Ep34: Burnout Arrest for the Artist w/ Melissa Clements: In this episode @maggiefedorov is joined by Melissa Clements ( @melclmnts ) of Perth, Western Australia to talk about the delicate dance of avoiding burnout as an artist. Melissa discusses how burnout found her through the many hats the artist must wear; how she suggests we combat burnout by looking to the root of the problem; and how to ABSOLUTELY NOT give up on a dream that we know in our heart of hearts will take a whole lifetime to come to full fruition and be fraught with challenges every step of the way.

Do you think you already have the right structural supports in place for burnout arrest in your creative practice? Listen now to hear our thoughts on what this entails and more.

Episode image courtesy of Adam Kenna (@adamkennaphoto)

Boone's Solace LLC © 2026. All Rights Reserved.

SHOW NOTES:

Melissa on Instagram

Melissa's Website

Melissa's Substack: "Word and Image"

Saeculum at Linton and Kay Gallery

TOTALLY F#@!ING NORMAL on Instagram

Maggie on Instagram

In this episode @maggiefedorov is joined by Geneva Allen ( @geneva_seasfae ) of San Bernardino County, California to talk about the outsider experience and how that presents itself within the fine art world. Geneva discusses how much of the misfit archetypal experience is specifically imposed on artists that are multi-passionate and choose not to limit themselves to working in just one medium; how she views herself as an artist and a complex human being that has been deemed The Outcast™️; and how walking the path of the misfit with pride actually has turned out to be the best thing for both her creative vision and her inner artist.

Do you think that the "othering" of our community members is a harm, a help, or perhaps a complex web of a little of both? Listen now to hear our thoughts on this and more.

Episode image courtesy of Geneva Allen

Boone's Solace LLC © 2026. All Rights Reserved.

SHOW NOTES:

Geneva on Instagram

Geneva's Website

TOTALLY F#@!ING NORMAL on Instagram

Maggie on Instagram

In this episode @maggiefedorov is joined by Indre Labanauskaite ( @manyiiiart ) of Vilnius, Lithuania to talk about her explorations in medium and more. Indre discusses how much of what we call "real" art, in her opinion, is tied up in medium; how she personally defines "art"; and how digging deep in process adds richness to her creative practice as well as elsewhere in life.

Do you think that the art is the finished thing you end up with when you're done working; or do you feel as we do, that "art" is actually a secret other thing? Listen today to hear our thoughts on these topics and more!

Episode 32 is available now!

Episode image courtesy of Indre Labanauskaite

SHOW NOTES:

Jillian on Instagram

Etsy: Jill's Vintage Vault

TOTALLY F#@!ING NORMAL Instagram

Maggie on Instagram

In this episode @maggiefedorov is joined by Paloma Strong ( @strongtaxidermy ) of Los Angeles, CA to talk about her unique experience with seeking and acquiring a prestigious taxidermy apprenticeship, growing through it, and eventually finding it was time to step out on her own. Paloma discusses the work that hopeful future apprentices in any medium can do on their own time to stand out as a strong candidate; what masters are looking for in an apprentice; and what it took for her to feel like it was finally time to go out on her own in the world of Taxidermy. In this episode Paloma also considers how, as artists, we can pay homage to and respect our roots while we also find that ingenuity and continue to bring all of it with us into the future. Listen today to hear her thoughts on these topics and more!

Show notes:

Strong Taxidermy on Instagram

Paloma on Instagram

Strong Taxidermy on TikTok

Strong Taxidermy on the Web

Strong Taxidermy on Patreon

TOTALLY F#@!ING NORMAL PODCAST EP6: Sacrifice Is A Certainty w/ Shane Izykowski

TOTALLY F#@!ING NORMAL Instagram

Maggie's Instagram

In this episode @maggiefedorov is joined by Emily Eccles, one half of Nanny Goat Gallery ( @nannygoatgallery ) in Petaluma, CA to talk about her experience of being initiated into the fine art world. Emily discusses the important precipitating factors that called for her pivot into art; the struggle of standing on the precipice and deciding to jump; and the best way to approach artists, gallerists, or other creatives that you'd like to see yourself work with. In this episode Emily also considers her path in retrospect, shedding light on what else was important for her success along the way. Listen today to hear her thoughts on these topics and more!

Show notes:

Nanny Goat Gallery on Instagram

Nanny Goat Gallery Website

TOTALLY F#@!ING NORMAL Instagram

Maggie's Instagram

In this episode Maggie is joined by Alondra Uhi ( @alondra.uhi.art / @byherfruits.art ) to talk about the risks of using social media as a metric for success in the arts. Alondra discusses her own personal metrics for success that she uses in lieu of social media; the importance of contributing to your creative community; "trends" and "cringe" in content creation as an artist; and the pressure I think we have all experienced at some point or another to create faster than we're comfortable in order to appease the algorithm. In this episode Alondra also considers what it means to show up as your best authentic self online. Listen today to hear her thoughts on these topics and more!

Show notes:

Alondra Uhi on Instagram

Alondra's Religious + Feminist Art on Instagram

Howard Lyon on Instagram

Esther Candari on Instagram

Kelsey Critchfield-De Ferrari on Instagram:

One Peak Creative on Instagram:

TOTALLY F#@!ING NORMAL Instagram

Maggie's Instagram

In this episode Maggie is joined by Michelle ( @littleredheartart / @mmarketingbroward ) to talk about common places that artists are largely missing the boat in the world of business and opportunities. Michelle discusses places where all artists need to be putting themselves out there, even when that's asking us to step outside of our comfort zone; the easiest way to take back your time and energy in content creation; how to stand out online and in person as an artist; and the biggest mistake Michelle sees artists make that turns into lost opportunities (hint: it isn't competition!). In this episode Michelle also considers who is really in charge in the Art World™️. Listen today to hear her thoughts on these topics and more!

Show notes:

Michelle's Marketing Instagram

Michelle's Art Instagram

TOTALLY F#@!ING NORMAL Instagram

Maggie's Instagram