenged Among Us)If you are not interested or able to install a subscribe form yourself, I still respect you.You can easily and cheaply hire a smart, techy type on sites like Fiverr or Upworkto put one in for you pronto.Got your subscribe form up, but it's not pulling in many folks?Check out this post on Turn Your Art Website Into an Attraction Magnet (Without Social Media).You'll discover how being yourself and changing the possibly current boring wording in your current subscription form can change everything.(Here's my article on 4 great benefits of a small list.)
To be charming and subscribe to the blog and get free access to my writing toolkit for artists click here.If you enjoy this strange show, I would be really grateful if you left a review over on Apple Podcasts. Creating is a solitary business and kind words in public help us artists feel we are not spending our days whistling in the dark, right? If you have are signed in to Apple, Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let me know why on earth you occasionally listen to me of all people. Blessings on your lovely head, in advance.For info on one-on-one writing coaching with Thea go here. This blog is produced by The Charmed Studio Blog and Podcast™, LLC. And when you get scared about writing and want to relax, remember what Anne Lamott says."100 years, all new people."You can do this. Occasionally, my show notes may contain an Amazon affiliate link. This means if you buy books or stuff via my podcast link, I may receive a tiny commission and do a happy dance. There is no extra fee for you. I only link to items I personally use and love: products I feel help heart-centered artists and writers. Thank you. :)
July 10, 202521 min
Diane Arbus: 4 Lessons for Artists Who Dare to See Differently
To leave a comment or a question, or to see Arbus images, pop over to the original blog post Diane Arbus: 4 Little-Known Facts About Her Life That Can Make You a Better, More Successful Artist.To read more about the benefits of shooting for quantity over quality when it comes to art, read about the study in my post: Is it Common for Artists to Have ADHD?Inspiring and Supportive Stories From Artists On How They Thrive Despite ADHD.Go here to eyeball the photos of Graciella Iturbide. https://www.artnet.com/artists/graciela-iturbide/Thoughtful documentary on Arbus featuring her daughter Doon, made in 1971. Well worth a watch.Here is a good Diane Arbus biography by Bosworth to start your own research and form your own opinions on Arbus.
To be charming and subscribe to the blog and get free access to my writing toolkit for artists click here.If you enjoy this strange show, I would be really grateful if you left a review over on Apple Podcasts. Creating is a solitary business and kind words in public help us artists feel we are not spending our days whistling in the dark, right? If you have are signed in to Apple, Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let me know why on earth you occasionally listen to me of all people. Blessings on your lovely head, in advance.For info on one-on-one writing coaching with Thea go here. This blog is produced by The Charmed Studio Blog and Podcast™, LLC. And when you get scared about writing and want to relax, remember what Anne Lamott says."100 years, all new people."You can do this. Occasionally, my show notes may contain an Amazon affiliate link. This means if you buy books or stuff via my podcast link, I may receive a tiny commission and do a happy dance. There is no extra fee for you. I only link to items I personally use and love: products I feel help heart-centered artists and writers. Thank you. :)
May 9, 202526 min
Charming Notes: Author Carolyn See’s Secret for Creating Meaningful Connections That Grow Your Creative Career
To leave a comment or read a transcription-ish version of the podcast, go here. https://thecharmedstudio.com/how-to-write-a-charming-note-carolyn-sees-life-changing-pro-tip-for-writers/
To read Making a Literary Life: Advice for Writers and Other Dreamers, go here. https://amzn.to/4kbBMze
To learn more about the philosophical concept of Indra's Net go here. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indra%27s_net
For more info on Writing Coaching for Artists by Thea, go to https://thecharmedstudio.com/writing-coaching/
You might also like:How to Market Your Art Authentically and Effectively: Salvador Dali.
If you want to write real letters and send art mail to writers and artists you admire, bravo!
Here is some hints on how to find their address:
But How Do I Find the Address of the Artist or Writer?
Many authors dont list their physical address or email online.
