Bartering Art, Value, and the Artist’s Life

What is art actually worth—and who gets to decide?

In this episode of My Art is My Voice, Rebecca and Tom explore the many layers of value in a creative life—from bartering and trading artwork to selling it, sharing it, and being judged by it.

This conversation moves through the realities of being a full-time artist: – Trading art vs. selling it – The ups and downs of making a living creatively – How we judge art—and how we feel judged by our own work – Comparing your work to what you see online

They also reflect on: – The myth of the “starving artist” – The idea of not being appreciated in your own time – Failing as an artist—and finding your way back – Life on and off the internet as a creative

Along the way, a central idea comes up again and again: Art comforts the disturbed and disturbs the comfortable.

At its core, this episode is about navigating value—not just in money, but in meaning, identity, and the act of continuing to make.

🎧 My Art is My Voice is a podcast about creativity, identity, and the lived experience of being an artist.

Subscribe to follow new episodes.

instagram @myartismyvoicepodcast

email myartismyvoicepodcast@gmail.com

Rebecca Danger's Website: https://www.rebeccadanger.com/

Tom Ferry's Website: https://www.tomferrystudio.com/

Farmette Fresh Website: https://www.farmettefresh.com/

#creativity #artistlife #creativeprocess #artistmindset #makingart

#starvingartist #artandmoney #valueofart #fulltimeartist #artcareer

Art Is Trifficult (Why Making Isn’t Easy)

What if the challenge of making art isn’t something to avoid—but something to understand?

In this episode of My Art is My Voice, Rebecca and Tom explore the idea of “trifficult”—a word that captures the strange balance between things being both tricky and difficult at the same time.

This conversation moves through the real experience of being an artist:

– Why work that comes easily doesn’t always feel valuable

– The difference between adding and subtracting in different mediums (like clay vs. painting)

– How your unique “hand” shows up through imperfection

– The tension between working alone and showing up in public spaces like gallery openings

They also reflect on:

– Flow state and what it feels like to be fully in the work

– The pressure of “should” and how it shapes creative decisions

– How sales can affect your sense of identity as an artist

– The gap between the idea of making (like working outside) and the reality of it

At its core, this episode is about accepting the complexity of the creative process—where difficulty, uncertainty, and imperfection are not problems to solve, but part of the work itself.

Because making art isn’t about getting it right—it’s about staying in it.

🎧 My Art is My Voice is a podcast about creativity, identity, and the lived experience of being an artist.

Subscribe to follow new episodes.

instagram @myartismyvoicepodcast

email myartismyvoicepodcast@gmail.com

Rebecca Danger's Website: rebeccadanger.com

Tom Ferry's Website: tomferrystudio.com

Farmette Fresh Website: farmettefresh.com

What happens in the middle of the creative process—when the excitement fades, the work becomes repetitive, and you’re not quite sure where it’s going?

In this episode of My Art is My Voice, Rebecca and Tom explore what they call the middle muddle—that in-between space where most of the real work happens.

This conversation moves through the many layers of being an artist:


– The repetition and uncertainty that show up in the middle


– The vulnerability of sharing your work—and the fear that comes with it


– The tension between creating for yourself and seeking approval


– How feedback (positive or negative) can shift how you see your own work

They also reflect on:


– Being recognized as an artist in public


– The difference between making art and selling it


– Finding your creative community (and protecting your energy)


– The balance between light and dark—and choosing a middle path


– The reality that most artists don’t fully know what they’re doing

Along the way, they talk about creative habits, taking breaks to reset, and how everything in art is built in layers over time.

At its core, this episode is about staying in the process—continuing to show up, even when it feels uncertain, exposed, or unfinished.

Because creativity isn’t just about outcomes—it’s about what happens to you while you’re in it.

🎧 My Art is My Voice is a podcast about creativity, identity, and the lived experience of being an artist.

