Extraordinary Creatives

• Why Change Can be the Ultimate Creative Tool with Pixies Bassist & Painter Emma Richardson

  Ceri welcomes Emma Richardson, a polymath creative who seamlessly navigates music and visual art. Currently the bassist and vocalist for Pixies while maintaining her painting career, Emma talks about creative courage and change. She shares her experience with Band of Skulls, her pivot towards painting during lockdown and her unexpected invitation to join one of rock's most influential bands. Emma's story shows the power of following your creative instincts, even when the path forward isn't clear. KEY TAKEAWAYS Emma credits her early art teacher Mr. Malin for introducing her to diverse art forms and her tutor Clunie Reid for providing philosophical reading that expanded her artistic vision. The music industry and art world require different approaches but similar courage. Emma describes how transitioning from an established band to pursuing painting full time meant "being back to square one" but allowed her to reconnect with her original passion. The creative states of music and visual art have distinctly different energies. While performing music provides an immediate collective energy exchange with audiences, painting offers a private, contemplative flow state where Emma can explore deeper themes and take different kinds of creative risks. Performance involves a specific kind of energy management. Emma evolved from using alcohol to manage performance anxiety to developing much better self care including exercise and proper sleep, to be in the right headspace and have the right energy. Finding your creative community transforms solo practice. After reconnecting with painting through the Turps correspondence course and Ceri Hand Rocket Booster course, Emma discovered an essential group of fellow artists who provided both inspiration and practical support for her renewed career direction. Emma learned that passion alone isn't enough, understanding promotion, sales, and professional relationships is essential for building a sustainable creative career in any discipline. Saying "yes" to unexpected opportunities can lead to extraordinary growth. When invited to join Pixies, Emma embraced the challenge of learning their extensive catalogue and stepping into a legendary band, demonstrating how preparation meets opportunity in creative careers. BEST MOMENTS "Being given a book at school with Georgia O'Keeffe's work just really resonated with me, there was a feeling about her work that I got, which I loved." "At college, just learning different skill sets of drawing from life, drawing from still life... the thrill of that, being able to draw from life and make something appear out of nowhere, which looked actually real." "Being on tour is quite an intense experience. Early days, everything's new, you're seeing new countries and cities for the first time. There's usually quite a lot of alcohol involved for nerves. You have this sort of come up and then come down." "With painting, it's very much still a performance but because it's solo and you're on your own in a space and no one's watching you, you can get lost a bit easier and feel a flow in a sense." "When you're starting a different aspect of your creative practice, where you feel like you're at a different stage, it's those early stages of 'How do I promote myself? How do I sustain my practice? How do I sell work? How do I get shows?'" "It's being brave enough to go out and ask for help sometimes, or ask for knowledge, or to be able to understand the business side of the art world a bit more. You want to create, but earning and living from it is another beast." "I think from what you were saying earlier, that sort of delight when the gallerist invited you to be in the show. There's a shared commitment to sharing the work with a wider public, that that's something that you desire." "Sometimes to wait for great, we have to say goodbye to good. It can be tough to walk away from people, projects, or careers we love in order to explore what's truly possible for us." EPISODE RESOURCESEmma RichardsonWebsite: emmarichardsonart.comInstagram: @elrpainting Band of Skulls – I Know What I Am (Official Music Video), featuring Emma Richardson’s painting as a stunning animated backdrop, seamlessly blending her visual and musical worlds. 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 WayOur 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 [email protected] **** Discover Your Extraordinary Creativity Visit www.cerihand.com to learn how we can help you become an extraordinary creative.

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• Success Isn’t What You Think: Why Artists Need a New Definition