So, how do you find the address of the artist or writer you just wrote this charming note to?
You just need to send it to their agent or publisher, who will gladly pass it on to them.
Google the “xyz publisher’s name, contact us” and you will usually find the info.
To find an author’s publisher, look at the bottom of the spine of a physical book of theirs. Or visit the library or a bookstore and look in the front matter..
Or go online. Find the book’s page on Amazon and press the “see inside” function if available. Scan down in the front matter till you see the publisher’s name, and the physical address will usually be right underneath.
To find an author’s agent, look in the acknowledgments of their latest book. They often give a shout-out to their agent.
Then, Google “xyz agent’s name, contact info” to get an email or physical mailing address.
If artists don’t list an email or mailing address, send it to them via their gallery or their publisher if they have authored a book.
Also, bloggers and other humans with a mailing list are usually legally required to list a snail mail postal address on the footer of every email they send out. Look there.
To be charming and subscribe to the blog and get free access to my writing toolkit for artists click here.If you enjoy this strange show, I would be really grateful if you left a review over on Apple Podcasts. Creating is a solitary business and kind words in public help us artists feel we are not spending our days whistling in the dark, right? If you have are signed in to Apple, Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let me know why on earth you occasionally listen to me of all people. Blessings on your lovely head, in advance.For info on one-on-one writing coaching with Thea go here. This blog is produced by The Charmed Studio Blog and Podcast™, LLC. And when you get scared about writing and want to relax, remember what Anne Lamott says."100 years, all new people."You can do this. Occasionally, my show notes may contain an Amazon affiliate link. This means if you buy books or stuff via my podcast link, I may receive a tiny commission and do a happy dance. There is no extra fee for you. I only link to items I personally use and love: products I feel help heart-centered artists and writers. Thank you. :)
November 7, 202410 min
Affirmations for Artists and Writers: For the Days You Doubt Your Gifts
You might also like:
https://thecharmedstudio.com/guided-meditations-for-writers/
Meditations for Artists: Reduce Fear, Ignite Creativity
Daily Writing Ritual to Banish Fear and Open Your Heart (Also Works for Painting)
How Art Can Heal a Broken Heart or Ground You in Uncertain Times
How To Stay Positive: 4 Tips for Artists from the Life of Rachel Carson
Write (or Refresh)Your Artist Statement in 30 Minutes
How To Write a Kick-Butt Opening Paragraph: With this Easy Paragraph Sandwich Template
Disclaimer Stuff
Don't listen to affirmations or meditations when driving a vehicle or operating heavy machinery.
All content in this recording is not intended in any way to be a replacement for, or a substitute to, qualified medical advice, diagnosis or treatment, or as a replacement for, or a substitute to, psychological advise, diagnosis or treatment, or therapy from a fully qualified person. The information presented on this web site is not intended to take the place of your personal physician’s advice and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Discuss this information with your own physician or healthcare provider to determine what is right for you.
To be charming and subscribe to the blog and get free access to my writing toolkit for artists click here.If you enjoy this strange show, I would be really grateful if you left a review over on Apple Podcasts. Creating is a solitary business and kind words in public help us artists feel we are not spending our days whistling in the dark, right? If you have are signed in to Apple, Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let me know why on earth you occasionally listen to me of all people. Blessings on your lovely head, in advance.For info on one-on-one writing coaching with Thea go here. This blog is produced by The Charmed Studio Blog and Podcast™, LLC. And when you get scared about writing and want to relax, remember what Anne Lamott says."100 years, all new people."You can do this. Occasionally, my show notes may contain an Amazon affiliate link. This means if you buy books or stuff via my podcast link, I may receive a tiny commission and do a happy dance. There is no extra fee for you. I only link to items I personally use and love: products I feel help heart-centered artists and writers. Thank you. :)
Is this your show?
Claim this listing to keep it up to date, reach guests who want to pitch you, and manage bookings with Guestify.
