Paintbrush & Ivories Michelle Walker & Jennifer Ruth Russell

After a pause in their podcasting, Michelle and Jennifer get back together to talk about what creative life has been like over the last six months. One key idea that has emerged has been about letting go of the turmoil that sometimes surrounds us in our creative practice and how releasing this leaves more bandwidth for our artistry.
Artists and resources mentioned in this episode:
Creative Mullumbimby https://www.creativemullum.org.au/
Ellen Ferrier https://www.ellenferrier.com/
Suvira McDonald https://www.suviramcdonald.com/
Christina Khumari https://www.khumari.com/
You can find your hosts at these places:
Michelle’s website – www.michellewalkerart.com
Michelle on Instagram – www.instagram.com/michellewalkerart
Michelle on YouTube – www.youtube.com/c/michellewalkerart
Jennifer’s website – www.jenniferruthrussell.com
Jennifer on Patreon – www.patreon.com/JenniferandMichael

Mending & Tending: Art that works for Nature is a commissioned project by local artists Samantha Moss, Jess Poulsen and Shona Wilson currently happening in the Byron Shire. Each artist shares a deep connection and appreciation for the environment, as well as an established art practice working with nature and its precious resources. In today’s episode, Michelle speaks with Jess Poulsen and Shona Wilson about their art practice, their connection to nature and their intentions with the Mending & Tending project.
Ways to connect with our guests, Shona Wilson and Jess Poulsen:
https://www.shonawilson.com/
https://www.instagram.com/shonawilsonartist/
https://www.jesspoulsen.com/
https://www.instagram.com/jesspoulsensculpture
Artists and resources mentioned in this episode:
Sam Moss, the 3rd artist in the Mending and Tending Project https://www.instagram.com/fertile_earth/
Andy Goldsworthy https://andygoldsworthystudio.com/
Lone Goat Gallery https://www.lonegoatgallery.com/exhibitions
Byron Shire’s Inaugural Climate Conversations Project https://www.byron.nsw.gov.au/Services/Environment/Climate-change/Climate-Conversations
Wildbnb Wildlife Habitat https://www.instagram.com/wildbnb_wildlife_habitat/
Watershed Sculpture https://www.watershedsculpture.com/
You can find your episode host at these places:
Michelle’s website – www.michellewalkerart.com
Michelle on Instagram – www.instagram.com/michellewalkerart
Michelle on YouTube – www.youtube.com/c/michellewalkerart

After two months in the gallery, Michelle’s Ash, Mud & Tears exhibition has come down. In this episode, Michelle is joined by her exhibition collaborator, Jude White to discuss what’s emerged from the exhibition experience.
They discuss the impact of the exhibition on their art practice and the learnings about how to mount a great show and make it a success.
Artists and resources mentioned in this episode:
Ash, Mud & Tears exhibition - https://michellewalkerart.com/exhibitions/
Northern Rivers Community Gallery - https://www.nrcgballina.com.au/v1/exhibitions/upcoming-exhibitions/763-may-2023-ash-and-mud-tears
Rosalie Gascoigne - https://www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au/collection/artists/gascoigne-rosalie/
Ways to connect with guest, Jude White:
https://www.judewhite.com.au/
https://www.instagram.com/judewhiteart/
You can find your host at these places:
Michelle’s website – www.michellewalkerart.com
Michelle on Instagram – www.instagram.com/michellewalkerart
Michelle on YouTube – www.youtube.com/c/michellewalkerart

Do you sometimes feel too tired to make art?
Do you ever struggle with managing energy levels in the ebb and flow of your creative practice?
If yes, then this episode is worth a listen. Michelle and Jennifer talk through the energy dips that can result from finally getting a big project across the line or just the life of a multi-hat wearing creative with many, many projects on the go.
The concept of activity cycles and embedded energy as well as the importance of pausing and acknowledging progress on a regular basis to maintain our energy levels are discussed. Michelle and Jennifer both share their approaches to recharging their batteries - e.g. avoiding energy draining behaviours, environments and people, taking more naps and be present to the preciousness of the moment.
Resources mentioned in this episode:
Michelle's Ash, Mud & Tears exhibition - https://www.nrcgballina.com.au/v1/exhibitions/current-exhibitions/763-may-2023-ash-and-mud-tears
Opulence Infusion book by Jennifer - https://www.amazon.com/Opulence-Infusion-new-faith-currency/dp/1732273235
You can find your hosts at these places:
Michelle’s website – www.michellewalkerart.com
Michelle on Instagram – www.instagram.com/michellewalkerart
Michelle on YouTube – www.youtube.com/c/michellewalkerart
Jennifer’s website – www.jenniferruthrussell.com
Jennifer on Patreon – www.patreon.com/JenniferandMichael

After months of intense work, Michelle Walker and her creative collaborator, Jude White have finished their artwork for the 'Ash, Mud & Tears' exhibition. In this episode, Jude joins Michelle and Jennifer to talk about the making of the work, the ideas behind the show and some early learnings from how it all came together.
In Ash, Mud & Tears, Michelle Walker & Jude White present an exhibition of artworks capturing the energies and turmoil in the aftermath of fires and floods in the Northern Rivers. Images of burnt trees, mud-stained houses and impacted landscapes are fragmented, scaled and remixed, depicting a time of great upheaval. Each artwork considers house our relationship to the landscape, and a sense of place and home can emerge during this time of recovery.
Ways to connect with our guest, Jude White:
https://www.judewhite.com.au/
https://www.instagram.com/judewhiteart/
Artists, links and resources mentioned in this episode:
Virginia Reid - https://www.byroncollege.org.au/tutor/194
Northern Rivers Community Gallery website for the Ash, Mud & Tears exhibition - https://www.nrcgballina.com.au/v1/exhibitions/current-exhibitions/763-may-2023-ash-and-mud-tears
You can find your hosts at these places:
Michelle’s website – www.michellewalkerart.com
Michelle on Instagram – www.instagram.com/michellewalkerart
Michelle on YouTube – www.youtube.com/c/michellewalkerart
Jennifer’s website – www.jenniferruthrussell.com
Jennifer on Patreon – www.patreon.com/JenniferandMichael

On the equinox, Jennifer Ruth Russell released her 4th book, Opulence Infusion. In today episode, Michelle interviews Jennifer and finds out more about how the lessons and processes contained in the newest book serve artists in the practice of their craft.
Resources mentioned in this episode:
The Seven Sacred Flames book by Aurelia Louise Jones
Opulence Infusion book by Jennifer - https://www.amazon.com/Opulence-Infusion-new-faith-currency/dp/1732273235
Opulence CD by Jennifer - https://jenniferruthrussell.bandcamp.com/album/opulence
Jennifer’s healing meditation - https://angelsofabundanceascensionacademy.com/
You can find your hosts at these places:
Michelle’s website – www.michellewalkerart.com
Michelle on Instagram – www.instagram.com/michellewalkerart
Michelle on YouTube – www.youtube.com/c/michellewalkerart
Jennifer’s website – www.jenniferruthrussell.com
Jennifer on Patreon – www.patreon.com/JenniferandMichael