Talking with Painters

I’ve been listening to this podcast for the past couple years and it is such an inspiration. I love the questions Maria asks the artists and their responses are always so insightful. Listening from the US makes me want to travel to Australia to visit the outback and take a gallery tour.

This podcast has had a profound impact on my life as a US artist. I did not know much about AU art and artists before listening, and I’ve learned new techniques and developed healthy habits from this podcast. Thank you so much for your time in doing this, Maria!

I am an artist based in the U.S. who really enjoys listening to this podcast! Through it I have come to discover many talented Australian artists, that I did not know about before.The episodes are insightful, interesting, and explore both the technical aspect of the work as well as the personal life of the artists. It is one of my favorite podcasts to listen to while I walk my dog in the woods every morning. And Maria has a lovely sunny voice. She sounds as if she is smiling the whole time she speaks....I think she may be because it's clear that she loves the arts and conducting her interviews.

This podcast is SO GOOD that even if you don’t paint there are extraordinary things to learn about creativity, human potential, curiosity, and forging ahead on your own path. Maria, the host, is astonishingly good at her job. She asks the right questions and then gets out of the way, allowing painters to go down windy roads to make unusual points. Best episodes to start with are: Ep 29, James Drinkwater (fascinating insights on his formal training since childhood, but current life painting wild abstractions). Ep 32, Vanessa Stockard (refreshing candor about dealing with anxiety and a “false start” early on at school and how she found her way, and also on parenthood and maintaining an artistic practice; she’s also really funny), and Ep 31 Jonathan Dalton. And Ep 38 William Mackinnon; this was the first episode where I wish I had taken notes. He’s incredibly thoughtful about art and process and has fascinating things to say. Talking with Painters is a treasure for anyone who wants to understand how artists think and work. Maria Stoljar is a treasure.