  In this solo episode, Ceri talks about a truth many artists and creatives struggle with: Success won’t change your life. We’re told that success is the finish line, but this is far from the truth, success is fleeting and life carries on afterwards. Ceri talks about what success really means for creatives and artists and how changing your mindset around it can help you build and live a more fulfilling life and creative career. KEY TAKEAWAYS Success isn’t about reaching a final goalpost but about continuous growth. When you start measuring your progress by how much you’re evolving, rather than just ticking off achievements, everything changes. Most artists and creatives underestimate the power of slow-building momentum. You’re not just working toward some distant finish line; you’re constantly growing in ways you might not even notice. If you want to build a creative life that lasts, stop waiting for success to validate you. Instead: - Redefine success – What does progress look like for you? - Follow your curiosity – Chase ideas, not approval. - Celebrate small wins – Acknowledge every step forward. - Track your progress – Keep a journal, document your journey, and reflect on how far you’ve come. - Give yourself permission to change – Your creative path isn’t fixed. It’s fluid, and that’s a good thing. BEST MOMENTS “That external validation wasn’t the most important part, the real reward was in the process” "But the real joy? It comes from holding these goals like a roadmap, not a rigid itinerary. The destination helps plot the most scenic route, where you’ll meet incredible, funny, and inspiring people along the way.” “Have you had a conversation recently that sparked a new idea? Have you experimented with a technique or approach that felt exciting? Have you shared your work with someone and received valuable feedback? These are growth moments. And they matter just as much as a big career milestone.” 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 WayOur 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 [email protected] **** Discover Your Extraordinary Creativity Visit www.cerihand.com to learn how we can help you become an extraordinary creative.

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  7:16
• Creating A Sustainable and Inclusive Art World with Curator Marcelle Joseph

  Ceri is joined by Marcelle Joseph, an American independent curator and collector based in the UK whose collection champions female identifying and queer artists. Marcelle talks about her journey from corporate lawyer to art world innovator, revealing how early influences in material culture shaped her curatorial vision. With over 50 exhibitions curated since 2011, she discusses her feminist focused collection and her GIRLPOWER residency in France and gives advice for emerging artists. KEY TAKEAWAYS Marcelle's journey into art began with material culture influences from her grandmother's textile work and her father's entrepreneurial spirit. This now manifests in her current collecting of ceramics and textiles from female identifying and non binary artists. After leaving a successful corporate law career, Marcelle reinvented herself through a degree at Christie's Education and founded Marcelle Joseph Projects in 2011, eventually curating over 50 exhibitions that explore feminist theory and the performativity of gender. Studio visits are crucial exchanges where Marcelle connects with artists' influences and processes. She recommends artists prepare thoughtfully, demonstrating their practice range and sharing their theoretical inspirations. For new artists looking for opportunities, Marcelle advises maintaining a professional Instagram and comprehensive website showcasing at least five years of work, being selective with networking events as well as persistently applying for residencies and grants. Marcelle established a unique 50/50 collecting partnership with Kimberly Morris called the GIRLPOWER Collection, which expanded into a residency program in France that offers stipends, materials budgets and exhibition opportunities to three artists annually. The contemporary art market faces serious challenges, particularly for small to mid size galleries. Marcelle highlights Hauser & Wirth's model of offering small galleries a commission when signing their artists as a potential sustainability solution. Institutional governance work has been central to Marcelle's impact, including a former trustee at Matt's Gallery, Ambassador for the Royal Academy Schools, and Vice Chair at Mimosa House, which she values for championing marginalised voices. Marcelle's dream retirement project is to create a foundation in her hometown in upstate New York to introduce contemporary art to young people while offering artist residencies, giving back to the community that shaped her. BEST MOMENTS "I've adopted a lot of my father's mentality in my own career journey about deciding that I want to do something that's really brave and sort of outside of my comfort zone and just attacking it and making it happen." "I'm all about platforming those artists who have been marginalised or written out of the traditional Western art canon by the patriarchy." "I like supporting early career artists because it’s the most pivotal part of their career in my opinion. If they can’t get past being an early career artist, they’re not going to be an artist." "I often call my collection a collection of conversations, because almost all of the artwork is by artists that I know, that I've worked with, written about, done a studio visit with." "Don't be afraid to approach your heroes. What's the worst thing that can possibly happen? They turn around and walk away, right?" "I know websites are going out of fashion, but I find them so incredibly important to do my initial research on artists. A holding page is not enough. I like to see at least five years of their work." "Curating is all about caring for the artwork, but it's also about caring for the artist. That's really important to me." "Life is short so you shouldn't let any opportunity go by." EPISODE RESOURCES https://marcellejoseph.com @marcelle.joseph 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 WayOur 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 [email protected] **** Discover Your Extraordinary Creativity Visit www.cerihand.com to learn how we can help you become an extraordinary creative.

