Listen on Spotify


Listen on Apple Podcasts

 

Do you feel pressured to have a “style”?

I know I do. And I know other artists feel the same.

We see work that’s recognisable, consistent, polished and we wonder, How do I get there?

My friend Sharon is a great example. She’s a sculptor. Her work is expressive, raw, sometimes mystical. Branches, horns, textured clay. When you see it, you know it’s hers. That’s what people usually mean by style.

But for me, the word always felt heavy. Pressure-filled.

Voice over style

Instead, I talk about voice.

Voice is fluid. It grows with you. It’s the essence of what you put into your work. Your life. Your imagination. Your experiences.

And it doesn’t need to look the same each time.

I often return to a phrase in my own work: to become one. The pieces vary widely but the voice is consistent. That’s what connects them.

Let life guide you

Right now, I’m in Ireland, meeting family I’ve never met. My grandad was an orphan, and we’ve been tracing his roots. Tonight, we’ll gather for dinner, and these moments will undoubtedly find their way into my work.

I notice. I journal. I sketch. I keep little records of what I see, feel, and hear. That’s how my voice grows.

Sometimes the universe gives nudges. Yesterday, I visited a leprechaun museum and spent an hour listening to stories. It reminded me of a book I’d read on imagination – how children see the world in vivid, untamed ways, and how that sense of wonder often gets quieted as we grow.

Being there felt like a sign, a small spark. A reminder to pay attention, to notice, to capture the moments that move you. That noticing, that awareness, is what shapes your voice, your creativity, and ultimately your work.

Your voice is already there

Your style doesn’t have to be rigid. It doesn’t have to be recognisable at first glance. Your voice is already within you, waiting to be noticed.

Notice your life. Notice your reactions. Notice the things that make your heart beat a little faster.

This is what we focus on in Kickstart Your Art. Helping you notice, capture, and let your life and art flow together.

If this speaks to you, join us through the link below:

https://unitedartspace.myflodesk.com/ksya

Never miss a vlogcast episode again:

  • YouTube: Watch the video above and subscribe to the United ArtSpace channel.
  • Podcast: Click on the audio above to follow or share. You can also search for United Artspace wherever you listen to your podcasts.
  • Email: Sign up to our mailing list here and receive links to our latest episode.

Have a great week & take care,

Michelle xo