C.R.E.A.T.E. Spiral: What Trust Actually Looks Like in Your Studio (part 5/6)
If you’ve ever felt like you want someone else to approve every brushstroke before you can call a painting “done”… this episode is for you.We’re at the T in the C.R.E.A.T.E. Spiral, and it’s a big one: TRUST.Not blind trust. Not perfectionist trust that only kicks in after everything looks flawless. We’re talking about real, moment-to-moment self-trust—the kind that guides your decisions while you’re still unsure.This episode breaks down:Why we’re wired to outsource approvalHow to build trust as a tangible, daily practice (not just a mindset)What it actually looks like to trust yourself in your studio—even when doubt shows upYou’ll leave with small, doable actions to build that trust muscle—without needing to overhaul your entire process.Your Episode Map1:00 — Why we’re wired to seek approval—and why it’s not your fault4:00 — When copying helps you grow… and when it starts holding you back7:18 — The simplest trust-building practice: say what you like and don’t like, out loud10:26 — Trust isn’t confidence—it’s resilience11:45 — How to stop spiraling and guide your own development15:13 — Three small ways to practice trust this week—no perfection required16:48 — Every time you choose yourself over fear, your inner artist gets louderWhat to Bring Into the Studio With You(Because listening is just the beginning)This week, try making one decision in your painting process without asking anyone else. Pick a color, title, price, or direction—and don’t crowdsource it. Just follow it through and observe what happens.Then DM me on Instagram @savvypainterpodcast and tell me what you noticed. I love hearing how this lands for you.Support the showAnd hey - if this episode hit home, do me a favor, leave a review on Apple Podcast or come say hi on Instagram: @savvypainterpodcastI’d love to hear this episode resonated you. ❤️
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18:03
You Didn’t Get Lucky. You Got Aligned.
Ever wonder why your studio feels… suspiciously quiet?Like things are finally working—but instead of celebrating, you start spiraling?Welcome to the Alignment phase of the CREATE Spiral.In this episode, I break down the strange emotional landscape of finally clicking with your voice—and why that ease can actually feel more unsettling than resistance. You’ll hear why this moment of calm might be the biggest sign that you’re doing it right.We’ll talk about:The inner voice that whispers “This is too easy—what’s the catch?”Why your brain interprets ease as dangerHow alignment isn’t a plateau, it’s a powerful shift in momentumWhat changes (and what doesn’t) in your studio when you’re in this phaseAnd most importantly—how to trust this part of the journey without self-sabotaging your way out of it.Your Episode Map:[01:25] What alignment actually is—and why artists feel so uneasy here[03:27] The eerie quiet of self-trust (and why it feels off)[05:35] Your voice gets the mic for the first time[07:41] You still feel discomfort—but you’re not layering judgment on top[09:11] “Growth = struggle” is a lie we need to unlearn[10:23] What alignment looks like in your studio day-to-day[13:06] The question to ask when you feel ease: “Is this what I want?”[15:15] Why it feels like things are falling away—not being added[17:24] Craving chaos? You might be ready to expand[18:32] Alignment = your voice getting stronger[21:32] You didn’t get lucky. You got aligned.Words worth pinning next to your easel:“This isn’t a plateau. This is what it feels like when you’re no longer working against yourself.”“The quiet is your voice finally getting a turn at the mic.”“You still feel discomfort. You’re just not spiraling from it anymore.”“You didn’t lose your edge. You stopped fighting yourself.”“You’re not stuck—you’re integrating.”What to Bring Into the Studio With YouNotice what’s not there: fewer cranky voices, less panic, more space.Reframe the weird quiet as a sign of progress—not a problem to fix.Pull out your last few paintings—look for patterns, not problems.Let it be enough. This phase doesn’t need a breakthrough to be valuable.Support the showAnd hey - if this episode hit home, do me a favor, leave a review on Apple Podcast or come say hi on Instagram: @savvypainterpodcastI’d love to hear this episode resonated you. ❤️
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22:58
Exploration feels like chaos. And that’s the point.
Ever get to that point in a painting where nothing’s working the way you thought it would? Where the idea is still in there somewhere, but the canvas isn’t cooperating?That’s not a mistake. That’s the part where things get real.In this episode of the Savvy Painter podcast, we’re talking about the Exploration phase of the Creative Spiral. The phase most artists dread, not because they’re doing it wrong, but because it asks them to stay with what’s actually happening in the painting. Not the plan. Not the ideal image in their head. Just… this. Right here.It’s uncomfortable, often messy, and full of not-knowing. But it’s also where your voice starts to take shape, not as an idea, but in the act of making.🎧 Episode Map[2:55] Why your painting doesn’t match the idea in your head (and why that’s normal)[5:45] What “not knowing” really means, and why your brain fights it[9:50] Intuitive painting isn’t winging it. There is a plan. It just looks different.[12:40] The experimenter’s crisis: this isn’t what I thought it would look like[15:10] The two thoughts that tend to paralyze painters in this phase[17:30] Why looking bad might be a good sign[20:00] This is where your voice starts to show up—in motion, not in theory[23:45] What to do when you have no idea what to do next[26:00] Try this instead: make it truer, not prettier[28:30] Exploration isn’t aimless. It’s a choice to stay with what’s here, even if it’s unclear🎨 For Your Studio WallSome reminders worth keeping close:“Messy isn’t the opposite of skill. It’s how skill gets built.”“The painting gets honest when you do.”“You’re not supposed to know before you do the thing.”“It’s not a straight line, and it’s not supposed to be.”What to Bring Into the Studio With YouBecause just listening isn’t the pointA willingness to get lost, on purposePermission to make 20 versions no one ever seesCuriosity over controlThe guts to keep going when things look weird (because they will)💬 Talk to MeWhat’s your relationship with the messy middle?Leave a comment on Instagram (@savvypainterpodcast) or DM me and tell me how you know you’re in the exploration phase.You’re not alone, and you don’t have to figure it out in isolation. This is what we practice inside Growth Studio, week after week.Support the showAnd hey - if this episode hit home, do me a favor, leave a review on Apple Podcast or come say hi on Instagram: @savvypainterpodcastI’d love to hear this episode resonated you. ❤️
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27:25
The Voice That Says You’re Not Ready? Fire It.
