Art, Parenthood, and Beyond

Miwa Gardner
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"Art, Parenthood, and Beyond with Miwa Gardner" is where I share my journey as a watercolor artist and, well, a mom too. In this podcast, I explore the unspoken emotions that come with creating art and navigating parenthood, exploring into how these two worlds mingle.I’ll share insights into my artistic process and the inspirations behind my paintings, along with various resources that have influenced my journey. Whether you're a fellow parent, an art lover, or simply curious (like I often am:), join me as I explore the complex layers of life through my experiences.

  1. My Last Episode: What This Podcast Taught Me — 5 Lessons For Every Artist | #artiststruggles Ep. 050

    17 JUL

    My Last Episode: What This Podcast Taught Me — 5 Lessons For Every Artist | #artiststruggles Ep. 050

    This is my last podcast episode—at least for now. In this goodbye, I reflect on what this podcast journey has taught me and share 5 creative lessons every artist should remember. These aren’t tips about algorithms or visibility—they’re the deeper truths that shape how we show up to create. From trusting your intuition to choosing focus over noise, from crying in the car after a tough call with a hero, to realizing how hard it can be—especially as women—to say no and protect studio time… these stories are raw, honest, and full of the questions we all face as artists. One of the biggest gifts of this podcast was the people it connected me to. Aine Divine opened a door that helped me see myself more clearly. Christian Hook may have closed a door, but in doing so, he anchored me to the one thing that truly matters. That clarity, even through rejection, helped me cut off distractions and devote more time to painting.But if I hadn’t started this podcast, I wouldn’t have had the chance to even speak with him. For that alone, I’m so glad I began this path. If you’re curious about Christian Hook’s work, you can explore it here: https://www.christianhook.com Whether you’ve been listening since episode one or just dropped in recently, thank you. I hope this final episode gives you something to carry forward in your own creative life. Mentioned: Letting Go, Moving Forward: Lessons from a Bird on Starting Over| #NatureLessons Ep. 013 Listening In: Aine Divine on Art as Catharsis, Following Sparks, Surrendering to Creative Blocks, and Fully Occupying Your Body in the Creative Process| Ep.19 Kelogsloops: On Art, Storytelling & Why Your Style Is Always Evolving| #Chasingdreams Ep. 035 Artist Lessons from Agnes Cecil, Aine Divine, Kelogsloops, and More: On Rejection, Letting Go, and Growth  |  #ArtistLessons Ep. 042 Miwa’s website: Miwagardner.com Find me on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@miwagardner_art

    14 min
  2. What’s Your Art Fear? MBTI Loops, Burnout, and Finding the Way Back | #artiststruggle Ep. 049

    2 JUL

    What’s Your Art Fear? MBTI Loops, Burnout, and Finding the Way Back | #artiststruggle Ep. 049

    Art fear doesn’t always scream — sometimes, it loops quietly in the background. In this episode, I share how my ENFP stress loop of ideas and over-action led me straight into burnout… and how my friend Eli, an INFP, shut down completely after a painful creative experience. We both had to find ways to come back. If you’ve ever felt stuck, resistant, numb, or unsure what step to take next — this episode is for you. I walk through how MBTI loops play out under stress and how simple, honest shifts can help bring you back to creative alignment.Ask yourself: what’s your art fear? And what helps you find your way back? MBTI Test: https://www.16personalities.com/free-personality-test Episode with Eli “When Art Hurts: Selling at Nontraditional Venues & Meta Ads Frustrations | #ArtistStruggle Ep. 025” Episode with Eli “Finding Your Flow: Creative Routines, Rituals, and Making Space for Art | #CreativeFlow Ep. 037”Eli’s website: https://www.elimiklavcic.com/ Miwa’s website: Miwagardner.com Find me on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@miwagardner_art

    19 min
  3. Finding Your Artistic Voice — And Why I’m Still on the Road There | #findyourartisticvoice Ep. 048

    25 JUN

    Finding Your Artistic Voice — And Why I’m Still on the Road There | #findyourartisticvoice Ep. 048

    In this episode, I’m opening up about something deeply personal:how I’m still figuring out my artistic voice —and why that process is probably more about returning than discovering. I share my own winding path,from quitting art school for survival reasons,to reigniting my practice thanks to my partner’s encouragement,to hitting moments of “wait, where am I going?” even after setting clear goals. You’ll hear how a conversation with Kelogsloops,and reflections on my old IB Visual Arts training,brought me back to the power of observation and reflection —and why I believe your artistic voice is already inside you,waiting to be noticed and nurtured. If you’ve ever felt lost, scattered, or unsure of your style,this episode is for you. Blog on: How to Find Your Artistic Voice (And Keep Coming Back to It) Miwa’s website: Miwagardner.com Find me on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@miwagardner_art

