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In this episode, we chat with Angie Sotiropoulos, the talented artist behind Dragonfly Book Press and sister to Barb Sotiropoulos. Angie dives into her creative journey and explains her passion for crafting sketchbooks and notebooks. You'll be intrigued to hear about the specific paper she selects for her books. It's a game-changer for colored pencil and watercolor artists, offering the perfect surface for their creations.  And here's a fun fact: she uses the very same paper that artists prefer and use for their larger, more serious pieces!  Angie's inspiration came from a desire to carry different types of paper without losing or damaging them. She particularly wanted to use her favorite 100% cotton watercolor paper in a more practical, bound format. This approach allowed her to organize her sketches in one place chronologically.  Her friends noticed and soon began requesting custom sketchbooks, giving Angie the perfect opportunity to hone her bookbinding skills. When the 2020 pandemic hit, Angie found herself with more time to go deeper into bookbinding. This period of exploration led to the birth of a new business idea. Choosing the dragonfly as her company emblem was symbolic of the adaptability, transformation, and change she was experiencing. Angie's work is more than just about creating physical objects; it's about encouraging a slower, more mindful approach to creativity.  Angie's website: https://www.dragonflybookpress.com/ For all the links, references, and resources head over to www.sharpenedartist.com/podcast Want to get the video podcast early?  For early release, rough-cut, and ad-free video versions of the show join the Members Circle community inside Monthly Sharpener.

Welcome to season 4 of the longest-running podcast on colored pencil as a fine art medium!   For all the links, references, and resources, head over to www.sharpenedartist.com/podcast Want to get the video podcast early?  For early release, rough-cut, and ad-free video versions of the show, join the Members Circle community inside Monthly Sharpener.  

In this episode, colored pencil artist and instructor Paco Martin shares how he came to colored pencils after first using graphite and pastels. Paco embarked on his artistic journey with self-taught techniques but soon realized the need for formal training. He initially explored oils and was also drawn to pastels.  However, he found his true artistic voice in colored pencil. It's a medium he feels allows him the greatest expression and realism. Paco's artistic style is meticulous, influenced by his strong background in Mathematics. He experiments with shapes, textures, volumes, and compositions, often incorporating geometric designs and the golden ratio into his work.  Over the years, Paco has built an international network of artist friends, learning from them while also contributing to the community. One of his major goals is to popularize colored pencil art in Spain, where he feels the medium hasn't received the recognition it deserves. Paco has earned significant awards and recognition from a variety of esteemed art associations. These include the Australian Society of Coloured Pencil Artists (AUSCPA), the Pencil Art Society, the Colored Pencil Society of America (CPSA), the UK Colored Pencil Society (UKCPS), the Colored Pencil Artists and Lovers (CPCAU), and the International Guild of Realism (IGOR).   He continuously challenges himself to capture the nuanced beauty of everyday life, believing that he still has much to achieve as an artist. Paco Martin's website: https://www.pacomartin.art/ For all the links, references, and resources head over to www.sharpenedartist.com/podcast Want to get the video podcast early?  For early release, rough-cut, and ad-free video versions of the show join the Members Circle community inside Monthly Sharpener.  

In this episode, John and Barb explore how travel can fuel artistic creativity, with John sharing eye-opening experiences from his trip to India and Barb discussing the inspiration she found in New York City's vibrant cityscapes.  They offer practical tips for capturing creative moments during travel, such as keeping a camera ready and seeking out artistically interesting locations. They suggest ways to find inspiration even by staying local, in joining local groups, or visiting nearby points of interest as if you're a visitor in your own city.

Welcome to season 4 of the longest-running podcast on colored pencil as a fine art medium! Get ready for more inspiration, innovation, and everything you want to know about this medium that we love so much! For all the links, references, and resources, head over to www.sharpenedartist.com/podcast Want to get the video podcast early?  For early release, rough-cut, and ad-free video versions of the show, join the Members Circle community inside Monthly Sharpener.  

We're thrilled to announce that we're back with Season 4 of the Sharpened Artist | Color Pencil Podcast, rested, refreshed, and eager to inspire you! This season, we're shifting our focus to what fuels other artists' creativity, offering transformative advice, delivering cherished artist interviews, and guiding you in discovering the perfect materials that could take your artwork beyond what you've ever imagined.

Welcome to season 3 of the longest-running podcast on colored pencil as a fine art medium! Get ready for more inspiration, innovation, and everything you want to know about this medium that we love so much! For all the links, references, and resources, head over to www.sharpenedartist.com/podcast Want to get the video podcast early?  For early release, rough-cut, and ad-free video versions of the show, join the Members Circle community inside Monthly Sharpener.  

Welcome to season 3 of the longest-running podcast on colored pencil as a fine art medium! Get ready for more inspiration, innovation, and everything you want to know about this medium that we love so much! For all the links, references, and resources, head over to www.sharpenedartist.com/podcast Want to get the video podcast early?  For early release, rough-cut, and ad-free video versions of the show, join the Members Circle community inside Monthly Sharpener.

Welcome to season 3 of the longest-running podcast on colored pencil as a fine art medium! Get ready for more inspiration, innovation, and everything you want to know about this medium that we love so much! For all the links, references, and resources, head over to www.sharpenedartist.com/podcast Want to get the video podcast early?  For early release, rough-cut, and ad-free video versions of the show, join the Members Circle community inside Monthly Sharpener.

Welcome to season 3 of the longest-running podcast on colored pencil as a fine art medium! Get ready for more inspiration, innovation, and everything you want to know about this medium that we love so much! For all the links, references, and resources, head over to www.sharpenedartist.com/podcast Want to get the video podcast early?  For early release, rough-cut, and ad-free video versions of the show, join the Members Circle community inside Monthly Sharpener.

Welcome to season 3 of the longest-running podcast on colored pencil as a fine art medium! Get ready for more inspiration, innovation, and everything you want to know about this medium that we love so much! For all the links, references, and resources, head over to www.sharpenedartist.com/podcast Want to get the video podcast early?  For early release, rough-cut, and ad-free video versions of the show, join the Members Circle community inside Monthly Sharpener.

Welcome to season 3 of the longest-running podcast on colored pencil as a fine art medium! Get ready for more inspiration, innovation, and everything you want to know about this medium that we love so much! For all the links, references, and resources, head over to www.sharpenedartist.com/podcast Want to get the video podcast early?  For early release, rough-cut, and ad-free video versions of the show, join the Members Circle community inside Monthly Sharpener.