214 - The Art of Saying No

In this episode we interview multidisciplinary artist and founder of Serendib Creative LLC, Mayanthi Jayawardena. We talk about recognizing burnout, pivoting healing into a source of income, staying grounded in authenticity, the power of showing up, the benefit of engaging others with a project, and the launch of her new community art consulting services.Stay Connected with Mayanthi: /serendibcreativeEpisode Blog Link: https://www.levelupartists.com/lua-podcast/216Sign up for our studio newsletters at: https://www.AmeighArt.com https://www.JaclynSanders.com https://www.levelupartists.com Connect with us on Instagram: / ameighart / jsandersstudio / levelupartists Music by: https://www.coreyclaxton.com Watching or listening to one of our earlier episodes? In 2022, the Art Studio Insights podcast was renamed the Level Up Artists podcast!

Sketchbooks are more than just a place to draw—they’re a pressure-free space to explore ideas, document growth, and keep your creativity flowing. In this episode, we revisit sketchbook practice with fresh insights, new tools, and updated workflows—plus how incorporating tablets has transformed our creative process.We talk about how to make sketchbooking work for your lifestyle, the benefits of mixing physical and digital formats, and how tablets have become indispensable for our mural design process. Whether you’re brand new to sketchbooking or looking to reignite your practice, you’ll walk away inspired to create a space—digital or physical—that supports your art and sparks new ideas.Episode Blog Link: https://www.levelupartists.com/lua-podcast/215Sign up for our studio newsletters at: https://www.AmeighArt.com https://www.JaclynSanders.com https://www.levelupartists.com Connect with us on Instagram: / ameighart / jsandersstudio / levelupartists Music by: https://www.coreyclaxton.com Watching or listening to one of our earlier episodes? In 2022, the Art Studio Insights podcast was renamed the Level Up Artists podcast!

Saying “no” isn’t selfish—it’s one of the most powerful tools you have as a creative. In this episode, we talk about why setting boundaries can transform your business, how to spot red flags with clients, and the key factors to consider before turning down work. We’ll share real-life stories of walking away from misaligned projects, the “Yes, but…” strategy for balancing income with alignment, and four actionable tips to help you say no with clarity—so you can make space for the kind of work and life you truly want.Episode Blog Link: https://www.levelupartists.com/lua-podcast/214Sign up for our studio newsletters at: https://www.AmeighArt.com https://www.JaclynSanders.com https://www.levelupartists.com Connect with us on Instagram: / ameighart / jsandersstudio / levelupartists Music by: https://www.coreyclaxton.com Watching or listening to one of our earlier episodes? In 2022, the Art Studio Insights podcast was renamed the Level Up Artists podcast!

On this episode we interview CEO and Co-Founder of We Are Limitless Studios, Brandon Bell. We talk about the importance of “just showing up”, utilizing storytelling in your art and creative process, using art as an anchorpoint solution for local businesses, understanding community impact, embracing delegation, setting your own goal posts for success, and working with local schools to launch a kids mentorship program.Stay Connected With Brandon:www.wearelimitlessstudios.com / brandxnbellEpisode Blog Link: https://www.levelupartists.com/lua-podcast/213Sign up for our studio newsletters at: https://www.AmeighArt.com https://www.JaclynSanders.com https://www.levelupartists.com Connect with us on Instagram: / ameighart / jsandersstudio / levelupartists Music by: https://www.coreyclaxton.com Watching or listening to one of our earlier episodes? In 2022, the Art Studio Insights podcast was renamed the Level Up Artists podcast!

Whether you’ve dealt with a difficult client before or the thought of it makes you anxious, this episode is for you! In this episode, we talk about some of the most common situations artists face when working with challenging clients, the red flags to look out for in the beginning, and how to set your future self up for success to avoid repeat trouble.Episode Blog Link: https://www.levelupartists.com/lua-podcast/212Sign up for our studio newsletters at: https://www.AmeighArt.com https://www.JaclynSanders.com https://www.levelupartists.com Connect with us on Instagram: / ameighart / jsandersstudio / levelupartists Music by: https://www.coreyclaxton.com Watching or listening to one of our earlier episodes? In 2022, the Art Studio Insights podcast was renamed the Level Up Artists podcast!