    7 min
  4. The Role of Art Goals & Clarity: Finding Direction That Feels Like Yours | #artistgoals Ep. 047

    18 JUN

    The Role of Art Goals & Clarity: Finding Direction That Feels Like Yours | #artistgoals Ep. 047

    In this episode, I’m opening up about the deeper, less-talked-about side of goal setting for artists.It’s not just about writing down what you want —it’s about learning how to stay tuned in, adjust, and realign your goals as you grow. I reflect on my own journey — from painting every day after an inspiring workshop,to launching toddler portrait commissions even though my partner urged me to focus on refining my skills,to facing the deeper realization that no goal ever feels truly “final.” If you’ve ever struggled to balance ambition, craft, and self-compassion,this episode is a gentle, honest look at how we can stay connected to the work that truly matters. Miwa’s website: Miwagardner.com Find me on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@miwagardner_art

    9 min
  5. Facing Art Fears & Finding Your Creative Identity: Embracing Fear as Part of the Process | #artidentity Ep. 046

    11 JUN

    Facing Art Fears & Finding Your Creative Identity: Embracing Fear as Part of the Process | #artidentity Ep. 046

    In this episode, I dive into the fears that all artists face — and the role fear plays in shaping our creative identity. From fears of failure to the struggle of imposter syndrome, I explore how these emotions don’t have to stop us. Instead, I share how I’ve learned to embrace them as part of the journey, using them to push through moments of doubt and continue evolving. If you've ever wondered if you're "good enough," or felt stuck by fear, this episode is for you. Miwa’s website: Miwagardner.com Find me on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@miwagardner_art

    9 min
  6. Navigating Art Fairs and Rejection: Learning from the “No” Without Losing Heart #artrejection Ep45

    4 JUN

    Navigating Art Fairs and Rejection: Learning from the “No” Without Losing Heart #artrejection Ep45

    In this episode, I open up about my first applications to art fairs here in Washington — and the rejections that came with them. I share what those moments brought up for me, how I reframed the experience, and why I’m still moving forward with more clarity. If you’ve ever felt discouraged by “no,” this is a reminder that rejection is part of the path — and sometimes, all it means is not yet. Go The Episode to check images here Miwa’s website: Miwagardner.com Find me on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@miwagardner_art

    10 min
  7. Making the Most of Creative Time: Protecting Your Hours Without Pressure | #artisttime Ep. 044

    28 MAY

    Making the Most of Creative Time: Protecting Your Hours Without Pressure | #artisttime Ep. 044

    In this episode, I share how I learned to work with the time I have — not the time I wish I had. From carving out studio structure as a parent to using even small windows intentionally, this episode is for anyone who’s juggling life and still wants to show up for their art in a meaningful way. I’ll also walk through how I split my creative hours, why that changed everything, and how you can do the same without pressure or guilt. If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re truly growing or just going through the motions, this episode is for you. Miwa’s website: Miwagardner.com Find me on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@miwagardner_art

    10 min
  8. Painting to Improve, Not Just Produce: Why Skill Must Come Before Selling | #artpractice Ep. 043

    21 MAY

    Painting to Improve, Not Just Produce: Why Skill Must Come Before Selling | #artpractice Ep. 043

    In this episode, I reflect on a shift I’ve been feeling — from just producing paintings to deeply focusing on improving my skills. Inspired by a quote from Christian Hook, I explore the difference between passive and deliberate practice, what counts as “study” versus “finished work,” and how redefining what a “good painting” means can reconnect you to your deeper artistic goals. If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re truly growing or just going through the motions, this episode is for you. Miwa’s website: Miwagardner.com Find me on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@miwagardner_art

    10 min
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About

"Art, Parenthood, and Beyond with Miwa Gardner" is where I share my journey as a watercolor artist and, well, a mom too. In this podcast, I explore the unspoken emotions that come with creating art and navigating parenthood, exploring into how these two worlds mingle.I’ll share insights into my artistic process and the inspirations behind my paintings, along with various resources that have influenced my journey. Whether you're a fellow parent, an art lover, or simply curious (like I often am:), join me as I explore the complex layers of life through my experiences.

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