welcome to the podcast…

Podcast cover with text 'Art, Parenthood, and Beyond with Miwa Gardner' and a microphone icon on a purple watercolor background.
Miwa Gardner Miwa Gardner

Creativity is Play: Why Experimentation Matters in Art | #ArtExperimentation Ep. 030

What if the key to better art isn’t technique, but play?

This week, I embraced full experimentation—mixing inks, layering textures, and letting curiosity lead. Inspired by Rick Rubin’s seeds concept, I discovered 45 new colors, unexpected textures, and a painting sparked by the film Flow.

This episode is a reminder: creativity thrives in exploration, not perfection. If you’re feeling stuck, maybe it’s time to stop planning and start playing.

Read More
Miwa Gardner Miwa Gardner

Talking about Artistic Style: Insights with Artist & Dear Friend Eli #Arttalk Ep. 014

In Episode 14 of Art, Parenthood, and Beyond, I’m  joined by myfriend and fellow artist, Eli, who she met through an Agnes Cecil watercolor workshop. Together, we discuss concept of artistic style—how it evolves, how to define it, and why it's more about exploration and experimentation than finding a set formula. Eli shares her thoughts on style being a natural yet practiced outcome and why continual experimentation is key to discovering what resonates. We discuss the different styles of well-known artists and how they too went through their own processes of finding and evolving their style.

Read More
Miwa Gardner Miwa Gardner

Artistic Challenges: Lessons in Persistence from Origami with My Son | #ArtisticJourney Ep. 012

In today's episode, I share the joyful yet challenging experience of doing origami with my three-year-old son. While waiting for our belongings to arrive from Munich, we bonded over folding delicate paper vehicles. This experience sparked not only joy but also valuable lessons about patience and the importance of pushing through artistic challenges. As I navigated the frustrations of origami, I reflected on how similar challenges appear in my artistic journey. Tune in to explore how persistence, balance, and enjoyment shape our creativity.

Read More
Miwa Gardner Miwa Gardner

How I Projected My Childhood on My Son|#ArtAndParenthood Ep. 008

In this episode of Art, Parenthood, and Beyond, I reflect on how my childhood fears shaped the way I parented my son and how painting helped me uncover these emotions. Through a specific artwork titled Womb, I realized my son is more capable than I initially believed, and this journey taught me the balance between protecting him and giving him the space to grow.

I also explore how our art can reflect deep emotions we may not even be aware of. Tune in for insights on both parenting and the creative process!

Read More
Miwa Gardner Miwa Gardner

What Do People Want? Lessons from Giving Away My Art in the Streets| Ep. 006

In this episode of Art, Parenthood and Beyond, I share my experience of giving away 56 paintings on the streets of Munich as a way to discover what kind of art people truly want. This bold experiment revealed surprising insights about my work, challenged my internal critic, and ultimately helped me reconnect with the joy of painting. Join me as I reflect on the lessons learned from this unique adventure, including the importance of letting go of insecurities and focusing on what brings me joy as an artist.

Read More
Miwa Gardner Miwa Gardner

Capturing the Feeling: The Urgency to Create|Ep. 003

In this episode, I explore the urgency of creating when inspiration strikes and reflect on whether great art must come from pain or if joy and beauty hold equal power. I share the story behind a painting inspired by a friend's heartbreaking experience and discuss creating from raw emotion.

Read More