Artful Painter

Carl Olson
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  • Visual Arts

Art lessons for artists, collectors, and people who love art.

  1. Brad Teare - Poetry of Thick Paint

    1 day ago

    Brad Teare - Poetry of Thick Paint

    What gives a painting the power to stop us in our tracks? For artist Brad Teare, it’s more than subject matter. It’s the energy of the paint itself—the texture, the color, the visible record of the artist’s hand, and the courage to embrace authenticity over perfection. Brad Teare is a Utah-based painter whose expressive landscapes are known for their vibrant color, bold palette-knife work, and richly textured surfaces. Before dedicating himself to fine art, he enjoyed a successful career as an illustrator, creating work for clients including The New York Times and Random House. Today his paintings are represented by galleries throughout the American West and have been featured in numerous museum exhibitions and invitational shows. In this episode of The Artful Painter, I sit down with Utah landscape painter Brad Teare to explore the philosophy behind his distinctive, richly textured paintings. Brad shares how his career evolved from illustration and woodcut printmaking to becoming one of today’s most recognizable painters of the American West. Along the way, we discuss how seeing Vincent van Gogh’s paintings in person changed his understanding of what paint could do, why artists should resist the temptation to imitate their heroes, and how finding your own artistic voice is a journey every artist must take alone. One of my favorite moments in our conversation comes when Brad describes texture as more than a visual effect. Every stroke of paint records a decision, preserving the history of its creation and inviting viewers to connect with the artist in a deeply human way. It’s a fascinating discussion about why original paintings possess a presence that photographs and reproductions can never fully capture. Whether you’re a painter searching for your own voice, a collector interested in what makes original artwork so compelling, or simply someone who appreciates thoughtful conversations about creativity, I think you’ll find plenty to enjoy in this episode. In this episode: How Brad transitioned from a successful illustration career into fine artWhy seeing Van Gogh’s paintings in person transformed his approach to paintingThe role of texture in creating emotional impactHow woodcut printmaking continues to influence his paintingsWhy authenticity matters more than technical perfectionWhat collectors see—and feel—when standing in front of an original painting Thanks for listening to The Artful Painter. If you enjoy these conversations, please consider sharing the podcast with a fellow artist or art lover. Links Brad Teare Website: https://bradteare.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bradteare/ Other Links Maynard Dixon Home & Studio: https://thunderbirdfoundation.com/visit-the-maynard-dixon-home-and-studio/ About the Artful Painter Website: https://theartfulpainter.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CarlOlsonArt Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artful.painter/ Make a donation: https://theartfulpainter.com/donate Send an email: https://theartfulpainter.com/contact This page may contain affiliate links from which I earn a small commission. When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    1hr 15min
  2. Thomas Windsor - From Heart to Brush

    21 May

    Thomas Windsor - From Heart to Brush

    Doom scrolling on YouTube may usually be a waste of time but occasionally you stumble across a real, hidden gem. That happened to me a few weeks ago. I like watching YouTube videos about art and art history (and, truthfully, many other subjects). You know the way YouTube works - it takes your watch history and tries to predict other videos you might want to watch. YouTube wants you to keep watching videos - forever would be ideal for them. This was the case with my guest in this episode of The Artful Painter. YouTube suggested to me a video on a channel called Painting Therapy, by artist and cinematographer Thomas Windsor. That expression - painting therapy - hooked me. I clicked, and I watched, and I watched, and I watched. YouTube’s algorithm was happy, and I was enthralled by what I saw and heard as Thomas painted on camera. The binge has started and I kept watching and listening to Thomas. At one point, I left one of his videos playing as I worked on a large painting. I could not see what he was doing so I just listened to him talking in the background. I usually find it highly distracting to paint with words sounding off in the background. The words through me off so it’s something I rarely ever do. I can’t listen to podcasts while I paint, nor can I listen to songs with vocals. It’s weird I know - but that’s just me. But Thomas was an exception to the rule. After this experience, I knew I had to have Thomas Windsor on the podcast. I reached out to him and he graciously accepted. So, I’m happy to share with you our conversation in this edition of The Artful Painter. Wow! I learned a lot about Thomas in this conversation. Turns out, his day job is running a film production company. He is a cinematographer and produces commercial videos. Painting is a side-calling, but a very important one to Thomas. To whet your appetite, here are a few things we talk about: Thomas Windsor’s background in filmmaking and commercial productionGrowing up in a strict household with limited media exposureCommitting to “a painting a week”Why Thomas intentionally avoided formal art trainingPainting as self-education and self-discoveryThe connection between filmmaking and paintingWhy painting feels more personal and vulnerable than filmmakingThe difference between technical perfection and emotional authenticityThe influence of Vincent van Gogh on Thomas’s thinking about art and emotionCreativity as a direct emotional expression rather than a technical exerciseThe dangers of overthinking and perfectionism“Painting Therapy” and art as emotional regulationDepression, sensitivity, and the search for meaningObserving everyday beauty and “being an artist” in daily lifeThe importance of presence, attention, and wonder That’s a lot to process in about an hour, but, shazaam! What an hour it was for me to converse with Thomas. I hope you enjoy this episode. LinksThomas Windsor Website: https://thomaswindsorstudio.com/ Film Production Website: https://epiclightmedia.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thomaswindsorstudio/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thomaswindsorstudio/ Painting Therapy channel on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Thomas_Windsor Epic Light Media channel on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/EpicLightMedia Other Links Vincent Laforet Website: https://www.vincentlaforet.com/ Vincent Laforet on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaGfb_6taciyILmlJFxecvA Philip Bloom Website: https://philipbloom.net/ Philip Bloom on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/philipbloom Rodney Charters: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0153552/ About the Artful Painter Website: https://theartfulpainter.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CarlOlsonArt Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artful.painter/ This page may contain affiliate links from which I earn a small commission. When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    1hr 3min
  3. Debbie Mueller - A Sense of Illumination

