Honing Your Craft and Replenishing Your Creativity, with Aubrey Levinthal

As an artist, you’ve likely struggled with honing your craft and finding ways to replenish your creativity over the years, I know I have! That’s why I loved my conversation with Aubrey Levinthal and I know you will too! In our conversation, Aubrey opens up about how she got started as an artist, her experience in art school, how she’s honed her craft, what she does to replenish her creativity, and so much more! I know many of you will also enjoy images of Aubrey’s artwork, located at the end of this post, don’t miss it!
Honing your craft. What have been some of the unique challenges you’ve faced on your journey to hone and refine your artistic craft? Have you been plagued with self-doubt? Do you struggle with a block in creativity? You are not alone! There are so many of us who have been there and struggled in silence. Artist Aubrey Levinthal has had her fair share of milestones and struggled along the way. The constant in Aubrey’s story is an inner drive she’s cultivated and nurtured over the years. Aubrey holds herself to a very high standard and wants to bring her work to a level of creativity and quality that goes beyond her wildest dreams. Can you relate? What can you learn from Aubrey’s story?
Lessons learned from what doesn’t work on the canvas. Too often we can get so focused on what we can learn from the good that we forget the lessons we can learn from the negative or challenging aspects of the creative process. Have you learned some valuable lessons recently? Aubrey Levinthal has a refreshing perspective on what doesn’t work when she approaches her canvas, she sees an opportunity to learn. I love that! You and I need more positive perspectives like Aubrey’s! Let’s leave the negative terminologies and negative mindsets behind and see setbacks as opportunities to learn. Imagine the impact that simple shift could have on your creative process and your career as an artist.
Replenishing your creativity. Do you have any tips on replenishing your creativity as an artist? What have you tried? Are you looking for a way to reset and refresh right now? In my conversation with Aubrey Levinthal, we touched on this important topic. Aubrey says that one of the best ways to replenish her creativity to step away and visit a museum or an art gallery to tap into the reason why she loves creating art. Everyone needs to find what works for them, don’t let yourself burn out! The world needs your unique artistic voice, take care of yourself!
The answer is in the paint. When you are young and inexperienced, you tend to make mountains out of molehills. At least that was the case for me! Too often I would get sidetracked or let myself get distracted by some seemingly larger than life challenge, I wish someone would have shared with me Aubrey’s wonderful advice! Looking back at herself ten years ago, Aubrey would tell herself, “The answer is in the paint.” Instead of allowing herself to get overwhelmed at all the options or all the possibilities, Aubrey wishes that she would have given herself the permission to try and fail. At the end of the day, as an artist, your job is to create. Whatever you need to do to cut through the noise and put your paintbrush to canvas, do it!
Outline of This Episode [1:00] I introduce my guest, Aubrey Levinthal. [2:45] How did Aubrey sense the call to become an artist? [4:15] Artists that inspired Aubrey from an early age & how her parents empowered her. [6:00] Aubrey talks about her experience at art school. [9:30] Discovering your voice and working through criticism. [12:45] Aubrey describes her artwork. [14:00] What catches Aubrey’s eye for her motifs? How does she use her sketchbook? [17:15] Aubrey’s process in her studio. [19:30] Honing in on surprises and a sense of mystery. [23:00] Aubrey opens up about her habits and routines. [29:00] Lessons learned from what doesn’t work on the canvas. [31:00] What is Aubrey working on right now? What does she do to refresh herself? [34:00] Grappling with the perception of the romanticized artist. [40:00] Does Aubrey have a painting that she’d never part with? [41:30] If Aubrey could have artwork from any living artist who would she choose? [43:30] The answer is in the paint.   Other artists mentioned on this episode Georgia O'Keeffe Mary Cassatt Angela A'Court Dustin Metz Samantha Mitchell Rebekah Callaghan Adam Lovitz Mariel Capanna Polina Barskaya Resources Mentioned on this episode Check out Aubrey’s website! Connect With Antrese On Facebook On Pinterest On Instagram On Twitter