Resistance isn’t laziness—it’s fear wearing a disguise. Let's break down the REAL reason resistance shows up right after creative excitement kicks in—and how to move forward without force. If you’ve ever found yourself avoiding the studio for no “good” reason, this one’s for you. We're going to talk about why resistance is actually a turning point in your creative spiral, not a sign to stop. Plus, hear how one artist in Growth Studio used this awareness to navigate a wave of unexpected yeses.Your Episode Map:[00:01] The real reason resistance shows up—and why it means you’re growing, not failing.[04:45] The “I AM” trap: how we confuse resistance with identity.[11:30] What your brain fears MORE than failure.[13:00] Growth Studio story: When you get what you asked for[20:00] Why your brain thinks change is dangerous—[25:00] The smallest moves to shift resistance and restore your momentum.Support the showAnd hey - if this episode hit home, do me a favor, leave a review on Apple Podcast or come say hi on Instagram: @savvypainterpodcastI’d love to hear this episode resonated you. ❤️
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25:05
You’re Not Lost—You’re in the Curiosity Phase
That “lost” feeling? It’s not a problem. It’s the process.Today kicks off a special series I’ve been quietly building behind the scenes for a while now.It’s called the CREATE Spiral, and it’s a new framework I’ve developed to help artists understand why we get stuck and how to move forward—gently, without shame, and without needing to have it all figured out.In this first episode, we’re talking about the very first phase of the spiral: Curiosity.If you’ve been in a fog, wondering why nothing’s exciting you in the studio anymore…If you’ve felt disconnected from your work, unsure what you want to paint next…If you’ve caught yourself saying, “Is this all there is?”—this episode is for you.You’ll learn why this phase is not a detour—it’s a necessary (and powerful) part of your creative growth. And I’ll show you how to move through it in a way that invites clarity, energy, and momentum back into your practice.Your Episode MapMajor moments, minute by minute.[0:00–3:00] – Growth isn’t linear—meet the Create Spiral[4:00–6:00] – Fear and uncertainty aren’t problems—they’re part of the path[7:00–8:00] – Curiosity is your most underrated studio tool[9:20–12:00] – That “blah” feeling? It’s a clue, not a dead end[12:00–14:00] – You can’t rush clarity—give curiosity room to grow[15:00–16:30] – Follow the tiniest spark—even if it makes no sense (yet)📌 For Your Studio WallThe words worth pinning up next to your easel.“Clarity is a result of giving curiosity space and time to breathe.”“Trying to rush curiosity is like yanking a seed out of the soil because you don’t think it’s blooming fast enough.”“You don’t need to have it all figured out. You just need to start exactly where you are.” What to Bring Into the Studio With YouBecause listening is just the beginning.If you're in that murky place where everything feels kind of blah, you’re not broken. You’re just in the curiosity phase—and that’s a vital part of your growth as an artist.Try this:Open a journal or sketchbook and finish the sentence:👉 “I'm really curious about…”Let that be your starting point.Not what will sell. Not what looks impressive. Just what feels quietly alive for you right now.Let it be messy. Let it be uncertain.Let it be enough.And if this episode hit home, come say hi on Instagram:@savvypainterpodcastI’d love to hear what your curiosity is whispering to you.Support the showAnd hey - if this episode hit home, do me a favor, leave a review on Apple Podcast or come say hi on Instagram: @savvypainterpodcastI’d love to hear this episode resonated you. ❤️
Savvy Painter, hosted by Antrese Wood, offers a treasure trove of insights artists can't afford to miss. Visit https://savvypainter.com Antrese's teachings focus on nurturing a creative mindset and prioritizing mastery over perfection, making it a must-listen resource for artists worldwide.Whether you're an emerging artist looking to hone your skills or an established pro seeking fresh perspectives, the show offers practical advice and inspirationBut the real magic happens when you apply Antrese's teachings in your own studio. Her guidance can help you unlock new levels of creativity and growth in your art. If you're serious about elevating your skills and mindset, join Growth Studio—a unique opportunity to work directly with Antrese and join an amazing community of like minded artists.
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