    17 Apr

    Debbie Mueller - A Sense of Illumination

    There’s a moment in life when something shifts—quietly, almost accidentally—and it takes on an unexpected new direction. For Dr. Debbie Mueller, that moment came on a rainy day in Sarasota, Florida, with a reluctant brushstroke and a “really bad painting.” It changed everything for her. In this episode of The Artful Painter, I converse with Debbie Mueller to explore her remarkable transition from a career in medicine to becoming a full-time artist. Though she found her work as a doctor in a successful OB-GYN practice rewarding, that one “really bad painting” sparked a decade-long journey that eventually lead to her leaving medicine and to pursue painting full-time. Debbie’s paintings are known for their luminous quality, thoughtful composition, and inviting sense of presence. She exhibits nationally, teaches workshops, and continues to expand her reach through galleries and competitions. Here are a few tantalizing talking points Debbie shares in her conversation: Why it’s never too late to start paintingHow Debbie transitioned from medicine to full-time artThe power of daily painting challenges (and what they teach you)A step-by-step breakdown of her painting processHow to balance self-critique without self-sabotageWhy community matters—especially for solo artistsHow rejection (even at high levels) is part of the journeyYour first painting doesn’t have to be good—it just has to begin somethingGrowth comes from volume and repetition, not perfectionStrong artists develop self-awareness, not just technical skillLimiting your palette can actually expand your creativityEmotional connection matters just as much as technical accuracy The bottom line: sometimes, all it takes is one small decision to begin. I’m sure Debbie is in for an exciting ride of her life as she pursues fine art painting full-time. I’m so glad to share with you Debbie’s story in this delightful and inspiring conversation. Links: Debbie Mueller Website: https://www.debbiemuellerart.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/debbiemuellerart/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/latebloomerartist/ Other Links: Strada Easel Challenge: https://www.stradaeasel.com/pages/january-2026-strada-31-day-challenge Monhegan Island, Maine: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monhegan%2C_Maine Oil Painters of America (OPA): https://www.oilpaintersofamerica.com/ About the Artful Painter: Website: https://theartfulpainter.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CarlOlsonArt Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artful.painter/ This page may contain affiliate links from which I earn a small commission. When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    55 min
  4. Nicholas Coleman - The Lure of the West

