Hosted by Mother and Daughter Eileen Hsü-Balzer and Julie Fei-Fan Balzer, the Adventures in Arting podcast is a lively discussion of all things art related. Topics range from creating art (painting, sewing, scrapbooking, lampworking, etc.) to viewing art (museums, galleries, the theatre, etc.) to the artful home (cooking, dressing, decorating etc.) to managing a career in the arts. All aspects of creativity are discussed between the two hosts, as well as with a variety of guests.
164: Drawing at the Danforth
On this podcast (recorded over three weeks), I share my highs and lows, break throughs and frustrations with a drawing class I’m taking at the …
8/8/2024 • 1 hour, 16 minutes, 1 second
163 – Artwork Statements Aren’t Easy
An Artwork Statement is a piece of writing that gives context to a specific artwork. It often explains the meaning, inspiration, techniques, and context behind …
8/1/2024 • 37 minutes, 57 seconds
162: Why Do You Host This Podcast with Your Mom?
This episode covers the Adventures in Arting podcast’s origin story, technical challenges, evolution, ups and downs, and the significance of surpassing 21 episodes, and most …
7/25/2024 • 1 hour, 1 minute, 51 seconds
161: Angela Fehr
From her home in northern British Columbia, Canada, through her video lessons on her website and YouTube, Angela Fehr has created a community of watercolor …
7/18/2024 • 53 minutes, 46 seconds
160: Growth Mindset
Today on the podcast we’re chatting about Growth Mindset vs. Fixed Mindset: Growth Mindset: Fixed Mindset: Be sure to listen to the podcast where I …
7/11/2024 • 54 minutes, 33 seconds
159: Focus
Lydia Leonard left this comment on my YouTube channel: “I’ve been following you for years and always marvel at your genius! Moving walls? So smart! …
6/27/2024 • 46 minutes, 19 seconds
158: Listener Mail
I like to think of the podcast as a conversation — between me and Mom — between me and Mom and a guest — between …
6/20/2024 • 52 minutes, 8 seconds
157: Art in Bloom: Part 2
As I mentioned in the previous podcast, Mom and I snuck in the night before the Museum of Fine Arts (MFA) here in Boston — …
6/13/2024 • 0
156: Art in Bloom: Part One
Mom and I snuck in the night before the Museum of Fine Arts (MFA) here in Boston — The museum’s annual Art in Bloom event …
6/6/2024 • 1 hour, 10 minutes, 24 seconds
155: The Parts of My Art Practice
The title of this episode is a bit of a double entendre.  We’re going to discuss my personal art practice and the parts I’ve devised …
5/29/2024 • 0
154: Inspiration to Action with Carolyn Dube
We have a very special guest for this episode of The Adventures in Arting Podcast: Carolyn Dube! Carolyn Dube is a mixed media art explorer …
5/23/2024 • 1 hour, 21 seconds
153: Adventure to Hartford
On today’s podcast, Mom and I are discussing self-care, the Worcester Art Museum, and a mixed media collage class I taught in Hartford. Links: Thanks …
5/17/2024 • 32 minutes, 37 seconds
152: The 7 Functions of Art
This one is a doozy. Mom and I definitely do not see eye-to-eye at all on this topic and it makes for a very lively …
5/9/2024 • 1 hour, 1 minute, 51 seconds
151: 4 Categories of Art?!
I stumbled across a post from Dr Louise R Mayhew on Instagram: @louisermayhew that blew my mind. She shared a post with a cover slide …
5/2/2024 • 47 minutes, 19 seconds
150- Listener Mail
You guys leave so many great and thoughtful comments. Mom and I wanted to discuss them and I hope to make this a regular feature …
4/25/2024 • 1 hour, 38 seconds
149: How to Talk About Your Artwork
Talking about your artwork effectively can enhance how it’s perceived and understood. Talking about it ineffectively can make people less interested in your work. One …
4/18/2024 • 45 minutes, 21 seconds
148: Must the Artistic Life be Solitary?
