I Like Your Work: Conversations with Artists

As we begin a new year, we're revisiting one of our most encouraging conversations on I Like Your Work—my interview with artist, author, and educator Lisa Congdon.
 
Lisa's story is a powerful reminder that there is no single timeline for becoming an artist. She didn't begin pursuing art seriously until later in life, and her career unfolded through persistence, curiosity, and a deep commitment to learning. In this episode, Lisa shares what it was like to start later, how she built confidence in her work, and how she navigated the fears and doubts that often accompany a creative path.
 
This conversation is especially meaningful to revisit in January, a time when many of us are reflecting on where we are, where we want to go, and whether it's "too late" to begin or begin again. Lisa's honesty and generosity offer reassurance that growth happens in its own time, and that showing up consistently matters more than starting early.
 
In this episode, we discuss:
Starting an art career later in life
Letting go of comparison and imagined timelines
Building confidence through practice and curiosity
Creating a sustainable creative life
Giving yourself permission to evolve
Whether you're just starting out, returning to your studio after time away, or questioning your path, this episode offers encouragement and perspective for the year ahead.
 
 LINKS:
https://lisacongdon.com/
Follow Lisa on Instagram @lisacongdon
Lisa's books:
Art, Inc: The Essential Guide for Building Your Career as an Artist
 
Find Your Artistic Voice: The Essential Guide to Working Your Creative Magic (Art Book for Artists, Creative Self-Help Book)
 
A Glorious Freedom: Older Women Leading Extraordinary Lives

 
I Like Your Work Links:
Apply to the Chautauqua School of Art Residency Program: art.chq.org
Join Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/ILikeYourWork
 
Apply for our Spring Open Call: Deadline February 15: https://www.ilikeyourworkpodcast.com/submitwork
 
Pre-order our catalog: https://www.ilikeyourworkpodcast.com/resources
 
Have a question you want Erika to discuss in a mini episode? Email it to [email protected] with the subject "mini eps" 
 
 
Join Erika in Italy at Umbria Contemporary Arts this Summer:
https://www.umbriacontemporaryarts.com/product-page/the-symbolic-landscape-instructor
 





Join the Works Membership! https://theworksmembership.com/

Watch our Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@ilikeyourworkpodcast

Submit Your Work
Check out our Catalogs!
Exhibitions
Studio Visit Artist Interviews
I Like Your Work Podcast
Say "hi" on Instagram

Artist residencies play an important role in supporting creative development, professional growth, and sustained studio practice. This episode offers insight into artist residencies through the lens of Chautauqua Visual Arts, alongside practical guidance for artists preparing strong, thoughtful applications.
Chautauqua Visual Arts offers two distinct residency experiences, each designed to support artists at different stages and working styles.
The Faculty-Led Six-Week Residency is designed for emerging/student artists seeking an immersive, structured experience. The program features accomplished visiting faculty who lead classes, lectures, and critiques, providing sustained mentorship, professional dialogue, and a cohort-based learning environment. Artists develop their work within a supportive community while engaging in critical exchange and guided exploration.
The Self-Directed Two-Week Residency with Studio Visits supports artists seeking focused studio time within a self-directed framework. This residency offers space to work independently, complemented by studio visits during the second week that provide feedback, conversation, and connection while preserving autonomy in the artist's practice.Both residencies include dedicated studio space, a vibrant community of artists, and access to world-class lectures and performances at Chautauqua—creating an environment that supports focus, reflection, and creative growth.In this episode, I also share practical application insights drawn from my years reviewing applications which includes:
1. Demonstrate an understanding of the residency program  Strong applications show a clear understanding of the residency's structure, location, and values. Artists are encouraged to apply to programs that align with how they work. For example, artists seeking a city-based experience may not be a good fit for a rural residency, and vice versa. Thoughtful consideration of fit strengthens both the application and the residency experience.
2. Submit strong, well-documented images of your work  Clear, well-lit, and accurately documented images remain one of the most important components of any application. High-quality images allow reviewers to engage fully with the work and understand the artist's practice.
3. Treat project proposals as a reflection of studio practice  When applications ask what an artist plans to work on during the residency, the question often reflects a broader consideration: whether the artist knows how to work independently, structure their time, and sustain a studio practice. Clear, realistic responses demonstrate preparedness rather than fixed outcomes.
4. Allow adequate time when requesting references  When requesting a letter of reference, giving ample notice is essential. Thoughtful timing allows references to write strong, detailed letters that meaningfully support an application.
 