    12 Feb

    Nicholas Coleman - The Lure of the West

    In this episode of The Artful Painter, I sit down with Western artist Nicholas Coleman to talk about what actually drives his painting process — it's not just technique, but also curiosity, memory, history, and places that won't let go of you. Raised in the studio of his father, Michael Coleman, Nicholas grew up surrounded by Native models, reference materials, taxidermy, and the working realities of the art business. What stayed with him wasn't just technique — it was a deep respect for history and for the places that shaped it. In this episode, we discuss his return to the Coors Western Art Exhibit, the tension between authenticity and trend-chasing, his recent exploration of African wildlife inspired in part by painters like Wilhelm Kuhnert, and why he sometimes ignores deadlines to get a painting "out of his head." We also talk about art school battles, conservation history, spaghetti westerns, and what happens when an artist receives a fifty-page contract connected to George Lucas. Have I got your attention now? If you care about painting, place, and preserving something larger than yourself, this conversation will resonate. Nicholas Coleman is certainly my kind of artist! Links: Nicholas Coleman Website: https://www.nicholascolemanart.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicholascolemanart/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nicholascolemanart Other Links: Bloody Bozeman: The Perilous Trail to Montana's Gold: https://amzn.to/4rer2UQ Henrik Coleman: https://www.henrikcoleman.com/ Mediocre Amateurs: https://www.youtube.com/@mediocreamateur About the Artful Painter: Website: https://theartfulpainter.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CarlOlsonArt Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artful.painter/ This page may contain affiliate links from which I earn a small commission. When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    1 hr
  5. s. m. chavez - The Strata of Process

    1 Jan

    s. m. chavez - The Strata of Process

    In this edition of the Artful Painter, I have the privilege of talking with s. m. chavez (Sean Michael Chavez). He is a native New Mexican artist known for his rich contemporary-western oil paintings that celebrate both the culture and landscape of the American Southwest. Born and raised in New Mexico, his work reflects a deep connection to the region's history and culture. Chavez is especially known for his depictions of vaqueros – figures that are deeply rooted in Southwestern and Hispanic history. Vaquero is Spanish for "cowboys." Chavez's soothing color palette of beautiful grays and muted colors, coupled with strong design skills honed from his background in illustration come together to allow him to bring his figures and landscapes alive. His distinctive voice blends traditional Western art influences with a refreshingly contemporary approach. It's no surprise then that Chavez has caught the eye of collectors of contemporary Western art. His work has been exhibited at major venues such as The National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, Albuquerque Museum of Art, The Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art, The Couse-Sharp Historic Site, and The Briscoe Western Art Museum, and soon the Coors Western Art Exhibit and Sale of January 2026. In this engaging interview, s. m. chavez shares insights into his artistic journey, discussing the influence of his New Mexico roots and the historical narratives that shape his work. He reflects on the challenges and joys of being an artist, the importance of authenticity, and the role of literature and history in his creative process (a word you will hear Chavez use frequently in our discussion). Chavez also touches on the balance between commercial success and artistic integrity, and the evolving nature of his career. Links: s. m. chavez Website: https://paintingsofthewest.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smchavezart/ Other Links: A Harvest of Reluctant Souls: Fray Alonso de Benavides's History of New Mexico, 1630: https://amzn.to/4beLYpt Herb Jeffries in the movie The Bronze Buckaroo (1939): https://youtu.be/NMn21nICdro?si=PQMAUucUtkP6rEPZ About the Artful Painter: Website: https://theartfulpainter.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CarlOlsonArt Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artful.painter/ This page may contain affiliate links from which I earn a small commission. When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    1hr 6min
  6. Doug and Susie Haugen - There's a Story Behind Every Painting

    22/10/2025

    Doug and Susie Haugen - There's a Story Behind Every Painting

    In each episode of The Artful Painter, the tagline (or show description) is: "Art lessons for artists, collectors, and people who love art." However, most of the episodes published so far have focused on artists and their stories. It's time to switch that up a bit and focus on collectors. In this episode I converse with two wonderful people I met a few years ago at a workshop hosted by the Booth Western Art Museum in Cartersville, Georgia. They are: Doug and Susie Haugen, art lovers who have a passion for art, art collecting, and forging friendships with living artists whose works adorn their walls in their Ackworth, Georgia, home. Whether you are a collector or artist, you will be inspired by the Haugen's enthusiasm for supporting today's living artists. To me, one of the primary take-aways from this conversation is the importance of cultivating connections and friendships with artists and others who love art. Visiting artists in their homes, visiting galleries, and going to art shows are all a part of their joy of collecting. The bonds of friendship with living artists become an important part of the story behind each painting they display in their home. In this episode of The Artful Painter, I have the privilege of engaging in a heartfelt conversation with Doug and Susie Haugen about their journey becoming avid art collectors. They discuss the growth of their collection, the significance of Western art (both traditional and contemporary), and the personal connections and friendships they've formed with artists. The Haugens share stories of their favorite pieces, the artists they've met, and the meaningful experiences that have shaped their collection. Cozy up with your earbuds and a cup of coffee and listen to Doug and Susie's inspiring story. This one will make you smile. Links: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shaugen56/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/susie.haugen Booth Western Art Museum: https://boothmuseum.org/ About the Artful Painter: Website: https://theartfulpainter.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CarlOlsonArt Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artful.painter/ This page may contain affiliate links from which I earn a small commission. When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    1hr 2min
  7. Chris Kolupski - Paint Out West