Today we have a bit of a “gut punch” episode as we focus on the career minded artist mindset shift of making collectors, not just digital content. How you define success as an artist is different for everyone, however, if sales are your focus – today’s episode is for you! Making scalable and tangible progress in your business is not always done by what others see, rather it is often based on what goes on behind the scenes!Episode Blog Link: https://www.levelupartists.com/lua-podcast/211Sign up for our studio newsletters at: https://www.AmeighArt.com https://www.JaclynSanders.com https://www.levelupartists.com Connect with us on Instagram: / ameighart / jsandersstudio / levelupartists Music by: https://www.coreyclaxton.com Watching or listening to one of our earlier episodes? In 2022, the Art Studio Insights podcast was renamed the Level Up Artists podcast!

On this episode we interview traveling muralist Natalie Robinson. We talk about embracing a vibrant and playful art style, leveraging non-paid gigs for future work, connecting with our inner child, leaning into learning as you grow, and the logistics of balancing the needs of your client with your own voice. So if you are an emerging artist or curious about how to get started, this episode is for you!Stay Connected with Natalie:https://www.natalierobinson.workhttps://www.instagram.com/natalierobinson_artEpisode Blog Link: https://www.levelupartists.com/lua-podcast/210Sign up for our studio newsletters at: https://www.AmeighArt.com https://www.JaclynSanders.com https://www.levelupartists.com Connect with us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/AmeighArt/https://www.instagram.com/JSandersStudio/https://www.instagram.com/LevelUpArtists/Music by: https://www.coreyclaxton.com Watching or listening to one of our earlier episodes? In 2022, the Art Studio Insights podcast was renamed the Level Up Artists podcast!

On this episode we interview photographer Matt Ramey. We talk about the importance of observing the world with curiosity, balancing a professional portfolio with a studio practice, developing resilience in the creative war of attrition, and capturing the true essence, emotion and energy of a subject.Stay Connected with Matt:https://www.MattRameyPhoto.comhttps://www.instagram.com/MattRameyPhotoEpisode Blog Link: https://www.levelupartists.com/lua-podcast/209Sign up for our studio newsletters at: https://www.AmeighArt.com https://www.JaclynSanders.com https://www.levelupartists.com Connect with us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/AmeighArt/https://www.instagram.com/JSandersStudio/https://www.instagram.com/LevelUpArtists/Music by: https://www.coreyclaxton.com Watching or listening to one of our earlier episodes? In 2022, the Art Studio Insights podcast was renamed the Level Up Artists podcast!

On today’s episode we slow it down for a studio update, giving you all a glimpse behind the scenes of our personal studio practices! We talk about our recent experience on the Squirrel Brain, Chickadee Soul retreat, advice for artists who are considering going to an artist retreat, behind the scenes details about the mural workshop Adriana hosted earlier this year, and advice for how to find value in every experience!Episode Blog Link: https://www.levelupartists.com/lua-podcast/208Sign up for our studio newsletters at: https://www.AmeighArt.com https://www.JaclynSanders.com https://www.levelupartists.com Connect with us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/AmeighArt/https://www.instagram.com/JSandersStudio/https://www.instagram.com/LevelUpArtists/Music by: https://www.coreyclaxton.com Watching or listening to one of our earlier episodes? In 2022, the Art Studio Insights podcast was renamed the Level Up Artists podcast!

On this episode we interview artist Lauren Cooper. We talk about the impact of motherhood on the creative practice, launching ghost designing services for fellow artists, using murals to bring joy in schools, utilizing chat GPT to organize time and projects, unpacking the investment value of a murals for businesses, putting yourself first, and aligning your business with your core values as a person.Stay Connected with Lauren:https://www.instagram.com/rosemontlanehttps://www.rosemontlane.comEpisode Blog Link: https://www.levelupartists.com/lua-podcast/207Sign up for our studio newsletters at: https://www.AmeighArt.com https://www.JaclynSanders.com https://www.levelupartists.com Connect with us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/AmeighArt/https://www.instagram.com/JSandersStudio/https://www.instagram.com/LevelUpArtists/Music by: https://www.coreyclaxton.com Watching or listening to one of our earlier episodes? In 2022, the Art Studio Insights podcast was renamed the Level Up Artists podcast!