In the final episode of season one, I sit down with Tracy Verdugo, an Australian artist and teacher whose vibrant work and approach to creativity has touched lives worldwide. Like many of us, Tracy came to art later in life - she was 33 when she first picked up a paintbrush, believing until then that creativity was something other people did. Our conversation explores how she moved from teaching art to neighbourhood children to running international workshops and retreats, building a thriving creative business while managing chronic illness. We dig into the reality of being a working artist - the challenge of balancing creative time with business demands, the importance of working in seasons, and how to stay connected to the joy of making art when it's also your livelihood. What I love about this conversation is how Tracy emphasises the importance of community over commodity. Her approach isn't about quick wins or marketing tricks - it's about building genuine connections and letting the business grow organically from there. Whether you're considering taking your art professional or simply wanting to develop a more consistent creative practice, Tracy offers practical insights about staying true to yourself while building something sustainable. ✍ Read the full show notes here: https://www.elinortrierstudio.com/podcast/ep6-tracy-verdugo 💻 Visit Tracy's website here: https://tracyverdugo.com/ 💌 Never miss an episode - sign up for my Studio Letters here: https://www.elinortrierstudio.com/keepintouch 🎶 All music by the incredible Caspar Riis: https://soundcloud.com/caspar-riis. Used with permission.

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“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.

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