Stop Creating Under Stress (And Make Your Most Honest Art)

In this episode of The Professional Artist Podcast, contemporary figurative painter Michelle Doll is featured by the Professional Artist Association ( https://professionalartist.com/join ), the world's fastest-growing global community for committed fine artists. Michelle is an acclaimed artist whose emotionally charged paintings explore intimacy, empathy, and the quiet beauty of human connection. Based in Hoboken, New Jersey, she transforms everyday moments into poetic reflections on tenderness. Her work has been exhibited internationally and recognized with major honors, including the Lillian Orlovsky and William Freed Grant. In this deep dive, Michelle shares how reconnecting with your inner world can spark creativity and healing, how authenticity in your studio practice shapes genuine relationships, and how to build a sustainable career that supports both artistic freedom and emotional well-being. This episode offers insight and inspiration for artists seeking to create from a place of truth, compassion, and balance… both on and off the canvas. ”Find something that's not going to stress your art. If your art is stressed, then you can't bring your good energy into the studio and make the work that you want to make.” -Michelle Doll Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 01:18 Creating a Safe Studio Environment 03:32 Experiencing Moments of Connection Through Art 05:44 Emotional Healing and the Creative Process 10:21 Important Artworks and Their Impact 12:10 Balancing Artistic Freedom and Financial Stability 14:05 Insights on Teaching and Mentoring Artists 17:21 Navigating the Challenges of Funding and Grants 19:44 Commissioned Work: Expectations vs. Reality 22:08 The Importance of Stability for Artistic Expression 23:24 The Role of Stress in Artistic Practice 24:34 Reflection on Creativity and Inner Care Access the members-only full unabridged conversation here: https://hub.professionalartist.com/c/deep-dives-vault/michelle-doll Links to artworks discussed: Her artworks can be seen in the YouTube version of this podcast here. Resources: New Jersey City University: https://www.njcu.edu/ New York Academy of Art: https://nyaa.edu/ Artwork Archive: https://www.artworkarchive.com/ NFA (NALAC Fund for the Arts): https://www.nalac.org/grants/nalac-fund-for-the-arts/ Connect with Michelle: Website: https://www.michelledoll.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michellelynndoll/ Learn more about The Professional Artist Association: Join 50,000+ artists getting Free advice & inspiration: https://professionalartist.com/podcast/#join-free-artist-letter Join ≈1,000 committed artists around the world for less than $1, £ or € a day: https://professionalartist.com/join Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/professionalartistaccelerator Free training and resources: Free training on how to find art buyers without a big following: https://professionalartist.com/find-your-next-3-fine-art-collectors/?utm_source=PODCAST&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=2025-06 Free insider report on how Painters, Sculptors, and Fine Art Photographers make their art income stable and consistent: https://professionalartist.com/report/?utm_source=PODCAST&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=free_report If you enjoyed this episode, please like and subscribe, share it with another artist and leave us a review. We read every single one.