Mom came up with today’s topic. It’s a fair question. Do you think that the artistic life is solitary or based in community? Links: Tip …
4/11/2024 • 45 minutes, 56 seconds
147: Putting Yourself Out There
“Putting yourself out there” refers to various strategies artists use to gain exposure, connect with audiences, and advance their careers. During this podcast we’ll talk …
4/4/2024 • 1 hour, 1 minute, 11 seconds
146: Abstract Art Likes & Dislikes: Part 2
This week we are continuing our discussion about our abstract art likes and dislikes. Here is some of the artwork we discuss on the podcast: …
3/28/2024 • 51 minutes, 58 seconds
145: Abstract Art Likes & Dislikes: Part 1
In this episode of The Adventures in Arting Podcast, Mom and I are discussing our likes and dislikes when it comes to abstract art. Here’s …
3/21/2024 • 48 minutes, 23 seconds
144: Making Time for Art
I recently asked my newsletter subscribers what was the biggest obstacle to their creativity and many people said: time. Nobody has “free time.”  But we …
3/14/2024 • 51 minutes, 25 seconds
143: Is it time to change your social media diet?
You know how they say that you are what you eat? Well, I think you are what you consume on social media. Just like a …
3/7/2024 • 39 minutes, 33 seconds
142: Personal Style & Self-Knowledge
Everybody always talks about finding their personal style. The single biggest key to that style is you. So your knowledge of yourself and understanding of …
2/29/2024 • 1 hour, 2 minutes, 17 seconds
140: Start Before You’re Ready
Embracing the Unknown: The Power of Starting Before You’re Ready Starting before you’re ready is a mindset. It’s about the courage to dive into creative …
2/22/2024 • 39 minutes, 30 seconds
139: What is Your WHY?
The idea for this podcast came from a simple email I received: “Review your personal creative ‘why’. Take some time to reflect and journal on …
2/15/2024 • 50 minutes, 39 seconds
141: Ellen & Karen on Design Boot Camp
On this episode of the Adventures in Arting Podcast, Mom and I chat with Design Boot Camp grads, Ellen Goodloe and Karen Hall. Ellen Goodloe …
2/8/2024 • 1 hour, 10 minutes, 31 seconds
138: Julie’s “Constructed Exhibit” at the Library
If you’ve ever wondered how an art exhibit comes together…this podcast details all of the things that went into planning mine. You can visit the …
2/1/2024 • 52 minutes, 13 seconds
137: Beginner Intermediate Advanced
Defining the skill levels of artists, whether they are beginners, intermediate, or advanced, is somewhat subjective. But here are the divisions as I see them …
1/25/2024 • 51 minutes, 39 seconds
136: What is an Art Practice?
In this episode of the Adventures in Arting Podcast, Julie and Eileen delve into the intricacies of developing an artistic practice, emphasizing its dynamic and …
1/18/2024 • 55 minutes, 57 seconds
135: The Give and Take of Critique
Be sure to check out Julie’s new class: Practical Color for Painters. In episode 135 Julie and Eileen discuss the importance of giving and receiving …
1/11/2024 • 0
133 – Art in Bursts
On today’s episode of The Adventures in Arting Podcast, Mom and I are discussing making art in bursts. This is the concept that you don’t …
2/2/2023 • 46 minutes, 8 seconds
132: Planning and Organizing
On today’s episode of The Adventures in Arting Podcast, Mom and I are discussing Planning and Organizing. They are two separate things, in case you’re …
1/18/2023 • 51 minutes
131- Looking Back at 2022
Mom and I sat down last week and recorded this podcast. It’s a fun premise. We each got to ask the other three year-end questions. …
12/29/2022 • 1 hour, 14 minutes, 26 seconds
Mom and I recorded this podcast back at the beginning of September. But life has been so crazy that I only just managed to edit …
