Are you willing to put your art out into the world—to put yourself out in the world—knowing that you may not get the validation you seek. My conversation with Southern California abstract painter PRIYA SHARMA ASENCIO digs into the nitty-gritty reality of making the transition from a prior profession (in Priya’s case advertising media) to being a full-time painter, including the highs and lows of showing your work in public forums like art fairs and growing into your art practice within the social media gaze.

Priya’s dogged optimism has helped her weather the disappointments and recognize how all of her art experiences are interconnected. Rather than relying on external measures of success, Priya is learning how to validate herself first and appreciating the relationships each new stage presents.

How do you create a sustainable art career over 40 years? New Orleans native ADELE SYPESTEYN shares how paying attention to everything— what’s working, what’s not—and not being afraid to change directions has allowed her to maintain a successful career as a contemporary artist and educator, including walking away from gallery representation, embracing new venues, Instagram sales and YouTube videos.

Abstract painter Robin Davisson carefully considers the variables when designing her artistic experiments with paint fluidity and viscosity, a skill that comes naturally after twenty years as a researcher and professor of molecular physiology. Robin shares the common element for her love of both science and art—“the exhilaration of discovery”—as well as her survival skills for a research career adapted for the arts and the characteristics of a good mentor.

British printmaker and painter ALISON SAUNDERS makes no bones about it—she doesn’t like boring beige. While her bold use of color belies her initial career as an accountant, Alison generously offers her professional insight on how to track expenses for art shows, weekly business check-ins and an old-school index card system to manage inventory. Alison also shares personal stories about growing up in a family of artists and making art during times of emotional upheaval.

The Artish Plunge explores the power of the arts as language with multimedia artist, curator and professor HUMBERTO RAMIREZ. Escaping the political turmoil in Chile of the 1970s, Humberto came to the US to study molecular biology before he pivoted to art. While his early paintings represented his social concerns, he shares how his current work reflects his surroundings and stage of life, using space, light and color to create contemplative botanical fantasies.

For over twenty years JOAN HANLEY has balanced artmaking with a meditative practice. The ARTish Plunge podcast explores how Joan’s spiritual and art explorations around the world have influenced her practice, as reflected in her book Art & Yoga. Joan now creates contemplative paintings and coaches other artists seeking creative balance from her historic Harrisville, New Hampshire studio.