    11/09/2025

    Chris Kolupski - Paint Out West

    The Artful Painter returns! It's good to be back in the saddle again. My friend, Chris Kolupski kindly and patiently agreed to help me dust off my recording equipment and bring the Artful Painter back to life. Chris was originally featured back in episode 56 published back in 2021. That was a couple of years before we loaded up the wagons and moved to the Western Slope of Colorado. In this edition of the Artful Painter, Chris Kolupski talks about his unique artist education experience he calls: "Paint Out West." To me, Chris Kolupski is The Indiana Jones of Outdoor Painting – and for good reason! He's not only an excellent landscape painter and educator, he is an adventurer who loves painting the American South West. Of course, any adventure can certainly come with its own perils. Chris calmly takes these mis-adventures in stride. In this episode he shares the following experiences: He crashed his car into a cow in the middle of the night in New Mexico!Chris made daring attempts to rescue a camera that fell over a cliff!He escaped prosecution after getting caught inadvertently trespassing while teaching a class.In the middle of Navaho land, Chris founds himself on a horse that doesn't want him on his backAnd then there's that time he got told off by a rude photographer in Arches National Park! Tune in for a blend of humor, inspiration, and practical advice. I'd like to welcome you to this edition of The Artful Painter! Links: Chris Kolupski Paint Out West with Chris Kolupski: https://www.chriskolupski.com/page/30053/paint-out-west-on-demand Website: https://www.chriskolupski.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chriskolupski/ Featured earlier on The Artful Painter: https://theartfulpainter.com/artful-painter/chris-kolupski-56 Other: Artist JR Sanders: https://www.instagram.com/jrsandersart/ Books by Author Craig Childs: The Wild Dark: Finding the Night Sky in the Age of Light: https://amzn.to/4mXFnTt House of Rain: Tracking a Vanished Civilization Across the American Southwest: https://amzn.to/4m9JiLK Tracing Time: Seasons of Rock Art on the Colorado Plateau: https://amzn.to/4m8RonO Virga & Bone: Essays from Dry Places: https://amzn.to/42nLRCE Stone Desert: https://amzn.to/4npuDwY About the Artful Painter: Website: https://theartfulpainter.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CarlOlsonArt Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artful.painter/ This page may contain affiliate links from which I earn a small commission. When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    54 min
  8. Kami Mendlik - Surrender to the Process

    13/07/2022

    Kami Mendlik - Surrender to the Process

    Kami Mendlik's exquisite landscape paintings shimmer and vibrate with animated light and color. Her life-long journey of curiosity and keen observation of the natural world began when she was a young child. The Minnesota farmland she grew up on was fertile not just for crops, but also for a young mind curious about the wonders of the land that was her home. She was entranced by the beauty of nature's rhythm and harmony and its myriad colors. Kami thinks of herself as a lifelong student. Each seeming advance of knowledge leads to more questions and a never-ending quest to answer them in her paintings. Her passion is the study of color. However, she does not keep what she learns to herself. Over the years she has taught well over 1,000 students a process to help achieve the illusion of light and vibration in their paintings. Over ten years in the making, she has codified the lessons she has learned about color in a new book titled: Color Relativity–Creating the Illusion of Light With Paint. This gorgeous new book is due to be released towards the end of the summer of 2022. In this episode, Kami reveals that she has struggled with dyslexia. However, the challenge of dyslexia did not prevent her from developing a deep love of books, and the writing of Color Relativity. She opens up about what is involved in creating, editing, and publishing a quality art book. If you were to observe Kami Mendlik painting outdoors or in her studio, just as she begins to make her colors dance, you might see a smile flicker upon her face, a slight inhale of a calming breath, and, then, with quiet abandon see her Surrender to the Process. Links: Kami Mendlik Website: https://www.kamimendlik.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kamimendlik/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kami.polzin New Book: Color Relativity–Creating the Illusion of Light With Paint: https://www.colorrelativity.com/ About the Artful Painter: Website: https://theartfulpainter.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CarlOlsonArt Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artful.painter/ This page may contain affiliate links from which I earn a small commission. When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    1hr 12min
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About

Art lessons for artists, collectors, and people who love art.

Information

  • Creator
    Carl Olson
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2026
  • Episodes
    79
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Carl Olson, Jr.
  • Show Website
    Artful Painter

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