10/20/2022 • 38 minutes, 51 seconds
129: Julie Loves Mash-Ups
I love a good mash-up.  You know, a bit from column A and a bit from column B smushed together and suddenly you’ve got something …
8/23/2022 • 39 minutes, 25 seconds
128 Specific Questions
Today’s episode of The Adventures in Arting podcast was fueled by an email I get almost every single day: “I can’t access my class.” It’s …
8/4/2022 • 48 minutes, 43 seconds
127: Failure Again
When I told Mom that today’s podcast topic was “failure,” she said, “Again?!” Back on September 18, 2012 we published our very first podcast (almost …
7/19/2022 • 49 minutes, 22 seconds
126: 3 Interviews
Mom is under the weather today, so instead of chatting with her, I’m sharing portions of three interviews I did with artists who are a …
7/5/2022 • 32 minutes, 43 seconds
125: Broad Based Inspiration
We’re back and on schedule (amazingly) with another new podcast. Yay! If you prefer, you can watch the video HERE. We chat about a topic …
6/20/2022 • 34 minutes, 53 seconds
Episode 124 “Learning & Critique”
After a year-long hiatus, the podcast is back!  Hooray! I managed to traumatize my Mom by turning the video on. (You can watch the video …
6/6/2022 • 46 minutes, 27 seconds
123: Sketchbook Habit
On today’s podcast Mom and I are chatting about sketchbooks!  We share lots of tips for starting your own sketchbook process along with some of …
6/15/2021 • 53 minutes, 45 seconds
122: 100 Days of Art Botanical
This is a very special episode of The Adventures in Arting Podcast. We turned on the video cameras while we recorded the podcast and streamed …
5/26/2021 • 53 minutes, 7 seconds
121: Tina Walker is Resetting Herself
On this episode of The Adventures in Arting Podcast, Mom and I chat with Tina Walker about her obsession with details, antiques, art challenges, and …
5/12/2021 • 1 hour, 4 minutes, 42 seconds
120: Mistakes Are Okay with Tania Ahmed
On this episode of The Adventures in Arting Podcast, Mom and I chat with Tania Ahmed about her life in the craft industry. Tania is smart and …
4/29/2021 • 1 hour, 5 minutes, 12 seconds
119: Out of the Kitchen & Into the Studio with Edva Sims
On this episode of The Adventures in Arting Podcast, Mom and I chat with Edva Sims about her pottery business, finding your personal style, and …
4/14/2021 • 53 minutes, 37 seconds
118: Bust the COVID Blahs
It has been several months since we’ve released a new podcast. There’s a good reason and I’ll bet that you can relate: the COVID blahs. …
3/31/2021 • 50 minutes, 18 seconds
117: Hello, 2021!
Mom and I are talking about goals and hopes and plans for 2021 on today’s podcast. Give it a listen. Some things we discuss on …
1/14/2021 • 44 minutes, 55 seconds
116: Wrapping Up 2020
Is it too early to wrap up 2020?  On the podcast Mom and I are discussing the lessons learned in 2020 and what we hope …
12/16/2020 • 41 minutes, 57 seconds
115: Lessons from Boot Camp
Today on the podcast I’m sharing a list of five lessons from my Design Boot Camp class. I hope that you’ll find the lessons useful …
12/3/2020 • 55 minutes, 54 seconds
114: Christina’s Lino Life
Today’s guest is Christina Richmond, aka Tweeny.  Christina lives in Bath, and as a Jane Austen fan, I’ve always had a fantasy version of Bath …
11/12/2020 • 47 minutes, 30 seconds
113: Ali of 3DottedPenguins
Today’s guest is Ali Baecker of 3 Dotted Penguins.   Ali is one of the talented #CarveDecemberClass teachers.  We discussed how motherhood transformed her creative passion …
11/5/2020 • 1 hour, 5 minutes, 1 second
112: Learning During Covid
Welcome to our very first crowdsourced podcast! A while ago I asked for people to send in a short recording about their experiences with learning …
