Amanda Coen Art: Behind the Scenes in the Studio: Latest Work Underway

‘Stop Indulging in the Overwhelm’ If there’s one habit I’m determined to shake, it’s this: indulging in the overwhelm. Ever heard the phrase? I repeat it to myself daily - my little mantra to keep things on track. A YouTube creator recently reminded me that we can spend every day tackling the so‑called 'urgent' stuff - emails, SEO and website tweaks, endless admin. They’ll keep you busy for ever more, but they won’t necessarily move you forward. If the busy work isn’t bringing you closer to your goals, it’s time to pause, look up, and decide what will. I used...

Returning to the Easel: Sketches, Supermarkets and Artistic Shenanigans Hi, I thought it was high time I gave you a little update. I’ve been waiting for the “right time” to post something new—but of course, there is no such thing, is there? I really did intend to post at least once a month, so maybe I’ll draw a line in the sand around that challenge and move on from there. Art Amid the Chaos (and Admin) I’ve been busily trying to build a regular art practice into my already burgeoning workload. Mind you, much of that workload is self-imposed, which...

As an artist, the very thought of limiting creativity in any way makes me fidgety. "Niche down," they say. "Focus on what works. Focus on what your audience wants." But for many artists, this advice feels like stepping into a veritable straitjacket—and it’s itchy! While I instinctively rail against this idea in many ways, I also acknowledge that, in some respects, it is completely valid. And in other ways? Utter rubbish. Let’s discuss it. But first, let me tell you where I’m coming from. How it Was Before Digital: No social media accounts, email lists, websites, agents or paid ads....

To me, art inspiration is life itself—everything I see, hear, and experience every day. That’s it in a nutshell, though a very dense one! Whatever inspires me in life will naturally inspire me artistically. But then comes the decision. Which ideas are worth pursuing, and which should remain as fleeting thoughts? Some concepts are best left undeveloped or unexplored. But so far, I’ve never found myself short of inspiration for paintings, sketches, jewellery, or even giftware designs. Life is a vast and boundless source of ideas—our only job is to filter and refine what calls to us. Everyday Moments: The...

Art: Getting Out of My Own Way to Create I have been waiting quite a while to begin writing regularly about my new art adventures. It’s a strange thing to carve out a new creative routine, especially after a long absence. The process has been full of stops and starts, endless reassessments, and, ultimately, a major shift in how I approach my time, my priorities, and my creative energy. Through continuous research, learning from other creators, and an invaluable year of online coaching since July 2023, I have discovered more efficient ways of managing tasks like content creation. Seeing smarter...