I Like Your Work Links:
Apply to the Chautauqua School of Art Residency Program: art.chq.org
Join Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/ILikeYourWork
 
Apply for our Spring Open Call: Deadline February 15: https://www.ilikeyourworkpodcast.com/submitwork
 
Pre-order our catalog: https://www.ilikeyourworkpodcast.com/resources
 
Have a question you want Erika to discuss in a mini episode? Email it to [email protected] with the subject "mini eps" 
 
 
Join Erika in Italy at Umbria Contemporary Arts this Summer:
https://www.umbriacontemporaryarts.com/product-page/the-symbolic-landscape-instructor
 





Join the Works Membership! https://theworksmembership.com/

Watch our Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@ilikeyourworkpodcast

Submit Your Work
Check out our Catalogs!
Exhibitions
Studio Visit Artist Interviews
I Like Your Work Podcast
Say "hi" on Instagram

We're revisiting one of my favorite conversations from the archive with painter John Walker, an episode that feels just as relevant now as when it first aired. In this conversation, John reflects on what it means to stay with the work over decades, how a painting practice evolves over time, and the quiet discipline required to keep showing up to the studio. We talk about the deeply meaningful realities of a life devoted to making art. As we move into a new year, this episode feels like the perfect reminder that sustainable creative lives aren't built overnight they're built through intention, consistency, and returning again and again to what matters most.Goals Giveaway To celebrate this rerelease and the new year, I'm offering a free Goal Workbook to anyone who joins I Like Your Work on Patreon. The workbook is designed to help you clarify what you want from your creative life this year without burnout, hustle culture, or unrealistic pressure.
Join Patreon to receive the Goal Workbook: https://www.patreon.com/c/ILikeYourWork
Whether you're setting intentions for the year or simply needing encouragement to keep going, I hope this conversation meets you where you are.
LINKS: 
https://johnwalkerpainter.com/index.php
https://www.alexandregallery.com/john-walker
 
I Like Your Work Links:
Thank you to our Sponsor, the 2026 Canopy Program:
Apply by January 14th at thecanopyprogram.com

 
 











Pre-order our catalog: https://www.ilikeyourworkpodcast.com/resources
 
Have a question you want Erika to discuss in a mini episode? Email it to [email protected] with the subject "mini eps" 
 
Apply to the Chautauqua School of Art Residency Program: art.chq.org
Join Erika in Italy at Umbria Contemporary Arts this Summer:
https://www.umbriacontemporaryarts.com/product-page/the-symbolic-landscape-instructor
 





Join the Works Membership! https://theworksmembership.com/

Watch our Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@ilikeyourworkpodcast

Submit Your Work
Check out our Catalogs!
Exhibitions
Studio Visit Artist Interviews
I Like Your Work Podcast
Say "hi" on Instagram

In this New Year episode of I Like Your Work, I talk about doing the next thing in your art practice by following what genuinely lights you up — even when it means making a change. I share why I chose to refocus my energy on teaching, creating courses, and building spaces for artists, and how that clarity led me to an exciting move to Patreon. This shift makes it easier for more artists to access professional practice support, classes, and conversations in a way that's flexible, affordable, and rooted in real studio life.
 
 
I Like Your Work Links:
https://www.patreon.com/cw/ILikeYourWork/home
 
Thank you to our Sponsor, the 2026 Canopy Program:
Apply by January 14th at thecanopyprogram.com

 
 











Pre-order our catalog: https://www.ilikeyourworkpodcast.com/resources
 
Have a question you want Erika to discuss in a mini episode? Email it to [email protected] with the subject "mini eps" 
 
Apply to the Chautauqua School of Art Residency Program: art.chq.org
Join Erika in Italy at Umbria Contemporary Arts this Summer:
https://www.umbriacontemporaryarts.com/product-page/the-symbolic-landscape-instructor
 





Join the Works Membership! https://theworksmembership.com/

Watch our Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@ilikeyourworkpodcast

Submit Your Work
Check out our Catalogs!
Exhibitions
Studio Visit Artist Interviews
I Like Your Work Podcast
Say "hi" on Instagram

In this mini episode of I Like Your Work, I talk about why waiting to feel "ready" or confident keeps so many artists stuck and how planning your artistic year while feeling afraid can actually be the most honest place to start. This episode is for artists who:
Feel overwhelmed when thinking about the year ahead
Struggle with creative fear, doubt, or perfectionism
Want to plan their art practice without burning out
Are ready to make work even when clarity hasn't arrived yet
You don't need to eliminate fear to move forward. You can do it afraid. I share simple, grounded ways to think about creative planning, goal setting, and staying connected to your work—without pressure, hustle, or unrealistic expectations.
 
Whether you're planning a new year, a new body of work, or just trying to show up consistently, this episode offers a steady place to begin.
 
I Like Your Work Links:
 
Thank you to our Sponsor, the 2026 Canopy Program:
Apply by January 14th at thecanopyprogram.com

 
 











Pre-order our catalog: https://www.ilikeyourworkpodcast.com/resources
 
Have a question you want Erika to discuss in a mini episode? Email it to [email protected] with the subject "mini eps" 
 
Apply to the Chautauqua School of Art Residency Program: art.chq.org
Join Erika in Italy at Umbria Contemporary Arts this Summer:
https://www.umbriacontemporaryarts.com/product-page/the-symbolic-landscape-instructor
 





Join the Works Membership! https://theworksmembership.com/

Watch our Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@ilikeyourworkpodcast

Submit Your Work
Check out our Catalogs!
Exhibitions
Studio Visit Artist Interviews
I Like Your Work Podcast
Say "hi" on Instagram