New episodes weekly.

instagram @myartismyvoicepodcast

email myartismyvoicepodcast@gmail.com

Rebecca Danger's Website: rebeccadanger.com

Tom Ferry's Website: tomferrystudio.com

Farmette Fresh Website: farmettefresh.com

The Ugly Middle (And Why Most Artists Quit Here)

What happens after the beginning—when the excitement wears off and you’re left in the long, uncertain middle of making?

In this episode of My Art is My Voice, Rebecca Danger and Tom Ferry reflects on what they call the ugly middle—that stretch of the creative process where doubt, frustration, and second-guessing tend to take over.

This conversation explores the internal side of making art: – The tendency to create emotional drama while creating – The challenge of making work for yourself (not for approval) – The balance and play between art, craft, and design – The “hustle trap” and chasing a lifestyle vs. a practice – How success is often just perception—and constantly shifting

Rebecca and Tom also discuss: – Imperfection and why it matters (“my hand will always be imperfect”) – The connection between art and personal history – Light vs. shadow in the creative process – Keeping your circle small and protecting your energy – The feeling that time is always running out—and learning to question it

At its core, this episode is about staying in the work—even when it’s uncomfortable—and allowing your creative practice to be a reflection of something deeper.

Link to Video about Practice: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=53cqxEOuHNI

Because most art isn’t just about making something—it’s about processing something.

🎧 My Art is My Voice is a podcast about creativity, identity, and the lived experience of being an artist.

New episodes weekly.

instagram @myartismyvoicepodcast

email myartismyvoicepodcast@gmail.com

Rebecca Danger's Website: rebeccadanger.com

Tom Ferry's Website: tomferrystudio.com

Farmette Fresh Website: farmettefresh.com

What does it actually take to make money as an artist—and is it worth it?

In this episode, we get into the real experience of selling art, starting with a recent pet portrait commission inspired by Rebecca’s two dogs. From there, the conversation opens up into the bigger picture: what it means to create for someone else, how commissions can challenge your process, and the pressure that comes with putting a price on your work.

We also talk honestly about galleries, art shows, and markets—the time, energy, and emotional investment they require, and whether they truly support artists in the way we hope.

As always, we come back to the idea of choice: how you choose to show up as an artist, the paths you take (or don’t), and what it means to build a creative life on your own terms.

If you’ve ever wondered how artists actually sell their work—or questioned whether it’s sustainable—this episode is for you.

New episodes weekly.

instagram @myartismyvoicepodcast

email myartismyvoicepodcast@gmail.com

Rebecca Danger's Website: rebeccadanger.com

Tom Ferry's Website: tomferrystudio.com

Farmette Fresh Website: farmettefresh.com

When art, money, and self-worth collide.

What is the real cost of making art and how much of that cost is tied to how we see ourselves?

In this Episode, we talk about self worth, transactional value and the pressure to turn creativity into income. From trying to pay the bills with art to not feeling "good enough," this is an honest conversation about the tension between creating freely and creating to survive.

We explore what it means to make choices as an artist, whether you're actively creating your life or letting it happen to you, and the constant pull toward the "next thing." We also get into the idea of creating drama as fuel for art and whether that's helping or hurting the process.

If you have ever questioned your value, your work, or the path you're on, this conversation will hit close to home.

New episodes weekly.

instagram @myartismyvoicepodcast

email myartismyvoicepodcast@gmail.com

Rebecca Danger's Website: rebeccadanger.com

Tom Ferry's Website: tomferrystudio.com

What does it actually mean to live as an artist today?

In this first episode, we sit down over coffee with Rebecca Danger and Tom Ferry to talk honestly about the creative life. From the fear of putting yourself out there to the reality of Burnout, this is a real conversation about what it takes to keep showing up.

We talk about finding your voice through art, why you don't have to hustle to be an artist, and the challenge of trying to make money while staying true to your work.

If you've ever wondered whether you're "doing it right" as an artist, the answer might be simpler than you think: just make art.

New episodes weekly.

instagram @myartismyvoicepodcast

email myartismyvoicepodcast@gmail.com

Rebecca Danger's Website: https://www.rebeccadanger.com/

Tom Ferry's Website: https://www.tomferrystudio.com/