Voice Lessons: Uncovering and Claiming Your Unique, Creative Voice
You're a writer, artist, singer, choreographer. Think Lady Gaga, Judy Garland, Prince. Hemingway, JK Rowling, JRR Tolkien. Picasso, Van Gogh. You're tired of trying to uncover your voice by imitating other artists. If you've peeled back the layers of your voice and think you finally recognize it as yours, do you have the courage to claim it? These are the questions we aim to answer during my biweekly podcast, Voice Lessons: Covering and Claiming Your Unique, Creative Voice.
Voice Lessons: Uncovering and Claiming Your Unique, Creative Voice
The Epiphanies Behind Connecting with Our Creative Voices with Kristy Gordon
In this episode of Voice Lessons, I’m thrilled to welcome Kristy Gordon, a Canadian-born visual artist living in New York City, whose work reimagines classical techniques through a contemporary lens. Kristy's paintings blend old master craftsmanship with visionary explorations of nature, myth, and transformation, resulting in luminous large-scale compositions that weave together symbols from ancient myths and sacred geometry.
Kristy described voice as an amalgamation of personal experience, technical expertise, and spontaneous epiphanies that occur during the creative process. We explored the concept of these epiphanies and how they influence both of our creative practices in writing and painting.
We also discussed some of the struggles she faces as an artist — from handling constructive criticism to getting over creative blocks — and some of the strategies she uses to navigate these challenges when they arise. She detailed her 'Miracle Actions List,' a consistent daily routine that includes activities like painting for 25 minutes and taking in other artists’ work to get inspired.
In addition to her typical work, Kristy also talked about commissioned pieces and how she navigates maintaining her artistic integrity while meeting clients' expectations. She gave us insights into her Visionary Artist Master Program, designed to help other artists uncover and claim their unique voices. If you can’t join the program, be sure to stick around until the end of the episode to hear Kristy’s top tips for artists to connect with their voices and unique creativity.
Key Topics:
- Epiphany’s role in developing and connecting with your creative voice
- How Kristy developed her voice and when she first felt like she was in touch with it
- Navigating and getting out of creative ruts as a visual artist
- What’s Kristy’s painting process like now?
- What is transformative art?
- The inspiration behind the use of sacred geometry and mythology in her work
- Writing the book ‘Become a Great Artist’
- Processing difficult feedback and criticism as an artist
- How Kristy’s process differs between her typical creative work and commissioned work
- AI’s increasing presence in the creative world
- Doing something creative every day as a way to reconnect with your voice
Connect with Kristy online:
Website: https://kristygordon.com/
Workshops: https://www.down2art.com/
Book: https://www.down2art.com/book-launch
Find more from Jill:
Email: jill@thewritersrefuge.com
Website: https://www.thewritersrefuge.com/
Writing Coaching Programs: https://www.thewritersrefuge.com/coaching
Sign up for my free 3x weekly writing session: write to jill@thewritersrefuge.com for ZOOM info
Special thanks to LVDY for allowing us to use their song, Saltwater, in the intro and outro of the podcast!