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  1:39:40
• Defining Your Ideal Client – Attracting People Who Truly Get Your Work

  Tired of shouting into the void? In this episode Ceri reveals how creators can find their perfect audience without compromising artistic integrity. Using climate crisis art as a case study, Ceri demonstrates how identifying ideal clients can transform creative careers. Rather than changing your work to please others, it's about strategically connecting with those who already resonate with your message and using this in all aspects of your work, from creating to marketing. KEY TAKEAWAYS Defining your ideal client isn’t about changing your work or selling out. It’s about assessing what you already create, what you’re passionate about, and finding the people who care about the same things. Consider your clients demographics such as age, location and income. Psychographics are also important, things like their interests, values and beliefs and aspirations. Be as specific as possible, when you’re specific, you can tailor your marketing, your social media content and your pitches to speak directly to your ideal clients. BEST MOMENTS "You don’t need to change what you create. You just need to find the people who are already aligned with it.” “Who is most likely to resonate with your work? Think about age, occupation, lifestyle, and location.” “This isn’t about exclusion, it’s about making meaningful connections.” 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 WayOur 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 [email protected] **** Discover Your Extraordinary Creativity Visit www.cerihand.com to learn how we can help you become an extraordinary creative.

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  12:47
• Can Art Drive Social Justice with Rosalie Schweiker

  Ceri is joined by Rosalie Schweiker, a South German artist and cultural organiser reimagining how art can drive social justice. As co-director at Migrants in Culture, Rosalie shares her journey from EU citizen to confronting the UK's hostile immigration system and how this transformed her creativity. The conversation explores motherhood's impact on creativity, building collective driven organisations and dismantling oppressive systems while designing joyful alternatives. KEY TAKEAWAYS Rosalie structures her week meticulously since becoming a mother: two days of childcare, two days at Migrants in Culture and one day for "mopping up" life admin. This routine provides space for her creative process. Migrants in Culture operates as a design agency that creates capacity for organisers to imagine a world without borders, following design justice principles while ensuring their processes align with their values around migration justice. The traditional commissioning model for socially engaged artists often places them in an impossible position, expected to deliver transformative work with minimal resources while bearing all responsibility and getting paid less than everyone else involved. Building a collective helps shift from the unsustainable model of the individual artist to a more accountable, transparent system where decisions are made together, resources are shared and relationships are less disposable. Artists shouldn't view themselves as special or separate from broader societal pressures, instead recognising they are workers within a system helps adjust expectations and create more sustainable practices. Challenging the romanticised view of the artist, Rosalie suggests the system is intentionally designed to keep artists precarious while serving as "lightning rods" for organisational processes that otherwise can't be fixed. Motherhood has shifted Rosalie's artistic practice to focus on drawing as documentation and processing, showing how creativity adapts to life circumstances rather than requiring ideal conditions. The concept of "submerging" is as important as "emerging" for artists. Sometimes withdrawing from visibility to reflect, recharge, and develop work away from external pressures is essential to creative sustainability. BEST MOMENTS "I guess you find your people by just constantly showing up in a way. It wasn't like I had this as a vision for myself." “The art world can do whatever it wants to do. I am not here to fix that mess.” "When we make a report for an organisation or if we do graphic design and people are excited about it, you get quite direct feedback." "The system is designed to work. People, especially when they're first engaged with immigration, they're like, 'Surely that must be a mistake,' but if this mistake keeps reappearing all the time, we can assume that this is structural, and this is intended." "I really struggle with attributing value to what I do as an artist, as a person. I can only do that when other people are in conversation with me for some reason." "That idea of continuing the status quo by trying to fix it, solve it, work hard, graft, overcome it, is such a familiar story to so many of us listeners, I'm sure." "Submerging is as important as emerging, I would say." EPISODE RESOURCES www.RosalieSchweiker.info https://www.instagram.com/rosalieschweiker/ https://www.migrantsinculture.com/ 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 WayOur 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 [email protected] **** Discover Your Extraordinary Creativity Visit www.cerihand.com to learn how we can help you become an extraordinary creative.

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  1:38:22

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