216 - Staying Grounded in Authenticity

In this episode, we take time to reflect on our 2025 wins across marketing, exposure, art-making, income shifts, and personal growth, including the word/phrase that guided our year. From there, we look ahead to 2026, sharing how we’re approaching goal-setting, priorities, and intentions as artists and creative business owners.Episode Blog Link: https://www.levelupartists.com/lua-podcast/223Sign 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!

If someone handed you $100 today, how would you use it to spark joy or support your creative practice?In this episode, Jackie and Adriana share their own answers to a favorite Level Up question—what would you spend $100 on as an artist? From studio tools and mural gear to community connections, health, and creativity, they each share five ways to invest that money with purpose. So whether you’re eyeing a thoughtful splurge, planning a wish list, or just looking for inspiration, this conversation might give you a few new ideas for how to invest in your art—and yourself.Episode Blog Link: https://www.levelupartists.com/lua-podcast/222Sign 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’re painting murals, exploring digital illustration, or creating on a small canvas, there’s something undeniably powerful about storytelling in art. This is because, often the pieces that stick with people are the ones that carry a story, even when it’s not spoken out loud.In this episode, Jackie and Adriana share how to build storytelling into your creative practice, stay authentic to your vision, and connect with your audience on a deeper level. From trusting your intuition to making intentional design choices, they explore how visual narratives can transform your work from beautiful to unforgettable.Episode Blog Link: https://www.levelupartists.com/lua-podcast/221Sign 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!

Moving out doesn’t just mean packing boxes—it’s about redefining your creative flow, your marketing strategy, and your mindset. In this episode, Jackie and Adriana dive into the realities of planning for downsizing—a transition every artist will face at some point in their creative journey.Whether you’re reacting to a major life shift or intentionally creating space for new growth, this conversation explores the practical, emotional, and strategic sides of letting go. With both hosts preparing to leave their studios at Artspace after six years, this discussion offers firsthand insight into what it means to close one chapter while setting the stage for the next.Episode Blog Link: https://www.levelupartists.com/lua-podcast/220Sign 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!

Confidence doesn’t just appear overnight—it’s built through action, reflection, and plenty of imperfect work. In this episode, Jackie and Adriana share seven honest, experience-tested ways they’ve grown their creative confidence—from showing up when the work felt “meh” to saying yes before feeling ready. So whether you’re just starting out or rebuilding momentum, this conversation will help you see how far you’ve come and remind you that confidence grows one small step at a time.Episode Blog Link: https://www.levelupartists.com/lua-podcast/219Sign 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!

We’re excited to share our last studio update of the year, highlighting wins and challenges in our artistic practices. We discuss several topics including gathering inspiration for new artwork, getting ready for the holidays, taking workshops and traveling, focusing on work-life “harmony” instead of balance and acknowledging the cyclical nature of creativity.Episode Blog Link: https://www.levelupartists.com/lua-podcast/218Sign 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!

To some, side projects may feel like a distraction but in our experience, productive creative procrastination can actually fuel your creative energy while “taking a break” from your normal art making practice. In this episode we share some side creative projects that we’ve been getting into, the benefits of stepping outside of the studio, and how these projects are energizing our inspiration.Episode Blog Link: https://www.levelupartists.com/lua-podcast/217Sign 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!

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!