10/29/2020 • 49 minutes, 50 seconds
111: Sarah Matthew Printmaker Bookbinder
Mom and I had a wonderful long chat with Sarah Matthews. I’ve seen Sarah’s colorful layered prints many times, but I didn’t know about her …
10/29/2020 • 54 minutes, 54 seconds
110: The Catch by Matthew Ya-Hsiung Balzer
Matthew Ya-Hsiung Balzer, my brother, is the guest on today’s podcast. His film, THE CATCH, is going to be debuting at the Austin Film Festival …
10/15/2020 • 1 hour, 2 minutes, 1 second
109: Marta Harvey Tessellations
Mom and I had the great pleasure of chatting with Marta Harvey. Marta has participated in #CarveDecember for many years and her tessellations have gotten …
10/12/2020 • 59 minutes, 59 seconds
108: Little Rowan Redhead
I’m pretty sure that Rowan and I could have talked non-stop for about six hours. But we had to limit ourselves to just one hour. …
10/1/2020 • 1 hour, 9 minutes, 57 seconds
107: Sandy McTier Designs
It was my great pleasure to spend an hour chatting with Sandy McTier recently.  We discussed how she built her business and her core beliefs …
9/23/2020 • 1 hour, 4 minutes, 5 seconds
106: Creativity & The Burnt Cookie
Mom and I have an argument on this episode — like a talking over each other and accusing the other of being wrong argument. Give …
9/10/2020 • 44 minutes, 36 seconds
105: Paige’s Pages
Depending on how long you’ve been reading this blog and listening to this podcast, you may or may not know that I am a scrapbooker. …
9/3/2020 • 54 minutes, 59 seconds
104: Willa Wanders
Mom and I had a wonderful conversation with Wendy Solganik, aka “Willa.Wanders” this week. We probably could have talked to her for several hours. Our …
8/20/2020 • 1 hour, 18 minutes, 12 seconds
103: Filming Things
Today I’m bringing you a podcast in two halves.  The first half was recorded right after I came home from New Jersey and filming some …
8/5/2020 • 1 hour, 6 minutes, 45 seconds
102: Jackie Jimerson & Pass The Brush
Our guest today is Jackie Jimerson.  Learn all about Jackie and her first time experiencing gelatin printing, gain insight into her thoughts on designing her …
7/15/2020 • 1 hour, 26 minutes, 56 seconds
101: 3 Customer Questions
I had so much fun recording today’s podcast. Mom and I were actually in the same room and that gave the whole thing a different …
6/17/2020 • 1 hour, 10 minutes, 1 second
100: Looking Back Looking Forward
As my mother says at the beginning of the podcast, “I didn’t think it would last.”  But we made it to episode 100.  Woo hoo!  …
5/15/2020 • 1 hour, 8 minutes, 44 seconds
099: Carolyn Says OOPS
On today’s podcast we’re talking to Carolyn Dube about Art Sparks, the fact that there’s no one right answer, her former life experimenting with pizza …
5/7/2020 • 59 minutes, 16 seconds
098: Julia Wester
On today’s podcast I’m talking to Julia Wester about being a working mom, quarantining with a broken leg, and transitioning from her job as Oh …
4/30/2020 • 51 minutes, 9 seconds
097: Creativity in the Time of Covid-19
By my count, it has been almost six weeks of self-quarantine. It’s the new normal. It’s a lifestyle. On today’s podcast, Mom and I are …
4/23/2020 • 54 minutes, 49 seconds
096: Carol Knows How to Dye
On today’s podcast I’m talking to Carol Soderlund about her journey to becoming an expert in fabric dyeing, slow stitching, Nancy Crow, and so much …
4/16/2020 • 55 minutes
095: The Frugal Crafter
On today’s podcast I’m talking to Lindsay Weirich, The Frugal Crafter, about Prismacolor pencils, who should be called an artist, critique club, and so much …
4/2/2020 • 57 minutes, 4 seconds
094: In The Lino Cave with Susana
On today’s podcast I’m talking to Susana McDonnell aka @linocaveprints about her relationship with Speedball Art Supplies, her previous life as a glass blower, creating …
3/25/2020 • 0
093: Nathalie’s Studio
On today’s podcast I’m talking to my friend, Nathalie Kalbach about her new art studio and her obsession with architecture and the history of the …
3/12/2020 • 54 minutes, 22 seconds
092: Art + Motherhood
On today’s podcast I’m discussing motherhood and making art and self-identity with Roxanne Coble. Roxanne is a mixed media artist, illustrator, and maker of things. …
2/9/2020 • 52 minutes, 52 seconds
091: Life Changes
On today’s podcast I’m talking about two big life changes through the lens of art: moving into a new house and having a baby. We …
11/13/2019 • 55 minutes, 14 seconds
090: Back to Business
  Today’s podcast is all about working smarter, not harder. I’ve been taking my business apart — looking at how I spend my time and …
6/6/2019 • 47 minutes, 9 seconds
089: The Art of Pairing with Jenn Mason
  I’m super excited about today’s podcast because it’s one of our few repeat guests. Mom and I have been doing this podcast since 2011!!! …
4/7/2019 • 1 hour, 11 minutes, 37 seconds
088: Big House Craft Project
  As you probably know, the biggest craft project I’m working on is a home renovation. And renovation doesn’t really seem to cover what it …
3/14/2019 • 50 minutes, 8 seconds
087: Dina Wakley Media
  I’m so pleased to share a chat I recently had with my friend, Dina Wakley Dina is a mixed-media artist and teacher. She loves …
2/7/2019 • 1 hour, 6 minutes, 7 seconds
086: Creativation 2019
  I’m back from Creativation — aka the craft industry’s annual industry-only trade show. This year I planned ahead and Mom and I did half …
1/24/2019 • 54 minutes, 38 seconds
085: Hadley Powell: Art Advisor
  Our first podcast of 2019 features a conversation with art advisor, Hadley Powell. On the podcast we discuss her job, her path to her …
1/10/2019 • 1 hour, 5 minutes, 2 seconds
084: 2018 in Review
  Today’s podcast is the first of several posts, looking back at the year that has been. Goodbye, 2018. You were a good year. Some …
12/25/2018 • 59 minutes, 20 seconds
032: Skill Building
  Today’s podcast is packed with fun art-related talk: my pottery obsession…er, class, the MFA Museum Council, and work by Yayoi Kusama and Cecilia Vicuña. I …
10/24/2018 • 48 minutes, 57 seconds
082: Team Teaching with Nathalie Kalbach
Today’s podcast is about team teaching and features a conversation with Nathalie Kalbach. Nathalie is a self-taught mixed media artist. She was born in Germany …
10/8/2018 • 51 minutes
081: Listener Mail
  Mom and I are doing our best to get back into the podcast swing of things. We’ve been podcasting since 2012 (6 YEARS!!!) but …
9/8/2018 • 54 minutes, 47 seconds
080: Artistic Fear
  Mom and I are discussing artistic fear on today’s podcast. What is it? Why is it? And how can you overcome it? From the …
8/23/2018 • 51 minutes, 47 seconds
079: Time & Perspective
  For the first time in podcast history, Mom and I are in the same room to record this episode of the Adventures in Arting …
8/1/2018 • 1 hour, 14 minutes, 12 seconds
078: In a Learning Phase
  I am taking classes like a crazy person! Well, like a person who really wants to learn stuff. A lot of stuff. As mentioned …
5/15/2018 • 47 minutes, 26 seconds
077: On The Road Again
  It has been more than a month since our last podcast. My excuse: I’ve been busy. Most of the events we talk about on …
3/18/2018 • 1 hour, 1 minute, 17 seconds
076: Creativation 2018
  I recently attended Creativation — the annual trade show for the craft industry. It used to be called CHA (craft and hobby association) and …
1/31/2018 • 48 minutes, 31 seconds
075: Wrapping Up 2017
  In today’s podcast Mom and I chat about the year gone by and set some art goals for 2018! Here is a photo from …
12/24/2017 • 55 minutes, 1 second
074: The Intersection of Fashion and Art
  Our guest today is Kara Doyle-DuMouchelle: Pizza and bagel addict| Married the most wonderful man in the universe| Passion for art, fashion, food, and …
11/8/2017 • 54 minutes, 46 seconds
073: Super Secret Confidential
  In today’s podcast Mom and I chat about super secret confidential craft projects, my art class at the Museum of Fine Arts, visiting MoMA, …
10/5/2017 • 45 minutes, 9 seconds
072: August Adventures
Today’s podcast is full of fun chatter. This week, Mom and I are chatting about our August Art Adventures — much of it from my trip …
9/7/2017 • 57 minutes, 28 seconds
071: Jane Davies’ Abstract Painting
  Our guest this week is Jane Davies. Today’s podcast is full of excitement — dogs barking, Mom choking, and plenty of art talk! Mom, Jane, …
8/10/2017 • 1 hour, 4 minutes, 36 seconds
070: Summer Projects
Today’s podcast is all about The 100 Day Project, classes I’m teaching, and visiting NYC (Fancy Food Show, YouTube Space, MoMA and getting my hair cut). …
7/5/2017 • 46 minutes, 49 seconds
069: Abigail Ogilvy Gallery
  Today’s podcast features a wide ranging conversation with gallerist Abigail Ogilvy about running a gallery, choosing art, and the fine differences between galleries and museums. Abigail …
6/15/2017 • 1 hour, 4 minutes, 19 seconds
068: Explaining Things
  Today’s podcast features a conversation about wrangling tables at HSN, the Robert Rauschenberg exhibit at MoMA, creating step-outs, and so much more! It has been a …
5/29/2017 • 50 minutes, 24 seconds
067: Still Younger Than Mom ;)
Today’s podcast features a conversation about the Nari Ward opening at the Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA), Art in Bloom at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts …
5/4/2017 • 53 minutes, 34 seconds
066: Matisse in the Studio
Today’s podcast features a conversation about the new Matisse in the Studio exhibit at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts (MFA), along with a painting class I’m …
4/17/2017 • 59 minutes, 30 seconds
065: Tales from the Road & New Adventures Ahead
  Today’s podcast features a conversation about my recent travels, teaching, and some new adventures. Here are some photos from the surface design class I taught: And here …
3/27/2017 • 56 minutes, 9 seconds
064: A Visit to NYC
  Today’s podcast features a conversation about my recent visit to NYC — a visit that included two stops at MoMA (Museum of Modern Art), a day at …
3/8/2017 • 50 minutes, 46 seconds
063: Julie Loves Learning
I’m delighted to bring you another episode of the Adventures in Arting Podcast! Today’s podcast features a conversation about learning in general and four particular learning experiences …
2/15/2017 • 1 hour, 10 minutes, 26 seconds
062: After Creativation
  I’m delighted to bring you another episode of the Adventures in Arting Podcast! Today’s podcast features chatter about new classes, interrupting, the word interesting, the …
2/2/2017 • 54 minutes, 8 seconds
061: Headed to CHA’s Creativation Show
I’m delighted to bring you another episode of the Adventures in Arting Podcast! Today’s podcast features chatter about CHA’s upcoming Creativation Show, my recent visits to HSN …
1/18/2017 • 48 minutes
060: Carve December 2016
  I’m delighted to bring you another episode of the Adventures in Arting Podcast! Today’s podcast features chatter about Carve December and the Blogiversary. Here are the …
1/5/2017 • 51 minutes, 46 seconds
059: Lou Ann & the Gelli Plate
  I’m delighted to bring you another episode of the Adventures in Arting Podcast! Today’s podcast features Lou Ann Gleason: Lou Ann is CEO and co-founder …
